Chapter 156 - CHAPTER 156: I Will Come

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Although Nanaly had fully recovered physically, her muscles had long been dormant, and she remained partially paralyzed due to extended immobility.

It would take time before she could move with the ease and liveliness of an ordinary person.

Still, that didn't diminish Nanaly's joy. In the past, her brother had always taken care of her. Now, the roles were reversed—she could care for him in return.

"Alright," Shen He clapped his hands lightly. "To celebrate Nanaly's recovery, let's prepare a grand feast tonight."

"This time, can you invite the last straggler too?" One of the communications officers glanced over at Shen He. "That brat has been blowing up the channel demanding to join."

"Sure." Shen He nodded. "Shenrenhuozhi, Shirai Kuroko, and the rest—perfect timing. I was planning a visit to the Forbidden World anyway."

Previously, Aleister had been organizing the remnants of Academy City's scientific archives, merging them with alchemical matrices and runes from the Magic Side. Some of that data could prove essential for future operations, especially with Chaldea's multiversal surveillance systems undergoing upgrades.

Tonight's gathering would be one of the most diverse Chaldea had ever seen.

From the Forbidden World alone, over a dozen guests arrived—including the bee-eater emperor, and even the girl-version of Aleister. Combined with attendees from Marvel Earth—like Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Wanda, and Coulson—the castle practically overflowed. Shen He and Jeanne d'Arc were swamped in the kitchen, trying to keep up with the demand. It wasn't until the arrival of the Two Rituals and Qi Mu Nanxiong that they finally completed enough dishes to cover the massive table.

As Shen He looked at both sides of the table, lined with familiar and unfamiliar figures alike, a strange sense of fulfillment washed over him.

It was rare—almost surreal—to witness individuals from entirely different universes coexisting so naturally.

For those aware of the inner workings of Chaldea, the scene was even more astonishing.

Tony was quickly drawn into an intense knowledge exchange with the girl Aleister, though he was soon overwhelmed by her ancient arcane-techno dialect. Meanwhile, Steve struck up a surprisingly deep conversation with the usually withdrawn Dull Water; two muscle-bound men somehow finding common ground. Euphemia, seated midway through the feast, appeared completely overwhelmed. Her wide violet eyes darted between Shirai Kuroko—who had just been electrified by Misaka Mikoto—and a purple-haired clone talking about railguns and clones like it was ordinary gossip.

Shen He watched all this with a faint smile.

Officially, it was a celebration for Nanaly's recovery. But deep down, he'd been dreaming of this dinner for a long time.

Because since they had met—Jeanne, Tony, Lelouch, Mikoto, the Two Rituals, Nanxiong—the false identity enforced by the Chaldean narrative engine was no longer just a mission cover.

It had become something real. Something worth protecting.

This night was a personal milestone. One that deserved to be etched into the annals of Chaldea's growing chronicle.

The banquet lasted until well past midnight, until finally, the guests began to filter out, bidding each other goodnight through portals or departing aboard hovering constructs.

Of all those present, the most shell-shocked were the Lamperouge sisters—Nanaly and Euphemia.

It was only now that they truly began to grasp what kind of cosmic-level organization their brother Lelouch had become part of.

After the dinner, Shen He asked Jeanne to escort Euphemia to her suite. Meanwhile, he and Lelouch wheeled Nanaly down the castle corridor.

Nanaly remained in her wheelchair for now, cradling the stuffed doll Misaka Mikoto had gifted her earlier. Her petite face bore a radiant smile. She hadn't been in such a bustling environment since... ever.

As Shen He and Lelouch guided her together, their private conversation continued through a secure Chaldean channel.

"How long until your side is fully resolved?" Shen He asked.

"At the earliest... six months," Lelouch responded quietly.

"You want Nanaly to stay here that long?" Shen He furrowed his brows. "We can't indefinitely mask our identities. Eventually, she'll figure everything out."

Even without tonight's dinner, it was obvious. Between Violet's straightforwardness and Aleister's lack of subtlety, Nanaly had already begun piecing things together. Shen He couldn't keep her isolated forever.

Lelouch fell silent for several seconds before his reply came, low and filled with conviction. "It's fine."

His revenge had changed him.

For so long, his stated goal had been to build a new world for Nanaly. But he now understood it had been a convenient justification—for revenge. Nanaly would never want their father dead. Yet Lelouch had already crossed that line. The only justification now was that those who harmed Nanaly would suffer.

"Alright." Shen He gave a soft sigh. "I'll take care of her until then."

"Thank you… Master."

The title wasn't just out of courtesy. Lelouch meant it.

Without Shen He, as Lelouch had admitted once before, he might have descended into true darkness. Even if revenge had succeeded, he would have been empty, alone.

Nanaly let out a tiny yawn just then, but quickly covered her mouth—still retaining her graceful etiquette.

"Sleepy, are we?" Shen He smiled. "Too much fun tonight. Time to get some rest."

They lifted her carefully into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. But as they turned to leave, Shen He caught her blinking meaningfully—followed by a subtle mouth gesture.

Shen He froze for a moment, confused—then realized what she mouthed.

Come back later.

His expression twitched slightly.

Lelouch, fortunately, seemed oblivious. After seeing him off and approving a new operation via Chaldea's node, Shen He quietly returned to Nanaly's room.

The lights were dimmed, but Nanaly was already sitting upright.

"What's wrong, Nanaly?" Shen He asked, flipping on the lamp. He was slightly tense, worried someone might walk in.

But what she said next took him by surprise.

"Brother Shen He," Nanaly said softly, still smiling. "My brother is rebelling against Britannia."

So… she had figured it out. Shen He exhaled slowly, then nodded.

"Yes. That's my directive."

"No." Nanaly shook her head. Her voice didn't waver, but her expression turned bittersweet. "That's his decision. He's been carrying that burden alone for a long time."

Shen He was silent.

She was sharper than he gave her credit for. Sometimes, it really would be easier if she'd just remained oblivious.

After all, Lelouch—her most beloved brother—was now a patricide. And not just their father. He would kill many, many others.

"Brother Shen He," Nanaly lifted her head. Her violet eyes shimmered under the lamp, gem-like and resolute. "I have a request."

Shen He sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said before she could continue. "But I probably can't grant it."

He didn't need her to say the words. He already knew.

She would ask him to stop Lelouch.

To prevent the rebellion.

Maybe even to stop her brother by force.

"Why…"

Her smile began to falter. Her eyes glistened. She bowed her head.

Then, after a brief pause, she raised it again—and reached out her tiny fingers to hook his pinky.

"Brother Shen He… promise Nanaly?"

Shen He's throat tightened.

What kind of lethal technique was this? She was pinky-swearing!?

So dangerous. He almost caved right there. This girl knew his weakness—cute, earnest requests from someone he cared about deeply.

He had to steel himself… or else Nanaly might just derail an entire revolution with a single pinky.

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