Several days after the Battle of Narita Mountains. I'm currently waiting in the corridor of the government building in the Tokyo Settlement. A meeting about Area 11 is underway in the conference room ahead.
Even as Cornelia's direct unit, I'm just an outsider mercenary. No way I'd join a policy meeting like that. Just waiting here for it to end.
No complaints, though. Skipping tedious meetings is a blessing.
"Still no contact from Lemon."
It's been a while since Cornelia hired me. In spare time, I occasionally pull Trinity Gain from spatial storage to check the link device. No sign of reconnecting with Lyukeios.
Maybe try during daytime here? But a special unit like Trinity Gain appearing in broad daylight would draw too much attention. So far, only at night in deserted spots.
"...Well, that's beyond me. Leave it to Lemon."
Bitter smile, set link aside. Next: my future moves.
"Days since Narita. He'll move soon."
Mutter for confirmation. Yes, in canon, Mao appeared at Ashford Academy post-Narita, using Geass to read minds and gather intel on Lelouch and C.C.
Need to act fast. Delay risks contact with them. Mind-reading Geass is tricky—if he knows you know him, he detects approach instantly. Searching means relying on street and store security cameras.
"Axel, sorry to keep you."
Lost in thought, Cornelia emerges with Guilford and Darlton, calling out.
"Meeting?"
"Over. Mostly pointless."
Glance at Guilford and Darlton—sour faces.
"Many tied to NAC. They shackle any move we make."
"Civilians?"
"Yeah. Wanted corruption evidence from Narita, but it's buried under rubble."
Darlton mutters regretfully. Even in Britannia... no, because it's a superpower, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats multiply. Like Earth's Federation in our world.
"By the way, Cornelia. Mind helping with a person search?"
"Person search?"
"Yeah. Dangerous guy's snuck into the Tokyo Settlement."
"Hoh."
"Okay?"
"Hm... Guilford, escort Axel to Intelligence and order assistance."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"That's that. Leave the threat to Axel. I'm tied up with army reorganization. Waste to idle you."
Narita's landslide from Guren Mk-II destroyed many KMFs and pilots. Britannia took heavy losses; Cornelia, Darlton, Guilford work nonstop on rebuilds. Involves secrets—I can't help as outsider merc.
"Got it. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Part with Cornelia and Darlton, head to Intelligence with Guilford.
Fittingly, Intelligence is deep in the government building.
"I'll explain. Lots of classified info—wait here, Axel."
Guilford enters. Five minutes later, exits with a man. Gaunt, 40s, nervous face.
"Axel, this is Kino Kleiss. He'll assist your search."
"Kino. Pleasure."
Brief intro, bows.
"Axel Almar. Thanks for the help."
"Then I'm off, Axel. Princess needs me—busy."
"Yeah, thanks. Don't overdo it, though pointless saying."
"Impossible till she settles."
Bitter smile, Guilford leaves. Just me and Kino.
"Come this way for target details."
Enters nearby room—plain conference room. Sit, I explain. Kino preps laptop.
"Name: Mao. Full unknown. Silver hair, constant headphones. Sometimes visor. Gaunt..."
List all Mao traits I recall. 30 minutes: monitor shows near-perfect composite.
"Good?"
"Yeah. Spot-on. ...Big warning for search."
"Yes?"
"Mao's... expert at reading psychology. Almost supernatural. Glimpse your face, knows your thoughts like mind-reading."
"Possible?"
Tough explanation—can't reveal Geass, push through.
"Yeah. No hesitation killing. Search via city surveillance/security cams only. Never approach. Safety not guaranteed within 500m radius."
"Monster-like... but Guilford's referral. I'll alert bureau. Contact you on find?"
"Yeah. I'll handle rest. If unreachable, Guilford. Spotted near Ashford Academy—focus there."
"Understood. Starting now."
Light salute, exits. Efficient—good.
Wait for contact till found.
...
"Huh? Found?"
My face probably blank. Makes sense—requested less than a day ago. Hours. Yet already...
"Britannia Intelligence is top-notch."
Kino shakes head lightly.
"No. Flattering, but anyone could've. Target wandered openly, no caution. Easy spot."
...Right. Mao's Geass reads thoughts—ineffective, he's fragile. Canon: Lelouch exploited, framed as kidnapper, shot by cops.
"Contact?"
"None. Spotted on street cam."
Info safe.
"Where now?"
"Settlement library."
Library. People focused on books, distracted. Chance?
"Thanks. Owe you. Spot 1km from library to view its cams?"
"We'll set up. 30 minutes."
"Got it. Call when ready—head there immediately."
Nods, hurries off.
...
Kino leads to ordinary apartment room. Multiple monitors show locations. One front-facing: library. Desk with suspicious headphone/visor figure—Mao.
"Confirmed. Handle from here—go back."
"Understood. Excusing myself."
Kino bows, exits. Watch monitors and slime feed, confirm he leaves building.
"...Good."
Deploy spatial storage, release slime. Thin, thinner—0.1mm diameter. Extend through door gap to library: 30 minutes. Luckily, Mao still there, focused on headphones. Probably stabilizing mind with C.C.'s voice.
"Stay put..."
Slime hides in ceiling vents, pipes, ducts—invisible to normals.
Process monitor and slime data, wait. Gradually increase slime in library for readiness.
Hour passes. Slime volume: one KMF's worth. Moment arrives.
Mao stands, heads to restroom.
"People... none."
Preempt: extend slime to restroom, scout. AC hum, dripping faucet—no presence. Approaching footsteps: Mao.
Confirm, gather slime in vent via duct for ambush. SRW slime absorbed psychokinesis—can it take Geass? Geass overloads with overuse, can't toggle. But avoid overuse: fine. If absorbed in runaway state, overwrite skill list with low-PP skill.
"Hum hum huun... Wait for me, C.C. Coming soon. Then live together in white house I built in Australia."
Imagining life with C.C., joyful voice entering restroom.
"Phew... Calm. No detection at this range: Geass ineffective on slime. Just timing attack..."
Mao finishes, turns faucet to wash... now!
"Go, slime!"
Will obeyed: extend from ceiling vent!
"Uwaa! Wh-what is this!"
Ignore cry, land slime at door—block escape.
"Damn, what the hell is thiiis!"
Scream via slime—ignore, extend tentacles everywhere like spiderweb.
Web around Mao: impossible escape without contact.
"Damn, Lelouch's doing!? Coward, show yourself!"
...Already deduced Zero = Lelouch.
"But sorry. Your life ends here. ...Devour, slime!"
Branch from thin threads around Mao, bind him. Immobilized, surrounding slime converges, engulfs completely.
Mao thrashes inside—useless.
"Rest in peace. SP Boost!"
Massive SP consume: boost x several/dozens. Absorbs Mao in seconds. Then...
Zugun!
"Guh!"
Like psychokinesis absorption... worse. Overwhelmed, collapse from chair to floor.
"Guh, damn... at least..."
Slime scene witnessed: chaos. Can't return to apartment now, but vents!
Control while down. Gyururun—back into ducts. No time for fan parts—drop to floor, oh well.
"Guu..."
Maybe relaxing worsened it—consciousness fades again.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 34
PP: 170
Melee: 242
Shooting: 260
Skill: 252
Defense: 249
Evasion: 277
Accuracy: 299
SP: 414
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consume SP to upgrade slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder · Special
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit: Accelerate (SP4)
Effort (SP8)
Focus (SP16)
Sure Hit (SP30)
Awaken (SP32)
Love (SP48)
Skills: EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Concentration)
Psychokinesis LV.10
Attacker
Gunfight LV.9
Infight LV.9
Spirit Limit Break
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kills: 193
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