Back in Afghanistan, Lelouch acted as strategist while Nobu was the fist of their operations. They worked mainly at night, leaving most of the daily skirmishes and operations to their puppet's army. This way, they could minimize the spread of rumours about the strange flames that couldn't be put out. Lelouch even prepared the false evidence that their new Afghanistan army was using white phosphorus they got from western allies back during the Soviet invasion. Sure, it might create some negative press for the puppet state in the future, but it was better than rumours of 'magical fire' spreading outside the small landlocked nation.
From the underworld channels, Lelouch and Nobu made connections with, he'd managed to pick up a few second- and third-rate mages and place them under his sway. According to them, the powers that be of the moonlit world hadn't paid too much attention to the Asiatic and Far East regions. It was still a given that it didn't mean they wouldn't ever do so.
They had a small window to abuse as much as they could before his meddling was brought to their attention.
The opposition they worked with wasn't something Lelouch wanted to replace Saddam with. He had no intention of replacing one dictator with another, no. For their dream of an Asian empire, a supposedly 'fair and democratic' system needed to be installed. One that would be enough to convince the world of its virtues and strength.
Lelouch didn't forget what he fought against in his past life. Tyranny, social Darwinism, imperialism, everything his father stood for. If they were going to take over this planet, he would make sure their new playground would bend to their wills accordingly, on the surface preserving the ideal utopia.
"Hm… Hahahah…," he sighed, feeling a bit nostalgic. "How ironic it is that I would recreate another apparent and egalitarian ideal from the ashes of yet another tyrannical dictatorship, only to rule it far crueller than their preceding regimes could imagine."
"Oh, Lulu…" Nobu leaned forward, closer. She snuggled up to him, sitting on his lap, her new favourite position, as she continued to whisper the words of pure madness into his ear. "You know that whatever hell we create in this world would be better than any nation, any government, any corrupt dictator could ever achieve. Through hellfire and the blood of the sinful, paradise will claim this earth. Mankind has no choice but to obey our order, for it will be better than anything they have right now."
"And if people won't accept us as their rulers?" Lelouch asked with closed eyes, already knowing what his lover would say.
"~Fufufufu~ They have the right to rebel against our rule, to challenge it with all their might. I won't deny them that privilege. However, that is only if they can survive the tide of change we bring. If humanity wishes to wrest their fate back from our grasp, to move forward in the way they please, they will need to earn it." Nobunaga laughed maniacally, but for Lelouch, it sounded like the most beautiful sound in the world. "Only the strong-willed and fearless can be given the chance to take such a role from us."
"Hahah, I would never have imagined myself to be back in this position." Not when he still lived as a human. "But… Living on… living for oneself like this… It's really fun." Freeing nations from their looming demise, gifting their people with the opportunity and hope of a new world, only for them to do it for you… Sounded like a regular bank. It wasn't a scam for he did as promised, but being at the top and having them serve his whims like this, there was only one thing to say. "I'm loving this!"
"And I love the fact that you're loving this, my love," Nobu said passionately.
"Well, aren't you the romantic, Nobu." Lelouch stared at her with a deadpan expression.
"Hush, you drama queen. I saw how you talk back in your world."
"As if you didn't make speeches even more overdramatic during your time. Aren't you chuunibyou yourself? Young, full of grandiose delusions, wetting herself in her sheer ambition. Was it not true that you would wear a red cape into battle?"
Nobu chuckled. "Please, I was just claiming what was rightfully mine, nothing more. And what's wrong with a red cape?!" She actually looked offended. "As if you don't dress just as ridiculous. With this mask of yours."
"Hmm, I have to disagree. The Mask of Zero is a symbol of something more than greater than life. There is nothing ridiculous about it—"
"And your panic when it was stolen by a cat?" Nobu smirked when Lelouch froze. "Hahaha! Got you there, didn't I?! Honestly, squeaking like a school girl when the animal found your secret plaything! If it was me, all I would do would be to cut it down before it did any damage! Poor softhearted Lulu could only run around like a schoolgirl with her diary stolen! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"That's—!" Lelouch wanted to say something, but all he could do was let out a sigh. "Is this how lovers usually act? Make fun of each other?"
"Don't know. Never had one I find to be equal to you, but I'm enjoying it." Nobunaga leaned closer. "Don't tell me you find our chat boring."
"Heh… Never in a million years. It's just… unusual for me to feel like this. This calm state of mind and soul." Lelouch closed his eyes, remembering his past life. Remembering the good old days. "Even when I was with Nunnally, at best, I felt content with her smile. On the other hand, with you, it feels as though I can't have enough. Like I need more of this time. If given the chance, I'd make time itself stop… just to prolong what we have at this moment."
Sure, he was busy enjoying himself in her company. But they had a time limit before the next war. Two demons taking their sweet time making preparations was tiresome at times, but their grand declaration of war against the world itself was going to be soon upon them.
To fulfil his contract, he would need to be ready for Nobu's sake.
"I too never thought I could feel the same way in another's arms…" The Daimyo muttered fondly. While history had accounts of the Great Demon King's marriage and siring children, those were merely strategic and political advances to further his reign. They weren't her equals nor could the present her truly recall them as such. Hence why she found no comparison to her beloved of the present. "I believe we both could learn more from this 'lovers' business."
"That, we agree on." Lelouch nodded as he snuggled against her crimson hair.
"Feeling a little laid back, my love?" Nobu whispered, sensing exactly that. "Hmm, perhaps watching some romantic movies will help?"
She motioned towards the tape cassettes near an old TV. In-between plotting coups and re-organizing their small forces, Lulu and Nobu used what little free time they had to live like an average couple. Not in the public eye, of course, but in private, lovebirds will be lovebirds. The bed in the office was certainly almost always dishevelled out of constant use, but the pair too wanted to see what this world's other forms of entertainment could offer.
"Ah…" But upon mentioning the television several decades outdated compared to his former world's own, Lelouch recalled yet another strain that plagued his plans somewhat. "I forgot that we have to invest in technology."
One constant hindrance was this time period tech. Compared to his original world it was outdated. Sure, the internet had been invented, but interconnectivity between systems was still in the premature stages. To put it mildly, it just wasn't developed enough for his taste and slowed his plans down a couple of years.
"Hm… After we deal with the Iraqi situation, we'd have to build up a research and development department."
"Oh?" Nobu sighed wistfully at her darling's wayward thoughts. "Is it so big a deal that you have to cut into our break time?"
"Very," was all he said. Disappointing as it was to bring up work now, it was true.
Lelouch wasn't some kind of genius engineer. He had knowledge about how technology would and could advance in the future, but he didn't have the means to bring it all on his own. Social change was easy to bring about with a revolution. Advancement on the other hand required innovation, knowledge, and resources. The country they took over, as well as the neighbouring regions, had a lack of most for decades, suffering brain drains and educational shortcomings after years of civil unrest.
Still, he'd brought about peace. And peace meant prosperity. All he needed now was a plan to efficiently enforce such progress onto their empire. Something Nobunaga was happy to actively contribute to.
"If it's a focus on enriching ourselves, I demand that I be allowed to take over the underworld!" Nobu clapped happily like she was a wife suggesting to her husband her best idea yet. "I had read about organized crime organizations all around Asia. It sounds so interesting, I want to control all of them."
"… … Control?" Lulu teasingly eyed her. "Not burn to the ground like everything else?"
Nobu pinched his nose. "Darling, you can't destroy the underworld. It will always exist no matter the regime or era. Take one out and you will just open the scene for a new organization far warier of you. Even during my time, no matter how many times I butchered bandits, sooner or later someone will replace them. In this case, grabbing hold of their strings and manipulating them as our own is the most efficient way. Of course, I will need to string up a few impudent rats to impress upon them who is the biggest fish."
She giggled that last part cutely but Lulu was certain it would be cute only for himself. "Hmm, do you have any particular organizations in mind?"
"But of course! I heard that my homeland is abundantly infested with a particular one. Yakuza, they call themselves." Her smile turned feral. "Parasites leeching on my country without my permission? I cannot leave my kingdom to such filth. I have already prepared a plan."
"That being?" Lelouch entertained her enthusiasm.
"Make an example of a few. Replace the heads of those that object. Convince the weaker ones that loyalty is best rewarded. The rest won't have a choice, but to fall in line. What do you think?"
"Carrot and stick, is it? Sounds simple enough and we will certainly have resources for this in the future." Causing a few heads to roll was easy. Sending a message to all of them would be child's play, considering Nobu's bombastic approach to intimidation. "But first, we will need to invest and build connections in the west."
"West? You mean those across the sea?" Technically, it was across the ocean, but he couldn't summarily put it that he included everything the wider world knew as the democratic hemisphere. "Why? I thought Asia was our prime zone of operation. Not to mention, those disgusting magi and churches have their eyes all throughout that side of the world, do they not?"
"It is exactly because their net is cast over the place that we must be prudent in our actions." He'd already taken precautions, but throwing a little more was never a bad thing. "I have a few ideas, but we will focus on it later. Right now I'm more interested in our current objective."
"Haaah… more Assassin games, is it?" Nobu asked somewhat dismissively. It was difficult for her love to not immediately notice.
"Waiting really is a bore, isn't it?" he stroked her cheek, expecting a complaint.
"Killing is fun and all. But I'm not a big fan of playing the role of an Assassin," Nobu said with a cute pout. "I prefer being… what do you call it? Hm…"
"'Being in the centre of attention?"
"Yeah!" the cute pout turned into childish disbelief. "I'm not an attention-whore if that's what you're insinuating."
"Never in a million years."
"Hmph," she retaliated with nibbling on his neck for a split second before her tone turned to melancholy once more. "Commanding forces and leading armies in the battle… it's such a fickle notion for me to reminisce of the adrenaline and past glories, but skulking in the shadows like a mere backstabber… It reminds me too much of those traitors I had to put down. Sure, I used hired killers for my own ends in the past, but I still have the preference of fighting it out myself. This hiding away, this mulling about… It's frustrating at times…"
Lelouch had to suppress his grin, thinking about someone who reminded him of Nobu right now. His older sister Cornelia was similar in this sense. Her enemies called her a witch that brought hell in the lands she conquered, but not because she thrived on conquest, no. Unlike he who was satisfied only with results, she couldn't sit still and play the role of a manipulator. Instead, she yearned for action, fought only on frontlines and never behind the chessboard, leading her men into battle and to victory.
It was a simple contrast of personality. A difference in preference. Still, Nobunaga's quirks and yearnings complemented his in a way.
Lelouch had moved from her cheek to her hands as he took them.
"My adorable Nobu, I can understand your displeasure. But please. Endure this for a little longer and I promise. You will have your battlefields and the armies who will follow you. After all, wasn't our experience in Afghanistan entertaining for you?"
"Well, it was fun while it lasted."
Nobu had to admit that commanding small strike forces, attacking enemy camps and bunkers, then rooting out dissidents in the many cave systems was fun. Especially covering everything in the all-consuming fire, leaving her enemies no choice but to either run or fight, either to feed their flesh and bones to the flames or get eviscerated by her blade.
"That is only the prologue to our protracted conquest, my dear. One cannot simply declare war and immediately start an invasion. Otherwise, what's the opposition to do? Apart from helplessly falling to your power, that is."
Nobunaga wanted a war, a real bloody one. He promised to deliver. But as things stood, theirs was going to be a boring conquest should she be sent forward from the very start. Not only did it leave them on the back foot in dealing with the magi forces, but the wider world also wouldn't take them as an appropriate threat should they go all out from the get-go.
Either they send specialists to assassinate them piecemeal or they simply nuke them from orbit. Neither would actually be much of a threat to the pair of immortal demons, but where was the fun in surviving a hit from a Damocles?
Who would properly submit to a monster that survives a blast like that? No. The best way to win was to make them all submit. And with that said, Nobu and he needed not just to beat the armies of this world, they needed to 'conquer' the hearts of their future citizens.
It sounded too much like something Iskandar would say, hence he elaborated it in a way that got Nobu's cylinders fired up but her patience untested by being reminded of a past foe. She was so excited, Lelouch had to calm her down with a peck on the lips. Maybe two.
"Ok, ok! I got it," she muttered, looking a little hot and bothered already. "Since you promised, I will endure this shadow play of yours a little longer. Of course, you will have to do more to please me and make me happy."
Lelouch smirked, knowing where she was leading with this. "And what would my great and mighty Demon King ask of me?"
Nobu licked her lips as she started to eye him hungrily. "Well, you can start by putting your silver tongue to better use. And your fingers. Your entire body in fact. I'm a needy woman, but you already knew that, didn't you Lulu~~~?"
"I do." Lelouch moved closer to her as he closed his eyes, anticipating what was coming next. Their soldiers knew their orders and wouldn't interfere until either of the Demons called for them. The couple had time to themselves, something Lelouch would have loved to spend doing a pleasing activity.
However, as he waited for Nobu to give in to her own carnal desires, the Demon King pulled back her head. The Demon Emperor blinked in confusion, a little disappointed his lover stopped. This sight made Nobu chuckle.
"Lulu, I also want you to join me on the battlefield."
"Huh?"
"You heard me, darling~~~!" Nobu's finger booped his nose. "Someone was spending too much time in the command centre behind a mountain of papers that I noticed he hasn't been paying little me any mind. Of course, it's not entirely out of selfish wants only. I worry that my beloved hubby could turn into an office bug."
"I was busy with strategizing whilst you took care of your assignment." He excused himself. "Let me remind you that one of us needed to make sure everything was going according to the plan. I—"
"Then, if my perfect strategist has everything covered for me in that case, next time I shall be the one to command behind the scenes while you will fight on the battlefield! It wouldn't do for me to be the only one having fun, no? That's not how a loving marriage works, is it not?" Nobu stated wryly before taking hold of either side of his face to level with hers. "Lulu, honey. You're a Heroic Spirit, you need to go out and fight our battles personally from time to time! Experience the thrill of war your mortal self could've never dreamed of surviving!"
"… And if I don't want to?" Lelouch knew he made a mistake when Nobunaga's face closed the distance between theirs.
"My adorable Lulu. You should know by this point that I know how to motivate you."
Her sultry voice tickled his ears before she gently bit his lobe. It didn't stop at teasing, however. The Demon Emperor had to bite his tongue when he felt the wet sensation of her tongue invading his auditory orifice.
"O-oy! What's the big idea—?!"
"Shhh," she uttered softly as she took a monetary break from her tongue assault. "Just let this happen~~~."
Sometimes it felt like she wasn't Demon King, but a Queen Succubus!