Collapse, surrender to me!

But Euphemia's qualities appeared in the royal family.

All we get is denial and suppression.

But she has never changed. Coming to District 11 is an opportunity in her mind. As long as she proves to everyone that if she can do it in District 11, she can do it in other areas as well.

Without oppression, there will be no resistance, and we are all one family.

"You just said that Zero only believes in power, right?"

Turning her gaze back to Suzaku, Euphemia paused.

“I don’t think that’s who he is.”

"But--"

"You know what? I've spoken to him directly."

Suzaku had heard of this.

About half a year ago, a hotel hijacking incident occurred on the Hukou River. The hotel was occupied by an organization that once belonged to the Japanese Liberation Front.

Euphemia happened to be there at the time, so she was taken hostage.

Then, Zero and the Black Knights rescued her. It was at that time that Euphemia ran into Zero who broke into the hotel.

"At that time, Zero pointed a gun at me."

Although Euphemia's tone remained calm, Suzaku could not help but be moved. He stared at the princess's profile intently.

"But the incredible thing was, I wasn't scared at all. This man wasn't going to shoot - I was so sure of that."

The two fell silent.

Finally, Suzaku spoke hesitantly.

"…Do you have any basis for this?"

Euphemia turned back to look at Suzaku again, with an awkward smile on her face.

"Sorry, it's just a hunch. But I still have that feeling now. I feel like as long as I'm still me, he won't shoot."

At this moment, the smile on Euphemia's face disappeared and was replaced by a serious expression.

Then she used the three words "I think" to introduce the following passage.

"I think it's true that he... Zero has hatred towards our country, Britain, but at the same time, I feel something else."

"Other feelings?"

"sorrow--"

Euphemia answered simply and concisely.

"He hated Britain but was also sad, so he wanted to change it. Change the entire District 11, change Britain... He gave me this idea."

Suzaku remained silent, looking at the ground at his feet, wondering what he was thinking.

Just retorted.

"But even so I don't think he's doing the right thing."

"Yeah, I agree with you...but actually, I think that's where the problem lies."

"What do you mean?"

"Can we stop him from doing the wrong thing and guide him in the right direction? It sounds simple, but..."

Euphemia's expression was a little gloomy.

"I don't have that kind of power right now, and I don't know what the right thing to do is - but according to Lord Kurumi, we can definitely... get Zero to stand on our side."

"Doesn't he also want the Japanese people to be free from oppression? I can guarantee in the name of the princess that it will be realized!"

……

The war started again.

This time, the war was launched because the British Princess Euphemia was about to welcome the Imperial Prime Minister, Schneizel, on Shikine Island, and the leader of the Black Knights, Zero, launched the war after learning that Kururugi Suzaku would also be traveling with them.

Their purpose was not to destroy the well-defended interior of the concession and military base, nor did they intend to do anything to the newly arrived Imperial Prime Minister, but to lure out Suzaku Kururugi and his white mecha on the spot and capture them.

The main force this time is the mecha pilots who are said to have resisted the British offensive.

It is called the Fujido of Miracles.

After that decisive battle, Fujido's position in the Black Knights was subordinate to Zero, equivalent to the Knights' military advisor.

But his joining was not because he was convinced by the Black Knights' ideology and Zero's personal charm.

The reason why Fujido followed Zero was simply because he judged that Zero's existence was the most effective means to fight against Britain.

In this respect, he is different from those members who have believed in Zero and followed him all the way. He also has a third-party perspective that allows him to calmly observe what Zero does.

He doesn’t think like a rigid soldier, but more flexible.

To Fujido's heart's content, he thought that it was somewhat inappropriate to attack Euphemia and Suzaku now.

Those two people never used force to suppress Zero and the Black Knights.

Euphemia's actions have a high reputation in the eyes of the Japanese, and Suzaku is gradually becoming a symbol of the British obedience faction, but these are political issues. To be honest, using force to deal with politics is the worst of the worst strategies.

If the enemy's thoughts, positions, etc. have a negative impact on us, then we can also confront the enemy with non-violent means.

At least if we do this, it will not contradict Zero and the Black Knights' advocacy of saving the weak from danger, nor will it arouse the resentment of the Japanese who have always supported us.

If it were me... Fujido thought while fighting.

Wait and see for a while.

This is his conclusion.

In any case, Euphemia's power in District 11 is not great, and Suzaku's supporters are not yet strong. No matter how conciliatory the two men want to be towards the Japanese, the surrounding environment will not allow them to do so in the short term.

Especially now that Euphemia has his sister, Governor Cornelia, above her.

Cornelia's thinking is very typical of Britain. Once it touches her own beliefs, no matter how much she loves her sister, she will not agree to it easily.

In other words, in the end, neither Euphemia nor Suzaku will be able to respond to the expectations of the Japanese, but will disappoint them instead.

Promises made could not be fulfilled.

If we want to defeat them, we should do it at that time...

Fujido felt that there was nothing wrong with his idea.

But if Lelouch knew that our ace pilot had this idea

It is immediately clear that Fujido's thoughts just show that he has been shaken by Euphemia.

It was totally unrealistic for Fujido to pin his hopes on the disagreement between the two sisters Cornelia and Euphie.

However, Fujido himself did not object to the battle.

He also believes that capturing Suzaku Kururugi is indeed a viable way to undermine Euphemia's policies.

But now, here's the problem.

Capturing Suzaku was no problem. But what to do with him after he was captured? To be clear, the Black Knights were in no position to condemn him for treason and execute him.

Such behavior is no different from that of an ordinary terrorist organization, and will instead cause the Black Knights to lose their cohesion.

Now, many Japanese regard Suzaku Kururugi as a glimmer of hope for peace. If they kill him without giving any reason, the criticism will definitely be directed at them.

If he were really killed, those who agreed to join Britain and Britain itself would definitely denounce the Black Knights as inhumane murderers.

It is not only the living who are qualified to be symbols; the dead can also do so.

No, perhaps it can be said that the dead Suzaku Kururugi is more suitable to be a symbol than the living one.

Unlike living people who can move and speak according to their own will, the image of the dead can be distorted at will in the hands of others.

"Of course you already have a plan, Zero."

Otherwise, whether the operation succeeds or fails, you are doomed to lose.

Looking at Zero who was observing his every move from a distance, Fujido murmured in his heart.

Of course he doesn't know.

Lelouch did have a solution.

That is to persuade Suzaku to surrender with full confidence.

Of course, if he knew, he would have led his troops to retreat by now.

Chapter 409: Unit 3 Pilot

"Don't kill Suzaku Kururugi. It won't do us any good."

Through the mask, Lelouch spoke to another ace pilot, Karen, in his usual confident tone.

"Hualian, our goal now is to shatter the 'beautiful dream' that Britain and the Japanese who follow them want to portray. They want to deceive the Japanese with false peace and stability, and we must stop their sinister intentions."

"However, in order to achieve this goal, Kururugi Suzaku must survive. I need him to survive, and then cut off the connection with the British Princess and the British behind her by his own will. Through his actions, people will once again realize that Britain is really not worthy of trust and expectation."

"But..." Hua Lian felt that it was impossible for Suzaku to stand on their side.

"After I capture Kururugi Suzaku, I will let him make this choice. He will not choose Euphemia, but our Black Knights and choose to fight Britain. Believe me."

Believe me - this one sentence alone is enough for Hua Lian.

Yes, Zero always performs miracles with these words. For us, for Japan, this time will be no exception.

Hua Lian was fully prepared to fight against Suzaku Kururugi, who was also a member of the student council and was from the same school. Since he was an enemy, she had to fight him, and she was ready.

However, even so, when Hua Lian heard Zero say not to kill him, she was relieved. And Zero also said that he would make him a companion, so there was nothing to worry about.

Zero will bring miracles. Then, I——

(My mission is to be Zero's shield.)

Hua Lian's Guren II mecha rushed towards the enemy standing in front of him.

This series of actions is beyond even Fujido's reach.

Regardless of strategy and tactics, if we only evaluate combat effectiveness, she and Guren Nishiki are undoubtedly the strongest combination of the Black Knights. In addition, with the adjustment and maintenance of the recently absorbed technical leader Lakshata, there is no need to worry about the machine.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're good at PUA?" Graysch asked while standing next to Lelouch.

"I didn't lie to her."

Lelouch of Lelouch.

"So, do you want to ride my mech? Or your own?"

Hua Lian also saw Gray Xiu just now, but didn't say anything.

It's because Lelouch said that Graysch was his newly recruited ace pilot.

Although no one has ever seen what the mecha driven by Gray Shu looks like.

But out of trust in Zero, no one said anything.

As for why Lelouch said that... Lelouch said that Graysch said it himself.

"I drive my own mech."

"Where's your mecha?"

"If you lose, I will summon you again."

"..."

This was the first time Lelouch heard that mechas were summoned.

He asked out of nowhere.

“Have you ever driven one?”

"No, it's the first time."

"..."

Lelouch didn't want to complain anymore, but Graysch probably wouldn't be needed.

With Fujido and Guren, they can still defeat Suzaku.