Chapter 299: The Price of Power, The Stirring Clouds
"Self-proclaimed Japanese citizens!"
"I have one request!"
"Could you all please die?"
At the ceremony venue, Euphemia in her pink gown was seen aiming an automatic rifle snatched from a soldier toward the audience seating.
"I want everyone to commit suicide, but I know you would never do that, so... Soldiers of Britannia, please kill all Japanese people here, slaughter them completely, I beg you!"
At this moment, both Britannian soldiers and the Elevens in the audience seats stared at Euphy with blank confusion.
Their minds completely failed to comprehend what this meant.
Yet the next second, bullets poured forth, striking one of the spectators and instantly riddling their body with holes.
Following this, other gunshots rang out as a curtain of bullets swept toward them.
It was then that those Elevens who had held hopes for the [Japanese Administrative Zone] finally understood.
They had fallen into a trap!
This was a massacre targeting them!
"Die, die, all Japanese people die!"
The slaughter continued, with people's screams rising one after another. Euphemia's posture as she raised her firearm to shoot, coupled with the sickly smile appearing on her face, had completely lost any semblance of gentleness, instead resembling a pink demon crawling out of hell.
Instantly, chaos erupted in the audience seating as everyone scrambled frantically to escape.
But the bullets from behind moved faster than they could run, each shot accurately striking their backs or heads.
The large-caliber bullets spewed by the Knightmares guarding the perimeter of the venue immediately turned people in the audience seating into mincemeat.
Piercing screams echoed incessantly through the spacious ceremony hall.
Darlton in the stands stared at all this in stunned disbelief, suddenly standing up and roaring: "...Cut the microphones and all cameras!"
Unfortunately, Diethard Ried of the Black Knights seemed to have anticipated such events, having already taken control of the broadcast cameras early on.
They completely captured the scene of Euphemia massacring the Elevens, transmitting it to every corner of the world.
"How could... this be, how could Sister Euphy do such things..."
Nunnally covered her small mouth in shock upon seeing the broadcast massacre footage on television, collapsing weakly into her chair.
Beside her, Kaguya watched the scene with a face full of grief, anger, and astonishment.
She never imagined such events could occur.
Even more incomprehensible was why a royal princess of Britannia, who had willingly abandoned her right to the throne to win over Shadow and Zero, who had established the Japanese Administrative Zone, would commit such acts.
When the establishment of the Japanese Administrative Zone itself would have dealt the heaviest blow to all Japanese resistance forces.
Yet all this was real, truly unfolding before them.
The massacre continued without any sign of stopping, with Britannian soldiers joining Euphemia in slaughtering the Elevens attempting to flee.
Though Euphemia appeared delicate and fragile, as if she couldn't lift two pounds of water.
But in reality, as Cornelia's biological younger sister, how could her abilities be lacking?
Not only did she completely surpass Lelouch in physical prowess, but she was also an expert marksman and skilled at piloting Knightmares.
Such as at this moment.
Euphemia, controlled by Geass, seemed to find using firearms too slow, so she snatched a key from a soldier and directly boarded a Knightmare.
Only then did Zero's figure belatedly reappear at the venue.
Standing alone on the clean podium, he formed a stark contrast with the bloody scenes surrounding him.
Hidden behind the mask, no one could know what Lelouch was truly thinking beneath it.
Regret?
Shock?
Or satisfaction?
"It's Zero! That's Zero! Our savior!"
The wounded in the audience who hadn't died immediately, upon seeing the dark figure on stage, cried out in despair as if grasping at their last lifeline.
"Our only hope lies with you..."
"Please... I beg you..."
"Save us, save this invaded land, save all the oppressed people of this world!"
Cries of Zero's name mixed with screams rose and fell across the venue, as if condensing into a unified force.
Yet faced with so many voices, Zero standing on the platform remained unresponsive and motionless.
"What are you spacing out for, Zero?"
Just then, a cool voice came from behind him.
Lelouch instinctively turned to see a girl in black tactical gear walking toward him.
Though her face was obscured by a mask, he recognized the flowing golden hair.
"Alph..."
Alpha didn't speak, merely walked with crisp footsteps to the edge of the stage, passing by Lelouch. Her narrow eyes slowly scanned the hellish audience seating.
After taking in everything, she coldly stated:
"So why are you still hesitating? Isn't this human hellscape exactly the scene you desired and prayed for? Only like this can your Black Knights maintain their reason to exist, continuing to overthrow Britannia's rule, isn't that right?"
"Since that's the case, why hesitate? Everything before you has already happened, so make good use of it all. Do what you want to do, continue walking the path you crave."
"We of Shadow Garden will assist you."
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—
As she spoke, several dark figures suddenly appeared around Alpha.
Eleven figures in total. Though each had different hair colors and wielded varied cold weapons, every one possessed graceful, tall figures that marked them as rare beauties.
Seeing their appearance, Lelouch seemed to understand something, asking in a low voice:
"Is this... Shadow's meaning?"
Alpha nodded in confirmation.
"Those words just now were also what he instructed me to convey to you. This is the price of power. You need not be lost—just continue moving forward."
"A price... I understand. Thank you."
It seemed these words had made Lelouch realize something.
He immediately boarded the Gawain that the Black Knights had secretly transported in and headed toward the battlefield where the massacre continued.
At this point, it was too late to salvage anything. All he could do was utilize Euphemia to the maximum extent, squeezing out every last bit of her value!
And this scene shocked the entire world.
In the Temple of God, Charles, who longed for Ragnarök, laughed heartily as if everything was proceeding exactly as he had planned.
But Schneizel, who had just finished negotiations with the Chinese Federation and returned to his country by plane, was completely dumbfounded as he watched the live broadcast on the screen.
His eyes were filled with disbelief—this was entirely unexpected.
"What... what exactly happened?"
"...Just as I feared, my premonition came true."
Upon seeing the live footage, Cornelia immediately shut down her computer, stood up, and left the operational headquarters, anxiously heading toward the transport aircraft.
She completely ignored her subordinates' attempts to stop her.
"You must wait for me, Euphy!"
Although she had no idea what had caused everything to turn out this way, now was not the time to dwell on it.
No matter what, no matter what, she had to protect her younger sister!
Even if Euphemia had become a criminal!
She rushed off.
"Move out."
Meanwhile, Alpha, standing on the podium, murmured these words softly, and the people behind him immediately dispersed.
Soon after, a tremendous roar echoed through the air.
It was a Knightmare, identical to the black Knightmares that had appeared at Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Narita.
The difference was that this time, all those Knightmares were equipped with floating devices, soaring into the sky with a whoosh, and heading straight toward the Sutherland piloted by Euphemia.
However, at that moment, someone moved faster than them.
"Princess Euphemia!!!"
With a roar, a white Knightmare emerged from nowhere.
It was the Lancelot.
And that Lancelot was also equipped with a floating device emitting a phosphorescent green glow!
To protect Euphemia below, Suzaku unhesitatingly drew Lancelot's sword and swung it at the black Knightmare closest to Euphemia.
Clang—
"What a forgetful fool!"
Inside the cockpit, Epsilon frowned in displeasure, baring her fangs, and swung her scythe to clash with Lancelot.
But to her surprise, this guy seemed to have gone mad this time.
He attacked her recklessly, not even caring about the damage to his Knightmare.
He even displayed a level of power completely different from before.
Not only did he fight her to a standstill in the sky, but he also seized an opportunity to leave a terrifying gash on her beloved Knightmare with his blade.
"How could this be?"
Epsilon was utterly bewildered.
It felt as though not only had her opponent activated some cheat, but it was as if the pilot had been replaced by someone else.
"Don't lose focus during battle."
Her companion's reminder snapped Epsilon back to reality, and her earlier lapse made her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
He immediately shouted into the communication channel:
"Zeta, lend me a hand! Let's take this guy down together!"
Under normal circumstances, Zeta would never respond to such a request, nor would she pay any attention to Epsilon.
But this time was different—it concerned the mission Mahiro had entrusted to them.
And so, Zeta made her move.
The black Knightmare swung its massive ring weapon, slashing toward Lancelot's armor with lightning speed.
Yet the result surprised her.
"How is this possible?"
Her attack had clearly been aimed at Lancelot's cockpit, yet she had only managed to sever its arms.
Sacrificing arms to protect the cockpit?
But that's all you can do!
The Knightmares piloted by Zeta and Epsilon moved like partners in a dance, trapping Lancelot between them. As their weapons continuously clashed, countless sparks erupted.
Soon, Lancelot fell from the sky, crashing hard into the ground.
While Lancelot was being occupied, Euphy's Sutherland nearby had already been surrounded by several black Knightmares.
Even as she raised her gun and fired continuously, it was utterly useless—the bullets merely sparked faintly against the Knightmares' surfaces.
And hovering above the Sutherland was Gawain.
"Why? Why are you stopping me? You're not even Japanese."
In her subconscious, Euphy knew exactly who these people blocking her path were.
They were all members of Shadow Garden—her teacher's subordinates.
But under Geass's control, Euphy could only manage these basic thoughts. Against those who obstructed her actions, she would kill without hesitation.
Just like the first person who tried to stop her—Andreas Darlton, one of Cornelia's most trusted aides.
"Is this the true power of Geass? It seems worth capturing for thorough research," Eta mused while piloting her own Knightmare, watching the surrounded Euphemia.
But the next moment, she was reminded by Alpha's cool voice:
"Rein in your thoughts, Eta. She's the one he wants, not a tool for your experiments."
"Tch, how stingy..."
Eta puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, muttering under her breath.
Nevertheless, she suppressed her curiosity and focused on the mission.
Meanwhile, Lelouch seemed to have reached a decision. Controlling Gawain, he launched several Slash Harkens that instantly dismembered the Sutherland below.
Since only the limbs were severed, the emergency ejection system wasn't even triggered.
Realizing the Knightmare was no longer operational, Euphy climbed out of the cockpit. Though stained with the blood of countless innocent people, she still raised her firearm and fired at the slowly descending Gawain.
Until she saw Zero descending from above.
"Ah, I thought it was the Japanese. So it's you, Zero."
"You know, I've been thinking—let's announce the Japanese Administrative Zone declaration together. That would surely make teacher very happy..."
"Huh, Japan?"
The clash between her thoughts and the absolute command caused Euphemia's cognition to falter.
Like a computer running erroneous programs, countless ERROR windows popped up in her mind.
But the moment her words trailed off, a gunshot echoed through the silent killing ground.
"Ah...?"
Euphy only felt a sudden warmth spreading across her body, followed by an uncontrollable stagger.
Looking down, she discovered a bullet hole slightly below her chest, from which fresh blood was steadily seeping, completely staining her dress.
"Why... Lelouch..."
She lifted her bewildered gaze toward Zero, her mind swirling with confusion.
He had previously promised to abandon revenge. He had agreed to govern the Japanese Administrative Zone with her. They could have reunited and stayed by their teacher's side once more...
Countless questions swirled in her heart, yet they gradually faded along with her dimming consciousness.
Zero had killed Euphemia for the sake of those innocent victims, and this scene was broadcast live to the entire world.
Simultaneously, the broadcast was forcibly terminated.
"Begin target retrieval."
Alpha calmly issued the order, her eyes flickering slightly as she gazed at Euphemia lying in a pool of blood.
Even her cherry lips unconsciously tightened.
Did she feel nothing for Euphemia?
Not at all. After all, this was a child she had nurtured. It was precisely because she cared that she immediately ordered the recovery.
But just as Shadow Garden members were about to lift her and place her into the cockpit—
A hoarse, desperate roar erupted once more.
"Return Her Highness Euphemia!"
The armless Lancelot suddenly surged from the wreckage, charging recklessly toward them.
Suzaku Kururugi had witnessed Zero shooting Euphemia dead through the monitor. Now they were trying to take her body too—this was something he could never accept!
Suzaku had adored Euphemia since their first meeting, harboring deep affection for the princess in his heart.
Knowing his status was unsuitable and aware that her heart belonged entirely to their teacher, he had buried these feelings deep within.
But now... he would never allow this!!!
However, as the half-destroyed Lancelot charged furiously toward them, Alpha slowly narrowed her eyes and emotionlessly uttered:
"Foolish man... You all transport the target to the designated location. I'll handle this man."
"Yes, Lady Alpha!"
Beta, responsible for transporting the target, immediately carried Euphemia's body into a Knightmare and swiftly flew toward the horizon.
Witnessing this, Suzaku's eyes nearly burst from their sockets as he piloted Lancelot forward with even greater frenzy.
But the next moment, slender blades crossed left and right, silently slicing through Lancelot's frame.
Instantly, Lancelot was dismembered into fragments, its cockpit completely exposed to the open air.
Watching Suzaku Kururugi crawling out of the cockpit with both hands and feet, Alpha still coldly uttered the same words:
"Foolish man."
On the other hand.
In the villa behind Ashford Academy.
"Mahiro-sama, the mission is complete."
"Mhm, well done, Beta."
The silver-haired girl behind him immediately showed delight on her face upon receiving this praise, then quietly retreated to the corner of the room so as not to disturb Mahiro.
Under normal circumstances, Nunnally would certainly be curious about this girl's identity, but at this moment, she had no such thoughts. Instead, she was watching with deep concern the pink-haired girl lying on the round table in the living room.
That was indeed Euphemia.
But blood kept overflowing uncontrollably, quickly soaking the entire table surface and dripping steadily onto the floor.
"Mahiro-sensei, please, I beg you, save Sister Euphy... You can definitely save her, right?"
Nunnally pleaded desperately with Mahiro.
If it were anyone else, Nunnally might not be so anxious, but Euphemia was different—they had been close sisters playing together since childhood.
True family in every sense.
In her heart, Euphemia's status was second only to Lelouch's.
Now, seeing her former sister on the verge of death, how could she not worry?
Yet the next moment, a large hand gently covered her head with a soothing touch. Mahiro spoke calmly in a reassuring tone:
"Don't worry. Even if she's already passed through the gates of hell, your teacher can pull her back."