Celaeon and the Hundred-armed Giant

The Next Day

Arya called over Seryu, saying that Tatsumi, Sayo, and Iyeas—three skilled swordsmen—were struggling to find work. She asked if they could join the Imperial Capital Guard. In doing so, Arya not only fulfilled Lelouch's request but also earned the gratitude of the three newcomers.

"Hello, I'm Seryu Ubiquitous. I'm Arya's best friend, a current Imperial Arms user, and a member of the Imperial Capital Guard."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Seryu," LL said politely.

"I'm CC," said the woman beside him.

Seryu had a cute, lively presence, with a long ponytail tied high. Lelouch couldn't quite understand how someone like Arya had befriended a person like this. But he thought: if someone so outwardly cheerful and pure could be close to Arya, they must either be very naïve—or incredibly twisted deep inside.

"Are you the new friends Arya said she'd introduce? It's a pleasure. Are you the ones interested in joining the Guard?" Seryu asked with enthusiasm.

She was clearly busy. Members of the Imperial Guard had heavy responsibilities. She wouldn't have come personally unless Arya had requested it directly.

"Oh, not us," LL replied. "We're just country folk. The ones interested in joining the Guard are others—three guests staying with Arya right now."

"Ah, I see. Arya really is fond of helping newcomers adjust to life in the Capital. Oh, right—this is Hibi. Say hello to everyone, Hibi!"

A strange creature walked into view. It looked somewhat like a dog, but stood on two legs.

U?ェ?*U

"@?"?#%"!"

"Uh… what did it say?" Lelouch asked.

"I think it's saying hi," Seryu said with a smile.

"…Is it your Teigu?"

"Yes. [Magic Beast Transformation: Hundred-Armed Giant]. I named him Hibi. Don't worry—he's kind to good people. But not so much to bad ones."

At the mention of "bad people," a flash of murderous intent appeared in Seryu's eyes—so quick it was almost imperceptible. But Lelouch noticed.

He was about to respond, but CC suddenly picked up the strange creature and cuddled it.

"Aww, Hibi is adorable."

Lelouch frowned. What's so cute about this creepy-looking dog-thing? He simply didn't understand CC's taste. Then again, he'd always been more of a cat person.

CC cradled Hibi in one arm and placed the other on Lelouch's shoulder.

[Lelouch, let's recruit Seryu into the Black Knights.]

[What a ridiculous excuse. You just want to pet the dog.]

[I don't care. You decide.]

[Then why don't you—]

Before he could finish, CC dropped her hand from his shoulder. She was becoming more and more insufferable. Lelouch clenched his teeth in irritation—but eventually sighed in defeat. As always, CC was loyal when it came to serious matters.

Soon, she used her innate ability, The Snow's Touch, on Seryu.

Seryu Ubiquitous had lost both her parents at a young age—allegedly murdered by thieves. Heavily influenced by her late father and her mentor, "Ouka the Demon," she had developed a warped concept of justice, one that tolerated no compromise and saw evil as something to be eradicated without mercy. She truly believed she was an agent of righteousness.

At her master's urging, she underwent cybernetic enhancement.

Every time CC used her power on someone, she could witness their deepest memories from a first-person view—and experience their emotions firsthand. The stronger the memory, the clearer the truth.

To CC, something about "Ouka the Demon" felt off. What kind of master sends a student to be experimented on in a lab? Despite Seryu's unwavering admiration, her mentor clearly wasn't the paragon of virtue she believed.

After the vision, CC briefed Lelouch. He pondered deeply. People like Seryu—extremists—were often the most stubborn. But if you could identify their core obsession, they were also the easiest to turn. CC's power had just given him the key.

They invited Seryu to the manor to talk further while waiting for the three swordsmen. In their conversation, Lelouch casually gathered useful intel about the inner workings of the capital.

The three soon returned before lunchtime—dejected.

They had spent the morning job-hunting. But all they found were low-paying, unstable, or shady jobs. They didn't want to rely on Arya's charity forever, but nothing in the capital seemed promising.

Arya brought them to Seryu.

"This is Seryu Ubiquitous, a member of the Imperial Guard and apprentice to the Guard Captain. If you three—Sayo, Iyeas, and Tatsumi—are still interested in joining the Guard, you can discuss it with her."

Iyeas was nearly moved to tears.

Miss Arya… you're too kind. You saw through our pride, our helplessness, and helped us anyway…

Before they could accept, Seryu raised her hand.

"First, let me be clear. I never said you could definitely join. The Imperial Guard faces danger and conflict daily—often needing to resolve matters by force. I've heard you're swordsmen. Show me what you've got."

Later, in the clearing in front of the manor.

The three young swordsmen stood ready in a triangular formation, surrounding a massive beast—Hibi, transformed into the Hundred-Armed Giant.

He stood nearly four meters tall. While he didn't look larger than a mid-sized Danger Beast, the pressure he gave off was staggering. None of the three had ever felt anything like it.

"I'll go head-on," Tatsumi said. "Sayo, Iyeas—flank left and right!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Clearly, Tatsumi had assumed the role of leader. Not only was he the strongest, but he had the sharpest instincts in battle.

He charged in, sword aimed at Hibi's forehead. Hibi roared and slapped the blade aside. Tatsumi spun with the momentum and slashed across Hibi's chest, drawing blood. But within seconds, the wound vanished.

Startled, Tatsumi hesitated—and was swatted away.

Sayo and Iyeas attacked from the sides, each scoring a hit, but the wounds healed just as fast. With two heavy smacks, Hibi sent them flying as well.

The three regrouped, tension rising.

We can't even hurt it...

"Target the weak points!" Tatsumi called. "Sayo, go for the left eye. Iyeas, the right. I'll strike the heart. On my count—three, two, one—go!"

All three swords slashed at once.

As predicted, Hibi could only block two. Tatsumi's sword stabbed deep into Hibi's chest and emerged from his back. But they already knew: to truly defeat Hibi, they'd have to destroy the hidden core inside him—which moved when he was fatally threatened.

Tatsumi dragged his blade down, carving a half-meter gash. Blood poured. Hibi bellowed and struck back. Tatsumi crossed his arms to block, but the blow still sent him crashing back, blood dripping from his lips.

The difference in power… it's too wide…

"Okay, Hibi, that's enough. Change back," Seryu ordered. "...Hibi? Why aren't you listening?"

Hibi took another step toward Tatsumi.

His eyes gleamed. He opened his jaws wide—aiming to devour Tatsumi whole.

"Hibi, I said STOP!"

"Tatsumi, move!"

A golden hand suddenly slammed down on Hibi's skull, halting him in place.

With titanic strength, the hand flung Hibi across the field.

Everyone froze as the figure stepped forward.

An armored giant stood before them—midnight black with golden highlights on its limbs and head. Mechanical butterfly wings shimmered on its back.

Tatsumi stared up in awe.

Even in a world without mechs, he couldn't help but think:

This machine… is seriously cool.

The exclusive Knightmare Frame of Zero Lelouch and the Witch CC, [Gawain Kai: Mirage], has officially arrived in this world.