After a long journey, Xiao Ran, who finally completed all the tasks of Area 19, returned to the capital of Britannia. The fatigue of the journey did not have too much impact on Xiao Ran, and Luciano accompanied Monica on the hospital bed to leave the plane, and watched Monica leave under the care and protection of a group of medical staff and guards. Then he turned to look at the long motorcade on the other side, and Bismark standing in front of the motorcade.
In addition to Bismark, another person with a distinguished status in the empire, the imperial prince and prime minister, Schneizel, also stood at the front of the convoy. Schneizel, a man with extremely deep scheming and difficult-to-Takuma ambitions to dominate the world, was also evaluated as the person closest to the emperor among all Britannian Empire.
In his eyes, he has no real enemies. He is a person who will not cling to anything for selfish reasons. In other words, he will not use emotions to judge things but regard interests as the top priority. As long as the goal to be achieved can bring positive benefits and effects, then he can sacrifice everything for it, including himself.
Such a person is definitely the most qualified candidate as a leader. Even Xiao Ran has to admit that this guy is more qualified to be a king than Lelouch. However, his indifference to emotions and putting profit and utilization value first are advantages but also disadvantages. In short, Single Point is inhumane. Reason overpowers everything but he also holds onto human nature. Euphemia has similar ideals, and there are many contradictions in his heart and behavior. Schneizel has a good grasp of the scale and is a very capable person. However, he is too ambitious, has too many ideas, and lacks the necessary shining points of human nature. It is not surprising to face the failure of the protagonist Lelouch.
In the normal development of the plot, he once brought great danger to Lelouch, but in the end he was controlled by Lelouch's GEASS and eventually became a loser, but this did not hinder this person's evaluation of him in the eyes of Xiao Ran.
Xiao Ran also seems to remember that Schneizel doesn't seem to have the slightest fondness for Charles, and also planned Coup d'état against Charles, who is also the last Lelouch in this world The opponent exists like a big BOSS, and there is no doubt about his ability, especially the management of the country and the mastery of diplomacy, but he is much better than Lelouch, not to mention Nanalie and Euphemia who are still in ignorance and don't know anything at all.
Xiao Ran can feel that Schneizel's eyes are on him at this time. It's not just him, but the eyes of many people are on him. The things contained in these eyes are too complicated. There are all kinds of eyes, whether they are admiration, sizing, ridicule, etc. There are many of them.
Luciano was used to being careless and didn't notice the strange atmosphere now. After watching the convoy transporting Monica leave, he patted his shoulder. "Let's go. I didn't expect that His Highness Schneizel and Knight Bismark would come to pick us up together. Don't keep Your Highness and the others waiting."
Xiao Ran nodded lightly, and walked quickly to the front of the motorcade with Luciano, stopping in front of Bismark and Schneizel. The closer they were, the more clearly they could see the expressions and eyes on their faces.
Bismark has a complicated face, with a little bit of surprise hidden in his eyes. The indescribable expression and eyes are like seeing a younger generation grow up, but it is not happy or proud. There is also no jealousy or resentment, and a little bit of loneliness and helplessness. In short, it is difficult to describe it simply with words.
Schneizel, on the other hand, was quite calm, with a fake gentle smile, showing his stability and kindness, but Xiao Ran could see the ruthless nature of the other person's face at a glance.
As the person with the highest status, Schneizel took the initiative very well. After Xiao Ran stopped, he did not hide his appreciation and goodwill towards Xiao Ran. With a smile, he took the initiative to speak before Xiao Ran saluted, "Welcome back, Knight Lelouch, Luciano knight, thank you for everything you have done for the empire at Area 19. If I remember correctly, this is the first official meeting between me and Knight Lelouch. I have heard of everything you have done at Area 19 for a long time. It is really admirable. Your feats have now spread throughout the empire, and you live up to the name of Knights of the Round."
Xiao Ran put one hand on his chest and made a formal salute, and said politely, "Your Highness Schneizel praised me. This is what I should do. I also want to thank you for taking the time to come over to greet us despite your busy schedule."
Schneizel raised his hand and waved it gently, shook his head and said seriously, "For the heroes, warriors and meritorious officials of the empire, I don't think that my presence here is something worthy of gratitude. The people who should be thanked are you. It is precisely because the empire has warriors and heroes like you that the empire can maintain and become stronger and stronger. As the prime minister and prince of the empire, it is my honor to serve as an example and representative to welcome the return of the heroes."
Luciano The second fool laughed. As for how much he thought Schneizel said the words was true, or whether he was moved by it, only this second fool knew best. Of course, Xiao Ran was at least clear about it.
But for Xiao Ran, Schneizel's beautiful words will not affect him. He just thinks that Schneizel's superficial skills are really good, and he really gives face and embarrassment. He doesn't know if this guy has touched himself with his saucy words.
However, Schneizel's purpose Xiao Ran has guessed a little bit, which is nothing more than to gain favorability and win over himself, but think about it on the other hand, since Xiuzenair can be defeated by in the end Lelouch's GEASS control, and I don't have the slightest fondness for Charles. I should even have the intention of wanting Coup d'état, so Xiao Ran is not You can also win over this guy for your own use, and ask Lelouch to give him a GEASS to obey the orders of Nanalie or Euphemia, so that this guy can act as prime minister. Identity continues to exist to manage this country with many affairs, and it seems not a bad thing to let the two simple girls Nanalie and Euphemia break free from those complicated things and intrigues.
In addition, Schneizel, like Cornelia, has a high reputation in the empire and has many supporters. If Schneizel can be made one of his own, it will be of great help to the subsequent Coup d'état operation.
"Your Highness is so polite. I feel flattered by your words." Xiao Ran smiled faintly, but did not look flattered at all. He said calmly, "As an empire Knights of the Round, the sharpest sword in His Majesty's hand, but I have not completed the task entrusted by His Majesty, so I am not worthy of His Highness's praise. After all, we are fleeing back to the capital in disgrace with the name of loser."
Schneizel's expression darkened slightly when he heard Xiao Ran's words. It wasn't that he felt that Xiao Ran didn't give him face or anything, but it was simply about the incident mentioned in Xiao Ran's words.
Schneizel's eyes were a bit sharp. "You can't say that. Even if it failed in the end, the previous credit cannot be wiped out. It allowed the endangered Area 19 to regain its footing and expand to such an extent that it could withstand the EU's endless After several attacks, he almost saved the entire situation by himself. No one would dare to label every Area 19 soldier a loser for such a great achievement. If anyone dared to do this, I, as the prime minister of the empire, would not allow it."
Xiao Ran sighed lightly and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."
"This is not an understanding. If even a hero like you Knight Lelouch has to be questioned, then there will be nothing worth looking forward to in the future of this country." Xiuzenair shook his head and said, "That failure was not your problem Knight Lelouch, it was the enemy's. It is so powerful that it is beyond expectation. The combined cutting-edge combat power of both our country and the EU is no match for that machine. No matter how you look at it, this failure has nothing to do with you Knight Lelouch. It is purely because the opponent's power is so powerful that it is impossible to resist it by any means."
Luciano's smiling expression slowly turned serious. He nodded deeply and said, "Where did such an enemy... come from? The organization called Black Knights first appeared in Area 11. How could it have such a powerful force? When I think about it being defeated without any resistance at that time, I still can't imagine how the pilot of that machine, Pendragon, did it."
Bismark, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke, "Concerning this question, His Majesty also hopes to get the answer from your mouths. He also wants to know personally from your mouths what happened that day, with Knights of the Round's eyes."
Xiao Ran smiled slightly and nodded, "Since Your Majesty is waiting for us, there is no need to waste time here."
Bismark nodded. Just as he was about to say something, Schneizel suddenly smiled and said, "In that case, let's set off quickly. Knight Luciano, you and Knight Bismark are riding in the same car. I have long admired Knight Lelouch. This time I also want to take this opportunity to get more familiar with Knight Lelouch."
Luciano felt nothing was wrong. Bismark glanced at Schneizel and frowned slightly but said nothing in the end. Schneizel raised his hand and took the initiative to open the car door behind him. "Please, Knight Lelouch."
The situation between Schneizel and Bismark Xiao Ran felt that something was not right, but he did not know what happened between the two people, what it meant, and what deeper meaning was hidden behind it. After smiling slightly, Xiao Ran nodded and took the initiative to get in the car without any politeness.
Schneizel was never a person who decided his thoughts based on emotion. This kind of indifference made him not think that Xiao Ran's actions were any disrespect to him. He nodded to Bismark and Luciano indifferently and got into the car. Then someone closed the door for him.
The car of Schneizel is much more luxurious than the car of Bismark. It is a large extended version. It is not only longer but also higher. It is more like a luxury car with a luxury car at the front and a luxurious cabin. It is very spacious inside.
Schneizel sat down directly after entering the car, opened the refrigerator next to him, looked at Xiao Ran, and asked with a smile, "Knight Lelouch needs something to drink. Area 19 probably hasn't had the opportunity to touch these things for a long time."
"Just do whatever you want. There really aren't that many places to enjoy on the battlefield, but Princess Cornelia didn't treat me badly, so I can still relax from time to time."
Schneizel smiled, took a glass and poured it with ice. He handed the glass to Xiao Ran's hand in one movement, poured himself a glass of the same wine, and took a sip first without asking Xiao Ran. As if to prove something, he shook the wine glass and spoke slowly, "This is my favorite wine. The annual production is not large. Even with my status, I can only get a small amount. Knight Lelouch You are in for a treat today."
"Really, I want to experience the fine wine that even His Highness praised."
Xiao Ran smiled and took a sip of the wine in the cup. I can only say that the taste was pretty good, but it was far from the level that made Xiao Ran feel good. After all, Burning Legion governs several worlds, so huge There are many strange things in the universe, and the same goes for wine. Xiao Ran actually likes a kind of wine that he usually drinks. The feeling in his mouth is not hot but cold, which is in line with Xiao Ran's personal personality.
Next, the two of them talked some irrelevant nonsense in the car. Schneizel didn't show how curious he was about Area 19's situation. It wasn't that he didn't want to know more about Area 19. There is no need to ask Xiao Ran now. After all, Xiao Ran will still say it when he is in front of Charles. Schneizel is not lacking in this bit of patience.
The reason why I want to chat with Xiao Ran alone is because Schneizel wants to know more about Xiao Ran, the name Lelouch, and get closer to Xiao Ran.
But in addition, Schneizel also had other deeper purposes. After the team set off, Schneizel put the wine glass on the horizontal table and said, "Knight Lelouch was originally Area 11. I wonder how much Knight Lelouch knows about Black Knights."
Xiao Ran shook his head. "I don't know much. When I was at Area 19, Black Knights didn't take many actions, and he never showed such power. If I have to say it, it can only be described as mysterious."
"Mysterious, yes, it is indeed mysterious." Schneizel laughed meaningfully and said, "Just like you Knight Lelouch, you represent mystery, and Rebel Army's core power mysteriously disappeared, right?"
Xiao Ran raised his eyebrows and looked at Schneizel: "Huh?"
"Haha." Schneizel said with a smile, "Because of Black Knights, His Majesty Knight Bismark sent Area 11 to thoroughly investigate the matter about Black Knights All the information from E seems to have allowed Knight Bismark to temporarily take over Governor Euphemia's position. I don't know what you think about it, Knight Lelouch."