Named C.C

A month later, Ask lay in a rocking chair, leafing through some documents. The table in front of him was also covered with books.

They were all materials about the EU, covering everything from its history to its current situation.

He would soon head to the EU front, where the situation had yet to stabilize. Although the Britannian Empire had occupied some areas, many resistance forces remained.

Ironically, the expedition to the EU had initially been intended for negotiations. It had gradually escalated into localized clashes, then localized warfare. The reasons behind that progression were intriguing indeed, but not something to probe too deeply.

Ask's trip to the EU was meant to bring the situation firmly under control, which would greatly enhance both his achievements and his reputation.

On a deeper level, Emperor Charles did not trust outsiders. Every conquered territory was administered by one of his capable children, partly out of trust and partly to hone their abilities.

Thus, there was a strong chance that Ask would be put in charge of the EU territories.

I could consider establishing a Geass Research Institute in the EU.

Perhaps there are Geass users there, too.

That was what Ask had in mind. Geass was his primary objective; the EU front was merely a battlefield where he could rack up achievements.

Ring-!

The sudden ringing of a phone interrupted Ask's thoughts.

He looked at the phone ringing on the table. It was his private phone, whose number was known only to his core personnel and trusted aides.

He picked it up and checked the caller's number. It was Jeremiah.

"It's me."

"Your Highness, we've captured that woman."

Ask was immediately delighted. His month of waiting and "acting" had finally paid off.

"Have you? Then bring her to my palace. Don't let anyone notice you on the way."

"Understood, Your Highness."

After he hung up, Monica smiled at the sight of his expression. She rarely saw a smile that came from his heart. Usually, he wore a mask, with a false smile fixed on his face.

Ask turned to Monica and instructed her:

"Have the maids prepare a room. Also, cancel the cleaning of the study."

He had one purpose in doing this: to conceal his real intentions.

There were spies for Emperor Charles among his maids. Even if he knew who they were, he had to pretend otherwise. "Exposing" his movements to Emperor Charles would spare him a great deal of trouble and earn him trust. Throughout these past days, he had done his best to play the part of "a prince working tirelessly over the situation in the EU."

In truth, he would need neither the guest room they prepared nor the study.

"Also, bring the cargo to this room yourself, and have Jeremiah wait in the study."

"Understood."

Rather than "Yes, Your Highness," she gave him only a casual "Understood." That was a privilege reserved for those Ask trusted most.

Then Ask walked to a corner of the room. This was his sitting room, and it was spacious. Three bookcases stood side by side along one wall, each with sixteen shelves.

Ask approached the first bookcase, counted down to the seventh shelf, then counted to the seventh book from the left. He turned it over and laid it horizontally.

Then he approached the third bookcase, counted up to the sixth shelf, and counted to the sixth book from the right. He turned it over and laid it horizontally.

Finally, he walked to the middle bookcase and kicked its bottom shelf hard.

The bookcases suddenly began to shake. Those on either side shifted a short distance outward, while the middle one split as though it had been cut straight down the center. Its halves slowly swung outward like a pair of doors, revealing a concealed door behind them.

He pushed the door open and walked straight inside.

Ask had secretly ordered this hidden chamber built when he was young. Only he and Monica knew about it. As for the builders, shortly after completing it, they had died of illness or been caught up in sudden accidents or wars.

No "traces" had been left behind. Everything was perfectly "reasonable."

The chamber was dim, lit by only a few hanging lamps. The cold marble floor made the entire space feel even gloomier.

Solid walls surrounded it, providing excellent soundproofing.

Two iron shackles hung from the ceiling at the center of the chamber, intended to secure someone's wrists. Matching shackles on the floor were meant for their ankles.

A bed, a table, and a chair stood to one side.

It looked more like a prison cell.

Ask sat down on the edge of the bed. Before long, he heard the concealed door opening.

With her petite frame, Monica had to use all her strength to push a small cart inside. A woman with long green hair lay tied to it, her limbs and body bound tightly.

The woman appeared to be sound asleep, seemingly knocked out by some drug.

Ask then unwrapped the "package" and, together with Monica, secured the woman's wrists and ankles in the chamber's iron shackles. Her body was bent, her feet spread apart and her hands suspended from the ceiling, with her upper body leaning slightly forward. The pose was somewhat suggestive.

Even all that commotion failed to wake her. Ask gave Monica a meaningful glance.

Splash!

Monica picked up a basin of cold water and flung it over the woman.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Only then did the woman wake. She coughed up the cold water she had inhaled and looked at Ask calmly.

"Who are you?"

There was not a hint of fear, or even a flicker of emotion. Ask raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking someone else's name?"

Ask stepped forward, took a lock of her hair, and toyed with it in his hand.

The woman frowned.

"So you're a frivolous young man. What did you bring me here for?"

Ask's opinion of her rose a little. She clearly understood her current predicament, yet showed no fear whatsoever.

"As I said, could you tell me your name first?"

"Ask Vi Britannia. You really are as formidable as the rumors say."

Ask was not surprised that she recognized him. After all, she had dealings with Marianne, and the three major factions within the imperial family were common knowledge.

"I'll ask one last time. Will you tell me your name?"

The teasing look in Ask's eyes turned cold, revealing a trace of murderous intent.

The woman fell silent for a moment, seemingly unfazed.

"C.C."

"C.C?"

"That is my name. Whether you believe it is up to you."

Ask studied C.C. She did not seem to be lying, but he was hardly going to trust her just like that. He did not believe it was her real name.

"Well, it doesn't matter. Let's move on to the next topic."

C.C watched Ask quietly. She, too, wanted to know what he was after.

"Can you tell me about Geass? Everything you know."

C.C froze for a moment, then gave a low chuckle.

"No matter how highly the outside world rates you, they've still underestimated you. I never imagined you would manage to uncover Geass."

"Spare me the pointless remarks. I don't want to waste time."