Chapter 269: A Cold-Hearted Person
A week had passed since the Refrain incident. Under the dual pressures of overt pursuit and covert suppression, all secret Refrain distribution channels and merchants flowing into Tokyo had been completely eliminated.
Perhaps aware their actions would bring catastrophic consequences, Southeast Asia had ceased transporting Refrain to Area Eleven through Kyushu, even showing restraint in other concession areas. Naturally, all Eleven citizens attributed this achievement entirely to the Black Knights.
ZERO and his Black Knights enjoyed unprecedented popularity in Area Eleven, becoming the only heroes in the hearts of Elevens, their influence even rivaling Japan's foremost resistance organization—the Japan Liberation Front.
However, as the tallest tree catches the strongest wind, ZERO's conspicuous actions had drawn the attention of Cornelia, who finally found time amidst her busy schedule to prepare moves against the Black Knights.
But before that, Cornelia believed there was one more matter requiring attention...
"What? Area Eleven's Viceroy Cornelia and Sub-Viceroy Euphemia are coming to visit Ashford's school festival?!"
Lelouch's voice echoed through the student council room.
After receiving this news from President Milly, he displayed a mix of shock and panic.
Had it been just Euphemia coming, Lelouch could have understood—Euphy had loved lively events since childhood, plus Yotsuba Mahiro was here, so her attending the school festival would be natural.
But that woman Cornelia...
She seemed completely disconnected from such activities.
Could it be because...
Lelouch glanced sideways, frantically trying to catch Yotsuba Mahiro's eye, but received no response whatsoever.
Yotsuba Mahiro was accompanying Nina, watching the nuclear fission simulation experiment on her computer—
Using fission to trigger chain reactions, causing Sakuradite to undergo antimatter annihilation reactions.
Lelouch didn't understand these things.
He only knew that since the incident at Lake Ashino, Nina had become particularly attached to Yotsuba Mahiro, completely unlike her previous timid self, gradually growing bolder and frequently inviting Yotsuba Mahiro to watch such experimental simulations.
Moreover, every time Yotsuba Mahiro approached, a faint blush would appear on Nina's cheeks.
Even though Lelouch didn't understand matters of romance, he could see Nina seemed to admire this unconventional teacher.
But now, upon hearing Euphemia was coming, the blush on Nina's face seemed to deepen, her expression growing somewhat excited...
"Hey, Lulu, aren't you getting a bit too excited? Although someone as important as the Viceroy is indeed rare, you seem... off somehow."
"Yeah yeah, what's wrong with you? Lulu..."
Shirley and Rivalz, noticing Lelouch's unusual agitation, couldn't help asking.
"Ah... it's nothing. I just feel honored that someone as busy as the Viceroy would make time to attend our school festival, right? President Milly?"
"That's right, Vice President Lelouch is correct! So we must make sure to do a great job with this year's school festival~ I heard Knights of Rounds members will be accompanying them, so we need to showcase the style of our private Ashford Academy!"
Milly covered for Lelouch with almost feverish enthusiasm.
After all, while Shirley and Rivalz were unaware of Lelouch's identity as a prince, she knew perfectly well.
The two governors' visit was most likely targeted at Lelouch and Nunnally.
As this thought crossed her mind, Milly's gaze gradually settled on Yotsuba Mahiro, her eyes carrying an inexplicable meaning as if trying to convey something through her words and expression.
So much so that she completely failed to notice the momentary panic that flashed in Lelouch's eyes when she mentioned the Knights of Rounds.
"However, I recall Mahiro-sensei previously served as a royal tutor, correct? It's quite possible Their Highnesses Cornelia and Euphemia might be coming to visit their teacher as well."
Lelouch suddenly redirected the conversation back to Mahiro.
In Shirley and Rivalz's eyes, this possibility indeed seemed more plausible than them specifically coming to attend Ashford Academy's school festival.
But to this, Mahiro merely responded with a calm "Oh" before falling silent again.
Because no matter what Cornelia intended to do, the one who should be nervous wouldn't be him—it would only be Lelouch.
Today's Area Eleven was graced with clear skies, not a cloud in sight. The private Ashford Academy located in the Tokyo Settlement seemed to be celebrating its centennial anniversary.
The main gates were wide open, surrounded by swarms of journalists who had practically formed an impenetrable crowd.
They appeared to be awaiting the arrival of some important figure.
And indeed, the arriving guests were significant—none other than Area Eleven's two governors, Cornelia and Euphemia.
The moment they stepped out of their vehicle, they were mobbed by countless reporters. Their accompanying knights and officers held back the fervent journalists, clearing an unobstructed path for the two princesses.
The sharp click of high heels echoed crisply against the pavement tiles.
Cornelia appeared as usual in military attire, draped in a royal cloak that exuded boundless authority.
Her gorgeous purple hair and cherry lips tinted purple gave her a bewitching, almost witch-like aura.
Euphemia, however, stood in complete contrast to her witch-like elder sister, pure and innocent like the girl next door.
Dressed in a bohemian-style long dress, her beautiful pink hair was mostly hidden beneath a large sun hat. Her exquisite face remained in the hat's shadow, her lips consistently curved in a gentle smile tinged with childlike excitement.
The two sisters formed a study in stark contrasts.
Yet their steps remained synchronized as they gracefully proceeded along the red carpet leading to Ashford Academy. For some reason, however, Euphy felt inexplicably nervous.
Her peripheral vision kept drifting toward her imperial elder sister.
But Cornelia strode forward with majestic confidence, never breaking her pace.
"Welcome, Your Highnesses."
Mahiro, representing Ashford Academy in formal attire, led the student council members at the academy entrance. He bowed slightly with impeccably standard noble etiquette to welcome the two princesses of Britannia.
His expression was gentle, carrying a charming smile, showing no trace of his usual laziness and frivolity.
He was like a gentleman with impeccable speech and demeanor.
Yet even so, this gentleman had one shortcoming—he did not perform the royal etiquette of kissing the hands of either princess.
Given his status, it would have been perfectly appropriate for him to offer such courtesy to the princesses.
However, his failure to do so felt somewhat peculiar.
Nonetheless, neither Cornelia nor Euphemia seemed to mind.
"It's been a long time, and I've been neglectful in sending my regards, Mahiro-sensei."
Euphemia gently lifted the sides of her skirt and gave a slight bow.
Instantly, the reporters barred outside the gates erupted in excitement.
What had they just witnessed?
Her Highness Euphemia li Britannia, the Third Princess of Britannia, was bowing to a teacher from the private Ashford Academy.
Just who was this person?!
The topic instantly sparked heated discussion. They were eager to step forward for an interview, but unfortunately, the campus gates were tightly shut, firmly sealed, and heavily guarded.
There was no way for them to enter.
This was all for the safety of the two princesses. Although it was an open day for the school festival, outsiders were completely prohibited from entering.
However, the events proceeded as scheduled, carrying on just as they were meant to...
Click!
Just then, a camera flash caught the corner of his eye.
"Recording."
A calm, almost monotonous voice followed.
Turning to look, he saw a petite girl standing there. Her short pink hair was tied up high, and though her frame seemed delicate and frail beneath a pink cloak,
her attire underneath remained quite daring.
Beneath a pure white, short skirt, a pair of straight, slender legs, pale as ivory, were exposed.
Yet, despite her provocative clothing, her still-youthful face was filled with an expressionless calm.
She took a photo of him on her own, then busied herself with something on her phone.
Only after finishing did she lift her gaze from the screen and fix it back on him.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Anya Alstreim, the Sixth Knight of the Rounds. Mahiro Zi Britannia,
I am very interested in you."
Just as he remembered—this was a girl caught between youth and loli, with an expressionless demeanor.
With just a glance, Mahiro could tell that within her fragile frame dwelled two souls.
The deceased Marianne was hidden within her.
However...
"Oh? So you even know my name. I never expected someone as obscure as me to catch the attention of a Knight of the Rounds."
Though Mahiro's words were polite, there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"I merely did some research. No offense intended," Anya explained without a change in expression.
Anyone familiar with her would surely be surprised.
Normally taciturn and doll-like, she actually bothered to explain such trivial matters.
Even Anya herself felt slightly surprised.
"Now now, it's such an interesting day today, no need to be so fiery."
Just then, a refreshingly familiar laughter inserted itself into their conversation, as if from an old friend.
Turning around, they saw a blond man dressed as if for a Hawaiian beach, sporting sunglasses on his forehead like a tourist on vacation.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Gino Weinberg, though you can just call me Gino if you like, respected royal tutor Mahiro-sama."
Another Knight of Rounds.
The good news was that only these two Knights of Rounds seemed to have accompanied the two princesses to the academy.
The bad news was that these two Knights of Rounds had come together...
Though perhaps that wasn't really bad news after all.
"Welcome both to Ashford Academy's school festival, but please spare me the royal tutor titles. Those are things of the past—now I'm just an ordinary teacher at Ashford Academy."
Mahiro exchanged brief pleasantries with the two knights.
But the next moment, Cornelia, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped toward him.
Noticing this, Mahiro shifted his gaze, knowing Cornelia was about to speak.
"Long time no see..."
This was Cornelia's first sentence.
Her second sentence, however, surprised everyone present, even making Euphemia gasp in shock.
"You owe me an explanation, Mahiro."
The entire area fell silent immediately.
Anyone could see the suppressed anger on Cornelia's cold, beautiful face.
"Mahiro-sensei..."
Aside from Euphemia, no one understood why Cornelia would ask such a thing.
Mahiro played dumb, smiling slightly:
"Might I ask what Second Princess Cornelia is referring to? My sudden departure back then? Or my current abandonment of the royal tutor title?"
"Stop playing dumb!"
Cornelia suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Mahiro's collar with speed that even the nearby knights couldn't react to, pulling him close while her sharp eyes fixed intently on him.
Their faces were so close they could feel each other's breath. If Mahiro leaned forward just a few centimeters, he could taste Cornelia's tempting, delicate lips.
"I want to know everything!" Cornelia declared again.
Lately, she had been suppressing her inner anger, living through increasingly frustrating days.
Not because of the Refrain contraband, nor because of the EU frontlines, and certainly not because of that damned Black Knights!
None of that mattered to her anymore.
What preoccupied her, what she couldn't figure out, was whether the person who appeared at Lakeside Harbor—the one who killed and captured Knights of Rounds while calling himself Shadow—was actually Yotsuba Mahiro!
And whether Clovis's death had anything to do with him!
If it had nothing to do with him, that would be the best outcome, and what she had always hoped for in her heart.
But if it did...
Well, she hadn't actually thought about what she would do in that case.
"Your Highness, please let go of Mahiro-sensei first. We... we can talk things over slowly," Euphemia urged nervously.
It could be said that among everyone present, no one wished less for a conflict between Cornelia and Yotsuba Mahiro than her.
On one side was her most respected elder sister, and on the other was her most respected teacher.
If a dispute really broke out, who should she help?
"It's alright, Euphy. This is just a small matter between me and your sister. Since we've finally come out, you should enjoy yourself at the academy festival and make the most of this rare celebration."
The one who spoke wasn't Cornelia, but Mahiro.
Even with Cornelia grabbing him by the collar, he remained unfazed as he comforted the worried Euphemia.
Then he turned to Milly and said:
"Sorry, Milly, but this royal lady and I might need to resolve a small issue. So, could you please take Princess Euphemia and the accompanying Knights of Rounds to tour the school festival venue?"
"Ah, yes... sure, no problem," Milly nodded in agreement, adding quietly, "Please be careful, sensei."
In her eyes, Cornelia was a fearsome, iron-willed War Goddess—the type she wasn't good at dealing with and found quite intimidating.
Given this battlefield War Goddess's temper, she might even kill Mahiro-sensei on the spot...
"Look at you. After all these years apart, you've become a monster in other people's eyes," Mahiro teased Cornelia with a smile after Milly and the others had left.
"Enough nonsense! Answer my question!"
Cornelia continued to glare angrily at Mahiro, her stern tone and demeanor unchanged.
For this conversation, she had even sent Guilford away, not allowing him to follow, all just to get an answer from Yotsuba Mahiro.
"Alright, alright, I get it. You just want an answer, right? I don't mind telling you, but could you let go of me first? Do you really think this posture is very dignified?"
Cornelia:
After glaring at him for a few seconds, Cornelia silently released him.
Mahiro straightened his collar and smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes before saying:
"Come with me. This place is too crowded and full of eavesdroppers—it's not a good spot for a conversation."
Mahiro led Cornelia away from there.
The place he had in mind for their talk was naturally the rooftop, which was rarely visited and the most open area.
Once there, Mahiro leaned forward, resting his arms on the railing as he looked down at the bustling scene below, and said:
"Go ahead, ask whatever you want to know."
Tap!
Cornelia stepped forward, staring at his profile as she asked, "I want to know if the Knightmare that appeared at Lakeside Estuary was your personal unit, the [Nation-Protecting Divine Machine—Canglong], wasn't it?"
"That's right. I'm surprised your memory is quite good, remembering after all these years."
"So that means the one who appeared there, the one controlling the Knightmare—that Shadow was you?!"
"Mhm, you guessed correctly, but there's no reward."
"..."
Unlike Mahiro's flippant nonchalance, Cornelia had clenched her fists tightly upon hearing the answer, her entire body trembling.
"I never imagined it was really you... Why? Why would you do this?!"
"What are you referring to? Killing that little Round Table brat? Or becoming Shadow, becoming what you call a terrorist?"
"All of it!"
Cornelia practically roared these words, even drowning out the promotional loudspeakers from the food stalls below, drawing the attention of many people.
"Hey, why so loud... Alright, alright, I'll answer you~"
Mahiro deliberately made a show of picking at his ear, then spoke again under Cornelia's murderous gaze:
"I killed that little Round Table brat because he deserved to die. As for becoming Shadow or whatever, it was just a whim—joining the game as an observer."
"Game... a whim..."
Cornelia gritted her teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
She repeated these words over and over, the disbelief and grief on her face growing increasingly intense.
"In your eyes, everything we've done is just a game?"
"Isn't it?"
Mahiro retorted, raising his eyes to meet Cornelia's gaze. This war we're facing now, one that could change the world's pattern—isn't it just a coloring game under that curly-haired Charles? Or does that curly-haired man himself not see it that way? He's even delegated his authority to Schneizel, hasn't he?"
"What about Clovis?! He may have been incompetent, but he was still my brother, and your student!"
"Hey, wait!"
Mahiro cut off Cornelia, immediately correcting her:
"I won't take the blame for this one. Clovis wasn't killed by me—that was ZERO's doing. No matter how cold-hearted I may be, I wouldn't casually kill a student I once taught."