Chapter 244: The Witch's Provocation
After completing their mission, the members of Shadow Garden swiftly withdrew from the battlefield.
They retreated like a receding black tide.
Though Delta and Zeta were still engrossed in their fierce battle, refusing to heed any persuasion, they instantly wilted when Alpha personally arrived.
The round-headed, elderly-looking spiky-backed dinosaur form immediately transformed into obedient kittens.
Even Delta snapped out of her savage, frenzied excitement and became docile and endearing.
Alpha dragged them away from the battlefield, holding one in each hand.
Surprisingly, after Shadow Garden's withdrawal, the reassembled Britannian army did not continue their assault to eliminate the now-defenseless terrorists.
Instead, defying all logic, they received orders to retreat.
"Notify all forces to cease combat immediately!"
"I, Clovis la Britannia, Third Prince and Viceroy of Area 11, command all forces to immediately halt combat operations!"
"Including cessation of property damage! Provide medical aid to all wounded, whether Britannian or Eleven!"
Clovis' proclamation echoed throughout Shinjuku.
All soldiers, including staff officers and subordinates, were perplexed by His Highness Clovis' decision.
Particularly agitated was General Bartley of the Pureblood Faction, who had been assisting Clovis' Geass research. He was frantic with anxiety.
"Why would His Highness issue such a foolish order!"
Bartley paced anxiously outside the command vehicle.
Geass research was taboo for the Empire. If they didn't eliminate all witnesses, and word got back to the Emperor...
Both he and Prince Clovis would face severe consequences!
Yet no matter how frantic he became, he couldn't enter the command center inside the vehicle.
Clovis had forbidden anyone from entering.
Meanwhile, as Britannian forces carried out rescue operations, Mahiro sat atop a dilapidated building nearby, having separated from C.C., calmly observing the command vehicle below.
"The Black Prince's prelude finally reaches its vengeful conclusion."
"What a pity... Among Britannia's princes and princesses, Clovis, you were one of the few without aggressive ambitions. But from the moment you became Viceroy of Area 11, your fate was sealed..."
His murmured words faded with the passing breeze.
The next moment, Mahiro leaped from the building, using the "Ghost Gate Escape" technique he'd once glimpsed to completely ignore the guards and boldly stride into the command vehicle.
"Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, well done."
"What shall we do next? Shall I sing, or play a game of chess with you?"
In the command center's upper level, Lelouch disguised as a common soldier watched Clovis humorously making cold jokes from his throne and remarked with emotion:
"How nostalgic."
"+A?"
"Don't remember? Those times we played chess together."
Lelouch casually removed his helmet and tossed it aside.
"Though I always won."
"Just who are you...?"
"Do you remember? In the Aries Palace, we attended classes together, learning from the imperial tutors."
"What exactly are you?!"
Hearing the words "Aries Palace," the composure on Clovis's face instantly vanished, replaced by grave seriousness.
But when he saw the figure's true appearance, Clovis couldn't help but widen his eyes, immediately rising from his throne.
An extremely undignified sound of shock escaped his throat.
"Long time no see, elder brother."
Lelouch emerged step by step from the darkness, holding a gun pointed at his former elder brother.
As if afraid Clovis might not remember him, he deliberately introduced himself with a hint of sarcasm: "The eldest son of the late Empress Marianne, 17th in line to the throne, Lelouch vi Britannia. I wonder if elder brother still remembers me?"
"O-of course I remember, but Lelouch, weren't you..."
"Dead, right?"
Facing the panicked and shocked Clovis, Lelouch calmly took over the conversation.
"I've returned, Your Highness. To change all this, to take revenge on everything."
One could say Lelouch no longer held back, directly declaring his vow of revenge before Clovis.
For Nunnally...
For his late mother Marianne...
To overthrow Britannia!
No matter what explanations Clovis offered, Lelouch had no intention of listening, completely treating Clovis as a clown dancing in shackles on the edge of a blade.
Without even a trace of pity, he directly used Geass on Clovis to interrogate him about the circumstances of their mother Marianne's death.
Unfortunately, Clovis knew nothing.
He only revealed that the Second Prince Schneizel and Second Princess Cornelia might know some inside information.
That Cornelia would know the situation was within Lelouch's expectations.
After all, Cornelia had once served as his mother Marianne's guard.
But Schneizel's name appearing here exceeded Lelouch's expectations.
That man, the seemingly gentle and refined elder brother, was Lelouch's most formidable enemy...
"So you determined Clovis had no more value and killed him directly?"
Mahiro calmly gazed at Clovis lying on the throne, fallen in a pool of blood with dead, unseeing eyes.
Having gotten slightly lost along the way, he had missed the final moment.
By the time he arrived here, Clovis was already dead.
Somewhat regrettable.
So much so that he wanted to pull Clovis up and have Lelouch confront him again, to kill him once more.
Well, that was a joke.
No matter how twisted his tastes might be, he had no interest in defiling or playing with the dead.
However, Lelouch's answer was quite surprising.
"Of course not. Clovis naturally had his value."
"Oh?"
Mahiro looked at Lelouch with some surprise, only to hear him say—
"Pretty words alone can change nothing. I understand this well. Clovis is the first step in my declaration of revenge against Britannia."
"In other words, a blood sacrifice?"
Lelouch neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Sigh, what a cold and heartless person. Although Clovis is the Viceroy of Area 11, he genuinely came here to find you siblings."
Mahiro deliberately teased.
"So what? After finding us, send Nunnally and me away as diplomatic tools again? Where to this time? The EU? Or the Chinese Federation?"
"As Clovis is Charles' child, bearing that man's bloodline, he is the target of my revenge!"
Mahiro really wanted to say: "What about Nunnally? She's also the child of that curly-haired man too~"
But in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Because it was meaningless.
Lelouch naturally wouldn't be able to answer such a question, especially since he was currently so agitated, as if his eyes were completely clouded by hatred.
It's just pitiful for Clovis—that gentle boy who used to paint in the gardens of the Aries Villa. Perhaps his greatest mistake was appearing here as the Viceroy of Area 11.
However, his paintings will surely be remembered for generations to come.
This, Mahiro could be certain of.
Thinking this, Mahiro had already crouched down and gently closed Clovis' unseeing eyes.
And Clovis' death was naturally discovered very quickly.
No one could possibly know who exactly assassinated His Highness Clovis.
While the Britannian army was investigating the murderer throughout the night, the real culprits—the duo—had already returned to Ashford Academy.
"I'm back~"
Mahiro returned to the student council activity room at Ashford Academy, carrying four or five boxes of fragrant pizza.
"Welcome back, teacher!"
Nunnally, who was in the living room, responded to him gently right away.
"Welcome back, Mahiro-sensei."
Lelouch, who had returned at a different time and was currently sitting beside Nunnally chatting with her, also looked up and spoke gently.
But seeing the stack of pizza boxes in his hand, Lelouch couldn't help but freeze.
"Are you throwing a party?"
Judging by the box sizes, these should be 12-inch pizzas, and four boxes at that.
This was a terrifying amount, in every sense.
"Eh? Teacher bought pizza?"
Nunnally perked up her little nose in surprise: "And it's Italian sausage flavor and Hawaiian style."
"Only you, little greedy cat, would have such a sharp nose."
Mahiro reached out and booped Nunnally's little nose, then explained: "I'm not planning any party, these are just a little extra for dinner. Let's eat together."
...Lelouch couldn't help but complain.
But Mahiro remained completely unaware.
His peripheral vision kept glancing toward the door.
Spotting a strand of emerald green hair fleeting past, the smile on his face instantly brightened even more.
Casually placing the pizza boxes from the bag onto the table one by one, the moment he lifted the lid with the Pizza Hut logo, a rich pizza aroma immediately filled the entire living room.
The taste naturally went without saying—no matter how delicious pizza is, it can't quite achieve that heavenly delicacy flavor.
What's impressive is the brand itself.
To think Pizza Hut could open chain stores even in another world...
"By the way, Teacher, you mentioned having something to attend to when you left during the day. Now that you're back, have you finished your business?"
Nunnally, carefully eating her hot pizza, swallowed the cheese slowly before asking curiously.
As she spoke these words, Lelouch also looked up at him.
He took out his phone and secretly typed something on it.
"Yes, it's all taken care of. It was just a minor matter, but I was delayed due to the blockade in the Shinjuku area."
Mahiro gave Lelouch a meaningful glance, then pulled out his own phone.
He had received a text message from Lelouch.
"So, those people in black who suddenly appeared on the Shinjuku battlefield this afternoon were all yours, right?"
"Only realizing it now? You're a bit slow, Lelouch."
"No, I had my suspicions earlier but hadn't confirmed it yet."
"And? Now that you've confirmed it, what are your thoughts? Do you need my help?"
"No, not at the moment. I'll let you know if I need anything."
Though his expression remained calm while replying, his words carried an undertone of arrogance.
It was as if he had obtained an absolute trump card.
His eyes held a clarity untouched by the harsh realities of society.
One could tell at a glance that this guy was bound to face serious consequences sooner or later.
"That's really great. I was a bit worried when Teacher suddenly left this morning..."
Nunnally's concern was genuine, like a spring breeze in April warming the heart.
Soon, dinner came to an end.
After a short rest, Lelouch pushed Nunnally's wheelchair to help her wash up and get ready for bed.
Meanwhile, Mahiro carried the two untouched boxes of pizza back to his room.
But as soon as he entered, he noticed a scent that didn't belong there.
Casually scanning the room, his eyes eventually settled on his bed, where a woman in a white straitjacket was lying.
Seemingly alerted by the sound of the door opening, the woman on the bed slowly sat up, her emerald green hair cascading from her shoulders down to her chest.
Her amber eyes met his across the room.
Her casual demeanor was almost like that of a lazy cat.
"...So you just came here and took over my bed?"
"What, got a problem with that?"
"Not really, just curious. I thought you'd go find Lelouch."
Mahiro said casually as he placed the pizza on the nightstand near C.C.
"Heh."
C.C. let out a light laugh before lying back down on the bed.
She crossed one leg and tilted her head slightly, her amber eyes glinting with amusement and interest.
"Do you want me to go find Lelouch?"
"Not at all. Like I said, I was just curious. After all, he's your contractor, isn't he?"
"That may be true, but no one said I have to stay by my contractor's side. Besides, I'm more interested in the secrets you're hiding, kid."
C.C.'s words sounded light and airy, but the gaze reflected in her pupils was serious.
Aside from CODE bearers, this was the first time she had encountered someone who could completely resist Geass—even to the point of being unable to form a contract.
Of course, this was only natural.
Though the power of Geass was formidable, its users were ultimately human.
After all, he could even resist "Cocytus," which could freeze the spirit—if that had no effect on him, then a mere Geass used by a human was nothing in comparison.
This was what one might call Mahiro's stringent selection, with absolute quality assurance.
Unfortunately, C.C. was unaware of all this.
Moreover, this woman had previously avoided him like the plague, yet now she was actively seeking him out—it was truly baffling...
Mahiro wasn't in the mood to discuss these matters either and merely shrugged lightly, saying:
"Alright, alright... But speaking of which, aren't you going to eat the pizza I brought you?"
He pointed at the pizza on the bedside table and smiled casually.
"That's my breakfast for tomorrow."
"Alright, though it's strange to have pizza for breakfast, if it's you, it somehow seems perfectly normal."
Mahiro looked up at C.C., his eyes filled with incomprehension.
This reminded him of his days at Aries Palace.
He remembered how back then, C.C. lived and ate with her contractor—Empress Marianne—yet demanded pizza for all three meals every day.
She would eat nothing else.
To satisfy C.C.'s demands, Marianne even gathered numerous chefs to prepare these dishes for her in various creative ways every day.
He never expected this habit would persist until now—even extending to breakfast.
However, in response to his teasing, C.C. didn't say a word. Instead, she sat up on the bed by herself, completely indifferent to Mahiro's gaze, and proceeded to remove the white straitjacket she was wearing right in front of him.
Her fair, delicate skin and curvaceous figure were boldly displayed before Mahiro's eyes.
Her boots, socks, and even her underwear were casually tossed onto the floor by C.C.
She didn't care that the bedding had been used by Mahiro either, directly pulling the covers over herself. With both hands gripping the edges of the blanket, she covered everything below the tip of her nose—the childlike demeanor was unexpectedly adorable.
This series of actions made Mahiro raise his eyebrows in disbelief.
"Wait, if you sleep like this, where am I supposed to sleep tonight?"
"Men sleep on the floor."
Tyrannical, self-centered, and utterly willful.
Her tone was like that of a haughty queen commanding her subject.
"Oh, and one more thing—remember to fold my clothes for me. I'll wear them tomorrow. And don't do anything weird with my underwear."
"Who would do something like that...?"
Mahiro was too exhausted to retort.
But as he lowered his head, he noticed numerous small tears in the straitjacket—clearly damaged during the incident in Shinjuku.
"Your clothes are torn up like this, and you still plan to wear them?"
"It's fine. I'll sew them up myself."
"Alright."
Mahiro sighed softly and bent down to pick up the garments that still carried a faint warmth and fragrance.
It came as no surprise that this Witch was skilled at sewing and mending. Judging from her past experiences, she was proficient not only in stitching clothes but also in chopping firewood, fetching water, cooking, plowing fields, and even tending to livestock and planting fruit trees.
If this woman truly resolved to do these things for you, she would undoubtedly make a perfect wife. She had endured countless dirty and exhausting tasks throughout her life, devoid of any noblewoman's disdain or restraint.
She could excel in every aspect, even in a simple life of "men farming and women weaving" shared by just two people.
Of course, all of this hinged on the Witch's willingness to do it for you.
But that was nearly impossible. In her heart, no one was worthy of her efforts.
Or perhaps... she was simply tired.
Before long, Mahiro had neatly folded the clothes and placed them on the other side of the bedside, also tidying up the white restraint boots she had casually discarded.
After finishing these tasks, Mahiro directly lifted the blanket and squeezed into the bed.
"Hey, didn't I tell you to sleep on the floor?!"
As her claimed territory was suddenly invaded, C.C. abruptly woke up, extending her slender leg from under the covers to kick at Mahiro.
Unfortunately, while her intention was to kick him onto the floor, Mahiro caught her by the ankle, bending her entire leg at an awkward angle.
At the same time, Mahiro's calm voice rang out.
"Why should I sleep on the floor? This is my bed. You, an intruder, not only stole my bed but also expect me to sleep on the floor? Dream on!"
Yet C.C. remained silent, launching a second kick.
As a Witch who had lived for countless years, she was naturally proficient in combat techniques.
Sadly, she had encountered a monster like Mahiro. To him, her martial skills were no different from a child's play.
Once again, her ankle was caught and forcibly twisted.
If one listened closely, they could even hear the faint sound of a joint dislocating.
Simultaneously, Mahiro pressed his body against hers, staring directly at the Witch.
However, such pain was trivial to C.C. Gazing at the young man pinning her down and meeting his pitch-black eyes, she instead revealed a provocative smile.
"What's wrong, little boy? Has your male heat cycle begun? Or did Shinjuku fail to satisfy your filthy, depraved desires, and now you can no longer control your animal instincts?"
"I'm warning you—either shut up now, and I'll let you go, and we can sleep peacefully. Otherwise... I can't guarantee what will happen next."
"Heh, are you scared?"
C.C. lay on the pillow, her hair splayed out, her breathtakingly exquisite face and amber-golden eyes filled with mockery. She wore a false, haughty smile, as if taunting him.
Her entire being exuded an alluring charm that drew others like moths to a flame—like aged, fermented wine, intoxicating and mesmerizing with just a whiff.
Perfectly embodying the saying, "The older the wine, the richer and more delicious it becomes."
"Witch, you're playing with fire."
"So what?"
C.C. smiled nonchalantly, even mouthing the words:
"Little... brat... with... unfulfilled... desires... Mmm—"
The next second, C.C.'s brows furrowed slightly as her snow-white neck arched upward, releasing a humiliating low moan from her throat.
Her hands at the ends of her arms gripped the sheets tightly, white tendons bulging on their backs.
His folded body hung in the air, a pair of delicate feet tensely suspended with deeply arched soles curved like crescent moons.
"Oh my, what was that sound just now? This doesn't sound like something the great Witch could make."
A teasing smirk tugged at Mahiro's lips.
His pupils smoldered with fiery intensity.
Fire of various kinds...
"Is that... all you've got? In the end... you're just a brat..."
Still talking tough!
This woman was still putting up a defiant front!
Despite being an immortal witch, she provoked like a petulant little girl.
Even though the pain made her brows furrow involuntarily, her provocative words never ceased!
"If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never understand why flowers bloom so red!"
The nocturnal duel—the battle between Mahiro and Witch C.C.—thus commenced...