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Chapter 730: Lanchi Enters Matchmaking Mode
Chapter 730: Lanchi Enters Matchmaking Mode
At the top of the Imperial Special Operations building, in an office surrounded by circular floor-to-ceiling windows, Lanchi stood before Dex, the head of the organization.
"Duke Dex, I pledge my unwavering loyalty and dedication to the Imperial Special Operations. I will follow your lead without hesitation and remain steadfast in my commitment to our cause." Lanchi assured.
"Remain humble and maintain your composure," Duke Dex listened with keen interest, offering high praise to the young and talented magical engineer, "It's truly reassuring to discuss work with you. I must say, you and my student, Nicola, are remarkably similar in this regard. I believe the two of you could become good friends."
The conversation between the two men touched on the development of the empire, the prospects of Landry's research, and their personal aspirations.
Nicola the Red Kite, who was present, wore an odd expression as he listened to their exchange.
He couldn't quite tell if Duke Dex was praising Lanchi or subtly insulting him.
Nicola was well aware of how some people within the empire referred to him. For example, Nila, the secretary to the headmaster of St. Creasy Abbey, the woman with prosthetic limbs and eyes, had practically called him a "lapdog" to his face.
"Your research findings have faced some opposition within the empire, but I want you to disregard those dissenting voices," Dex said meaningfully, looking directly at Lanchi. "Leave those stubborn old noblemen to me. As long as your work benefits the empire, I will smooth your path. I don't care about your political stance, your true thoughts, or your personal life."
In that moment, his eyes seemed to see beyond the surface and grasp the underlying essence.
However, he wouldn't constantly suspect Landry the way Nicola did.
A clever superior would feign ignorance, a form of trusting their subordinates without truly trusting them.
"I will do my utmost," Lanchi replied firmly.
He was right about the resistance within the empire.
Aside from a portion of conservatives fearful of change, there would undoubtedly be vampires worried about humans suddenly gaining uncontrollable power.
Duke Dex, however, was a die-hard radical. For matters beneficial to the empire, he would spare no effort, and that was how he had risen to his current position.
Their conversation drew to a close.
As they parted ways, Dex patted Lanchi on the shoulder and watched as he left, accompanied by Nicola the Red Kite.
Lanchi and Nicola walked side by side in the top-floor corridor of the Imperial Special Operations building, heading toward the helipad.
"Your mental state really makes me feel like you're a spy, and yet not quite," Nicola remarked, reflecting on Lanchi's composure. "You truly enjoyed your afternoon tea with Duke Dex."
Such psychological fortitude was unusual for an ordinary person, and his unwavering calmness in any situation was somewhat unsettling.
Yet, he seemed to have a bit of a sweet tooth, as he had devoured all the snacks provided by the royalty.
"..." Lanchi could only smile sheepishly.
The truth was that Talia had seen the snacks and wanted to try them.
Seeing Talia's craving, Lanchi couldn't bear to refuse, so he offered her his body so she could experience the exclusive afternoon tea of the Creasy Empire's royalty.
However, after Talia tasted the snacks through Lanchi's body, her craving only intensified. Lanchi would often hear the sound of her salivating in his ear.
Eventually, he gave in to her pleas, compromising again and again, until she had devoured every last morsel on the table.
Only then was Talia finally satisfied.
Lanchi now felt that he didn't need lunch, as Talia had already eaten enough for the both of them.
"Wonderful," Talia said within Lanchi's heart. "Not only have you improved your work efficiency, but I also got to enjoy delicious food. From now on, let's have me take care of your meals. I'll make sure you stay full."
"No, that's too strange," Lanchi replied. "Every time you eat using my body, there's still a lingering taste of food in my mouth afterward. It's like eating someone else's leftovers or drinking mouthwash..."
"Don't say that!" Talia interrupted Lanchi, her face reddening. She had thought nothing of eating through Lanchi's body, but his description made her feel embarrassed.
She now realized that after she finished chewing and returned control of the body to him, Lanchi would be left with those sensations!
Lanchi and Nicola boarded the helicopter and descended to the first floor.
They passed through layer after layer of security checkpoints and once again found themselves in the bustling lobby of the Imperial Special Operations headquarters.
Outside, the azure sky stretched endlessly.
Stepping out of the building, they were greeted by a grand staircase that extended majestically to the end of the plaza. Lanchi descended the steps slowly, with Nicola following close behind.
"Well, Professor Landry, what do you think of our Imperial Special Operations?" Nicola inquired.
"I'm very satisfied," Lanchi replied. "Duke Dex's words have inspired me, and I will work even harder to live up to his expectations."
"Then I'll have my subordinates send you back, as I still have official duties to attend to and cannot accompany Professor Landry back to the school," Nicola nodded.
"That's fine," Lanchi agreed.
Soon, a brand-new magitech vehicle pulled up in front of them, and Nicola opened the door for Lanchi. Lanchi acknowledged Nicola with a slight gesture and stepped into the vehicle.
The door closed, and the magitech vehicle smoothly started up, soon disappearing into the busy streets of Brierda's city center, blending into the constant flow of traffic.
In the vehicle, the countermeasures officer sitting in the driver's seat in the front row dared not casually strike up a conversation with the professor in the backseat.
For now, the professor was his superior.
Nicola the Red Kite had also warned him that aside from polite greetings, he should not speak to Professor Landry under any circumstances.
Lanchi, seated in the back, didn't mind the silence and quietly gazed out the window to pass the time.
He had a lot on his mind.
The matter of the fiancee was truly an unexpected challenge.
Fortunately, there was no rush.
It wasn't that Landry's beloved would be summoned from the border immediately, but rather that there would be a period of preparation.
Unaware, the magitech vehicle slowly came to a halt on the street in front of a building within the St. Creasy Abbey complex.
The driver, a sergeant, was the first to disembark and hurriedly made his way to the other side to open the door for Lanchi.
Lanchi thanked the sergeant for the courtesy and stepped out, treading upon the cobblestone path bathed in the afternoon sun.
Even though Nicola hadn't followed him, Lanchi knew that his every move in the short term would likely be under the surveillance of this special agent.
It was only within the confines of St. Creasy Abbey that it would be more difficult for Nicola the Red Kite and his men to keep an eye on him.
To avoid exposing any flaws in his disguise, Lanchi headed straight for his office, located in the Sperrt Building on the eastern side of the abbey.
The building was noticeably older, dating back several decades, but its interior had been renovated several times and still looked comfortable. The lower floors were currently used for small mentor courses, while the seventh floor and above were primarily office spaces.
Lanchi made his way up to the eighth floor and entered his office.
The window offered a picturesque view of the lush green campus, with gentle breezes wafting in from time to time.
"No matter where I am, I must always strive to do my best."
Lanchi allowed himself a brief moment of relaxation before sitting down at his desk to tackle the mountain of letters and lecture notes awaiting him.
In this tranquil setting, Lanchi quickly immersed himself in his busy teaching and research work.
In the afternoon, several professors paid him a visit, engaging in deep discussions on academic matters.
Many professors from the Magic Engineering College had already made appointments with Lanchi, and they were all experts in their respective fields. If Duke Dex's plan came to fruition, it was highly likely that professors from the St. Creasy Abbey Magic Engineering College, or even other faculties, would be selected to join the endeavor.
They gathered around the sofa, regardless of age, occasionally getting up to pace or write on the small whiteboard in the office, passionately debating the feasibility of various theories.
As the sun sank below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of crimson, the professors reluctantly concluded their brainstorming session, each taking their leave one by one, bid farewell by Lanchi.
After bidding farewell to his colleagues, Lanchi tidied up his documents and locked the door to the Sperrt Building before stepping out.
He inhaled the fragrant autumn air, feeling a sense of relief.
Lanchi wandered aimlessly towards an open-air cafe on the outskirts of the St. Creasy Abbey complex and took a seat outside, ordering a cup of mint tea.
The lingering rays of the setting sun illuminated the maple trees in the distance, casting similar hues onto the wooden table before Lanchi.
The evening breeze carried with it the fragrant scent of soil and the crispness of the nearby stream. In the distance, the abbey glowed with the vibrant colors of autumn, presenting a breathtaking view.
Leaning back in his chair, Lanchi sipped his mint tea and once again took out his work journal, resembling a professor who couldn't quite detach himself from his research even during moments of leisure.
As dusk deepened into night, the cafe gradually emptied. Most of the remaining customers were abbey staff, taking a brief respite from their duties to savor the tranquil atmosphere.
As dinnertime approached, the crowd thinned out further, leaving only a handful of patrons strolling through the garden or conversing softly.
Just as Lanchi appeared to be lost in his thoughts, a woman clad in a black dress quietly approached and sat down at the table behind him.
She had a curvaceous figure, her long, black hair cascading down her shoulders, shimmering softly in the evening light.
Lanchi's arrival didn't seem to startle the woman, as he remained seated, his gaze fixed on the work journal in his hands.
And then, suddenly, the surrounding sounds seemed to fade away.
The rustling of the autumn wind, the murmur of the stream, and the gentle clinking of cups from the cafe all disappeared from Lanchi's ears.
An invisible small soundproof barrier had been covertly activated, isolating the surrounding noises and leaving only Lanchi and the woman behind him in a bubble of silence.
Lanchi remained still, as the soundproof barrier had been triggered by a magic device carried by the woman.
"You've finally come," Lanchi said without moving his lips, already wearing the thought-voice ring crafted by Professor Bolao for the Great Love Poet.
He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip, appearing unfazed by the black-clad woman's presence.
"I thought you'd be more cautious, Professor Landry Washington," the woman in black said coldly.
"This location is quite safe, and the fact that you're willing to show yourself here proves that," Lanchi replied without turning to face her, his voice carrying a hint of familiarity.
It was Unity, the Allied spy he had encountered on the Brierda train that day.
Though she had worn a white porcelain mask then, her features were likely disguised even now.
"..."
Unity, dressed in black, remained silent for a moment.
She reached for the coffee cup on the table, her movements deliberate.
The fact that she had chosen to wait for him here indicated that she had anticipated his actions, and this sense of being one step behind bothered her greatly.
She had indeed wanted to find this man as soon as possible, as according to her colleagues' intelligence, he had unveiled something extraordinary within the empire.
Learning that he had visited the Imperial Special Operations today only reinforced Unity's conviction that he was the empire's top agent, a key player in their schemes.
Even if his intentions for interacting with the Allies were unclear, his inherent evil nature was undeniable.
As she pondered, Lanchi spoke up, "When you go to pay the bill later, pay attention to the coffee cups they sell here. I'll hide an invisible recording crystal in one of them. You'll be able to find it with a close-range perception of magic, so buy it along with the cup."
Lanchi's sudden words reached Unity's ears, causing her to stiffen.
"What's inside?" Unity asked, her tone calm and collected, but laced with suspicion.
Being a well-trained spy herself, she was adept at ventriloquism and didn't need the aid of a magical device.
"What you want," Lanchi bluntly replied. "My research findings."
"Why are you giving this to me?" Unity questioned, her confusion evident.
Just as she was contemplating how to strike a deal with this man, he was already proposing to hand over what she desired?
The ease with which he agreed made her wary.
"Because this power should not be solely possessed by the Empire," Lanchi answered succinctly.
It was challenging to explain the concept of a "terror balance" in just a few words.
Often, only when the world underwent significant changes would people truly understand.
"Then I'll take it," Unity said without hesitation. She got up and walked around the cafe, locating the coffee cup Lanchi had mentioned, and purchased it to prevent any other customers from buying it during their conversation.
Indeed.
If not for the Allied competition, the Empire wouldn't realize the urgency and, thus, place more importance on Lanchi.
This man's ambition was indeed terrifying; for his own position and power, he was willing to betray the Empire.
Unity naturally finished paying and prepared to leave when she once again heard Lanchi's voice.
"Do me a favor."
Lanchi's words made Unity turn back and retake her seat behind him.
"What?" Unity inquired, her tone cold as she kept her back to him.
As Professor Lanchi's research was still in its initial stages, she would need to collaborate with him long-term if she wanted to smoothly obtain related intelligence. She would have to offer something in return for his request.
"I need a fiancee. She must be from the Nicathsen territory on the northwestern border. Ideally, she would be a clever Allied spy who can convincingly play this role. If I'm not satisfied, I'll only take the identity, not the person."
Lanchi stated his demands.
"..."
This caused Unity to fall silent for a full ten seconds.
She was analyzing whether this man was making a genuine request or was simply being lustful.
The bureaucratic aura of the Empire filled her with disgust.
Given his formidable strength, it would be challenging to guarantee the safety of her Allied colleagues if they were to live under the same roof.
The woman in the black dress gently tapped her fingers on the table, seemingly deep in thought.
Lanchi didn't turn to look at her, and at that moment, they appeared to be strangers with no interaction between them.
The sun continued its descent.
Finally, Unity spoke. "I can't guarantee success, and even if I provide the identity, I'll need the person's consent. But I'll do my best to find a suitable identity for you. In return, you must maintain the Lanchi identity and continue our collaboration."
With that, Unity stood up and left.
She had a strict principle against cooperating with anyone from the Empire's Special Operations.
However, just like the cruel frontline, espionage was also a battlefield that carried the weight of countless lives. There were times when she had to make difficult choices.
A single piece of intelligence, an hour's time—these could decide the fate of an entire division.
The current battle situation at the frontline kept her anxious and restless, even causing her to wake up in cold sweats from nightmares of her hometown being engulfed in war.
A single careless word in her sleep could expose her identity and endanger the lives of her colleagues.
She didn't know when she would die or if her body would be left intact. Her greatest fear was dying without any value.
The intelligence in the mind of the ambitious man before her was irreplaceable. Obtaining information through other channels carried risks, and it was uncertain if the information would be complete. Directly acquiring intelligence from him was already a dream-like option.
After a long while, Lanchi, seated in the outdoor section of the cafe, thought to himself, "...I think I've been misunderstood quite deeply."
He felt relieved, believing that Unity had left, and his bitter smile reflected his complicated emotions.
With Unity's response, he had achieved his goal.
As for her suspicions, he no longer dwelled on them.
If everyone mistook him for a lapdog of the Empire, it was also a testament to his exceptional acting skills.
If he could deceive his own people, tricking the enemy would be even easier.
He would bear the brunt of all the misunderstandings and shoulder the burden alone.
"Isn't it partly your own fault that you're being misunderstood?" Talia couldn't help but feel that Unity's suspicions were justified.
"If I were her, I would find it hard to believe you're on the Allied side. You're too committed to your act."
"Impossible," Lanchi immediately denied. "Behind glory lies loneliness. That's how Dean Loren endured it all."
"Why don't you ask Loren? Why was he questioned and doubted?" Talia almost laughed out loud.
She now had to admit that Loren was indeed a kind and honest person. How saintly must he be to remain so gentle and patient with Lanchi?
"When I returned from the Seventh-Tier Shadow World's Darkest Day Eclipse Devil Realm, I asked him about it, and he just smiled and didn't say anything. That proves he thinks the same as I do." Lanchi defended himself.
"..." Talia was at a loss for words.
It seemed that Loren truly had no objections.
"Let's call it a day and head home." Lanchi closed his work journal and pushed his chair back under the table.
It would take time to establish contact with the intelligence officers in Bosen, and for matters like finding a fiancee, he had no choice but to prioritize seeking Unity's help.
As long as the Allies could provide an identity, whether it was someone coming in person or Talia disguising herself, everything would proceed smoothly.
Even if Old Deng couldn't convincingly play the role of a fiancee his age, having too many flaws could also mean having no flaws at all. Talia could portray her own gluttonous characteristics, making it less likely for others to question her.
"..." Talia felt that Lanchi was becoming increasingly bold.
"Disciple, I might not even agree to be your fiancee," she muttered to herself.
(End of Chapter)
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