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Chapter 712: Lanchi's Reincarnation
Chapter 712: Lanchi's Reincarnation
After Nikolai's brief and forceful interrogation, the chief of the Imperial Secret Service seemed to temporarily set aside his suspicions of Lanchi.
He signaled to Major Burke to allow the noble young man with blue eyes and black hair to leave the train carriage.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Landry."
Red Falcon Nikolai nodded to Lanchi.
"As an important witness to this incident, the Imperial Special Operations Department may need to ask you for more information later. But for now, time is of the essence, and the task of apprehending the Allied spy takes precedence. We won't detain you any longer."
After all, he was still a noble of the Empire, and it wouldn't do to continue holding him.
"Providing clues for the investigation is my duty. If you have any further need of me, I am at your service."
Lanchi replied humbly.
"Then please leave your information and contact details, Mr. Landry."
Red Hawk Nikolai said crisply, as this was necessary at the end of an investigation.
"I've just arrived in Brielda, and my accommodation in the capital should be arranged by my employer. If you need to reach me, you should be able to find me through official channels at St. Crisant Academy."
Lanchi answered.
"..."
Major Burke looked at Lanchi with suspicion.
"St. Crisant Academy? Is that where you work, Mr. Landry?"
Major Burke, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, we were just about to discuss the details of my work when we arrived at the station, and then Mr. Nikolai arrived."
Lanchi explained, taking out a letter of introduction from his briefcase and handing it to the two officers.
Major Burke only glanced at the document bearing the official seal of St. Crisant Academy before passing it on to Red Falcon Nikolai for a more thorough perusal.
"Landry Washington, newly hired professor at St. Crisant Academy, reporting for duty. Scheduled arrival at the school is September 30th..."
Red Hawk Nikolai muttered to himself as he read the letter.
As soon as St. Crisant Academy was mentioned, the gendarmerie around them treated Lanchi with newfound respect.
Red Falcon Nikolai remained expressionless, but his mind was racing.
"I see..."
Major Burke seemed to have a favorable impression of Lanchi, but he hadn't expected him to be so remarkable. He looked at Lanchi with renewed interest,
"No wonder you have the ability to easily resolve the train incident. It's fortunate that there was someone of your caliber on board to stop the thugs."
A smile of surprise and admiration spread across his face.
Initially, Burke had wondered what such a strong man from the border was doing in the capital, but now that he knew Lanchi was a newly appointed professor at St. Crisant Academy, everything made sense.
"It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's my responsibility and duty."
Lanchi replied firmly.
"My apologies, Professor Landry, for any inconvenience caused earlier."
Major Burke said.
"It's quite all right."
Lanchi casually chatted with Major Burke, biding his time while Red Hawk Nikolai verified the information.
The capital garrison soldiers standing by couldn't hide their curiosity and admiration. They seemed eager to ask the professor some questions, but it was clearly inappropriate to interrupt their superiors' conversation.
At this moment, the young man with black hair and blue eyes had become a mysterious hero in their eyes, one who hid his extraordinary abilities well.
"..."
Watching Lanchi converse easily with the gendarmerie commander, Talia felt that Lanchi had completely transformed into Landry Washington.
Perhaps he was even more convincing as Landry than the real Landry.
The reputation of St. Crisant Academy was indeed extraordinary, causing even the military police of the Empire to hold it in high regard.
Of course, this was only to be expected.
After all, according to Talia's understanding, St. Crisant Academy was the most secretive and prestigious school in the southern continent, with no equal even among the Kingdom's United Parliament Alliance. Intelligence about the academy was scarce.
It was only natural that someone so young, yet hired as a professor at such a renowned institution, would be revered.
In this brief moment, Nikolai had already returned the letter of introduction to Lanchi.
"My apologies for any offense earlier, Professor Landry."
Red Falcon Nikolai said,
"I have indeed heard that St. Crisant Academy has been recruiting new talent recently, and I never expected to find the appointee right here."
He looked at Lanchi.
Usually, unless there was a manpower shortage, the academy would provide some level of protection for their precious recruits. However, given the current situation, it was simply not feasible to send someone to escort the new professor from the far-flung northwestern border.
"Or perhaps, a professor of his caliber doesn't need anyone to protect him. Keeping his information confidential and letting him travel to the capital incognito is the safest approach. Sending an escort might actually attract unwanted attention and endanger him."
"I understand. As long as it's for the benefit of the Empire, I have no complaints whatsoever." Lanchi replied, knowing that Nikolai was referring to the earlier incident where he almost placed his hand on Lanchi's forehead.
Nikolai nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, since we're both heading to the station hall, we might as well walk together and chat. Perhaps I can hear more of your insights into this incident along the way."
"Of course, that would be wonderful," Lanchi agreed readily, his face impassive despite the silent sigh in his heart.
Just as trust requires no reason, for this Imperial Secret Service chief, suspicion also needs none. This hawk-like man would not let go of any opportunity to converse with a key figure.
"Major Burke, it seems we part ways here. Although we haven't known each other long, it's been a pleasure meeting you." Before leaving, Lanchi turned to bid farewell to Major Burke von Arnold.
"Goodbye, Professor Landry. I hope we don't meet again under these circumstances," Major Burke replied with the formal Imperial salute.
After all, encountering the commander of the Capital Outer Garrison was usually not a good sign. He would only rush to the scene in the event of an accident, and those who frequently loitered at crime scenes tended to be troublemakers.
With that, Lanchi followed Red Falcon Nikolai out of Carriage Number Four.
"He really doesn't plan to let you off the hook, does he?" Talia commented in Lanchi's mind.
"Let's just consider it a free ride," Lanchi replied telepathically.
Initially, they might have had some leeway with the timing, as magitrain trips rarely experienced delays compared to magi-air travel. However, due to the train accident and the subsequent investigation by the Imperial Special Operations Department that kept them from disembarking in the Langar Mountains outside the capital, it was now well past 3:00 in the afternoon. Lanchi needed to report to the school today, which meant arriving before 5:00.
Hitching a ride with Nikolai would be convenient, even if it meant enduring another round of interrogation along the way.
Talia, however, had shed her earlier tension and now communicated with a much lighter tone, as if lounging on a sofa and watching a play.
As they spoke, the two of them navigated through the bustling crowd, passing through the magitrain's doors and onto the platform, making their way toward the station hall.
The First Station of Brielda, with its soaring vaulted ceiling and arched corridors, was one of the busiest hubs in the Empire. The marble floors reflected the scurrying passengers, and the shops on either side vied for attention with colorful displays and vibrant advertisements.
"Is this your first time in Brielda, Professor Lanadri?" Red Falcon Nikolai asked casually as he strolled alongside Lanchi.
"How did you guess, Nikolai?" Lanchi inquired, turning his gaze from the station's towering ceiling to the young Secret Service officer beside him.
"Because you seem quite interested in this building. I sense that you've never been here before," Nikolai replied. "I noticed from your letter of appointment that you're an expert in magic engineering, but I didn't expect you to have such an understanding of architecture as well."
The First Station, located at Duke Osita Square in Brielda, was designed by the half-demon Imperial craftsman Ulti Stetzini and constructed between 1664 and 1677 due to renovation and urban planning issues.
Today, it boasts 26 platforms, serving approximately 300,000 passengers and 500 trains daily, with an annual passenger volume of approximately 110 million. Its steel-structured grand arch is the largest of its kind on the Southern Continent, earning it the distinction of being the only station on the entire continent referred to simply as "The First Station." This acknowledges Brielda First Station's leadership and architectural influence among all the train stations on the Southern Continent.
Nikolai could clearly see that the black-haired, blue-eyed youth had the gaze of an engineer fascinated by something intriguing.
Of course, there was another type of person who would look at the Empire's central building with such admiration, but they wouldn't be as straightforward and candid as this young man.
"Indeed, I have a bit of knowledge about architectural design.
Lanchi smiled and said,
"So, chatting away like this, before we knew it, we've walked through the station's spacious central hall and are heading straight for the exit."
As they stepped out of the station, the bright sunlight bathed them, like a long-awaited warmth.
Even the footsteps of the crowd seemed to take on a more cheerful and brisk tone.
Lanchi took a deep breath of the slightly dry, crisp autumn air of Brielda, the imperial capital.
Finally, he had arrived at the heart of the Empire.
The first step of his mission was accomplished smoothly.
The towering skyscrapers loomed faintly in the hazy glow, and in the distance, the ancient bell tower stood tall and proud, its hourly chimes resonating through the air.
"Whew, it's good to finally breathe some fresh air. There are too many pests in the Empire, making me feel like everything under these buildings is dirty."
Nikolai lightly adjusted his hat and said casually.
"Colonel Nikolai, you're too humble. With capable people like you serving the Empire, one day all the dark corners will be cleansed."
Lanchi praised by his side.
"Let's hope so."
Nikolai hummed meaningfully,
"I believe that with Mr. Landry's capabilities and dedication, we will have many opportunities to work together in the future. Well, please follow me."
He gestured for Lanchi to accompany him to where their unit's vehicles were parked.
Lanchi didn't respond and only briefly glanced at the ancient and bustling city of Brielda before following suit. A glint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.
Behind them, the bell tower seemed to fade into the background as the deep and prolonged tolling of the bells signaled the start of a new day.
Just as they had taken a few steps, a crisp female voice suddenly rang out not far from them.
"Are you Professor Landry Washington?"
This voice drew the attention of both Lanchi and Nikolai.
They looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young woman in a deep blue suit, bowing politely to Lanchi.
Her long black hair was neatly pinned to the side of her head, and a gentle curve graced the corners of her mouth.
"Yes..."
Lanchi replied with a hint of confusion.
What surprised Lanchi was that the young woman's left leg and right arm were mechanical prosthetics made of metal, glinting coldly in the sunlight, and her left eye was covered by an intricate half-eye patch, the straps extending to the back of her head, blending seamlessly with her hair.
"I'm Violet's secretary, Nala. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
The woman in the suit introduced herself.
"It's an honor that the school sent you to pick me up."
Lanchi feigned surprise.
"Not at all, it's the courtesy of St. Crisant Academy, and given the train accident, the school was worried that some information might have been leaked. Seeing you safe and sound will put the principal's mind at ease for now."
Secretary Nala assured.
"That's a relief."
Lanchi said helplessly.
Although he said that, he already had a clear idea.
- There might indeed be a leak within the academy.
Otherwise, how would the Allied spy, Unity, have received the order to assassinate and steal Landry's information?
However, even though he knew, he could only pretend otherwise because, according to his explanation to the military, he, as Landry, and the Allied female assassin were absolute enemies, and any communication between them was impossible.
"In other words, within the academy, for whatever reason, there might be someone who wants Professor Landry dead?"
Hearing Lanchi's thoughts, Talia spoke to him.
But how was the Allied spy, Unity, exposed? Was there someone within the Allies who also wanted to harm Unity? She felt confused.
It seemed that the young man, the "original Landry," was indeed quite extraordinary.
Not only the Allies but also someone within the Empire wanted him dead.
Now, for those people, the good news was that the real Landry was dead, and the bad news was that a fake Landry had arrived.
"I can't figure out the cause and effect either. All I can say is that beneath the surface of the accident, a chaotic mix of hidden agendas has erupted."
Lanchi couldn't make sense of it all either, and he could only take things one step at a time.
Fortunately, his goal was relatively straightforward.
From now on, as long as he played the role of a teacher dutifully, he could smoothly carry out his espionage work.
Even though it deviated from his initial expectations, St. Crisant Academy, as an essential organ of the Empire, was still an excellent internal entry point.
If his journey to the Empire was the final chapter of his struggle, then, just as it had begun with the academy, it would be fitting for it to end there as well.
(End of Chapter)
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