Unlimited Ambition

This is a bit tricky. With her immortality, this woman is essentially a weakened version of CC. Killing her will be quite difficult.

Just as I was plotting how to kill her, Marianna spoke up herself: "Kill me."

Huh?

“Auntie, I killed that emperor because he was an eyesore. You are still very young, in the prime of your life. Why are you in such a hurry to die?” I said, but my hand holding the sword trembled slightly, revealing my true thoughts.

“He’s dead, so there’s no point in me living,” Mariana said with a bitter smile.

I frowned, as if hesitating, and said, "I see. If that's the case, then it has nothing to do with me—you killed him too. I was just helping by killing you. Hmm, yes, yes, this is a double suicide—" As I finished speaking, the Heaven-Slaying Sword pierced Marianna's heart. Then, with a relieved smile on her face, she died.

So complicated.

As I thought this, I felt my body, so different from before. Something was definitely different. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But this feeling... well, it was like I really couldn't die anymore...

"I never imagined that you would drive them both to their deaths like this." At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind me.

CC...you've finally shown up.

Chapter Forty-Eight: Name

"CC, you've finally decided to come out and see me." I took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the bloodstains off the sword, then sheathed it. I walked over slowly.

“If I had come a little earlier, this wonderful show would have been gone.” CC was not afraid at all, and walked slowly towards me in step with me.

"Are you angry with me, or resentful that I've ignored you for two years?" I asked. At the same time, I stopped and stood two meters away from CC.

“I knew you were a petty man all along, so I can barely accept this kind of revenge.” CC also stopped.

I shook my head and said, "I am indeed petty, I do get jealous, and I'm much pettier than you think."

CC curled her lips into a smile and asked, "Is that really true?"

I nodded solemnly: "That's really true."

Seeing my expression, CC couldn't help but smile and scold, "You little rascal..."

"I'm not a child anymore!" Upon hearing this, I slammed my cloak down, strode forward, grabbed CC's wrist, and then roughly kissed her.

CC seemed a little surprised, as if she hadn't expected me to do something like that, but then she closed her eyes and obediently opened her mouth, sticking out her tongue...

After a long while, their lips parted, and CC, her eyes slightly glazed, mumbled, "You've indeed grown a little..." Then she tried to push me away, but no matter what she did, she couldn't budge her.

The more unattainable something is, the more you want it. I think I understand now why I can't forget this woman. Perhaps it's because she constantly resisted and kept running away from me.

I am a very possessive person. Once something piques my interest, I must do everything in my power to satisfy it. Only then will it be enough. But if I do that, I might quickly forget about it. However, there is another way: ignore me, don't give to me, and let me not have it. Then I will never forget it.

However, CC, you've gone too far.

"Do you know what I want to do most right now?" I asked.

"How would I know what you're thinking?" CC rolled her eyes with a charming air.

I curled my lip and smiled wickedly: "I'm going to kill you."

"Is that so?" CC asked nonchalantly.

"You're probably not afraid, after all, you're immortal. And you don't seem to want me to kill you." I said softly, "Perfect timing. Before I came here, I watched a horror movie—the female protagonist sliced ​​her boyfriend into pieces, then ate him. She thought that way she could be with him forever."

CC's expression became somewhat unnatural, and her smile was forced: "Is that so? What a disgusting story. And the protagonist is an idiot."

I gently bit her ear: "But I think it's a very feasible and good idea."

CC rolled her eyes again, whether from fear, a physiological reaction, or both, it was hard to tell. Her face was slightly flushed. She actually looked much cuter than usual.

"Don't doubt it, I really want to kill you—because it's the only idea I can think of to keep you by my side forever," I continued, biting CC's ear.

"I never thought you could be so stupid." CC's breathing grew heavier, and her hand began to wander restlessly on my back.

"I'm foolishly stupid, but I have no regrets." I continued biting her ear, and placed my hand on her back—a sudden change occurred!

Almost simultaneously, Gu and CC each produced a dagger, and at the same time—they plunged it viciously into each other's backs!

Both I and CC smiled bitterly, thinking the same thing: I never expected that this nemesis was planning the same thing.

Immediately afterwards, we shoved each other away, taking the daggers with us. After that, my third fight with CC began.

During this period of time, CC still did not make much progress and was quickly suppressed by me. He also had a few more scars on his body, which healed quickly, along with the injury on his back.

Next, I used the same tactic as before. But CC wasn't stupid; having fallen for it once, she wouldn't fall for it a second time. This exploit failed.

However, I wasn't in a hurry. I was still wearing that close-fitting soft armor. With it, plus the powerful regeneration properties of the CODE, I didn't need to worry about defense at all; I could just keep attacking.

This tactic quickly proved effective—this time, my goal wasn't simply to sever her limbs. I wielded the Heaven-Slaying Sword, each strike aimed at a vital point, leaving CC extremely passive.

The battle reached a stalemate. Seeing CC's movements slowing and beads of sweat visible on her exposed skin, I knew her stamina was waning. I intensified my attacks, gradually pushing CC to the brink of defeat.

I won. I sighed inwardly, but thrust out my sword without hesitation. However, this move, which was supposed to hit without a doubt, missed slightly and was barely dodged by CC.

Why?! I had clearly made up my mind to kill her. At this moment, I felt a piercing pain again. I knew my old problem had flared up again.

CC noticed my missed thrust and, seeing me clutching my chest in agony, dropped the dagger and burst into tears. She then rushed over and hugged me tightly.

I sighed, dropped the Heaven-Slaying Sword, and hugged her tightly.

"I don't want to fight anymore," CC said, crying.

"Okay, okay, we're not fighting anymore." I nodded firmly. I had already vaguely figured out what had happened. CC, on the other hand, was crying as she intermittently explained what had happened.

The reason she repeatedly helped Lelouch oppose me was to provoke my anger so that I would actually kill her. However, during the ten years we spent together, she deeply felt my feelings for her—extremely intense feelings. Therefore, she gradually became hesitant.

So, after I finally made up my mind to kill her, CC regretted it. Especially seeing how heartbroken I was for her, the ice in CC's heart finally melted, and she threw herself into my arms and cried bitterly.

And I am naturally very glad, and I think this is not a bad ending.

Immediately afterwards, CC initiated a kiss. Having just survived a life-or-death struggle, the two deeply in love desperately needed each other's comfort. Gradually, their actions became more and more intense, and we forgot about time and place, shedding our pretenses and becoming completely honest with each other. After that…

"Ouch, it hurts! Be gentle." I couldn't wait to penetrate her. But I noticed that CC was crying out in pain, and upon closer inspection, I saw faint traces of blood flowing from where we were joined.

"Huh? A virgin?!"

Then CC bit me hard on the chest. This time it was my turn to cry out in pain.

※※※

About two or three hours later, the couple, having exhausted the last bit of strength in their bodies, slumped together, feeling each other's body heat.

"What do you plan to do in the future?" CC suddenly asked.

"How do you do it?" I countered.

“I mean, you’ve now become an immortal monster like me, what are you going to do?” CC asked.

"Let things be as they are. We'll go back tomorrow, and then I'll launch a war against Brittany. I'll destroy it and unify the world, then I'll capture that woman Cornelia and lock her in the basement. She's not you, so I'm not afraid she'll escape. After that, the world will be at peace, and all will be united. I can then rule with ease and enjoy my old age."

CC sighed softly and said, "And what about a hundred years from now? Your women will grow old and die. Then your subjects will discover that their emperor hasn't changed at all—you no longer have Geass. What do you think they will do to you?"

I fell silent upon hearing this.

Immortality isn't just appealing to emperors. It's the same for everyone else. After all, a hundred years of life is far too short. For the sake of eternal life, betraying one's lord is a trivial matter. When that time comes, ruler and subject will turn against each other, brothers will become enemies. What will I do then?

What's more, there are those women I deeply love. Watching them fade away, withering like yellow flowers, I think it would be better for me to die.

“Before that, I will kill them.” I paused for a moment, then said, “I will find another opportunity to pass the throne to my descendants—if I can leave behind that thing. After that, I will retire with you.”

Sensing the sadness in my words, CC gently took my hand, offering silent comfort.

Just then, as I was feeling CC's warmth, a voice I'd never heard before suddenly echoed in my mind: "Not bad, meow. To be able to do this on your first try, meow. It seems I underestimated you a little. Your mission is complete; you can come back now."

What's going on?! My heart skipped a beat, and then I felt a lightness in my body, as if my existence was gradually disappearing. CC, who was beside me, watched me disappear bit by bit, her mind went blank, and she silently shed tears.

"How could this be?! Am I...am I going to die?! No! I want to live! I want to be with the one I love! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!!" I roared, but found that I couldn't make a sound at all. CC's cries in my ears grew fainter and fainter...

However, the powerful forces at work refused to heed my humble wishes. My body continued to disappear, bit by bit, resolutely.

"Wait a minute! At least let me tell you my name!!" CC shouted, "Don't forget me! My name is..."

However, I could no longer hear her. I only saw CC's mouth open and close, but heard no sound. I smiled bitterly, reached out to touch her face, but my arm, as if made of thin air, passed right through her body. After that, I knew nothing more…

A Certain Magical Index: Science Volume

Prologue: Swords and Dreams

"Hey, are you stupid? Snap out of it, meow!" someone shouted at the top of their lungs in my ear. But I just looked up, glanced around blankly, and then lowered my head again.

My memory has returned.

The memories from before I went to that world have returned.

It turns out this cute girl in front of me really is a grim reaper—the kind that's heartless and carefree. I smiled bitterly and remained silent.

"I think I had a dream—"

I was interrupted by the girl before I could finish speaking.

"No, it's not a dream. You really did live in that world for eighteen years, three months, twenty-one days, sixteen hours, ten minutes, and three seconds. After that, your body collapsed, and your soul came back here, meow." The girl's words shattered the last shred of illusion in my heart.

I covered my head and groaned in pain.

"Can I go back?" After understanding the truth, my self-reference changed once again.

"No way, meow, because the following plot won't be engaging anymore. Nobody wants to read about what happens after you unify the world. Are you going to write about palace intrigue? Or about you living a secluded life in the mountains and rivers? We won't get any recommendation votes that way."

"What are you saying? I don't understand." I shook my head.

"It's okay if you don't understand, meow. On the contrary, if you did understand, I'd be really annoyed, meow." This was a stark contrast to my lifeless demeanor. The girl seemed quite happy.

"I haven't been this happy in a long time, meow. Sending you to various worlds to observe you was definitely the right decision, meow. Alright, alright, you're awake now. So, let's move on to another world—"

"Stop joking!" I jumped up suddenly—although I was still in spirit form, for some reason, I still drew the Heaven-Slaying Sword from my waist and slashed at the Death Girl.

"Looks like you're still a little confused, meow." The girl calmly took a step back to dodge the sword's edge. Then, a red light flashed in her eyes, and her temperament changed instantly, transforming her from an innocent girl into a ruthless demon.

"You are neither Cao Cao nor Cao Mengde, nor the emperor of the Chinese Federation, nor the protagonist of that plane—you are just my toy, a deadbeat otaku—and a really deadbeat otaku at that!" the Death Girl shouted, lightly swinging her scythe, but not actually hitting me.

However, an unprecedented, excruciating pain suddenly spread throughout my body—pain, so much pain—it really hurt. I collapsed to my knees, my longsword falling from my hand. Even in my spirit form, I felt drenched in sweat. My entire being felt as if my nerves had vanished. Only one sensation remained: "So much pain."

Whatever.

After undergoing a second development and being honed by eighteen years of struggle, all of this was not lost with the demise of my body. In fact, I already understood that what she said was true. And also, I was powerless to resist.

Immediately afterward, my mental world collapsed. I cried like a child. My soul almost shattered. This startled the Death Girl, who then frantically channeled an unknown amount of power of unknown attribute into me. Only then was my soul saved.