Chapter 308: Revisiting Area 11
Q: How do you tame a fierce lion that bares its fangs at you?
A: Break its claws and pull out its fangs.
In fact, this was exactly what Yotsuba Mahiro did to Marianne - he even threw in a few hundred gacha pulls as extra punishment.
But it seemed there were still complications.
Because the Geass had not been lifted, Marianne's spiritual essence remained entangled with Anya's, meaning their senses were still interconnected.
"Another debt to repay."
Yotsuba Mahiro let out a soft sigh.
Anya lay disheveled on the floor, her delicate expressionless face still flushed with unnatural color, her breathing carrying ambiguous undertones.
After prolonged contemplation, he bent down to lift the girl, placed her gently on the bed, carefully tucked her under the covers, and only then averted his gaze before leaving the room.
He hadn't extracted Marianne entirely, but rather modified and reinserted her into Anya's body.
While other Geass abilities could be lifted, Marianne's was unique - forcibly removing it would mean her certain death.
Yet Mahiro kept her preserved because she still held value for his plans.
Just as he stepped from the room into the corridor, he caught sight of a figure disappearing around the far end.
The striking black mermaid dress and those vivid emerald locks were unmistakable.
Staring at the now empty corridor, Mahiro's face revealed contemplative thought.
Time flowed steadily onward.
Under Shadow Garden's management, both Penglai Island and the EU operated with meticulous efficiency.
Kaguya appeared to have traveled to the Chinese Federation as a diplomat, accompanied by two others.
Today marked their scheduled departure for Area Eleven.
However, their traveling party had gained one unexpected member.
The sea breeze carried cherry blossom petals toward a girl whose sweet, gentle smile radiated warmth like the sun.
Yet this very sweetness made Mahiro unconsciously pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Euphy, are you certain you want to come along?"
Indeed, the girl was Euphy - unchanged from a year ago, save for the sunglasses she now wore, reminiscent of her attire during the school festival.
At his question, Euphy nodded slightly:
"Yes, I wish to go... I know what you're going to say, Teacher, but it's something I must face sooner or later."
Euphy maintained her smiling demeanor.
But her smile wasn't forced - rather, it carried a sense of resolution and acceptance.
Over the past year, Euphy had contemplated many things.
She understood clearly what troubles her so-called carefully calculated [Japanese Administrative Zone] would have invited had it been implemented - she would have become history's eternal sinner.
Though it promised a bloodless path, its consequences would have been more terrifying than massacre.
History's pages would inevitably record her name - among those condemned.
Meeting Euphy's complex gaze, Mahiro ultimately chose to consent.
"Very well."
Today's Area Eleven basked under cloudless skies, the azure expanse washed clean.
Though one year couldn't heal all sorrows, it sufficed to mend the surface wounds left by the great war.
The collapsed settlement has been rebuilt, restored to its former prosperity, with no traces of war visible anywhere.
Only the massive crater above the former site of the private Ashford Academy remains, standing like a spectacle of a bygone era.
As a result, Ashford Academy has since relocated to the other side of the Tokyo Settlement.
However, today, Ashford Academy seems to be celebrating its centennial anniversary, with its main gates wide open as if welcoming the arrival of a distinguished guest.
Indeed, it is a distinguished guest—reportedly the leader of the EU Federation, the organization known as Shadow Garden.
It is said that in just three months, they swept across most of Europe, taking control of all EU territories.
This caused a massive shock to the world, stirring up waves of astonishment.
At the time, Britannia and the Chinese Federation were both on high alert, but after sweeping through the EU, Shadow Garden halted its advance and even initiated friendly relations with the Chinese Federation under the name of the EU.
Because of this, people around the world have developed a great interest in this organization, once regarded as a terrorist group but now occupying the EU.
Despite the blazing sun, a crowd of reporters has gathered outside the gates of Ashford Academy.
Soon, everyone sees several Knightmares slowly approaching from the end of the road, clearing the way, followed by several luxurious black sedans.
"They're here, they're here!"
"Look, look! That must be Miss Alpha of Shadow Garden, right? She's so beautiful!"
"Hey, hey, that should be Miss Nu, right? She's also quite stunning!"
...
Upon seeing the people stepping out of the cars, everyone begins whispering, and those with cameras are busy taking photos.
It must be said that every member of Shadow Garden is exceptionally attractive. After all, they are originally beastmen and elves, and even the humans among them are nobles, descended from heroic bloodlines, so their appearances and figures are naturally outstanding.
Not to mention today, Alpha and Nu are dressed in secretary outfits.
The thin white undershirts accentuate their ample chests, while the black suit jackets add a touch of coolness and maturity. Below, they wear straight black suit pants and a pair of jade-like feet wrapped in black stockings.
However, they are not the only ones drawing attention.
There are also two people stepping out of the car behind them—one is a woman with short pink hair, exuding an icy, aloof aura.
The other is a lovely girl with flowing light brown wavy hair, her figure slightly slender yet carrying a subtle sense of maturity and dignity that evokes a desire to protect her.
But what is most captivating are her lively, sparkling eyes, which seem to speak volumes.
Most of the people present recognize the identity of the girl, and some are even left speechless.
Because she is Nunnally, who went missing during the "Black Rebellion" a year ago and was once believed to be dead!
As for the person accompanying Nunnally, no one knows her, which is understandable, as she is Euphemia, disguised by Mahiro using the "Parade."
However, after stepping out of the car, they do not move. Instead, Alpha turns around respectfully and opens the door of the car behind them.
The person who steps out shocks everyone even more.
"That's... Mahiro-sensei?!"
"No way?"
"It really is Mahiro-sensei..."
Every student present was utterly stunned.
Although the fact that Yotsuba Mahiro was the leader of Shadow Garden had long been exposed, only a handful of people at the very top were aware of it.
This was his first public appearance, and he wasn't wearing any disguise this time.
Yet, even dressed in just decent, unassuming clothes, his mere presence exuded an indescribable authority that made the female students' hearts race and their eyes sparkle.
Though their Mahiro-sensei had only been away from the academy for a year—and they had even believed he died in the Black Rebellion—the Yotsuba Mahiro before them now was entirely different from the always gentle teacher they remembered, leaving them almost unable to believe their eyes.
"Let's go."
At Mahiro's command, Alpha and Nu finally stepped forward in their high heels, the clicking sounds echoing as they followed his lead, stepping once again into the academy that felt both unfamiliar and familiar, filled with occasional murmurs.
"Welcome, guests from the EU, to our Ashford Academy."
Greeting them at the school gate, as always, were the student council members, just like when he first arrived here.
But this time, the old Ashford was absent, and his granddaughter Milly had taken on the responsibility.
However, Milly's gaze toward them—toward Yotsuba Mahiro—was complex.
There was a lingering affection from their long separation, relief at seeing him alive again, and a mix of other indescribable emotions swirling in her eyes.
Over the past year, she had communicated with Alpha a few times and had a rough understanding of the situation.
So, seeing Mahiro truly awake, the heavy weight in her heart finally lifted.
Shirley felt similarly conflicted. After a year, the faint resistance she once held had long since faded, replaced by a deepening gratitude and a growing sense of longing.
Now, seeing Yotsuba Mahiro again, she couldn't quite decipher the emotions swirling within her.
"It's been a long time, Mahiro-sensei. I'm Lelouch Lamperouge—you probably remember me, right?"
At that moment, a tall, slightly slender figure stepped forward, breaking the ambiguous tension.
Lelouch's appearance, however, caused two others to freeze.
Naturally, they were Nunnally and Euphemia.
But Nunnally, with her strong composure, quickly suppressed her nostalgia and surprise, nodding slightly as she introduced herself.
When she referred to herself as Nunnally vi Britannia, Lelouch was taken aback for a long moment.
Every reaction was carefully noted by both Mahiro and Nunnally.
It seemed Orange hadn't used the anti-Geass to restore Lelouch's memories—had something happened during the process?
Meanwhile, Euphy stared at Lelouch with a complicated gaze for a long time.
"Miss, is there something wrong with my face?"
Noticing Euphy's stare, Lelouch turned and asked.
However, Euphy averted her eyes, calmly replying, "It's nothing," before walking away on her own.
Thanks to the disguise of the "Parade," no one could notice her unnatural expression.
Left behind, Lelouch wore a somewhat awkward look.
In just under five minutes, everyone present had become lost in their own thoughts.
"Alright, Mahiro-sensei, come with me first. Someone is waiting for you."
Perhaps noticing their wandering minds, or perhaps to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere, Milly, the student council president, began to guide them.
But... someone waiting for me?
Before Yotsuba Mahiro could process it, his wrist was grabbed, and he was hurriedly pulled into the school.
It seemed that even after a year of settling down and going through so much, Milly's personality hadn't changed in the slightest.
She was the type to act on her thoughts immediately, with strong execution.
"Ta-da~ We're here!"
Inside the school building, Milly pulled him along until they reached a familiar door.
"The student council room?"
"From here on, you're on your own~"
Like a mischievous little devil, Milly playfully winked and pushed him inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw a familiar figure.
"Long time no see."
"Kallen?"
Now, Mahiro was genuinely a bit surprised.
The girl before him was indeed Kallen, but her attire was vastly different from his memories. The sharp edges of her face had softened, appearing as a blend between her spirited and frail images.
Moreover, despite her longstanding hatred for Britannia, she was now dressed in noble attire.
This was truly mind-boggling.
Not only that, according to her own account, Kallen had become the Governor of Area Eleven?!
Due to the incident involving the former Deputy Governor, the "Bloodstained Princess" Euphy, along with the events of the Black Rebellion and the disappearance of the former Governor Cornelia, Area Eleven had become a hot potato. No one in Britannia's homeland was willing to take charge.
Thus, the authority over the colony, which should have been handled by princes and princesses, was delegated to the nobility.
The first to be affected were the Eight Great Noble Houses.
And Kallen, leveraging the Stadtfeld name, had secured the position.
The story sounded plausible, but why did it feel so surreal?
Had he been lured by Alaya and fallen into some parallel world?
But if it were truly a parallel world, how could Shadow Garden exist?
For a moment, Yotsuba Mahiro struggled to digest all this.
"Because this is what you taught me, Sensei—'Snakes have their paths, mice have their ways.'"
As if noticing his furrowed brows and troubled expression, Kallen stepped forward, looked up to meet his gaze, and explained with a light laugh.
Her smile seemed carefree, but her laughter carried a hint of sorrow.
"That is indeed what I taught you, but... never mind."
Mahiro initially wanted to say more, but seeing the girl's expression, he held back and instead asked:
"So, what about the Black Knights?"
"The Black Knights..."
At the mention of this, Kallen's expression quickly darkened, her spirit visibly deflating.
"The Black Knights... have been disbanded..."
To be precise, they never even got the chance for a formal disbandment.
During the Black Rebellion, both they and Zero had been too presumptuous.
Though they held the advantage at the time—with two Knights of Rounds, one defeated and retreating, the other captured, Suzaku Kururugi's Lancelot pinned down, and even Orange fighting on their side—they had even broken through the Viceroy's Palace defenses and secured strongholds.
But Britannia's reinforcements arrived swiftly, and they kept coming in endless waves.
The Black Knights, however, stood alone without adequate logistical support. Over time, the tide turned against them. Compounded by Zero's sudden disappearance, even Toudou's desperate efforts couldn't prevent their defenses from being overwhelmed by the massive forces.
The Black Knights suffered heavy casualties, with many captured or killed.
It was then that Kallen truly understood the meaning of war.
She also realized how insignificant the Black Knights' proudest moments had been in the face of a superpower like Britannia.
Their strength was merely enough to resist, but not to protect anything.
After her escape, Kallen drifted in confusion, uncertain of what to do next, yet still burning with unresolved resentment.
Then one day, watching news reports about the EU's fall—conquered and ruled by Shadow Garden—something clicked within her.
The light she had lost returned to her eyes, the fog of uncertainty completely lifting.
Her first act was to return home and reconcile with her father.
Learning about the appointment of the new Area Eleven Viceroy, she leveraged her father's influence and the Stadtfeld Family's prestige to secure the position and assume office.
If external forces couldn't be overcome, she would protect Area Eleven in her own way while secretly building strength!
It all sounded straightforward, but only Kallen knew how difficult it truly was to execute.
She spent over half a year just to fully secure the position of Area Eleven Viceroy.
Under her governance, Area Eleven began resembling a "Japanese Administrative Zone"—at least 80% of conflicts decreased, and most people coexisted peacefully, except for those disgusting nobles.
"I never knew you were so capable," Mahiro couldn't help but praise after hearing her story.
This Ashford Academy student council was truly remarkable, gathering so many talents.
A Britannian prince, a Knight of Rounds, a royal tutor, and now the Viceroy of Area Eleven...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the ultimate student council.
What surprised him most was that Suzaku Kururugi, after capturing Lelouch to become a Knight of Rounds, never targeted Kallen.
But thinking it over, it made sense—whether Suzaku knew Kallen's true identity or not, he couldn't act against her.
Even as a Knight of Rounds, his commoner "Number" status made him rootless, while Kallen had the backing of an imperial noble house—something far beyond Suzaku's reach.
"By the way, since the Black Knights are currently scattered, what about Ohgi? Didn't he try to reorganize everyone?"
"Ohgi..."
At the mention of this name, Kallen suddenly lowered her gaze, her expression darkening as she said: "He's dead."
Ohgi had once tried to rebuild the Black Knights, but as soon as there was a sign of progress, they were surrounded and suppressed. He died during that operation.
"What a pity, he was a good man."
Mahiro stepped forward, patted the girl's shoulder, and comforted her softly.
But in his heart, he thought that this idiot Ohgi had finally died—what tremendously good news.
After all, in the original story, this guy was the most brainless, even more deserving of death than Tamaki Shinichirō.
A complete opportunist and traitor!
But Kallen had no idea what he was thinking. As if finding support, she threw herself into his arms and began to sob quietly.