Chapter 241: Witch, Are You Still Planning to Escape?
"Wait, wait, teacher, stop!!!"
Lelouch was so completely immersed in joy that he didn't notice Mahiro closing the distance between them at all.
Or rather, by the time he noticed, it was already too late.
When they were just three steps apart, Mahiro suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Lelouch by the collar.
He executed a perfect shoulder throw, slamming Lelouch hard onto the ground.
Simultaneously, he planted a foot on Lelouch's chest, rendering him immobile.
"You've really grown bold, Lelouch. Daring to use Geass on your teacher—it seems you're truly asking for a beating!!!"
"Te...teacher, please don't...!!!"
Lelouch's pained cries echoed back and forth through the spacious abandoned factory.
After what felt like an eternity, the commotion finally subsided.
Tranquil sunlight poured through the dilapidated dome, illuminating the fine dust particles floating in the air.
Lelouch sat slumped in a corner of the factory, covered in dust and grime, receiving treatment from Mahiro.
His miserable appearance had completely lost any resemblance to the handsome, dashing British prince he once was, now looking more like a beggar.
Even his neatly styled hair had wilted unnaturally, hanging limp and lifeless across his forehead.
Watching the beautiful glow emanating from Mahiro and feeling the cool sensation spreading through his body, Lelouch couldn't help but ask:
"Is this the power you use to treat Nunnally every day?"
"Well now, I never thought the revenge-obsessed Black Prince would show such concern for his little sister."
Mahiro remarked with sarcastic amusement.
It wasn't surprising that Lelouch knew about him treating Nunnally.
After all, that maid Sayoko was Lelouch's person—she must have been reporting to him daily.
"Please don't tease me, teacher."
"Oh? Now you remember to call me teacher?"
Faced with repeated sarcastic remarks, Lelouch finally fell silent.
Only when Mahiro finished the treatment did Lelouch emerge from his silence.
"Teacher, could you please tell me what this power I've obtained really is?"
Lelouch had already determined that this must be the power Mahiro had mentioned to him before.
Though he clearly knew that Mahiro must have some knowledge about it, he also understood that the other party would never tell him.
Therefore, it was better to understand the truth about this power and learn to apply it properly.
"Oh~ Wanting to understand your own power, huh... No problem, I don't mind telling you."
Mahiro smiled slightly and began explaining to Lelouch about Geass...
Geass, known as the Vow and Restriction, is the power of kings, the continuation of Ragnarok.
If you wish to understand others' hearts, you can merge with their thoughts and see their inner selves;
If you wish to know what others will do, you can merge with their thoughts and predict their actions;
If you wish to receive others' love, you can merge with their thoughts and make them give their love to you...
In reality, these thoughts, minds, and souls of others are protected by impenetrable walls of steel, absolutely impossible for anyone but themselves to interfere with. By contacting these and exerting some influence upon them, then achieving effects—this is the ability of Geass, and also the wish of humanity.
To hope to reach someone's heart—though each person's Geass is different. As long as one can reach the depths of the heart they desire...
Geass can fulfill all of the user's wishes.
As someone originally possessing the qualities of a king, the power Lelouch obtained from Geass was absolute command.
Only those prepared to be killed have the right to shoot.
If fortunate enough to obtain this power and desire it, one must naturally pay the corresponding price—
Embarking on a path of thorns.
A fabricated false nation will eventually collapse, ending in betrayal and isolation.
Ultimately, consumed by this power.
"So, Lelouch, what is your choice? Will you accept this power and embark on the point of no return as the Black Prince seeking revenge, or obediently return to school and continue living peacefully with Nunnally as Lelouch Lamperouge?"
Though already knowing the outcome, Mahiro couldn't help but ask.
Lelouch repeatedly pondered his words, especially the phrase, "Only those prepared to be killed have the right to shoot."
After turning it over several times, Lelouch seemed to understand something. He suddenly stood up and said:
"Teacher, you will treat Nunnally well, right?"
"Oh? Have you made your choice?"
"Yes."
Lelouch nodded calmly:
"There is no such thing as peace in this world. As long as Britannia exists, Nunnally and I will never have a stable life.
Since I have obtained this power, why shouldn't I use it?
The resolve to be shot—I've had it since that summer seven years ago!
So... if it's this power, if it's this power! I can definitely, definitely destroy Britannia!
Clovis is just the beginning!"
Bending down, Lelouch sneered and picked up a walkie-talkie from the pool of blood.
It was left behind by the terrorists shot dead by Britannian soldiers.
He had made up his mind.
He decided to start his revenge with this nominal older brother and investigate the truth behind his mother's death years ago.
And from this day forward, it would be his day of rebirth—the birth of the Black Prince of revenge!
He would ultimately raise the sword of rebellion against Charles, his father!
Just as on the hill of Camlann, when Mordred thrust his sword into King Arthur's chest!
"Quite the resolve."
Mahiro clapped his hands, the sharp applause echoing through the factory.
"Since you've made your decision, let's begin the tutorial stage. Your first battle... oh? It's already here."
The moment his words fell.
The roar of an engine came from outside the factory.
Immediately after, a massive figure burst into the factory.
It was a Britannian Knightmare.
As Lelouch prepared to start the tutorial stage, Mahiro reminded him:
"Oh, I forgot to mention earlier—your Geass has limitations. Its effective range is 273 meters, and it requires eye contact with the target. That means if the opponent is hidden inside something like a Knightmare, your ability won't work~"
"Thank you, teacher. I'll remember that."
Lelouch turned his head, offering Mahiro a faint smile in profile, before walking up to the mecha and playing the part of a pitiful student.
After confirming Lelouch's identity, the Knightmare's cockpit opened.
Descending from it was a provocatively dressed, dark-skinned beauty with an ample bust, her indigo hair tied into a high ponytail.
That was Villetta Nu, a subordinate of Jeremiah Gottwald, leader of the Britannian Pureblood Faction.
Yet the moment their eyes met, she fell under Lelouch's control.
Obediently, she handed over the Knightmare's key.
"Well then, teacher, I'll be off."
"Mhm, have a safe journey~"
Mahiro waved at the reactivated mecha, watching it depart into the distance.
His gratified gaze was like that of someone admiring the most perfect creation they had crafted with their own hands.
However...
"There are still some unsatisfactory aspects."
Mahiro lowered his eyes, looking at Villetta Nu who remained in a dazed state.
"But it's fine. After all, I am your teacher."
As if murmuring to himself, he smiled faintly, then a flash of red light gleamed in his pupils. The stunned Villetta Nu instantly disintegrated into dust, scattering with the wind.
This woman was indeed beautiful and alluring, no doubt about it.
But unfortunately, he had no interest in such a dangerously ambitious potential liability.
It was better to eliminate her directly, saving a great deal of trouble.
Not to mention, there was an even more beautiful witch present here.
With this thought, Mahiro turned around, his gaze slowly shifting forward, passing over the useless soldier corpses, and finally settling on C.C. Her delicate figure once again entered his view.
"I never expected you to be so good at running, Miss Witch."
Recalling how, many years ago, this witch had hastily left Britannia due to an incident,
he couldn't help but take slow steps toward C.C.'s body, gradually crouching down beside her.
He brushed aside the long hair on her forehead, carefully observing the now fully restored skin.
His fingertips gently traced the vivid red bird mark on her forehead.
This was the CODE, the secret to C.C.'s immortality and agelessness.
It was a pity that Mahiro couldn't sense any peculiar power from it; it seemed like nothing more than an ordinary tattoo.
Then, his hand slowly moved downward, caressing C.C.'s serene, lovely face.
Her skin was smooth and fair, lacking the coarseness typical of Westerners, instead blending the sensuality and allure of Western women with the delicacy and elegance of Eastern women.
"Such a beautiful girl, to think she was once a slave."
Mahiro sighed softly, his voice filled with a sense of relief.
One could say he truly had to thank the obstinacy of the European nobles of the past.
It was precisely because of that obstinacy that C.C., once a slave—deemed lowly and 'filthy' in status—managed to escape the clutches of those noble slave owners.
She was treated merely as livestock.
Otherwise, who knows what might have become of such a pretty young girl.
"Tsk..."
His hand slid down from C.C.'s cheek, the back of his hand lightly brushing against her swan-like graceful neck, slowly arriving at the collar of her straitjacket.
"This prison uniform is truly hideous. Let's change it."
Muttering to himself, he grabbed the zipper on the collar and slowly pulled it downward.
The delicate collarbone was mesmerizing, the skin on the chest still smooth as jade. As he continued to pull down, a magnificent cleavage was revealed, and a glimpse of white fabric came into view.
Then, he went further down.
The flat and toned abdomen was gradually exposed to the air.
But at this point, he could pull no further, as the owner of the straitjacket grabbed his hand.
At the same time, a cold pistol was pressed against his temple.
"Brat, it's been so long. I never expected you'd grown into someone who won't even spare a corpse?"
A light, mocking, and flippant voice sounded by his ear.
At some point, the witch who should have been a corpse had awakened, picking up a pistol from nearby and pointing it at him as she sat up.
Her amber eyes showed no panic. Calmly, she extended her slender, jade-like fingers to pinch the zipper and gradually pulled it back up, refastening the straitjacket that had been opened and concealing the untouched snow-white skin.
"Unfortunately, I have no interest in corpses, and since you can revive, you don't count as one anyway. In the end, I just found the prison uniform on you unpleasant and thought I'd help you change out of it."
"You think I'd believe that?"
C.C.'s expression was playful as she lifted her delicate face.
She showed no fear in the face of this man who had just completely disintegrated a woman into dust.
"Whether you believe it or not is your business, not mine. And stop pointing that shoddy toy at me—it's annoying."
Mahiro casually brushed aside the pistol pressed against his temple.
C.C. didn't point the pitiful weapon at him again, instead tossing it aside casually. It clattered as it fell into the underground passage.
Because he was right—something like that toy was indeed useless against him.
But that didn't stop her from quipping.
"You're such a persistent brat, chasing me all the way from Britannia to here."
C.C. hugged her knees and picked up a brass shell casing from the ground, holding it up to her eyes as if admiring an exquisitely crafted piece of art.
"It seems you knew I've been looking for you all these years... In that case, why have you been avoiding me for so long?"
"Hmph, because I don't want to suffer your torment again."
"Have I ever tormented you?"
"Haven't you?"
At his reply, C.C. suddenly turned to look at him. Her amber eyes seemed to flicker with a mix of anger and resentment.
And a hint of... fear.
Seeing Mahiro's calm expression inevitably made her recall a past she'd rather forget...
Originally, the relationship between her and Mahiro hadn't been this strained.
Perhaps it was because Mahiro's origins and identity were so mysterious that it caught the attention of her, a witch who had lived for who knows how many years.
As they spent time together, they became the kind of "friends" who could bicker freely.
But one day, Mahiro suddenly asked her if he could master the power of Geass.
At first, she was unwilling, as that power was filled with ill omens—a complete and utter curse.
But C.C. could also sense that he might be of the same kind as her.
After Mahiro repeatedly insisted, she finally agreed.
But just as she was bestowing the power, the moment she made contact with Mahiro, she witnessed a scene completely different from C.C.'s World.
Desolation.
Annihilation.
It was as if every molecule in the air was filled with destruction!
That destructive power could obliterate everything with even the slightest touch.
Then, Mahiro went berserk.
The words spoken at that time remained fresh in her memory even now—that repulsive, terrifying laughter still echoed in her ears.
"God, demon, hero, monster—call me whatever you want."
"My origin is destruction. I create nothing, bestow no blessings, grant no salvation."
"Only for ruin, returning to pure white."
"Destroy, perish, crumble, shatter."
And in that instant, she was killed.
But not entirely.
Because her spirit, her body, was connected to C's World.
To completely destroy her, one would have to seize the CODE, which required the awakening of Geass power.
The other method was to destroy C.C.'s World along with her.
That was the weight of an entire world.
With Mahiro's power alone, it was utterly impossible.
So, she was killed 137,232 times.
It was like an endless torment of hell.
Her spirit nearly shattered.
Her body grew completely numb.
She didn't even know how it finally stopped.
When she regained consciousness, Mahiro had returned to normal.
It was then that she learned from Mahiro what that terrifying thing truly was—
The "Copy Eye," or "Copy Eyes," also known as the eyes of a god.
More specifically—
The "Answerer of the Complete Formula" and the "Creator of the Complete Formula."
It could analyze all forms of magic, physical techniques, and even objects, then reconstruct them.
However, even now, Mahiro couldn't fully control this power.
Or rather, it was only after being touched by C's World through C.C. that it awakened and went berserk.
Out of fear, she fled.
She escaped from the Aries Villa, from Britannia.
Just to get away from this terrifying man.
Unexpectedly, he had caught up with her again.
"So, how many times do you plan to kill me this time? A million? Or ten million?"
C.C. rested her head on her own knees, a playful smile curling at the corner of her lips.
But despite her lighthearted words, her body still betrayed her fear of Mahiro.
"Don't make me sound like some murderous maniac, alright? I told you, that was just an accident."
Mahiro rolled his eyes at the witch and sighed, "If anything, you're the one who caused a huge stir the moment you showed up. You single-handedly created a demon god."
"Heh, are you talking about Lelouch?"
"Who else? He's a dormant beast who now has power and is preparing to take revenge on Britannia. The entire world might be destroyed at the hands of that Black Prince."
Yet, upon hearing his words, C.C. laughed even more joyfully.
"What are you laughing at?"
"So what if it's a demon god? What does the Black Prince seeking revenge matter? In the end, the power of Geass was ineffective against you, and you even beat him up, wasn't that right?"
It seems this woman had been watching the entire time...
Just as he thought this, C.C. calmly stood up from the ground, casually tossing her emerald green long hair, and swaggered toward the exit.
"Hey, where are you going? Planning to run away again?"
"Could I even escape?"
C.C. turned back, her amber eyes—calm yet sorrowful—gazing at him.
"Besides, didn't you say I personally created a demon god? So now I'm going to see it with my own eyes."
"Aren't you planning to follow me?"
"You should have other things to do too, right? Kid."
It felt as if everything about him had been completely seen through by this perceptive witch C.C...