'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion' was an anime about a superpower attempting to conquer the world, and since its release, it had gained immense popularity... so of course, Natsume knew all about it.
In this world, the ones who truly shaped history weren't politicians, but the so-called 'rebels'.
The self-proclaimed 'hero', Zero, leader of the Black Knights and spearhead of the movement to overthrow Britannia, was the driving force of this era.
Natsume observed the scene before him, 'This must be the point where Suzaku gets approval to pilot the Lancelot, fails to rescue the Britannian hostages taken by the JLF, and then the Black Knights step in...'
Glancing back at the princess, he cleared his throat and spoke, "What do you mean by 'what are my thoughts on this'?"
"Hah?" Cornelia was visibly taken aback.
Her reaction was understandable... for an Honorary Britannian to address her so casually was unthinkable...
Not that Natsume was trying to provoke her. He just genuinely had no idea how to respond.
'More importantly, I should be worrying about how to make C.C. blush...'
In Natsume's eyes, C.C. was the quintessential 'emotionless goddess'...
Even if she did have feelings, they were reserved solely for Lelouch.
As he pondered, Cornelia pointed at the screen, "Private Kururugi, those terrorists took our people hostage, and your rescue attempt failed. Don't you have anything to say? And now, these so-called 'Black Knights' are the ones saving them? This is an insult to Britannia's honor!"
"My deepest apologies."
Natsume knew the truth... Cornelia was only putting on this act as Viceroy. Her real concern was Euphemia.
Bowing slightly, he continued, "The Black Knights claim to represent the weak. If they pose no threat to Britannia, wouldn't it be better to recruit them as allies against the JLF?"
"Oh? But their leader, Zero, is the criminal who murdered Clovis. The only way to deal with rebels is annihilation." Cornelia said.
"I suppose you're right."
"What's with that tone?" Cornelia questioned.
"My apologies." Natsume's suggestion was just a test.
Knowing this world's future, he wondered if interfering could change its course... like preventing Euphemia's death, and Lelouch's downfall…
But right now, he was far from those events. He needed to tread carefully... especially with the C.C. 'conquest plan'...
Cornelia suddenly posed a question, "Private, do you know what human heads are for?"
"Hm?"
She continued, "Three things: nodding, shaking, and crushing. Rebels must be stamped out before their flames spread."
"Understood."
As they spoke, the Black Knights' broadcast ended, and the intelligence officers began compiling data.
Natsume recalled the 'Code Geass' timeline... 'Next is Britannia's siege on the JLF, their largest remaining resistance force...'
Beside Cornelia, her knight, Gilbert G.P. Guilford bowed, "Your Highness, the troops are mobilizing. We'll commence the Black Knights' extermination."
"Good. And Euphemia?"
"She's been safely retrieved and is unharmed."
"I see..." Cornelia nearly stood in relief, but she caught herself and sat back down, "I leave the rest to you. I'll see Euphemia now."
"By your will."
With that, she strode out of the mobile command center.
Now, Guilford turned to Natsume, "You're Kururugi Suzaku, correct?"
"Yes."
"You're dismissed. There's nothing more for you here. Await our victory report."
"Understood. May I ask one thing?"
"Speak." Guildford nodded.
"After the troops deploy… what's the plan?"
"Her Highness will personally lead the assault on the JLF!" Guilford declared sternly before returning to work.
Natsume shook his head and stepped outside.
Tall buildings and a clear blue sky stretched before him, yet aside from soldiers, the streets were empty.
'Ah, right...' It suddenly hit him, he had no idea where Suzaku lived.
'Guess I'm sleeping rough tonight...'
Just as he thought that, the mysterious girl reappeared, floating cheerfully, "Sooo~ How's the world treating you?"
"Like garbage."
"Whaaat? But it's so fun! Oh! Wanna go 'that' kind of place? Y'know, where you pay for company~?"
"Hard pass."
"Huh?" She tilted her head, then pointed at his legs, "But don't you think with your lower half?"
"YOU'RE the one who thinks with your upper half!"
"Don't spout nonsense!" She smacked his shoulder, " Also, my name is Roku! Call me that from now on!"
Natsume nodded, and decided to change the subject, "Fine, Roku. So what's next?"
"Planning how to conquer C.C., duh!" Grabbing his shoulders, she suddenly lifted off, carrying him through the air.
Wind rushed past as they soared, until they landed in front of a small, rundown but tidy apartment.
Roku threw the door open, revealing a sparsely furnished room, "Ta-da! Our love nest!"
"Let's get a divorce," Natsume deadpanned.
"Hey! Jokes like that hurt!" Pouting, Roku flopped onto the bed and pulled up a holographic screen, "Since you're 'Suzaku' now, you'll stay here. Leave everything to me!"
"No complaints, but as a First Lieutenant, shouldn't I be at the barracks?" He pointed out.
"I don't know the way!" Roku cheerfully admitted.
"Wow. Useless."
Her logic was impressively lazy.
Roku pulled up C.C.'s profile, "Okay! Time for Operation: Make C.C. Blush! Followed by Lure out the 'Apocalypse Beast', capture it, and boom... mission complete!"
She triumphantly produced a blank sheet of paper, "I say we go the BL route! Maximum emotional impact!"
"No." Natsume denied flatly.
"Ehh?! Why not? Love is love! Just seduce the protagonist, easy win!"
"Say another word and I'll turn you into the 'uke', you damn 'fujoshi'..."
"…Sorry." Roku deflated.
Sighing, Natsume crossed his arms, "So 'blushing' just means embarrassing her, right?"
"Yep!"
"Then it's simple. You know what really gets people flustered…?" A devious grin spread across his face.
Roku nodded eagerly, "Peeping! Stealing clothes! Forced seduction–"
"The last one will get me killed." he retorted.
"To be fair, if Lelouch catches you doing the first two, you're also dead."
"But I'm his friend."
"His boyfriend?" Roku giggled.
"I SAID FRIEND! YOU MORON!" Natsume bonked her head and collapsed onto the bed.
Now, all he could do was wait for the Battle of Narita to begin. That'd be his chance to meet C.C.
But the mission was brutal. In the anime, Suzaku and C.C. barely interacted.
'Unless…' An idea struck him... 'That's it...'
'Change the world. Rewrite the script...'
To create a new turning point in this story, Natsume needed one thing...
Rebellion...
.....
{T/N: 'Fujoshi' refers to females who are into 'BL'.. Natsume threatened Roku with making her the 'Uke', which is basically him threatening to make her his 'bottom' if she kept forcing her BL fantasies at him...}
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Kururugi Suzaku...