At this point, Jiang Xiaoling felt a bit stunned.
The process had been exciting—
But something felt… missing.
This battle, for Lelouch, was more of a hard-fought struggle.
His greatest pressure came from facing Nunnally.
As for Schneizel—
The sense of oppression he brought wasn't even as strong as that of the late Emperor Charles.
"So… that's it? This is the ending Su Yan said wouldn't disappoint? Lelouch defeats Schneizel and unifies the world?"
Jiang Xiaoling thought for a moment.
It wasn't bad.
Just… a bit ordinary.
Fans had already predicted this outcome before the episode aired.
"Well… at least it's a decent ending," she sighed, her anticipation fading.
With Schneizel captured, the war ended.
The Emperor who unified the world—
Lelouch VI Britannia was born.
Then came the most striking scene of the entire series.
A global broadcast.
"Schneizel has joined my ranks. The Black Knights no longer have the power to oppose me. No one can stand against my dominion anymore. From this moment on—the world belongs to me."
As Lelouch's face appeared on screens worldwide, Jiang Xiaoling held her breath.
It was sudden—
But undeniably cool.
Then—
Two months passed in the story.
Lelouch imprisoned all those who opposed him, preparing for execution.
The Black Knights' leaders.
The Chinese Federation's ruling class.
Other princes and princesses of Britannia who resisted him.
Former allies—
Including Nunnally.
All became prisoners, awaiting public trial and execution.
Cornelia, who had not yet been captured, gathered the remaining resistance forces, preparing for a final strike on the day of execution.
"Something's off…" Jiang Xiaoling frowned.
Lelouch was going to execute Nunnally? Kallen? The Black Knights?
Seriously?
Could a protagonist even do that?
If he really went through with it—
Wouldn't his entire character collapse?
This was the "legendary ending" Su Yan promised?
What kind of miscalculation was this?
Fans might hate Nunnally—
They might even want her to die—
But it absolutely couldn't be Lelouch who killed her.
Otherwise—
His character would be ruined.
But the story gave her no time to think.
Hundreds of prisoners were escorted under heavy guard.
Thousands of soldiers followed behind Lelouch's vehicle.
There was no risk of rebellion—
Every soldier was under Geass control.
Cornelia's planned attack seemed almost laughable.
If Lelouch were assassinated under such heavy protection—
Then the show really would be a disaster.
Jiang Xiaoling's brows furrowed deeper.
The story continued.
The entire world now despised Lelouch.
A tyrant.
A butcher.
A dictator.
The world was unified—
So people no longer had multiple enemies to hate.
All that hatred—
It was directed at Lelouch.
And just as the story emphasized this—
A figure appeared in front of the execution procession.
Black cloak.
Black mask.
A blade in hand.
The cloak fluttering in the wind.
Zero?
Jiang Xiaoling's pupils shrank.
What?!
Wasn't Lelouch sitting in the carriage?
Then who was this Zero?!
Not just her—
Kallen, Nunnally, Lelouch's former allies—
Everyone was stunned.
What was happening?
Then—
This Zero launched into a breathtaking action sequence.
Guards opened fire—
But he dodged with incredible agility.
Breaking through layers of defense—
Leaping onto Lelouch's vehicle—
Knocking away Lelouch's gun—
And finally—
Driving a blade straight into his chest.
"..."
Jiang Xiaoling's expression froze.
What… was this?
If Lelouch had been sniped from afar—
She could accept it.
But in a world of mechas—
A masked man with a sword just charged in and killed him like that?
Was this a joke?
This ending—
Was terrible!
She felt a surge of frustration.
Even the most loyal fans couldn't justify this.
Was 'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion'—
Going to fall from greatness and become a cautionary tale?
But just as her thoughts spiraled—
The story turned.
A narration began.
From the masked Zero.
"Suzaku?" Jiang Xiaoling froze again.
Suzaku?!
The scene shifted—
To a flashback.
After the war.
Inside the palace.
Lelouch and Suzaku stood face to face.
"Now, all the world's hatred is focused on me. As long as I disappear… that chain of hatred will be broken."
Jiang Xiaoling's body stiffened.
Everything—
Clicked.
The world's hatred—
Had been born from Charles's wars.
And now, Lelouch had intensified it.
Even the citizens of Britannia resented him—
After he executed nobles and stripped away privileges.
If not for Geass controlling the military—
He would've been overthrown long ago.
And now—
The truth was revealed.
Lelouch's plan.
He would become the embodiment of all hatred.
And Suzaku—
Would become Zero.
The hero.
The one who defeats the tyrant.
The one who saves the world.
Peace could never be eternal—
But hatred couldn't last forever either.
As long as the target of that hatred disappeared—
Peace could begin.
The chaos caused by Britannia—
It would end with the death of its emperor.
In simple terms—
Once Lelouch died—
The world's anger would be released.
Revolutions would cease.
The focus would shift—
From war—
To rebuilding.
Jiang Xiaoling understood.
And at that moment—
The screen showed Lelouch's body pierced by the blade.
Behind the mask—
It was Suzaku's tearful face.
This—
Was their agreement.
He avenged Euphemia.
But also—
Killed his closest friend.
The music swelled.
At the execution grounds—
The Black Knights, including Kallen—
Realized the truth.
Lelouch hadn't betrayed them.
Everything he said as Zero—
Was real.
They were the ones who refused to believe him.
Cornelia's forces rushed in—
Not to kill—
But to save the prisoners.
Before the entire world—
The story played out:
The righteous Zero—
Defeating the tyrant emperor.
Zero's identity—
Remained a secret.
He would live on—
As a symbol of justice.
"You must live on as Zero… as a symbol of justice."
Lelouch's blood stained the mask.
His body fell—
Landing before Nunnally.
Life fading.
"I accept this Geass." Suzaku thought.
And Nunnally—
Finally understood.
When she touched Lelouch—
His unstable Code allowed her to see his memories.
Everything.
Peace required sacrifice.
The war was inevitable—
Given the scale of resistance against Britannia.
Lelouch had simply—
Taken control of fate.
He became emperor.
Guided the war.
Captured Schneizel.
Forced surrender.
Destroyed the corrupt nobility.
Reformed unjust laws.
And gathered all hatred—
Onto himself.
With the smallest possible sacrifice—
He used his own death—
To buy peace.
This—
Was the Zero Requiem.
Jiang Xiaoling's nose stung.
"Brother… I… I love you." Nunnally cried, finally understanding, gripping his hand.
"I destroy the world… and create it anew."
Lelouch looked to the sky—
Closed his eyes—
And breathed his last.
The music reached its peak.
Jiang Xiaoling couldn't hold back anymore.
As the world cheered—
Celebrating Lelouch's death—
As the symbol of justice, Zero, defeated the demon emperor—
Tears streamed down her face.
What was this…
Killing the protagonist in the final episode?
Ending it like this?
Su Yan…