Chapter 274: A Situation of Chaos
War always claims lives, and soldiers always die.
To be wrapped in a horsehide shroud is a respectable end for a soldier.
Whether they are soldiers of Britannia, members of the Japan Liberation Front, or people from the Black Knights, those who sacrifice themselves for ideals and righteousness, resolutely abandoning their own lives—this is a spirit worthy of respect.
At the very least, that is how the two Knights of Rounds dispatched to the battlefield see it.
But for some, it is not so.
For example, Suzaku Kururugi, the pilot of Lancelot.
"What is this... Why must such things be done..."
Gazing upon the ravaged land, witnessing with his own eyes soldiers perish in meaningless slaughter, Suzaku Kururugi's pupils trembled.
To secure victory in a single battle, they would not hesitate to destroy mountains, dragging innocent lives into this...
Unacceptable!
Just as Suzaku Kururugi was thinking this, a detached voice suddenly came through the communication channel.
"How naive."
Anya, piloting Mordred, heard Suzaku's murmur over the comms and calmly stated this.
"Anya-chan, you're being too blunt~"
Following immediately was a cheerful voice, one that brought to mind the image of a bright, blond-haired handsome man just from its sound.
It was Gino, the pilot of Tristan.
Gino asked over the radio:
"I believe you're called Kururugi... Suzaku-kun, right?"
"Yes, Lord Weinberg."
"Now, now, no need for such formalities. Just call me Gino."
Gino laughed a few times over the comms, then asked:
"Suzaku Kururugi-kun, you seem like the type who would hate people dying, yet you joined the military. Why is that?"
Suzaku, asked this, fell silent for a moment before saying:
"...It's precisely because I don't want people to die that I joined the military."
"Hahahaha!"
As soon as Suzaku finished speaking, a burst of laughter came through the comms.
"Sorry, sorry, Suzaku Kururugi-kun, I'm not mocking you. I just find you quite interesting. But holding such contradictory thoughts on the battlefield will get you killed, you know?"
By the end, Gino's tone had grown serious.
But Suzaku fell silent once more.
How could he not know this truth? Yet... rather, death was the salvation he yearned for.
"Alert, two enemies ahead."
Anya suddenly warned.
"My, my, seems like old acquaintances again."
Gino had noticed too, speaking with a laugh, but inside his cockpit, his expression was full of seriousness and gravity.
Those two enemies were none other than the black Knightmares that had appeared earlier by the lakeside!
One of the Knightmares moved, thrusting the massive scythe-like weapon it carried into the ground, and a female voice came through the comms.
"I am Epsilon of the Shadow Garden. I issue you a warning—this area is forbidden to pass!"
"Move aside!!!"
Lancelot roared with passionate fury as Suzaku recklessly controlled the Knightmare into a charge, attempting to forcefully break through the direction.
Gino wanted to stop, but then noticed the two opposing figures hadn't moved at all. Even as Lancelot passed by them, they showed no reaction.
Well, it seemed these two Knightmares were specifically targeting them, the two Knights of Rounds.
"What an honor."
"I hate losing, especially twice!"
Very tender yet utterly emotionless ethereal voices emerged from the speakers.
The pilot of the crimson Knightmare Mordred, a pink-haired girl named Anya sitting in the cockpit wearing an elaborate driving suit, immediately locked guidance onto the two.
"Fire."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Spurting exhaust flames and billowing smoke instantly enveloped Mordred like a thin mist.
Hundreds of missiles shot out from the smoke, trailing slender exhaust trails as they raced toward the two black Knightmares across the way.
Anya held nothing back, launching all the missiles equipped on Mordred!
If only the energy cannon research was complete, she would have loved to send these two off with a hadron cannon!
Meanwhile, under the missile cover, Gino also charged out. His originally high-altitude flying Knightmare dove downward, transforming into humanoid form while drawing a double-headed scythe and fiercely striking down toward the ground.
Clang!
Their scythes crossed and collided.
The two displayed exquisite offensive and defensive skills, the whooshing sounds of their swinging scythes leaving fierce marks across the earth.
Both Gino and Epsilon couldn't help feeling frustrated during this battle.
Gino was surprised by the opponent's exceptional Knightmare control ability that could match his own, while Epsilon struggled with the Knightmare's adaptation issues, resulting in poor synchronization that prevented him from exerting his full strength.
As for the missiles Anya launched, they were all intercepted by the long bow deployed by Beta, who was accompanying Epsilon.
I hate you, black guy.Anya complained expressionlessly, though internally she felt exceptionally troubled.
Even though she had updated the ballistic launch trajectory, they were still intercepted by the opponent's unknown laser weapons...
In the end, she was forced into close combat with the enemy...
Just as the two Knights of Rounds were intercepted by Shadow Garden's Beta and Epsilon, the rampaging Lancelot had already broken through into enemy territory at maximum speed, recklessly weaving through the Black Knights' chessboard.
Tell me, how does one stop a war?
By equally beating down both sides of the conflict?
No, that would clearly be unreasonable and impossible.
The best method is to assist one side in crushing the other.
Suzaku Kururugi currently held precisely this mindset—helping the Britannians fight against his former compatriots, breaking through the defenses established by the Japan Liberation Front and Black Knights, attempting to single-handedly turn the battle's outcome.
Using the VARIS, he cleared away all obstacles, shattered the valley's barriers, and annihilated the enemy forces hidden behind the ridges!
Total annihilation!
"He's as reckless as ever."
Observing the footage transmitted on the radar and the data being analyzed by the computer, Lloyd murmured with a sigh.
Yet, his face was brimming with satisfaction.
This was the performance data he had been pursuing!
"No way... I won't let you run wild like this!!!"
Just as the white reaper attempted to destroy the Black Knights' Burai Knightmare as usual, a mysterious red Knightmare charged forward abruptly.
Suzaku maneuvered the Lancelot to slide slightly to the side, delivering a kick from the flank, with a surfboard-shaped Sandboard attached to its foot.
Naturally, he didn't expect the battle to end so easily, but he never anticipated that this strike would be perfectly blocked.
It was a silver claw curved into a peculiar arc—from its center surged a red glow.
"..."
At this moment, Suzaku's face finally showed a tense expression.
But during the collision, the Sandboard had already been detached from his leg. Soon after, the Sandboard held in the opponent's claw began to swell from within and exploded.
What kind of weapon was that?
While pondering, Suzaku fired the Variable Ammunition Repulsion Impact Blaster—the VARIS—from behind toward the red Knightmare.
However, the energy had been adjusted to the minimum and set to convergence mode.
Unlike the immense power that had earlier pierced through enemy lines and the valley, there was no need for such force now.
Then, he fired!
At that moment, Suzaku was genuinely startled.
He had been certain he would hit—the timing seemed flawless.
Yet, the first shot fired from the VARIS muzzle was easily evaded.
Subsequent second and third shots also narrowly missed the enemy, failing to strike the erratically moving target.
"How is this possible...!"
He couldn't help but exclaim.
"Could its speed rival the Lancelot?!"
No, to be precise, it was slightly superior!
The red Knightmare accelerated, weaving its way toward Suzaku.
Its terrifying explosive power, combined with agile movements, left Suzaku somewhat dazzled, forcing him to retreat and create distance.
"Ha! Quite impressive, the enemy's new unit."
The one who voiced this admiration was Lloyd, who was watching the real-time footage transmitted by the Lancelot.
However, Lloyd was the only one who reacted with such praise.
Beside him, Cécile widened her eyes and spoke in a tone of disbelief:
"To think its performance can rival the Lancelot Z-01, and that wave weapon... What exactly is this?"
"Hmm! Well..."
Lloyd remained unfazed.
"That arm capable of emitting radiation waves is likely a weapon developed by that troublemaker Rakshata..."
At this point, Lloyd paused, and a slightly different emotion finally surfaced on his face. His frivolous expression tightened somewhat as he narrowed his eyes behind his glasses.
Was it disgust or jealousy?
Neither seemed quite right. It was more like the irritation of seeing a friend get a new toy while you had nothing.
Lakshata—their former classmate. Lloyd knew all too well the expertise of this dark-skinned woman with the habits of a middle-aged man and her delinquent demeanor.
And he had to admit, that woman was a genius who could rival him.
However, one thing was now clear: the massive landslide that had occurred earlier was most likely caused by this radiation wave weapon.
By combining radiation waves with specially formulated high explosives or a new type of bomb, the destructive power was amplified, collapsing half of the Narita mountain range. To utilize radiation waves to such an extent, the bomb's creator was undoubtedly a genius as well.
But Lloyd wasn't the only one observing the battle from afar, collecting data remotely.
There was also the Guardian Deity Mech, clutching the wreckage of the Gloucester, and Mahiro, seated on the mech's shoulder.
Gazing into the distance at the vivid crimson radiation waves and the turquoise VARIS, Mahiro felt a surge of heat in his eyes.
Even his pupils gradually shifted from pitch black to a bloody red.
"What a splendid sight... Don't you agree, Cornelia?"
He directed the question toward the black, seed-like wreckage of the cockpit.
Cornelia was trapped inside. She had attempted to eject and escape, but he had swatted her down mid-air, leaving her in her current state.
Of course, Cornelia was still alive and completely unharmed.
But unfortunately...
"You're not speaking. Why won't you speak? Are you just not the talkative type, oh great Second Princess of the Britannian Empire, Cornelia li Britannia?"
"Do what you will—kill me or cut me down—but do not insult me, Mahiro!"
A sharp retort echoed from within the cockpit shell.
"Tsk, so unyielding..."
"A warrior may be killed but not humiliated—that's what you taught me. Besides, before the battle, I made it clear that if anything happened to me, my knights Guilford and Darlton would jointly assist Euphy."
Cornelia spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It could be said that for this great war, Cornelia had prepared for every eventuality.
Except for one: being captured.
Because, as the Second Princess of Britannia, her honor, her dignity, and her pride would not allow her to be taken prisoner by the enemy.
She would rather break than bend.
That was Cornelia.
"Ah, you really are a fool, Cornelia."
While analyzing the distant weapon, Mahiro sighed at Cornelia. "Having the fortitude to die for your country is admirable, but you should at least use your head. Have you considered what would happen to your little sister Euphemia if you were to die?"
"Hmph, I never thought you would resort to such despicable tactics. Are you trying to threaten me using Euphy?"
"Not at all. I'm just making casual conversation."
Mahiro shrugged innocently and continued, "And I only want to express one thing—[Cornelia, you wouldn't want Euphy to become the second Lelouch and Nunnally, would you?]"
"What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly!"
The moment she heard about becoming like Lelouch and Nunnally, Cornelia immediately grew anxious.
And she had every reason to be.
After all, Lelouch and Nunnally, who were sent away back then, remain missing to this day, their fates unknown!
Moreover, how could Euphy possibly endure such a thing!
"Your knight Guilford and your subordinate Darlton's loyalty are undoubtedly unquestionable, but what about others? You should understand, Cornelia. Without your protection, Euphy would find it difficult to survive the internal conflicts within the palace."
"Even though the current internal strife isn't as bloody as it was during Charles' era, it still exists—just like the First Princess, Sherry me Britannia, who was forced to marry the lord of Hokkaido back then."
"You wouldn't want your sister to be married off as a political pawn to some faction, would you? Who knows, she might even end up married to those eunuchs of the Chinese Federation."
Mahiro spoke slowly and methodically, as if merely engaging in casual conversation.
But after hearing this, Cornelia truly grew anxious, her expression gradually darkening.
"What you're saying... is impossible now..."
"How can you be so sure? Are you trying to tell me that Emperor Charles no longer concerns himself with these matters and has delegated authority to Schneizel as prime minister? Then what if Schneizel decides to marry off the 'lost Euphemia'? What would you do then?"
"..."
"That's impossible! Brother Schneizel would never do such a thing!"
Cornelia desperately wanted to retort like this, but the words stuck in her throat and refused to come out.
Because although she hadn't deeply understood this elder brother Schneizel, she could still comprehend how formidable his methods must be to stand out among nearly a hundred siblings and replace the First Prince Odysseus in the position of prime minister.
"Alright, I've said all that needs to be said, so stop thinking about throwing your life away—whether for your own sake or for Euphy's."
"Of course, I have no interest in keeping you as a prisoner either. Consider this my gratitude for not exposing my identity and having me arrested or wanted after our last meeting."
"But you'd better behave yourself during this period, otherwise I might just get you pregnant and send you back to Britannia for exhibition!"
Mahiro spoke with vicious intensity.
Meanwhile, Cornelia flushed crimson at his words. Trapped motionless in the cockpit, her eyes burned with humiliated fury, intense enough to seemingly burn through the cabin walls and reduce the Mahiro outside to ashes!
Probably no one but Mahiro could say such shameless, bottom-line-less things to her and still walk away unscathed.
Yet just as he had captured Cornelia and was watching the dance between Lancelot and Guren Type-02, the battlefield situation continued to shift—
Reinforcements for the Japanese front had arrived on the battlefield.
Led by Toudou Kyoushirou, renowned for the miracle of Itsukushima, the Four Holy Swords charged into the battlefield piloting the latest-generation Gekka Knightmares.
Like a sharp blade, they tore through the defensive encirclement formed by Britannia once again, engaging them in fierce combat.
Even Guilford and his royal guards, who had intended to reinforce Cornelia, were intercepted by Toudou and his team.
Watching this perfectly coordinated maneuver from his command post, even Lelouch couldn't help but feel impressed—
He never expected anyone other than his teacher to grasp his tactical intentions so clearly.
However, at that very moment, a fifth-generation Sutherland Knightmare—outfitted with a massive rifle and close-combat weapons—shattered through the defensive lines of both the Black Knights and the Japan Liberation Front at speeds far exceeding normal Sutherland capabilities.
"ZERO!!!"
A furious roar echoed across the battlefield as the Sutherland rampaged wildly, as if completely out of control.
To be precise, its pilot had truly lost his mind.
"Zerozerozerozero!!! Where are you where are you where are you where are you?! Come out and face me!!!!"
Jeremiah Gottwald's eyes bulged madly. Even as blood streamed from his ears, nose, and the corners of his eyes, he showed no intention of stopping. Instead, he accelerated further, enduring intensified G-forces in the cockpit to break through and obliterate all enemies in his path with heightened ferocity.
He had gone insane.
Ever since being ambushed by his fellow Pureblood Faction members, his life had spiraled into misery.
Stripped of his nobility title and demoted to a common soldier, he was forced to endure the contemptuous glares of former colleagues and subordinates daily—treated like a rat scurrying through the streets.
And each time he recalled the words Mahiro had spoken to him—
["Orange may not be your shame—it might yet become a name for your loyalty."]
Orange? Loyalty?!
That was a name of betrayal! How could it symbolize loyalty?!
Over time, the torment drove Jeremiah completely mad. He became desperate to find ZERO, to wash away his disgrace and prove his devotion once and for all.
And now—this was his chance!
"You want ZERO? You'll have to get through me first! I am ZERO's closest friend, Tamaki—"
"Out of my way out of my way out of my way!!!"
Before Tamaki could even finish, Jeremiah thrust his Knightmare lance forward, impaling the cockpit of the machine that had abruptly blocked his path.
The sharp tip pierced straight through the cockpit.
"You're not the one I want—it's ZERO!!! ZERO!!! Where are you?! Come out come out come out!!!"
Jeremiah roared, paying no heed to whether his strike had eliminated the opponent. He yanked out the lance and charged onward without looking back.
As for Tamaki Shinichirō, the pilot who had attempted to intercept him in his Knightmare—he perished in the fiery explosion of his machine, consumed by the flames.