The afternoon after I handed the disk and PDA to Cornelia. I wasn't at the hospital room, but at a house Lemon had told me about.
"According to Lemon, this should be the place."
Cornelia's injuries were already healed enough for her to be discharged yesterday. However, after some back-and-forth between Lemon and me, her discharge ended up happening this morning.
It was a very ordinary detached house—hard hardly the kind of place you'd expect royalty like Cornelia to live in. I pressed the intercom switch on the gatepost.
A few seconds later, a somewhat flustered voice came from the other side of the intercom.
"Umm, is this right? …No, to display the video… Ah, this one? Hm? A-Axel!? I haven't even finished tidying up properly yet!"
There was a flurry of noise for a moment, and then her voice came through again.
"Ah—Axel. What is it?"
…I should probably not mention that I heard her earlier.
"It's regarding where we left off yesterday."
"I see. Come in."
With those words, the gate opened, and the front door unlocked.
"It's a little late, but congratulations on your discharge."
Since this was technically a celebration of her recovery, I handed Cornelia the standard assortment of fruits.
"My apologies. I gratefully accept them. Please, sit wherever you like. …Let us get straight to the main topic."
"Yeah."
I sank into the sofa in the reception room before speaking.
"First, if I may state my request: I want you to wait on acting in your world for about one year from now."
"Why?"
"As I told you yesterday, I know the general flow of history. According to that, the Geass Order begins to move frequently about a year from now."
"But if we proceed with the investigation before then, could we not catch them more surely?"
"That is a possibility. However, in exchange, there is a chance they won't move according to the history I know. …Or rather, there is a high probability that will happen. My intervention has likely already made the flow of history terribly unstable. Considering that, I want to avoid destabilizing it further."
Cornelia closed her eyes, pondering my words. About a minute passed before she opened them again.
"Axel. If I do not move for one year as you say, we can catch the tail of this Geass Order?"
"Yeah. That is certain. If the flow of history proceeds normally, Zero will crush the Geass Order."
"Lelouch will?"
"Exactly. As per the information in the data disk, even for Lelouch, using Geass on Euphemia was unavoidable… or rather, it was akin to his Geass going berserk. In other words, Lelouch cannot forgive Geass either."
"…Indeed, the information did mention something like that. It also stated that the Black Knights intended to participate in the Special Administrative Zone of Japan."
"Well?"
"Before I answer that, I wish to ask one thing. If things proceed according to the history you know, will Euphy's name undoubtedly be cleared?"
"Yeah. That is certain."
However, that is through the Zero Requiem. Alternatively, I wondered if I should interfere with the original plot to save Lelouch… but Lelouch himself might not desire that. Regarding Lelouch's fate, I'll decide once the R2 storyline actually begins.
"Very well. I shall follow your words. …Well, I have already dedicated my body and soul to you, Axel. I will obediently follow what you say. More importantly… you are staying the night, are you not?"
"…Huh?"
"I was told so by Lemon. She said she would lend you to me for tonight."
…Lemon. I feel like your personality is subtly changing, but what on earth happened to you?
"…Mm?"
I felt something strange on my arm… what is it?
My mind still hazy with sleep, I opened my eyes slightly to check. There was purple, and there was skin tone. At the same time, I felt something soft and warm pressing against my body.
"Axel?"
I looked toward the voice and saw Cornelia, sweeping back her purple hair, looking down at me.
Cornelia usually has a sharp, intense expression, but naturally, right after waking up, she looked somewhat softer.
"You're up."
I spoke while lightly stroking Cornelia's hair. For a few seconds, she wore a vague, dreamy expression, but as time passed, her consciousness sharpened, and the memories of last night must have returned. Her face turned bright red, and she pulled the blanket up, hiding her body as if to escape my gaze.
"Cornelia?"
"No it's nothing anyway Axel you should go take a shower in the meantime I will prepare various things."
Popping her bright red face out for just a split second, she said all that in one breath without pausing, then retreated into the blanket again.
smiling wryly at her behavior, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
"…Right."
What awaited me after my shower was tea and sandwiches placed on the table. However, these weren't handmade by Cornelia; they were synthesized by the Kibbutz system.
"Sorry. Cooking is a bit beyond me."
Cornelia spoke in a somewhat sulky tone.
But that couldn't be helped. Cornelia is an Imperial Princess, after all. She wouldn't be cooking like a common citizen. …Probably.
"Don't worry about it. You can just learn to cook from now on. More importantly, let's eat."
I sat opposite Cornelia and immediately brought a sandwich to my mouth.
"While you were showering, Axel, I received a message from Lemon. She said that once things have settled down with me, she wants us to come over. She wants to consult about future plans. With me included, of course."
I nodded while washing down the sandwich with tea.
Still, even though this sandwich was synthesized by the Kibbutz, it was reasonably tasty. To use a past-life analogy, it's about the level of a sandwich sold at a convenience store.
"Umm, Axel. Yesterday… I was happy."
Pfft!
Cornelia suddenly dropped that line with a flushed face, causing me to nearly spit out my sandwich. I managed to hold it in.
Being told something like that at a time like this is strangely embarrassing. But seeing Cornelia's happy face, I couldn't say anything snarky.
Before long, our meal—which should be called brunch given that it was nearly noon—came to an end.
I set the plates and cups into the dishwasher in the kitchen and turned to leave the house… but before I could, Cornelia circled around in front of me and sealed my lips with hers.
"Um, consider it a morning greeting. This is normal for lovers, is it not?"
"No, I think that's more for newlyweds than lovers."
"Newly—!?"
I don't know who tricked her into thinking that, but Cornelia's face turned bright red again. …No, I say 'who', but it was probably Lemon.
"If you ask whether I'm happy or not, of course I'm happy. …Come on, Cornelia. Let's go to Lemon's room."
I took the squirming, red-faced Cornelia and headed not to Lemon's house… but to her laboratory.
"My, my. It looks like you enjoyed yourselves last night."
Lemon laughed, wearing a strangely pleasant smile. I was already used to it, but seeing Lemon's beaming face in a room lined with rows of artificial human generation chambers sent a shiver down my spine.
"Anyway, I'm fine regarding Cornelia now. Knowing you, Axel, I knew a situation like this would happen eventually."
"Lemon, does that mean…"
"Yes, this man is a natural lady-killer."
"Wait a minute. I can't let that slide."
I won't go so far as to say I have no interest in women other than Lemon and Cornelia, but it's not like I go around hitting on other women. I couldn't ignore being called a lady-killer.
"…See? Cornelia, you understand, don't you?"
"No, well… yes, I suppose so."
The two women seemed to reach an understanding. Knowing I had absolutely no chance of winning against these two, I had no choice but to surrender unconditionally.
Lemon smiled as she looked at me, while Cornelia showed a subtle hint of shyness. However, a few minutes later, the mood settled, and we began discussing the future.
"So, for now, is it settled that Cornelia will not make a move for one year, as Axel suggested?"
"Yes. I do not mind."
"In that case… Axel. We will resume the Lykeios transfer experiments."
"Is there still a need to experiment?"
"Yes. We've confirmed that the Link Device, the Markers, and the Gate are working properly, but that is strictly limited to Cornelia's world. We can never have enough empirical data."
Lemon's point was valid. Considering the future of Shadow Mirror, ensuring certainty wasn't a bad idea.
"May I participate in that as well?"
However, Cornelia asking that was a bit unexpected.
"Sorry, but I need you to stay here, Cornelia. You need to get used to life on the White Star and our technology level."
"But!"
"Please calm down. Besides, you know Axel's power, don't you? If anything, you might end up being a burden."
"…Understood."
I stroked Cornelia's hair as she looked somewhat dejected.
"Don't look so down. As you know, I'm sturdy. A little trouble won't faze me. Besides, if you two are waiting for me to return, I could defeat the Black Knights or the Chinese Federation all by myself."
"Yes, yes, I get it, so could you please stop flirting? First, regarding the transfer experiment. It is scheduled for one week from now. Also, based on the reflections from the last experiment, you will not be transferring in the Growsaber, but in a pilot suit. Is that alright?"
I nodded silently at Lemon's words.
When transferring to the Code Geass world, since it was the first transfer experiment, I went in the Growsaber. However, the Knightmare Frames used in that world are about 4 to 5 meters tall, which is quite small compared to the Growsaber at over 20 meters. As for the Trinity Gain, it's over 40 meters, creating a size difference of 9 to 10 times.
Considering we don't know what kind of place the next world will be, transferring in a pilot suit is the correct decision.
One week later, I stood in the transfer sector. Around me were the technical staff observing the experiment, just like last time, led by Lemon. Cornelia was there as well.
As for me, I was clad in the pilot suit used by Shadow Mirror, waiting for the experiment to begin. Since necessary supplies were already stored in the Dimensional Storage, the only things I physically carried were the handgun and knife Lemon had customized for me.
"Axel."
Cornelia called out suddenly. When I turned around, her face was already close—filling my vision. Then, my lips were sealed by hers.
Over ten seconds passed before she pulled away.
"Umm, well. Just think of it as a charm for victory."
"Heh, showing off, aren't we?"
Hearing Lemon's voice, I reflexively turned toward her. She was supposed to be adjusting the Lykeios with the technical staff, but…
"Mmph."
This time, Lemon sealed my lips.
"A kiss from two Goddesses of Victory. The effect is guaranteed, so be grateful. …Now, preparations here are complete. Please move to the center of the Lykeios."
"Right."
It was somewhat embarrassing, but ignoring the technical staff hooting and hollering around us, I moved to the center point.
As if waiting for that moment, the staff began collecting data with crisp, efficient movements. The playful atmosphere from just seconds ago was completely gone.
"Captain Axel, good luck."
"Yeah. I leave the defense of this place to you."
Echidna nodded. As she moved closer to Lemon, the technical staff began operating the Lykeios.
"Lykeios, activated. Transfer field generation start."
Unlike last time, since the field was only for one person, generation completed immediately.
"System all green. Transfer field generation complete… Transferring!"
"Axel, stay safe."
Simultaneous with Lemon's words, my vision was enveloped in light.
When my vision returned, the first things I sensed were the smell of gunpowder and the sound of explosions. It was the scent of the battlefield, one I was intimately familiar with.
And right in front of me was red… a red pilot suit?
The figure seemed to notice me and pointed the gun in their hand toward me.
"…!? When did you get so close!"
Screaming, the figure placed a finger on the trigger. In that instant, almost reflexively, I spoke the command.
"Accel."
Using the Spirit Command Accel, I slipped into the enemy's guard and drove my fist into their solar plexus.
"Guh!?"
However, although the opponent groaned, they didn't pass out. Impossible! Did they shift the point of impact in that split second?
In the next moment, I noticed it. Three trailers located right nearby. And the weapons loaded on them. That distinctive face… it belongs to a machine from a series I know very well.
Which means this world is…
"The world of Gundam SEED."
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 35
PP: 485
Stats:
Melee: 246
Shooting: 264
Skill: 256
Defense: 253
Evasion: 281
Accuracy: 303
SP: 422
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to upgrade slime performance)
Growth Type: Versatile/Special
Terrain Adaptation:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Attack (SP 30)
Awake (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Regen & Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Break Will Limit
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kill Count: 254
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