Chapter 290: Schneizel is About to Arrive at the Battlefield
The royal knight inauguration ceremony had concluded.
The overall situation was now settled. The nobles who had hoped to use this opportunity to meddle in the royal family's ascent returned disappointed, with many seeing their dreams of marrying a princess shattered.
Everything had returned to normal.
Except for Euphemia.
In her spacious, bright room, Euphy sat at her desk engaged in a video call with Cornelia.
"You didn't say anything at all."
"Because appointing knights is a royal prerogative, even the Governor has no authority to intervene."
On the screen, though Cornelia maintained her usual stern and heroic demeanor, her voice betrayed deep exhaustion.
Exhaustion caused by Euphemia's willfulness.
"...That Beatrix is undoubtedly Mahiro's subordinate, correct?"
"Yes, sister, but..."
"Address me as Governor, Deputy Governor Euphemia." Cornelia interrupted sharply. "Do you realize what you're doing? Mahiro is the leader of Shadow Garden—he is Shadow! While this hasn't been publicly exposed yet, there's no doubt he's a terrorist!"
"I understand, Governor, but Mahiro-sensei holds no grudge against us. Brother Clovis wasn't killed by Shadow but by Zero. He's not a bad person—I want to help him." Euphy argued reasoningly.
"But he has become an enemy of Britannia!"
Cornelia rebuked angrily, then immediately caught herself for being too harsh. Sighing softly, she continued in a slightly moderated tone:
"He is no longer our teacher, understand? Precisely because Clovis's death wasn't connected to him, I've been suppressing this information from leaking. But he killed a Knight of Rounds and captured another whose fate remains unknown... You should understand the severity of this."
The Knights of Rounds were the direct forces established by their father, the Emperor, representing the empire's absolute military power—the very banner and symbol of the empire!
The most exceptional warriors!
Yet now, one Knight of Rounds had fallen in battle, another was captured, and the perpetrator remained at large, having repeatedly dealt heavy blows to both the Third and Sixth Knights.
This was equivalent to slapping the empire across the face!
"Governor, I want to know—does our childhood teacher who educated and cared for us mean less than the empire's dignity?"
Cornelia: "..."
She fell silent.
Between her mentor and the empire's dignity, her choice would naturally be the latter.
Because she was Cornelia li Britannia, the Third Princess of the empire. But as sisters having a private conversation, she couldn't answer that directly.
Thus, she remained silent.
Instead, she changed the subject:
"This matter is already settled, and further discussion is meaningless. The main reason I contacted you, Deputy Governor Euphemia, concerns another matter—are you serious about this report?"
"Yes, Governor. These are indeed my thoughts."
Looking at the Special Administrative Zone of Japan proposal displayed on the screen, Euphemia nodded earnestly and confirmed her position.
"This is another matter I wish to pursue—something else I can accomplish within my capacity as the decorative deputy governor of Area Eleven."
"So you went behind my back to discuss this with the Prime Minister, is that it?"
As she spoke these words, Cornelia clenched her fists as if restraining something.
The Prime Minister she referred to was none other than the Second Prince of the Empire, Schneizel—a man with exceptional political acumen and outstanding capabilities.
When the Emperor with his curly hair departed to pursue spiritual cultivation, he gradually transferred all imperial affairs, both major and minor, to Schneizel, appointing him as Prime Minister of Britannia.
Others might not see this man clearly, but Cornelia knew his true face better than anyone!
He was someone who remained unfathomable, outwardly amicable yet employing exceptionally ruthless methods.
But Euphy remained unwavering, responding firmly:
"Yes, Brother Schneizel... the Prime Minister, has affirmed and supported my proposal."
"How foolish, Euphy! Differential treatment of Numbers is Britannia's national policy. Your actions aren't accomplishing anything else—you're challenging Britannia itself!"
"I understand perfectly. But we've both been taught by Mahiro-sensei, and you, as Governor, should know better than anyone that endless oppression and discrimination only become fertile ground for resistance forces. It brings misfortune to everyone. This is wrong, and I wish to change it."
These righteous words struck Cornelia's heart like a heavy hammer.
Her tone gradually softened and steadied as she pressed her alluring burgundy lips together, saying:
"Do you realize, Deputy Governor, that what you're doing means you would have to become the Emperor?"
With these words, there was no need to discuss anything further.
What could be said, what couldn't be said.
What should be said, what shouldn't be said—Cornelia had said it all.
Whether Euphemia would take it to heart depended entirely on her own judgment. But based on Cornelia's understanding of her younger sister, that stubbornness and willfulness likely wouldn't allow her to listen.
Indeed, it unfolded exactly as Cornelia had anticipated.
Euphemia had already made up her mind about this matter. Regardless of the outcome, she wouldn't turn back—she would only seek ways to execute it better!
To achieve perfection!
With this thought, Euphemia closed her laptop and looked up at her knight sitting on the sofa.
"Hmm?"
Beatrix, who was eating a hamburger, noticed the gaze and looked up to meet the cherry-blossom pink eyes, blinking innocently as she said:
"Want one?"
She pulled out a still-warm McDonald's hamburger from the paper bag in her arms.
"No need, Miss Beatrix. Please enjoy it yourself."
"Oh, alright."
Beatrix returned the hamburger to the paper bag, then looked up again to meet Euphemia's gaze:
"Then do you need me to do something for you? If you want to become Emperor, I'll help you eliminate the current one and assist your ascension."
Clearly, she had overheard the conversation between Euphy and Cornelia.
Though she had never met the frequently mentioned "curly-haired one," after gaining a rough understanding of this world, she was absolutely confident she could defeat that emperor.
"N-No need for that, Miss Beatrix..."
Euphy gave an awkward laugh and changed the subject: "How about this instead, Miss Beatrix? Could you tell me about Mahiro-sensei?"
"Hmm... About him? But I don't know as much as my niece does."
Beatrix tilted her head slightly, her pale golden hair cascading down her shoulders with the movement.
Though she looked utterly beautiful, her facial expression was remarkably ditzy.
"It's fine."
Euphy shook her head, indicating she didn't mind: "I just thought... I'd like to learn more about Mahiro-sensei..."
Meanwhile.
In the Temple of Ragnarok, the burly Charles with his full head of curly hair stood at the temple's edge, gazing at the distant, eternal twilight glow.
He seemed to be watching something, yet also appeared to be peering at some unknown entity.
"The Thought Elevator is being constructed according to plan."
"...I understand."
Charles seemed to be conversing with some unknown presence, only stopping when his subordinate arrived.
The subordinate whispered in his ear, and Charles gradually furrowed his brows.
"Schneizel... has he discovered it already?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. How shall we handle this?"
"Hmph, let him be."
Charles looked arrogantly at the subordinate beside him, like a gradually awakening lion.
"If he wants to go to Kamine Island, let him. If he wants to research, let him research. It's fine as long as he has the confidence to challenge us."
Arrogant, powerful, and confident—this was the 98th emperor of the empire—
Charles zi Britannia.
"Our target this time is Kamine Island."
"Oh? Planning to make a move against Schneizel?"
"How did you know... No, if it's you, it's not strange that you'd know."
Lelouch hung his head, speaking with some gloom.
Across from him, Mahiro continued flipping through his book without looking up, the sound of turning pages being the only noise in the large room after the silence fell.
"So, do you need my help?"
"No... I don't need support in terms of military force. If possible, could you send two technicians to help me with something?"
"Sure, no problem."
Mahiro agreed readily, but still didn't look up, as if there was some particularly captivating story in his book.
This indifferent attitude left Lelouch somewhat discomfited, even making his mood heavier.
"...Mahiro-sensei, you won't betray me, right?"
Lelouch sat on the chair, hands tightly gripping his knees.
He raised his eyes, and Mahiro closed his book, meeting his gaze.
For the first time, those proud pupils showed a trace of sorrow.
His eyes were even bloodshot, his hands constantly rubbing together—it seemed that the act of taking action against Suzaku still left Lelouch's heart unable to settle, even several days later.
Suzaku was almost becoming Lelouch's white moonlight.
Was Suzaku Kururugi playing the female lead's script?
"Seeing a childhood friend who is now an obstacle to your grand ambitions, and having no choice but to eliminate them—it's clear this feeling is quite unpleasant," Mahiro glanced at him, speaking with sarcasm.
However, despite his mocking words, Lelouch showed no signs of anger, perhaps having already prepared himself mentally.
"Don't worry, I'll accompany you to the end of this journey."
"I hope so."
Lelouch didn't inquire about Euphy's knight; he merely gave Mahiro a deep look before rising and leaving the room.
Perhaps, for him, that matter was no longer important—getting a promise from Mahiro held greater significance.
"Nunnally, I'm going out for a while."
"Huh? Brother, are you going out again? Will you be back for dinner?"
"I'll be back."
Lelouch left in a hurry, leaving Nunnally alone in her wheelchair in the hallway.
Though she still wore a smile on her face, she was somewhat puzzled by her brother's abrupt departure. Only after hearing the door close did she withdraw her gaze, unable to see anyone.
"Worried? Or curious about where Lelouch went?"
"..."
Hearing his voice, Nunnally paused slightly before turning toward him. A smile graced her lips, like a blooming sunflower.
She replied playfully:
"I'm not curious, because Teacher said you would tell me everything later, right?"
This girl actually used his own words to deflect and counter—quite novel.
"You're really clever, Nunnally."
Just then, another voice suddenly cut into their conversation.
"Is that you, C.C.?"
"Yes, that's right, it's me."
She brushed past Mahiro and went straight to Nunnally, saying, "What's there to talk about with this fool? How about I take you to fold paper cranes?"
As if sharing a tacit understanding, though her words carried a hint of disdain, she smoothly took over the conversation from Mahiro.
"Fold paper cranes with you, C.C.? But I need to go back for my nap now."
"Then I'll take you back."
"Okay, thank you, C.C."
As soon as she finished speaking,
C.C. pushed Nunnally's wheelchair and brought her back to her room.
The harmonious scene was like an older sister with her younger sister, or perhaps a young mother with her daughter.
"Um... C.C., you don't have to, I can manage on my own."
"It's fine, I'm here anyway, so I'll help."
"Alright, sorry for the trouble, C.C."
Nunnally felt a bit embarrassed and apologized softly.
"It's nothing, you're very light anyway."
At that moment, C.C. was lifting Nunnally from her wheelchair with both arms, her hands passing under Nunnally's knees and back in a princess carry, causing Nunnally to naturally wrap her arms around C.C.'s neck.
C.C.'s movements were both gentle and doting, as if pampering her own child.
Nunnally seemed to sense C.C.'s attitude and emotions, her cheeks involuntarily flushing red.
"Um... Sister C.C., you're quite strong."
"It's nothing special. My body is somewhat different from others—you could say it's specially made."
Facing Nunnally's attempt to change the subject, C.C. simply answered calmly.
"Have you been exercising regularly?"
"I'm not sure about that myself. I just suddenly realized I'd become like this."
"What?"
Nunnally didn't quite understand C.C.'s words.
"Never mind that. More importantly, your body is really light, Nunnally. I know you're not in good health, but you must eat properly."
C.C. gently placed Nunnally on the bed and tucked her in with the blanket.
"Is this alright now?"
"Ah, yes. I'm really sorry."
Nunnally's face reddened with embarrassment as she whispered, "...I'm sorry, even though Miss C.C. is Mahiro-sensei's guest."
"I told you not to worry about it. This was just a small favor."
Despite these words, Nunnally still felt embarrassed, especially because her physical condition was causing trouble for those around her.
Just as she was about to say something, she felt C.C.'s hand gently stroking her head.
It was very warm.
"Um... Miss C.C., you're really kind."
Lying on her pillow, Nunnally slightly turned her head and murmured softly.
"Kind?"
C.C. smiled. That word felt quite unfamiliar to her.
"Yes, Miss C.C. is truly too kind... If, if Miss C.C. were to become Mahiro-sensei's girlfriend, I, I think sensei would be very happy."
Nunnally's voice gradually grew quieter. Though her tone remained gentle, there was an indescribable quality to it.
It was like a brother-complex younger sister facing her potential sister-in-law, offering love that was about to be divided.
Yet her kind heart believed that someone as gentle and beautiful as Sister C.C. would make Mahiro-sensei very happy.
If Mahiro could find happiness, then she would be happy too.
"But, what is Miss C.C.'s real name?"
Nunnally suddenly asked.
This was something she had always been curious about, and she never believed that "C.C."—this letter-like symbol—could be a real name.
"That's a secret, Nunnally."
The Witch suddenly laughed like a mischievous child.
"Miss C.C., really..."
Nunnally muttered, "...Is a name something very important? Like some family rule that if you learn someone's name, you have to marry them?"
Hearing the girl's childish words, C.C. couldn't help but laugh. "...Your imagination is quite amusing. If that were true, then I'd have to marry Mahiro."
The Witch smiled brightly while massaging Nunnally's body.
In this world, probably only that man knew her true name.
"What a cunning way to put it."
The two chatted and laughed, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Outside the door, Mahiro couldn't help but smile as he watched the heartwarming and peaceful scene between them.
They really do resemble a mother and daughter.
Especially when C.C. was taking care of Nunnally—that was a tenderness he had never seen from her before.
If not for Nunnally's DNA sequence being confirmed normal, he would truly suspect that C.C. might be Nunnally's real mother...
Oh no, actually it wouldn't be impossible if Marianne and C.C. had given birth to Nunnally together...
Mahiro shook his head, dismissing the utterly absurd thought from his mind.
At the same time, he slowly withdrew his gaze from the room. Recalling his earlier casual conversation with Lelouch, he sighed softly:
"Schneizel, huh..."
Schneizel's arrival at Kamine Island was essentially a trap specifically set for the Black Knights and for Zero—an overt scheme designed for them.
After all, no one could have expected that Schneizel would bring a floating aerial battleship, even willing to sacrifice his own people indiscriminately—not even Euphemia was an exception.
But then again, that Avalon Battleship is truly impressive. It would be a shame not to acquire it.
As Mahiro pondered this, he had already begun mentally calculating how to seize the Avalon.