Codegease: Air and Land Warfare 1946

Page 199

“Me?...I understand.” He contacted Dr. Lloyd on Avalon and asked him to place Lancelot directly on the deck at the top of Avalon.

"Get ready!" Tristan transformed back into his mech form, drew his double-headed scythe, and opened the cockpit door. Suzaku jumped out and grabbed him. Just as he was about to reach Avalon, he executed a flying spin and a powerful throw, landing Suzaku precisely in front of Lancelot, who was emerging from the lower level via an elevator.

"Don't delay, Suzaku!" Gino said, about to return to the battlefield, when he saw the escort ship on the right side of the fleet tilt its head and crash into the flagship.

"Oh no! Anya, think of something quick! The governor should still be on the ship!"

A red light flashed across the sky as Mordred's hadron cannon effortlessly shattered the 200-meter-long war machine into a shower of sparks.

"Hey, are you trying to kill the governor...?"

"I clearly saved her."

"Gino!" Suzaku arrived from behind. "Nunali, where is Nunnally?!"

"I saw her! On the deck, she and ZERO were both in that red KMF's arms!"

Lancelot immediately swooped down, and just as the red figure pulled open its parachute and jumped, he cut through its canopy and parachute lines. Taking advantage of the moment when this opponent, who had no ability to fly, was in a panic, he quickly snatched Nunnally away from ZERO.

The man in the black cloak and the battered red robot, like withered leaves and a crashing skyship, drifted towards the dark sea, leaving behind only a poignant, desperate cry from the sky.

“Nanali!—”

……

The night the Knights of the Round Table brought the princess back, everything that happened that day was like a thrilling horror movie. Although it ended successfully at the last minute, it left people with lingering fears.

After Suzaku received Nunnally, he promptly transferred her to Avalon. After checking her over, he found she was unharmed. As for the Black Knights, the cargo ship had long since sailed off to who-knows-where, and a huge submarine came to pick them up instead.

Anya wanted to add another contribution to the hadron cannon of her own aircraft, but unexpectedly the submarine directly locked onto the falling Guren with a missile - however, what was launched was not a TNT warhead, but a brand new flight equipment, which was assembled directly in the air.

Then this opponent, whom Gino described as "worthy of being a Knight of the Round Table," not only wiped out Guilford and his entourage, but Tristan and Mordred were also injured again during the process and dragged away as the submarine sank. The great success that was within reach was thus lost.

Of course, the transport plane was shot down long ago.

"Damn it, Lelouch, what are you guys doing..." In the banquet hall that night, Clark, who had gotten in by association, huddled in a corner, collecting the day's "spoils" and starting to plot.

"You shot down five Skyships, a bunch of the latest mass-produced KMFs, and gave two Knights of the Round Table a good beating, but then you lost Nunnally... Is this the feeling of killing hostages while eliminating terrorists?"

"Hey, Uncle Sam, what's wrong?" A baron noticed that his expression was off.

"Uh, it's nothing, it's nothing... I was just worried about my things. I had just put them on the plane when it was hijacked." Clark pretended to cover his face, "Ah, Governor, are you alright?"

"What a coincidence." The Baron gave a wry smile. "Princess Nunnally didn't even suffer any superficial injuries. As for the sky fleet that was with her, the five skyships and the more than a thousand crew members on board, including General Upson, all perished..."

"Uh, I heard that two of these ships were originally going to Sector 45, right?"

"Yes."

"Hey!" Clark was secretly pleased. "So, what are your arrangements for General Upson's funeral?"

“I don’t know, but…” the baron paused, “when Lord Suzaku rescued him, he found that the governor was carrying a silver box.”

"box?"

"Yes, later the Governor said that it was given to her by General Upson before the voyage. It seems to be a relic of an Area 11 person, and it may be one of the few things the General can still leave us... I don't know what his intention was, but it seems that Princess Nunnally cherishes it very much. When she met us just now, she kept the box in her bosom."

"And the strangest thing is... Princess Nunnally's clothes were cut in several places when she returned, but this box wasn't stained with a drop of blood!"

Clark grinned and squinted, recalling the story of the sachet he had heard from the female officer.

"I really pity you, Lelouch. Now you guys are even playing with the box..."

Chapter 253 Japan (Part 1) Section 333

"The world is full of lies: murder is unforgivable, theft is despicable, fraud is abhorrent—all of this is deception. In order to escape killing and to avoid being robbed, people use lies such as justice and ethics to protect their weak selves."

"But the nature of humanity is survival of the fittest. The world gives the weak a corner to cower in, while giving the strong a realm to forge ahead. Go and hunt! Use power to gain wealth, glory, and this world! Britannia is determined to tear apart this lie that imprisons the world! Let the truth descend upon humanity!"

"All hail Britannia!——"

……

The saying "Like father, like son" has never been an unchanging golden rule in human history, ensuring the enduring legacy of every family.

As the emperor of the Britannian Empire, Charles, speaking from the podium, inspired countless fervent soldiers and subjects to fight for him.

As one of the emperor's many daughters, Nunnally has always appeared in every situation as a delicate girl whose heart is filled with beautiful fairy tales.

When Suzaku Kururugi, who was acting as her bodyguard, pushed her, who was in a wheelchair, onto the stage in the hall, the officials and nobles below the stage couldn't help but feel a little uneasy and disappointed as they applauded.

No one believed that Area 11, a place long associated with conflict, could become the fairytale world she imagined.

……

"Gentlemen, it's nice to meet you. I am Nunnally vi Britannia, the 87th heir to the throne of the Britannian Empire."

The camera was focused on the stage, where the blind Nunnally sat in a wheelchair, using Braille on her hands to maintain her speech. To her left stood her aide, Alicia, a stern middle-aged woman, while to her right stood Suzaku Kururugi, who was ensuring her safety and holding a silver box for her.

"Today, I officially take over as Governor of District 11 from the late Duke Carares, who passed away in District 11. I am blind and unable to walk, so I will need your help in many things. Please take care of me during my term of office."

"Although it may be a bit rushed, there is something I would like to ask for your assistance with." Upon hearing this, Suzaku's heart tightened. Seeing that Nanali remained calm, he blurted out his thoughts.

"I plan to re-establish the Japanese Special Administrative Regions as soon as possible in the near future."

When that word was uttered, the officials below the stage were utterly astonished, and even the photographers couldn't help but widen their eyes.

"How could that be? We wouldn't even dare to mention this matter..."

"Within the Japanese Special Zone, both numbered people and Britannians will be treated equally and fairly, and people from Area 11 can regain the title of 'Japanese.' Although the Japanese Special Zone has experienced unfortunate and painful misunderstandings in the past, I firmly believe that this goal is correct, and all of this is for the purpose of creating a harmonious, gentle, and equal world."

As she spoke, Nanali stretched out her hand toward Suzaku, indicating that she should hand over the box to her.

“Before I came to District 11, I received a gift.” She opened the box with trembling hands, took out the sachet and held it to her chest. “They told me that everyone in District 11 is now very eager for all the chaos on this island to be quelled, and reality shows that we are getting closer and closer to that goal.”

"General Upson told me that this sachet was entrusted to me by someone from Area 11. She also hoped to work with me to truly bring a better future here, to every corner of Area 11. I don't know who she is. I think, since peace is beautiful, then violence against us is essentially also a pursuit of a better future, isn't it?"

"Black Knights, please join the Japanese Special Zone as well. If we acknowledge each other's mistakes, understand each other, and forgive each other, everything can start over, and everything will be as good as before. I believe that peace will eventually reside on Honshu Island, and I believe in the Black Knights. I also look forward to the day when there is no conflict."

……

While the crowd in the hall was still discussing, Zhuque pushed the princess to the back.

"It really surprises me, Nanali... about the Japanese special zone..."

"Suzaku, what Sister Yuffie wants to do isn't wrong, is it?"

“Yes, that’s right.” Suzaku couldn’t help but sigh. “Euphore wasn’t wrong… So Nunnally was trying to fulfill Euphemia’s true wish before she died, right?”

"Yes, it was precisely for this reason that my father and I insisted on coming to the 11th District to serve as governor."

"Huh? Wasn't it His Majesty the Emperor who sent you?" Zhuque hadn't even finished processing one of the chills before another struck.

“I’ve been protected by my brother all this time. Although his whereabouts are currently unknown, he must be watching over me. Therefore, I cannot make a decision that would betray my brother…”

"In that case, there's something you need to be careful about. Did His Highness Schneizel mention District 45 to you before?"

"Suzaku, even though we weren't born in the same world as them, we all fundamentally desire peace, right? I can do everything I can to provide them with a peaceful living environment. The people of District 45 think the same way, don't they? As long as we understand and unite with each other, we can live in peace..."

“But, Nunnally,” Suzaku hesitated for a moment before speaking, “the conflict between the Japanese and the people of District 45 is getting bigger and bigger, and the Japanese are unwilling to sit down and talk with us… To tell you the truth, I asked other people before, and the things that General Upson gave you were actually the belongings of a notorious Japanese thief who was executed by the local military and police.”

"W-what?" Nanali looked up in surprise. "That's not what General Upson told me..."

"Huh? Well, maybe he was afraid you wouldn't accept it, so he lied, right...? Nunnally is still so easily trusting of others."

“Suzaku.” Nunnally sadly picked up the box. “General Upson’s words were a lie, and they go against my sincere wish for Area 11 to achieve peace. I cannot accept such a gift. Please… put it in a suitable place.”

Suzaku took it, opened the lid, and the sachet with the hiragana name "Yukikaze" written on it was clean—it must have been cleaned by Nunnally herself after receiving a gift from General Upson while she was on the ship.

"Yuffie and Nunnally's wishes must be fulfilled... for Japan..." After thinking for a moment, he put the sachet into his pocket, and the image of the day when Yuffie's body was buried appeared before his eyes. It was also a snowy winter day.

A knight who has lost his allegiance, and in order to change Britannia from within, is forced to send his former enemy to His Majesty the Emperor to obtain the title of Knight of the Round Table. One can only imagine how unbearable his inner struggle must have been.

Because compared to ending it all by committing suicide, the difficulty of living is much greater...

……

"So, what are your plans regarding the people of District 45?"

The two were sitting in front of a cozy fireplace, planning for the future, when another man walked in at an inopportune moment.

“Count Rosenberg?” Suzaku stood up. “Is there something you need?”

"There are some things I need to report to His Excellency the Governor."

“Ah, Count, I also have a request.” Nunnally reacted as if struck by lightning upon hearing the name. “You, why did you form the Aryan Special Forces in the first place? And why did you encourage them to vandalize Japanese shops, and those Japanese who were executed…”

"Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but it is the people of District 11 who are instigating conflicts between different countries and ethnic groups. I formed the special task force to prevent this from happening. When they first launched a group fight against the people of District 45, it proved that I was right."

“It’s normal for the people from District 45 to be unfamiliar with the Japanese since they’ve just started living on Honshu Island. Besides, we haven’t publicly acknowledged the existence of District 45. Under these circumstances, it’s only natural that this kind of thing would happen.” Nanali insisted on her point of view. “The Japanese and the people from District 45 have no past grudges or recent conflicts. We should be the ones guiding them through this conflict. Moreover…”

As Nanali spoke, she began to tremble with anger.

"The Aryan Special Forces, what kind of terrifying group are these people? How did they pass your vetting? Why allow a group of people who are worse than robbers to serve as our law enforcement force in Japan?"

Count Rosenberg remained silent, glanced at Nunnally, and then gave Suzaku Kururugi a meaningful look.

"Perhaps when you two were figuring out the details of District 45, you both forgot that they had mentioned that word."

The count took out a file folder and handed it to Suzaku for him to look through.

He opened it and found a stack of neat white printed papers with various English names in the lower right corner, but in the center of each paper, without exception, there was a dazzling circle drawn in red ink.

"This...this is..." Suzaku asked, puzzled. "Count, why did you draw so many Japanese flags?"

"To be precise, this is the flag of a country also called Japan in that world, drawn by Germans from District 45!"

Section 334, Chapter 254: Japan (Part 2)

"I find it a little hard to imagine that in your world, an island nation could become such a powerful entity?"

"The British Isles are smaller than Honshu and Hokkaido combined, yet the sun never sets in either world."

In the evening, Count Rosenberg invited Karlsstadt to his residence. After many busy days, they could finally have a proper talk.

“These two are not the same.” The count paused. “Well, never mind. Since you say that Japan and your Germany are military allies, you should know a lot about warfare, even if you’ve never been to Asia.”

“Ha, the Japanese are much more anxious than we are.” Karlstadt curled the corners of his mouth. “About 15 years ago, eight years before we marched into Poland, they took the lead in starting their armed rule in Northeast China and obtained a colony larger than Germany. After six years, once they were ready, they officially launched the Second Sino-Japanese War.”

[Author's Note: The Second Sino-Japanese War is the internationally recognized term for the War of Resistance against Japan.]

"A second time? So, China and Japan fought a war before?"

“That’s right, it happened in the last century, I don’t think I was even born yet.” Karlstadt smiled as he poured himself a cup of black tea. “Last time China lost, and what it lost was a string of islands and a lot of money. This time, Japan forcibly took away half of China’s territory. As for how many Chinese lives were taken, I don’t need to go into details.”

"What? China has been beaten like this by Japan, twice in a row?" The count found this hard to believe.

"I already guessed you were so surprised, hahaha. Perhaps your understanding of the word 'China' is completely limited to your own Chinese Federation... I don't know why China in this world has such military strength, but in our eyes, China is a synonym for weakness."

"On the contrary, Japan is now synonymous with power?"

“You could say that,” Karlsstadt said, taking a sip of tea. “I’ve asked my colleagues who have visited China how to describe that bloated country that has the largest land area in the world, and the best words would be farmland or mines.”

"How?"

"Here are fields to feed civilians, and abundant mineral resources, but unfortunately, no matter how large the farmland, it won't grow bread, and the mines won't produce tanks." Karlstadt shook his head, a mocking smile on his face. "China's strength might surprise you. The only things its military factories can successfully produce are rifles and bullets, and the quality is embarrassing to even mention. As for the rest..."

"The machine guns they copied were barely usable, and they couldn't even bring their artillery and shells to the battlefield. As for armored vehicles and aircraft, those were things their industry couldn't even dream of; they had to buy them. Oh, the only thing that might be impressive is that they have a few warships that they built themselves."

"Then how come they can't build tanks and armored vehicles?"

"Hahaha, why don't you ask why the cruisers they built can only compete with destroyers in size?" Karlstadt laughed heartily. "If you give these ships to the Japanese, they won't even want them. Give them to us? Ha, we might as well think about melting them down and exchanging them for a few armored battalions."

"Then... shall we introduce the 'powerful' Japanese army?" The count was sweating nervously.

"Well, unlike China, Japan, while not comparable to the US and the Soviet Union, is one of the top powers in Asia. From firearms and ammunition to aircraft and naval artillery, they develop and produce everything themselves. The fact that they nearly defeated China wasn't just empty boasting." Karlstadt changed the subject. "Although some of their things are barely passable in our eyes, like heavy infantry weapons, oh especially armored vehicles, which are simply a disgrace."

"However, there is one thing that we Germans envy in comparison, and that is the navy. When they attacked China from Shanghai, the Chinese army had no chance to fight back against the Japanese navy's naval guns and carrier-based aircraft, you know? Later, they successfully swept across the Pacific Ocean, still relying on their own mighty ocean fleet."

"Life in China must be tough, right?" The count forced a smile through his mixed feelings.

“Ha, do we need to care whether these people live or die?” Karlstadt’s eyes darkened, a fierce glint appearing in them. “If the Japanese had wiped out the Chinese before we arrived, it would have saved us a lot of trouble, wouldn’t it?”

……

While Karlstadt and the Count were still talking, Nunnally and Suzaku invited two guests to a meeting room in the city hall.

One is Taylor, who naturally became a frequent topic of conversation among Japanese people because of his deep-seated hatred for the people of Japan.

Another was an American pilot named Harrington, who reportedly served in the Australian air force before coming to Europe and was directly involved in the Pacific War.