The Empire's Witch (5.2K) (Continued)

"Degenerate, corrupt, filthy, you officials are like termites, eroding the very foundation of this country! Am I asking you about something so trivial? I'm asking you how things are going with ZERO!"

Instead of wasting your time on these useless decorations, use your brains to figure out how to bring Zero, the enemy of the Empire's subjects, to justice!

Cornelia reprimanded him mercilessly.

Actually, they can't be blamed for this. Everyone says it's Clovis's fault, because Clovis loved these fancy parties when he was alive, so they just did it on a whim.

But they forgot.

Cornelia is no fool like Clovis.

"Do you have any intelligence updates regarding Zero?"

After giving a brief reprimand, Cornelia put down her pistol and asked coldly.

Although the atmosphere was much more relaxed than before, the officials present still couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

However, he still spoke respectfully:

"Your Highness, we recently apprehended some terrorists roaming Shinjuku. However, they didn't know much, only that besides ZERO, there was an unnamed white-haired man. Judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to be from Area 11..."

The man's voice grew softer and softer, until it finally fell silent under Cornelia's piercing gaze.

Make excuses!

An blatant evasion!

Does this intelligence require arresting people to provide a confession?

Anyone who watched the live stream that day already knows about these two people. Do you really need to report this to me?!

Incompetent, useless!

Cornelia really wanted to hurl a few curses at him right now.

But he eventually calmed himself down, tucked the pistol back into his waistband, and turned to say:

"Lord Guilford, when will the Knightmare of the Royal Guard be delivered?"

"Your Highness, we will complete the mission within a week!"

Guilford gave a knightly salute and spoke respectfully.

Due to the sheer size of the Knightmare, Cornelia's personal guards couldn't all accompany her to Area 11.

"Very good."

Cornelia nodded in satisfaction, then spoke again, "Then, after this mission is completed, the investigation into ZERO will be entrusted to you. You are my most capable subordinate, so don't let me down, Lord Guilford."

"Yes, Your Highness! I will certainly not let you down."

"Yes, you may leave."

Cornelia waved her hand, allowing Guilford to leave, and then she stepped onto the marble floor with her long, shapely legs, the sharp heels clicking rapidly.

Behind him, a pure white shawl-like robe billowed in a swift and decisive arc.

Although she had just arrived in Area 11, Cornelia knew that she still had many things to deal with, and more importantly, she had to clean up the mess left by her brother Clovis.

To be honest, she was still very saddened and regretful about Clovis's passing.

Unlike the second prince, Schneizel, Clovis was a very simple person.

Even the teacher's evaluation was --

"Clovis, he would have been a good artist, but it's a pity he was born into royalty..."

He was not good at political maneuvering, politics, or governing a region, let alone fighting on the battlefield.

However, even so, Clovis still insisted on coming to Area 11 to become the governor.

It wasn't just about gathering up the strategic resource, Sakuradite, and making some progress; the deeper reason was that Clovis wanted to find the whereabouts of Lelouch and Nunnally.

They wanted to secretly bring them back to the country behind their father's back, so that they would no longer suffer abroad.

But what I didn't expect was...

During those seven years, Clovis not only made no discoveries, but also made a mess of Area 11, and ultimately lost his life.

Now, all Cornelia can do is govern Area 11 well to prove that her brother Clovis is not incompetent, and find Zero to kill him with her own hands!

This is the best way to mourn Clovis!

"Royal sister... no, Your Excellency Governor, I have something I want to tell you."

Just as Cornelia returned to the governor's mansion, Cornelia, who had caught up with Euphemia li Britannia, called out to her. She turned around, looked at Euphemia li Britannia with gentle eyes, and asked softly:

"What is it?"

"It's about Mr. Mahiro."

In an instant!

Cornelia's heart skipped a beat, and her deep, ocean-like pupils contracted slightly.

"Tell me more, Euphemia li Britannia."

"Well, actually... during my escape, I happened to run into Mr. Mahiro. He's currently a teacher at the Ashford Academy."

"Ashford? Is that the family that Princess Marianne took care of back then?"

"Yes, that's right." Euphemia li Britannia nodded, confirming.

He disappeared for nearly eight years, vanishing without a trace as if he had evaporated into thin air.

Now it's even appeared in Area 11...

Cornelia silently walked forward, brushing past Euphemia li Britannia, and stood by the French windows, gazing at the distant night.

Amidst the glittering stars reflected in her eyes, there was a hint of reminiscence.

When Yotsuba Mahiro first met this teacher, Cornelia didn't actually like him; in fact, she was constantly at odds with him.

But each time, this Mr. Mahiro would always knock her to the ground with a gentle, nonchalant smile.

He tirelessly accepted the challenges of his mischievous childhood.

Then, the various martial arts skills, unique abilities, and the Spartan-like challenging training she displayed completely won her over.

Even in order to teach her what war is, he disregarded his mother's objections and insisted on taking her to the battlefield of the EU, where she piloted the prototype Knightmare mech to conquer all sides.

Even her current skill in controlling Knightmare was learned from Yotsuba Mahiro.

In her heart, he was simply the most dazzling and most admired hero.

But such a person, after so long, actually appeared in this place, and even became a teacher at an ordinary noble school, living such a remote corner...

"Mahiro- sensei, you've fallen too..."

Achoo!

In class, Mahiro sneezed violently.

"Which bastard is talking badly about me behind my back?"

He rubbed his nose and muttered to himself.

However, his gaze soon fell on a boy standing on the podium, facing the classroom.

"I am Suzaku Kururugi, starting my studies at the Ashford Academy today. Nice to meet you!"

Suzaku Kururugi, dressed in a neat Ashford Academy men's uniform, stood there calmly introducing himself.

Unfortunately, the students below did not show any curiosity or welcome towards him, the transfer student.

She either avoided his sincere gaze or glared back at Suzaku Kururugi with hostile eyes, her gaze filled with blatant contempt.

They couldn't understand why a murderer could sit in the same classroom as them!

This is the murderer who killed Prince Clovis!!!

Even if they are cleared of suspicion, they are still Britannia a low reputation!

Mahiro, standing on the other side of the podium, showed no intention of helping to resolve the situation. Instead, he stared at Suzaku Kururugi expressionlessly.

He was also curious as to why Suzaku Kururugi would come to the Ashford Academy.

However, it's probably possible to guess who can help Suzaku Kururugi.

It's either Euphemia, or that shady white coat-wearing guy— Lloyd Asplund.

Since Marianne's assassination, the Ashford family has declined.

But the Asplund Family was different; they were a prestigious hereditary Earl of the empire. Moreover, Lloyd had also established a connection with the second prince Schneizel, which further solidified the Asplund's position in the Britannia Empire.

Countless families were eager to befriend the Asplund Family.

The Ashford family is one of them.

It is said that Ashford also plans to marry Asplund in order to restore his former glory.

"Alright, alright, Suzaku Kururugi is now a student of our school! Everyone should know that the story about Suzaku killing Prince Clovis a few days ago was false... That's all!"

Mahiro clapped his hands to interrupt the whispers in the classroom, thus taking on some of the responsibility that a teacher should have.

After all, classes still need to be attended.

After arranging Suzaku Kururugi for an empty seat in the corner of the classroom, today's lesson began.

After class, before Mahiro could even leave the classroom, aside from a few people who particularly disliked Eleven, quite a few people remained in the classroom, discussing the transfer student Suzaku Kururugi.

"I never expected it to be ELEVEN!"

Nina quickly left her seat, hiding behind Kallen and Shirley as if avoiding a plague.

"He's an honorary Britannia."

The blue-haired Rivalz corrected.

"But, there's no difference, right...?"

In Nina's eyes, all Elevens are the same; there is no such thing as the honorary Britannia title.

"Don't just be afraid. You'll know what kind of person he is once you talk to him! Maybe he's a surprisingly good person!"

Upon hearing Nina's words, the cheerful Shirley acted faster than she thought. Without giving it much thought, she stood up to talk to Suzaku Kururugi, whom her classmates feared like a venomous snake.

He's a complete action-taker.

However, before she could reply, Lelouch suddenly got up and walked out of the classroom.

When he reached the classroom door, Lelouch paused for a moment, glancing at Suzaku Kururugi packing his books on the desk out of the corner of his eye. He then adjusted his collar before walking out of the classroom.

"Ah!"

Suzaku Kururugi, who was tidying up his books, naturally saw Lelouch's actions, paused, and his eyes flashed with excitement.

After leaving the classroom, Lelouch went straight to the rooftop balcony, stood in front of the railing and looked down at the students resting in the courtyard below.

The sunlight was pleasant, and the perfectly landscaped and laid-out courtyard attracted many birds, whose melodious chirping filled the air.

Soon after, the rooftop door behind him was quietly pushed open.

Then, the sound of footsteps gradually approached.

"This gesture hasn't been used for seven years."

"Let's talk in the attic, shall we?"

"Yes."

"It's good to see you're alright, Lelouch."

Suzaku Kururugi came to Lelouch's side, leaned against the edge of the railing, and enjoyed the breeze from the rooftop.

When he first met Lelouch, they almost died together.

Thanks to you.

Lelouch smiled gently, but then asked with a hint of doubt, "By the way, how did you end up attending Ashford Academy? Did Euphemia li Britannia help you?"

Three days have passed since the two new governors arrived in Area 11.

Just yesterday, news of Cornelia's inauguration as the new governor of Area 11 and Euphemia li Britannia's appointment as deputy governor had spread far and wide.