Chapter 818: Lan Qi: Who Dares to Kill Me?

Chapter 818: Lan Qi: Who Dares to Kill Me?

The following night, in Brillada City's Manhot Central District.

The night was deep, and Lan Qi and Talia strolled leisurely across the spacious Broadway Central Square, where the central fountain shimmered under the glow of the lights.

It was November 5th, 7 p.m.

They passed by slow-moving vehicles and crossed the intersection just as the traffic lights changed—

Whether heading towards the Brillada Opera House or the Holworths Crossroads, where the Imperial Special Operations Division was located, the distance was only about a kilometer.

However, Lan Qi's visit to this place tonight was neither for the opera nor for work at the Special Operations Division.

Instead, it was due to an invitation he had received at home during his trip to the Shadow World.

Marquis Marquell wanted to treat him to a meal and have a chat.

So, Lan Qi brought Talia to this restaurant.

Currently, the area was swarming with the eyes and ears of the Imperial Special Operations Division, and the more people who went out, the more likely it was that unnecessary flaws would be exposed.

For the better part of the month leading up to the Blood Moon City Battle, it was best for them to keep a low profile.

After Lan Qi's persuasion, Talia and Sigrid finally relented and no longer insisted on all three of them going out together.

However, according to an unspoken agreement between Talia and Sigrid, the next time a situation arose where an engagement was required, it would be Sigrid's turn to accompany him.

Tonight, he had brought Talia.

Talia possessed excellent lie-detection skills.

And most importantly, if she wasn't allowed to attend a dining occasion, it would be a bit like mistreating an elder.

"Hmm?"

Talia glanced sideways at Lan Qi.

"Talia, we're almost late."

Lan Qi looked intently at the distant building and said.

Hearing this, Talia nodded slightly, hesitating, and then quickened her pace.

The restaurant they were heading to, Eleven Madison Park, was established by the famous Imperial chef Thomas Keller. It was located on the eleventh floor of the Winsy Freedom Memorial Building near Broadway Square and offered exquisite and elaborate modern Imperial cuisine along with first-class service, making it one of the most luxurious restaurants in Brillada City.

The restaurant provided a seasonal nine-course Imperial traditional menu and a nine-course vegetarian menu, with each guest's menu slightly different to ensure a unique dining experience.

The large floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the open-air sky park and the enchanting night scenery of Brillada Circle.

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

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator and arrived at 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, and without one, it seems difficult to get a table."

Talia shared her knowledge from the Brillada Food Weekly.

At this restaurant, gentlemen were required to wear suits or formal attire, while ladies should wear cocktail dresses or little black dresses. Nearly everyone was dressed in formal wear.

So, today, she and Lan Qi were dressed up to look like a newlywed couple.

They probably wouldn't arouse Marquis Marquell's suspicions.

Passing through the automatic revolving glass doors, they could see the overall high-quality, pure black style of the restaurant interior, as well as the open-air courtyard and terrace outside the windows.

As the night fell, the twinkling stars seemed to be reflected on the window sills, giving customers a dreamy and surreal sense of beauty.

"Guests, are you accompanying Mr. Marquell?"

A polite waiter promptly approached the two, deducing which table they were likely to be seated at based on the reservation time and number of guests.

"Yes."

Lan Qi smiled and nodded.

"Please follow me."

The waiter's speech was professional, neither too fast nor too slow, leading them to their seats while handing them a carefully crafted black leather guide with a lychee texture.

Talia opened it, holding Lan Qi's arm as they walked forward, glancing at the guide.

The embossed lettering was neatly arranged on the black cover, and inside was the menu, although today, Marquis Marquell had probably already ordered for them.

The fragrance of flowers blended with the aroma of truffles and black pepper that permeated the air.

Waiters in crisp uniforms moved back and forth or paused between tables, carefully pouring decanted wine for the guests, and from time to time, the crisp sound of clinking cutlery could be heard.

Soon, the two reached the end of the hallway, where a waiter gestured towards a table.

And on one side, Marquis Marquell had already raised his hand in greeting.

Today, Marquis Marquell wasn't wearing his usual leather jacket; instead, he was dressed in formal attire), and he had come to invite Professor Landry and his wife for dinner.

"Marquis Marquell, we're sorry to have kept you waiting."

Lan Qi, accompanied by Talia, quickened their pace and headed towards the sofa opposite the booth where Marquis Marquell was seated.

"No, I just arrived as well."

Marquis Marquell shook his head and smiled, observing the couple as they sat down.

"I took the liberty of ordering some dishes. Feel free to add anything you'd like."

He asked Professor Landry and his wife.

"No, no, you shouldn't have gone to such trouble."

Lan Qi quickly declined.

If Talia were allowed to eat to her heart's content, by the time Marquis Marquell saw the bill, he would likely be offended and hold a grudge.

Talia instantly became a bit huffy, as if she had guessed what Lan Qi was thinking.

"And the other lady, your wife, isn't she coming?"

Marquis Marquell asked Lan Qi after confirming the menu with the waiter.

"She's at home sulking; let's not talk about it."

Lan Qi sighed.

"It's not easy, Professor Landry."

Marquis Marquell understood.

Taking care of the moods of two wives simultaneously was indeed a skill Professor Landry possessed.

"Professor, do you know what Chancellor Dax's attitude was after hearing that you brought two fiancees to Brillada?"

Marquis Marquell picked up his wine glass and toasted Professor Landry.

"He must be very disappointed in me."

Lan Qi toasted Marquis Marquell with water instead of wine.

"No, you underestimate Chancellor Dax."

Marquis Marquell took a sip of wine and spoke.

"How so?"

Lan Qi asked sincerely.

"Chancellor Dax isn't afraid of his subordinates being greedy or lustful; such people are easier to control."

Marquis Marquell glanced around; there wouldn't be any other informants from the Imperial Special Operations Division here, as he had already checked. They could speak freely.

With two fiancees in his hands, Professor Landry had actually earned a bit more favor from Chancellor Dax.

Normally, if there was only one fiancee, there might be a chance that Daxs would suspect her of being brought in just for show, but with two, it's absolutely out of the question unless the entire setup was a farce and a huge mistake.

The same logic applied to Marquell; he was greedy, and Daxs often turned a blind eye to his looting and side dealings during missions.

As for Red Falcon Nikola, there were no apparent flaws, but since he was Daxs' favorite protege, Daxs held him in high regard and might suspect him, but he wouldn't openly express his doubts.

Marquell was worried that Duke Daxs would show favoritism towards Nikola, trying to set him up for success at this critical juncture, surpassing Marquell's achievements. This would make it difficult for Marquell to not feel inferior.

"So that's how it is..."

Before the main course, the two men chatted casually.

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

Within the Imperial Special Operations Division, Professor Landry was constantly "protected" by Nikola, who kept a close watch on him. Daxs also allowed Nikola to take charge of Professor Landry's schedule, so Marquell and Professor Landry rarely had the opportunity to talk privately.

Most of the time, they would meet at the division headquarters and exchange a few polite words.

Marquell didn't have a bad impression of Landry because Landry didn't get along with Nikola, and he had always treated Marquell with great respect. So, Marquell had long wanted to win over this professor.

Soon, dinner began.

A waiter served each guest an appetizer—corn puree with caviar and black truffles.

The creamy corn puree spread softly at the bottom of the bowl, topped with a small mound of caviar and garnished with thin slices of black truffle.

Talia gently scooped with a silver spoon, experiencing the intertwining sensations of the corn's sweetness, the caviar's salty freshness, and the truffle's rich aroma.

Next came the first course, as the waiter brought a white porcelain plate with foie gras mousse and fig.

The delicate pink foie gras mousse was cut into small cubes, coated in a layer of caramelized honey, and topped with fig jam.

Talia savored the richness of the foie gras, the crispness of the caramel, and the sweet and sour taste of the fig, paying little attention to the conversation between Lan Qi and Marquell.

As soon as she finished, the butter-poached lobster with black pepper sauce was served.

The translucent lobster meat, bathed in butter, glistened with a radiant sheen, its texture firm yet tender, and carried a sweet oceanic flavor.

The light danced in the corners of the tiles, reflecting off the hand-crafted ice, the gleaming bottles, and the steam rising from the freshly served dishes.

"Brother Landry, please forgive me for not inviting you out for a meal until now. It's not that I've been neglectful; it's just that Nikola has always been a nuisance, preventing me from getting close to you."

Marquell spoke with a sense of relief, as if he had finally found a kindred spirit.

"With great power comes great responsibility; I understand," Lan Qi replied with a polite smile and a sigh.

"But indeed, whenever I hear about Duke Daxs' intention to retire, I get a headache. I truly hope there won't be any changes at this critical moment; it feels like something big is about to happen."

Suddenly, Lan Qi seemed to remember something troubling, and he muttered indecisively.

For someone like him, a neutral figure in the imperial capital, any change or power reshuffle was bad news if he didn't have a clear preference.

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

"If Brother Landry has any thoughts, please share them with me," Marquell said to Lan Qi.

Lan Qi contemplated for a moment.

"I only know that if Nikola does well, I definitely won't be able to do well."

Lan Qi turned to look at the corridor, as if he had a psychological shadow of Nikola, and only after confirming that no one was around did he respond to Captain Marquell.

"..."

Marquell stared at Landry's deep blue eyes, which shone with sincerity from within, and it seemed like he genuinely wanted this action captain to become the new director of the Imperial Special Operations Division.

"It seems like we all have the same idea," Marquell slowly nodded in agreement.

Upon careful thought, it was clear that Landry's decision to meet him here today was also a sign that he understood Marquell's intentions.

Although their interests didn't fully align, Nikola's success or failure would still affect them both.

Even without considering Landry's current status and potential in the imperial defense industry, Marquell was confident that befriending Landry was the right choice. After all, this simple conversation had already increased Marquell's favor towards Landry.

He didn't have the arrogant personality of a magic engineering genius, nor did he believe that having a reputation meant he didn't need to consider others' feelings.

There was no need to rush into probing Landry for information; the more critical the intelligence, the more likely it would raise suspicions.

"Your wife is incredibly quiet; she hasn't spoken a word since arriving here."

Marquell suddenly changed the topic and looked at Tata, who was sitting across from him.

She was still eating.

Like someone who had just been released from a hunger prison.

"..."

Talia chewed on the shrimp meat and looked at the two men in confusion.

Could it be that the captain suspected her because her fiancee's acting wasn't convincing enough?

"Well, she went through a period where she couldn't get enough to eat, starving all day, and even had to compete with cats for food," Lan Qi said with a wry smile.

"Tsk, it's all your fault for tricking me into feeding the cats and leaving the leftovers for myself," Talia retorted, remembering the past.

"It seems like you two have quite an interesting history," Marquell remarked, observing their genuine interaction.

He hadn't really doubted Mrs. Landry either; she was just too focused on eating.

This noble yet rustic girl couldn't be faking it.

"Just relax and eat; don't feel pressured. I'll chat with Captain Marquell," Lan Qi said, patting Talia's arm reassuringly.

Having no flaws is the same as having flaws.

Tata didn't need to act.

Talia nodded and continued eating.

Lan Qi and Marquis Marquell's presence had no impact on her; she was there to enjoy a meal.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was tranquil, like a black treasure chest, with only the flickering of small lamps.

On the black tablecloth of the restaurant tables, cutlery and glassware were laid out, and each table had a small menu. Most of the dining customers were silent or spoke in hushed tones.

Outside, the night view of Brillada was like shooting stars in the sky, and the air was filled with the intertwined aromas of Imperial cuisine.

Time ticked by.

"The Creedentia Empire is undergoing unprecedented changes since the rise of the Nationalists. Many aspects have undergone earth-shattering transformations, including this war."

Marquell sighed.

"First, in the cultural realm, the royalty strongly promotes nationalism and heroism, rekindling the pride of the Creedentian people. They suppressed the dominance of the nobles before the 'Bloodwash Day' and allowed the masses to balance with them."

"In terms of social life, the policies implemented by Saint Baldus Emperor aimed to shape the image of the Creedentian people, leading to increasing ostracism of Esterians and Romani civilians, descendants of those who migrated from the northern kingdoms, in the central city-states. This further divided the conflict between the nobility and the commoners."

Marquell and Lan Qi chatted about the recent situation and trade in the empire.

"Currently, we are vigorously developing the military industry and improving employment, strengthening the Creedentia Empire in the Southern Continent. Although we are in a turbulent era, under the banner of the empire's renaissance, internal issues within the Creedentian people have gradually spread outward. In the short term, we should indeed present a vigorous and promising image. What do you think we should do at this time?"

He posed a question to Lan Qi, intending to test him.

"Serve the empire?"

Lan Qi asked uncertainly.

"Ah, Landry, you're such an honest guy," Marquell waved his hand.

"This is the time to seize opportunities. If you don't build up your resources now, when will you? Isn't our current life, status, and comfort all a result of our hard work?"

Marquell lightly tapped the table with his other hand.

His implication was clear.

When Marquell becomes the Director of the Imperial Special Operations Division, and Landry becomes the Chairman of the Creedentia New Energy Organization Committee, the two of them will have plenty of business opportunities.

"But... I fundamentally want to become the head of the Creedentia New Energy Organization Committee for the sake of the empire. As for personal gain, I'm not too daring to pursue it, even if there are opportunities."

Lan Qi hesitated, glancing at his content wife dining beside him, a hint of unease in his eyes.

"My dear brother," Marquell chuckled.

He could see that Landry was wavering.

Landry's desire to provide for such a wife would require a substantial amount of money. Naturally, he wanted to give his wife the life of a wealthy lady, but he couldn't let go of his imperial faith.

"Those big shots in the empire talk about ideology, but their hearts are filled with business. Those who are idle in office are no better than us, who truly serve the empire. You have no reason to feel guilty."

Marquell whispered to Lan Qi, quickening his pace.

"..."

Lan Qi was stunned, his gaze slowly lifting to meet Marquell's.

That piercing gaze seemed to unlock some hidden greed.

"So, Mr. Marquell..."

Lan Qi put down his cutlery and murmured.

His voice was hoarse, and the desire that had long been buried in his heart seemed to be uncontrollably stirred.

"Exactly," Marquell lifted his wine glass.

Lan Qi snapped out of his thoughts and raised his glass to lightly clink with Marquell's, then took a sip.

Time passed.

The two continued their casual conversation, lightly enjoying their dinner.

"Landry, if you have any leads, feel free to share them with me. I know you don't trust Nikola, but I'll do my best to help you."

Marquell, seeing that they had finished eating and chatting, gently pressed the table and leaned closer to Landry.

He was becoming increasingly certain that an Allied spy had infiltrated the Imperial Special Operations Division.

Although he most wanted the spy to be Nikola, he knew it was unlikely. Nikola was a native Brillada noble, and Marquell, after his long rivalry with Nikola, knew the Red Falcon Nikola inside and out.

As for the others, he didn't have enough clues to make a move yet. Under Chancellor Daxs's instructions, Red Falcon Nikola always managed to get to Landry first.

In a way, it was also because Nikola was too clean, which made him more trusted by Chancellor Daxs.

"What about Connor, the director of the Secretariat, and Atticus, the director of the Laboratory? They can both access my research results."

Lan Qi pondered for a while, glancing left and right, before hesitantly replying.

"There is some suspicion."

Marquell pondered on his own.

But Marquell still had doubts.

If the spies were these two, it didn't make sense for them to steal his credentials.

After all, Connor, the director of the Secretariat, and Atticus, the director of the Laboratory, wouldn't run to the action team, nor could they secretly investigate him in his office without the action team's knowledge.

Marquell lifted his gaze to observe Landry.

Landry's expression showed a hint of unease, along with lingering hesitation, as if he was conflicted about whether to reveal something.

"Landry, if there's something you need to say, just say it. You should have heard about my situation. The Allied spy isn't me."

Marquell took out a portable soundproofing shielding magic conductor from his pocket, creating a small barrier so that Landry could only hear their table's conversation.

Another long silence followed.

Landry remained silent, deep in thought.

"Captain Marquell, have you had any private contact with the Allied forces?"

Lan Qi took a deep breath, his expression growing serious as he asked Marquell.

"Of course not."

Marquell remained patient and calm.

It was natural for Landry to suspect anyone, but by asking directly, he was gradually dispelling Marquell's suspicions.

"And you're not affiliated with the Silver Moon Reform Society, right?" Lan Qi probed again.

"Of course not, or Nikola would never let me off the hook," Maquail chuckled at the blunt question.

Most people, even if they had this doubt, wouldn't ask it directly.

But Professor Landry was too pure; he wanted to obtain a sense of security from Maquail before revealing a crucial piece of information.

It was evident that Landry was afraid and anxious.

Maquail couldn't help but wonder what Landry knew.

"Forgive my rudeness, but can you guarantee that you are loyal to the Empire?" Lan Qi asked Maquail again.

His tone was heavy, as if this was his final question.

"Of course," Maquail nodded without hesitation.

Lan Qi stared at Maquail for a moment, then nodded as well.

Talia had already picked up her water glass and taken a sip.

Before they arrived, Lan Qi had told her what to do.

Not doing anything meant it was true.

Drinking water indicated a lie.

"Captain Maquail..." Lan Qi paused, as if finally gathering the courage to say what was on his mind.

"Think about it, aside from me and excluding the Secretariat Director and the Laboratory Director, is there anyone else who could access primary documents..." Lan Qi lowered his voice, as if afraid to continue.

If he continued, whether this guess was true or not, the one losing his head would be the little Professor Landry.

Maquail frowned, deep in thought.

His eyes widened, resembling copper bells.

Although it was an unprecedented possibility, it aligned with his recent melancholy experiences.

How had he not thought of it before—

Could Chancellor Deks be a spy for the Allied Forces?

If Deks was found out, it wouldn't be as simple as just a promotion to Chancellor.

As long as he could obtain solid evidence, he could find the First War God Hestinos, and Hestinos would surely take down Duke Deks, the spy of the Allied Forces, even if it meant falling out with the Emperor!

Moreover, Hestinos and Deks' interests had already clashed, and the Saint Baldus Emperor was about to secretly support the Aristocratic Faction represented by Duke Deks to suppress the increasingly popular First War God Hestinos among the masses.

"I understand, brother. I'll take care of it. I'll head back to the Special Operations Division first." Maquail stood up, patted Lan Qi's shoulder as he passed by, and bid farewell impatiently.

"Captain Maquail, I didn't say anything. Don't overthink it," Lan Qi added with concern.

"Rest assured, we didn't even meet today," Maquail assured him before waving goodbye and leaving to settle the bill.

Lan Qi watched as Maquail left the Eleven Madison Park Restaurant.

Talia was stunned.

She seemed to understand Lan Qi's implication.

Based on Lan Qi's three questions, Maquail was neither a member of the Allied Forces nor a hidden member of the Silver Moon Reform Society, but he was also disloyal to the Empire. His identity was clear.

By letting Maquail shoot the arrow and then helping him draw the target, as long as Maquail developed suspicions about Chancellor Deks, Lan Qi would have plenty of ways to create various signs in the Special Operations Division to reinforce Maquail's belief in this guess.

"Lan Lan..." Talia swallowed a chocolate lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and spoke to Lan Qi.

"I didn't say anything," Lan Qi raised his hands, as if making a disclaimer.

It wasn't his problem if Maquail had wild thoughts.

"You're truly a schemer," Talia knew Lan Qi too well.

She believed that Maquail would soon fall completely into his intuition—with Lan Qi's further scheming and sowing discord, Maquail would be convinced that Chancellor Deks was the Allied spy.

When people encounter a perplexing problem and suddenly realize a possibility, and then subsequent events constantly support that possibility, they will become deeply convinced of it.

However, if Maquail dared to investigate Deks, he would be in trouble, because Deks was also investigating who the Allied spy was.

"Take your time eating. It's over now," Lan Qi called the waiter and ordered another meal for Talia.

Next, he would pay for it himself to celebrate.

"Okay, I'll have some more," Talia felt that Lan Qi was indeed a good boyfriend, and it was satisfying to use her own disciple.

She also relaxed a lot, as the Imperial Special Operations Division wouldn't have any more trouble from Lan Qi. Maquail and Duke Deks would be satisfied, and they wouldn't bother Lan Qi anymore.

Professor Landry could focus on preparing for his research work.

Everyone had their own tasks and was busy.

Although Nikola was annoying, he was still better than Maquail, who was disloyal and unrighteous.

"But aren't you worried that the Allied Forces will assassinate you next?" Talia leaned back on the sofa, thought for a moment, and then turned to ask Lan Qi.

She thought that if things continued this way, Maquail would become the "Allied spy," and Professor Landry would be safe, achieving his desire to become the head of the Empire's New Energy Organization.

The Allied Forces might feel that Landry was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

Not only would they lose their leverage over him, but the difficulty of assassinating Landry would also increase.

If they didn't act now, they might never get another chance.

"Hmph, in broad daylight, they can't possibly break into my house in the middle of the night to murder me," Lan Qi laughed, feeling that Talia underestimated Brillada's law and order.

Moreover, he currently had Talia, Sigrid, and Ifatiya—three formidable women—in his home. Anyone who dared to provoke him would face the end of their life.

"That's right," Talia felt reassured seeing Lan Qi's confident demeanor.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end