Chapter 257: The Ambition of the Pizza Witch
While Lelouch and Suzaku were holding a secret meeting on the rooftop, on the balcony of a detached villa serving as the student council clubhouse in the distance...
A graceful green silhouette stood there.
She wore the Ashford Academy girls' uniform as well, her short skirt swaying gently in the breeze, revealing pale, slender legs that shimmered with a halo under the sunlight.
Her gaze seemed to transcend space, clearly fixed on Lelouch and Suzaku Kururugi conversing atop the distant school building.
"It seems you really dislike that brat."
C.C. spoke in a slightly teasing tone to the man beside her.
"It's more than just dislike."
Mahiro stepped forward, leaning against the railing as he replied casually, "Suzaku Kururugi probably ranks among the top few on my list of most detestable people."
"Then why not just kill him? Isn't that your usual approach?"
Though discussing taking a life, C.C.'s tone made it sound as casual as eating or drinking.
She watched Mahiro's reaction closely.
Unfortunately, she detected no change in his expression.
What a boring man...
"If he really needs to be eliminated, I can handle it."
A third voice sounded from the rooftop.
It was Alpha, who had also appeared here.
Her brilliant golden hair fluttered like a banner.
"Unnecessary. If I truly wanted him dead, I could have done it back in Shinjuku."
Mahiro didn't even turn his head, simply refusing outright.
Indeed, if he wanted Suzaku dead, he could accomplish it completely undetected, and do it more perfectly than Alpha.
Just like that woman Villetta, who remains listed as missing to this day.
No trace of her alive, no body found.
"The reason I'm not killing him isn't out of mercy, but because Suzaku Kururugi still has use value."
"If you're referring to the Knightmare matter, I don't believe we need this man and that white mecha anymore. Eta has fully mastered the technology, and our mecha production is already underway..."
"No, it's not just that."
Mahiro interrupted Alpha's words.
"Suzaku Kururugi and the Lancelot's value far exceeds your imagination, Alpha."
"I won't let go until I've completely drained every last drop of value from these two."
Whether it's the hypersonic aerial flight system and energy wings, or the mounted energy cannons, or the repeatedly upgraded performance of the frame itself—they're all things worth coveting.
"So once you've drained that brat of his value, that's when he gets eliminated?"
C.C. watched him, her amber eyes seeming to see right through him.
To this, Mahiro gave no response at all, merely smiling quietly.
This was as obvious as fleas on a bald man's head.
"But still, we can't let this guy's school life be so peaceful. We ought to give him some entertainment."
Mahiro muttered to himself, then beckoned and whispered a few words into Alpha's ear.
"You know what? Just do it. Make sure to enrich Suzaku Kururugi's campus life a bit."
"Understood. This matter is quite simple."
Alpha readily agreed.
Noticing the two conspiring loudly, C.C. rolled her eyes slightly and murmured:
"You're really a man with twisted tastes.I didn't expect to see such childish tricks...
As if she had clearly overheard the conversation between Mahiro and Alpha.
"Thanks for the compliment, but isn't childish tricks perfectly suited for dealing with children?"
Mahiro smiled as he accepted the Witch's evaluation, while his gaze continuously scanned C.C.'s alluring figure.
"By the way, didn't you really like that white restraint suit? What put you in the mood to wear the clothes I prepared for you today?"
"That outfit got stained with pizza cheese, so I changed into something else. Is that not allowed?"
After saying this, C.C. turned and hurriedly left the rooftop, leaving him with only a beautiful view of her back.
"Did I say something wrong? Why did she suddenly get angry?"
Mahiro tilted his head in confusion.
A woman's heart is truly difficult to understand.
Charles zi Britannia, the Emperor of Britannia, was currently standing in a pouring down light with his eyes closed, resting his mind.
The place where the Emperor resided was a terrifying and marvelous space.
At first glance, it easily reminded one of a temple.
Countless towering pillars resembling white marble stood on the vast platform, while the sky above was filled with fiery red mist resembling sunset clouds.
These towering pillars occupied the four corners, with stone steps leading directly to the altar.
Everything seemed to be floating in the air.
It was both full of mystery and gave off an overwhelming sense of ominousness.
However, Charles paid no mind to this.
Or rather, there were very, very few things in this world that could draw his attention anymore.
"Your Majesty, Prince Clovis's remains still haven't been found, and the memorial service is approaching. What should we do...?"
An attendant clad entirely in robe-like ceremonial garments suddenly appeared at the entrance of this altar temple.
"No matter. Just now, I spoke with Clovis!"
Charles murmured as he opened his eyes, then reached his hand to the luxurious cloak's collar and closed his eyes in contemplation for a long moment.
Although he had entered his sixties, the Emperor's features were quite handsome.
Given his children's appearances, this was only natural.
But there was something on his face that none of his children possessed.
That was absolute confidence and overwhelming deterrence.
"We must execute it soon, that plan. That man still doesn't know what to do so far, and he might become an unpredictable variable."
Charles didn't turn around, still gazing into the boundless space in the distance.
"Your Majesty, are you referring to...?"
As Charles's most trusted subordinate, he naturally knew exactly who the man in the Emperor's words was.
That was a man who even the great Emperor had to make concessions to.
"Let the ceremony commence! I shall deliver a speech. At this point, I cannot disappoint him—I must respond properly!"
Charles finally withdrew his gaze from the distant, boundless space.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The aide-de-camp bowed respectfully and retreated backward from the temple.
Amidst the distinctive tenor chorus of Britannia's national anthem, a solemn memorial ceremony was underway.
All members of Britannia's imperial family who remained in the homeland had gathered in this massive assembly hall.
At the front of the hall, a large portrait of Clovis was displayed centrally. Holding a red rose, Clovis appeared exquisitely handsome and elegant, a confident smile gracing his lips—he was the focal point of this memorial service.
"Now presenting His Majesty Charles zi Britannia, the 98th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, to deliver his address!"
Following the ceremony official's announcement, a man appeared at the podium. Adorned in magnificent robes and possessing piercing eyes that could overwhelm anyone before him, he stood with an imposing presence far greater than his already tall stature suggested. This was none other than Charles zi Britannia, the 98th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire.
Surrounding Clovis's portrait and Emperor Charles were countless white flowers, traditional blooms used to mourn the deceased.
It was precisely these flowers that reminded attendees this was not merely a grand speech, but a ceremony mourning Clovis.
All territories under the Holy Britannian Empire, its colonies, and national broadcasters worldwide were simultaneously airing Emperor Charles zi Britannia's live address.
The Britannian national anthem continued to play as the entire world watched this memorial ceremony.
On screens worldwide, Charles's figure commanded more attention than the portrait of Clovis behind him.
Beneath the podium stood Britannia's imperial family, the adult heirs to the throne arranged in order from left to right.
First Prince Odysseus, First Princess Guinevere, followed by the highest-ranking imperial official among the princes—Prime Minister and Second Prince Schneizel...
All spectators focused their gaze upon these imperial family members with boundless futures, similarly overlooking Clovis who should have been the center of attention.
At that moment, Charles's powerful hands suddenly gripped the edges of the podium as he began a speech that sounded nothing like a eulogy for his deceased son Clovis.
"Humans! Are not created equal."
His resonant voice echoed through the hall via microphone, growing more thunderous and soul-stirring.
"From birth, there are those who run faster, those blessed with beauty, those born to impoverished parents, those burdened with sickly bodies—birth, upbringing, talent, every human characteristic differs."
"Yes, humans are born to be distinguished! That is why humanity fights, competes, and through this... progress is born."
"Inequality is not evil; equality is evil. What of the EU that advocates equality? What of the Chinese Federation?"
"In conflict and competition, evolution always follows. Only Britannia marches forward across the world, striding proudly toward the future. The death of my son Clovis is proof of Britannia's evolution.
Fight! Struggle, seize, obtain, dominate—at the end lies the future!
All Hail Britannia!"
"All Hail Britannia!!!"
Finally, with a cry of "Long live Britannia," Charles concluded his grand speech.
In the memorial hall, in Britannia's homeland, and throughout all Britannian colonies across the world—
All Britannian subjects, nobles, and military personnel cheered in unison.
"All Hail Britannia! All Hail Britannia..."
The massive wave of sound, carrying a fierce will, spread across the globe like a plague.
In Area 11, at Ashford Academy's auditorium, Lelouch gathered with the entire school to listen to the Emperor's address.
Unlike the other students stirred to fervor by the Emperor's words,
Lelouch gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and glared with pure hatred at the man on the screen.
"So, to you, Nunnally and I were just disposable trash, weren't we?! Mere stepping stones for your so-called evolution?!"
Lelouch's accusatory words were stifled between his teeth.
Innate traits? Fate? All nonsense!
If looks could kill, this pretzel-haired Emperor would have died countless times over.
"The essence of power is influence. People are often easily deceived by surface appearances, overlooking the truth beneath."
This sudden remark extinguished the fury in Lelouch's heart.
Turning, he saw Mahiro had appeared beside him at some point, both gazing up at the broadcast on the large screen.
But the earlier comment left Lelouch puzzled.
"Teacher, what did you mean by that?"
"Have you not read The Prince? It's your father's—that pretzel-haired Emperor's—favorite book, and he successfully applied it in practice."
"He is not my father, only my enemy!"
Lelouch corrected with bitterness.
But it was true he hadn't read The Prince.
Mahiro naturally noticed and said no more, returning his attention to the broadcast.
Truthfully, he held some admiration for this pretzel-haired man.
As an emperor, Charles was undoubtedly the type to stop at nothing.
Yet he was also a formidable ruler, possessing grand visions beyond ordinary people. However, he harbored ambitions far surpassing normal limits—precisely the kind that required transcending human limits to achieve, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Challenging gods with a human body—such a thing was impossible from the very beginning.
Soon, Clovis's memorial service, or rather, the grand speech delivered by the man with the curly hair, came to an end.
As the school director announced the dismissal and Mahiro was about to leave the auditorium, he suddenly remembered something and halted his steps.
"Oh, by the way, Lelouch, since you haven't read this book, let me leave you with one more quote—'The foundation of power lies in trust, and the loss of power is often more rapid and sudden than its acquisition.'"
What does that mean?
Before Lelouch could ask, Mahiro had already left, disappearing into the crowd.
However, compared to the latter part about trust being the foundation of power, Lelouch was more intrigued by the earlier statement—"The essence of power is influence. People are often easily deceived by superficial appearances, overlooking the truth behind them."
He seemed to have realized something.
His earlier "showtime" when intercepting Suzaku and the creation of the enigmatic identity ZERO—didn't they share a striking resemblance to this idea?
Rather than relying on something as illusory as trust, Lelouch preferred to fully commit to the art of deception.
Perhaps Lelouch truly hadn't read The Prince, and thus had no idea that—
"True power lies not in how many people you can command, but in how many people are willing to follow you voluntarily."
The moment trust shatters, it's no different from disaster striking from within—everyone will turn against you.
Yet, compared to Lelouch's corner, the other side of the auditorium was far more lively.
"There's no reason not to arrest him, that ELEVEN named Suzaku Kururugi!"
"A figure from history—at least in ELEVEN history, he's a great criminal, that Suzaku Kururugi!"
"How disgusting. Calling himself a hero when he's clearly a murderer. Why do we have to live alongside him? It feels like even the air has become foul."
"I really don't understand what the director was thinking, allowing someone like him to enroll..."
"ELEVEN, ELEVEN..."
In hushed tones, students gathered in small groups, continuing to discuss Suzaku Kururugi, who had suddenly transferred to the school a few days ago.
Their words were dripping with sarcasm and mockery.
The topic, which had initially died down, should have quieted after a night. But today, news had somehow spread that Suzaku Kururugi had killed his own father, Genbu Kururugi.
A topic as sensational as patricide was naturally enough to stir the students' senses and ignite heated discussions.
As a result, the rumor spread like wildfire, and soon Suzaku Kururugi once again became the talk of the school.
The entire academy was filled with curses and insults directed at Suzaku Kururugi.
Tsk...
"This is only the beginning, Private First Class Suzaku Kururugi. If you understand, you should know what to do."
From a distance, Mahiro watched the scene, a faint smile playing at the corners of his eyes.
He seemed every bit the villain.
Or perhaps he never cared whether he was a hero or villain in the first place. For hypocrites like Suzaku Kururugi who forcibly impose their ideals on others, this method of handling things was perfectly suitable.
It was far more satisfying than simply killing the guy.
Afterward, Mahiro couldn't be bothered to keep watching and directly left the auditorium, returning to the student council clubroom.
The moment he opened the door, an overwhelming cheesy aroma assaulted his senses.
Inside the room, C.C.—today wearing a cherry-blossom pink summer dress—was kneeling on the large bed. Holding a Pizza Hut box in one hand while sticking collected stickers with the other, she mumbled around a mouthful of pizza:
"You're back?"
"Swallow your pizza before speaking!"
Mahiro massaged his temples in frustration. "I mean, just how much do you love pizza? Three boxes per meal? How many do you eat per day??? The whole room reeks of cheese!"
As he spoke, he walked straight to the window and pushed it open.
The breeze that entered diluted the cheesy smell somewhat, but it remained potent.
While he didn't dislike cheese itself, being immersed in its scent was unbearable.
He eventually used an air current spell to completely clear the room's odor.
The strong cheese smell had attracted the attention of passing students, but they understood immediately upon realizing it came from the student council clubroom.
They assumed President Milly must be cooking up something strange again.
"Mmmhmm~"
Meanwhile, C.C. the Pizza Witch seemed completely unfazed by his complaints.
After swallowing her current bite, she opened her cherry-red lips again to happily take another bite of pizza. She closed her eyes in enjoyment as she swallowed before speaking:
"Pizza is truly marvelous. Humans are amazing to have invented such food. Oh, and thank you for the money in your nightstand. Without that cash, I wouldn't have been able to order every flavor available."
Mahiro: "..."
He stared helplessly at the witch for a moment before finally speaking up:
"Please have some mercy and eat less, would you? It's not about the money, but you can't possibly maintain this eating habit!"
He suspected C.C. could win any pizza eating contest if one existed.
"What are you talking about?"
C.C. blinked at him upon hearing this. "Three pizzas per meal—that's the contract we established, isn't it?"
"I don't recall making such an absurd contract with you. And three pizzas per meal... Are you that cheap, or do you think I'm that cheap? Is that all you're worth?"
Facing Mahiro's sarcasm, C.C. put on a serious expression and declared righteously:
"Mahiro, you're overthinking things. There's no need to complicate matters. I have no choice—I need to eat pizza to collect stickers for the lottery."
As she spoke, she proudly showed him her collection of stickers in the album, much like a child displaying their prized possessions.
Seeing the large number of stickers in her hands, C.C. let out a small exclamation of surprise.
She claimed these stickers were enough to exchange for a Cheese-kun pillow and Cheese-kun cushion, while loudly declaring her ambition to one day turn all the world's delicacies into pizza.
Mahiro: "..."
So this is what you call having no choice???
Right now I really want to punch this Pizza Witch to death. What should I do?