Chapter 332 - 328 ~ Unease

AN: Happy new years!!! Wishing you a year filled with laughter, joy and countless blessings for you and your loved ones!!The soft scent of jasmine tea drifted through the air, delicate and steady. Lelouch sat upon a floor cushion in his spacious tatami room, his back straight, his posture elegant as ever. Before him rested a clay pot of freshly brewed tea and a porcelain cup, steam curling lazily from its rim.

Floating above the tea table, suspended by his magic, was an oval mirror bordered by black and gold. Its surface shimmered like rippling water, not reflecting Lelouch’s own image, but revealing another place entirely—another room, another world.

On the other side of the mirror sat a man who could only be described as insidious nobility incarnate: dark silver hair cascading past his shoulders, sharp hazel eyes gleaming with an unnatural light, and a self-satisfied smile that carried centuries of arrogance.

Rizevim Livan Lucifer.

Clad in regalia reminiscent of Sirzechs’ ceremonial attire, he lounged at the head of an enormous rectangular table surrounded by other ancient devils—old names Lelouch recognized from what once was merely fiction in his world.

The young man sipped his tea silently. His expression was calm, even serene, but his amethyst eyes reflected the precision of a blade sheathed in still water.

["Let me go! I’ll kill them all! To dare lay a finger on Katarea...! I’ll burn them all ’till not even their ash remains!]

["Oh, sure~ Good luck~ Just, make sure to take at least one of them with you, okay?"]

The voices from beyond the mirror echoed faintly through the room, their plotting, boasting, and bickering carried to Lelouch’s ears as if through a divine broadcast.

He remembered the first time he had used the [Mirror of Remote Viewing] to spy upon the targets of the Multiverse Group Chat’s current mission.

Even then, Rizevim had tried to veil himself behind elaborate wards—complex, ancient, and beautifully woven. Admirable, perhaps. But to Lelouch, it was like watching a child hide behind a curtain with his feet still showing.

Their countermeasures, their retaliatory curses, even their pitiful attempt to trace his location—all were futile. They might as well have fired an arrow into the heavens and hoped it struck something beneath the earth.

Perhaps to the rest of the world, Rizevim’s secrecy was absolute. Perhaps his barriers and illusions were impenetrable.

But to a Level 100 Fallen Seraph Grand Divination Wizard, such defenses were nothing but a thin veil.

To Lelouch, scrying upon him was no harder than looking through a clear pane of glass.

He didn’t even need to invoke the [Mind of the World]—the godlike cognitive network that connected him to the weave of universal knowledge.

Rizevim had already told him everything without realizing it: his ambitions, his resentments, his conspiracies. Every whispered plan with the Old Satan Faction, every moment of pride or cruelty—Lelouch saw it all.

Even the gaps in their conversations were filled in effortlessly.

At this point, there was nothing Lelouch didn’t know—when they would move, who they would target, and how they would inevitably fail.

He set his cup down gently. A faint, humorless smile crossed his lips.

These so-called kings of the underworld... they had no idea they were living on borrowed time.

He could end this mission whenever he wished.

The door behind him slid open with a soft shhk.

"Voyeuring on a group of scheming old men again?"

C.C.’s languid voice broke the silence as she stepped into the room without so much as a knock, her green hair glinting in the golden lamplight. Her expression was unreadable—half amused, half knowing.

Lelouch didn’t turn immediately. He simply exhaled and shook his head lightly.

"You have quite the timing, as always."

"What’s wrong?" he asked after a pause.

He knew she rarely visited his room unannounced unless something was on her mind. Most days, she spent her time idly in Yuuji’s chambers or teasing her sisters.

She folded her arms, her gaze sliding toward the mirror.

"Is he a threat?"

Lelouch’s eyes flickered toward Rizevim’s image once more before he shook his head.

"No. We can end this whenever we wish."

C.C. tilted her head slightly.

"Good."

A soft hum filled the air. The mirror’s image dimmed, and Lelouch finally turned to face her fully.

"Are you worried about facing him?" he asked, though his tone was mild—more curiosity than concern.

C.C. gave a quiet chuckle, her lips curving faintly—an unsaid acknowledgement.

"If it were before, maybe. We would’ve been powerless against a demon like him before everything. But now? He’s nothing. His power, his magic, his pride—they’re nothing."

His voice carried quiet certainty.

"Though I guess I understand where you’re coming from."

He leaned back, resting one arm on his knee.

"Sometimes I still can’t believe how far we’ve come—how quickly everything’s changed. The Group Chat, the missions, the power... It feels like a dream I haven’t woken from."

C.C. smiled faintly, almost wistfully.

"Then enjoy the dream while it lasts."

Lelouch’s lips curved into a subtle smirk.

"...You’re right. And even if, somehow, the two of us couldn’t handle him, Yuuji, Albedo, Erika, Tatsuya, or Aika could destroy Rizevim with ease. It wouldn’t even be a fight."

"That’s reassuring," she murmured.

A brief silence followed. Then she turned toward the door again.

"Try not to stay up too late peeking on old devils. Shirley will cry if she finds out."

Lelouch didn’t even glance up.

"Mind your own business."

"Heh. Have fun~"

With a teasing smirk, she slid the door closed behind her.

The room fell quiet once more, save for the soft simmer of the tea.

Lelouch sighed, a rare flicker of vulnerability crossing his eyes.

He reached for his phone, its screen lighting up with a single photograph—him and Shirley, smiling together under the night sky after her concert.

Their first date.

He stared at it in silence.

Though only a moment had passed for her, he had already spent months in this world—months filled with battles, secrets, and unimaginable power.

"Shirley..." he murmured, thumb brushing the screen.

A faint smile touched his lips, bittersweet and gentle.

"I’ll come back soon. To you... and to Nunnally."

Outside, the night wind rustled softly through the garden, carrying with it the faintest whisper of peace—a reminder that even amidst gods and demons, Lelouch vi Britannia was still, at his core, a man who longed to return home.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

Yuuji sat comfortably on the couch as quiet conversation filled the room.

Around him sat Aika, Erika, Albedo, C.C., and Xenovia, as well as Lelouch, Tatsuya, and Satoru. All of the members of the Group Chat were present, in addition to Rias and Akeno.

Since it was a regular weekday, most of Rias’s peerage were out handling contracts. Issei, Kiba, Koneko, and Asia were all away on their respective missions, while Gasper was sequestered in his own room, working diligently on his own tasks.

Only Rias and Akeno remained today, both free from their duties.

On Yuuji’s lap sat Ophis, leaning back against his chest as she munched on a mochi with quiet contentment. Her tiny hands clutched the sweet delicately, her pale cheeks puffed adorably as she tried to chew through another mouthful before swallowing the first.

By his sides, the two little girls—Alice and Aria—stayed close.

Alice hugged his right arm possessively, rubbing her soft cheek against his sleeve. Her long, silvery-white hair shimmered with an ethereal luster under the warm light of the lanterns, almost glowing like moonlight caught in silk.

On his left, Aria sat with perfect posture, quietly reading a book resting on her lap—one she had picked from Yuuji’s [King’s Treasury]. The ornate cover told of a fantasy tale, and lately, such novels had become her newest fascination. Even so, one of her small hands held lightly onto Yuuji’s sleeve, as if to remind herself of his presence.

The atmosphere was relaxed. Aika and Erika were chatting with Xenovia, trying to persuade her for a girls shopping trip to improve her fashion. While C.C. lazily sipped tea beside Albedo, who, as always, carried herself with regal composure.

That tranquility was interrupted by a gentle knock on the clubroom door.

"Come in," Rias said.

The massive mahogany doors creaked open, and a familiar, cheerful voice followed.

"I’m sorry for the wait! My meeting with the principal took a little longer than expected, so I came late!"

Irina Shidou stepped into the room, waving a hand apologetically. Unlike her usual battle attire, today she wore casual clothes—a simple blouse and pleated skirt that made her blend in perfectly with Kuoh Academy’s students.

Her bright energy immediately lit up the room, though her words earned a few puzzled looks.

"The principal?" Rias raised a brow. "Why were you meeting with the principal?"

Irina clasped her hands together, smiling as if she had been waiting for that question.

"Because I’ll be transferring here tomorrow~! Michael-sama assigned me to Kuoh Academy as a gesture of goodwill and cooperation between Heaven and the Underworld!"

"Eh? You’re transferring?" Rias blinked in surprise.

Irina nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! It’s official! Michael-sama had already discussed it with the Demon Kings, and Sona Shitori-san had already agreed. I guess she forgot to mention it to you?"

Rias sighed softly, brushing a hand through her crimson hair.

"...I see. I wish she’d given me a heads-up first."

Still, her tone carried no hostility—only mild exasperation. After all, Irina was an ally and a friend who had fought beside them before.

Xenovia approached her with a small smile, her expression brightening. The two stood face-to-face for a moment before clasping hands firmly.

"It’s good to have you here, Irina," Xenovia said warmly.

Irina grinned.

"And it’s good to be back, Xenovia-chan~ Let’s make this fun!"

As the two exchanged greetings, Yuuji looked toward Irina with an amused smile.

"So that’s why you wanted to meet here, huh?"

Irina turned to him, her eyes sparkling as she puffed out her chest proudly.

"That’s right! Since I’m transferring here, it makes sense to get comfortable already!"

With a practiced motion, she pulled out her white church cloak and draped it over her shoulders. The golden trim shimmered faintly as she clasped it in place.

"Alright! Are you guys ready to go?" she asked, her tone filled with the same unshakable enthusiasm as always.

Everyone exchanged glances, then nodded.

Yuuji looked down at Ophis, who was still nibbling on her mochi. He gently brushed a hand through her silky black hair.

"Ophis, go back to the [King’s Treasury] for now. I’ll make you more cookies and sweets later, alright?"

Ophis gave a small, reluctant hum before nodding. She disappeared into his treasury through the ripple gate of gold.

Although Irina didn’t recognize Ophis—mistaking her for another of Yuuji’s mysterious friends—Michael certainly would. And bringing the Dragon God of Infinity to Heaven unannounced was the kind of "surprise" Yuuji preferred to avoid.

Alice and Aria, however, had other plans.

They tugged at Yuuji’s sleeves, their large, pleading eyes shimmering like polished jewels.

"Can we come too, master?"

"...Master."

Yuuji chuckled softly.

"You really want to see Heaven that badly?"

Both nodded eagerly.

"Alright," he said finally, smiling as he ruffled their hair.

"But stay close to me."

They beamed with joy, holding onto his hands tightly.

"Mm. Let’s go."

Irina clasped her hands together in prayer, and a radiant white and gold magic circle blossomed beneath her feet, its light filling the room with a divine warmth.

"Everyone, step inside!" she said brightly.

Yuuji turned to Rias and Akeno, meeting their gazes one last time.

"We’ll be back soon."

"Take care," Rias replied with a composed smile, her crimson eyes soft with trust.

"Have fun~ We’ll be waiting at home~" Akeno added playfully, waving with her usual teasing grin.

Yuuji nodded, his own smile faint but fond.

Then, as the golden light of Heaven engulfed them, he and his companions—Alice, Aria, Aika, Erika, C.C., Albedo, Xenovia, Tatsuya, Satoru, and Lelouch—stepped into the circle.

In the next heartbeat, the clubroom was silent once more. Only the fading hum of divine energy lingered in the air, whispering of the journey now unfolding—

a journey from the mortal world to the very gates of Heaven.

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this Chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!

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