The Martial God Returns (Continued)

However, that Schneizel fellow is truly as cunning as an old fox!

Seeing his childlike complaining expression made CC, who was sitting on the bed, burst out laughing.

"Hey? Teacher, what was that sound just now?"

"Oh, it's my cat."

"Mahiro- sensei has a cat? I definitely want to see it if I get the chance!"

"I think it's better not to look at it. It's just a little wildcat, and a really fierce one at that, even with all green fur. It's ugly."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, trust me."

Mahiro's words enraged CC, and the witch grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at Mahiro.

Mahiro got up, narrowly avoiding the pillow attack. He ignored CC and went to the windowsill, looking down at Nunnally was pushing Kaguya Sumeragi around the garden. Then he continued chatting with Euphemia on the phone.

However, after only a few more words, Euphemia suddenly fell silent.

"What's wrong?"

"Teacher, actually I have another idea..."

Euphemia's tone was very serious.

"If we succeed, you and Lelouch will never have to live like this again, teacher. It's very dangerous, isn't it? What you and Lelouch are doing now."

Mahiro knew very well that Euphemia li Britannia was referring to the Black Knights and the Shadow Garden.

And it's highly likely that this involves the establishment of Special Administrative Zone of Japan.

It must be said that this princess can be quite self-centered at times. She has no idea what Lelouch's true intentions are, and she imposes her own good intentions on others without any regard for the consequences.

Even so, what the girl did, defying all societal norms, was deeply moving, and even he, as her teacher, couldn't find any fault with it.

Only--

"Euphemia li Britannia, I understand your good intentions and I can guess what you're planning, but be careful not to get taken advantage of."

He tried his best to persuade her using calm, non-manipulative language.

"You mean... Brother Schneizel?"

"I didn't say who it was. I'm just reminding you to be careful because what you're doing is dangerous. Although it's well-intentioned, if someone takes advantage of it, it could be the deepest form of malice."

Simply put, it completely cut off the retreat route of the Japan resistance army. It could even be considered a new method of colonial management, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a pilot zone.

On the surface, they are being treated with kindness and appeasement, but in reality, they are being kept like livestock.

Slowly but gently eradicate the soil of resistance, while still maintaining a moral high ground.

But in reality, these people haven't considered that a single special economic zone can only accommodate a few million people. What about everyone else?

Ordinary people will fight for special zone slots, causing serious internal friction.

Under pressure from both inside and outside, once they are manipulated, what way out do the resistance fighters have?

Not at all.

It's either submission or annihilation; there is no third way.

"I... understand, I will seriously consider it."

Euphemia li Britannia was silent for a long time on the other end of the phone before responding, but then immediately added, "Teacher, you will definitely support me, right?"

"Yes, of course."

Mahiro's reassuring words put Euphemia li Britannia at ease.

"With your support, Mr. Mahiro, even if this is difficult, I will definitely do my best to do it."

Euphemia's tone was firm, a do-or-die mentality.

"Ah, my elder sister is here. I'll hang up now. Teacher Mahiro... I'll call you again when I have a chance."

Euphemia li Britannia's tone suddenly became flustered. She hurriedly said those words, and then the phone went dead.

Mahiro looked at the phone that had been hung up, put it back in his pocket, and then leaned against the edge of the windowsill, gazing at the girls laughing and playing in the garden below. He couldn't help but sigh:

"You've reached that rebellious age, Euphemia li Britannia..."

However, having promised Euphemia li Britannia to choose a knight for her, Mahiro didn't intend to delay and immediately dialed another number.

He already had a suitable candidate in mind to serve as Euphemia li Britannia's knight...

It's safe to say that no one else could be more suitable than her.

"This is Holy Britannian Empire Television, and I am your live reporter, Joseph. At this moment, within the Governor's Mansion of the Area 11 Holy Britannia, the knighting ceremony for Her Highness Euphemia Li Britannia, the Third Princess of the Empire, is underway."

As the television reporter's voice rang out, almost every Britannia's eyes were focused on their own television or computer, watching intently as this moment arrived.

However, to be precise, it wasn't just Britannia, but many others who were paying attention to this coronation ceremony.

For example, the members of the Black Knights.

They are all speculating about who Euphemia's knight is.

But in reality, even many of the nobles in the hall were completely unaware that just a few days ago, news had come that Princess Euphemia li Britannia had not yet selected a knight, but now the selection had already been completed.

Who could it be?

"I'm not sure either, but there were rumors that Euphemia li Britannia Highness Euphemia wanted to choose an honorary Britannia to be a knight."

"Really? If it's true, wouldn't Princess Euphemia li Britannia's reputation be ruined...?"

"Tch, it's just a mere Eleven..."

Just as the nobles below were whispering and exchanging their thoughts, and just as Euphemia li Britannia sat on the throne above, the doors of the banquet hall were suddenly pushed open, and a person dressed in a black robe walked in from outside.

Amidst numerous astonished and shocked gazes, he strode confidently and steadily across the red carpet.

"Who... is that person?"

"I don't know, but it looks like a woman."

"A woman? Could she be one of the Knights of the Rounds?"

"What a joke! Those officials are His Majesty the Emperor's personal troops; how could they possibly condescend to become Princess Euphemia li Britannia's knights..."

Amidst the suspicions of the crowd, the figure clad in black robes ascended the steps, arrived before the emperor, and knelt on one knee.

"By order of the Shadow, I have come to assume your knightly duty."

"You've worked hard, but could you lift your hood and let me see what you look like?"

Upon hearing the female voice from the other end, Euphemia li Britannia paused slightly before speaking in a gentle tone.

In fact, Euphemia li Britannia was very curious about the person who would become her knight.

Although she had been recommended by Teacher Mahiro, she had never met him before, not even once, and had no idea what kind of person would be coming today.

"Good."

The man nodded, then pulled up his hood.

A head of light golden hair suddenly cascaded down, spreading across the ground.

At the same time, he raised his head, revealing a pair of sharp, indigo-blue eyes.

"Miss Alpha???"

Euphemia li Britannia exclaimed in surprise.

But she quickly realized what was happening.

That wasn't Alpha.

Although the person looked exactly like the one in my memory, this person had a more mature and weathered air about them, and their hair color didn't match.

The other party also denied this.

"No, Alpha is my niece. I am [Goddess of War] Beatrice. Please take care of me, Princess Euphemia."

It was only then that Euphemia li Britannia noticed the other person's attire.

Beneath the dark robe was a long, slender blade, and the clothing was quite revealing.

Her upper body was covered by a blouse that concealed her vital parts, but her flat stomach and slender, fair arms were completely exposed.

She was wearing something resembling denim shorts on her lower body, and ankle boots on her feet.

Her perfectly slender and toned thighs were completely exposed to the air.

The tear lines at the corners of her eyes, coupled with such a wild outfit, added a touch of wildness to her otherwise calm and elegant demeanor.

However, her beauty still amazed many people; at least now all the nobles are curious about her background and origins.

Even students watching on screens are no exception.

She's as beautiful as an elf from a fairy tale.

Nina, however, felt uneasy watching this scene, even though it wasn't Eleven as rumored, nor was it a man.

But if she could, how much she wished she could kneel in that spot...

At that moment, the investiture ceremony officially began.

"[Goddess of War] Beatrice, are you willing to swear an oath here and now, to fight as Britannia, as my knight?"

"Yes, Princess Euphemia."

"Are you willing to forsake your personal desires and become a sword and a shield for the sake of great justice, standing by my side?"

Yes, your highness.

"So, what's next..."

Euphemia intended to proceed to the final, and most crucial, step, only to discover that the other party seemed to be unarmed with their ritual sword...

Swish--

As if she could read Euphemia li Britannia's mind, Beatrice lifted her robe, placed the dagger at her waist aside, and took out another sword from the other side, offering it to Euphemia li Britannia with both hands.

Her attire was completely exposed to everyone's view.

"This is... this is such barbaric attire!"

"Oh my, this new knight lady is quite unique."

Everyone was amazed by Beatrice's attire.

Euphemia li Britannia, on the other hand, was greatly surprised by the blade Beatrice presented to her.

It resembled a Europe greatsword, but the tip was broken off. Euphemia li Britannia knew very well the origin of this sword.

It is the sacred sword, nicknamed "the sword that never sharpens," and has been a central artifact in the coronation ceremonies of Britannia monarchs since Edward the Conqueror's canon in 1161.

"Curtana!"

"This is a replica, a gift from Shadow to you."

Beatrice explained calmly.

"Mahiro- sensei, did you prepare this for me...?"

Euphemia li Britannia murmured softly.

She didn't know what Mahiro's purpose was in doing this, but she still took the replica Curtana from Beatrice and lightly tapped it on either side of the other's shoulders.

"I, Euphemia Li Britannia, acknowledge you, Beatrice, as my knight, and hope that you will faithfully fulfill this duty."

The ceremony is now complete.

Beatrice, despite having no title, nothing, and an unknown origin, rightfully became Euphemia's knight.

No matter who it was, even if the emperor himself came, he could not change the outcome.

In the silence, scattered applause broke out from the nobles below the stage.

This result shocked everyone in the Black Knights.