You hava a real knack for writing close personal scenes. Those parts where just two characters speak to each other earnestly are very nice. And Akira has turned into Sherlock, including his asshole attitude. Glad to see Ann not take his crap at the end there.
That is also a creative change for the story, making him a smuggler as it fits the new world created. And I'm so happy that Lelouch is showing off his intellect and deducting Julius identity, even going as far as giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I'm really liking this interpretation. It's like there's someone on both sides try to make sense of the circumstances rather than create drama. Like the police arent jumping down our heroes throats because mysticism actually exists and they should listen to outside sources. And the Thieves aren't just emotionally charged because Julius is there to reign them in from going off half cocked. This way there's less melodrama from idiotic mistakes.

And it was nice seeing still being her own character, and reminding Suzaku and Kallen that revenge and kill in will not always serve as due punishment. I hope they take this interaction to heart and remember they fight for truth and justice, not just defending Lelouch's honour.

Thank you for your understanding.
You have no idea how much waiting can be a pain in the ass.
Hope to see you next week.

Love this chapter, looking forward to future ones.

For a moment I thought you were turning Akira into an asshole. That ending makes sense now.
As for Zilkhistan, sorry, but any country that can only thrive on conflict doesn't deserve to continue if other countries are going to suffer. All that land and they never think about loaning it out to MNCs, using the profits that go directly to the royal as they own all the land, who can distribute the wealth through welfare programs, set up schools to train their population in skills like law and science, thus providing a service outside of mercenaries.
But they won't do that out of pride.
Shamna, you can't feed your people pride.
Hopefully going forward, both Lelouch and Kallen should be showing a little more Zen like wisdom earned from three years of fighting a war. Maybe some more downtime where they can discuss the changes in the world with one another, not simply whispering sweet nothings into the others ear.

I hope that Julius or Akira's experience as a phantom thief helps him find redemption in himself. though if he has Loki, then who has Arsene?

Yes the sequel to Zero of the Black Crusade is here!

Ironic of Zilkhstan being a more possible alley here.