Constitutional Authority-class Super Dreadnought, Throne Chamber

The vast, imposing Constitutional Authority-class Super Dreadnought's Throne Chamber was silent, save for the flicker of a holographic screen, displaying a live broadcast.

Jeremiah's voice echoed from the screen, filled with authority and grief. "Prince Clovis has been taken from us. He fought for peace and justice against all of the Elevens. We have no idea where he is or what has become of him now, but we know that he could survive, perhaps even be held captive by the Elevens. We must bury our sorrow and muster our will to find him at all costs!"

The broadcast suddenly shifted as a Britannian news anchor's voice cut in, the words urgent. "We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news. The man suspected of collaborating with terrorists has been captured. According to this report, the suspect is an honorary Britannian. Private Suzaku Kururugi, a former Eleven, has been arrested for secretly aiding terrorists."

Xavier Salvador, standing in the shadows, watched the news unfold on the holographic screen, a smirk playing across his face. The satisfaction of his interference in this universe's timeline was evident in his demeanor.

Frieda, who stood nearby, glanced at him. "I see you're enjoying this, Xavier."

Without a word, Xavier casually waved his hand, dismissing the screen. He turned to her, his expression thoughtful. "Looks like we've changed it. Frieda, do you think this will affect the main timeline, opening a path for a new alternate one?"

Frieda's gaze remained steady as she responded, "The angels in the Omniversal Realm have reported no open paths to create a new alternate timeline."

Xavier's eyes narrowed. "Then this has become an alternative main timeline. I've done this before in other universes, intervening where necessary."

Frieda nodded, her voice tinged with acknowledgment. "You've certainly altered the course of many worlds since you decided to intervene."

Xavier's tone shifted to one of cold conviction. "I do believe in neoconservatism — my own form of it. I intervene when I see universes that don't fit my vision, changing them and eliminating those who oppose my goals."

Before Frieda could respond, an OSI agent, a male fairy, entered the room, his posture rigid with respect. "Sovereign Excellency, we have gathered much information about Prince Clovis through harsh interrogation."

Xavier's gaze hardened. "Ordering the execution of all civilians in the ghetto to cover up his mistakes, just so he won't be disinherited? That's foolish, even for him. What else do you have?"

The OSI agent handed over further details. "We have an infiltrator in the Viceroy Palace under false names to gather information. According to the report, Suzaku Kururugi is being interrogated and beaten badly by Jeremiah and his Purish subordinates. The agent also overheard plans to abolish the honorary system in Area 11, using Suzaku as a scapegoat for 'secretly collaborating' with terrorists — allowing them to destroy the G-1 Base and cause Prince Clovis's disappearance."

Xavier, absorbing the news, mused to himself. "They may have their advantage, but they don't yet know what I'm planning for them. What about the Shinjuku resistance group?"

The OSI agent nodded. "The orb drone found their hideout. They appear to be staying hidden until they make their next move."

"Good," Xavier said, his voice calm yet full of determination.

Standing from his throne, Xavier descended the staircase, his thoughts already elsewhere. "I'm going to take care of something for my plan. It involves me and only me. Frieda, make sure our new allies are trained to pilot their special mecha frames. They'll need to be ready for their first battle."

Frieda bowed her head. "Ah, of course, sir."

Xavier paused at the doorway, turning back to give one final order. "Have the OSI field agents and deathstalkers keep an eye on the Shinjuku resistance group. One of them is Kallen Kozuki, or by her alias, Kallen Stadtfeld. Also, make sure they monitor Lelouch and Nunnally at Ashford Academy."

The OSI agent bowed deeply. "Understood, sir. I'll notify headquarters of your orders."

Frieda's voice was hesitant as she stepped forward. "Wait, are you sure you can handle what you're planning?"

Xavier's smirk returned, full of confidence. "Trust me. I know exactly how this plays out once I make my appearance — but not as Xavier Salvador, the Supreme Leader."

With that, he turned and stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind him, leaving a room filled with anticipation and silent power.

...

Ashford Academy, Lelouch & Nunnallly Dorm room

At Ashford Academy, within the dimly lit confines of their dorm room, the news had spread like wildfire: Suzaku Kururugi, once a close friend, was now accused of secretly collaborating with terrorists. This startling claim connected him to the disappearance of Prince Clovis and the deadly defeat at Shinjuku Ghetto. While the Britannian public accepted these accusations as truth, Lelouch and Nunnally remained unconvinced. Despite the evidence and the whispers of betrayal, they couldn't fathom that Suzaku—who had shared their childhood—could be the man they now saw painted as a traitor.

It was late in the evening, and the quiet of the room was only interrupted by the soft sound of Lelouch gently tucking his disabled sister into bed. His movements were slow and deliberate as he pulled the blanket over her, a small act of tenderness amidst the growing storm outside their door. Nunnally's voice broke the silence, her words soft but edged with concern.

"That was Suzaku they mentioned on the news, wasn't it?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

Lelouch nodded, his eyes distant. "Yep, it looks like he's still alive."

Nunnally let out a quiet sigh, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Yeah, it's been ages. We haven't seen him since the war ended. Even we..."

She trailed off, the weight of the unspoken thoughts hanging between them. After a brief pause, she spoke again, this time with a quiet but pressing worry. "And Lelouch?"

Lelouch turned his gaze to his sister, offering her a reassuring smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "What is it?"

Nunnally's gaze faltered, her voice trembling with doubt. "It wasn't true what the news said, was it?"

"Of course not," Lelouch replied, the words almost automatic. "Suzaku would never do anything like that. They've just made a mistake."

Nunnally seemed to relax, though her relief was fragile. "Yeah... must be."

But Lelouch knew the truth. His lie was for her sake, a protective mask over the harsh reality. Britannia would not forgive Suzaku, not after the accusations and the rise of the Purist faction. Lelouch could see through the charade—they were using Suzaku as a scapegoat, their plans for Area 11's future contingent upon his downfall. The thought of Suzaku being left to die, a victim of Clovis's royal guard, twisted something inside him. Seeing Suzaku alive, despite everything, lit a spark within him. It was clear: he had to save Suzaku, and he had to act fast.

"Right. Well... Good night, Nunnally," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead before leaving the room and retreating into his own.

Once inside his bedroom, Lelouch sank onto the bed, his mind racing. The scenes from Shinjuku Ghetto replayed in his mind—an unknown group of attackers mercilessly slaughtering Britannian forces, their monstrous knightmare frames standing ominously over the G-1 Base. That was where he had planned to confront Prince Clovis, to learn the truth behind his mother's death. But the confrontation had shattered into chaos, with nothing but the gunfire of the enemy and the burning ruins of the base to greet him. He had been forced to flee, leaving with no answers and a growing sense of frustration.

"Who are those people with those giant knightmare frames?" Lelouch muttered under his breath, his frustration building. "I've never seen one of them before in my life."

Anger surged within him, and he slammed his fist down onto the bed in a burst of emotion. "Damn it! You just ruined everything. Now I don't even know who's responsible for my mother's death. You shouldn't stand in my way!"

He gritted his teeth, his body shaking with a mix of anger and helplessness. But after a moment, he took a deep breath and steadied himself, forcing his emotions into check.

"No matter. Since Prince Clovis is dead, I suspect my father will send one of my siblings to take control of Area 11 as the new viceroy. But the Purist faction... they seem to have taken control temporarily, pinning the blame on Suzaku. I need to find a way to save him," he thought, the weight of the situation sinking in. "He's been with Nunnally and me since the war. We survived together. So what happened? Suzaku... what changed you to join Britannia?"

...

Britannian Camelot Laboratory Facility

At the Britannian Camelot Laboratory Facility, the personnel worked tirelessly to repair the Lancelot, which had been severely damaged during its encounter with the Nephalem Vindicator. Despite their efforts, the Tardorvsky Particle interference caused their screens to display nothing but errors and cryptic statistics, preventing them from identifying the mysterious assailant responsible for nearly destroying the Lancelot. Their frustration mounted as they delivered the grim report to Prince Schneizel. As if that wasn't enough, they were also faced with the devastating loss of their best pilot, Suzaku Kururugi, who was now wanted for arrest on charges of secretly collaborating with terrorists and causing the disappearance of Prince Clovis.

Lloyd stared at the damaged machinery, his voice tinged with disappointment. "We've lost the most crucial part of the equation. The parts are torn up, and we'll have to make do with what resources we have left to repair it."

Cecile, standing beside him, her concern evident, asked, "Can we do it without him?"

Lloyd's tone darkened as he replied, "Don't I wish. The other units never let go of a good pilot. And even if we found someone, they'd never match his skills. His operational efficiency was at 94 percent. Not that it helped when he got defeated by an unknown enemy we can't even identify—whoever is responsible for destroying my Lancelot."

Cecile hesitated, then spoke up with her own doubts, "I can't believe Suzaku would ever secretly collaborate with terrorists. He doesn't have it in him. You should tell them that. Maybe they'll reconsider and let him go."

Lloyd shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "He's an honorary Britannian; they'd never listen. Ever since General Bartley was disgraced, the purebloods have taken control of the military, and now I'm just caught in the middle of it all."

Cecile, shifting the conversation slightly, asked, "Speaking of which, how did General Bartley survive? We both know that the G-1 Base was destroyed by a terrorist group or some other anti-Britannian faction."

Lloyd furrowed his brow, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I'm not sure. My guess is that he managed to escape, heavily injured, and had to be sent to the hospital for treatment. But he didn't stay there for long. Lord Jeremiah arrived soon after to arrest him. At least he let him heal a little before shackling him up and sending him back to the homeland."

Cecile pressed further, her voice tense with curiosity. "And what about the unknown enemy group in Shinjuku Ghetto? Who were they, if not terrorists?"

Lloyd's expression hardened, the memories of the escape still fresh in his mind. "We barely got out of there. They were closing in on us. We had no choice but to flee, leaving Prince Clovis to his fate. But since Clovis is still alive—though he's suddenly disappeared—I'm sure he's fine."

Cecile's anger flared, and she shouted, "Lloyd!"

...

Ashford Academy

At Ashford Academy, a teenage girl with fiery orange hair named Shirley found herself nervously approaching Lelouch, the boy she secretly admired, though he remained unaware of her feelings.

Shirley tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "The pureblood what?"

Lelouch, maintaining his usual composed demeanor, glanced at her and explained, "From what I understand, they're saying that only pureblood Britannians should be allowed to serve in the military."

...

Britannian Camelot Laboratory Facility

Within the walls of the Britannian Camelot Laboratory Facility, Lloyd stood deep in thought as he spoke, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation. "Their belief is that one of their own could never be a criminal. But if the criminal happens to be an Eleven, it gives Margrave Jeremiah the perfect excuse to end the practice of granting honorary status to natives."

Cecile, her brow furrowing with concern, asked, "And what about Suzaku?"

Lloyd's expression darkened as he replied, "He's nothing but a puppet now, but he chose that path."

Cecile merely hummed in response, the uncertainty lingering in the air.

...

Rivalz approached Lelouch with an optimistic expression, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hey, Lelouch! Got anything planned for later? Classes are canceled for the day, and the Hawks are asking for a rematch."

Shirley, overhearing the conversation, shot them a sharp look, her voice tinged with anger. "You're not gambling again, are you?"

Her tone was a stern warning, disapproving of the boys' usual behavior.

Rivalz chuckled, brushing off her concern. "Come on, don't be such a stick in the mud."

Lelouch, however, seemed to agree with her, his voice calm yet firm. "She's right. Maybe it's time to quit."

Rivalz was taken aback, his eyes wide in surprise. "Huh? You're changing your mind about gambling?"

Lelouch's gaze shifted, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Actually, I've found a better opponent."

Shirley frowned in confusion. "You did? I don't get it."

Rivalz, ever the opportunist, raised an eyebrow. "You're still cutting me in, right?"

Lelouch let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Ha-ha. Better not. It's not really your thing."

His eyes drifted to a red-haired student walking by, her presence momentarily catching his attention. That girl was none other than Kallen Stadtfeld—or rather, Kallen Kozuki.

Unbeknownst to both Lelouch and Kallen, two OSI spy drones hovered nearby in invisible mode, silently observing their every move, their presence entirely undetected as they continued to monitor the pair.

...

Area 11 Viceroy Palace, Office room

Inside the office of the Area 11 Viceroy Palace, the atmosphere was thick with the weight of recent events.

Jeremiah glanced at Diethard, a hint of approval in his voice. "You handled His Highness's memorial program very well. A bit too weepy for my taste, but..."

Diethard, ever the smooth talker, responded, "Yes, well, the masses tend to enjoy tear-jerkers, your excellency."

Jeremiah's lips curled into a slight smile. "Spoken like a true TV-man. Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You did well, especially with the short time you had."

Diethard, eager to make his mark, leaned forward slightly. "Lord Jeremiah, if I may be bold, would it not be wise to conduct an investigation to uncover His Highness's whereabouts? I am certain the army could locate him alive and bring him back."

Kewell, standing nearby, shot Diethard a glare for his audacity in speaking so freely to the Viceroy.

Jeremiah waved the concern away with a dismissive gesture. "I've already initiated one. But it would be better for us to shift the blame to the terrorists—or any group with anti-Britannian sentiments—that attacked His Highness's G-1 Base and caused his disappearance. Once we find him, we'll bring him back safely."

Diethard nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Then perhaps we can make it a common practice to set up memorial programs for important figures in advance."

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Does that include me as well?"

Diethard smiled slightly. "Recent events may have bumped you up the list a bit, your excellency."

Jeremiah chuckled, his enthusiasm evident. "I wasn't deemed important enough until now, is that it? How forthright of you!"

Diethard's expression remained respectful but firm. "I'm afraid so, sir."

Jeremiah's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Ever thought of enlisting? The army could use more men like you."

Diethard shook his head. "I don't think it would be a good fit. Not really my cup of tea."

Jeremiah waved a hand dismissively. "You prefer the civil sector, I take it. No matter. I have another favor to ask of you. Tomorrow night, Suzaku Kururugi will be transferred to his court-martial."

Diethard raised an eyebrow. "We should line the road with patriotic Britannians."

Jeremiah's smile widened. "Excellent. You catch on quickly, don't you? Make sure the rabble can see his face."

Viletta, one of Jeremiah's trusted subordinates, stepped forward with a cautionary note. "Lord Jeremiah, there are those among the Elevens who see Private Kururugi as a hero. Some might very well attempt to free him."

Jeremiah's gaze hardened, his voice cold and commanding. "I'll be there personally, aboard my Sutherland. If anyone dares cause trouble, they will be executed on the spot."

...

Interrogation Room, Salvatian Moon Base

In the cold, dimly lit interrogation room aboard the Salvatian Moon Base, Prince Clovis sat slumped in a chair, his hands bound tightly behind his back. His once-pristine hair was now a tangled mess, a testament to the rough handling he'd endured at the hands of his captors. His body ached from the brutal beatings inflicted by an interrogator from the Black Death Legion, each strike a reminder of his past sins. Never had he faced such torment, particularly not for the cruel order he gave to exterminate every Eleven in the ghetto, all in a desperate bid to secure his inheritance. His failure to capture a girl—one with unimaginable power and immortality—only deepened his disgrace. Now, bruised and broken, Clovis could hardly tell where he was, his mind clouded with pain and confusion, wondering if he was still within the confines of Area 11.

The door creaked open, and the figure of Xavier Salvador stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him. Clovis, weak and battered, managed to lift his gaze, his lone eye barely focusing on the imposing figure before him.

"Wh- Who are you?" Clovis managed to croak, his voice hoarse from the beating.

Xavier's lips curled into a cold smile as he stepped closer, allowing the light to fall upon his face.

"Me?" Xavier replied, his voice smooth and casual. "I am the one who commanded my men to destroy your forces and take you prisoner. And I'm here to do something for you."

His grin stretched wider, dark and menacing, sending a shiver of dread coursing through Clovis. The prince's eyes widened in terror, his fear escalating as he realized the man before him was the embodiment of his darkest nightmare—a torturer whose cruelty promised even more horrors yet to come.

...

Inside the cold, dimly lit confines of a Britannian prison cell, Lloyd stood across from Suzaku, who was restrained in a white prison straitjacket.

"Congratulations," Lloyd said, his voice tinged with irony. "Those two you asked me about? They weren't on the list of casualties."

Suzaku's tired eyes flickered with a moment of relief. "That's good to hear..." he murmured.

Lloyd's expression hardened. "Not much luck on your end, though. You might be facing a trial, but don't expect anyone to stand by you."

Suzaku's gaze remained steady. "But the courts are where the truth comes to light."

Lloyd scoffed. "I expect it'll be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Truth's been in short supply these days. And with your status as an Eleven, no one will believe what you say, even if you swear it's true. Just like what happened back in the Shinjuku ghetto."

Suzaku's shoulders slumped, his spirit battered. The weight of his futile attempts to testify in court, only to be met with disbelief, crushed him. Despite his earnest efforts, the false accusations of collaboration remained, and the consequences were his to bear.

"If that's how the world works," Suzaku said, his voice unwavering, "then so be it. I have no regrets." His words were filled with quiet determination.

...

In night time, Highway

Under the cover of night in Area 11, the air was thick with tension as a massive crowd of patriotic citizens gathered along the highway. They had come to witness the trial of an accused collaborator, one who was allegedly involved with the terrorist group responsible for the disappearance of Prince Clovis. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, charged by whispers and murmurs that rippled through the crowd.

On top of a nearby building, a lone figure stood at the edge, watching the unfolding scene from a distance. Suzaku, on his way to the court, endured the hateful curses of the Britannian citizens, but he remained steadfast.

The mysterious figure was clad in a black bolero hat, his lower face obscured by a high-tech mask. Red-tinted, visor-like glasses shielded his eyes, adding to his enigmatic appearance. A dark leather coat billowed in the night breeze, and beneath it, he wore a gray armored suit that was as much for protection as it was for agility. The suit's design was sleek, with reinforced panels and a central chest plate, all contributing to its functional elegance. His dark trousers were tucked into combat boots, and at his sides, two magnum pistols were holstered, easily accessible for quick draw. A sword belt rested at his hip, holding his "Hofuku," an enchanted high-frequency katana, in its sheath.

This shadowy figure was none other than Ronin Vindicator, watching silently as the world below continued to unfold.

As Ronin Vindicator continued to watch Suzaku endure the curses of Britannian citizens for his alleged role in the disappearance of Prince Clovis, his attention was drawn to a sudden movement. A transport car, unmistakably marked as Clovis' personal vehicle, was heading directly toward the crowd. With a quick motion, he retrieved his tablet, hacking into the system to gather information.

The voice of the Site 5 announcer crackled through the screen. "This is not a scheduled stop. Could there have been some sort of accident? This is Site 5. A vehicle is approaching... It's Prince Clovis' personal transport! And it's heading straight for the cavalcade!"

Ronin Vindicator muttered under his breath, "And it begins..."

His fingers moved swiftly as he activated the comms link in his earpiece.

"Has the vehicle been prepped?" he asked.

From the other end of the line, the response came promptly. "Yes, sir. The package is in the vehicle and ready on your command."

"Good. Stay on standby. Wait for my signal," Ronin Vindicator instructed, his gaze returning to the tablet.

The screen flickered as the broadcast showed a familiar figure—Zero—revealing himself to the world. His sudden appearance, his masked identity, took the crowd and the live audience by surprise. Ronin Vindicator, however, wasn't surprised. He knew it was Lelouch. Spy drones had been keeping an eye on him for some time, suspecting he was planning a rescue mission for Suzaku.

The announcer's voice echoed over the broadcast. "Who is this man? This so-called Zero, standing before a full military convoy? Could he be a terrorist? Certainly not the wisest course of action if that's the case."

Ronin Vindicator's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene unfold. Zero snapped his fingers, causing a box to collapse and reveal a capsule. Ronin knew immediately that it wasn't a poison gas capsule, but to the unsuspecting crowd, it seemed like a deadly threat. Lelouch used the ruse to create fear, holding everyone in the area hostage with the bluff.

The announcer's voice returned, shaking with tension. "Can everyone at home see this? Some kind of device, though its purpose remains unclear. Stay tuned to see if this so-called terrorist has anything to say."

Ronin continued to watch intently as the camera shifted to show Jeremiah, atop his Sutherland KMF, aiming a gun at Zero.

Zero's voice rang out. "You intend to shoot? I think you know full well what will happen if you do."

Jeremiah hesitated, lowering his weapon after a tense pause. "Fine, what are your demands?"

Zero's voice was calm but firm. "An exchange. This, for Kururugi."

Jeremiah's response was swift and defiant. "Like hell. He's charged with high treason for secretly collaborating with terrorists to stage an inside job. I can't hand him over."

Zero's voice dropped, a note of finality in his tone. "No. You're mistaken, Jeremiah. He's no collaborator. In fact, the one responsible for Prince Clovis' disappearance... is me!"

The revelation stunned everyone, not just in Area 11, but across the globe. The broadcast echoed with disbelief—Zero, the masked man, had just claimed responsibility for the disappearance of Prince Clovis in the Shinjuku Ghetto.

But Ronin Vindicator wasn't fooled. He knew better. It wasn't Zero who had captured Prince Clovis—it was the Salvatians who had found him alive, outside the ruins of the G-1 base. The lie didn't fool him for a second.

The announcer's voice trembled. "What? What does this mean? This masked man, Zero—no, we can't even be sure who he is—claims to be the real culprit? So what happens to the current suspect, Private Kururugi?"

Ronin Vindicator sneered as he muttered to himself, "Trying to take credit for something you didn't do. But not for long."

He turned back to his comms. "Have the package ready for delivery. It's time to give them back."

Without another word, he stood, his form blurring as he teleported from the rooftop, disappearing into the night.

...

Zero's voice cut through the tension, calm but firm. "For a single Eleven, you'll save countless Britannians. I find that to be a fair exchange."

Jeremiah, still grappling with disbelief, shot back, his voice rising in anger. "He's insane, I tell you. To disguise this truck as His Highness'! He'll pay for mocking the crown!"

His words rang out, but Zero wasn't fazed. "Careful now. You wouldn't want the public to learn about Orange, would you?"

Jeremiah, baffled, demanded, "Orange? What's he talking about?"

Britannian Soldier 1 exchanged a confused glance with his comrade. "Orange? What's that supposed to mean?"

Britannian Soldier 2 shook his head, equally perplexed. "I have no idea."

The confusion spread quickly, as whispers and questions filled the air about the cryptic mention of "Orange" and its connection to Jeremiah.

Zero's voice remained steady, his eyes unwavering. "If I die, it'll all go public. If you don't want that to happen..."

Jeremiah opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off by a sudden interruption. A crackling voice came over his comms.

"Sir! Unknown vehicle approaching fast, and it's speeding toward us!"

Jeremiah's heart skipped a beat. "What?!"

The sharp screech of tires echoed through the air as a white civilian car sped recklessly toward them. The vehicle careened wildly, its driver showing no regard for direction or safety. The car swerved out of control, heading straight toward the civilians, causing a chaotic panic as people scattered in all directions, trying to avoid the oncoming danger.

Kallen watched in disbelief. "What the hell is going on?"

Zero's gaze followed the erratic vehicle, his face a mix of shock and confusion. "Hm?"

Both of them, along with the others, were left momentarily stunned as the car veered toward Suzaku's position, a disaster in the making.

"Quick! Open fire on that vehicle!" Villeta's voice rang out with authority.

A Purist Sutherland KMF fired upon the speeding car, but missed its mark. Another pair of Britannian soldiers stepped in, targeting the windshield with precision shots that finally brought the vehicle to a halt. However, it crashed into the APC where Suzaku was standing, knocking the soldiers off-balance but somehow managing to keep their footing. The panic that had gripped the Britannian citizens slowly died down as the erratic driver was neutralized.

Jeremiah, his voice harsh with command, barked orders. "You two, go check on the maniac in the car. Villeta, make sure the prisoner doesn't try anything funny."

"Understood," Villeta replied, her Sutherland KMF locking its aim on Suzaku to ensure he didn't attempt to escape.

Meanwhile, two Britannian soldiers leapt from the APC and cautiously approached the wrecked vehicle, weapons raised. One of them cautiously opened the door, and as it swung wide, a lifeless body fell from the car to the ground with a sickening thud.

The revelation was immediate, and the collective shock was palpable. The body was none other than Prince Clovis himself.

Britannian Soldier 1 gasped in horror, his voice trembling. "Oh my God!"

Britannian Soldier 2 stammered, his face pale with disbelief. "I-Is that...?"

Jeremiah's eyes widened in horror as he realized the truth. "No... What have we done?"

Kallen, Suzaku, and Zero were equally stunned, their gazes locked on the body of the fallen prince, gunned down by his own men. The magnitude of the moment hit them all at once. The prince, once lost and presumed kidnapped, was now revealed as the victim of a brutal execution by the very soldiers sworn to protect him.

The two soldiers who had fired upon the vehicle stood frozen, shaking in terror.

Britannian Soldier 1's voice cracked with fear. "I—I didn't mean it..."

Britannian Soldier 2, equally shaken, added, "Oh God... we shot the prince..."

Both soldiers trembled, horror-stricken as they realized the magnitude of their actions—unaware that Clovis had been the one driving the car.

The announcer's voice echoed through the airwaves, the shock and disbelief evident in his tone. "Oh my God! This is a truly shocking event that will go down in history. Britannian soldiers, accompanied by Lord Jeremiah, have just shot Prince Clovis in his vehicle!"

...

Ashford Academy

Shirley gasped, her voice filled with concern. "Oh dear!"

Nina Einstein, a student with green hair, instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide in terror as she witnessed the prince fall, slain by his own Britannian soldiers.

Rivalz, his voice shaky with disbelief, muttered, "Oh God, I didn't expect that to happen."

Milly Ashford, equally stunned, could only manage a soft response, "Yeah. I didn't expect that either..."

...

Inside the Britannian Camelot Laboratory Facility, Cecile gasped in shock, her hand flying to her mouth as she stared at the screen. "Oh dear God!"

Lloyd, with an air of detached sarcasm, remarked, "Huh... What a tragic drama. We find the prince, and now he's dead." His tone was almost dismissive.

Cecile shot him an exasperated look. "Lloyd! The prince is dead! Killed by his own soldiers!"

Lloyd shrugged nonchalantly, his expression unfazed. "Well, he didn't exactly tell them who he was. So yeah, it's too late for any redemption now."

...

At the Shinjuku resistance hideout, Tamaki chuckled, his laughter filled with disbelief. "Wow! I did not expect to see a damn prince appear only to be killed by his own people!"

Minami frowned, clearly puzzled. "Where did he come from?"

Naomi shook her head. "I don't know, but I'm curious how he got that car and why he was driving it like a maniac."

Tamaki waved off their questions with a grin. "Who cares? That prince, the one who ordered the massacre of the Shinjuku ghetto, got what he deserved. Looks like Zero handled it well."

Sugiyama, however, wasn't convinced. "I doubt that was part of Zero's plan."

Tamaki blinked in confusion. "Huh?"

Sugiyama continued, his voice calm. "I think someone else put him in that car and made it look like he was driving. The poor bastard ended up getting shot by his own soldiers."

Yoshida, still processing the situation, spoke up. "If that's true, then who did it?"

...

Kewell's voice crackled through the radio, his tone filled with disbelief. "Lord Jeremiah, what are we going to do to fix this?"

Villetta, equally alarmed, muttered under her breath, her eyes wide with panic. "This is bad. Prince Clovis was killed by our soldiers, and now we're going to be blamed for it."

Jeremiah's face twisted in fury as he turned to Zero, his shout filled with anger. "Zero! You did this!"

Zero's response was calm, almost dismissive. "Me? I highly doubt this was part of any plan."

Kallen, overhearing the exchange, muttered to herself in confusion. "Wait, what? It's not?"

Her words were barely audible, meant only for herself. But before anyone could respond, a Purist soldier caught sight of something behind Clovis' transport car.

"S-Sir, I've got contact," the soldier reported shakily, his voice tense. "At the rear of Prince Clovis' transport car."

Jeremiah turned his gaze to where the soldier pointed, his eyes narrowing as a mysterious masked figure casually approached.

"Who is that?" Jeremiah demanded.

"I don't know, sir," the soldier replied.

Jeremiah, visibly irritated, waved a hand dismissively. "Nevermind that. Go and arrest that fool."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier quickly gave his command, and a Purist Sutherland KMF moved forward, halting in front of the masked man. The KMF's speaker crackled to life.

"Halt! Stop right there! If you move, I'll open fire—"

Suddenly, the screen turned to static, and the soldier's attempts to regain control of his KMF were met with failure.

"What the—what's wrong with these controls?" The soldier's voice was full of confusion and panic.

Then, to his horror, the cockpit door began to open on its own, something no pilot had commanded.

"Wha—what's going on?" he stammered, dread filling his voice.

Jeremiah's frustration flared. "What's going on there, corporal?"

"I—I don't know," the soldier stuttered, still struggling to comprehend the situation.

The confusion escalated as the KMF suddenly lurched forward and grabbed its pilot, throwing him violently toward the mysterious masked figure—Ronin Vindicator. In one swift motion, Ronin unsheathed his enchanted HF-Katana and sliced the soldier in half before calmly sheathing his blade.

The sight was grotesque, leaving everyone present in stunned silence as the KMF stood motionless, its pilot severed in two.

Zero's thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the impossible. What the? Who is he?

Before anyone could react, another Sutherland KMF whirled around and opened fire on the Purist KMFs, creating chaos among the soldiers. Panic ensued, with people screaming and scrambling to flee, completely ignoring the poison gas capsule Zero had discreetly released into the air.

Kallen's voice echoed with urgency as she turned to Zero. "Zero, what's going on?"

But Zero was too engrossed in the chaos unfolding around them to respond. A rogue, unmanned Sutherland KMF unleashed a barrage of fire, obliterating the Purist Sutherland KMFs in its path. Meanwhile, Jeremiah, Villetta, and Soresi found themselves forced to retreat, scrambling to regroup for a counterattack against the rogue KMF. Amidst the chaos, Ronin Vindicator moved with lightning speed, cutting down two Britannian soldiers before launching himself onto the APC, prepared to confront Suzaku directly.

"What are you—?" Suzaku started, but his words were cut off as the collar around his neck delivered a painful shock, silencing him.

Ronin Vindicator smirked. "It seems this collar keeps you from speaking. Well, no matter..."

With a swift motion, he reversed his enchanted HF-Katana and struck Suzaku across the head with the pommel, knocking him unconscious.

"Suzaku!" Zero called out, his voice filled with alarm.

Without hesitation, Ronin Vindicator hoisted Suzaku onto his shoulder and leaped toward Zero with an agility that took both him and Kallen by surprise. They watched, stunned, as he effortlessly jumped across the distance, landing beside them. Gently, he set Suzaku down, turning to Zero with calm authority.

"You. Leave here now."

Zero, taken aback, tried to respond, but his words were interrupted when Ronin Vindicator pressed his enchanted HF-Katana blade dangerously close to his face.

"Call me Ronin Vindicator," the masked figure said coolly, "and we will meet again soon."

With that, he vaulted out of the transport car, leaving Zero and Kallen in stunned silence, their minds racing to comprehend what had just transpired. As he made his escape, his path was blocked by a Purist Sutherland KMF, piloted by Kewell, who stood in his way.

"No way. You're not getting out that easy!" Kewell shouted as he began to open fire.

But Ronin Vindicator was faster. With astounding speed, he dodged the bullets, then swung his blade with precision, severing the KMF's legs, arms, and finally, its head. As the Knightmare frame collapsed, Ronin Vindicator seized the moment to make his escape, disappearing into the distance.

Elsewhere, Diethard, who had been recording the events, watched in awe, unable to contain his excitement. The mysterious figure's sudden appearance, the ruthless elimination of soldiers, the liberation of Suzaku, and the destruction of a Knightmare frame—all accomplished by a single person—had him enthralled.

"Magnificent! What a grand performance," Diethard muttered to himself. "Another masked man, taking on a Knightmare without even needing one. This will make for a great story!"

Meanwhile, Ronin Vindicator had teleported to a distant location, surveying the scene from afar. He watched as Zero and Kallen, now with Suzaku in tow, leaped from the highway and descended toward a small cargo train. They had successfully evaded further confrontation, their escape secured.

"A job well done," Ronin Vindicator murmured to himself, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.

He turned away, his thoughts drifting to Lelouch. "Lelouch, you and I may see each other again soon. I have great plans to change this world for myself."

With that, he vanished, his figure disappearing as he teleported once more, moving on to the next chapter of his mysterious journey.