The Autobots lead the Kozuki Resistance Cell and the Yamato Alliance against the Britannian forces led by Cornelia in Saitama. But when Lelouch falls into a trap that could expose his identity, it's up to our fearless hero to save his young ally by challenging Cornelia to a duel with high stakes...
- Curb-Stomp Battle: The titular duel between Optimus Prime and Princess Cornelia is this, with the Autobot leader thrashing Britannia’s Goddess of Victory while only applying enough force to cripple her Knightmare without killing her. The Second Princess, by contrast, only lands a single glancing blow on the Prime.
- Curb Stomp Cushion: Defied - Optimus somewhat passive-aggressively mocks Cornelia when the latter manages to land a glancing blow on him and declares to her soldiers how the wound proves he and the Autobots aren't invincible, asking why that is so significant.
- Defeating the Undefeatable: By defeating Cornelia in single combat, Optimus is able to hand Britannia's Goddess of Victory her first-ever loss.
- I Gave My Word: Cornelia promises to allow Optimus, his allies, and the innocent civilians in Saitama go if he wins their duel. She keeps her end of the bargain upon her loss.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ohgi were the first to notice that Cornelia's sudden retreat was out-of-the-ordinary, with Ironhide also noting that not once did they see her Knightmare or the ones by the Glaston Knights on the battlefield.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Dreadwing delivers a short and swift one to the Purebloods for their actions regarding Clovis's death and Suzaku's trial, showing his disgust towards them for it.
- Spared by the Adaptation: Thanks to the Autobots' intervention, the Yamato Alliance survive this chapter. This also applies to the citizens of Saitama, who were evacuated via Groundbridge to Shinjuku.
- Wake-Up Call Boss: While not to the degree she was in canon, Cornelia is still able to get a leg up on Lelouch and forces him to reevaluate his position and his relationship with the Autobots.
- What the Hell, Hero?: The Autobots throw this at Lelouch, pointedly warning him that war is not a chess game and they won't tolerate him treating it as such. It's Optimus expressing this sentiment that seems to hurt him the most, though.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: When Ohgi expresses his fears to Optimus about facing off against uneven odds and continuing his late friend Naoto's fight against Britannia, it's Optimus that encourages the resistance fighter that his reasons to fight as a sign of bravery, and also not out of hate, but for what Naoto believed in.
