Chereads / Fate/Zero Requiem / Chapter 22 - The Revealed Truth and The Worm got Devoured

Chapter 22 - The Revealed Truth and The Worm got Devoured

Fuyuki City

Lelouch and Avenger made their way in silence. The forest and German Castle were long behind them as the two made their way towards a quiet place where they could talk without interruption. Soon they found themselves standing on the side of the river and staring at Fuyuki Bridge. Lelouch turned around and noticed an empty sidewalk with a bench not too far away from them.

"Let's stop here," he announced and made his way towards one of them.

Avenger raised an eyebrow. "What about returning home?"

"We weren't followed otherwise you would have informed me already. We need to discuss some stuff, Avenger. And talking in fresh air is a better choice." Lelouch said without turning back. This place was empty and far away from Castle. Avenger decided to comply and sat next to him.

Once again both of them were silent. Avenger occasionally glancing at Lelouch. The Demon Emperor sighed before asking the first important question.

"How much have you seen?" Avenger knew about him being from the Royal family and from glances and stares he received from her during Saber's speech she most certainly knows about Zero Requiem. Considering how much his servant already learned from her dreams might give Lelouch enough to work with. 'Avenger knowing about my past might be dangerous. I need to make sure she doesn't know too much.'

Avenger was silent for a moment, trying to remember how much she had seen. Her face darkened as she said in a low tone. "I saw your death."

Lelouch clenched his fist. "You knew I was an Emperor-"

"And your past in Japan before that." Lelouch raised an eyebrow."You have seen my dreams as well. You know what it is like."

He nodded. "Yes. It is like you are here, reliving a moment, except it is the memory of someone else. But I knew about your identity even before seeing your memories, Oda Nobunaga."

A Japanese daimyō of the Sengoku period. The achievements of Nobunaga, no matter how terrible some of them were, helped to unify Japan at that time. While Britannia made sure to put down Elevens as an inferior race, they did show sympathy to a few Japanese historical figures who were good examples of Britannia Social Darwinism. Oda Nobunaga was one of those people, however, it didn't mean that Britannia allowed the open spread of Japanese culture and history. Cultural genocide was a reliable weapon when dealing with areas and the empire wasn't about to change its policy just for one person. Lelouch was certain that if it wasn't for Ashford Academy's more 'tolerable' stand towards the history of Japan, Oda Nobunaga would have been just another failed reformer.

'And now, Oda Nobunaga is sitting next to me.'

Avenger's lip formed a thin line. "I don't remember permitting you to call me by name so casually… But considering what I know about you, I will make an exception for you. So feel free to show your gratitude." Oda Nobunaga said with a smile.

"Hmm, it wasn't hard to learn your true identity but I decided to keep it a secret." Nobunaga looked curious."You keeping your true name secret didn't hinder our working relationship so far. You didn't want to share your identity and I didn't want to force you without serious reason." Besides, after dealing with someone like C.C, Lelouch has learned that trying to make a woman speak about her secrets when she clearly didn't want to was pointless.

"Oh my, how considerate of you...your majesty." Lelouch made a mistake and reacted with a frown. One glance at his servant was enough to see that she was amused. "I see you don't like being called as such."

"...that part of my life was hardly the most pleasing."

"I see. Well, it was fun one time, no need to ruin it." The redheaded woman said as she turned away and looked at the river before them.

Lelouch, seeing this asked. "You have many questions as well. What do you think about my past?"

She looked at him before with a sigh raising her head and looking at the moon above them. "It wasn't my first dream about you. The first time when I saw your memory I thought it was too absurd. Giant machines fighting in the air and one young man taking over the world. My first thought was that you were a servant who somehow managed to be reincarnated and joined the Grail War." She stopped when Lelouch started to laugh.

"Me as a servant? Heh, I cannot see that," he said with a smirk.

"Really? I have to disagree. Not everyone puts on a mask and starts a revolution that manages to put the entire world in disarray." The woman laughed. "Zero, with that flashy costume of yours and all those speeches and fancy theatrical movements. Not gonna lie, they were spectacular to watch."

"...I was just a person in a mask who just knew what to do at that time. Few people know the truth and none of them will ever tell it." It wasn't hard to imagine how shocking and dangerous it would be if the truth of the Demon Emperor and Zero being the same person came out. Especially with Suzaku wearing the mask it might destroy whatever peace was made after his death. "Compared to heroic spirits like Artoria, Iskandar or Gilgamesh, I'm no one important." Of course, thinking about it more carefully, if Lelouch managed to become a servant, then the assassin class might be a perfect fit for him. Maybe Rider if the Grail let him use his Knightmares as mounts. 'However, she said it wasn't too likely to happen especially now.'

Avenger let out a loud laugh before becoming quiet for a moment after what she did her best to mimic his voice. "I have destroyed the world and created it new. Tell me, master, if that sounds familiar to you." Avenger said with a smug expression.

Lelouch's smirk didn't disappear but he stared at her for a long moment. "So you do know about Zero Requiem," Lelouch said disappointedly. This wasn't good. He knew that it was most likely but a tiny part of Lelouch still hoped that it would be easier.

"You know, Lelouch." Avenger started as she crossed her leg over another. "My life's goal was to unite Japan, destroy the old system and create a new one. So imagine how irritated I must feel to see someone else achieve my dream and waste all of it. And worst of all, I still cannot understand why you did it, all of it. Why waste your own life when you had everything in your hands? When on your word and anything you wanted would be done." Her head came closer to his, her red eyes stared at him intensely. "Why did you kill yourself?"

She was demanding the truth. Lelouch's face didn't show any emotion, only a cold mask. This was what he was hoping to avoid. 'She spent her life trying to unify Japan and rule it. Trying to create a new system and replace one that was too corrupt. We both wanted change, we both did everything to achieve it and we both were betrayed. But Nobunaga died before she managed to see her dream while I died as a result of my own plans...I did what she spent her life trying to achieve but basically killed myself as Zero Requiem demanded.'

In Nobunaga's eyes, she and Lelouch both tried to do the same thing but he was more successful. And to see someone just waste such accomplishment, according to her, was confusing and even vexing. Lelouch could understand and sympathize to some degree with her but he didn't see his death as a waste.

"My death was needed for Zero Requiem to succeed. The Demon Emperor, the most hated person on Earth should have died by the hands of Zero, the Miracle Maker. I became emperor to achieve this goal and nothing else. I had no interest to rule for the sake of my desires. I died and took all the hatred with me. I give people a new start to create a world where there are no monsters like me or my father. Where no one ever again will be able to become another Demon Emperor."

After killing Charles and whatever was left of Marianne, Lelouch needed to change the world from the top to bottom. His parents and uncle came close to killing what they called 'God' only because of their delusional idea to create a world with no lies. Charles and V.V thought that no one should be above them and were ready to make the entire human race nothing but husks that were neither dead nor alive. Power blinded them and made them see every one, even their own family as pawns to use. At that time, Lelouch wanted to destroy the world that allowed such people to gain power.

"And what better way than to show what happens when the ruler, if unchecked, will become a power-hungry madman. Zero Requiem, a perfect play about a young emperor who started with noble goals but quickly got mad with power and conquered the entire world. A ruler so drunk with his power, he was ready to kill anyone who even dared to speak against him." Lelouch started to laugh uncontrollably with that insane laugh of his. "Now future generations will never allow someone to repeat my sins and commit as many atrocities as I did."

Believing that Zero Requiem will do its job forever was naive. Current generations won't allow the rise of another Demon Emperor but it won't be like that forever. However, Lelouch didn't need it that way. 'I just need this gentle world to exist long enough for Nunnally and Suzaku to make changes that will last longer than my legacy. Empress Nunnally vi Britannia and her loyal knight of justice Zero will make the world a better place for everyone. I believe in it, in them.'

Avenger was silent, leaving his personal space and turning away. She didn't say a word, Lelouch could see that Nobunaga did not agree with him.

"...I thought that bastard Archer was the most arrogant person I have ever seen but now I have doubts," Avenger said with a furious tone as she clenched her fists. "You think the death of one tyrant no matter how terrible and hated he was is enough to force people to abandon their nature and work together towards one common goal out of fear alone? Don't be ridiculous! Your deeds will be remembered for a long time but they won't change humans the way you want them to. Humans have short-term memory when it comes to stuff like this. If anything, your accomplishments during life will become something to admire and some will try to repeat them. There will be those who will look at your life with admiration and will want to achieve what you did."

"I was the most hated person on Earth, Nobunaga. I don't know who would desire to become someone like that."

Avenger scowled. "Just give it time. After my death, some people tried to become another Oda Nobunaga and unite Japan under their rule. Humans never change, desire for power is always there." Nobunaga looked annoyed. She didn't understand this Zero Requiem, she didn't want to. Her master was wrong but he didn't want to believe it.

"That might be true but that happens only when others allow them to gain power without boundaries, Avenger. I know that power-hungry tyrants won't disappear but the new system won't allow them to reign freely if at all. People will start to see my ghost in every dictator and stop him before he could do too much harm...I will admit that I had doubts during Zero Requiem. I wasn't certain if this would truly work the way we wanted but after coming to this world I became assured."

"Why is that?"

Lelouch remembered something that he had read about this world history. "There was a person who wanted to bring his people to glory and power as he thought they deserved. It didn't matter to him how many people died, how many terrible acts needed to be committed as long as he achieved his goal. He waged war against other nations the likes of which was never seen before. Millions died, his dream was crushed and the man killed himself… He was a madman but his actions led the world to change its system. After his death, they did everything in their power to prevent the raising of someone like that."

"You think that man had the same plan as you?"

"No, most unlikely." Lelouch laughed. "His ideology was too extreme that even my father would have avoided it. I doubt he had something like Zero Requiem in mind but the fact that one person changed the world so much that they decided to never allow someone else to repeat his actions is impressive no matter how you look at it."

"...I still don't agree with what you did, Lelouch. It is no different from Saber's case. Your ideals demanded you to die for them. You become emperor just to be hated and killed in the end. That's not the way to live. No human should sacrifice himself like this. You had the power to change the world differently."

"And become a sole ruler? Become a tyrant with no one to oppose my rule? It wouldn't solve problems, Nobunaga. My world was in a state of constant war for generations. Superpowers were waging war every few years while people suffered. Unlike this world, democracy was a complete joke, any government that tried to uphold it was too weak before the might of absolute monarchy. Humans lives were just recourse to use and waste in the meat grinder that is war." Lelouch let out a weak laugh. "My death won't make humans change their nature too drastically but it will give them a moment to think about what they want and don't want. No one wants to live in a world where the system kills anyone who disagrees with it… As for comparing my actions to Artoria's, it's too much don't you think, Nobunaga?"

"No." was the immediate answer. "Both of you think that sacrificing yourself is the only way to achieve your goals. However, if a foolish knight thinks that it is right to sacrifice herself for the people, you think that sacrificing yourself for the end goal is right. Neither of you is correct. Both of you were leaders and rulers, but both of you are wrong to think that it is right to waste your own life like that." She let out a tired sigh and looked at the ground. "Not gonna lie when Saber started to talk about her wish I was scared that you would agree with her view."

Lelouch blinked. "Why? Saber's wish is wrong no matter how much you look at it. Removing herself from the history of Britain will bring more harm than good. I don't-"

"I was afraid you would desire the same thing, Lelouch." Avenger interrupted him and the raven-haired man became silent. "I have been watching you ever since I was summoned. I saw the way you are unfocused outside battles. The melancholy look on your face when you think about your past. I saw sadness and regret on your face. You might as well desire to wish to remove yourself from your world's history as well, Lelouch."

"I would never do that."

Such an action will be the greatest betrayal to everything he did. All those who died because of him, suffered because of him, it would make their sacrifice worthless. He couldn't bring himself to do something like that. Lelouch wouldn't allow himself to do it but Avenger laughed softly.

"Are you sure about that? As far I see if Saber couldn't accept her past, while you have been trying to distract yourself from it. I have seen the way you accomplish your goals in your past life. Compared to that right now it feels like you are not even interested in this War." At these words, Lelouch paused and looked away. "Something is on your mind, you are not focused. I can only guess that it is about your past life. Ugh, I just don't want my master to do another stupid thing because of his moment of weakness."

Lelouch stopped and glared at Avenger. "What are you implying, Nobunaga?"

She stopped for a moment, enjoying his gaze as an idea popped in her head. "Oh, my." She softly whispered before rising from her seat and started making circles around Lelouch. "Master, you can think whatever you want about Zero Requiem but you cannot deny one thing." She stopped right in front of him and kneeled. "This entire terrible plan was made when you were at your lowest, most defenceless moment and you didn't think straight."

"It wasn't like that!"

"Wasn't it? Lelouch, think about it. You have been betrayed by people you thought you could have trusted. As you marched against your greatest foe, you were ready to die. I saw the gaze in your eyes when you went to kill your father. You had the eyes of a man who was ready to die." A pleased smirk formed on her face. "Just admit it, You haven't been yourself. Betrayal and all losses finally broke you. That's why you decided to commit this Requiem of yours."

Lelouch clenched his fist. "No, no. You aren't right about this, Nobunaga. What do you know about being at your lowest?"

She was silent for a moment. The Japanese woman looked away before standing up and moving closer towards the river. She didn't say a word, just staring at the city before her. "When my father died, I was devastated. I wanted to drink away my problems and so I did. Hell, I even went to his funeral drunk. Something that pissed my family off. My clan never trusted me as the new head. Fool of Owari, they called me. When my father died and I was to become the new head, almost everyone in my family opposed me. Infighting started and my little brother, someone who always looked up to me, went against me." Lelouch could have heard clear sadness in her voice. "I have killed many members of my clan but I spared my little brother...but he went against me a second time, this time I had no choice but to execute him. You know what it is like to kill people you considered family."

He did. A memory of the pink-haired princess appeared in Lelouch's mind. Following the memory of the massacre, Euphy is covered in blood and him ending her life. Lelouch closed his eyes. His first love died by his hands.

"That was the first time I was betrayed. The second was even worse." Nobunaga covered her face with her palm, clearly not so pleased to remember those unpleasant memories. "I was waging war against the Asakura clan at that time. Their territory was behind the Azai clan. I thought it wouldn't be difficult since the Azai head was married to my sister and we had a truce. However, I was wrong. Azai decided to side with their old ally instead of me." Nobunaga clenched her fists, her tone becoming lower and more threatening. "I trusted them, him. The Head of Azai and my sister were married and loved each other. They went as far as trying to assassinate me… When I finally managed to fight the Azai clan, I made sure that no one killed my brother-in-law but me." She let out another tired sigh before sitting back on the bench next to Lelouch. "Master, there were moments in my life that I will always remember with sadness in my heart. At those moments, I was at my lowest and did risky moves, sometimes out of desperation. But I won't regret any of them. I won't be stuck in my own past like you are right now."

Lelouch stayed silent, thinking about it. Right now the former emperor didn't know if he truly wasn't focused on the war and was stuck in his own mind. There was truth to her words, he did a lot of stuff when he was at lowest. The Massacre of the Geass Order after the death of Shirley was first to come to mind. 'I won't lie that after the Second Battle of Tokyo when I believed that Nunnally died and the Black Knights betrayed me I wasn't at my best. I was ready to take Charles with me if needed… After learning that Nunnally was alive I had a moment of doubt but Suzaku stopped me. C.C was always there for me but...I don't know anymore.'

"I was glad when you didn't agree with Saber's wish, Lelouch. At the very least, you didn't want to commit something like that but I still don't know your wish for the Grail. You said that it was a desire to protect those you care about but they are in a different world… Unless you want to use the Grail to make sure that this Zero Requiem succeeds no matter what, which seems like a waste of wish in my opinion."

"I want to defeat all other masters and their servants so none of them will be able to make a wish."

"Lelouch, that's a goal we will achieve no matter what but I was asking about your wish."

"...I don't have any wish for the Grail."

Nobunaga stared at him with wide-open eyes, It was almost comical. "What do you mean you don't have any wish?"

"As far as I care, I achieved everything I wanted in my former life. Of course, there are moments I would like to change but we both know why I'm not going to do it. So, this grail is worthless to me. My main goal is to make sure none of the other masters will win and make a wish."

Avenger looked confused. "...but why?"

Lelouch smirked. "Ah, yes. You only saw my memories from my past life, didn't you?" She slowly nodded, not understanding where he was leading. "Then it means you didn't see anything from this world. Or more importantly how I got here. Didn't you, Avenger?" he smirked when she narrowed her gaze.

"What happened, Lelouch."

"Hmm, you know what? Sharing it with you won't do me any harm. So listen, my dear Avenger on how I was brought to this world and the true goal of the Holy Grail War."

________________________

Matou Residence

"Kariya, even when with my help you're still nothing but a failure." The true head of the Matou family said to no one as he stared at his pit of worms. Ever since speaking with his 'son', Zouken was watching from the shadows as Kariya tried and absolutely failed to lure out the enemy Caster. His Berserker fought Lancer and even managed to destroy one of his weapons but the old man didn't care. His main problem was still alive and hiding. Probably haunting his precious worms. Caster was still alive and it meant that those worms that Zouken gave to Kariya were wasted for nothing.

'This isn't good. My crest worms are getting killed left and right by Caster. He is dangerous to my goals and my self as well.' The lunatic servant proved to be a talented hunter when it comes to finding his familiars. The heroic spirit appeared to be knowledgeable about them which was bad for Zouken. The old parasite had to call the rest of his worms back to the Matou residence to hide them. 'On the bright side, seeing the terrified expression on Byakuya was a welcoming pace of change. The drunk idiot was getting too brave lately and a reminder of who is actually in charge helped put him in his place.'

Zouken didn't care what either of his children did in their free time but seeing the two of them together, somehow behaving like normal siblings was vexing, to say the least. At the very least, he knew it wasn't going to be an issue soon. Kariya will die in his meaningless attempt to save Sakura and whatever was left of his body will be used as fuel for the worms. 'I can go even further and feed his corpse to the worms and later use them on Sakura. Yes! What beautiful irony...However, since almost all my worms are here I cannot monitor Kariya's actions as freely as before. Ugh, Kariya, you truly are a burden to everyone.'

However, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden warning that was coming from one of his boundary fields. Who could it be? Kariya? Zouken doubted te fool would be stupid enough to return home after his latest failure. Byakuya won't be able to trigger the defence mechanism and Shinji was far away in Europe. Sakura wasn't leaving her room ever since her first 'training'. Zouken turned away from his pit of worms with a frown on his face. Enemy masters had no business at his home, both Tohsaka and Einzbern knew that it was unwise to attack him at his home. Other masters? Those two from Britain wouldn't be stupid enough to attack the founding family. The Master of Avenger was the unknown factor but the young man didn't seem to even know about Zouken's existence. His old eyes went wide when the realization came. 'Wait! Don't tell me it-'

Whatever Zouken thought was interrupted by an explosion that destroyed the entrance into the basement. However, even worse was a figure that followed it. Zouken's eyes went wide when he saw him. Servant smiled like the insane psycho he was when he saw Zouken and the worms behind him.

"Cool!" The Caster Gilles shouted with pleasure as he made his way towards the pit. Zouken could only step to the side with horror as the enemy servant walked past him and stared at the pit. "So cool! I wish Ryuunosuke was here to see it too!" he turned to Zouken with a respectful nod. "So you are a fellow man of culture who raised all these crest worms. You have my sincere thanks."

The old parasite looked at the exit, hoping if he could make at least some of his worms escape but stopped when he saw familiars of Caster guarding the only exit. His worms might have a chance against a few of them but Zouken saw a battle between Caster and Avenger. Those monsters were appearing faster than his worms and would outnumber them quickly. If nothing was done he would lose all his worms and that includes him too!

True horror, something that he didn't feel in the century enveloped him. Zouken froze, now knowing what to do.

"C-caster, wait! We can make a deal-"

"Oh, don't you worry, kind man. I already spared your successor. The man with the funny hair colour ran away the moment he saw me. I also didn't touch that little girl. It was easy to understand that she was saved for later fun." Gilles winked at him with whatever eye were looking at Zouken's side. "It warms my heart to know that there are still such individuals like you-" Suddenly he stopped as his face came closer to Zouken. Gilles sniffed the air and a smile even more terrifying appeared on his face. "Well, this is a surprise. Never seen such interesting use of crest worms. My friend, I have to admit that you might be genius...shame that I need all of them to help me fix my Jeanne!"

"Wait, Caster!"

However, before Zouken could beg for his life, Gilles's hand penetrated the old man's chest. Worms that formed his current body started to fall on the ground. Gilles pulled his fist out of Zouken with several worms in it. They tried to escape but the servant didn't let them, instead placing them in his wide-open mouth before devouring all of them in one go. Zouken looked terrified but couldn't let out any sound, silently watching as the insane servant was slowly eating him.

This continued for some time before Caster was done with the old man's body and turned to the worms with a pleasant smile. His mouth was covered with whatever fluids the worms had in them, arms spread at the sides.

"Now! It is time for the main dish!" Caster said as he started to walk downstairs towards the ocean of worms. The little parasites felt close to absolute terror as the killer of their creator came closer and closer. The entire base was filled with the insane laughter of the French Heroic Spirit as he ate one worm after another. His plan to free his Jeanne from the lies of God was coming nicely and soon two old friends will finally reunite!

As the crazy servant continued his own 'banquet', neither he nor his familiars noticed how a small group of worms managed to escape the basement. Those worms were all that was left from Zouken and right now their primary mission was to survive!

____________________________

Fuyuki City

Lelouch watched as Avenger threw another rock at the river. Well, more like launching it with enough force to make a hole in someone's head. She was pissed. Who could have blamed her? Learning that your wish won't be granted and your entire role in this war was to be nothing but a pawn wasn't pleasing for the likes of a Heroic Spirit.

'In fact, using kings and rulers across time and space as some sort of fuel for the Grail might be beyond arrogance.' Whoever came up with this system didn't think what would happen if servants learned about the truth. Those heroic spirits answered the calls of masters in hopes to achieve their wish but in reality, were meant to be sacrificial lambs for the true ritual. 'There aren't any safe systems to prevent servants from acting against their master outside of three command seals. But even this might be limited.' Lelouch thought as he looked down at his arm with three red marks that weren't used so far.

Nobunaga stopped furiously throwing rocks and returned to her seat next to him. Lelouch waited for her to sit on anything.

Avenger looked at his eyes and with a serious expression said. "Let's burn this city."

"Avenger no. We can't burn the city just because you got scammed." Lelouch sighed. "I know it must feel terrible for you right now but you have to understand that this was made by three founding families centuries ago."

"That supposed to make me feel better?"

"No, it means you can't burn and kill innocent people just because you feel angry."

She looked away with a pout and whispered. "Never stopped me before… What if we tell it to other servants?"

"They won't believe us without any evidence. All three founding families know about it and won't allow their servants to act against them even if it means using command seals. We also don't have any evidence other than me being told about it." The Demon Emperor sighed. "In reality, I didn't plan to share this but for some reason, you will believe anything I say."

"Not everything. No matter what you say I won't change my mind about Zero Requiem. Worst plan ever, made by a teenager with a lot of issues, made at his lowest moment in life." She smirked when Lelouch glared at her. "I'm curious what will happen if Archer hears about it. Will he either die from laughter or try to kill you for such a foolish thing to do, not that I will allow it."

"Your words won't change my mind either, Nobunaga… But that isn't important right now. I still want to know if you want to continue this, fighting this war. I forced many people to do things against their will in my past life and I'm not too eager to start doing it again." Avenger looked at him like Lelouch suggested the most ridiculous thing.

"Lelouch vi Britannia, do you think so low of me?" She asked with an angry tone. "I'm Oda Nobunaga, the Demon King of Six Heaven, the enemy of Buddha. The truth that my wish couldn't be granted by the Grail is a mere setback to my plans! Now, I desire even more to kill all my enemies including those fools who thought to use me as some sort of fuel." She spat on the ground. "Lelouch, we have a lot of people to burn. If you want to stop the other masters and servants from making a wish then I'm in. Your goals perfectly align with my grand plan."

Lelouch got curious and asked. "And this plan?"

"Kill Rider, kill Archer, kill anyone who dares to oppose me. Get reincarnated, Grail or not I will find some way. Reconquer Japan and then take over the world." Her bloody red eyes sparkled with excitement as Nobunaga smiled a feral smile, thinking about her goals. However, then they glanced at Lelouch and a smirk formed on her face. "...and something else I now aim to achieve as well."

"Hmm? Something else?"

"Yes, but it isn't time to share my last goal to you right now, Lelouch. Just know that you and I still have a contract. Even if the Grail cannot achieve my wish, it just means you will help me to achieve it on my own."

Her master laughed. "Aren't you a demanding servant? And what will happen if I refuse?"

"I will kill you and then wait for my body to disappear as well but I imagine that neither you nor your sponsor wants such an outcome." Nobunaga threatened him but Lelouch didn't feel in danger at all.

"Fair enough. I just need to make sure that no one wins this war. Everything that happens afterwards is of little concern to me." The former warlord didn't like hearing it but she knows that her master won't be convinced right now. Nobunaga will have to be patient if she wants her goals to be accomplished. "That reminds me. You didn't have problems with how I have been summoned to this world."

Nobunaga just waved away. "When dealing with magecraft few things can surprise me. I never was a mage but living in the Throne of Heroes is enough to make you less surprised when dealing with mystic stuff. Besides, I have been more focused on the fact my role in this war is to be glorified fuel for the Grail. So forgive me if I don't care about it too much."

"Fair enough." Taking into account everything that happened in life Lelouch can see himself being less surprised by unnatural stuff. "However, now we need to return to the topic of stopping other masters from making a wish. You made one point I can agree with."

"Oh?" Nobunaga raised her eyebrow. "And that is?"

"I wasn't too focused until now. Indeed, I was thinking about my past and was stuck in my memories. I didn't try my best so far in this war but that is about to change."

Avenger looked excited. "Lelouch, do you mean?"

"Yes. Until now our actions can be classified as preparing the stage for our main show." A diabolical smile appeared on his face, a smile that promised destruction and chaos wherever Lelouch went. He looked at her and offered his right hand. "Oda Nobunaga, now that you know the truth behind this war, I ask you once again to lend me your power, not as a servant but as a partner."

"Oh my!" Nobunaga couldn't help but feel thrilled and a little flattered at the gesture. Eager to see how her master was going to handle things from now on. "In that case, lead the way, partner." Nobunaga finished with a sultry tone as she squeezed his hand.

Both Demons were about to make this war hell for everyone else.

__________________________

The last thing he remembered was cold steel as the sword pierced his body and ended his life. Lelouch vi Britannia opened his eyes and looked around.

'Where am I?' He was in the middle of a forest, surrounded by trees as the light of the moon illuminated the area around him. The Demon Emperor looked at himself, still wearing his royal garb but with a visible bloody hole in the place where the red sword entered his body and killed him. Or at least he thought that's what would happen on that day. 'How? What is going on?!'

Suzaku should have killed him! Did it mean Zero Requiem didn't succeed?! Where was he and who brought him here? Lelouch's mind was filled with dozens of questions and he didn't know where to get answers for them. However, all of his thoughts were stopped as he felt a strange presence, almost as if something was calling him. Raven haired boy rose from the ground, as green light started to form a strange being.

"Lelouch vi Britannia."

It was a strange voice as if dozens of people were talking at the same time. Lelouch could only note that the female voice was loudest among them. He didn't know why he froze at one place, unable to move or even utter a word at that moment.

"I have a task for you."