"Your Excellency, what exactly does your side mean? Five days have passed already; does Her Highness Cornelia still refuse to show herself?" The people from Sakura Country asked the temporary person-in-charge with anxious embarrassment. Ever since the Britannian fleet arrived in Sakura Country, they had come every day to ask when the formal negotiations would be held.
In the end, they were constantly met with closed doors. They let it slide on the first day, knowing that Cornelia and Yang Hui had gone to Ashford Academy to see their younger siblings. Although this brought shame to the Six Houses and Chairman Genbu Kururugi, they could only swallow their pride, as the situation was beyond their control.
But for the following four days, Cornelia and Yang Hui had not left their temporary residence. Excuses like being unwell or unsuited to the local climate... those were lies that wouldn't fool a fool. This was no longer just about making them lose face; it was completely tearing their faces off, throwing them on the ground, and stomping on them a few times!
Furthermore, the longer Cornelia delayed, the more worried they became, fearing that Britannia's shells would land on their heads at any moment.
"Everyone, Her Highness Cornelia requires quiet rest due to her difficulty adjusting to the climate. The best doctors have already seen her, and she should recover in another two or three days. Therefore, please return."
Bullshit climate adjustment! Would Cornelia, the ever-victorious female general of the Britannian Empire who had won battles on various overseas battlefields, really be unsuited to the climate? Then what kind of war was she fighting!
"It just so happens that we have brought the best doctors in the country as well. We believe they will surely be able to help Her Highness Cornelia..."
"Is Your Excellency questioning my words? I said she has already been seen by doctors, and I have told you the conclusion."
"But..."
"Also, if you all continue to make a scene here, disturbing Her Highness Cornelia's rest and delaying her recovery, that is not something you can afford to bear."
"..."
The people from Sakura Country were unable to express their bitterness. Since the other party had put it that way, they certainly wouldn't see Cornelia today. Moreover, the other party was clearly threatening them—if they didn't leave, the meeting time would continue to be delayed. And if they pushed too hard, a massive accusation might be pinned on them, and they weren't sure if their necks could support that weight.
"Hehe, cowards." Cornelia, who had declared herself unsuited to the climate, was currently in her room, watching the scene that had just unfolded through a surveillance screen.
"It's only been five days and they're like this, and we haven't even done anything yet. Delay it for a few more days, let the people below move around, and the expressions on these people's faces will definitely be even better! Mm, it's decided. Imperial Sister, can I borrow your military authority for a bit?"
"You fellow." Looking at Yang Hui, who wished for nothing but chaos, Cornelia smiled wryly and shook her head. "Forget it, let's meet them in two days. Stalling indefinitely is also a waste of the Empire's resources."
"Isn't Sakura Country responsible for all the fleet's consumption?"
"What about time? What about people?" Cornelia glanced at Yang Hui. "With so many people wasting time here, it would be better for them to follow me to battle in other regions."
"Er... alright." Yang Hui shrugged. He knew Cornelia's hands were itching; she couldn't stand the boredom and wanted to fight. "Then the day after tomorrow. It just so happens I plan to prepare a little gift for them."
"Oh? Let's hear it?"
"It's nothing, I just sent a message to all the major newspapers saying that major news will appear during the prisoner handover ceremony."
"...As expected of you, ruthless enough!"
The true identity of that captured Sakura Country fleet had already been investigated. It was confirmed to be a regular fleet of Sakura Country, and the fleet commander was a direct descendant of one of the Six Houses. He was quite famous in Sakura Country, touted as... the Nova of Sakura? Or something like that. In any case, he was used for filming recruitment advertisements.
When the prisoners were handed over, reporters would be brought to the scene, and that would be a sight to behold. If nothing else, it would certainly stir up no small amount of turmoil within Sakura Country.
"However... I found out something not so great." As she spoke, Cornelia tossed a stack of photos onto the table for Yang Hui to see.
"This is Lelouch and Nunnally? And... Suzaku Kururugi?"
"You know him?"
"The Chairman of Sakura Country is Genbu Kururugi, and Suzaku Kururugi is his son. Of course I know."
"It's good that you know. This Suzaku Kururugi has been approaching Lelouch and Nunnally ever since they arrived in Sakura Country. I heard their relationship is quite good. Genbu Kururugi has been looking for connections to have Suzaku Kururugi attend Ashford Academy."
"Oh."
"That's it?" Cornelia was surprised by Yang Hui's reaction; it was far too plain.
"Otherwise?"
"Aren't you afraid this is a conspiracy aimed at Lelouch and Nunnally? The only things in Sakura Country that can threaten us are Lelouch and Nunnally's safety."
"What kind of schemes can a child have?" Yang Hui rolled his eyes. "Do you think everyone is like that kid Lelouch?"
"Er, that's impossible. It's just that Genbu Kururugi's shadow is behind this."
"Then there's even less reason to worry."
"Hmm?" Cornelia was stunned for a moment, then felt relieved. "True, you can even plant people by my side, let alone them."
"Rest assured, Imperial Sister, I have arranged personnel for Lelouch and Nunnally's safety to ensure nothing goes wrong. I've also looked into that child. Genbu Kururugi indeed has a few ideas, but it's not a big problem. That child is indeed sincere in befriending them."
"Since you've said so, I won't ask further."
During these five days, Yang Hui and Cornelia hadn't just been stalling the Sakura Country people for fun. In this time, they had thoroughly investigated Sakura Country's intelligence from top to bottom. From the Six Houses at the top and the Kururugi family to the core members of the young faction, they had dug up everything down to their eighteenth generation of ancestors.
Thus, all the necessary preliminary preparations were completed. They said two days, and they meant two days, without further delay.
"Greetings, Your Highness Cornelia, Your Highness Yang Hui. After much waiting and hoping, this day has finally arrived." Genbu Kururugi led his team to begin the first formal meeting with Cornelia and Yang Hui.
"Mhm. Due to my personal reasons, this joint military exercise has been delayed for so many days, which is indeed improper. So let's start directly and discuss the detailed plan for the joint military exercise."
"Before that... I believe we should first receive the prisoners captured by your country. This group of heinous prisoners should receive their deserved punishment. Having your army guard them all this time is truly embarrassing."
"Hmm... that's no problem. The prisoners can be transferred to you at any time."
"How about now?"
"No problem."
Genbu Kururugi and the high-ranking members of the Six Houses naturally wouldn't come to a meeting alone. Their basic escort could be called a private army, not to mention they had intended from the start to take back the captured people at the first opportunity, so they had also brought a complete fleet to receive the prisoners.
However... what they didn't expect was that the moment this request was granted, a large number of news reporters appeared at the handover site.
"This is! Quickly disperse these reporters!" Genbu Kururugi and the high-ranking members of the Six Houses of Kyoto panicked. There were indeed many prisoners, but the man who was the commander would certainly be at the front of the line; he definitely wouldn't escape the reporters' flashes and lenses.
Although Sakura Country had publicly announced that Britannia had captured pirates within their territorial waters, they couldn't tell the public that the so-called pirates were their own men in disguise.
Once exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"I don't think that's necessary, Chairman Kururugi."
"Her Highness Cornelia!"
"Only by letting the people know the truth can we better unite them, can't we?"
"You! You!"
How could they not know by now? This was a venomous scheme arranged by Cornelia specifically to expose their plan.
"What's wrong? Chairman Kururugi, do you find it inappropriate?"
"...Cornelia..." Genbu Kururugi suppressed the anger in his heart; the scorn had already spread like wildfire, with only a small corner of his mind remaining rational.
Cornelia watched all this happen with a cold smile. Sure enough, a commotion broke out among the reporters. Reporters from Sakura Country watched in disbelief at the prisoner being held at the front. That was their "Military Nova," the future hero of Sakura Country. How could he be a pirate?
But the chains on his hands and feet undoubtedly proved this was reality, not a dream.
"How can this be? How can it be him?"
"Big news! This is truly big news!"
"Quick! Take the photos! You must capture this! Promotions and raises are right in front of us!"
...
Some were lost in despair, some were furious, and some were ecstatic. People's emotions varied, but... Yang Hui and Cornelia's moods at this moment were definitely the same: they were having fun.
That's right, it was just for fun. They hadn't expected Sakura Country to be heavily damaged by this incident from the start; their greatest goal was simply to enjoy the interesting expressions on the faces of Genbu Kururugi and the others.
As for other matters, it could conveniently cause a certain level of chaos. Taking this opportunity, Yang Hui could also make some arrangements, especially regarding Sakura Country's reliance for calling itself the "world's fourth largest military power"—the Itsukushima Base.
"Alright, the handover of prisoners is complete. Chairman Kururugi, everyone, can we now discuss the details of the joint military exercise?"
"Her Highness Cornelia certainly knows how to joke. Only the prisoners have been transferred now; the pirates' weapons and equipment have yet to be handed over." Genbu Kururugi reminded Cornelia while suppressing his scorn.
"Hmm? Hehe, Chairman Kururugi certainly knows how to joke. According to international law, because the prisoners were caught within your country's territorial waters, we do not have the right to dispose of them arbitrarily. But this is limited only to the prisoners. The weapons and equipment you mentioned are the spoils of war of our army; there should be no need to share them with you, right?" Cornelia said playfully.
"You... I understand. Let it be, then." What Cornelia said was completely in line with international law. Although his heart ached to death, Genbu Kururugi was helpless; it was impossible to get back the complete fleet.
"Then please, Her Highness Cornelia."
"...Please." Seeing that Genbu Kururugi had quickly adjusted his attitude and mood, Cornelia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in approval.
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