Chapter 303: Art is an explosion
"All set?"
By the time Mahiro arrived, the battle was already over.
What met his eyes was a scene as if swept by a violent storm—the garden's soil had been completely overturned, and even the central marble-like pavilion was teetering on the brink of collapse.
Yet, it was still possible to discern that the layout here was identical to that of the Aries Palace.
Then, his gaze shifted slightly, landing on Cornelia. She was half-collapsed, half-leaning against the pavilion, covered in blood.
Cornelia's personal Knightmare was already shattered beyond recognition, with a spear even piercing through its chest.
Lelouch, standing opposite her, wasn't in much better shape. Though he could still stand, he was stained with blood and had sustained serious injuries. The helmet that concealed his face was cradled in his arms.
What a troublesome woman, just like a berserker.
If it weren't for Gawain's superior performance and the hidden pawns he had arranged in advance using Geass, he might have truly met his end this time.
Whenever he recalled it, Lelouch's expression couldn't help but turn grave.
Under the flickering light of the flames, Lelouch stood tall, pointing his gun down at Cornelia. Cornelia's gaze, however, held a mix of resignation and indignation.
The moment she saw Zero's true face, she finally understood—no one could harbor more hatred for the Britannian royal family than the man before her.
But why did you have to kill Clovis? Why did you have to kill Euphy!
They were innocent!
Perhaps hearing the third voice that had appeared, Lelouch suddenly lowered his arm, no longer aiming the gun at her.
Instead, he turned his head and responded to the person over there:
"Ah, I've already gotten what I wanted."
Lelouch's tone was indifferent, as if he had merely done something as trivial as eating or drinking.
"Oh, since you've got it, then hand her over to me."
"?"
Lelouch looked over curiously, about to ask something, but upon meeting Yotsuba Mahiro's gaze, his breath caught, and he swallowed his words, changing his tone:
"Alright, she's yours."
With that.
Lelouch turned and boarded Gawain, leaving the scene.
In her dazed state, Cornelia vaguely heard their conversation, but her injuries were too severe, compounded by excessive blood loss, leaving her with little energy to think.
She only felt incredibly drowsy, on the verge of falling asleep.
Until a pair of familiar leather shoes entered her lowered line of sight, jolting her awake.
Summoning all her strength, she slowly raised her head, taking in the figure before her from bottom to top, until she saw his face and those unforgettable eyes.
"It's you!"
Cornelia gritted her teeth, almost spitting out the words filled with hatred through clenched teeth.
As if in a final surge of energy, she suddenly lunged forward, staggering as she grabbed his collar with both hands, shouting angrily:
"Why, why did you have to kill Euphy! Wasn't the knight by Euphy's side someone you sent? Why did you stand aside, indifferent to Euphy's death... Why back then—"
"Leaving the imperial palace... When Euphy... Euphy loved you so much... And I respected you so deeply..."
Resentment, anger, confusion, and sorrow intertwined in her voice, carrying countless complex and profound emotions, like a cuckoo crying blood, her words becoming somewhat incoherent.
Her blood-stained forehead pressed against his chest, listening to the strong, powerful heartbeat emanating from within, while the blood overflowing from her forehead mixed with tears, leaving another crimson stain barely noticeable against the black fabric.
Throughout this, Mahiro remained silent, watching the woman who had thrown herself into his embrace.
He had initially considered offering an explanation, but upon reflection, it seemed too troublesome and unnecessary.
So he let out a soft sigh and said:
"Euphy isn't dead."
"Rea...really...?"
Cornelia lifted her head incredulously to look at him, her deep purple lips trembling slightly, a flash of confusion passing through her beautiful eyes veiled in mist.
She thought she must have misheard.
And Mahiro repeated it once more.
"I said, Euphy isn't dead. After she was shot that day, Alpha and the others brought her to me, and I saved her."
"Bi...z..."
Hearing that name, Cornelia's mind suddenly recalled that heroic and graceful golden-haired woman.
Especially her exquisitely artistic face, her well-proportioned and tall figure, and her unparalleled, sharp swordsmanship—all of which she had never been able to forget.
If Marianne was the object of her admiration and longing, then Alpha was the absolute goddess in her heart, one she dared not aspire to. She had even once believed that only such a woman was worthy of standing by Yotsuba Mahiro's side.
However, his mention of that name convinced Cornelia somewhat, and she immediately collapsed to the ground as if all strength had left her.
The exhaustion she had forcibly suppressed earlier now surged over her consciousness like a mountain torrent.
Just as she was about to drift into sleep, the man she had once deeply loved and later intensely hated drew closer to her, lifted her body, and whispered softly by her ear:
"I came this time to reunite you sisters."
Reunite?
How exactly would they reunite...?
Cornelia wanted to ask, but the heavy weariness in her body kept her from opening her mouth or making a sound.
Her consciousness gradually succumbed to darkness.
And so, she fell into a deep sleep in Yotsuba Mahiro's embrace.
"Alright, sleep now, sleep. When you wake, everything will be over."
Mahiro murmured softly, as if coaxing a child to sleep, while casually casting "Regeneration" on Cornelia.
Instantly, her entire body was restored to its original state, lying in his arms like a sleeping beauty.
Yet, gazing at the serene sleeping face so close to him, Mahiro couldn't help but sigh softly.
Did he feel remorse for what he had done to the sisters Cornelia and Euphemia?
Of course not.
But did he owe them something?
Well, perhaps a little. He would make it up to them slowly in the future.
On the other hand, Lelouch's performance was becoming increasingly something to look forward to. This time, Lelouch wouldn't take the same old path and get captured by that bastard Suzaku Kururugi, would he?
This time, could he finally deal a fatal blow to that guy?
To be honest, Mahiro was quite looking forward to the confrontation between Lelouch and Suzaku Kururugi.
Moreover, without the Geass command "Live" from the original story, Suzaku Kururugi would be much easier to kill.
However, just as he had the numbered agent lurking in the Viceroy's Palace take Cornelia away and boarded the Guardian Divine Machine himself, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the corner of the rooftop garden.
"C.C.? Why is she here?"
Mahiro was momentarily stunned, then saw C.C. waving toward him, seemingly gesturing for him to come over...
Meanwhile.
Shortly after leaving the Viceroy's Palace, when Lelouch contacted the Black Knights to issue further orders, he received unexpected news.
"What did you say?! Everyone has disappeared?!"
"Yes... Ohgi seems to have been attacked by someone, badly injured, and the guards were killed..."
The person on the other end of the line spoke weakly and softly, as if afraid of angering him.
But Lelouch patiently inquired:
"I see. What about the girl in the wheelchair?"
Even though he tried to keep his tone as calm as possible, the anxiety in his voice was hard to conceal.
The other person hesitated for a long time before finally whispering, "She's gone..."
Not only was she gone, but they had already evacuated Ashford Academy, making it impossible to go back and search.
Because a terrifying individual had appeared out of nowhere at Ashford Academy and nearly destroyed everything around them.
But just as they tried to explain further, the call was disconnected.
Lelouch was now frantic with worry, even operating the Gawain faster, and hurriedly called Mahiro.
This was the only person he could think of who might be able to help him now.
However, no matter how many times he called, no one answered, and the calls eventually disconnected automatically.
"What on earth is going on!"
Lelouch slammed his fist hard against the control panel, his face contorted in fury.
Pain, despair, and rage surged through him all at once. He couldn't understand why, just because he had gone after Cornelia, Nunnally would disappear!
But the next second, a powerful blast of scorching wind swept over the Gawain.
Turning around, he saw a dazzling white light rising silently from the location of Ashford Academy, bright enough to turn everything around into daylight.
"Nunnally!!!"
Time rewinds to ten minutes earlier.
"Teacher... Brother..."
Not long ago, chaos had broken out in the academy, so several members of the student council had sneaked out to find a solution. Because she appeared to have limited mobility, she was left behind.
Now, gazing out the window at the city shrouded in gunfire, the young girl clasped her hands over her chest in prayer.
Was she hoping for Mahiro and Lelouch to return safely?
Or wishing for the war to end soon?
Nunnally wasn't sure.
Just as she was lost in worry and contemplation, the room door suddenly opened.
Nunnally instinctively closed her eyes, once again pretending to be the disabled girl she had always appeared to be.
However, the words spoken by the person entering the room left her utterly astonished.
"Nunnally, it seems your body has recovered."
The voice was unfamiliar—one she had never heard before—and sounded quite youthful, as if the speaker were even younger than herself.
Most crucially, it was the content of their words.
Instinctively, Nunnally turned her wheelchair around and slowly opened her eyes to gaze at the other person.
Since a stranger had seen through her disguise, there was no longer any need to maintain the pretense.
Yet upon seeing the visitor, Nunnally was startled and couldn't help but ask:
"May I ask... who are you?"
She did her best to conceal her unsettled emotions.
The reason was simple: the visitor was a young boy who bore an inexplicable three or four parts resemblance to her, but his attire was peculiar, reminiscent of a religious figure like a pope.
In response to her question, however, the boy slowly curved his lips into a smile.
"I am your uncle, Charles's older brother, V.V."
"Uncle V.V.?"
Nunnally tilted her head innocently, feigning confusion.
But inwardly, she had already memorized the name and was pondering why it sounded so similar to her sister C.C.'s name.
Could it also be related to that Geass?
Though puzzled, Nunnally temporarily suppressed her doubts and cautiously probed:
"Uncle, what brings you here..."
With sharp eyes, she had already secretly glimpsed the two guards lying by the door—both with their throats slit, their blood soaking the carpet.
Yet she remained composed.
V.V. took a step forward and said, "I've come to take you back, Nunnally. Back to Britannia, back to Aries Palace, back to where you once lived."
"But before that, I want to tell you some things—about Shadow, about Zero, and everything about Geass."
As he spoke, V.V. gracefully advanced.
Despite his youthful appearance, he exuded a maturity and pretense typical of adults—a facade that felt utterly repulsive.
At least, that's how it seemed in Nunnally's eyes.
And she firmly refused:
"I'm sorry, Uncle, but I'm not interested in the truth you speak of, and I won't be going with you."
"What did you say?"
V.V.'s steps abruptly halted, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes as his smile slowly faded into calmness.
An intangible aura of authority permeated the air.
"I said, I will not be returning with you."
Nunnally enunciated each word clearly while subtly maneuvering her wheelchair to retreat slightly before speaking again:
"Now, Miss Beta."
The next instant.
A flash of white light suddenly streaked across.
V.V. had no time to react before he felt his body lurch forward uncontrollably, followed by another white flash that sliced across his throat.
Spurting blood instantly stained everything around them crimson.
Several young girls had appeared by Nunnally's side.
"...Members of Shadow Garden? I never expected that person to anticipate my arrival."
Eerie—V.V. had clearly been bisected at the waist and decapitated, yet he did not die. All his wounds reversed as if time had flowed backward, restoring him to his original state.
"Just as Mahiro-sama said, he's quite difficult to kill."
Beta let out a soft sigh.
"Of course. He also possesses a CODE."
Hearing this, V.V. slowly raised his head and spotted a familiar figure among the group.
"C.C.!"
V.V.'s expression visibly hardened as he questioned in an accusatory tone, "Have you betrayed us?"
"Betrayal? No, I never chose anyone in the first place. Why speak of betrayal?"
C.C.'s voice was light, her tone casual, as if discussing something trivial.
"..."
Just as V.V. was about to speak, a magical surveillance dart nailed itself to his forehead.
It was Beta's doing, her gaze contemptuous as she stared at the blond brat.
But the next moment, C.C. suddenly clutched her forehead, her figure wavering unsteadily.
"What's wrong with you?"
Beta and Epsilon instinctively moved to support her, but C.C. shoved them away, urgency in her voice: "Quickly, Mahiro is in trouble!"
At these words, everyone present paled.
Beta didn't even bother with anything else, directly turning to Delta beside her—
"Delta, we'll leave this person to you. We're going to support Mahiro-sama. Remember to withdraw in five minutes."
The wolf-tailed girl didn't respond, merely nodding.
Originally, she had wanted to help too, but upon reflection, she realized she wouldn't be of much use. Moreover, Alpha had instructed her not to be willful and to follow Beta's orders.
So she abandoned the idea of following and instead fixed her gaze on the revived immortal brat across from her, a bloodthirsty grin spreading across her lips as she charged forward violently.
She closed in on V.V. at extreme speed.
V.V.'s expression darkened.
"Kill her."
The childish voice uttered the cruelest words.
Immediately after, a figure suddenly appeared behind Delta, a delicate dagger in hand aimed straight for her spine.
"What a foolish move."
Someone muttered this critique, and in the next instant, Delta abruptly twisted her body, grabbing the attacker's head.
The assailant didn't even have time to activate their Geass before Delta slammed them viciously into V.V. in front of her.
The room trembled slightly.
The attacker and V.V. were both smashed to a pulp by Delta.
Their flesh and blood mingled together, smeared across the wall, indistinguishable from one another.
Though this wouldn't kill V.V., it inflicted enough pain to make his face contort noticeably as he peeled himself off the wall.
But to Delta, this was nothing more than impotent rage.
All the frustration she had accumulated from learning to pilot a Knightmare was now thoroughly vented by the wolf-tailed girl.
In just five short minutes, she killed V.V. hundreds of times, even wiping out all the cult assassins he had brought along.
It was as if she were a berserker, seemingly impervious to any attack, leaving others to be trampled upon one-sidedly. This was inevitable, as Delta's physical prowess could be said to be the strongest among the Seven Shadows. Combined with the effects of the injection, even ordinary firearms couldn't harm her, and her magic resistance was astonishingly high.
Unless it was tactical or strategic-level weaponry.
But just as Delta was reveling in her joy, a cold, clear voice suddenly came through her earpiece. "Delta, five minutes are up. Withdraw now."
"Yes, Alpha-sama!"
Delta instantly stopped her clawing motions, her fur standing on end in fright, and she darted into the woods, disappearing without a trace.
V.V., who had just returned to his original form, hadn't yet grasped what had happened when, the next second, a dazzling, blinding white light completely engulfed him.
Boom!!!
This was perhaps the most powerful explosion since the establishment of the Tokyo Settlement.
The flash appeared, instantly expanding into a devastating ring of light that mercilessly annihilated everything. The tremendous roar seemed to shake all of Japan.
If a certain big brother who loved playing with clay were to witness such an utterly destructive sight, he would undoubtedly praise it as the perfect, top-tier art—instantaneous art!
The next second, the white light vanished, leaving behind a fragmented crater like a gaping maw of an abyss, greedily sucking in everything around it.
Trees, houses, debris, and even the Knightmares on the battlefield were shredded by the ensuing storm.
"...Is it already done, Nina...?"
At Tokyo Bay, aboard a floating ship similar to Avalon, Lloyd and Cécile witnessed the explosion firsthand.
Lloyd even patted his chest in lingering fear, grateful he hadn't gone to the battlefield.
Otherwise, he would have undoubtedly been caught in the blast.
He could be said to understand the significance of this explosion better than anyone except its creator—the annihilation reaction triggered by using uranium as the basis for a chain reaction and igniting Sakuradite.
Back then, he had only thought it was fun, so when he saw Nina working on something like this at the school festival, he offered a little help.
He never expected it to be completed now.
However, it seemed the amount of Sakuradite used wasn't high; otherwise, the entire settlement would have vanished in an instant.