The second episode opened in an interrogation room. Jeremiah faced Suzaku Kururugi, his tone sharp.
"Do you know anything about this weapon, Suzaku Kururugi? It was used to assassinate Prince Clovis. The barrel station confirmed it. I also looked into your background. You're the son of Japan's last prime minister, aren't you?"
Yuuya leaned forward slightly. So his father sold out his own country, thinking they couldn't win? Maybe it was to protect their family. And now the Britannians want to erase the last trace of that family? Any talk he gave about justice before was a complete joke. No one fights for the enemy and yells 'this is justice' unless they've lost their mind.
Jeremiah continued, "We found your fingerprints all over the weapon. You're also suspected of killing Royal Guards. Confess, and you'll be judged as though you were an honorary Britannian, not some worthless Eleven."
The scene cut to Lelouch and Nunnally talking about Suzaku, then to the resistance group analyzing Clovis's death.
Elsewhere, Lloyd and his assistant Cecile were having a quiet conversation. Cecile mentioned that they both knew Suzaku wasn't the killer, and Lloyd replied that the pureblood faction had taken control and was pushing non-Britannians out of the military.
Yuuya nodded to himself. Ah, so I was right. Jeremiah isn't royalty, but he's clearly abusing his power. Still, can just anyone change the rules like that? Maybe they already got approval from higher-ups, or the new envoy gave advance orders. So many possibilities…
In class, Rivalz asked Lelouch if he had found another chess match, but Lelouch declined, saying maybe they should quit.
The following day, Kallen and her group arrived at the location Lelouch had given them. They suspected it might have been Kururugi who'd contacted them, but with him now arrested, they were debating whether to leave. Then the receptionist suddenly called Kallen's name, saying her missing phone had been found. She picked it up while the others stood by the window, overlooking the Britannian city.
One of them said, "Life's better here thanks to Prince Clovis. We rebuilt fast because of Britannia. I'm happy about that."
Yuuya let out a small laugh. "Yeah, right," he muttered. They rebuilt the city just to secure their own base. If they really wanted peace, they'd rebuild for the locals too. But I guess keeping people dependent is safer than facing open hostility.
On Kallen's phone, the caller ID flashed: ZERO.
She hesitated. "Uh… hello?"
Lelouch replied, giving her instructions to board a train and bring her friends.
The scene cut to Jeremiah speaking with the broadcast producer, Diethard.
"You handled His Highness's memorial well. Too sentimental for my taste," Jeremiah said.
Diethard replied, "Yes, well, the masses tend to like tear-jerkers, Your Excellency."
Jeremiah smirked. "Spoken like a true TV man. Still, I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You did well in the short time you had. One would almost think you were expecting His Highness to meet his untimely end."
Diethard answered smoothly, "It's quite common for memorial programs to be set in advance for important people."
"Does that include me as well?" Jeremiah asked.
"Recent events may have bumped you up the list a bit, Your Excellency," Diethard said with a faint smile.
Jeremiah smiled. "I wasn't deemed important enough until now, is that it? How forthright of you."
"I'm afraid so, sir," Diethard replied.
Yuuya chuckled. "I can't. Diethard's too funny. Probably my second favorite character so far. I hope he sticks around."
Later, the officers discussed Suzaku's upcoming court martial. Meanwhile, Lelouch's plan unfolded aboard the train.
"Kallen," he said, "look to your right. What do you see?"
"The Britannian city. Built on our sacrifice."
"And to your left?"
"Our city. What's left of it."
"Good answer. Now, move to the front of the train."
As Kallen moved through the crowded coaches, she eventually stepped into an empty car. A man in a black coat and mask stood waiting.
Kallen tensed. "Was it you on the phone?"
Her comrade whispered, "Could be a trap."
Lelouch's voice carried clearly. "What did you think of my tour at the settlement?"
They argued briefly until Lelouch's commanding voice cut through their doubts.
"You should know your enemy. It is not the people, but Britannia itself. It is a war you must wage, but not on the innocent. Take up your sword. Fight for justice!"
The perspective shifted again. Japan's former military group, led by Tohdoh, debated whether to intervene in Suzaku's public execution. Some called him a coward for refusing.
"There's a difference between miracles and foolhardiness," Tohdoh said firmly.
In the cell, Lloyd visited Suzaku.
"Not much luck on your end. No one's pulling for you," he said casually.
Suzaku replied, "The court is where truth comes to light."
Lloyd sighed. "You'll find more smoke than truth these days."
Suzaku smiled faintly. "If that's how the world works, then so be it. I have no regrets."
Yuuya groaned. "I hope this Suzaku gets some good backstory soon. The way he's behaving... if he keeps taking half the screen like Lelouch, my blood pressure's going to rise. I mean, he's sixteen, sure, but even if he were hot-blooded, I could accept that. How can someone be this naïve and still live in that setting? Ahhh."
Night fell. The Britannian military prepared to escort Suzaku through the city for the court martial. Lelouch, elsewhere in town, was readying his next move, sweat trailing down his temple.
"Please, just communicate with him and knock some sense into that idiot," Yuuya muttered.
As Kallen and Ohgi joined Lelouch's plan, the convoy reached the checkpoint.
"Acting Consul Jeremiah," an officer reported.
"What is it?"
"A vehicle's approaching from Third Street. It's Prince Clovis's car."
Jeremiah laughed. "The prince's car? We've got a comedian. Let them through."
Moments later, the car door opened, and from inside stepped a man in a black mask.
"I am Zero," Lelouch declared.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)