A week had passed since that incident, and I had assumed a different identity entirely.
With my newfound Aegis capabilities, I forced my way through the military HQ.
It all came down to that day, as I approached the meeting room once again. My dark robe swished along the cold floor as I adjusted my mask.
But I was no longer Kurt.
All sorts of people diverted their attention to me when I strolled into the meeting room.
Among them were every Aegis Users up to that point, including Lily and a new member called Miranda. It said so on her military uniform's tag.
Melker Holm stood up from his seat when he saw me.
"Who are you? Where are the guards?!" He demanded.
The Aegis Users were on high alert except for Lily.
She kept staring at the wooden table with empty eyes. It was like her life had been sucked out.
"VOILA! GUTEN TAG! TOUTES LES PERSONNES!" I yelled.
Miranda's purple eyes glared at me while Bart had drawn his emerald crystals from his hand.
"Who are you?! And that mask . . . an Aegis User?" muttered Alicia.
Both of her and Bart's presence were new since they left years ago to nowhere. Perhaps an emergency meeting was at hand.
"I am no one. For I am not a person. But a CAESAR!" I shouted.
Bart moved away from his seat and lunged at me without warning, his emerald blade cut the air as I dodged.
"Well, aren't you impatient? I have something very important to tell and this is what I get? Bakers are bakers INDEED!" I said.
I evaded a slice to my head and kicked him in the stomach. He scowled at me but stopped moving when Melker shouted.
"Stop! Stop this at once!" he said.
Bart clicked his tongue and I held out my hands. "Thank you for understanding me . . . His Supremacy."
"What are you? I'm sure there's no Aegis User that I didn't know of. And that mask . . . I can't believe there's someone who can separate their crystals from his body."
I showed him a peace sign. "Why, I am the one and only CAESAR! That is who I am!"
" . . . Caesar?" mumbled Lily. She was looking at me.
"Yes, Lady Lily. I'm Caesar," I said.
"Lady?" muttered Miranda.
"How do you know of my name?" prompted Lily.
"I know everyone in this room. Because Caesar knows everything, mind you. You cannot hide anything from me," I said with my arms spread out.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow you to leave," said Melker.
"Oh, there's no need for that. I came here because I want to serve you, Your Supremacy," I said.
My body lowered a bit as I bowed.
"Serve me? That's an interesting notion. Coming from an Aegis User that shouldn't exist," mocked Melker.
"Oh, you do know me . . . as a person that volunteers to help you gain victories upon victories in the near future," I said.
"What makes you think I believe you? You even know our names so that's making it harder for me trust you."
"Is that so?" I said with my head tilted at him. "What if I spread the words about what you've been doing, to the citizens of Sweden? Surely you don't want that. Especially Relly over there."
Relly narrowed his eyes at me and I smiled behind my mask.
" . . . What are you proposing?" asked Melker.
"Include me in your personal Aegis squad and I'll pretend that I didn't know every last top-secret the military has in its vaults. Also, you can't ask me where I came from, what's my real name, and why I decided to give myself to the military. A fair deal on your side, huh?" I said.
"That's all?" said Hughes.
Melker Holm considered my request and he nodded in agreement. "Alright. I'll accept your request. From now on, you're part of my personal Aegis squad. You're to obey my every command when it's time to sortie into combat. Is that clear?"
"Affirmative, understood, loud and clear," I said.
I proceeded to take the empty seat next to Lily and she stared at me for the longest time. The meeting was quick, where Melker only discussed a rebel group called Enkhtuya in Mongolia that had grown over the past years.
No retaliation was needed since they were fairly small in their activities, but he had sent more soldiers into Mongolia just in case.
"That's all. You're now dismissed," announced Melker after the meeting.
The members of the meeting walked out casually while I grabbed Lily in the arm, asking her to wait until everyone had left.
It turned out I did not need to since she also wanted to talk to me.
"Lady Lily," I called.
She put her head at my chest and looked up. "Is that you . . . Kurt? They told me you died in an accident."
Her eyes were swollen, and I could only guess it was from her crying too much.
"Now, now, Lady Lily. Kurt is no more. For I am CAESAR! So, call me that from now on," I said.
She nodded and gave me a weak smile. "I'm just glad you're alive. I was so . . . sad when I heard of your death."
I took a step back and bowed. "For that, I'm sorry, Lady Lily. What can I do for you to forgive me?"
She thought for a moment. "Cook the meatballs! The one you always make for me!"
"Ah, is that all? Then, follow me to my lair, Lady Lily!"
She took my hand as we stepped outside of the meeting room.
It still took some time for me to get used to it, but assuming the role of Caesar was not hard by any means. Except for my voice, where I had to raise my pitch a bit.
But I was certain, becoming that person I made up was a surefire way for me to be with Lily at most times.
And soon, I would get my hands on Melker. I would put him away from his place as the ruler of Great Corporate United.
I was the only one who could change the country, and with my own strength, only time could tell.