What Kind of Person Do You Think Lelouch Would Trust?

"Villetta Nu is one of my subordinates, and a member of the Pureblood Faction."...

Ask had no particular impression of her. Apparently, she was someone of little standing.

"Who else has she contacted besides you?"

Jeremiah thought for a moment.

"She probably... no, she told me she had only told me, because we had similar experiences."

"I see."

Ask rested his chin on one hand, thinking.

Everything Jeremiah had relayed was Villetta's side of the story, without any evidence.

Then, as though something had occurred to him, Ask raised his head and looked at Jeremiah, his tone cautionary.

"Keep her under control for now, but don't let anyone find out."

Jeremiah understood that Ask needed time to consider this unexpected person.

"Understood, Your Highness. Then I shall take my leave."

After escorting Jeremiah out of the study, Leila locked the door. Her years at Ask's side had given them a tacit understanding; a mere exchange of glances told her what he wanted to do.

Only Ask, Monica, and Leila remained in the study. With no outsiders present, Monica and Leila did not need to observe formal etiquette. This, too, was a special privilege Ask granted them.

Monica spoke first:

"Since Villetta Nu is just an ordinary soldier, and has also been subjected to Geass, perhaps we could use her for Geass experiments."

Ask shook his head.

"No. We can't guarantee her absolute loyalty. None of the Geass users under our control have a Geass that can control minds or alter memories."

During his years in the EU, Ask had used C.C's power to conduct experiments, granting Geass abilities to a large number of people. The experiments ultimately proved that she could not keep granting them indefinitely. The number she could grant within a given period was severely limited: only one person per month. Continuing beyond that would only produce defective results, until eventually she could no longer grant any abilities at all.

At the same time, Ask had begun analyzing Code using the information C.C had provided, but had made no progress whatsoever.

He did not know where it came from or how it formed. Even C.C did not know the origin of Code. All she knew was that Code granted its bearer an ageless, immortal body and the ability to bestow the power of Geass upon others.

According to C.C, the emperor also had a Code bearer, named V.V.

The power of ageless immortality fascinated everyone, and Ask was no exception. But C.C was already his, so he had set his sights on V.V.

He had to obtain V.V's Code and analyze it. Understanding the principles behind Code's formation was Ask's ultimate goal in researching Geass.

For now, however, he still had to focus on the throne.

"Leila, have you pulled up Villetta Nu's records?"

"I've already sent someone to investigate."

Ask did not know when she had sent someone, but he had complete confidence in Leila's work.

Before long, a knock came at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Your Highness, the information you requested has arrived."

A woman's voice sounded from outside the door. Ask recognized it. She was Sphink Grim, Baron Grimm's eldest daughter, and one of those who had entered the Pureblood Faction's inner circle. She could be trusted.

Leila opened the door and took the documents, after which Sphynx began to withdraw without being told.

"Sphynx, stand guard outside. Don't let anyone approach."

Leila called Sphynx back as she was about to leave. Her almost commanding tone did not cause the slightest displeasure.

"Yes, Lady Leila."

Sphynx addressed Leila respectfully as well. Leila was Ask's only personal maid, and she had been granted real authority. Ask had personally appointed her chief of staff for the EU region.

In terms of standing, Leila ranked only slightly below Monica.

Leila locked the door again, handed the documents to Ask, then sat beside him. She and Monica settled on either side, leaning affectionately against him.

Ask read the documents with evident enjoyment. What normal man would not enjoy having two beautiful women nestled against him?

Yet he let out an incongruous sigh.

The documents had disappointed him.

"Dispose of her. She's of no use to us. Since she's stumbled onto the existence of Geass, it's safer to get rid of her."

Taking no risks had always been Ask's policy.

Leila picked up her phone and contacted Jeremiah, relaying Ask's order.

Then Ask tossed the documents onto the desk and leaned back, reclining on the sofa as he slowly closed his eyes.

"Lelouch is still developing too slowly. We need to add a catalyst."

Monica moved behind Ask and began massaging his shoulders.

Leila, meanwhile, considered the matter seriously. She had a better grasp of strategy than Monica.

"In Britannia's eyes, everything he's doing now is just a minor disturbance, no different from the Island Nation Resistance Front. It's of no use whatsoever. He needs an opportunity to step officially onto the stage, so he can acquire more troops."

Ask smiled. He agreed with Leila.

"True. But before his organization takes shape, this is the best time to plant a spy."

"Hmm... if they're Britannian, I'm afraid it would be difficult to get them in."

"No, getting in is easy. Given Lelouch's personality, he'll make full use of anyone with value, regardless of race. But he won't trust them."

Leila nodded to herself. She did not understand Lelouch as well as Ask did.

"What about C.C, then? She gave Lelouch Geass, and she's staying at his house for now. Perhaps she might end up being the person he trusts most."

"C.C is our fallback. We can't rely entirely on her. Besides, her mysterious nature means she can't win Lelouch's trust. If Lelouch discovers the relationship between C.C and me, he might turn it around and use it against us.

So we still need to plant another person, preferably someone capable of reaching the organization's upper ranks. If Lelouch notices them, they can also provide cover for C.C."

"True. Then how should we choose that person? Lelouch's organization is based in the Island Nation. It will have to win the support of the Island Nation's people to grow, so most of its senior members will have to be from the Island Nation."

Leila nodded. She readily understood Ask's reasoning, but she had no suitable ideas for a spy candidate.

Ask suddenly gave a mysterious smile, opening his eyes to look at Leila.

"What kind of person do you think Lelouch would promote to the upper ranks?"

After a few seconds of thought, Leila had her answer.

"Someone capable, someone trustworthy... someone who followed him from the beginning!"