Lelouch remained silent as Xiao Ran spoke, listening to Xiao Ran's arrangements. Only after Xiao Ran finished did he nod. "Once we return, I'll make arrangements immediately. How many people? Is there any limit?"
Xiao Ran said, "Around ten for now. It's fine if there aren't enough, since I'll need to find a way to prepare the units as well. And the Black Knights have only just been established. I don't know how many capable people you actually have under you, Lelouch. I'm afraid there isn't much time left. Powerful armed organizations are emerging one after another across the world, including those two people I mentioned just now. If we don't want to be crushed beneath the wheels of this world, then we must grow stronger faster. We must become the ones driving that chariot, and place this world under the Black Knights' eternal watch to achieve true peace."
Lelouch nodded silently. He could sense a kind of urgency in Xiao Ran's words. Though he did not know where that urgency came from, Lelouch was willing to trust Xiao Ran. For some reason, he felt that Xiao Ran was someone he could trust completely, even if Xiao Ran still carried many mysteries, even if Lelouch could not determine Xiao Ran's true purpose.
After a moment of silence, Lelouch raised his head and looked at Xiao Ran. "You came here on Euphemia's behalf. What are you planning to do? We can't release the hostages yet. Not because of the Liberation Front, but because I need them to guarantee our safe withdrawal."
Xiao Ran asked, "When are you moving?"
Lelouch checked the time. "Tonight. Less than two hours from now."
"Mm." Xiao Ran pondered for a moment before saying, "Fine. You said the hostages have already been moved elsewhere. In that case,