After handing Suzaku Kururugi over to Lloyd, Xiao Ran stopped paying attention to him. As for the official justification, just as Xiao Ran had said, Suzaku Kururugi had become his disciple. Since Xiao Ran could no longer continue piloting the Lancelot, Suzaku Kururugi's addition became the best component for the Lancelot's report.
Lloyd neither wanted to ask nor cared why Suzaku Kururugi had become Xiao Ran's disciple; it had nothing to do with him. However, Suzaku Kururugi, amusing himself, came up with a suitable reason for Xiao Ran. Didn't Euphemia want Britannia and Area 11 to merge completely? Starting with Xiao Ran, her Personal Knight, even if Area 11's people could not become nobles or high-ranking officials, having Xiao Ran take someone from Area 11 as his disciple still carried a certain symbolic meaning—especially given Suzaku Kururugi's highly unusual identity.
Xiao Ran threw Suzaku Kururugi to Lloyd, and Lloyd threw Suzaku Kururugi to Cecil. Passed from one person to another, Suzaku Kururugi finally found his place in the Special Administration. He had only just been struck off the Empire's military rolls, yet now he had inexplicably become a member of the Special Administration.
After dealing with Suzaku Kururugi's matter, Xiao Ran returned to the Governor's Mansion, only to be stopped by someone who suddenly stepped out from the entrance. The man stood ramrod straight, dressed in a red uniform and white gloves, his loosely clenched fists at his sides. His hair was impeccably groomed, and behind his glasses, his sharp eyes stared at Xiao Ran with a serious, stern expression.
Xiao Ran glanced at the person blocking his way and asked without any change in expression, "What is it?"
The man blocking Xiao Ran was Guildford, sent by Cornelia. Xiao Ran's emotionless tone seemed to provoke this gentlemanly-looking man somewhat.