https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-826-Torliado-s-Tearful-Overtime-Part-1-/12934384/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-827-Lance-and-Torliado-s-Enthusiastic-Crowd-Part-1-/12934386/
Chapter 826: Torliado's Tearful Overtime (Part 2)
Chapter 826: Torliado's Tearful Overtime (Part 2)
"After obtaining the album, I left the palace and came straight to your place. Let's analyze the photo album together."
Torliado opened the album and placed it between himself and Lan Qi, frowning.
"Mhm."
Lan Qi also looked at it.
Since Princess Alyksea hinted for Torliado to take the album, it meant she believed it would allow him to deduce the possible candidates for Numbers 4679, or at least one of the core members of the Silver Moon Renaissance.
The album had a dark red cover with gold-edged pages, showing signs of age as if it had been cherished by Princess Alyksea for a long time.
As Torliado flipped through the album, the first few pages revealed photos of Princess Alyksea in the court.
In the pictures, the Princess wore an ivory-colored long dress, adorned with a dazzling gemstone necklace around her neck.
Her smooth brown hair fell elegantly over her shoulders, like silk.
As he flipped further, each photo captured moments of the Princess's growth.
There were photos of her reading in the rose garden pavilion in the palace, with the setting sun shining through the gaps in the flower vines onto the pages, riding a horse in the Cyros arena, and attending royal banquets in formal dresses.
There was even a photo of Princess Alyksea at her graduation from Saint Kreithian Monastery, as well as a photo with the former court guard captain, Barton Hall.
"Barton is in there."
Torliado said as he flipped through the album.
"Indeed, Barton is someone Princess Alyksea trusts."
Lan Qi remembered that Barton had been the commander of the court guard before leaving the military and becoming the leader of the Brillada Black Hand Gang. He was their Number Three in the Silver Moon Renaissance.
Aside from Barton, the two of them flipped through most of the album without seeing any other familiar faces.
"It can't be Barton. Princess Alyksea should know that we've joined up with Barton, and he was the one who knew Abigail's true identity."
Torliado flipped the pages faster.
Even Princess Alyksea had been introduced to the Silver Moon Renaissance organization through Barton.
Suddenly, on a new page, his hand paused.
Torliado looked at the photo and then turned to Lan Qi beside him.
There was a hint of surprise in Lan Qi's eyes as well.
One particular photo caught Lan Qi's attention—Princess Alyksea standing side by side with a red-brown-haired boy on the terrace of a noble mansion. The boy had a handsome face, sharp eyes as clear as water, and a commanding presence.
"This guy..."
Torliado did indeed have an impression of him.
He believed Lan Qi would be even more familiar with this boy.
"Nikola?"
Lan Qi took the album, quickly flipping through the remaining pages and checking them again. Indeed, there was no one else except Nikola.
The boy standing next to Princess Alyksea was indeed the Red Falcon Nikola from a few years ago.
"What? This guy has been keeping an eye on the rebels, but he might actually be a member of the Silver Moon Renaissance himself?"
Torliado gasped.
"That day on the train, was he actually not trying to catch members of the Silver Moon Renaissance, but rather helping to cover for them?"
Lan Qi rested his chin in thought.
Perhaps Princess Alyksea had heard that a core member of the Silver Moon Renaissance was coming to the capital, Brillada, and then learned about the train accident, so she asked Nicola to help out.
Indeed, if they encountered the worst-case scenario of being unable to escape the scrutiny of the Gendarmerie's inspection team and being taken away by the Countermeasures Department Chief using his authority, it would be the Chief who would have the means to set him free.
"By the way, that night Barton wanted you to research the new energy data, and when Number Five, Princess Alyksea, said she could take the risk to obtain it, Number Six immediately stopped her and directly released the data. Wasn't Nicola just handed the chalkboard lecture that day?"
Torliado asked Lan Qi.
He hadn't spoken in the group chat that day, but he had been paying attention to the conversation.
"Yes, I was the one taken to the Imperial Special Operations Division by Nicola that day and became their Mage Engineering Advisor."
Lan Qi agreed.
"Let's go."
Torliado stood up and announced.
From Princess Alyksea's hint, the answer was clear—Nicola was very likely the Sixth Number【Loyalty】of the Silver Moon Renaissance.
Red Falcon Nicola, at present, should be on the verge of a promotion to the new head of the Imperial Special Operations Division. On the day of the Bloody Moon City siege, he had provided them with considerable cover and support on the ground.
Or, on that day, the fact that the Imperial Special Operations Division wasn't targeting them was already a huge help.
The urgent task at hand was to visit the Countermeasures Department of the Imperial Special Operations Division and confirm with Red Falcon Nicola whether he had been entrusted by Princess Alyksea as a core member of the Silver Moon Renaissance with the Holy Communication Card.
"Let's go."
Lan Qi placed the photo album in the cabinet of the mansion and quickly walked out of the entrance hall with Torliado.
On this snowy morning, the biting cold wind blew the dry branches and leaves along the roadside.
Lan Qi and Torliado walked through the residential area of Saint Kreithian Monastery.
Although, theoretically, Torliado could teleport them directly to the second floor of the city's opera house and then take a shortcut to the headquarters of the Imperial Special Operations Division, doing so would reveal that Professor Landry was teleporting, allowing others to deduce the connection point in space. Unless absolutely necessary, they must adhere to the principle of entering and exiting through the same door to avoid arousing suspicion from informants.
Soon, the two of them exited the maze-like monastery residential area and arrived at a street next to a square on one side.
Torliado's black mage-driven vehicle was quietly parked by the roadside, a thin layer of frost covering the car windows.
"Get in."
Torliado was already accustomed to being the driver.
He climbed into the driver's seat, and Lan Qi sat next to him in the passenger seat.
The interior of the car was filled with the scent of leather, and the seats were soft and comfortable.
As Torliado started the engine, the vehicle left the square of Saint Kreithian Monastery and headed towards the central area of the capital Brillada).
Outside the car window, snowflakes danced in the wind, painting the entire world a hazy white.
"You, a Cardinal, always act like a delivery driver?"
Leaning against the leather seat, Lan Qi turned to Torliado beside him and asked.
"I'd rather drive than use spatial magic to transport people. You know how exhausting it is to consume magical power."
Torliado gripped the steering wheel, turned on the signal lights in the snow, and complained.
"I understand, of course I do. Some demons really are a heavy burden."
Lan Qi nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"..."
Torliado glanced at Lan Qi.
Although he felt that what he said and what Lan Qi meant were different, he was surprised that he could guess who Lan Qi was referring to.
It seemed that for Lan Qi, a day without mentioning her was an incomplete day.
Along the way, the scenery outside the car window kept receding.
Lan Qi got a good view of Brillada on the day of the Moon Goddess Festival.
As the mage-driven vehicle gradually slowed down and entered the courtyard of a massive mechanism, they had arrived at the Imperial Special Operations Division.
"Just follow me, there's no need to say much. We're both academics, and there's no issue with us traveling together after leaving Saint Kreithian Monastery."
Lan Qi reminded Torliado.
"No problem, we had great chemistry in North Continent Helrom."
Torliado confirmed.
He had often wandered and chatted with Lan Qi in the Protos Royal Magic Academy half a year ago.
The two of them got out of the car and walked towards the headquarters building of the Imperial Special Operations Division.
Before them, the headquarters building with its towering spire stood in the open square, its slender silhouette casting geometric shadows on the ground.
This Special Operations Division building stood tall under the snow-filled sky.
Lan Qi led Torliado up the steps into the building.
The entire structure was built with milky white granite, with the inscription "For the Glory of the Empire" engraved on all four sides. The falling snow brushed past the heavy metal door, several meters tall, adding a touch of softness to the stern mechanism.
"Mr. Landry."
Upon entering the hall, most of the Imperial Special Operations Division personnel saluted Lan Qi.
His potential and the power he was about to obtain within the Empire were well-known throughout the Imperial Special Operations Division.
With Professor Landry's unique contribution as a virgin and his irreplaceable talent, as long as the new head of the Imperial Special Operations Division didn't obstruct him, it was almost certain that he would become the top leader of the New Energy Organization Committee.
Under Lan Qi's guidance, Torliado followed him into the core area of the Imperial Special Operations Division.
Walking through the deep and winding interior corridors, the two of them arrived at a row of hidden offices.
Knock knock
Lan Qi gently knocked on the door at the very end of the corridor, but there was no response for a long time.
Instead, a member of the Countermeasures Department who passed by noticed Lan Qi and Torliado.
"Professor Landry, are you looking for us?"
The Countermeasures Department staff member asked Lan Qi with uncertainty.
Usually, it was the Countermeasures Department that sought out Professor Landry, bringing him to their department. It was possible that they had bothered Professor Landry with their frequent requests, and everyone knew about the strained relationship between Chief Nikola and Professor Landry.
Today, however, the situation was reversed. Professor Landry had taken the initiative to come to them.
"Yes, I'm looking for Nikola. Is he in the Operations Department?"
Lan Qi could only confirm that Director Dex was not at headquarters.
Duke Dex had an important engagement at the palace today.
On such a significant festival as the Moon Goddess Festival in the Creedentia Empire, Duke Dex, as a high-ranking official and noble, had numerous ceremonial duties to fulfill. His presence alongside the Emperor alone carried significant weight, and he was also a necessary figure for maintaining the stability of the imperial authority.
"Chief Nikola, the suspect Maquiel, who was accused of colluding with the Allied Forces last night, has escaped. Chief Nikola is leading a team to apprehend him."
The Countermeasures Department staff member hesitated for a moment before replying truthfully.
Although Nikola had instructed them not to talk to Professor Landry, this was information that could be easily obtained within the headquarters, so there was no need to deliberately conceal it and risk offending Professor Landry.
"..."
Lan Qi raised his eyebrows.
Upon further thought, if Maquiel was a vampire's retainer, he could use the power of the blood lord during the night. With the help of the vampire marquis's power and his own seventh-rank abilities, a successful escape through surprise was indeed possible.
During the second Shadow World Cathedral Rogue Banquet, Lan Qi had witnessed the power of a traitorous vampire retainer using the blood lord's power at night. Once night fell, if the Destruction Saintess were to use her Blood Frenzy, a head-on confrontation might result in their entire team being wiped out.
"Please help me contact Nikola. I have an urgent matter to discuss with him."
Lan Qi instructed the Countermeasures Department staff member.
"Okay."
Seeing Professor Landry's serious demeanor, the staff member nodded and led him to the neighboring department. He used the mage communication device to contact Chief Nikola and handed the receiver to the professor.
"..."
Lan Qi held the receiver, waiting for Nikola to pick up.
Although Nikola was only at the peak of the sixth rank, leading the elite agents of the Imperial Special Operations Division, they were sufficient to capture the fugitive Maquiel within Brillada.
The difference between the sixth and seventh ranks was significant. Lorren had taught them that if a group of twelve or twenty sixth-rank elites from the church were to confront a seventh-rank opponent, even they would feel intimidated.
Fortunately, it was daytime, and Maquiel should not be able to use his powers.
Soon, the communication connected.
A blurry, noisy sound came through the receiver.
"Nikola, where are you? I need to talk to you."
Lan Qi immediately spoke up.
"Lan... Teach... really..."
Red Falcon Nikola seemed a bit surprised. This was the first time that Professor Landry, whom he had always been looking for, had taken the initiative to contact him.
However, the communication was filled with buzzing noises, making it difficult for Lan Qi to understand Nikola's words.
Nikola quickly realized that the communication was ineffective and didn't want to waste any more time, so he hung up.
"He must be on official duty, perhaps even ready for combat at any moment, unable to spare any attention," Torliado said from the side.
He was all too familiar with this state, having experienced it himself when he infiltrated the palace the previous day.
Red Falcon Nikola's willingness to exchange a few words with Lan Qi was already a sign of respect.
"He's entered a signal-shielded area. I can hear the sound of waves and the clanging of containers."
Lan Qi pondered and deduced, "I know where he is."
His eyes lit up suddenly.
Lan Qi had heard this exact environment before.
It could only be the Brillada Black Hand Gang's port.
After a night of escape, Maquiel would have to flee to the gray zone to evade the pursuit of the Imperial Special Operations Division.
Only there could Maquiel engage in direct combat without being affected by Brillada's city defense barrier and escape by sea.
The Black Hand Gang's harbor was undoubtedly the best choice.
"Thank you!"
Lan Qi handed the mage communication device back to the Countermeasures Department staff member and, along with Torliado, they both turned and started running.
They passed through the various checkpoints of the Imperial Special Operations Division and returned to the bustling main hall of the division's headquarters.
Stepping out onto the grand staircase, the wide steps extended all the way to the end of the plaza. Lan Qi ran ahead, with Torliado closely following. Both of them were busy and had no time for the holiday.
"To be honest, Nikola is a true imperial loyalist. He has been conducting multi-pronged investigations and has even traced the trail of the Decayed Branch..."
Lan Qi explained to Torliado.
There were likely many who wanted Nikola dead, including the Rebirth Church.
Working alongside Nikola in the Imperial Special Operations Division, Lan Qi was well aware of Nikola's exceptional capabilities. Not only was he handling the busy affairs of the Countermeasures Department, but he was also keeping an eye on Maquiel, watching over Professor Landry, and investigating the recent serial killings in Brillada where victims were turned into artistic sculptures.
Despite Nikola's efforts, the serial killings had ceased in Brillada, but according to the killer's logic, Red Falcon Nikola, who stood in the way of the killer's enjoyment, had undoubtedly become a target.
"Let's go to the opera house. We'll take a shortcut and finish work early."
Dimensional Bishop Torliado wanted to use teleportation magic within the city, but he needed a pre-established spatial barrier to avoid detection by the Imperial War Deity.
Fortunately, the Brillada Opera House on Broadway 33 Street was less than two kilometers away from the Imperial Special Operations Division headquarters at Holworth Crossroad. They could teleport directly from the second floor of the opera house to the underground of the Brillada Black Hand Gang's port.
That area was a gray zone, and by appearing there, they could disguise themselves as members of the Black Hand Gang without raising too much suspicion.
"What a treatment, having two bishops personally looking for someone," Xiao Hei Mao said, poking his head out of the shadows.
Don't forget, he was working overtime too!
But he found it more entertaining to watch two cardinals acting as concerned citizens in Brillada than to celebrate the Moon Goddess Festival itself.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
