Lelouch did not know what kind of ability Xiao Ran's GEASS was, but he was not surprised that Xiao Ran could wield the power of GEASS. Even C.C, who could grant GEASS abilities to others, was now in Xiao Ran's grasp. Anyone could tell that it was only a matter of time before Xiao Ran acquired the power of GEASS.
So when Xiao Ran said that Suzaku Kururugi would still choose to leave even after regaining consciousness, Lelouch felt both doubt and certainty. His doubt was directed at Xiao Ran—he did not know how much truth there was in Xiao Ran's words, including his description of his own ability. But his certainty was directed at Suzaku Kururugi. If that idiot really could keep his sanity, he would definitely choose to flee and return to the Britannian Empire.
Yet Lelouch had no reason to refuse Xiao Ran's arrangements for Suzaku Kururugi, even if Suzaku Kururugi was his friend. He could only personally wipe the blood from Suzaku Kururugi's face, then watch as Xiao Ran took him away.
As he watched Xiao Ran and Suzaku Kururugi leave, Lelouch put his removed mask back on. Watching Xiao Ran effortlessly carry Suzaku Kururugi by the waist of his clothes as they gradually vanished from view, he frowned slightly beneath the mask. "The power of GEASS can force others into loyalty without changing their personality or way of thinking. Such a power... how could such a power exist?"
Naturally, Lelouch did not know why such a strange and overpowered special GEASS ability existed. In truth, his own ability to forcibly command others to carry out his orders was equally overpowered. One was a short-term coercive type, while the other was a long-term influence type. In Lelouch's view, Xiao Ran's ability was clearly more suited than