"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Zero. He has been personally selected by me to replace General Batley. Does anyone here have any objections?" Although C.C.'s identity was that of a woman, Prince Clovis deliberately introduced her as "he." The discrimination against women was still prevalent in noble circle, after all.
The gathering had been summoned by Prince Clovis to the meeting room, where he formally introduced Zero (C.C.) to the assembled audience.
Most of those present were key figures—important members of the aristocracy and high-ranking officials of Britannia, all under Clovis's command in his role as viceroy of Area Eleven.
He governed the region by direct mandate from Emperor Charles and the political faction aligned with his mother, who herself was an influential noble within the empire.
Even his sister, Lila la Britannia, was present—a crucial ally he had conquered both physically and spiritually.
She had since pledged her unwavering support for his viceroyalty of Area Eleven, providing resources, manpower, and invaluable connections from her own network.
Lila had declared that she had no intention of challenging the throne. Instead, she had committed to fully assisting Clovis in his endeavors.
Thanks to Lila's backing, Prince Clovis's power had grown considerably, and his access to resources had significantly improved.
This newfound strength was evident in the way his voice dominated the room, with no one daring to challenge him directly.
"Is this truly appropriate, Prince Clovis? Zero's identity is unknown to us. While we want to support your decision, can we really choose a replacement for General Batley so arbitrarily? At the very least, reveal the face behind the mask so we can know who this Zero truly is," Lord Ashford voiced his objection, and many of the other nobles and dignitaries in attendance nodded in agreement with his words.
Their concerns were valid—if Zero's identity had been known to them, they would have had no objections. However, with Zero's background and qualifications shrouded in mystery, they found it difficult to place their trust in him.
They were not fools who would blindly accept a stranger, no matter how much they respected Clovis. Agreeing too hastily would make them look like nothing more than ignorant sheep.
Yet, despite their misgivings, they could only raise these concerns with respect. Clovis, after all, was their prince, not some random figure they could openly defy without consequence.
"Enough!" Lila la Britannia's voice rang out sharply, silencing the murmurs.
"My brother is the viceroy, your leader, and your prince. You should not question his decisions or doubt his competence. I, Lila la Britannia, will fully support every decision my brother makes." She slammed her hand down on the table, her fiery words commanding immediate attention.
None among them dared to provoke her.
Lila was not like her brother Clovis, who was often regarded as incompetent by them. She was a skilled pilot, and even more importantly, she had a vast network of aristocratic supporters, particularly from her mother's faction.
Her mother had entrusted her with all her influence and resources to aid Clovis, with the condition that if he ever proved incompetent, Lila would be ready to replace him as viceroy.
In the past, Lila had been fully prepared to carry out this plan, silently observing, waiting for the moment to fulfill her mother's wishes.
But everything had changed after that fateful night with her brother.
She had experienced a shift in loyalty and desire, and now, she had chosen to fully support Clovis, standing by his side no matter the challenges ahead.
"Thank you, sister. Does anyone here still question my decision?" he asked, smiling.
Despite the smile on his lips, a cold gleam flickered in his eyes as his gaze swept across the council chamber.
Everyone nodded in agreement, remaining silent.
Not only would questioning Clovis' decision leave a poor impression of him, but they also feared offending his sister, who commanded the unwavering support of the noble and aristocratic factions within Area Eleven.
"Very well, since none of you have voiced any objections, let us proceed with the meeting," Clovis said, clapping his hands together. "Now, let's address the matter of the terrorists who have plagued us for far too long. We need to eradicate them. To achieve this, I intend to form my own Knightmare team. We shall wipe them out once and for all. However, this will require the full cooperation of all of you, ladies and gentlemen. What say you?"
"That's an excellent idea, Prince Clovis," Lloyd chimed in.
"May I also propose the introduction of the latest product of our research and experimental work, Prince Clovis?" Lloyd suggested eagerly.
"Of course, Earl Lloyd. Your inventions are always welcomed here," Clovis replied with a smirk.
Lloyd couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled by Clovis' sudden shift in attitude.
When he had previously approached Prince Clovis about funding the Lancelot Project, Clovis had outright refused, dismissing it as a waste of money.
Instead, Clovis had preferred to allocate resources toward the pursuit of immortality and experimental endeavors that were, in Lloyd's opinion, far less practical than funding research on Knightmares or weapons that could help crush terrorist threats and rebellions in Area Eleven.
Lloyd had even begun to wonder if Emperor Charles had made a grave mistake by appointing Prince Clovis as Viceroy, seeing as Clovis had seemingly squandered the resources the emperor had provided on doomed pursuits.
He suspected that the emperor's decision might have been an act of nepotism.
But now, seeing Clovis' newfound focus and determination, Lloyd's doubts began to wane.
Perhaps there was still hope for Prince Clovis after all.
"Thank you, Prince Clovis. My Lancelot will not disappoint you," Lloyd said, bowing respectfully.
Clovis waved his hand dismissively, signaling that it wasn't such a big deal. His eyes once again swept across the council chamber.
"Does anyone here have any objections to viewing Earl Lloyd's latest masterpiece?" he asked.
The room remained silent, with no one daring to speak against Prince Clovis' wishes.
It seemed the entire council was in agreement.
Lloyd, now brimming with excitement, eagerly led the group toward his laboratory, ready to unveil his creation to the world.
[Once the story reaches 200 Power Stones, I'll release a bonus chapter, no time limit.]