Fuyuki City
Lelouch watched as Avenger threw another rock at the river. Well, more like launching it with enough force to make a hole in someone's head. She was pissed. Who could have blamed her? Learning that your wish won't be granted and your entire role in this war was to be nothing but a pawn wasn't pleasing for the likes of a Heroic Spirit.
'In fact, using kings and rulers across time and space as some sort of fuel for the Grail might be beyond arrogance.' Whoever came up with this system didn't think what would happen if servants learned about the truth. Those heroic spirits answered the calls of masters in hopes to achieve their wish but in reality, were meant to be sacrificial lambs for the true ritual. 'There aren't any safe systems to prevent servants from acting against their master outside of three command seals. But even this might be limited.' Lelouch thought as he looked down at his arm with three red marks that weren't used so far.
Nobunaga stopped furiously throwing rocks and returned to her seat next to him. Lelouch waited for her to sit on anything.
Avenger looked at his eyes and with a serious expression said. "Let's burn this city."
"Avenger no. We can't burn the city just because you got scammed." Lelouch sighed. "I know it must feel terrible for you right now but you have to understand that this was made by three founding families centuries ago."
"That supposed to make me feel better?"
"No, it means you can't burn and kill innocent people just because you feel angry."
She looked away with a pout and whispered. "Never stopped me before… What if we tell it to other servants?"
"They won't believe us without any evidence. All three founding families know about it and won't allow their servants to act against them even if it means using command seals. We also don't have any evidence other than me being told about it." The Demon Emperor sighed. "In reality, I didn't plan to share this but for some reason, you will believe anything I say."
"Not everything. No matter what you say I won't change my mind about Zero Requiem. Worst plan ever, made by a teenager with a lot of issues, made at his lowest moment in life." She smirked when Lelouch glared at her. "I'm curious what will happen if Archer hears about it. Will he either die from laughter or try to kill you for such a foolish thing to do, not that I will allow it."
"Your words won't change my mind either, Nobunaga… But that isn't important right now. I still want to know if you want to continue this, fighting this war. I forced many people to do things against their will in my past life and I'm not too eager to start doing it again." Avenger looked at him like Lelouch suggested the most ridiculous thing.
"Lelouch vi Britannia, do you think so low of me?" She asked with an angry tone. "I'm Oda Nobunaga, the Demon King of Six Heaven, the enemy of Buddha. The truth that my wish couldn't be granted by the Grail is a mere setback to my plans! Now, I desire even more to kill all my enemies including those fools who thought to use me as some sort of fuel." She spat on the ground. "Lelouch, we have a lot of people to burn. If you want to stop the other masters and servants from making a wish then I'm in. Your goals perfectly align with my grand plan."
Lelouch got curious and asked. "And this plan?"
"Kill Rider, kill Archer, kill anyone who dares to oppose me. Get reincarnated, Grail or not I will find some way. Reconquer Japan and then take over the world." Her bloody red eyes sparkled with excitement as Nobunaga smiled a feral smile, thinking about her goals. However, then they glanced at Lelouch and a smirk formed on her face. "...and something else I now aim to achieve as well."
"Hmm? Something else?"
"Yes, but it isn't time to share my last goal to you right now, Lelouch. Just know that you and I still have a contract. Even if the Grail cannot achieve my wish, it just means you will help me to achieve it on my own."
Her master laughed. "Aren't you a demanding servant? And what will happen if I refuse?"
"I will kill you and then wait for my body to disappear as well but I imagine that neither you nor your sponsor wants such an outcome." Nobunaga threatened him but Lelouch didn't feel in danger at all.
"Fair enough. I just need to make sure that no one wins this war. Everything that happens afterwards is of little concern to me." The former warlord didn't like hearing it but she knows that her master won't be convinced right now. Nobunaga will have to be patient if she wants her goals to be accomplished. "That reminds me. You didn't have problems with how I have been summoned to this world."
Nobunaga just waved away. "When dealing with magecraft few things can surprise me. I never was a mage but living in the Throne of Heroes is enough to make you less surprised when dealing with mystic stuff. Besides, I have been more focused on the fact my role in this war is to be glorified fuel for the Grail. So forgive me if I don't care about it too much."
"Fair enough." Taking into account everything that happened in life Lelouch can see himself being less surprised by unnatural stuff. "However, now we need to return to the topic of stopping other masters from making a wish. You made one point I can agree with."
"Oh?" Nobunaga raised her eyebrow. "And that is?"
"I wasn't too focused until now. Indeed, I was thinking about my past and was stuck in my memories. I didn't try my best so far in this war but that is about to change."
Avenger looked excited. "Lelouch, do you mean?"
"Yes. Until now our actions can be classified as preparing the stage for our main show." A diabolical smile appeared on his face, a smile that promised destruction and chaos wherever Lelouch went. He looked at her and offered his right hand. "Oda Nobunaga, now that you know the truth behind this war, I ask you once again to lend me your power, not as a servant but as a partner."
"Oh my!" Nobunaga couldn't help but feel thrilled and a little flattered at the gesture. Eager to see how her master was going to handle things from now on. "In that case, lead the way, partner." Nobunaga finished with a sultry tone as she squeezed his hand.
Both Demons were about to make this war hell for everyone else.
***
The last thing he remembered was cold steel as the sword pierced his body and ended his life. Lelouch vi Britannia opened his eyes and looked around.
'Where am I?' He was in the middle of a forest, surrounded by trees as the light of the moon illuminated the area around him. The Demon Emperor looked at himself, still wearing his royal garb but with a visible bloody hole in the place where the red sword entered his body and killed him. Or at least he thought that's what would happen on that day. 'How? What is going on?!'
Suzaku should have killed him! Did it mean Zero Requiem didn't succeed?! Where was he and who brought him here? Lelouch's mind was filled with dozens of questions and he didn't know where to get answers for them. However, all of his thoughts were stopped as he felt a strange presence, almost as if something was calling him. Raven haired boy rose from the ground, as green light started to form a strange being.
"Lelouch vi Britannia."
It was a strange voice as if dozens of people were talking at the same time. Lelouch could only note that the female voice was loudest among them. He didn't know why he froze at one place, unable to move or even utter a word at that moment.
"I have a task for you."