Gomorrha

"You really want to go in there?"
Rolo was anything but excited about his big brother's plan, who had once again left to skip classes at the Academy. And now they were about to enter the Gomorrah. Rolo seriously wondered why he wanted to come here of all places.
„I'm sure it's full of swindlers and cutthroats in there,“ he said, expressing concern that the Gomorrah had a very dubious reputation. Various mafiosi came and went here and rumors were spreading that very immoral things were happening inside. But Lelouch apparently didn't seem to mind, and he swayed: „Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.“
„Yes, but why are you doing this? You're not even here for the money, are you?“

„That's right. I like a challenge. Besides, I enjoy humiliating those high-handed nobles.“
But that's only half the truth, Lelouch added in thought as he impatiently tapped his fingers against the handrail of the elevator. „Actually I only do this because I'm bored.“

When they arrived at the top, the two boys were presented with a sight to be expected: Numerous Britons in noble clothing enjoyed themselves at all kinds of gambling. Roulette, Black Jack, Poker and one-armed bandits - there was something for everyone. This was probably how it had to be in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.
A less expected and rather disturbing sight, however, was a staged fight between two Elevens. The speaker announced the event: „And now, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen - today's spectacle: the fight of two brothers. Will the older of the two survive, or will perhaps the younger one be victorious after all?“
Rolo was visibly uncomfortable. „Come on, Lelouch, let's leave, please! This place is...“

„...very enlightening,“ Lelouch hooked up. „This world is so easy to see through. Up here, we Britons stand, laughing and happy. Down there, the Elevens fight for their existence.“

„But that is cruel.“

„I know, but that's the way it is.“
Lelouch turned away from the pitiful fighting brothers and walked towards an adjacent room.

„The Elevens have lost twice - under Prime Minister Kururugi, and then under Zero. They were too weak and now they are paying the price.“

The large double-wing door leading to the adjacent room opened. Closely followed by Rolo, Lelouch entered the hall, which was as spacious and imposing as the previous one. Distracted by his monologue and the sound of slot machines, the young prince suddenly collided with someone.
„I'm very sorry,“ the waitress stammered and hastily wiped the stains from Lelouch's pants. „I didn't see you, sir. Please forgive me.“

Kallen?

„No, it's all right. Don't worry about it. Nothing has happened.“
„But I am an Eleven. And you're a British student. It's unforgivable.“
„All the more reason to apologize,“ Lelouch replied as he bent down to help Kallen up. „I don't like to see social status being held over you like a sword.“
Lelouch smiled at his comment.
... held over you like a sword. Sounds just like Damocles.

„It doesn't matter,“ she replied with a mixture of defiance and indifference. „The weak have no choice but to bear their burden, whether their oppressor is right or wrong.“
„I would appreciate it if you would not impose your values on me, young lady.“
„I apologize.“
Suddenly, someone pulled Kallen by the ears of her bunny costume - a blond, sturdy man, who apparently had something to say here.
„Come here! Let's see what you' ve got.“
He started grabbing her.
„You've got some bouncing arguments, my little bunny.“
Disgusting guy!, Lelouch thought.
„Oh yes, Mister King,“ agreed a distinguished grey-haired gentleman, with three girls in his entourage, who, like Kallen, also wore bunny costumes. „We have an illustrious selection of cute bunnies again today.“
So this is the Black King, right?
„You are mistaken, Sir,“ Kallen cried desperately. „I am not for sale.“
„Oh yes, you are,“ King decided. „You should know better: Losers have no rights. Curse your own birth that created you without power. Isn't that what His Majesty always says?“
His Majesty?, Lelouch wondered.
„The strong devour the weak,“ King declared. „Those are the rules, boy.“
„That guy is mafia,“ Rolo warned.
The Prince pondered for a moment. „Such an arrogant attitude!“
„What did you say?“
„So you devour the weak, huh?“
„This is the grown-up world, boy, so go back to your school.“
„Oh, really? So is the adult world devouring the student, or could it be the other way around?“
Lelouch took a chessboard out of his suitcase.
„Aren't we going to find out?“
„How, with chess? You've got to be kidding me!“
„Don't do it, brother!“ Rolo warned.
„All right, boy. I accept your challenge. but don't go straight to mama when you lose.“
„I won't, don't worry.“
„You have no idea, boy,“ the man boasted, releasing Kallen.
„I wouldn't say that, Mr. Black King. You're a famous chess player in the gambling arena, aren't you?“
„My reputation precedes me, huh? Well, I'll show you how to play chess, sonny.“