Lelouch could see that yesterday's day off had a positive effect on Nobunaga.
Or 'Nobu' as he was now calling her.
The redheaded daimyo had a pleasant smile on her face the entire time, and Lelouch wasn't about to question it. Happy Nobu meant she enjoyed the sights and scenery of the city.
That also meant no arson. Considering the short fuse she had, that was a good thing. Destroying a perfectly useful battlefield before the final battle wasn't what he enjoyed after all. Nor did he really prefer to use such wanton destruction in his tactics either. Not unless it was out of necessity anyways.
Still, right now, both Master and Servant were making their way towards their latest friend. The Master of Berserk should be rested and healed by now. It meant that there should be time to discuss an alliance between them if Kayneth hadn't already started. Kayneth and Sola had the entire day to convince the Matou master to listen to their proposal. It'd be odd if the high and mighty magus hadn't.
The two of them entered Kayneth' s current territory without any issue and soon they were inside the half-destroyed building. Lelouch noticed neither the magus nor his fiancé. Speaking with the latter one first would be helpful right about now. He much preferred getting things out of the way before he started with the main issue.
"I sense another Servant," Nobu said.
"Berserker," Lelouch noted her alert expression. "He most likely can feel you too. Well, he hasn't attacked us yet, so I will take that as a sign that our ally has at least managed to get on speaking terms with Matou Kariya."
Nobu smirked. "Heh. At least the annoying noble is good for something."
"I heard that!" Kayneth shouted as he entered the room. "Hmph. I will let you know, I was busy with my own business."
"Good morning to you too, Lord Archibald." Lelouch politely greeted him. "How is our guest doing?"
"Go and ask him yourself. How he could rest in such a state, I fail to understand, but he's been well-rested and is currently waiting in his room."
"Thank you for going through the trouble."
The man's rude and pompous attitude wasn't at all deterred by the sordid living conditions he'd been forced in. In Lelouch's eyes, that at least told him the man was made of tougher stuff than most Britannian nobles.
"But Lamperouge, there is something you must know about."
Lelouch gave the man a curious glance while Kayneth started to tell him about last night's visitor. That being the son of the priest and former Master of Assassin, Kotomine Kirei. A particular topic however had the Demon Emperor's keen interest.
"A meeting with the Tohsaka Master is it… And this binding contract, pardon me, but what is it called again?"
"Please pay attention when I explain so that I need not waste time repeating myself!" Nobu's gaze on the man wordlessly stated that he was wasting time itself by saying as much. But luckily, she didn't go off and threaten Kayneth again. "It's called a 'Self-Geis Scroll'. A binding contract that seals not only the body but one' s soul by means of the signer's Magic Crest."
Lelouch pondered on this new discovery. Self-Geis Scroll.
Geis.
Geass.
'Hahaha, what an incredible coincidence.' Lelouch bit his tongue in order to stop himself from chuckling aloud. The contact that was ensuring its participants obeyed its rules no matter what? He couldn't help but be amused by the irony of it all. 'The simple existence of such magic is… Heh… Hahahah! How amusing! Well, with my experience from my own Geass, these contracts might be an interesting tool in the future.'
"You think this is funny, Lamperouge?"
Kayneth cottoned on to his amusement. Likely due to his shaking shoulders. It seems the man wasn't much of a fan of Geis scrolls. The cursed contract was feared among magi for a reason, there was nothing worse than cursing your Magic Crest and dooming the legacy of your family.
"Sorry. I don't mean to mock you. I just remembered… something from the past." Lelouch replied with a small smile. "So, Kirei gave you a Geis contract and the address of Emiya Kiritsugu?"
"I-Indeed." Coughing into his balled fist, the magus recomposed. "I propose we go after the Magus Killer first. Taking him out right now will make the rest of the war easier."
'Not to mention, Tohsaka Tokiomi might expect us. But allowing Matou Kariya to walk into an obvious trap was foolish.' The master of Archer most likely wanted to get rid of the man who almost killed him one way or another. Not necessarily killing. Both men had a history after all. Still. 'I need to learn more about this Sakura girl and what exactly happened.'
Knowing Kariya's motivation would make it easier to persuade him. But it seemed learning it from the man in question was the only option available to him right now. Lelouch didn't like the direct method if he could avoid it. Especially when the man didn't have much of a reason to side with them, other than out of convenience.
"I'll speak with Matou Kariya and see what he thinks about it." As Lelouch said it, he and Nobu started to walk towards the ill master's room. However, Kayneth called him.
"Oh, right. One last piece of news. I received a call from our 'associates', the police." The smile on Kayneth's face turned sadistic. "They found Waver's location. That fool is hiding among non-magi peasants in the suburban area."
'Hmm, good news. Now we have locations of both Saber and Rider. Waver and Iskandar will have to wait for some time though.' While Lelouch was thinking as much, someone else was thrilled.
"Finally! Now I can show that brute who is the best conqueror in this war!" Nobu's smile was wide and eager. If he allowed her, no doubt she'd go wild.
'However, wouldn't that be me? Having conquered the entirety of the world, and all?' Lelouch carefully whispered into her head with a hint of sarcasm.
'You—! That doesn't count!' Nobu thought back with a pout and turned away. She then mumbled so only he could hear. "That was by default. This is between me and Rider."
Lelouch gave her a pleasant smile, he couldn't help but find her reaction cute. She certainly remained abashed but still challenged him with her gaze, mentally promising a one-up.
Kayneth, unable to hear the full conversation of their light exchange nor did he want to, asked instead. "So, what do you propose we should do with my foolish student?"
"Sending familiars out to keep an eye on him would do for now. We need to monitor them while keeping a safe distance as we don't want them alerted while we consider what to do with Matou Kariya. Archer and Saber are currently our top priority. So long as we don't provoke Rider, we may be able to bide our time as we discuss our strategy for the other two."
"Very well. If you need me, I shall be in my workshop." Kayneth sighed before leaving them alone. However, on his way out, another familiar face appeared for a few seconds. Sola-Ui stood outside the door. She'd shot a glare at her passing fiancé who, to his credit, ignored the audacious display of hate. But, most importantly, she acknowledged and nodded Lelouch's way.
The Demon Emperor gave her a small smile before moving towards the room that was currently used by their guest and his surprisingly behaving mad Servant.
Lelouch and Nobu were standing in front of Kariya's little room. Nodding once to her, his partner's face darkened before being enveloped in crimson light. She'd changed into her battle attire in a flash and was standing ready in front of Lelouch.
Grasping the doorknob, she twisted it tentatively and pushed. Both Demons eyed the room's occupants.