Pyra 13 – Pyra 15, Imperial Year 1644
The Royal Palace, Mercia – Morning
King Alaric of Mercia was a heavy man, his jowls sagging, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. He had read the report three times. Each reading made him angrier.
"Dead," he said. "Lord Vance is dead. His mansion is in ruins. And the evidence – the ledgers, the witness lists – scattered across the courtyard like leaves."
His spymaster knelt. "The Black Knights left the evidence for the city guard, Your Majesty. They did not take it. They wanted it found."
"They wanted it found." Alaric crushed the parchment. "They killed a lord of Mercia. They destroyed a noble house. And they left a trail of paper to justify it."
"The evidence was authentic, Your Majesty. Vance was guilty."
"I don't care if he was guilty! I care that a masked man decided to be judge, jury, and executioner in my kingdom!" Alaric stood, his chair scraping the floor. "Find them. Find Zero. I want his head."
The spymaster bowed and left.
Alaric stared at the map on his wall. The Black Knights had struck in the heart of his territory. If he did not respond, other lords would wonder – was the king weak? Was he afraid?
He was afraid. But he would never admit it.
The Royal Palace, Valdria – Afternoon
King Theodric of Valdria was an old man, his beard grey, his eyes still sharp. He sat on his throne, a fur blanket over his knees. Before him stood his council – generals, advisors, and his only son, Prince Orin.
The prince was young, twenty‑two, with dark hair and a serious face. He stood at the back of the room, listening.
"Lord Vance is dead," the spymaster reported. "The Black Knights killed him and scattered evidence of his crimes across the compound. The city guard now has enough to convict him posthumously."
King Theodric stroked his beard. "Vance was a monster. I received petitions from his victims for years. I could not act because he was not my subject."
"Your Majesty, the Black Knights are still outlaws."
"Outlaws who remove corrupt lords. I can think of worse things." Theodric looked at his son. "Orin, what do you think?"
Prince Orin stepped forward. His face was calm, but his heart raced. He knew the Black Knights. He had met Zero – the masked leader who called himself a reincarnator's shadow. Orin was a reincarnator himself, though no one in this world knew.
"I think," Orin said carefully, "that we should not hunt those who do our work for us. Lord Vance was a cancer. The Black Knights cut him out. Let them cut others."
"And if they come for us?"
"Then we ensure we are not corrupt."
The council murmured. King Theodric laughed – a dry, rasping sound.
"My son speaks wisdom. We will not hunt the Black Knights. We will watch. And we will learn."
Orin bowed, hiding his relief. He would send word to the class. They needed to know that at least one king was not an enemy.
The Free Cities – Council Hall, Velathri
The Council of Merchants was not a monarchy, but its members wielded power through gold. They sat around a long table, each representing a different guild. The eldest, a woman named Magda Serran, read the report aloud.
"Lord Vance is dead. His mansion is destroyed. The Black Knights left evidence of his crimes scattered across the site – ledgers, witness statements, even a map of his slave routes."
A fat merchant laughed. "Good riddance. Vance was a pig."
"He was also a customer," another said.
"He was a liability." Magda set down the report. "The Black Knights did what we could not. They removed a corrupt lord without costing us gold or men. And they left proof. That is not the work of common bandits."
"What do you propose?"
"We do nothing. For now. If they come to the Free Cities, we will evaluate. But I will not order a hunt for someone who cleans our streets."
The merchants murmured. Then they nodded.
The Frozen Keep, Thornreach – Morning
King Jorund the Grim was old, his beard white, his eyes like chips of ice. He listened to the report without expression, his hands resting on the arms of his throne.
"A new player," he said. "In the south."
"Yes, Your Majesty," his advisor said. "They call themselves Black Knights. Their leader is Zero. They killed Lord Vance and scattered evidence of his crimes."
Jorund nodded slowly. "And they hunt the corrupt."
"So they claim."
"Good." Jorund stood, his fur cloak heavy on his shoulders. "Let them. The south has always been a nest of vipers. If these Black Knights wish to clean it, I will not stop them."
"And if they come north?"
Jorund walked to a window, looking out at the snow. "Then we will see if their thunder weapon works in a blizzard. But I do not fear justice. I fear chaos."
The Silverwood, Aelindor – The Elven Court
Queen Aelindra of the high elves sat on a throne of living wood, her silver hair flowing over her shoulders. She had ruled for three centuries and had seen empires rise and fall. The report from the human kingdoms was a curiosity, nothing more.
"A masked man killed a corrupt lord," she said. "And left evidence."
"Yes, Your Majesty," her ambassador said. "The humans are in turmoil."
"They are always in turmoil." Aelindra waved a hand. "This Zero is not our concern. He hunts humans. Let him."
"And if he hunts elves?"
"Then we will respond. But I do not believe a man who preaches justice will target the innocent." She turned back to her garden. "Leave me."
The Khergit Steppes – The Khan's Tent
Khan Temur of the Khergit horse tribes was a man of few words. He listened to his scout, then grunted.
"A man with a thunder weapon killed a fat lord."
"Yes, Khan."
"And left paper."
"Yes."
Temur spat into the fire. "Good. Lords are fat. This one is dead. The paper is not my concern." He stood. "Tell the tribes to watch for this Zero. Do not fight him. He is not our enemy."
"And if he becomes one?"
"Then we ride. But not today."
The Ironhold Compact – The Dwarven Council
The dwarves of the Ironhold Compact had no king, only a council of thanes. They met in a cavern lit by forge fires. The oldest, Thane Grimstone, read the report with a scowl.
"A human killed another human. With a thunder weapon."
"The weapon is unknown," his aide said. "It destroyed an iron gate."
Grimstone's eyes narrowed. "Iron?"
"Yes, Thane."
"Then the weapon is dangerous." He set down the report. "Send word to the surface. Find out who built it. If it is a dwarf, they will answer to us. If it is not…" He paused. "Then we watch."
Pyra 16, Imperial Year 1644
The Class's Camp – Evening
The class had been on the road for three days, heading south toward the Free Cities. Vesper was recovering in a cart, still weak but alive. Hikari tended to her.
Elara sat by the fire, a fresh report in her hand – a broadsheet from Velathri, printed by an enterprising scribe. The headline read: BLACK KNIGHTS STRIKE! LORD VANCE DEAD! EVIDENCE SCATTERED!
"You need to read this," Elara said.
Kaito took the broadsheet. His eyes moved quickly. Then he read it again.
"He gave a speech," Kaito said. "He called himself Zero. He said 'People of Mercia, hear me.' He raised a sword. And he left the evidence for anyone to find."
Daiki leaned over. "Let me see."
The others gathered. Roderick crossed his arms, his red eyes fixed on the paper.
"This is too much," Kaito said. "The name Zero. The Black Knights. The theatrical speech. The scattering of evidence – that's a message. 'We have nothing to hide.' It's not a coincidence anymore."
"It could be," Reinhard said. "People invent dramatic names all the time."
"But Zero? From Code Geass?" Daiki shook his head. "That's not a common reference. That's someone from our world. Someone who watched anime."
Roderick grunted. "You're assuming he's a reincarnator."
"Who else would know that name?"
"A merchant who heard the story from a reincarnator."
Kaito threw up his hands. "That's a stretch."
"So is assuming every coincidence is a sign."
Elara held up a hand. "Enough. Kaito, Daiki – explain it to the others. From the beginning."
Kaito took a breath. "There's an old anime – Code Geass. The protagonist is a masked man named Zero. He leads a resistance group called the Black Knights. He fights against a corrupt empire. He gives dramatic speeches. He uses theatrics to inspire fear and hope. And he leaves evidence to prove his cause is just."
"And you think our Zero is copying him?" Rosalind asked.
"I think he's being him. The name, the mask, the group, the speeches, the evidence – it's a perfect match."
Roderick shook his head. "Or it's a tribute. Someone who liked the show and decided to play the part."
"In a medieval fantasy world?" Daiki said. "That's not playing a part. That's living it. You don't build a thunder weapon and recruit a dozen knights just to cosplay."
Reinhard rubbed his temples. "Let's assume you're right. What does it change?"
"It changes everything," Kaito said. "It means Zero is a reincarnator. It means he knows our world. And it means he might be trying to send us a message."
"Or he's mocking us," Roderick said.
"Either way, it's not a coincidence."
The fire crackled. The class was silent.
Elara looked at Kaito, at Daiki, at Roderick. "You three agree on this?"
Roderick nodded. "I don't like it. But the evidence is there. The name, the theatrics, the scattering of evidence – that's not something a native would do. That's someone who knows how to build a narrative."
Kaito and Daiki nodded as well.
"Then it's settled," Elara said. "Zero is a reincarnator. He knows our world. And we need to find out who he really is."
"How?" Rosalind asked.
Elara looked at the broadsheet. "We start by asking the Black Knights. Next time we see them."
"And if they won't tell us?"
"Then we find out anyway."
The class went to sleep, but the debate lingered. Kaito stared at the stars, wondering who Zero was. Daiki sketched the Geass crest from memory. Roderick sharpened his sword, thinking of masked men and thunder weapons.
Somewhere to the north, Zero was already planning the next strike.
The world was changing.
And the class was determined not to be left behind.
End of Chapter Forty‑Two