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Chapter 711: Ranchi Was Born For This
Chapter 711: Ranchi Was Born For This
The Brierda Magic-Powered Railcar had been stationed at the Capital Station for a while.
However, passengers on board were temporarily not allowed to disembark.
Compared to the Capital Garrison troops, who would still comfort the passengers, the Imperial Special Operations Department obviously took a tougher stance. They were decisive and efficient, not considering the emotions of the public or public opinion during their searches, but rather focusing on the importance of military secrecy.
Red Kite Nikola took the investigation report handed to him by Colonel Berk, the commander of the Gendarmerie Brigade, glanced through it quickly, and then returned it.
"Search all passengers, and take away anyone who is suspicious, including the crew and driver!"
Red Kite Nikola raised his hand and gave the order in a loud voice. The agents of the First Domestic Affairs Section strode onto the train, the carriage doors closed once more, and they opened the passenger manifest, starting from Carriage Four and working their way in both directions to check everyone on board.
"Is this matter very serious?"
Colonel Berk knew he shouldn't have asked that question.
Because the incident itself was quite serious.
But compared to the train attack, if the attacker's identity was also linked to the reactionary forces that the bigwigs in the Empire were currently focusing on, then the nature of the incident would be even more significant.
"..."
The man known as "Red Kite" by the head of the Gendarmerie, Nikola, remained by the door of Carriage Four, and he didn't speak, but his gaze answered Colonel Berk's question.
The next second.
His eyes gradually shifted from Colonel Berk to Ranchi.
Nikola didn't rush to the other carriages because the important figure was right in front of him.
It was clear at a glance that the man being personally investigated and escorted by the commander of the Second Gendarmerie Brigade was the key figure in this train disturbance.
"Did you come to the capital alone, sir?"
Red Kite Nikola placed his hand on his chest and gave a slight bow to Ranchi before asking.
"Of course."
Ranchi replied calmly and looked at Nikola with some curiosity, as if he didn't understand why Nikola was asking this question.
Chief Nikola of the Special Affairs Department was much more polite than Ranchi had expected.
Perhaps it was because he had discerned his current identity as Landri Washington, a noble. Of course, it was also possible that this domestic affairs chief was simply a tiger in sheep's clothing.
"In other words, you didn't have any accomplices?"
The smile disappeared from Red Kite Nikola's face, and his voice turned cold.
When this question was raised, Colonel Berk's expression froze, and he seemed to sense that the atmosphere was taking a turn for the worse.
"Accomplices?"
Ranchi looked at Nikola, confused.
Talia's heart pounded.
She didn't know how this agent named Nikola had found the flaw from such a short observation and the details he had gathered! But it was clear that there was something amiss with Ranchi, something that neither she nor Ranchi had realized.
She had told Ranchi not to always push things to the limit, and right now, she felt like getting off the train, but she couldn't because Ranchi was her host, and she had no choice but to stay with him.
"Hmph."
Red Kite Nikola coldly snorted twice.
"Then let me ask again. Why did you help the assassin on the train escape, and why did you harm the passenger in the same compartment as you?"
Nikola continued to press forward, his gaze intense.
His eyes seemed to make the air turn cold, and wherever he stood had become an interrogation room.
"What are you talking about?"
Ranchi asked, his face full of confusion.
Colonel Berk maintained his composure and analyzed the possible oversights in his earlier investigation.
According to the Gendarmerie's earlier investigation on the train.
The young noble named Landri Washington, with black hair and blue eyes, and the elderly man, Lovia, had boarded the train at the Botswana provincial border. During the journey, they encountered an attack by an extremely dangerous extremist on board, who, according to the investigation, was a female assassin. She had been repulsed by Landri's act of bravery.
However, according to Landri's description, the target of the female assassin was coincidentally the elderly man, Lovia, who was in the same compartment as Landri. In the end, Landri was deceived by the female assassin's sixth-rank smoke screen spell, failed to capture her, and she escaped with the elderly man.
Upon careful consideration, everything seemed to match the investigation results.
But a large part of it was based on Landri's own account.
As long as it sounded plausible, then what he said was taken as fact—one and two, but the most critical point of contention was why the female assassin would abduct an ordinary old man, and why he happened to be in the same compartment as Landri?
As Colonel Berk thought about it, he began to understand Red Kite Nikola's suspicions—
If Landri was the culprit from the beginning, then all the inconsistencies could be explained away, and the story would have to be rebuilt from scratch.
"You don't need to keep up the act anymore, you bumbling fool."
Nikola seemed to have lost his patience, and he reached out to grab Ranchi's forehead.
"Or just kill him directly!"
However, just as his hand was about to touch Ranchi's eyes...
...Ranchi remained completely still.
Nikola's hand also stopped precisely.
"Why didn't you dodge?" Nikola asked.
"Because I'm not afraid. I believe justice is on my side," Ranchi replied, his expression unchanged, his eyes clear as ever.
This calm exchange caused a thin layer of cold sweat to form on Colonel Berk's forehead.
If the Imperial Special Operations Department were to mistakenly kill an innocent passenger, or worse, a noble, then such a disastrous incident would undoubtedly implicate the Capital Garrison as well.
Fortunately, Nikola was only testing him.
"My apologies, Mr. Landri. That was merely a routine investigation technique I employ. Please forgive me for any offense caused while carrying out my duties," Red Kite Nikola said as he retracted his gloved hand and bowed slightly to Ranchi.
"Phew, you really scared me there. I was wondering what I had done to warrant such treatment," Ranchi sighed in relief, shaking his head with a smile.
"Damn, was he trying to bluff his way through?" Talia couldn't help but think.
Nikola probably hadn't figured anything out. He was just testing the waters, and if the person being investigated couldn't withstand the psychological pressure and showed signs of cracking, he would have his answer.
Thankfully, Ranchi's psychological fortitude was unlike that of a normal human. His heartbeat didn't accelerate in such situations.
"Don't worry, Tata. My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and my deeds are just. No words can sway me," Ranchi reassured Talia in his mind.
"..." Talia hesitated.
Wait a minute, Ranchi. You weren't playing mind games; you genuinely have no guilt? Talia was a little confused.
"However, Mr. Landri, could you please describe once more the disappearance of Mr. Lovia, who was in the same compartment as you? I still can't fathom why a female assassin would abduct an innocent old man. You were the only eyewitness present, and I'd like to hear your thoughts," Nikola continued, maintaining a suspicious tone despite the relaxed atmosphere.
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ranchi.
This statement also caught the attention of Colonel Berk once more.
"How are you going to explain this? I've felt that your lie from the beginning was a bit far-fetched," Berk thought.
A sense of despair loomed over Talia, and she felt that the more Ranchi explained, the more he would dig himself into a hole, but not explaining was also not an option.
And Red Kite Nikola wouldn't let him off the hook easily; he would press for answers.
"Don't worry," Ranchi reassured Talia in his mind, his composure unwavering.
"Before that, I have a question for Chief Nikola," Ranchi said, turning to face him.
"Oh?" Nikola didn't agree or disagree, seemingly wanting to hear Ranchi's question first or perhaps inferring that the question itself would reveal much information.
"In your opinion, what identity does this female assassin hold? Initially, the train broadcast notified us passengers about the presence of an extremely dangerous individual on board, which means the Imperial Special Operations Department must have received prior intelligence," Ranchi said, furrowing his brows slightly as he rested his hand lightly on his chin, deep in thought.
This matter was important enough for the chief of the First Domestic Affairs Section to personally come and investigate; it had to be a significant internal issue.
"Of course, I have no intention of prying into military secrets. But since Chief Nikola has requested my deduction, I need corresponding information as a supplement to make an accurate judgment," Ranchi added.
"... " Red Kite Nikola fell silent for a few seconds.
"It's not a big deal, so I can tell you. According to our intelligence, the dangerous individual on the train today is a key member of the Silver Moon Reform Society, and a big catch," he finally said.
After all, the big fish had already escaped, and the opportunity had passed, so the value of this intelligence had decreased to the point where it could be disclosed.
"Silver Moon Reform Society...?" This time, it was Ranchi who was puzzled, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
"You may not be familiar with this organization since you've just arrived in the capital, but all you need to know is that this group poses an absolute threat to the Empire and is a thorn in the side of those bigwigs," Red Kite Nikola rarely offered additional explanations, but he did this time.
"This Imperial Special Agent isn't lying. The intelligence from the Imperial Special Operations Department does seem to identify Miss Unity as an extreme danger and a member of the Silver Moon Reform Society," Talia informed Ranchi in his mind, sharing the lie detection results with him.
"Is that so? Do you not think she's a member of the Silver Moon Reform Society, Mr. Landri?" Red Kite Nikola seemed to have caught on to something, deducing this from Ranchi's reaction.
This black-haired, blue-eyed young man had, for the first time, revealed a truly hesitant emotion just now.
This awkwardness indicated that the other party was definitely not a member of the Silver Moon Reform Society, and correspondingly, he might have other key information.
"Of course, I personally feel that the woman is not a member of the Silver Moon Reform Society, as you said."
Lanchi answered honestly.
"Then what do you think she is?"
Red Kite Nikola's eyebrows furrowed, as if he felt that this answer was worthless and not what he wanted to hear.
If today's investigation were to end with this black-haired, blue-eyed young man, he would be quite disappointed.
"The female killer is more likely to be a spy for the Allies, and how should I put it... Mr. Lovia and I had a pleasant chat along the way. I shouldn't slander him, but the fact is, Mr. Lovia did talk to that female killer for a moment, and they clearly weren't speaking the Empire's language."
Lanchi continued to explain, his expression serious.
"..."
Red Kite Nikola fell silent, deep in thought.
Colonel Berk, standing beside him, wore a shocked expression, staring at the outspoken Lanchi.
A spy for the Allies—that was an external problem and, to some extent, a matter of even greater seriousness than the Silver Moon Reform Society.
"Are you sure about what you're saying?"
Red Kite Nikola asked Lanchi, emphasizing each word.
If Lovia were indeed an Allied spy, then everything would fall into place, and there might even be a bigger case lurking in the background.
However, there was a prerequisite—whether Lovia, the 62-year-old publisher, was truly suspicious.
"Of course."
Lanchi nodded confidently.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Landri, for the information. We will follow up on it. If your information proves useful, I will pay you a visit on behalf of the Imperial Special Operations Department to express our gratitude and recommend you for a commendation."
Red Kite Nikola smiled and extended his hand to Lanchi.
This answer was enough.
With his years of work experience, he always felt that this young man named Landri carried an air of mystery, or perhaps he simply didn't want to believe him.
If their investigation uncovered something suspicious about Lovia, then they could naturally prove this Landri Washington's innocence, and at the same time, it would be a great achievement. Compared to that, the escape of a dangerous criminal with an unclear identity from the Silver Moon Reform Society wouldn't matter much.
However, if Lovia turned out to be innocent, then Lanchi would have effectively incriminated himself, and he would be arrested immediately.
"You're too kind. We are all citizens of the Empire, and it is our responsibility, obligation, and honor to serve the Empire during this critical time."
Lanchi shook Nikola's hand firmly.
Inside Lanchi's mind, Talia became anxious again.
"Lanchi, what he said is also the truth. He has been suspicious of you from the start, and the investigation into you will be endless! You shouldn't have lied so blatantly."
Talia warned Lanchi.
She could read Red Kite Nikola, the chief of the Imperial Intelligence Department, better than Lanchi could.
On the surface, the two men could still smile and shake hands, but now, Nikola's doubts about Lanchi had only deepened.
"Don't worry, this incident will come to an end soon. Rest assured, while in the Empire, I guarantee that you'll eat and sleep well, and you won't have to live in fear."
Lanchi reassured Talia through their mental connection.
All he needed to do was secretly report the following information: "Lovia, a 62-year-old publisher from Granwilfry, a northern border region of the Krexi Empire, with some savings. He came to the capital, Brierda, to do some business, but in reality, he is a spy from the Kingdom of Bosken who has been lurking in the Krexi Empire for many years." Once the Empire successfully investigated Lovia and uncovered his true identity, Lanchi, as the apparent source of this information, would be considered a great contributor.
"You were born to do this..."
Talia finished reading Lanchi's thoughts and was momentarily lost for words.
This time, Lanchi might have been forced by the situation to act as he did, and one could even say that his move was flawless. Often, the deeper the suspicion, the greater the sense of guilt and relief when one realizes they have misunderstood, leading to increased trust.
Although this might not work well on someone as distrustful as Red Kite Nikola, who might not feel guilty and could remain suspicious.
But if Lanchi continued in this vein, Red Kite Nikola might eventually put him on a whitelist.
This kid, as soon as he arrived in the Empire, was like a fish returning to water...
Was this acting or his true nature...
(End of Chapter)
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