Chapter 296: Nunnally Learns the Truth
Late at night, the tranquil moonlight streamed through the window onto the bed, illuminating the light brown wavy hair spread across the sheets. The faintly curved flat chest rose and fell gently, while snow-white skin glistened with a fine layer of sweat droplets.
Nunnally lay on the bed, emitting intoxicated gasps.
After reaching the first tidal surge of her life, she had completely fallen into slumber.
On the floor nearby lay a discarded used syringe.
Indeed, Mahiro had administered the Enhancement Drug to her.
Since Nunnally had chosen to devote everything to him, it was only natural he would respond in kind.
What he hadn't expected was that among the several princesses, Nunnally would be the first to be obtained, when he had originally planned to save her for last...
"But it makes no difference."
Gazing at Nunnally's adorable, peaceful sleeping face, Mahiro finished what needed to be done, pulled up the blanket to cover her, and left the room.
"Mahiro, how do you feel?"
In the living room, Miya leaned against the sofa, elegantly savoring aromatic black tea.
Her languid posture was almost identical to Maya's. Were it not for Miya's straight hair contrasting with Maya's fluffy curls and their different eye colors, it would be genuinely difficult to distinguish between the two sisters.
Even their figures were remarkably similar...
However, Miya's enchanting face currently bore an unnatural flush.
Clearly, Miya had also been affected by the aftermath.
Facing Miya's inquiry, Mahiro didn't verbally respond, simply seating himself beside her. Miya immediately adjusted her posture, sitting up to pour him a freshly brewed cup of black tea.
Mahiro picked up the teacup and drained it in one go. After staring at the empty cup in his hand for a long while, he finally spoke expressionlessly:
"What did you do to Nunnally?"
"You noticed?"
"While I don't understand mental interference or modifications, I understand Nunnally. She's not that kind of girl—her behavior today was quite unnatural."
Indeed, though Nunnally appeared soft and gentle, she possessed inner principles and resilience. Yet in certain aspects, Nunnally wasn't particularly open.
Especially regarding emotions.
Perhaps due to her past experiences, she often hesitated to express her feelings, fearing she might burden others.
Even when physical wounds healed, such habits remained engraved in her heart.
But today, after the procedure, Nunnally had directly poured out her emotions.
This was highly abnormal.
"Heh."
The corners of the elegant woman's lovely lips lifted slightly, forming a faint smile.
"I didn't do what you're imagining."
Setting down her teacup, Miya slowly explained: "That girl called Nunnally likes you very much. I merely gave her a little assistance."
This "assistance" simply meant infinitely amplifying the emotions in Nunnally's heart until they became too overwhelming to contain.
Mahiro: "..."
This woman...
Compared to when he first rescued her, it was like night and day. He remembered how cold and haughty she used to be—how did she end up like this now?
Where had that dignified, elegant, and intellectual woman gone?
"Since the matter you called me for is finished, I should return now."
Miya suddenly stood up and spoke softly.
"Won't you stay in this world a few more days? You have a month's time limit~"
"No, Maya and the others are still waiting for my news. They're very worried about you, and they miss you."
"Alright, I'll return after finishing things here."
Mahiro shrugged.
Since Miya wanted to leave, he wouldn't stop her. Moreover, her staying here would at most involve some intimate moments with him, temporarily filling the longing in his heart after not seeing her for so long. These things could wait until they returned anyway.
However, upon hearing his words, Miya gave him a deeply meaningful look—half-smiling, half-serious—before glancing at the tightly closed door.
Finishing things here...
She didn't know how many girls Mahiro would bring back this time, but she was certain it wouldn't be just Nunnally in that room.
Miyuki's competition pressure was indeed intense...
Thinking this, Miya had already removed her bathrobe and changed back into the deep blue dress she wore when arriving.
"Miya really does have a great figure..."
Mahiro admired the sight before him, unconsciously thinking.
Whether it was Miya or Maya's figures, they wouldn't lose out even compared to those young girls—they'd easily rank in his top ten at minimum.
Just as he was thinking this, a sudden light enveloped Miya's entire body, and moments later, she completely disappeared.
The fact that Nunnally had been taken away by Mahiro and didn't return all night didn't cause any waves at the academy.
After all, besides student council members, no one else would visit the villa behind the school.
Additionally, her brother Lelouch was launching a surprise attack on the Fukuoka base in Kyushu, fighting against that guy who claimed he would restore Japan with the help of the Chinese Federation.
So for the time being, he couldn't pay attention to Nunnally's situation, nor did he know what had actually happened.
Besides this matter, Mahiro learned something else from Milly.
That Nina went to visit Euphemia to express gratitude for her stepping forward during that hotel hostage incident.
Unexpectedly, these two women eventually came into contact after all.
He could only hope that with his presence now, Nina wouldn't turn into that revenge-obsessed lunatic again.
Though even if she did become crazy, it wouldn't be a big problem. He was quite interested in the antimatter missile constructed using Sakuradite anyway. If conditions permitted, he could install such missiles on Knightmares as conventional weapons.
After all, he intended to keep beneficial helpers like Shadow Garden by his side constantly, and might even recruit Akame and others into it later.
And in the future, they would likely face some high-risk worlds where such weapons would naturally come in handy.
Just as he was contemplating these matters and preparing to leave, the settled Nunnally suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"Um... Mahiro-sensei..."
Nunnally called out softly.
Although the nature of their relationship had fundamentally changed, Nunnally didn't seem inclined to abandon this form of address yet—or perhaps she wasn't quite ready to change it.
Mahiro understood this, so he didn't comment, merely turning to look at Nunnally's face, which now carried a touch more maturity than before, and asked:
"What is it?"
"...Mahiro-sensei, about our previous agreement..."
Nunnally's eyes flickered slightly, her tone hesitant.
At first Mahiro didn't understand, tilting his head in confusion, but seeing the longing and pleading in her eyes, he suddenly remembered.
"Ah, sorry sorry, you mean what I promised you before, right? I nearly forgot."
"It's alright, if it's inconvenient, actually... it's fine."
"No, I should tell you."
Mahiro grabbed a chair, pulled it over to the bedside and sat down. After facing Nunnally for a long moment, he finally spoke:
"Actually, there are some things I don't quite know how to tell you, but your brother Lelouch is indeed doing something significant—something big enough to change the world's structure..."
He organized his thoughts slightly, then told Nunnally everything about Lelouch's actions and his goals.
As Nunnally listened, the look in her eyes shifted from initial surprise to pain, until even her complexion gradually turned pale.
Her voice trembling slightly, she asked:
"Sensei, has Elder Brother... really done these things? Is it all true?"
"Without a doubt."
Mahiro nodded, his tone serious.
Nunnally wouldn't actually question what Mahiro said, because in her heart, she trusted Mahiro far more than even her mother Marianne.
Her question just now had been purely instinctive and subconscious.
Yet subjectively, she still found it equally unbelievable.
"Elder Brother killed Clovis, opposes Cornelia... even wants to overthrow Britannia... Why would he do this?"
Nunnally couldn't comprehend Lelouch's actions—so much so that this incomprehension made her overlook the Geass that could distort others' wills.
Because among these imperial princes and princesses, they hadn't experienced the constant internal strife within the royal family like their father Charles had in his generation.
Though they occasionally had arguments and friction, they were ultimately still family.
At the very least, to her, both Cornelia and Clovis were family members who had never looked down on her and Lelouch because their mother was a commoner.
At this thought, Nunnally's feelings became particularly complicated.
Dejection, grief, sorrow—countless emotions intertwined, pressing down on her heart like a massive stone, making it hard to breathe.
Just then, Mahiro's large hand came to rest on Nunnally's clenched fist gripping her skirt.
Nunnally instinctively looked up at him.
"However, no matter what, Nunnally. Your brother Lelouch deeply loves you. Everything he has done is for you, wanting to create a peaceful and stable environment for you...
At least, that has been the case so far.
Apart from investigating the truth behind Marianne's death and seeking revenge against the Emperor with curly hair, he has been striving for Nunnally's well-being.
"Mahiro-sensei, I cannot understand..."
Nunnally spoke with sorrow and indignation in her eyes:
"I cannot understand. I never asked Brother to do such things—using the power of Geass to manipulate and trample on people's hearts and dignity. I never expected Brother to become a murderer for such reasons. All I wanted was to live a stable life with you and Brother, just like this..."
As she spoke.
Nunnally's shoulders trembled slightly, and teardrops as large as beans slid from the corners of her eyes, falling like crystals onto her skirt, gradually spreading into faint dark stains.
Yet, faced with Nunnally's words, he did not know how to respond.
Even though he clearly understood that this was indeed Nunnally's own humble wish.
And it must be said that, in some ways, Lelouch and Suzaku Kururugi were quite similar—both habitually imposed their own thoughts onto others.
For instance, Lelouch imposed his own ideas and desires onto Nunnally.
And used them as the driving force for his actions.
As for Nunnally, she never held resentment toward anyone.
Even when she and the disabled Lelouch were sent to Japan as political hostages, she harbored not a trace of resentment toward the Emperor with curly hair.
It was precisely because Mahiro understood Nunnally's feelings so well that he found himself unable to say anything.
"Sensei, could I ask you to stop Brother? No matter what it takes, no matter what I have to do, I hope you can stop my brother and prevent him from continuing down this wrong path."
Nunnally suddenly spoke, her tone filled with pleading.
She knew Lelouch well and was fully aware of his abilities. Among all their siblings, Lelouch was naturally the weakest in physical strength, but in terms of strategy, only Schneizel could truly surpass him.
However, with the aid of Geass—a power that could distort others' wills and manipulate minds—her brother would become unstoppable.
Except for the person before her, the teacher who had taught them for many years and was unparalleled in both strength and strategy.
Yet, Mahiro shook his head and said:
"It's useless. From the moment Lelouch obtained the power of Geass, everything became irreversible. I have asked him many times before—he chose to walk this dark path to the end, and no one can stop him."
"Not even you as his sister, or me as his teacher."
Unless Lelouch were to be eliminated directly.
Mahiro did not voice this last thought to Nunnally, but given her intelligence, she likely understood the unspoken meaning.
Yet neither he nor Nunnally wished for such an outcome.
In fact, he rather hoped Lelouch would stir up even more trouble—the kind that would turn the world upside down.
Upon hearing his response, Nunnally fell into deep thought, her slightly lowered gaze growing dim.
Seeing this, Mahiro said nothing more and chose to stand up and leave the room.
"Welcome back, Lord Mahiro!"
After leaving Nunnally's side, the moment he stepped through the door, he saw Kaguya cheerfully imitating a wife from a TV drama, greeting him.
Her demeanor couldn't help but amuse Mahiro, though he ultimately held back his laughter.
He simply replied gently:
"I'm back."
"Well, well, look who decided to come back, you brat."
No sooner had he spoken than C.C.'s voice chimed in. As usual, she was sitting on the bed eating pizza.
But her gaze toward him held a hint of playful mockery.
"So, how was it? Being out for a full day and night must have been loads of fun."
Whether it was his imagination or not, C.C.'s tone seemed tinged with jealousy, as if she already knew exactly what he had been up to outside.
But Mahiro paid it no mind. As always, he took off his coat and handed it to Kaguya, answering with a smile:
"Yeah, it was great. But what about you? Not seeing me for a whole day and night—did you miss me? Or are you jealous?"
With that, Mahiro walked over, sat down on the bed with a grin, and wrapped his arms around C.C.'s slender, exquisite waist.
"Hmph, as if I'd be jealous of a brat like you! You didn't even spare such a young girl—you're really quite the perverted monster."
C.C. snorted discontentedly, struggling to break free from his embrace.
Just as expected.
Though he didn't know how she found out, C.C. was clearly aware of what he had been doing.
Only Kaguya remained, tilting her head in confusion as she watched the two, completely unaware of what was happening.
Time passed quickly.
A few days later, the terrorist incident in Kyushu came to an end.
The resistance forces led by Sawazaki Atsushi were completely wiped out through the joint efforts of the Black Knights and the Britannian military.
The media made a big fuss about it for a while.
However, one thing was quite surprising: when Lelouch returned, Nunnally had once again resumed her disguise as the blind, frail young girl.
She did not reveal to Lelouch that she had regained her eyesight, nor did she mention a word about her conversation with Mahiro that day.
Just like always, she played the part of the little sister waiting for her brother's return.
The reason was simple: until she figured out how to stop her brother, she would never expose her true condition.
As for trying to persuade him?
She was smart enough to know that was impossible.
But soon after, an event occurred that would shake the entirety of Area Eleven.
"I am Euphemia li Britannia, Vice-Governor of Area Eleven of the Holy Britannian Empire!"
"Today, I have something important to announce to everyone living in this region!"
On television, the gentle, pink-haired maiden spoke with solemn gravity, as if bearing an immense responsibility—a resolve so fierce she would stop at nothing to fulfill it.
"I, Euphemia li Britannia, on behalf of the Holy Britannian Empire, hereby announce the establishment of the 'Japanese Administrative Zone' in the vicinity of Mount Fuji!"
"Within the Japanese Administrative Zone, the Japanese will no longer be referred to as Numbers. All restrictions imposed on Numbers and the privileges granted to Britannians shall henceforth cease to exist in this zone. Here, Britannians and Japanese shall stand as equals!"
"Can you hear me, Zero and Shadow? Regardless of your pasts, I will not pursue the truth of your identities. I only wish to invite you to join in the construction of the Japanese Administrative Zone. I hope you will strive with me for the future of Britannia, for a new era of Britannia!"
"..."
Watching the girl on the screen, Cornelia, who was currently not in Area Eleven, slowly closed her eyes and let out a quiet sigh.
Sister, have you ultimately chosen this path?
Meanwhile, Mahiro also learned of the report in his room. Gazing at the girl delivering the speech on the screen, he smiled faintly.
Turning to Kaguya, who was kneeling beside him, he asked:
"What do you think, Miss Kaguya?"
Kaguya lowered her eyelids slightly, her expressionless face betraying no emotion. After a moment of contemplation, she replied softly:
"This is an overt scheme."
"Indeed, abolishing the Numbers and restoring the name of Japan may seem like a restoration of our dignity, but in reality, we remain under Britannian rule. Nothing has truly changed."
"The purpose of this move is merely to strip the resistance of the people's support."
Kaguya's response surprised Mahiro.
He hadn't expected this seemingly young girl to see through everything so clearly!
However, compared to the composed Kaguya, someone else was already growing restless.
"What a joke!"
Slamming his fist violently onto the table, he rattled the laptop resting on it. Lelouch, currently disguised as Zero within the Black Knights, roared with furious intensity.
"What a joke! How could they just... just snatch away the situation I worked so hard to create! Steal the victory I was about to claim!"
It was clear he understood the consequences the Black Knights would face once the so-called "Japanese Administrative Zone" was established.
Beneath the mask, his face contorted with rage, and the Geass in his eyes showed faint signs of spiraling out of control.