The Tech Prince Of Britannia - 6 The City's inner workings beging to take form

3 Years Later

It has been three years since I got Monaca as a new addition to my scientist team. I had started teaching Monaca more of what I knew and she absorbed it all like a sponge in water. She has become a very dedicated helper even if she had received some dirty looks from the others in the palace.

Speaking of which I am no longer living in the Royal palace’s grounds. Since mother died last year, her health was just too weak and she was already getting older and she could not resist even with my medicine I made for her, I moved out of the palace’s grounds. Aside from the many Memories there it was only because of Mothers bad health that people overlooked the fact that she lived in the same place as the Emperor. Now with her gone I had the choice of moving to the old Villa in which Charles, Mother and Vincent grew up in or to build a new high-class place. I had chosen to build a new one and was now living in the Phantomhive Manor located on the border of my City.

I spent most of my time in my own personal Company-tower which I had shamelessly ripped of from Tonys Stark-tower only with a large C on it, my city was truly advancing nicely according to my plans and soon enough I would have completed my main objective for it. I now am firmly considered the king of the newest technology and I constantly have to deal with attempts of sabotage, espionage, and other nuisances which would be much worse if not for another thing that is becoming common knowledge amongst those who try to do that.

None who enter my city to take away my tech without my permission manage to leave, all simply vanishing and no one from the outside knows of them. It is a good thing, however, since if they knew of the destiny of those thieves they would long since have given up on entering my city and me and a few of my other associates need fresh lab rats whenever possible.

It is especially so with Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the man was a true monster in terms of morals though I was never someone who cared about stuff like that as all that mattered was that he was good enough to assist me on discovering new things. As I enter my lab I turn to the side and many vigilance monitors connected to other places are going on and in them I see all my scientists working diligently, I only can smile as I think that things are progressing well.

The ones responsible for robotics are Lloyd, Cécile, Sasori (yep, it is a carbon copy of the Akatsuki member and a number from Area 6 specifically Peru, it was a shock for most when I chose him over other renowned scientists in the mainland but he is better so that is all that matters anyway) and Monaca who is now a very cute murder machine if her recently modified wheelchair is anything to go by. They all even have a rivalry on who can create the best Knightmares and other such things and are advancing nicely for it, even if Cécile isn’t interested in competing for all that much.

The Cyborg-project which I had started was led by Dr. Gero a man which I had been amused to find. While Android 17 and 18 were not anywhere close to being created the man did have some successes. Among those being General Ironwood who recently lost an arm, the two legs and some of the vital body parts on the battlefield is now fully back to health and can fight much better than before. I also have a man named Genos who was still in training for Knighthood after losing everything during a bombing incident involving revolutionaries in Area 9 (New Zealand), he is now mostly machine but his will is still his own and he decided by himself to become a knight to fight against terrorism. Honestly speaking terrorism is something much more common in this world than I’d expect from the show and the sheer number of victims is astouding.

Anyway, for the explosive department, there is the department head Deidara and his disciple Nina, who still spends a lot of time with me. Seriously it is like she is always either with me, her family and Milly, or learning from Deidara about explosives. She seriously has an absurd talent for the art of blowing shit up, I think she might have the highest talent within the entire city with only very few to match.

On the area of programming, there is Chihiro Fujisaki (a cross-dressing boy who is entirely too young but more than capable enough, he was originally Japanese but moved to Britania to obtain better study conditions and got my eye), and Matsu (she likes to come with Nina when her sister visits, she tries to tease me but considering we are all kids there isn’t much of a point) who are also advancing on the development of AIs quite well. If everything proceeds as planned we will have a few dozen AIs within the next year or so and my current hacking programs are enough to invade virtually any computer and the firewall over my systems is so tight that it would be easier to just break in on my city then invade my system, and that is saying something. I had some interesting plans for the AIs including perhaps creating my own Ultron which I could unleash on some poor saps. Or just make a Decpticon, that would be fun.

For pharmaceutics, there is Seiko Abraham, originally Kimura, who was an orphan of Britanian heritage who ended up living in an orphanage back in Japan due to some situations. She won some competitions of chemistry and I went to visit her for it, when I saw what she was capable of I invited her to my city no matter what. A good proof of why it was a good idea was on the new vaccine I took that made my originally frail body more than two times as strong as I was before, now I could at least run from Cornelia for a while!

But the most interesting ones are the scientists that are more deeply studying the body, or to be more precise cloning technology and other more extreme modifications to the human body. The ones helping me there the most are Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Tearju Lunatique and the Kihara family, a family of scientists that are extremely capable but not really that ethical and thus are on the wanted list of most countries, not that I care of course since I am sure of their loyalty to me. I even have some of the Kihara family members owning their own labs in the City for them to create their own things freely, I am a good young man. Besides, the Kihara family members do not care much how I use what they make as long as they can keep inventing things and continuing their pursuits.

While I was thinking of all that I can feel my eye tingle as a smirk played in my lips, someone decided to stop being loyal I see. Well, I guess it is fine as well.

“Mayuri, will you still need more lab rats?” I asked as I approached him. He laughed hearing me say this before opening his mouth.

“Yes, there are never really enough test subjects for the more invasive experiments for me.” he said.

“Well, you are in luck then. Some idiot decided to throw away my gift for some reason, likely money or prestige, so I will bring him to you later.” I said cutting off our conversation as he shook his head in disapproval before continuing his task.

I turn to the computer on the side and start working on it, before long a video feed shows up of a man trying to act normal as he leaves the city, it was one of my scientists that was responsible for the work with Seiko. I can’t tell why he turned his back on me but I suppose I can always hear it from his mouth anyway.

Connecting to one of the internal guard divisions of the city I waited until someone answered.

“Hello, My Prince. What is the issue?” A serious but calm voice said as a image of a tall man with dark blue hair, broad shoulders, dark blue piercing eyes and glasses wearing a blue uniform said. He was the leader of one of the safety keeping units I formed in my city, the Scepter 4, and was one of my personal knights as well.

“Comander Reisi, there is an escapee trying to run away from the city. I want him brought to me as quickly as possible, his state must be as close to healthy as you possibly can.” I said.

“I will see to it. How much damage would be acceptable and is he expected to be armed?” Reisi asked without losing a beat. But, knowing him he likely is trying to find a way to give some extra punishment to the one trying to run away and that betrayed me.

“I just need him brought to me, doesn’t need to go further than the necessary for that. Also, see if he is looking for someone with the dose of truth serum I gave you last time. If there are any spies connected to him in the city I want Scepter 4 to eliminate them all. I want the true development of this city to remain a secret to anyone from the outside. Also, contact Jungle after getting the info and if the person isn’t untouchable tell them to ruin the organization behind them.” I gave my orders after thinking some more.

He nodded and went to do his job. I could calmly smile as I can already predict how things will turn out. I have currently 4 forces in my city, all with their own characteristics and I can easily tell that outside of here any of them would be game changers in any war.

The first one is Scepter 4 led by Reisi. It is responsible for the policing of the city and guard duties, they are all highly trained individuals I obtained from various places though they are mostly pureblood Britannians. However, I made it a point that none of them were to be conceited brats and I examined them myself and in any demonstration of racism they were promptly punished as that sort of thing is counterproductive to this city.

The second organization is Jungle, they are likely the least and also the most threatening force under my control. Their main objective is to infiltrate on what is considered secure systems of my enemies, find their secrets, and deliver me news of them. If needed they also fabricate scandals as well but due to how usually there are true things to their words the world usually believes it and the influence of it is not to be trifled with.

From the other two organizations, well they are my knights (some in training, some already official and all of them with the potential that would likely not lose out to even the likes of Suzaku or Kallen), and the final one being my military troops, even if they are still ‘in production’. I guess it will take a while for them to fully work as I intended them to.

There are other smaller groups I am trying to create to deal with some more overt operations, but I will need some more time to make them fully operational. I suppose not everything can go exactly as I want, but at least the project is going decently well and in a few more years I can expect my army to be fully formed.

But seriously, I could only chuckle at how my now eye-patched Geass works. Uncle V.V. and uncle Charles were also surprised when we figured how it worked and we all could only think that nothing would be more suitable for my needs.

After all my Geass of Absolute Enhancement and Trust is just too suited for me and my plans.

It isn’t like those from most others that either enhance themselves directly, are capable of causing direct harm to others, or alter their minds and force them to do something they wouldn’t want to, its effects are more subtle and also much more interesting and hard to use.

When I activate this Geass I connect to my target, if he or she truly is loyal to me then the effect of the Geass will activate and the person’s full talent blossoms forward unhindered. It is like the entire capacity that it would take years, if not decades to draw forth is all brought out instantly and enhanced further than what they’d normally be able to reach.

Not only that but they become a part of what I can only call my mind-hive, if they need to process information faster they can draw upon the hive and use part of my own capacity of processing information and of others if that won’t pressure them, I also can do the same with them but need to be careful as my initial test-subjects which I tried my Geass on became Brain-dead when I drained to much capacity something which I could not reverse at all. I was just lucky that those people had been not allies as I shudder at what could have happened if I discovered that feature on someone more important like Nina or Slaine. Anyway the best part of my Geass is that the moment someone stops being loyal I can sense who it is, they stop getting any benefits from my Geass, forget they had it affect them or what it was, and I also continue feeling their location no matter how long it passes, I can never be betrayed so to say.

In other words, all scientists and fighters in my forces all can be classified as super-human by most people’s standings. When I obtained my Geass I made it a point to put its effects to bear, everyone who was willing to work for me and not betray me was given a Geass and those who don’t were simply removed from the equation, I didn’t kill them as there would simply be too many dead if I did so but as I didn’t much need to explain what the Geass was all about everyone that didn’t know simply thought I had developed some sort of super-soldier drug to enhance those I trust.

Well, that is just wrong. I still need some time before Seiko can finish those particular projects, she first is creating a drug that would help those suffering from addictions remove all traces of such substances from the body and repair the chemical receptors to make the person healthy again. It is part of my way to deal with the refrain infestation that will eventually begin to ravage Japan and most likely other Areas. I want to scout all talents and willing fighters that could work for any of my subsidiary organizations I can find including those amongst the numbers but if they are under drugs it would not be easy. My ability to see the “talent” of people was negatively effected by Drugs as the results were muddled quite a bit.

As I was musing the projects of the many scientists under my domain I started my own new pet project. It is the blueprints for how to deal with my GN Drive. It was driving me mad, I have long since finished the project for the mini perpetual energy generator that would fit in a Knightmare but the fact that if I were to install it would make the ejection capacity impossible was not something I could easily deal with. I talked about it with my robotics staff and none could find a solution for it, but thankfully I managed to find one that just might work.

It is the Calculate Fortress used in Toaru Majutsu to protect the Windowless Building. It constantly scans its surroundings with Electromagnetic Waves and ultraviolet rays to identify any source of impact, as soon as the impact gets close enough it is canceled out by vibrating the impact areas the exact necessary and with the exact frequency needed to paralyze any and all attacks. It would effectively cancel out any and all attacks, even nuclear explosions wouldn’t destroy it, but implementing this to Knightmares would be a waste right now due to the generation currently being far to low-tech and not to mention that especially the programming needed for it is complex to an absurd degree. I am facing some difficulties with it, to be totally honest. I really didn´t want to destroy the timeline to much by creating stuff like the Lancelot almost ten years before it should happen otherwise Britannia would just steam-roll the opposition.

After working on it for about thirty minutes a knock came from the door as Kirumi opened it.

“Young master, Commander Reisi asks permission to enter.” She said simply.

“Sure, bring him in and the package with him as well. And please bring some snacks for us to enjoy.” I said as she bowed to me and left. About two minutes later Reisi entered the doors with a struggling young man on his side.

I took one look at the man and he stiffened a bit, he was one of the ones I added not long ago and was friends with someone who ended up as a spy from Schneizel. The spy is now being used to test a drug used to force the cells on an area to become equal to stem cells, but the results were still not quite there yet as instead of regenerating he is giving birth to a third arm, it is quite extreme and on the grotesque side to be honest. I guess seeing his friend becoming an abomination made him want to quit, oh well I bet there was also someone that paid him for something as well so money likely helped the deal.

“So, I suppose you decided to leave the city then. Would you mind telling me why?” I asked mostly rhetorically.

PHEW!

He simply spits in my face. Well, I guess there isn’t much more of a reason to be reasonable.

“Wait.” I said as Reisi had a sword about to pierce the man’s back for what he just did. He still looked completely professional but his killing intent was quite strong right now. “I still have a few uses for most of him.” I explained and Reisi nodded.

I looked down at the person as I took of my eyepatch. My Geass already was permanent after using it on so many others so I needed to hide my eye under the eyepatch, not that it made much of a difference for me to see as it was seethrough to me and even had some cool stuff added to it. But the important thing is what I was about to do.

“You, know that you betrayed me and want to leave, but first leave behind the gift I gave you. Now, give back all that you received.” I ordered as my geass activated as it fully drew away its influence from his mind, but not before pulling with it all the processing capacity that I granted him along with a bit extra. His potential that I unlocked now is mine.

Again, this geass is the most benign and malign Geass out there in my opinion. To those who accept me as their leader or boss, even if only by association they all can get better than they were ever before and live fulfilling and good lives, but those who betray me will not have any chance for a good future. Truly, a Geass for a gentle evil tyrant as Uncle Charles likes to call it.

After I did that I felt my own mind expand further for a bit, but even that was quickly consumed by the Mind-Hive I have going so that everyone gets a tad smarter on the expenses of those who would otherwise bring nothing positive to the city’s future.

“Take him to Mayuri, I am sure that psycho can find some use for him. Also, give me a report on everything you found out about his motivations and objectives when he left the city.” I said as Reisi bowed and went to work. Not long since he left Kirumi re-entered the room while carrying a package filled with page after page of information, or better said resumes.

“Young master, these are the scholars that have shown interest in your proposition. I did as instructed and gave all that came and were properly tested and these are the ones who passed it.” She said.

“Thank you Kurumi, that is all for now.” I said as I took the resumes in hand.

It is another thing I decided to do. If I want to make this place truly an example for the world at large than I must do it right. I spread my recruiters across all of Britannia and its conquered areas with orders to attempt recruitment of anyone with the capacity to teach regardless of status. Of course, this didn’t exactly sit well with most Nobles but I promptly ignored the complaints of sullying my city with scum Numbers as my answer was very simple.

‘If you don’t want them to get the spots then get them yourself, it is the way of Britannia to take what it desires.’

That helped shut them up nicely, Schneizel’s help on the side also helped but he likely just wanted to send as many spies as he can into my city as he and many others likely are curious of what I am producing, after all, anything I release is always more than 40 years ahead of everyone else but I never show any military tech unless the emperor demands it.

Now, of course, I tested everyone that asked for a job equally and now I have the top 400 of the empire to work with me as teachers. Now all I need is to release the news of acceptance for all students between the age of 10 and 18 who desire to study on the city, if any of them decide to and pass a basic exam they can live here and eat well and be taught and given opportunities. They can be called whatever they want here and those who desire to continue here and work as scientists, engineers, or other things are welcomed to do so. Those who decide to stay will also be able to bring their loved ones and family to live here, I intend for this place to be a home for talented individuals everywhere.

Well, at least that is my intentions. I want to make as many talented and capable individuals appear in my city and them having loyalty if not directly to me then to this city. Of course, the tech used in most of the city is not that dangerous, the security measures I put in place are nothing that can easily be dealt with to enter the areas where actually dangerous things are located, and the number of surveillance cameras installed throughout the city is enough to make even the combined number of cameras in Pendragon and the next five main cities of Britannia seem tiny in comparison. And that is not to forget that any criminal organization or spy circle that tries to form is promptly stomped out of existence with not one member surviving unless I am feeling particularly merciful.

And so I simply nodded my head as I gave the order to bring all these teachers to the city as well as sending more recruiters to all Areas and cities within the Empire with news about the grand opening of my Academic City and the rules I established. Now, I can’t help but wonder how will the world react when they understand what it is that I am doing. No other place in the Empire ever allows for Numbers to receive any education beyond highschool-level so imagining the reaction of those who look down on Numbers when they hear of my decision is enough to make me happy. (Even the Highschool stuff was only taught because the Numbers needed to have some knowledge for their Jobs where most of the time their Boss was a Britannian.)

Almost as happy as when I managed to prepare the machines that are doing the constructions of the most important parts of the city underground (It was not easy to do this stealthily but it was a good challenge), when I managed to dominate the home appliances, agricultural products, and medicinal products to treat many diseases that plagued the empire and were thought incurable before. There IS a reason for this city to be getting so famous as any of the products related to it always dominate the market and all of them are cheap enough for even the Numbers and honorary Britannians to buy and improve their lives. Hell, Ciel even had major Customers in the EU and Chinese Federation. In fact, Ciel had at one point met the Eunuchs who had slyly suggested for him to visit the Chinese Federation when Puberty started with them indicating that they would have some of the more beautiful Noble Daughters ready to meet me, probably in hopes of me marrying one of them and therefore giving the Chinese some more beneficial Trade-agreements.

But nothing beats what I felt when I installed those smell detectors within the city to identify anyone who brings a forbidden item to my city for Scepter4 to escort them out. After all, anyone who eats those accursed no-sugar chocolates was almost criminal in my eyes.

Thinking of that-

“Aauuhm.” I released this sound as I took a big bite from a chocolate bar on the side, a content smile on my face. Yeah, nothing beats sweets after all.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Aahh, this is pure bliss.” I said, I was sitting on my chair with some good sweets by my side and some of my friends around me in my personal gardens on top of my tower/lab/home. Slaine, who was now with his family living in my city, was right by my side much like Nina, Matsu, and Milly. He was with a book open as he was reading something with a slight smile while the three girls were talking animatedly with each other while enjoying the sweets, I also invited some others but most of my family were too far away to come here but at least I had a few new additions to my table.

First was Mayuri’s daughter Nemu who was quite stoic over 90% of the time but was curious and was not a bad presence to have around, by her side, there were two of my current knights (not the official knight that all royals must have as neither wanted that post for some reason). The two knights were Lyle and Neil Dyland, a pair of twins that lived happily with their families until a terrorist attack and now hate terrorism with a passion, both experts in sniping and good examples to the future knights that are still in training like Slaine himself who is a Knight in training. My knights are the top of the crop chosen by hand by me, there are not many and some are still children or simply too young but none of them aren’t talented enough, many think me crazy with some of my additions to my knights like the kid who I recruited not long ago.

Soran Ibrahim is a small child soldier who escaped from the conflict between his country and its neighbor for oil resources. He was captured during one of the military training expeditions of my knights (they need real experience and with their current Knightmares even those not yet up to standards still are more than capable of surviving) and brought to the city to receive proper medical treatment as he was simply too close to dying.

After we understood who it was that was rescued things got interesting. Normally someone like him would be executed on the spot due to his dubious allegiance but I instead made him one of my knights in training after I talked with him. My reason is that the Orange around him is calm but strong and his Red and other colors are quite strong as well, he would be a great addition to my forces. Not only that but he also told me how his desire was to end foolish conflicts throughout the world that are focused on civilians (he doesn’t have that big of a problem with death in a battlefield, go figure) and save people so when I explained to him the type of power I am creating and how this force is to work to stop revolutionaries and terrorists as well as safeguarding those same civilians he wanted to ensure protection he agreed to work with me but said he’d shot me if I were to use my power to terrorize the world. He is now being taught the language and the basics of how to behave as well as talking to a proper psychiatrist to help him deal with everything he saw and had to do back in his nation. He even said he wanted to change his name to Setsuna Seie as a way to show that this is a new life, apparently, Setsuna on his mother language means peace-bringer or something like that.

It honestly annoys me that I can’t go and end this ridiculous conflict after Setsuna told me of it and how it is going on, how it started, and how many are dying for something so easy to fix, but the Emperor didn’t allow me to deal with it as the whole area is too strong right now and the official decision is to wait for both sides to either weaken enough or one loses while weakening the other to make the victory over them all the easier. I at least prepared a refugee camp near the area for all of those who escape it to live, something the Emperor wasn’t so happy about but let me do it when I told him it was a way to win the hearts of the people of the area for when we invade and take everything away.

As I was thinking that and wondering what my next delicacy would be someone outright kicked the door open with all the delicacy of a bull in a glass shop.

“CIEL! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” A woman yelled and I turned to answer until I saw who it was, when the dark pink hair came into view I turned around and started to run away, there is no way I want anything to do with her. “Come back here this instant!” Cornelia yelled as she started running after me, her knights by her side to help her as I looked at my own knights that were only laughing from the side.

I mouthed the words ‘I. WILL. REMEMBER. THIS!’ to them and had a wave of satisfaction by seeing them shiver a bit from this. Haha, if I am going to suffer because of this evil witch then you two also will from me.

I tried my very best, used all stamina I had but within a few minutes I was being held by Cornelia like a sack of potatoes as she brought me back to where we started, I suddenly felt that my decision to give free access to most areas (not the top priority secrecy ones) to my family (those I actually consider such) was not such a genial idea. Cornelia sat me down on the chair I was previously while two of her knights flanked me, I would be intimidated if I didn’t know that she is a bleeding heart to those she truly considers family and she’d never hurt me just like I’d never hurt her.

It also helps that there are about two dozen weapons in our surroundings and that if anything happens to me they would fill with holes whoever actually carries the deed and that Maki, the sister-like girl to Kurumi who I rescued long ago is also here using the latest optical camouflage suit to deal with whoever might attack me, she truly is talented as an assassin even if I don’t ask her to do that all that much. I ALWAYS have security all around me, my life is just that important to me.

Cornelia ignored this as she knows of my security measures and she herself said it was overblown but she was still impressed enough to leave Euphemia visit here and stay for a while even without Cornelia by her side, it even became something of a costume for her to keep Euphi here when she is to go to some mission.

“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I asked giving a very fake smile that looked genuine enough.

“Humph, if it was so much of a pleasure why did you run when you saw me?” She asked with an irritated face.

“And why did you decide it would be a good idea to kick my door open like that?” I asked back, her glare and mine clashed mid-air and if this was an anime sparks would appear between our eyes.

After a while, she relaxed a bit and smiled slightly.

“I see that you didn’t go and lose your edge from living with so many non-Britanians.” She said. “Fine, if you don’t know what I am talking about I will explain. I heard rumors of your decision of admitting Numbers and Honorary Britanians into this city as both students and professors, why would you do such a thing?”

“Simple,” I said. “because it would be a waste otherwise.”

She raised an eyebrow at this and motioned me to continue.

“While growing up in the capital one thing that always seemed oddly wrong to me was how so many of the pilots there were not that good or talented. Yes, some are excellent just like you and yours but the vast majority are not up to my standards. I also noticed that most that could even get the chance to try and be a pilot are those from nobility, that means that from the entire population of the Empire the pool to receive talented individuals is actually not that big at all.

“I want to be able to bring forth as many of the hidden gems out current society is missing and ignoring to the light, to give the chance to all to try and grasp their future and the best of the best to become actual pilots or even one of my 14 knights.” I explained.

Hearing my mention of the 14 knights she was disgruntled again. The fact that I used 13 knights was also known and considered by some as an affront to the Empire as the Emperor only has 13 but I declared I would have 14 my actual reason is that I simply want 14 as it is a way to win out against the Rounds also in numbers if I ever need to fight them.

“… Fine, if you want to try your foolish plan then go ahead. But you must at least be strong enough to resist them if they were to rebel against you.” She said, I could feel a shiver going down my back as I could well imagine her training me into shape. “Anyway, that is not the main reason for me being here. I want to ask what you intend to do about the Emperor’s last decree.”

“Huh?” Was all I and a few of the others could say at this comment, I was way too immersed into building my Calculate Fortress and the program related to it to much care about anything else. Excluding the time last week that I dealt with the traitor, this was likely the first time I actually left my lab. I didn’t really hear anything from uncle as I locked myself into my studies, it is likely the same with the others.

“Wait, you don’t know it yet?” Milly said while leaning forward from her chair, she always was very much a prankster and love gossip so she knowing whatever it is that Cornelia wants to say is not really a surprise.

Seeing my face filled with doubt I could slowly see the Cheshire smile spreading over her face.

“Now that is interesting, to think that the small genius that is the talk of the Empire doesn’t know something that is so well known. That is so rich.” Milly said, this time the others were also looking confusedly at her. She was about to open her mouth when Cornelia intervened.

“The Emperor declared that he is irritated with all the talks sent to him of noble ladies that want to marry you, he might be your legal guardian after aunt’s death but he has no desire to deal with this so he decided that you are going to choose one of the current princesses and marry her so as to end all this nuisance as he himself said.”

Okay, that is weird in SO many levels. Needing to marry one of my cousins is weird no matter how I look at it, but I could probably just make this a political move and push it for later until after I end the Emperor and his little group. After that everything would solve itself as I can end the engagement by then and let them be free.

Yeah, that could work well. I know that at least some of those I am close to will be having a tough time due to marriage proposals and would face difficulties due to this. For instance one of the reasons why Lelouch kept hidden even after the invasion was for fear that Nunnally would be used for marriage connections, Euphemia had to go from one battlefield to another with Cornelia to avoid marriage proposals, and Marrybel likely also faced problems due to that as well but likely avoided the worse of the pressure by being in the military and probably beating to the ground whoever came for her hand.

It is worth it thinking about it, but that is not my main concern right now.

“However, if you want Euphi you must first beat me in melee combat and piloting as well as ensure me that no one would try anything against her from your side even with all these numbers and Honorary Britanians under you.” She said and my eyebrows twitched. I don’t particularly would want to marry Euphemia, she is sweet and kind but she honestly lacks a backbone too much.

In comparison, Marrybel’s overall gentle but firm personality or Nunnally who is gentle but knows how to impose herself and has a willpower that is likely even stronger than the Emperor and the rest of the imperial family together are more preferable. Euphemia would likely not want to be with me anyway, she is more into the idealistic types that help others and dream of a bette…

Shit, to those on the outside I just might look like a SUCCESSFUL Suzaku! Fuck! I hate that hypocrite’s guts, to think that my city is starting to look just like his ideal in the anime (a place where the weak are protected and even Numbers have opportunities while also stopping terrorists and bettering society as a whole). Fuck!

Taking a deep breath to calm my more than irritated nerves I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything someone else entered in the conversation.

“Hey, hey, at least wait for us to catch a camera before you decide to ask Princess Cornelia’s hand.” Milly said with a grin so big it might actually touch ear to ear.

“Don’t worry, I have one right here.” Matsu said taking out a portable camera from her purse, making my eye twitch. If she was not a friend I would have had confiscated the camera, now I feel I should have done it.

“I-It is not like that! I do not have any intention of asking Cornelia’s hand in marriage!” I almost yelled that, but suddenly I felt a wave of killing intent of both knights of Cornelia by my sides. I didn’t know what to say to fix this situation as I could sense how Dylandia brothers got tenser and that Setsuna had a hand behind his back, there are no weapons allowed in this place but I wouldn’t doubt him having a pointy rock in his hand already or one of the hand knives used on the table already in hand. Slayne didn’t react much, he was already used to this situation after three years seeing it and he knows that nothing would happen. “Anyway, I and Cornelia would not work out well. She is older than me and our personalities would not work out together.” I said.

“… that is good.” I heard Nina whisper mostly to herself.

I was about to ask Nina what she meant when Nemu spoke up.

“Master Ciel, when can we expect you to have children? My father once told me he would love to teach someone from your descendency about science and make him or her his successor.” Nemu said expressionlessly as everyone sweatdropped at this, or at least the adults did.

I didn’t have to say anything to answer that one, Mayuri was nuts and this was unfortunately nothing new to him. Neil decided to intervene.

“Little girl, you should not have to worry about that. When and if the boss decides to have a kid you will know so there is no need to try and get a schedule.” His voice was calm as he put a hand over the girl’s head.

“… Then I am to go with plan B, I understand.” Nemu said.

“And what that plan is?” This time it was Slaine who asked, he was obviously curious now.

“If there is no schedule and it seems like it will take too long I am to get a child with him myself for father to teach.” Nemu said simply, and the tea I had just put on my mouth went flying. Normally this would imply I soaked Cornelia but as she did the exact same we canceled each other out.

“I like this girl.” Milly said impishly.

“Me too.” Matsu said by her best friend’s side. “Do you have any reference material to teach you what to do to get a baby? Would you like big sisters to teach you?”

“There will be no need. Father already gave me a biology book and explained all I needed was in there.” she said. The two girls trembled to hear this before each catching Nemu from either side and starting to drag her away.

I guess I would do well to lock my door from now on, just as a precaution.

“Anyway, Cornelia.” I said, bringing her attention back to me for us to continue our conversation properly. “First, I could only ever even try to challenge you in melee and Knightmare combat years from now as I AM a kid of eight, a sweet and cute child no less.” At my words, everyone gave me a snort like they think I am joking, but I am not! I am cute, and when I am older I will be handsome! “Also, trust me, the chance of me being caught off-guard by betrayal is almost non-existent. I´m honestly more worried about Schneizel given that he has been stepping up recruitment for his own Science-division. Even his spy-attempts on the City have slowed down recently, I guess that so many vanishing with no further notice.”

Cornelia twitched slightly at my admission. That was one of the things which Cornelia and I were actually in agreement with each other. Schneizel was our least favorite Sibling/Cousin. His detached and at times robotic demeanor creeped out Cornelia who was a very emotional person and I think she internally knew that Schneizel could and would kill her if she ever stood in his way. It is not a possibility, he would kill her and half the world and make the rest ashes if he could dominate the ashes with an iron fist.

“By the way, what are you doing here now Cornelia? I don’t think you would come here just for that without Euphy no less. And aren´t you supposed to guard Marianne and her kids right now?”

I watched as Cornelia twitched again but this time she looked a mix between angry and confused.

“Yes, I normally would do that but Lady Marianne sent me and the Guards on the inside of the Aries Palace away. She said with the other Guards patrolling the perimeter we would not be needed as much anymore and should take the night off for once. I tried to convince her otherwise but she just called Nonette and I needed to flee before that woman arrived. Last we were together she tried to sexually abuse me under the guise of training, I had to wash five times and I still felt dirty.”

I watched with slight amusement as Cornelia shivered before my mind drifted off. So THAT day had finally arrived, well he wouldn´t miss that bitch Marianne but he felt sad for Nunnally and Lelouch. Hmm, perhaps he could at least make sure that Nunnally would not lose her legs in addition to her eyes by making sure his doctors would take care of her. It might make Charles a bit reluctant to act overtly and the man might be satisfied with just making her blind and paralyzed as he never much cared for her, but my medicinal treatments are more than enough to make anyone that still have an operational brain live on, just not being able to move his legs and her not being able to see. Heck, if needed I can just replace the parts that might be damaged anyway.

It was worth a try and I’d never let them be hurt if I can help them. I at least have shown V.V. multiple times that I care for them and wouldn’t want either hurt or I’d hate the assailant, he already don’t see the two as targets anyway so not hurting Lelouch and Nunnally is for the best and without Marianne it would only be for the better, hate that bitch.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

3° Person P.O.V.

“Another Failure it seems!”

Prince Schneizel looked at the report of his new spies demise with a small twitch in his face which for other people would have been a scream of rage. Schneizel had been sending spies into Ciels Organization since he first started up recruitment on a larger level a year ago.

Unfortunately, none of his spies managed to last more than a month or two in the City and the few results which they gave him were mostly discarded ideas and inventions which were deemed not important enough to properly guard or not needed to be kept as a secret for one reason or another.

Much of that was useless though Schneizels scientists had made some stuff work. Like that one project about Metallurgy which while useless for the more mobile Knightmares would work perfectly for his Flying Ship Avalon. (In his room Ciel looked at a plan to re-create Adamantium or Vibranium before sneezing suddenly, the previous plans that were simply impractical that he put on paper he used as paper plains and threw them a bit and one ended up outside due to that)

Honestly, Schneizel almost wanted to scold his Cousin about his carelessness with his discarded projects. But he also could well imagine that if that sort of thing was discarded what he actually focused on would be something he could only imagine.

“Prince Schneizel. Your guests have arrived!”

Schneizel sighed as he heard his assistant Kanon´s voice. Giving permission for entry he watched as his own Inner Circle started entering the room.

The first was, of course, Earl Kanon Maldini his most trusted Ally.

The Second was Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin. An Extremist of the Military who shared Schneizels vision of a super-weapon capable of forcing the other countries into submission.

The Third was Count Dooku. A man who was an outspoken proponent to the Numbers-system and who was trying to remove the Corrupt Nobility from the Empire as much as possible. He was the Man in charge of Area 2 (Canada), the most peaceful and law-abiding Area of the entire Empire. Corruption there was so low that the country had not a single Terrorist Group since he first took up his position 50 years ago.

The next person was Schneizels first Wife Katarea Leviathan. A typical Britannian Noble with a superiorty complex who’s family owned the largest Knightmare Company of the Empire and had created the Glasgow and the initial Sutherland design. Katarea and her family had lost some power recently due to his cousin Ciel though and the boy was number one on their list of people to dispose of.

The fourth person to enter was Schneizels Head-scientist and member of his own personal Elite Knights the Espada: Szayelapporo Grantz. While a true madman Szayel was still a very intelligent man who had made large strides in building the Technology Schneizel needed for his plans. Already the plans for Avalon were looking rather promising and were perhaps even better than what Lloyd would have created. He still was miffed about how Ciel had snapped the Earl of Pudding from under his nose but what was done couldn´t be changed.

The fifth and final person was Schneizels most dangerous Ally. Aizen was Schneizels personal Knight and a man who was emotionally unstable even in the best of times. His Death God Order is a terrifying force to be reckoned with, especially the new second and third in command by the names Gin and Tosen, those two were terrifying alright.

Schneizel sighed for a moment.

“Welcome my friends. As you know, the Empire has recently gotten the upper hand in the conquest of Indochina. Despite the loss of two Knights of Round and my younger Brother Prince Endymion the Conquest will be finished in no more than two months.

From there I suspect the Emperor will be declaring which Country will be the next for conquering. Whichever it is I have no doubt that the next target is the reason for the Mass-producing of Glasgows which he ordered from your family Katarea. We will need to discuss how such a large change in warfare will change the way Wars are conducted.”

Schneizel watched as his Allies nodded in Agreement and began to add their thoughts. Now if only he could have that much success in infiltrating Ciel’s domain then he would be actually happy for once, if he were to obtain all his cousin was building and all the potential being accumulated in that city he just might become the emperor earlier than planned.