Chapter 817 Lanqi: Who Dares to Kill Me?

The next day, night.

Manhot Central District, Bulilda City.

Under the deep night sky, Lanqi and Talia strolled through the wide Broadway Central Square, the central fountain shimmering under the illuminated lights.

It was November 5th, 7 PM.

Surpassing the slow, sluggish vehicles, and dashing through the just-changed traffic lights at the intersection—

Whether it was the Bulilda Opera House or the Holworth Crossroads where the Imperial Special Operations Division was located, it was only about one kilometer away from here.

However, Lanqi had come here tonight, neither for the opera house nor for work at the Operations Division.

Instead, it was an invitation his family had received while he was in the Shadow World.

Captain Maguire wanted to host a banquet for him and chat.

So Lanqi brought Talia to this restaurant.

Now, the Imperial Special Operations Division's eyes and ears were everywhere. The more people went out, the more likely unnecessary flaws would appear.

During these two-plus weeks before the final battle at Blood Moon City, it was best for them to keep a low profile.

Under Lanqi's persuasion, Talia and Sigrid finally stopped insisting that all three of them go out together.

However, according to the inexplicable agreement between Talia and Sigrid, the next time such a situation arose where he needed to bring a fiancée to an appointment, it would be Sigrid's turn to accompany him.

Tonight, he brought Talia.

Talia had excellent lie detection skills.

And most importantly, if she wasn't allowed to go to a dinner occasion, it would be a bit like mistreating the elderly.

"Hmm?"

Talia glanced sideways at Lanqi.

"Tata, we're going to be late."

Lanqi said seriously, looking at the distant building.

Hearing this, Talia nodded with slight hesitation and quickened her pace.

The Eleven Madison Park Restaurant, where they were going today, was a restaurant opened by the famous Imperial chef Thomas Keller. It was located on the eleventh floor of the Winsey Liberty Memorial Building near Broadway Square, offering exquisite and sophisticated modern Imperial cuisine and first-class service. It was also one of the most luxurious restaurants in Bulilda City.

The restaurant offered seasonal nine-course Imperial traditional menus and nine-course vegetarian menus, with slight variations for each guest to ensure a unique dining experience.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic views of the open-air sky park and the charming night scene of the Bulilda Circle.

The two made their way to the building and took the elevator upstairs.

As soon as they exited the cabin door and arrived at the entrance of the eleventh-floor restaurant, Talia sniffed and knew they had come to the right place.

"This is a restaurant that usually requires reservations a month in advance. If you don't have a reservation, it seems difficult to get a table."

Talia told Lanqi what she had learned from the Bulilda Food Weekly.

At this restaurant, men needed to wear suits or formal attire, and women should wear cocktail dresses or little black dresses. Almost everyone was dressed formally.

So today, she and Lanqi were dressed especially like a newly married couple.

It shouldn't arouse Captain Maguire's suspicion.

Passing through the automatic revolving glass door, they could see the high-quality, pure black style of the restaurant's interior and the sky garden and terrace outside the window.

As night fell, the twinkling stars seemed to be reflected on the windowsill, giving customers a dreamlike beauty.

"Guests, are you companions of Mr. Maguire?"

A polite waiter came to them at the first moment and deduced which table they were at based on the customers' reservation time and number of people.

"That's right."

Lanqi nodded with a smile.

"Okay, please follow me."

The waiter's speech was professional, unhurried, and led them to their seats while handing out a carefully crafted lychee-grain black leather guide.

Talia opened it and walked forward with Lanqi, looking at the guide.

The hot-stamped words were neatly arranged on the black cover. When opened, it was the menu, but today Captain Maguire, who was treating them, must have already ordered.

The fragrance of flowers mingled with the aroma of truffles and black pepper in the air.

Waiters in neat uniforms moved or stood between the tables, carefully pouring wine for the guests, with occasional clinking sounds of cutlery.

The two quickly saw the table at the end of the aisle, pointed to by the waiter.

Maguire, who was sitting on one side, had already raised his hand to them.

Maguire was not wearing his leather jacket today, but was dressed in a formal suit to invite the Landri couple to dinner.

"Captain Maguire, sorry for the wait."

Lanqi took Talia and quickened his pace, walking to the sofa opposite Maguire's booth table.

"No, I just arrived too."

Maguire shook his head and smiled, watching the two take their seats.

"I took the liberty of ordering some dishes. See if there's anything you want to add."

He asked Professor Landri and his wife.

"No, no, you're spending too much."

Lanqi quickly denied.

If Talia was allowed to eat her fill, Maguire would probably be offended when he saw the bill and bear a grudge.

Talia immediately became a little sulky, as if she had guessed what Lanqi was thinking.

"Another wife, didn't she come?"

Maguire waited for the waiter to confirm the menu before asking Lanqi.

"She's sulking at home, don't mention it."

Lanqi sighed.

"Not easy, Professor Landri."

Maguire understood something.

Having to take care of the feelings of two wives at the same time was quite a feat for Landri.

"Professor, do you know what Director Dex's attitude was after hearing that you brought two fiancées to Bulilda?"

Maguire picked up his glass and toasted Landri.

"He must be very disappointed in me."

Lanqi used water instead of wine, returning Maguire's toast.

"No, you underestimate Director Dex."

Maguire took a sip of his wine and said.

"How so?"

Lanqi asked sincerely.

"Director Dex isn't afraid of his subordinates being greedy or lustful. Such people are easier to control."

Maguire glanced around. There were no other Imperial Special Operations Division informants here. He had checked it out beforehand. They could speak freely.

Now that Landri had two fiancées, Dex was looking at him with more favor.

Originally, if it was just one fiancée, Dex might suspect that he had just found someone to deal with the situation, but two was definitely not the case, unless it was all a shoddy performance and a misunderstanding.

Maguire was the same. He, Maguire, was greedy, and Dex sometimes turned a blind eye to Maguire's looting and small actions during missions.

As for Kestrel Nicola, there were no flaws, but because he was Duke Dex's favorite disciple, Dex cared for Nicola very much. He might suspect him, but he wouldn't casually reveal his suspicions to him.

So Maguire was very worried that Duke Dex would favor Nicola, trying to get Nicola to make contributions at this juncture and surpass him, Maguire. In that case, he, Maguire, wouldn't be able to object.

"I see..."

Before the main course, the two exchanged pleasantries.

Talia remained almost silent, occasionally looking at the dishes on the neighboring table and swallowing her saliva.

In the Imperial Special Operations Division, because Professor Landri was always being monitored by Kestrel Nicola under the guise of "protection," Director Dex also tacitly allowed Nicola to be responsible for Professor Landri's schedule. Therefore, Maguire and Professor Landri rarely had the opportunity to chat alone.

Most of the time, they would meet at the Operations Division headquarters and say a few polite words.

Maguire's impression of Landri wasn't bad, because Landri didn't get along with Nicola, but Landri had always been very respectful to him, Maguire, so Maguire had long wanted to win over this professor.

Soon, dinner began.

The waiter presented each guest with an appetizer: corn puree with caviar and black truffle.

The milky white corn puree spread out softly at the bottom of the bowl, with a small hill of caviar piled in the middle, topped with thin slices of black truffle.

Talia lightly scooped with a silver spoon. The sweetness of the corn, the saltiness of the caviar, and the richness of the truffle intertwined in her mouth, creating a wonderful sensation.

Next was the starter. The waiter brought a white porcelain plate with foie gras mousse with figs.

The pink foie gras mousse was cut into small squares, covered with a layer of caramel-colored honey, and topped with fig jam.

The richness of the foie gras, the crispness of the caramel, and the sweetness and sourness of the figs. Talia had no intention of listening to Lanqi and Maguire's conversation, only wholeheartedly savoring the food.

As soon as she finished eating, oil-sealed lobster with black pepper sauce was served.

The crystal clear lobster meat glistened under the butter, with a firm and tender texture, carrying the sweetness of the ocean.

The light danced in the corners of the floor tiles, the sparkling of the handmade ice, the luster of the wine bottles, the mist of the newly served dishes, everything was refracted in the light.

"Brother Landri, please forgive me. It's been so long before I invited you out for dinner for the first time. I didn't mean to neglect you. It's all that Nicola's fault for always interfering and preventing me from having a good relationship with you."

Maguire said, drinking his wine, as if he had finally found a kindred spirit.

"With great power comes great responsibility. I understand."

Lanqi returned a polite smile and sighed,

"However, indeed, whenever the intention of Duke Dex's retirement is mentioned, I get a headache. I really don't want any changes at this juncture. I always feel like something big is going to happen."

Immediately, Lanqi also seemed to have remembered something troubling, and muttered to himself hesitantly.

For neutral figures like him in the imperial capital, if there was no clear inclination, any disturbance and reshuffling of power would be a bad thing.

Because he could only go with the flow, and might suddenly be suppressed, or become a victim of power struggles.

"If Brother Landri has any ideas, please share them with me."

Maguire said to Lanqi.

Lanqi pondered.

"I only know that if Nicola has a good life, I definitely won't have a good life."

Lanqi looked back at the corridor, as if he already had a psychological shadow of Kestrel Nicola. He was sure that no one was around before answering Captain Maguire.

"..."

Maguire stared at Landri's azure eyes. They were sincere eyes from the heart. He seemed to sincerely hope that this action captain could become the new director of the Imperial Special Operations Division.

"It seems everyone has the same idea."

Maguire gradually nodded in agreement.

In fact, thinking about it carefully, Landri came here to see him today, obviously understanding what he meant.

Although their interests weren't completely aligned, Nicola would definitely stand in their way.

Even if he didn't consider Landri's current status and potential in the Imperial military industry, Maguire was also very sure that there was nothing wrong with befriending Landri. After all, today's simple conversation made Maguire like Landri a lot.

He didn't have the arrogant and unruly personality of a magical engineering genius, nor did he think that just because he had a reputation, he didn't have to consider other people's feelings.

Now was not the time to eagerly inquire about anything from Landri. The more critical the information, the easier it was to arouse suspicion.

"Your wife is really quiet. She hasn't said a word since she came here."

Maguire suddenly changed the subject and looked at Tata diagonally opposite.

She was still eating.

Like someone who had come out of a starvation prison.

"..."

Talia raised her head while chewing on shrimp, looking at them both in confusion.

Was she suspected by the action team captain because she wasn't acting like a fiancée?

"She, ah, there was a time when she couldn't get good food and was hungry all day long. She even had to compete with cats for food."

Lanqi smiled wryly.

"Tsk, you obviously tricked me into feeding the cats, and the rest belonged to me."

Talia recalled the past and was annoyed.

"It seems that your past when you met was quite interesting."

Maguire said, looking at the all-too-real interaction between the two.

He didn't suspect Landri's wife much. She was too serious about eating.

This noble country girl who was both like a princess and a village girl wasn't acting.

"Just eat in peace, don't feel pressured. Maguire and I will talk about our things."

Lanqi patted Talia's forearm and said to her.

Full of flaws was equal to no flaws.

Tata didn't need to act at all.

Talia nodded and continued to eat.

The existence of Lanqi and Maguire had no impact on her. She was here to eat.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was calm, like a black treasure box, with only small lamps flickering.

Cutlery and glass containers were placed quietly on the black tablecloths on the restaurant tables, and most of the customers dining were silent or spoke in a low voice.

Outside the window, the night lights of Bulilda flashed across the sky like shooting stars, and the air was filled with the aroma of Imperial cuisine.

Time passed minute by minute.

"The Cri Empire is in an unprecedented period of change. Since the rise of the national populist faction, many aspects have undergone earth-shattering changes, including this war."

Maguire sighed.

"First of all, in the cultural field, the royal family vigorously promotes nationalism and heroism, reawakening the pride of the Cri nation, suppressing the past strength of the nobles before the 'Blood Wash Day', and allowing the people to begin to balance it."

"In terms of social life, how should I put it, the series of policies promoted by Emperor St. Baldo to shape the image of the Cri people have led to more and more exclusion of Esters, Roma, and other civilians whose ancestors migrated from the many northern kingdoms in the central city-states, further dividing the conflicts between nobles and civilians."

Maguire and Lanqi talked about the recent situation and trade in the empire.

"Currently, the vigorous development of the military industry and the improvement of employment have strengthened the Cri Empire in the Southern Continent. Although we are in turbulent times, under the banner of the Empire's revival, the internal problems of the Cri nation have gradually spread outward. In the short term, it should indeed show a vigorous posture. What do you think we should do at this time?"

He asked Lanqi, wanting to test him.

"Serve the empire?"

Lanqi asked uncertainly.

"Oh, Brother Landri, you're really honest."

Maguire waved his hand.

"At this time, we should be raking in the benefits. If you don't make enough money now, when will you? The current life, the current status, the current ease, aren't they all what we fought for?"

Maguire tapped the table lightly with his other hand.

His hint was very obvious.

When he became the director of the Imperial Special Operations Division and Landri became the chairman of the Cri New Energy Organization Committee, the two of them would have plenty of business to do.

"But... essentially, I want to become the head of the Cri New Energy Organization Committee for the empire's sake. As for private interests, even if there's a way, I wouldn't dare to get involved."

Lanqi hesitated, and looked at his wife who was eating comfortably next to him, feeling a little uneasy.

"Brother."

Maguire chuckled.

He could see that Landri was wavering.

Landri probably needed a lot of money to support such a wife. He naturally wanted to give his wife a wealthy life, but he couldn't let go of his imperial beliefs.

"Those big shots in the empire, their mouths are full of doctrine, but their hearts are full of business. Those who are sitting on their positions and doing nothing are no worse than those of us who are really doing things for the empire. It's not your turn to feel guilty."

Maguire whispered to Lanqi, quickening his pace.

"..."

Lanqi was stunned, his eyes slowly raised, meeting Maguire's.

That direct gaze was like some kind of greed being unleashed.

"Is that so, Mr. Maguire..."

Lanqi put down his cutlery and murmured.

His voice was hoarse, and the desires that had been buried in his heart for a long time seemed to be irresistibly pried open.

"That's right."

Maguire raised his glass.

Lanqi also came back to his senses, raised his glass and touched it lightly with his, and drank it all.

A long time passed.

The two continued to chat, eating their dinner lightly.

"Landri, if you have any clues you can reveal to me, you can say it at any time. I know you don't trust that kid Nicola, but I will definitely do my best to help you."

Maguire saw that the two of them had eaten and chatted enough, and slightly pressed down on the table, moving a little closer to Landri.

He was now increasingly convinced that an Allied spy had infiltrated the Imperial Special Operations Division.

Although he most wanted the spy to be Nicola, he also knew it was unlikely. Nicola was a native Bulilda noble. Maguire had been competing with Nicola for so long and knew Kestrel Nicola very well.

As for the others, he didn't have many clues to start with for the time being, because under Director Dex's instructions, Kestrel Nicola could always get in touch with Landri one step earlier.

In a way, it was also because Nicola was too clean and was more trusted by Dex.

"What about the director of the confidential room, Conner, and the director of the laboratory, Atticus? They can indeed access my research results."

Lanqi pondered for a while, glanced left and right, and then replied hesitantly.

"They are indeed a bit suspicious."

Maguire speculated to himself.

But Maguire still had doubts in his heart.

If the spy was one of these two, there was no reason why they could steal his credentials.

After all, the director of the confidential room, Conner, and the director of the laboratory, Atticus, wouldn't run to the action team, and it was impossible for them to bypass the many members of the action team and investigate him in his office without anyone knowing.

Maguire raised his eyes and observed Landri.

Landri's answer seemed more like perfunctory.

From Landri's expression, he saw a little uneasiness, plus a lingering hesitation, as if he was struggling with whether to say something.

"Brother Landri, say what should be said. Anyway, you should have heard about me. I'm definitely not an Allied spy."

Maguire took out a portable soundproof shielding magic device from his pocket, unfolded a small barrier, so that Landri could only hear the voices at their table.

There was another long silence.

Landri didn't speak again.

Just thinking.

"Captain Maguire, have you had any private contact with the Allied people?"

Lanqi took a deep breath, his expression much more solemn, and asked Maguire.

"Of course not."

Maguire wasn't angry and answered patiently.

It was only natural for Landri to suspect anyone, but Landri asking the question directly was a sign that he was gradually dispelling his suspicion of him.

"And there shouldn't be any connection with the Silver Moon Restoration Society?"

Lanqi probed again.

"That's certainly not the case either, otherwise Nicola would never let me go."

These overly direct questions made Maguire laugh.

Even if an ordinary person had this question in their heart, they wouldn't ask it directly.

But Professor Landri seemed too pure, wanting to get a sense of security from him, Maguire, before revealing a crucial piece of information.

It could be seen that Landri was very scared and very uneasy.

Maguire couldn't help but be curious about what Landri knew.

"Forgive me for being rude, Maguire, can you guarantee that you are loyal to the empire?"

Lanqi asked Maguire again.

That heavy tone was probably the last question.

"Of course."

Maguire nodded without hesitation.

"..."

Lanqi stared at Maguire for a while, and nodded.

Talia had already picked up her water glass and sipped it lightly.

Before they came, Lanqi had told her what to do.

Her doing nothing meant it was true.

And drinking water meant it was false.

"Captain Maguire..."

After pondering, Lanqi seemed to have finally mustered the courage to confirm what he wanted to say.

"Think about it, besides me, and excluding the director of the confidential room and the director of the laboratory, are there any other people who can access first-hand documents..."

Lanqi lowered his voice, as if he didn't dare to say any more.

Continuing to talk about it, whether this guess was true or false, it would be his, this small Professor Landri, who would lose his head.

"..."

Maguire thought for a while and frowned.

Then his eyes widened like copper bells.

Although this was an unprecedented possibility.

But it coincided with his recent depressed encounters.

How could he not have thought of it--

Director Dex was probably an Allied spy.

If he could find out about Dex, it wouldn't be as simple as being promoted to director.

As long as he could get conclusive evidence and find the First Military God, Hacinthos, Hacinthos would definitely bring down Duke Dex. Even if the First Military God, Hacinthos, openly fell out with the emperor, he wouldn't let go of the Allied spy!

What's more, Hacinthos and Dex's interests had already clashed, and Emperor St. Baldo was about to secretly support the power faction represented by Duke Dex to suppress the First Military God, Hacinthos, who was gaining momentum among the people.

"I understand, I'll pay attention to it. I'll go back to the Operations Division first."

Maguire stood up, patted Lanqi on the shoulder as he walked past him, and said goodbye impatiently.

"Captain Maguire, I didn't say anything. Don't think too much."

Lanqi added with some worry.

"Don't worry, we didn't even meet today."

Maguire left these words behind, waved his hand to pay the bill, and left.

Lanqi watched Maguire leave the Eleven Madison Park Restaurant.

Talia was stunned.

She seemed to understand Lanqi's hint a little.

According to Lanqi's three questions, Maguire was neither a member of the Allied forces nor a hidden member of the Silver Moon Restoration Society, but he was not loyal to the empire. His identity was already clear at a glance.

First, let Maguire shoot an arrow, and then help him draw a target. As long as Maguire had doubts about Director Dex, Lanqi would have plenty of ways to create various signs in the Operations Division to deepen Maguire's confirmation of this guess.

"Lan Lan, you..."

Talia swallowed the chocolate lava cake dotted with vanilla ice cream and said to Lanqi.

"I didn't say anything."

Lanqi raised his hands, as if making a disclaimer.

It was none of his business what Maguire was thinking.

"You're really a poisonous strategist."

Talia understood Lanqi too well.

She believed that Maguire would soon fall 100% into intuition—under Lanqi's further manipulation and alienation, he would be convinced that the Allied spy was Director Dex.

When a person encounters a difficult problem that cannot be solved, and suddenly realizes a possibility, and the things he encounters next can constantly prove it, then he will believe it deeply.

However, as long as Maguire dared to investigate Dex, he would be finished, because Dex was also investigating who the Allied spy was.

"Eat slowly, it's over."

Lanqi called the waiter and ordered Talia another dish.

Next, he would pay out of his own pocket to celebrate.

"Okay, I won't be polite then."

Talia thought that having Lanqi as her boyfriend was still very good. As expected, her own disciple was easy to use.

She also relaxed a lot. The Imperial Special Operations Division shouldn't have any trouble with Lanqi next. The scapegoat had been found, and Kestrel Nicola and Duke Dex would be satisfied and wouldn't stare at Lanqi anymore.

He, Professor Landri, could focus on preparing his work and research.

Everyone had their own things to do, and everyone was busy.

Although Nicola was also annoying, he was still better than someone as disloyal and unrighteous as Maguire.

"But aren't you worried that the Allied forces will assassinate you next?"

Talia leaned on the back of the sofa chair and thought for a while, then turned her head and asked Lanqi.

She thought that if this continued, Maguire would become an "Allied spy," and he, Professor Landri, would be able to sit back and relax, and would be able to take office as the head of the Imperial New Energy Organization as he wished.

The Allied forces might feel that Landri was gradually becoming uncontrollable.

Not only had they lost the handle to threaten him, but the difficulty of assassinating Landri would become increasingly high.

If they didn't kill him now, they might not have the chance to kill him in the future.

"Heh, in broad daylight, under the clear sky, they can't rush into my house in the middle of the night and kill me."

Lanqi laughed. He thought Talia underestimated the security of Bulilda too much.

What's more, he still had Talia, Sigrid, and Ifathia, these three great generals, at home. If anyone dared to provoke him, they would end the enemy's life.

"That's true."

Seeing Lanqi's aura of "who dares to kill me," Talia was relieved.