The USA. Las Vegas. December 4th, 1994.
Bright lights illuminated the hall while the sounds of claw machines being used drowned out all other noises within the casino. And yet, amidst the pandemonium, Lelouch could clearly hear people swear, shout in excitement or cry after another loss.
Las Vegas. It was called the city of sin, where people come to test their luck, spend too much, and lose it all. Be it in reckless gambling or other less legal vices. They could spend thousands if not more in this place, but only a lucky handful would be able to win something back. People were willingly throwing themselves at this salty mess just for a small chance of victory if not losing themselves to the drugs and alcohol one could buy around every street corner. It was truly a true hell-bound entertainment, fitting for a couple of Demons who were there to have some fun.
Sitting behind a bar table, Lelouch felt his shoulders relax as he watched, looking at the naive mortals who thought they could make a profit against games where the chance of winning was less than one per cent.
'Hm. I won't lie, this looks fun.' Lelouch eyed the nearby table where people were playing blackjack. One quick look from a more careful observer and you could see that several of the players were cheating and that the house surely saw it too. As soon as the games were done minutes later, the aforementioned schemers were subtly escorted out of the building by casino staff. That is, if they were smart enough not to kick a fuss and be thrown out the back. 'I wonder… How long can I pull the wool over the dealer's eyes before they catch on…'
"Enjoying the atmosphere, Lulu?" her sensual voice sounded behind him. Turning to his life partner in crime, he was met with the Demon King eyeing him with a hand to her hip and her other holding a bottle of fine liquor she shook for him to see. "Got something for us! Wanna take a sip? The person who donated it to me swore it was the best stuff they had."
Lelouch glanced at the expensive-looking bottle. Whisky but not a brand sold on the bar's menu. Meaning it was likely pilfered elsewhere.
"Haaah," he sighed with a wry smile. "Where did you get it?"
Nobunaga smirked.
"I don't intend to drink cheap alcohol to serve mere masses. No, If we're going to get blasted then we will be intoxicated with only the best." The former almost-ruler of Japan brushed him off as she popped open the bottle with just her nails. Taking a swig, a satisfied smile graced her features. "Hmm! Not bad! Quite nice. Wanna try?"
"Haaah… At least use the glass, Nobu. We're in the public, let's act civilized, at least for their sakes." Lelouch offered her one, but Avenger sent him a sultry look before winking at him. "What are you do—MM?!"
Oda Nobunaga took another sip from the bottle before quickly closing the distance between them, capturing his lips and pouring burning liquid inside his mouth. The Demon Emperor caught off guard was quick to recover and immediately accepted the surprise kiss from his lover. It wasn't the first and certainly won't be the last time Nobunaga forcefully claimed his body. Not that it was unpleasant, far from it.
'Still, doing so in public is too eye-catching.' Because of her model-like appearance, Oda Nobunaga drew the eyes of many men. He noted a few women were giving him curious, sometimes hungry stares as well, but he tried to ignore that by focusing on the issues that were to occur should they be too flashy.
However, aside glance revealed to Lelouch that the majority of people there were hardly paying them any mind, more focused on the casino games and their own drinks. 'Huh, guess another pointless attempt to win is more grabbing than two people openly making out.'
It spoke well of how far removed his perception was of this reality's way of life, but then again, it hadn't been a year yet. He was still getting to know the culture. Not as much as he'd gotten familiar with Nobunaga's tongue though.
The slobbering meant to share a taste soon ended with Nobu separating from her lover with a satisfied smile on her face. "So, darling, how are you enjoying the place mortals called Sin City?"
"Far more entertaining than our usual business meetings, I can assure you on that," he chuckled back. And Lelouch meant it.
Ever since establishing their base of operations in Asia, the pair of Demons started their move into the new world to see what it could offer. Making connections and investments was of particular interest considering this continent was going to be the sequel and maybe climax to their initial conquest. But it was also because of Lelouch's own personal interest.
This country, this world… it was different from Britannia, and yet some things were following the same patterns regardless. History was of the latter case, obviously. The monarchy never needed to flee the home islands of Britain, and the democratic institution tried its damnedest to be as far removed from an oligarch as they could. But there existed resemblances to his world's future in the works of the Americas still. Technology was one such sign.
The lack of sakuradite meant no Knightmares or flying battleships for the foreseeable half of the coming century, but communications were improving. Not a century back, there had been a great transition from landlines to the radio. In the coming decade, they would move on to steadily commercialize and improve mobile devices. Slowly but surely, they'd soon be on par with, maybe even exceed, the cell services of Britannia a.t.b 2017.
The invention of the internet was also around the same time his previous world had. However, unlike his war-driven reality, they had it far easier implementing the network globally here, allowing it to flourish and a new subculture to evolve at rapid speed, free of propaganda and political agenda.
'Well, almost free…' The former Emperor sighed. Every super nation put severe restrictions on the global web back in his time. The same happened here but to a lesser extent, mainly when the nations were trying to curb the communist ideal. 'It seems those same commies have been doing the opposite, however. Who knew this world's Chinese Federation would take more after Britannia than my former nation's continent…'
Such was the irony, yet on the other hand, it was another opposition that would stand against them in the future. For the sake of their plans, the Demon couple needed better technology to counter their deficiencies. Military might through hollow dummies aside, the information front would hamper public perception greatly. More so when he lacked any forces to counter virtual spies in that regard.
He needed to kickstart development and immediately speed up the process. It wasn't anything too complicated, just a mild hindrance that required him to personally handle negotiations. Clever investments in young but promising tech companies that were on the right track was easy. Managing to find and fund them were the hard parts, requiring he actually compares and contrasts what tech was worth it and what would be easy to manipulate come the next decades.
He was in luck though. He'd found a couple that piqued his interest, and, in the case of the Apple or Microsoft companies, but funding was literally a mountain of a cost due to some failings to meet societal standards. Desperation drove people to seek help, hence the reason why he approached them himself despite the cost.
But seeing what they could do, what companies akin to them in his world had done, he was more than happy to throw more money at them.
'However, sitting through meeting after meeting, listening to all of those pointless explanations is getting on my nerves.' Obviously, he couldn't refuse. Masking himself as a young yet intrigued businessman, he needed to play along, not rushing, but certainly never caught feigning interest. Casting doubt on those he was trying to woo wouldn't end well yet neither Lelouch nor Nobunaga could reveal themselves too early.
No. Instead they were once again in the shadows, silently overseeing everything their new puppets would propose to the rest of the board and their other investors. 'I even miss the Middle East. At least zealous armoured militias were more fun to command than watching developers posterizing old farts in suits trying to weigh the pros and cons of products.'
Lelouch sighed again before taking the bottle from Nobunaga's hands and taking a slip. The Daimyo looked at him with amusement.
"Let me guess, thinking about work again?"
Her partner shuddered. "Don't remind me. When we'd come to the US, I was expecting something unique. After all, this is the place where I was born in my world. I expected something freer, more open of the equivalent to the Empire of Britannia. But the runaway colony of the British Empire… disappoints some of my expectations. Don't get me wrong, this county is a clear improvement compared to my old homeland, but it still has ways to go."
"I get you…" Nobunaga nodded. "I too find this place somewhat lacking. Having read a lot about them before coming here, I expected more from those that instilled both terror and awe in the hearts of our current army. Of course, knowing what they did to my Japan, I expect their military to be capable, yet the way these Yankees lose themselves to their vices leaves… a lot to be desired."
Lelouch smirked. That was an understatement. Here they were, talking about preparing for war yet no one paid them any mind. Either they made themselves out to be a random crazy couple, or this world was far too lax to be of a real threat. Had it been his own, he may have been arrested on the spot for crimes against the state, even suspicion would nail him in prison.
And yet,
"No need to put them so high on a pedestal, my dear. In all honesty, I actually like the US." He glanced at Nobu. "No matter why they are, anyone can be a source of amusement. Take for example the group we passed coming here, all wearing tin foil hats, spouting nonsense about aliens among us. That's only the tip of the iceberg. What of the educated who refuse to believe in established sciences? There are even those who believe a sentient reptilian race secretly rules the world from the shadows!"
"I didn't think you'd enjoy such varied comedy, darling." Nobunaga gave a light smirk.
"Even conspiracists like them have their value. While they may not look like the stalwart 'arsenal of democracy' as they so portray themselves, they all can bring some modicum of unpredictability. Wouldn't you find it a bore if only the self-righteous and the cunning were to be your foes?"
"You think I'd find some enjoyment in dealing with fools and the deranged?" Nobu scoffed but didn't refute it. "Heh, I'll admit, I'd rather face a pest that thinks it can take me on rather than only squash spineless bugs. But even the foolish obstinacy of insects can test my patience."
"Well, if the only line that exists divides those of black and white moral compasses, between the weak and the strong, wouldn't it make for a 'boring game of chess' as you always say? Winning can be a bore as well, no? If there exists a wildcard or two with their own agendas and strengths, the playing field becomes less about 'who's right and wrong' and more 'which madness can triumph over the others'. Considering the existence of the magi, a highly volatile mix of characters are bound to join the Grail War in due time once again. I would wish the same quality for the entertainment to come after."
"Hoho? Then I guess I'll have to partake in that enjoyment, considering you'd prepare it for our sake." She rested her redhead against his chest, acting all cute while internally musing of the world's destruction. "I'm surprised you're quite intent on shaking things up further, despite adding onto the challenges we may face."
"Not that they'd be any real obstacle to you, my dear." Although saying that, he let out a sigh. "In fact, I'm more surprised we didn't run into any magus here. Would they not normally love places like this?"
After visiting the new world, the married couple had planned on getting information about the local magi families and how best to avoid them. Compared to the war-torn nations in Asia, the US was supposed to be full of people connected to the moonlit world. It was a vast country that claimed to be the world's greatest superpower, both economically and militarily. Naturally, any great beacon of civilization still casts its own shadow. The brighter the light of the modern world, the more darkness has hidden beneath it would expand even further. Young and arrogant magi would congregate in such a place for it was within the prosperity, under all the hustle and bustle of society that the magi flourished in its underbellies.
From what Lelouch understood, magi were inhuman. Experiments that were abhorred by the normal folk would be frowned upon by the oldest and wealthiest magi clans. The outliers, though, those who call themselves innovators, wouldn't care about the many lives they'd sacrifice for power. The traditionalists that preferred to maintain the status quo, as well as their power, would've stayed in Europe. Their lesser relatives, those that felt restrained by the laws of the past, would embark on a journey to find new opportunities for themselves. Just as the other less-magically-endowed had in the past centuries of migration and colonization.
The earnest, the humble, the exiles, and those eager to prove themselves better than their forefathers, all ambitions from all marches of life, none of them would shy away from this new world. That was beyond a doubt.
And so was their potential in becoming enemies to the coming conquest. And yet…
"Worms that love to show off their status and money in places like this are a dime a dozen. Yet rats that scurry in the shadows are even more abundant. I'm sure they're out there, watching, waiting on our every move." Nobunaga sounded nonchalant about being spied upon by their would-be adversaries.
"Not bothered in the slightest, I see…" the boy sighed with a smirk. One the great Daimyo didn't miss a chance to peck on.
"I was more bothered by how long those negotiations took. Had you let me take out my blade, all things said and done would have concluded sooner!" True, it was tiring. However, gathering information as well as planting investments in the future was all necessary. Still, it wouldn't do to bring up work again after getting this far in their little vacation. This was a special night for Lelouch. Even if he didn't know about it yet. "Say, don't you want to try some of these claw machines? Or maybe blackjack?"
Lelouch overlooked the hall connected to the bar. Claw machines were games rigged from the start so there wasn't point in trying to gain anything on them. Blackjack seemed more fun to try, with more changes to trick the other players and get away with the win. Not that he or Nobu needed the money really.
'Hm, then again, what's the harm? A small stipend as the advisor to new nations can't be called real riches, but what good is it to not spend what I've earned?' Was it war profiteering if they took what they could to help out those living in war-torn regions in the long run? Maybe. But it mattered little to them. Their riches were given back in exchange for influence and control. Money was of little value except when it could be used as leverage in negotiations. 'In that sense, I might as well play for the sake of the thrill. Maybe I can find a little challenge in ways other than war.'
Maybe another master of chess lay hidden within the city of sin, then again, cards were another form of strategic competition he could get behind.
Minutes later Lelouch found himself sitting behind a table, playing blackjack with some tourists. Nobunaga sat next to him, with a new expensive looking bottle of whisky she most likely 'acquired' from some unlucky soul. While Lelouch made sure to smile and put his opponents at ease, his dear and adorable daimyo made sure to give a death glare to any female who even dared glance his way. Sometimes even going so far as to intimately whisper lovely nothings into his ear to rile up the envy.
He just ignored her and amicably faced his foes across the table. Playing games like this, it was just as he'd once had in his past life. Like old times…
"Excuse me for a bit, Lulu. I want some fresh air." Though interrupted by a peck on the lips, Lelouch was slightly surprised when Nobunaga broke away with a wink. "Well, as fresh as it can be in this city."
"Not asking me to accompany you, my love?" he was in the middle of a game but had no problems calling quits.
"Nah. I can see that you're enjoying these games far more than I thought you would. Go on and have fun robbing them blind. We'll meet later." She quickly captured his lips for a second time whilst adding coyly. "I've a little business to finish. Won't take long."