Recaps

Xiao Ran secured the Area 11 officials’ pledge to serve Euphemia and began reorganizing Clovis’s former Guard Force under her command. The officials were ordered to submit detailed reports, while the Guard Force’s leaders were told to preserve its strength and prepare for changes.

• Xiao Ran won the officials’ support for Euphemia by offering titles and fiefs, then asked them to cooperate with her new policies and submit detailed reports.
• Jeremiah questioned Xiao Ran’s promises of titles and fiefs, and Xiao Ran explained that the rewards could help rebuild Area 11 and improve relations with its people.
• Xiao Ran ordered Jeremiah to assemble Clovis’s former Guard Force, then met its department heads at the Governor’s Mansion the next morning.
• Xiao Ran appointed himself commander of Euphemia’s Guard Force, offered Clovis’s former guards the choice to leave or pledge absolute loyalty, and none chose to leave.
• Xiao Ran ordered Jeremiah to organize the Guard Force’s records and directed Vireta to form a women-only division for Euphemia’s close protection.

Xiao Ran organized Clovis's Guard Force into Euphemia's personal unit and arranged for Vireta to help manage it. Euphemia thanked Xiao Ran for securing her political and military support, while he prepared to bring Saki, C.C., and Nanalie to the Governor's Mansion.

• Xiao Ran reassigned Clovis's Guard Force to Euphemia and selected female guards to protect her.
• Xiao Ran offered Vireta an administrative role, but she asked to remain with Jeremiah and manage the Guard Force; Xiao Ran agreed and planned for Saki to take over administration.
• Xiao Ran told Vireta to prepare three rooms and a helicopter so he could bring three women to the Governor's Mansion.
• When Guildford arrived seeking Euphemia, Xiao Ran arranged for her to meet him at the evening banquet, and Euphemia agreed.
• Euphemia welcomed Xiao Ran's reorganization of the Guard Force and thanked him for winning commanders' loyalty, giving her armed strength, and helping her stand up to Cornelia.

Xiao Ran and Euphemia reaffirmed their trust as she resolved to work alongside him to govern Area 11. Xiao Ran brought Nanalie, Saki, and a disguised C.C. to the Governor's Mansion, where Nanalie reacted to hearing Euphemia addressed as “Her Highness.”

• Euphemia told Xiao Ran she understood his actions and trusted him, and he promised not to let her down.
• Euphemia decided she would work with Xiao Ran rather than let him shield her or allow others to govern in her place.
• Xiao Ran left by helicopter and returned with Nanalie, Saki, and C.C., who was disguised as a maid.
• The mansion's housekeeper escorted them toward the dining room, where Euphemia was waiting.
• Nanalie stiffened at the housekeeper's reference to “Her Highness,” and Saki reassured her to trust her.

Xiao Ran introduced Nanalie, Saki Maski, and C.C. to Euphemia and established how they would live and work at the Governor's Mansion. Euphemia began her public duties as Governor of Area 11, while Saki and Xiao Ran organized the administration and reviewed its reports.

• Xiao Ran reassured Nanalie that her identity would remain secret and introduced her to Euphemia as his friend's younger sister.
• Xiao Ran introduced Saki Maski as Euphemia's new administrative officer and Guard Captain, and presented C.C. as his maid.
• Euphemia, Saki, and Nanalie ate breakfast together while C.C. had her meal separately, and Nanalie saved food for her.
• Xiao Ran warned the butler to care for Nanalie and Saki, then joined the convoy heading to the television station while Saki prepared Euphemia's speech.
• Euphemia gave a speech, met political, military, and civilian groups, and established her position as Governor of Area 11.
• Saki managed one copy of departmental reports for Euphemia, while Xiao Ran reviewed another and issued guidance to Area 11's departments.

After Euphemia returned to the Governor's Mansion, Xiao Ran advised her on building support and choosing a Deputy Governor, then prepared to assist Lloyd with the Lancelot. He told an anxious caller that Nanalie was safe with him and arranged to meet at their old home at two in the morning.

• Euphemia complained about her exhausting first day as governor, and Xiao Ran explained the work required to gain support and change Area 11.
• Saki Maski advised Euphemia to wait before granting titles and fiefs and to avoid giving noble titles to Area 11's native residents.
• Xiao Ran recommended Administrator Moyasu as Deputy Governor, and Euphemia agreed to appoint him at the dinner banquet.
• Xiao Ran told Saki to take over the Guard Force and declined to attend the banquet, saying he had promised to help Lloyd with the Lancelot.
• Xiao Ran contacted Administrator Moyasu to prepare him for the appointment and warn him to stand firm against Guildford.
• Xiao Ran reassured an anxious caller that Nanalie was safe and arranged to meet at their old home at two in the morning.

Xiao Ran met with Lloyd at the Council Hall to provide Lancelot’s combat parameters and share advanced technology for their next machine project. He left Lloyd with a three-month deadline and instructions to prepare a secure relocation for the research department.

• Xiao Ran entered the Specially Dispatched Research Department with Cecil and told Lloyd to finish Lancelot before beginning their new project.
• Xiao Ran entered conventional combat parameters for Lancelot and explained how to keep the machine balanced for different pilots.
• Xiao Ran recommended adding flight equipment and Energy Weapons to make better use of Lancelot’s energy and improve its combat ability.
• Xiao Ran gave Lloyd a Personal Terminal containing complete technical information and set deadlines of one week for Lancelot and three months for the new machine.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd to prepare to relocate the department to a more secure site, where troops would guard the new project.

Xiao Ran reviewed Area 11’s records, identified signs of corruption and concealed military operations under Clovis, and drafted plans for Euphemia’s rule. He then told Lelouch how to reshape the Black Knights into a force that opposed oppression and resistance-group atrocities alike, ultimately standing above nations as guardians of world peace.

• Xiao Ran had Cecil seal Lloyd’s office so Lloyd could study Xiao Ran’s adjusted parameters and suggestions without interruption.
• Xiao Ran examined Area 11’s reports, inferred that Clovis had concealed military operations and other abuses, and prepared governance plans for Euphemia.
• Lelouch met Xiao Ran at the appointed time and questioned how he had gained access to Area 11’s confidential records and authority.
• Xiao Ran explained his role as Euphemia’s Personal Knight and said he would help her make Area 11 a special administrative zone while supporting Nanalie and Lelouch.
• Lelouch argued that Euphemia’s plan could undermine the Black Knights, so Xiao Ran urged him to present them as protectors against all oppression and atrocities.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch to build the Black Knights into a force that would expand across Area 11 and eventually stand above all nations and factions in the name of justice.

Xiao Ran outlined his plan to turn the Black Knights into a powerful force devoted to protecting the weak and preventing war, arguing that they should recruit capable people and use GEASS to strengthen loyal members. Lelouch was shaken by Xiao Ran’s proposal to create a GEASS-using force but ultimately had little ability to oppose it.

• Lelouch questioned how the Black Knights could become an independent power, and Xiao Ran argued that they should pursue world peace rather than focus only on driving Britannia out of Area 11.
• Xiao Ran proposed finding capable recruits, using resources and GEASS to build the Black Knights, and discarding the Rebel Army if its members could not serve their larger goals.
• Lelouch considered Xiao Ran’s criticism of his plans and recognized that he needed a stronger relationship of command over the rebels.
• Xiao Ran revealed that GEASS could be bestowed on loyal, tested members, stunning Lelouch with the idea of creating a large force of GEASS users.
• Xiao Ran argued that widespread GEASS among loyal Black Knights would make individual users and potential traitors easier to control, while Lelouch warned that all GEASS users must remain under absolute control.

Xiao Ran advised Lelouch on shaping the Black Knights and arranged for Suzaku Kururugi to join his plans after releasing him from detention. The chapter ended with Xiao Ran appointing Suzaku his disciple and assigning him to the Special Administrative Zone to help with Lancelot’s final adjustments.

• Xiao Ran urged Lelouch to establish the Black Knights as a force that opposed Britannia’s tyranny without seeking to restore the destroyed country or sacrificing civilians.
• Lelouch said extremist Resistance Organizations were preparing to undermine Euphemia, and Xiao Ran planned to use their attack for the Black Knights’ debut.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch that Suzaku Kururugi would be released the next morning and that he intended to make him an example.
• Xiao Ran collected Suzaku Kururugi from the Military Court and drove him toward the Council Hall, where Suzaku questioned his identity and kept quiet about his connection to Lelouch.
• Xiao Ran explained his opposition to sacrificing civilians, then named Suzaku his disciple and assigned him to the Special Administrative Zone to help finish adjusting Lancelot.

Xiao Ran defied Guildford’s attempt to take control of the Guard Force and personal guard, then concealed their clash from Euphemia. He explained that Suzaku Kururugi had become his disciple as a symbol of improving the lives of Area 11’s people.

• Xiao Ran handed Suzaku Kururugi over to Lloyd, who passed him to Cecil for a place in the Special Administration.
• Guildford told Xiao Ran he would serve as a Guest Official and demanded command of the Guard Force and personal guard, but Xiao Ran refused and warned him not to overstep.
• Guildford accused Xiao Ran of hiding his identity and bringing people into the Governor’s Mansion, then reported their confrontation to Cornelia by phone.
• Xiao Ran returned inside and reassured Euphemia that he and Guildford had parted amiably, leaving her unaware of their argument.
• Xiao Ran told Euphemia that Lloyd had asked him to bring Suzaku Kururugi to help record the Lancelot’s data, and that he had taken Suzaku as a disciple to set an example for Area 11.

Xiao Ran monitored global developments while Lloyd presented the Lancelot’s capabilities and production proposals to Britannia’s leaders in a secret remote conference. The Emperor approved an initial production batch, then asked Lloyd why he had submitted plans for even newer mecha.

• Guildford accompanied Euphemia during her meetings with Xiao Ran, while Saki Maski continued advising Euphemia in Xiao Ran’s place.
• Xiao Ran gathered intelligence and trained the Guard Force as reports revealed a conflict between factions supporting the Son of Heaven and a Powerful Minister, with unfamiliar mecha appearing in battle.
• Imperial Headquarters ordered Lloyd to accelerate the Lancelot’s development, and Lloyd submitted proposals for further technologies and mecha projects.
• Lloyd joined a remote conference with the Emperor, Schneizel, Odysseus, and other Imperial officials while Xiao Ran secretly watched from outside the camera’s view.
• Lloyd argued that the Lancelot was ready for production and proposed specialized machines for elite pilots alongside cheaper mass-produced versions.
• The Emperor approved producing an initial batch of Lancelots and asked Lloyd why he had remotely submitted plans for even newer mecha.

Lloyd secured the Emperor’s approval to develop a new mecha in Area 11, with a one-year deadline and additional personnel, while promising Xiao Ran he would prepare the project for his needs within three months. After the meeting, Xiao Ran agreed to handle the imperial observers and wondered whether a legion had already contacted the Emperor.

• Lloyd defended sending Lancelot’s report electronically and told the Emperor that his proposed new mecha could challenge the Unknown Units attacking Britannia.
• The Emperor ordered Lloyd to send Lancelot’s detailed data to the homeland and gave him one year to develop the new mecha with the Empire’s support.
• Lloyd persuaded the Emperor to let Special Dispatch remain in Area 11 and requested more specialists and technicians for the project.
• After the conference, Lloyd told Xiao Ran he would begin preparations and asked him to deal with the imperial personnel sent to monitor them.
• Xiao Ran suggested he could help Lloyd contact someone with powers beyond ordinary control, and Lloyd said he wanted to see for himself.
• Xiao Ran questioned why the Emperor had shown no worry and considered whether a legion had already made contact with him.

Xiao Ran investigated the Empire’s expanding Special Envoy and suspected that Emperor Charles might have the support of a Participant Legion. As he observed the new arrivals, he learned that his investiture as Euphemia’s Personal Knight had been approved and that Bismarck Waldstein had come secretly to meet him.

• Xiao Ran questioned Emperor Charles’s calm focus on Lloyd’s proposed mech project and considered whether a Participant Legion was advising the Emperor.
• After the video conference, Xiao Ran learned Lloyd had shared a combat record that concealed much of the damage Xiao Ran had inflicted on Lancelot.
• The first group of personnel arrived from the homeland, and Xiao Ran monitored them as the Special Envoy relocated to a requisitioned academy.
• Euphemia told Xiao Ran that Charles had approved his investiture and that an envoy would bring the formal order soon.
• Saki Maski explained that Bismarck Waldstein had entered Area 11 secretly to collect the Special Envoy’s materials, and Xiao Ran agreed to attend the banquet to meet him.
• Euphemia assigned Sir Guildford to receive Bismarck and coordinate the Special Envoy’s expansion, leaving him less time to watch Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran responded to the Japanese Liberation Front’s hostage-taking at the Sakura Stone conference venue while preparing for possible attacks on Euphemia and watching for hostile Participants. After sending Euphemia toward the venue under escort, Xiao Ran and Saki Maski took a separate route and summoned a jet-black fighter.

• Saki Maski told Xiao Ran that the Japanese Liberation Front had seized the conference venue and taken its staff and delegates hostage, demanding the release of political war criminals and Britannia’s withdrawal from Area 11.
• Xiao Ran ordered the forces to surround the venue from a safe distance, keep C.C. and Nanalie indoors, and prepare the Guard Force while he and Euphemia went to assess the situation.
• Xiao Ran reasoned that the rebels had chosen a moment of weak security and high attendance, then arranged a disguised escort for Euphemia as a precaution against an attack on her.
• After Vireta’s convoy departed, Xiao Ran sent Euphemia to the venue with Jeremiah and followed in a car with Saki Maski before turning away from her route.
• Xiao Ran stopped in a deserted place and summoned a brand-new, jet-black fighter.

Xiao Ran arrived at the hostage crisis command post and rejected Bismark’s probing questions, declaring his loyalty to Euphemia’s goals. He urged negotiation and explained why the venue’s defenses made a direct rescue difficult, leaving the command room weighing the danger and the need for a plan.

• Xiao Ran sent Saki Maski to protect the Black Knights and Lelouch, telling her to prioritize her own safety and abandon Lelouch if necessary.
• Xiao Ran reached the command post, where Euphemia introduced him to Bismark Waldstein and his two subordinates.
• Xiao Ran told Bismark that he served Euphemia’s ideals by choice and would not be forced to act against his principles.
• Xiao Ran advised Euphemia against a direct assault and proposed using negotiations to communicate her goals to Area 11.
• Xiao Ran described the venue’s defenses and dangerous access routes, explaining why a frontal attack could lead to the hostages’ deaths.

Xiao Ran volunteered to enter the venue and negotiate with the Resistance Army, both to secure a hostage exchange and to buy time for Lelouch’s plans. As he prepared to go in, he arranged for Suzaku Kururugi and the Lancelot to bring down the building’s foundation after receiving his signal.

• Xiao Ran proposed entering the venue to negotiate, and Euphemia reluctantly agreed after Bismark and Guildford supported him.
• Xiao Ran recognized Bismark’s two subordinates as hostile Participants and decided not to confront them yet.
• Euphemia’s negotiation effort was publicized across Area 11, while Xiao Ran warned Saki Maski about the Participants and asked Lelouch what he was planning; Lelouch told him to wait and be careful.
• Xiao Ran reached the venue entrance and instructed Jeremiah to prepare the Lancelot with Suzaku Kururugi, using a bullet landing at Jeremiah’s feet as the signal to destroy the building’s foundation.

Xiao Ran entered the Japanese Liberation Front’s occupied conference hall and met Lelouch, who revealed that he had engineered the hostage crisis and secretly evacuated the hostages. Xiao Ran warned Lelouch about Bismark and two enhanced newcomers, then urged him to build the Black Knights’ strength and prepare to expand beyond Area 11.

• Xiao Ran used telekinesis to pass the rebels’ inspection and was escorted to Colonel Kusakabe’s room.
• Lelouch revealed himself as ZERO and explained that he had arranged the hostage crisis using GEASS, taken control of Colonel Kusakabe, and had the Black Knights move the hostages to safety.
• Xiao Ran cautioned Lelouch to keep control of his GEASS and warned him that Bismark and two physically enhanced subordinates had arrived in Area 11.
• Xiao Ran told Lelouch to grow the Black Knights, establish a hidden manufacturing facility, and prepare trustworthy recruits for GEASS and enhancement.
• Xiao Ran advised Lelouch to eventually take the Black Knights out of Area 11 and establish a base by infiltrating Europe and controlling a small country.

Xiao Ran urged Lelouch to accelerate the Black Knights’ withdrawal, warning that Bismark and his powerful subordinates might attack. Lelouch escaped the venue and announced the Black Knights to the world, leaving Xiao Ran in their hands as a hostage to keep Euphemia from ordering an assault.

• Xiao Ran persuaded Lelouch to move the withdrawal forward because the Imperial forces might attack before the planned departure.
• Lelouch ordered three controlled Liberation Front officers to die, then used GEASS to make the other soldiers gather and escape.
• Lelouch killed the two guards who could not leave their post, while Xiao Ran followed him out of the room.
• The road from the venue to the outside sank beneath the lake, delaying the surrounding Imperial Army as Euphemia sought news of Xiao Ran.
• Lelouch appeared on broadcasts as ZERO, announced that the hostages were safe, and presented Xiao Ran as an exchange hostage under the Black Knights’ protection.
• Lelouch proclaimed the Black Knights’ mission to punish the powerful when they attacked the weak.

Xiao Ran watched Lelouch establish the Black Knights, then returned to Euphemia’s command room as Britannian forces hunted the resistance. A mysterious black fighter destroyed two air squadrons, leaving Bismark intrigued and Xiao Ran to frame the Black Knights as an unknown force whose future actions remained uncertain.

• Lelouch announced the Black Knights, ordered their members to withdraw, and left Xiao Ran behind as a hostage while Xiao Ran criticized his decision to destroy the bridge.
• Guildford, Jeremiah, and Vireta arrived at the venue, where Xiao Ran warned them about bombs and then returned to Euphemia’s land battleship.
• Xiao Ran told Bismark he knew little about the Black Knights, while Britannian forces searched for the group and pursued a decoy truck.
• A black fighter appeared and destroyed two Britannian air squadrons before Bismark questioned Xiao Ran about the aircraft and the Black Knights.
• Xiao Ran told Bismark that Euphemia’s reforms could reduce support for ordinary resistance groups, while the Black Knights remained a mysterious threat.

After the hostage crisis, Xiao Ran escorted Bismark to the military airport, where Bismark offered to recommend him as a Knight of the Round. Xiao Ran accepted conditionally, insisting that he remain close to Euphemia and refuse to harm civilians, leaving his appointment dependent on whether the Emperor would accept his terms.

• Lloyd watched the black fighter destroy two aerial squads and realized the machines Xiao Ran had given him blueprints for were extraordinarily powerful.
• The Black Knights rescued all the hostages, and ZERO and Xiao Ran gained renown across Area 11 for their roles in the incident.
• Euphemia, Xiao Ran, and Bismark returned to the Governor's Mansion for dinner before Bismark announced he would leave for the Empire that night with the documents.
• During the convoy to the military airport, Xiao Ran considered how he could deal with Bismark's two mysterious mercenary subordinates if they stayed in Area 11.
• At the airport, Bismark offered to recommend Xiao Ran for the Knights of the Round and hinted that the Empire was facing powerful unknown forces.
• Xiao Ran agreed to the recommendation only if he could continue serving Euphemia, retain discretion, and refuse to slaughter civilians or commit other acts he considered wrong.

Xiao Ran accepted Bismark’s recommendation to become a Knight of the Round Table, seeing it as a way to gain influence and reach Britannia’s participants. After reassuring Euphemia and promising to remain her guardian, he went to inspect the Variable Fighter and told Suzaku Kururugi that a powerful machine of his own was coming.

• Bismark left with the two participants after Xiao Ran agreed to his recommendation for the Knights of the Round Table.
• Xiao Ran returned to the Governor’s Mansion, reassured Euphemia about his abilities, and told Nanalie that her treatment would begin the next day.
• Xiao Ran informed Euphemia that he might travel to the homeland for assessment, while promising that he would remain her guardian knight.
• Xiao Ran told Saki Maski that becoming a Knight of the Round Table could help them gain control of Britannia’s power and approach the Participant Legion serving the Empire.
• Xiao Ran went with C.C. to Suzaku Kururugi’s home, where the Variable Fighter was being guarded, and told Suzaku that he would soon receive a machine stronger than Lancelot.
• Xiao Ran noticed a beam of light approaching and said that the others had arrived.

Xiao Ran introduced Lloyd and Cecil to the Variable Fighter and ordered Lloyd to help complete its upgrades as quickly as possible. He also outlined his plans to gain control of the Special Dispatch and offered the others mind-related powers and enhancement medicine, excluding Suzaku.

• Lloyd and Cecil arrived at the manor, where Suzaku was shocked to learn they were connected to the Black Knights.
• Xiao Ran explained the Variable Fighter’s capabilities and told Lloyd to follow the blueprints to upgrade it, ideally within ten days.
• Lloyd said the work would take about a month, then agreed to tow the fighter to the Special Dispatch’s vacant facility and speed up construction with his staff.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd he had agreed to Bismark’s recommendation to become a Knight of the Round and planned to gain control of Area 11 and the Special Dispatch.
• Xiao Ran offered the others mind-related powers from C.C. and enhancement medicine, but told Suzaku he was excluded because his way of thinking could not be changed.

Xiao Ran granted GEASS powers to Suzaku and Lloyd, then explained that they were now entangled with the Black Knights and revealed ZERO’s identity and their plan to support a royal succession. The chapter ended with Lloyd asking about Xiao Ran’s relationship with the Prince, and Xiao Ran saying he led an equal partnership whose true future ruler would be another Princess.

• C.C gave Suzaku a GEASS that strengthened his own body and combat abilities through his desire to protect and change.
• C.C gave Lloyd a GEASS that accelerated thought and learning and could bring others into the same mental state; Xiao Ran warned him against overuse.
• Cecil refused to receive a GEASS, and Xiao Ran told the others they would be treated as members of the Black Knights and as his family.
• Xiao Ran explained that ZERO was a Prince and that the Black Knights were helping him eliminate rivals, though another Princess would ultimately take the throne.
• Lloyd asked Xiao Ran about his relationship with the Prince, and Xiao Ran said they were equal partners but that he took the lead.

Xiao Ran clarified that Lloyd and Cecil would work with him independently of the Black Knights, then gave them and Suzaku Kururugi Bloodline Serum to improve their abilities. After preparing his portable GN-BITs for defense and the Variable Fighter upgrade, he treated Nanalie while Saku, Euphemia, and C.C waited outside her room.

• Xiao Ran told Lloyd that he and Cecil would build mecha for him but would not formally join the Black Knights or share their technology.
• Xiao Ran gave Bloodline Serum to Suzaku Kururugi, Lloyd, and Cecil, and all three injected it.
• Lloyd left with Cecil and Suzaku Kururugi, taking the Variable Fighter with them, while Xiao Ran returned to the Governor's Mansion with C.C.
• Xiao Ran brought out more than two hundred portable GN-BITs, charged them, and assembled them into five rectangular boxes.
• The next day, Saku, Euphemia, and C.C waited outside Nanalie's room while Xiao Ran treated her inside.

Xiao Ran cured Nanalie and then used his GEASS to make Lloyd’s technicians loyal to him, securing the Special Envoy Research Institute for his plans. Lloyd warned that the Variable Fighter’s materials and Nuclear Fusion systems posed major challenges, and Xiao Ran insisted he could provide exact instructions.

• Xiao Ran removed the GEASS impairing Nanalie and told Euphemia and C.C. that she needed rest, darkness, and rehabilitation.
• Xiao Ran ordered Saki Maski to protect Nanalie’s secret and warned her to keep Euphemia safe from other Participants.
• Xiao Ran visited the former Special Envoy Research Institute and used GEASS and telekinesis to make the gathered Technicians loyal to him.
• Xiao Ran ordered Lloyd to bring the rest of the Special Envoy Research Institute under his control.
• Lloyd explained that producing the Variable Fighter would be difficult because the required materials and Nuclear Fusion technology were unproven.
• Xiao Ran told Lloyd he would provide detailed instructions for the materials and procedures needed to build the machine.