Night blanketed Ashford Academy, the moon's pale light spilling across the quiet courtyard. The only sound being the raindrops hitting the ground. Most students were already in bed; the few stragglers moving through the dorm hallways whispered to one another, their footsteps muffled on polished floors.
Lelouch Lamperouge's room was still. The curtains were drawn, the desk lamp dimmed to the lowest setting. Nunnally had already retired for the night, and Sayoko was nowhere in sight, perhaps intentionally giving him privacy.
The sleek black case from earlier sat in the center of his desk.
He studied it for a long moment without moving, his fingers steepled in thought. The card with the precise handwriting lay beside it like a signature on a death warrant:
Lelouch slid his fingertips over the smooth surface of the case.
No visible lock. No seals.
Yet it was heavy, too heavy to be empty, and weighted unevenly. He turned it carefully, searching for traps. The craftsmanship was pristine. Whoever had sent it had spared no expense at leaving any stone unturned.
And they knew exactly where to find him.
With a quiet click, the latches opened. Lelouch eased the lid upward, eyes narrowing against the faint metallic scent that drifted out. Inside, nestled in custom-cut padding, lay a small object wrapped in black velvet. Next to it, a slim envelope sealed with red wax, the imprint of an unfamiliar crest pressed into its surface.
He lifted the velvet bundle first. Unfolding the cloth revealed a compact mechanical device, no bigger than his palm, yet its design was unmistakably military. A disguised transmitter, but one built for more than mere communication. This was a multi-band relay, the kind used to override secure Britannian command channels. The kind that could turn an enemy's own network into a weapon against them.
He set the device down and picked up the envelope, breaking the wax seal with his thumb. Inside was a single sheet of paper, its text written in the same elegant hand from the card:
Zero,
Consider this an investment. Use it well, or you will not live to see the dividends.
You and I both know the next engagement will be decided not by firepower, but by control of the board. This will give you that control. It can reach farther than any ordinary system, but only for a limited window. Time your move carefully.
And remember: every great victory removes one piece from the board—sometimes an enemy, sometimes an ally. Be certain you know which piece you're removing.
—A Friend of the Cause
Lelouch's gaze lingered on the final line. "Friend of the cause." In his world, "friend" could mean an ally, a rival, or someone simply waiting for the right moment to pull a trigger. Whether or not that trigger was ultimately in his direction or at his enemies, he did not know.
The device could be invaluable. It could cripple Britannian Knightmares mid-battle, intercept orders, even plant false commands. But the warning in the letter was deliberate. Whoever had sent it knew the rules of his game.
He smirked faintly. Good. That made it very interesting.
A soft knock sounded at his door. Lelouch's body tensed before he relaxed: Sayoko's discreet pattern. Lelouch knew the sound of her knock and could feel her presence. He closed the case, locking it again in a single smooth motion before placing it under his bed.
The door slid open and Sayoko's head appeared. "Forgive the intrusion, Master Lelouch. There was… an unfamiliar vehicle parked near the outer wall earlier this evening. It has since left, but I thought you should know about it sooner than later."
His expression didn't change. "Understood. Thank you, Sayoko. Make sure Nunnally's room is secure. I don't want anything happening to her."
She bowed slightly and left without question.
Lelouch sat back in his chair, the shadows of his room closing in around him. The festival would go on as planned in a few days, a bright distraction for everyone else at Ashford. But beneath the laughter and costumes, a new game piece had just entered play.
And Lelouch Lamperouge intended to find out exactly who had placed it there and whether they expected him to use it, or be destroyed by it. Lelouch didn't like unknown variables, especially ones that were dangerous to him.
He glanced once more at the sealed black case, the corners of his mouth curling in quiet determination. He whispered to himself.
Your move.