"Is your Kingdom doing well? Is it prosperous and flourishing? Are the people happy?"
"The Britannia I rule is a global superpower," Lelouch replied, "and the unification of the world is within reach."
"Is that so?"
"I have no further comment!"
Lelouch certainly wasn't going to tell Saber the details, especially regarding his wish. Before being pulled into this war, he had planned the "Zero Requiem"—a plan to create a happy world for his sister while severing the cycle of hatred between nations.
That was the original plan... But discovering the existence of the Dragon Balls had inspired a new idea. If he could seize them, he would have a far more effective way to change the world. He wasn't one to reject such a powerful tool. For this reason, he had answered Waver's summons.
As for the danger of the Dragon Ball War? He had dismissed that long ago. Having come this far, he had faced death countless times; this was just one more. Lelouch had never been a timid man.
Saber glanced at the Holy Sword in her hand, appearing somewhat relieved. At the very least, she had received a response from this new King of Britannia. A version of Britannia that was a superpower, alive and well... wasn't that what she had once hoped for?
The Britannia she led had fallen, and its people had suffered. It was exactly what she wanted to change. Even if it meant a new King, as long as he surpassed her and ensured Britannia's prosperity, she could accept it.
Lelouch's presence was, in a way, a reflection of her own wish. Recognizing this, Saber's fighting spirit seemed to waver. She felt a sense of admiration for him—another who had taken the throne at such a young age. Though he came from a different timeline, he proved that her efforts hadn't been entirely in vain. The fallen Britannia could still be saved.
"Looking at your expression, you seem much more at ease than before," Lelouch observed from above, sensing the shift in her mentality.
"Ah... perhaps my wish has already been realized in a way. Now, I can fight for my Master with all my heart."
"If your wish is also world peace, then perhaps you should speak with my Master," she added with a friendly tone.
If Britannia truly flourished elsewhere, she had no need to pursue the Holy Grail or the Dragon Balls. Now, she could focus entirely on securing victory for her Master without any lingering regrets.
"An alliance?" Waver pondered the proposal from within the cockpit, hesitating. The Dragon Balls... a prize that promised any wish. Anyone who knew of them would fight to the death for them; in the end, there could only be one winner.
But if they shared common goals, a temporary alliance wasn't out of the question.
"It's a tempting offer," Lelouch admitted, "but from what I understand, your Master's reputation is... less than stellar."
Lelouch smirked but didn't immediately refuse. Setting aside the ultimate ownership of the Dragon Balls, working together to eliminate other competitors was undeniably beneficial. However, he wouldn't accept blindly; he needed to gauge the balance of power within such an alliance.
"Ugh..." Saber didn't know how to respond. Kiritsugu Emiya—the "Magus Killer"—had earned his title through ruthless results. His reputation within the Magic Association was notoriously dark. Allying with such a man was a risk; there was no guarantee he wouldn't turn on them. For someone like Waver, Kiritsugu was a dangerous partner.
"However, we are willing to give your side a chance," Lelouch continued, catching Saber off guard. "Tell your Master to show us his sincerity."
"I will pass the message along," Saber replied, stunned by the sudden change in tone.
'Heh... an unscrupulous man? His schemes might be deeper than I thought.' Lelouch had his own reasons for the alliance proposal. Geass!
If Saber's Master showed himself, Lelouch would have his chance. A harmonious partnership? Lelouch wasn't that naive. Rather than trusting him, he would use Geass to bring the man under his control.
The power of his Geass was the Power of Kings—Absolute Order. No one could disobey his commands; he could distort their very ethics, thoughts, and beliefs. It was his hidden trump card. If possible, he wanted to find all the Masters and dominate them at once, ending the war in an instant.
Heroic Spirits might have ways to resist, but ordinary humans were defenseless.
...
"Hmph, you think you can escape!" Sola sneered as she watched Kiritsugu Emiya wander through the labyrinthine field after jumping from his car.
The bounded field she and Kayneth had constructed wasn't easily broken. 'Sola, just maintain the magical energy output and stay put,' Kayneth had told her. She was growing impatient; while Kayneth was more suited for direct combat against other Masters, she wanted to take part personally as Lancer's Master, rather than just waiting for a hollow victory.
"Hmm? Hit by a wraith already?" she whispered, seeing Kiritsugu stumble and take a hit to the chest from a summoned spirit.
"I can no longer feel a heartbeat or breath. Even the 'Magus Killer' is nothing more than this in the end."
Watching him lie motionless, Sola began to lower her guard. "Now, to deal with Assassin's Master."
The boundary was only meant to prevent escape. Her and Kayneth's true goal was to capture Kirei and Kiritsugu. With Kirei occupied by Kayneth and Kiritsugu 'dead,' there was no reason to stay.
Pat... She began to walk toward the edge of the bounded field. But just as she stepped outside its protection, a sound rang out.
Bang!! Splurt!!
A searing pain erupted in her side as a bullet pierced her flesh. Sola's pupils dilated in shock as she looked back. Kiritsugu Emiya was standing, his smoking gun pointed at her.
His eyes were cold, devoid of emotion. Why was he still breathing? How had he moved so fast? Before Sola could process the questions, the only answer she received was the sound of more gunfire.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!! Splurt!!