The matter of the faction was settled in what seemed like a rather absurd manner. He and Lelouch had become members of the same faction, and Xiao Ran had joined it as a co-founder. At the same time, he had received his first assignment—or, more accurately, the first phase of a major mission.
Prometheus probably could not stand the sight of a faction with only two people any longer, so it had specifically assigned Xiao Ran a vague mission with no designated objective at all. He simply had to develop and strengthen the Black Knights. As for whether other legions would receive the same mission, that would depend on the circumstances of the factions they had joined.
The first step of the three-step plan he had considered earlier had already been completed. The remaining two steps did not conflict with the first phase of the mission he had received, so the plan and the mission could proceed simultaneously from here on and complement each other.
As for Lelouch, although he appeared calm, his heart was actually filled with unease.
He was not sure whether Suzaku Kururugi could be saved this way. This so-called plan was ultimately nothing more than a reckless gamble, placing all hope on his eye that possessed the power of GEASS. Thus, although the plan had been decided and they were certain to act, Lelouch himself had no idea how likely success was. Yet whether before Xiao Ran or the Resistance Organization he had contacted, Lelouch had to appear absolutely confident and conceal his nervousness.
Unease, tension, and even a measure of fear—none of those emotions could be hidden from Xiao Ran. Yet Xiao Ran did not point them out. He also sensed that after promising Lelouch he would provide help, Lelouch's heart had suddenly relaxed quite