Recaps

Xiao Ran brought C.C. and Saki Maski to Suzaku Kururugi's inherited house and made it their temporary base. When Lelouch arrived, Xiao Ran gave him a body-enhancing drug and revealed his plan for Nanalie to become Empress of the Britannian Empire.

• C.C. agreed to cooperate after Xiao Ran threatened to imprison her, and he assigned Saki Maski to watch over her.
• Xiao Ran took C.C. and Saki Maski to Suzaku Kururugi's empty house, where they began cleaning and settling in.
• Xiao Ran returned with supplies and a car after using his psychokinesis to obtain money and influence ordinary people.
• Lelouch arrived without Nanalie, explaining that Imperial monitors made it too risky to bring her, and Xiao Ran gave him two days to arrange for her to live at the house.
• Xiao Ran gave Lelouch a body-enhancing drug and said he planned for Nanalie to become the Britannian Empire's future Empress.

Xiao Ran pushed Lelouch toward making Nanalie Empress and sent him away after he injected the medicine. After confirming Prince Clovis had been assassinated, Xiao Ran asked C.C. to make a contract with him for GEASS.

• Lelouch embraced Xiao Ran's suggestion that Nanalie become Empress, then injected the medicine and left with Saki.
• Xiao Ran planned to help Lelouch take control of Area 11's Resistance Organization while seeking power and allies within the Empire.
• C.C. struggled to prepare dinner, but Saki returned and quickly organized the kitchen and cooked.
• Xiao Ran saw the news of Prince Clovis's assassination and explained that the death could help Suzaku Kururugi rise to prominence.
• After dinner, Xiao Ran stopped C.C. from leaving and asked her to make a GEASS contract with him.

Xiao Ran formed a GEASS contract with C.C and gained the Power of the King: Influence, a mental ability suited to building loyalty and reinforcing his schemes. He promised to protect Lelouch and help Nanalie become Empress, then prepared to have C.C grant GEASS to Saki while keeping his own origins mysterious.

• Xiao Ran agreed to C.C's contract terms: he would not harm Lelouch and would help Nanalie ascend the throne.
• C.C granted Xiao Ran GEASS, and he received the Power of the King: Influence, which intimidated and gradually influenced others while enhancing his Liar's Guide title.
• Xiao Ran explained to C.C that his ability differed from Lelouch's King's Command and considered how it could help him control events and weaken opponents.
• Xiao Ran promised to protect Lelouch and Nanalie, asked C.C to cooperate and keep his GEASS secret from Lelouch, and offered to fulfill one of her wishes.
• C.C agreed to Xiao Ran's proposal and asked about his unusual eyes and identity; he claimed he was human with genetic modifications and described himself as a hidden agent of change.
• Xiao Ran asked C.C to help Saki obtain GEASS, and she set off to find her.

Xiao Ran planned how to secure influence in Area 11 while gathering intelligence, and Suzaku was arrested for the prince’s murder. As Suzaku’s trial approached, Lelouch brought Nanalie to Xiao Ran and asked him to help save Suzaku, and Xiao Ran agreed.

• C.C. gave Saki Maski the temporary GEASS ability Bliss, which let her show others the beauty or happiness in their hearts.
• Xiao Ran surveyed the city, planned to establish a faction with Lelouch, and considered seeking a position as Cornelia’s or Euphemia’s knight.
• A broadcast announced the prince’s death and named Suzaku Kururugi as the captured suspect awaiting trial.
• Xiao Ran used his Personal Terminal to gather information about Area 11 and confirmed Cornelia and Euphemia’s arrival dates and the existence of Lancelot.
• The day before Suzaku’s trial, Lelouch brought Nanalie to Xiao Ran and asked him to help; Xiao Ran agreed.

Xiao Ran and Lelouch planned to rescue Suzaku Kururugi, build forces inside and outside the Empire, and make Nanalie Emperor. They founded the Black Knights, triggering Xiao Ran’s first special mission stage to strengthen the faction.

• Xiao Ran agreed to help Lelouch rescue Suzaku Kururugi and advised him to bring the Resistance Organization under their control.
• Xiao Ran proposed infiltrating the Empire by becoming a Personal Knight to one of the arriving governors, Cornelia or Euphemia.
• Lelouch and Xiao Ran agreed to work together from outside and inside the Empire and established the Black Knights.
• Xiao Ran confirmed his faction choice, and his mission began with the objective of expanding and strengthening the Black Knights before the next stage.

Xiao Ran explained the Bloodline Serum’s effects to Lelouch and learned that Lelouch had noticed his body changing, though he remained wary of the treatment. After Lelouch left Nanalie in Xiao Ran’s care for examination, Xiao Ran used his special power around her and discovered that her perception was extraordinary.

• Xiao Ran told Lelouch the serum would gradually enhance his physical and mental abilities, while Lelouch questioned its risks and whether it could be mass-produced.
• Lelouch arranged the time and place for Suzaku Kururugi’s rescue, then left Nanalie with Xiao Ran for treatment.
• Nanalie happily agreed to stay with Xiao Ran, Sak, and C.C. while Lelouch departed.
• Xiao Ran began examining Nanalie by enveloping her in green points of light, and she immediately sensed the warmth of his power despite being unable to see.
• Sak wondered whether Nanalie was a natural Mental Power user, but Xiao Ran shook his head.

Xiao Ran discovered that GEASS had mentally isolated Nanalie from the world and altered her memories, but delayed curing her so Lelouch would owe him gratitude and cooperate. Later, he watched Lelouch debut as ZERO and help Suzaku Kururugi escape an Imperial ambush, secretly intervening only to block a few bullets.

• Xiao Ran examined Nanalie and found a GEASS-created mental barrier and altered memories behind her blindness and inability to stand.
• Xiao Ran told Nanalie he could treat her, then explained to C.C that he planned to choose a moment when Lelouch would appreciate the cure and understand the terms of their cooperation.
• Xiao Ran left the house late at night and waited among the crowd for Lelouch's operation to rescue Suzaku Kururugi.
• Lelouch appeared as ZERO and used a supposed poison-gas device to threaten Jeremiah Gottwald and the Imperial escort force.
• Lelouch used GEASS to control Jeremiah, who helped him escape, while Xiao Ran secretly used telekinesis to block dangerous bullets aimed at Lelouch, Suzaku Kururugi, and Guren.

After Suzaku rejected Lelouch’s invitation to join the Black Knights and chose to face a military trial, Xiao Ran confronted them and challenged their beliefs about changing the Empire. The chapter left Suzaku unable to answer a moral dilemma about obeying an order to kill civilians.

• Lelouch tried to recruit Suzaku into the Black Knights, but Suzaku rejected his methods and said he would stand trial to protect Area 11’s civilians and honorary Butalians.
• Suzaku thanked ZERO for saving him and promised not to reveal his identity, then prepared to leave for the military court.
• Xiao Ran appeared, corrected Lelouch’s attempt to win Suzaku’s trust, and explained that neither changing the Empire from within nor fighting it from without was enough to achieve lasting justice.
• Xiao Ran described the deep conflicts between the Empire and Area 11 and argued that neither Suzaku nor Lelouch could resolve them alone.
• Xiao Ran asked Suzaku what he would do if the Empire ordered him to kill civilians, and Suzaku froze, unable to choose an answer.

Xiao Ran challenged Suzaku Kururugi’s belief that the Empire could be changed from within, while Lelouch revealed his identity and invited Suzaku to join the Black Knights. After Suzaku refused and declared they would be enemies, Xiao Ran used his GEASS to force him to kneel and began bending his will.

• Xiao Ran explained that Clovis had ordered the civilian massacre to conceal his capture of the special girl, and questioned whether Suzaku could change the Empire through proper means.
• Xiao Ran revealed that Zero was Lelouch, and Suzaku rushed at Lelouch in disbelief before Lelouch admitted killing Clovis and saving the civilians.
• Lelouch asked Suzaku to join the Black Knights and help overthrow the Empire, but Suzaku refused, insisting he would change the country from within and declaring they would be enemies.
• Lelouch considered using his GEASS on Suzaku, while Xiao Ran decided to take control of him before the trial began.
• Xiao Ran used his GEASS and mental pressure to make Suzaku kneel, then assessed how its influence could gradually shape Suzaku into a loyal subordinate.

Xiao Ran used his GEASS to force Suzaku Kururugi into loyalty, then explained his power and warned Lelouch about the risks of GEASS. The chapter ended with Xiao Ran planning to take Suzaku to military court and send him back into the Empire to work with him.

• Xiao Ran repeatedly pressured Suzaku Kururugi with GEASS until Suzaku collapsed and vowed to submit to him forever.
• Xiao Ran explained to Lelouch that his GEASS altered a person's deepest convictions and that Suzaku's extraordinary resistance might have come from Guts.
• Lelouch accepted that Suzaku would recover but warned Xiao Ran never to use his power on Nanalie.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch that he could eventually restore Nanalie's eyesight and ability to stand, and urged him to strengthen and control his GEASS.
• Xiao Ran said he would take Suzaku to military court, expecting him to be acquitted and return to the Imperial Army to cooperate with him.

Xiao Ran tested his GEASS on Suzaku Kururugi and a military official, then manipulated the court’s handling of Suzaku’s case. After learning that Princess Euphemia had arrived in Area 11, Xiao Ran arranged to watch her quarters while waiting for a chance to become her Personal Knight.

• Xiao Ran took the unconscious Suzaku Kururugi to the Military Court, where Suzaku withheld what he knew about Lelouch and Xiao Ran during interrogation.
• The Military Court acquitted Suzaku Kururugi, while Xiao Ran watched from the chief official’s office; the official had become Xiao Ran’s loyal servant through GEASS.
• Xiao Ran ordered Suzaku Kururugi detained for seventy-two hours and asked the official to locate Princess Euphemia and arrange an identity for him.
• After learning that Princess Euphemia had arrived in Area 11, Xiao Ran told Saki to look after Nanalie and C.C. while he stayed away.
• Xiao Ran rented a room overlooking Euphemia’s temporary quarters and waited for her to leave, hoping to approach her and become her Personal Knight.

Xiao Ran rescued Yuffie when she fell while escaping the embassy, then persuaded her to let him accompany her around the city. After an afternoon together, Yuffie grew curious about the sunglasses he kept wearing.

• Xiao Ran watched Euphemia prepare to flee the embassy and hurried outside as she climbed down a makeshift rope.
• Xiao Ran caught Yuffie when she slipped and fell, and she asked him to help her get away from the embassy.
• Yuffie admitted she had lied about being chased and had escaped because her family would not let her explore Area 11.
• Xiao Ran introduced himself and offered to act as Yuffie's guardian and guide, and she agreed to travel with him.
• Xiao Ran and Yuffie wandered around the city before resting in a park, where Yuffie asked why he wore sunglasses.

Xiao Ran spent the day with Euphemia, then took her to see the ruins district so she could witness the suffering of Area 11’s civilians. As they left, he described his own inability to help them and asked Euphemia whether that made him a hypocrite.

• Euphemia felt sorry for Xiao Ran’s supposed eye condition, and the two shared snacks and conversation while she fed and treated an injured black cat.
• Xiao Ran noticed a Special Dispatch truck and suspected its cargo was the Lancelot and that its crew was waiting for a chance to approach Euphemia about Suzaku Kururugi.
• After spending several hours together, Euphemia asked Xiao Ran to show her the ruins district, and he agreed to accompany her as her knight.
• Euphemia saw the ruined city and its makeshift graveyards, becoming silent and sorrowful as she took in the hardships of Area 11’s civilians.
• On their way back, Xiao Ran blamed Clovis and the Pure Blood Faction for the civilians’ suffering, said he feared helping them would make matters worse, and asked Euphemia if that made him hypocritical.

Xiao Ran escorted Euphemia back from the ruins district and confronted Lloyd Asprynd and a uniformed woman, who had secretly followed them in a KF transport truck. When an explosion revealed a battle between the Pure Blood Faction, Euphemia insisted on stopping it, and Xiao Ran offered to go in her place after asking Lloyd to hand over the KF.

• Xiao Ran encouraged Euphemia not to blame herself for Area 11’s suffering and escorted her toward the city.
• Xiao Ran confronted Lloyd Asprynd and a uniformed woman after noticing their truck following them, and Lloyd revealed that Euphemia was the Third Princess.
• Euphemia accepted Lloyd’s claim that he had followed to protect her, while Xiao Ran decided Lloyd could help him obtain a suitable machine.
• An explosion near an abandoned sports field revealed combat between KFs in an internal Pure Blood Faction conflict.
• Euphemia ordered Lloyd to take her to stop the fighting, but Xiao Ran offered to handle it himself and demanded that Lloyd hand over the KF in the truck.

Xiao Ran took control of the prototype Lancelot and drove it far beyond its normal limits as he raced to stop the Pure Blood Faction’s fighting. He defeated the KFs in the stadium and ordered the rebels to cease fighting in Euphemia’s name.

• Xiao Ran persuaded Lloyd to give him the key to Lancelot, then entered the prototype KF despite Euphemia’s concerns.
• Xiao Ran rapidly modified Lancelot’s controls while Cecil Cormi and Lloyd watched, then launched the machine toward the fighting.
• Cecil reported that Xiao Ran was drawing out 250 percent of Lancelot’s designed performance and that the machine might break apart within twenty minutes.
• Lloyd drove after Xiao Ran and told Euphemia that the danger came from Xiao Ran pushing Lancelot beyond its limits, not from the machine’s normal operating life.
• Xiao Ran leapt into the stadium and disabled the Pure Blood Faction’s KFs with Lancelot’s swords.
• Xiao Ran ordered the surviving fighters to cease fighting in the name of Princess Euphemia Li Britannia.

Xiao Ran stopped a fight among Britannian pilots by destroying their KFs with the Lancelot, then spoke with Euphemia about the Empire and Area 11. Euphemia asked him to become her personal knight, and he accepted after revealing his name as Lelouch Xiao.

• Xiao Ran overclocked the Lancelot and disabled every KF in the gymnasium without injuring the pilots.
• Euphemia ordered the pilots to stop fighting their comrades, and Lloyd arranged for help to arrive.
• Xiao Ran warned Euphemia that the Empire's policies could provoke rebellion and a worldwide war, while encouraging her to improve Area 11.
• Euphemia asked Xiao Ran to become her personal knight and work with her to change Area 11.
• Xiao Ran revealed himself as Lelouch Xiao, accepted Euphemia's invitation, and said he would protect her while refusing to act against his principles.

After Euphemia chose Xiao Ran as her Personal Knight, he accepted and prepared for the scrutiny that would follow, while Lloyd and Jeremiah investigated his overwhelming victory in the gymnasium. The chapter ended with Lloyd and Jeremiah reaching Xiao Ran’s hotel to question him about the battle and his piloting.

• Euphemia invited Xiao Ran to become her Personal Knight, and Xiao Ran accepted, though the appointment still required royal investigations and formal approval.
• Xiao Ran checked into a hotel and relied on his protected identity as Lelouch Xiao, an intelligence officer and the governor’s nephew, to withstand scrutiny.
• Lloyd, Jeremiah, Vireta, and the others reconstructed Xiao Ran’s battle at the gymnasium and concluded that he had destroyed the KFs in only a few attacks.
• Jeremiah decided to seek Xiao Ran and learn how to pilot a KF, while Lloyd chose to accompany him with questions of his own.
• Lloyd and Jeremiah located Xiao Ran’s hotel and knocked on his door.

Xiao Ran received Jeremiah, Vireta, and Lloyd, then used their requests to secure Jeremiah’s allegiance to Princess Euphemia and himself. Jeremiah became Xiao Ran’s disciple, while Xiao Ran and Lloyd left their plans for a new Knightmare Frame to discuss later.

• Jeremiah asked Xiao Ran how he had disabled the Knightmare Frames and requested training, but Xiao Ran challenged him to offer something in return.
• Lloyd invited Xiao Ran to help improve Lancelot or develop a new machine, and Xiao Ran said a new design would require rethinking its frame, armor, and weapons.
• Xiao Ran reminded Jeremiah that Euphemia wanted Butalians and Area 11 residents to coexist, and Jeremiah pledged his support to her.
• Xiao Ran accepted Jeremiah as his disciple and promised to teach him true piloting skills after his formal investiture.
• Jeremiah left with Vireta, leaving Xiao Ran and Lloyd alone to pursue their separate plans.

Jeremiah and Vireta committed to serving Euphemia, while Xiao Ran discussed plans for new mecha with Lloyd and offered him advanced technology. The chapter ended with Lloyd captivated by the projected designs and learning that their technology could let one unit face an entire force of Knightmare Frames.

• Jeremiah told Vireta he was leaving the Pure Blood Faction and would serve Euphemia, and Vireta chose to follow him.
• Jeremiah ordered his trusted subordinates to support Euphemia and carry out her requests.
• Xiao Ran asked Lloyd about Area 11’s ability to build seventh-generation and entirely new mecha, and Lloyd explained the limits of his authority and the resources required.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd he intended to put an overlooked princess on the throne and could support two queens, while Lloyd said he would consider the side that advanced his goals and access to technology.
• Xiao Ran projected designs and technical data for five G Series mecha and a VF-17, and Lloyd eagerly examined the technology.

Xiao Ran recruited Lloyd to submit part of the G Series technology to the Empire and develop a new unit in Area 11, while planning to use the resulting support to build his own base. After Cornelia was injured in Area 19 and Euphemia became Area 11’s Governor, Xiao Ran was summoned to serve as her Personal Knight and realized a Participant Legion had already entered the conflict.

• Xiao Ran persuaded Lloyd to submit some G Series technology to the Empire and lead development of a new unit, with a three-month deadline.
• Xiao Ran planned to use the Empire’s support to bring Technicians, equipment, and supplies to Area 11 and keep them there.
• After learning that Lelouch had visited C.C., Xiao Ran went to sleep, but Jeremiah woke him with an urgent summons from Princess Euphemia.
• Jeremiah told Xiao Ran that Cornelia had been injured in an attack by a new resistance force in Area 19, and that Euphemia had been appointed Governor of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran recognized the resistance force as a Participant Legion, accepted his immediate duties as Euphemia’s Personal Knight, and changed into his uniform.

Xiao Ran arrived at the Governor's Mansion as Euphemia's newly appointed knight and faced the officials and nobles gathered there. After he struck and threatened a man who challenged his appointment, he left to meet Euphemia, having cowed the hall.

• Jeremiah gave Xiao Ran a sidearm and warned him that imperial intelligence personnel would likely monitor him.
• Xiao Ran and Jeremiah entered the locked-down Governor's Mansion, where officials and nobles watched Xiao Ran with suspicion.
• A young military officer insulted Xiao Ran and questioned his right to become Euphemia's knight.
• Xiao Ran slapped the officer across the hall, then warned everyone against defying or slandering Euphemia and threatened severe consequences.
• Vireta told Xiao Ran that Euphemia was waiting for him, and he left the hall with her.

Xiao Ran explained to Jeremiah that he planned to use Euphemia’s appointment to consolidate her authority and expose officials who would resist her. He encouraged the grieving Euphemia to take up her role as Governor, and the chapter ended with her asking to see his face beneath his mask.

• Xiao Ran told Jeremiah that the officials’ dissatisfaction did not matter as long as Euphemia secured control of Area 11, and he ordered Jeremiah to arrange separate meetings with department heads and gather intelligence on Area 19.
• Xiao Ran entered Euphemia’s room and found her grieving over Cornelia’s injury and her unexpected appointment as Governor.
• Xiao Ran reassured Euphemia that Cornelia could recover and urged her to show the officials that she could govern, promising to help her take control of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran persuaded Euphemia to go meet the officials by reminding her of their promise to make Area 11 more peaceful and equal.
• Euphemia touched Xiao Ran’s mask and asked him to take it off so she could see his face.

Euphemia assumed the governorship of Area 11 and named Xiao Ran her knight, spokesperson, and commander of her new Guard Force. Guildford arrived with Cornelia’s order to lead the force and punish Jeremiah, prompting Governor Moyasu to challenge his authority.

• Xiao Ran refused to remove his mask for Euphemia, and they went downstairs to meet the ministers.
• Euphemia addressed the ministers, took office as Governor of Area 11, and appointed Xiao Ran as her exclusive knight, spokesperson, and Guard Force commander.
• Guildford arrived on Cornelia’s behalf, claiming he would establish and lead Euphemia’s Guard Force.
• Jeremiah challenged Guildford’s authority, and Guildford mocked him and announced an imperial order demoting or dismissing him.
• Governor Moyasu argued that Guildford could not impose punishment in Area 11 without a formal Military Court review.

Euphemia rejected Guildford’s attempt to take control of her Guard Force and backed Xiao Ran as her knight and leader. Xiao Ran set out the next day’s agenda, then left with Jeremiah to discuss matters he had arranged.

• The Chief Justice and Lloyd challenged Guildford’s authority to interfere in Euphemia’s affairs, with Lloyd offering to recruit Jeremiah into the Special Dispatch Division.
• Euphemia told Guildford she would decide who led her Guard Force and trusted Xiao Ran to lead it and help manage Area 11.
• After Guildford departed, Xiao Ran announced Euphemia’s speech, departmental meeting, and garrison inspection for the next day.
• Xiao Ran explained to Euphemia why she needed to take the initiative, reassured her of his support, and assigned Vireta to serve as her temporary secretary and arrange her protection.
• Jeremiah told Xiao Ran that everything had been arranged, and Xiao Ran went with him to a conference room while assuring him that Euphemia’s support protected him from punishment.

Xiao Ran gathered Area 11's department heads and offered them a chance to gain influence, wealth, and possible fiefs if they supported Euphemia. He left them to decide whether they would sincerely follow her as she sought full control of Area 11.

• Xiao Ran entered the meeting room in Euphemia's place and told the department heads she had gone to rest.
• Xiao Ran urged the leaders to cooperate with Euphemia and noted who openly supported her and who stayed silent.
• Xiao Ran explained that Euphemia lacked experienced retainers and needed their help to stabilize and develop Area 11.
• Xiao Ran promised that loyal supporters could share in Area 11's prosperity, potentially administering fiefs and becoming city lords under Euphemia.
• Xiao Ran clarified that Area 11 would remain Euphemia's fief and asked the gathered leaders to make their final choice.