NOVPUBCerryti Empire, Botswana Province, less than an hour’s drive from the capital, Brilda, on the mountain road track.
The Bulida Magic Power Rail Train had been stationary for a while now, with smoke billowing from the front cars, particularly severe damage on the fourth car.
After a brief burst of battle, silence had returned.
A huge hole had been blasted open in the roof of the car, allowing sunlight to pour in recklessly, but it couldn’t penetrate the black fog, barely illuminating the decrepit figure standing amidst the ruins.
The old man stood like a twilight emperor atop a black reef, his body’s glow and the shimmer in his eyes particularly clear in the dark mist.
"Can we have a proper talk, Miss Unity?"
His voice was complex as he looked down at the female assassin, his words tinged with a pleading tone.
Within this soundproof barrier, their conversation could no longer be heard by others.
"..."
Unity lay on the cold, hard wooden floor, her teeth gritted.
Even though the body belonged to her, she felt no control over it.
The Empire officer looked down on her with a superior air, and with her night vision, she could clearly see a mocking gentleness, like that of hunting prey, on his harsh face.
She had never seen such a terrifying mental manipulation spell. Once captured, he could derive bits of personal information through her dreams.
Although the content of dreams was elusive and uncontrollable, they were hidden deep within memories and the spirit, always indirectly revealing clues.
By repeatedly digging into her dreams, he could eventually unearth some key intelligence she was reluctant to expose!
She defiantly lifted her head and glared hard at him, flames blazing in the phoenix eyes beneath her mask.
"You beast worse than scum! Acting all benevolent despite being an invader!"
Unity spat out each word through clenched teeth, her hoarse voice echoing in the silent car.
For the Empire person who had spied on her dreams, she had nothing but absolute hostility and hatred.
"What are you even talking about."
Lanci held his head; his brain hurt.
"This statement is also true."
Talia reminded him in his mind.
"I don’t need your help with lie detection at this time!"
Laci always felt Talia took these opportunities to scold him!
But he wasn’t in the mood to arrest Talia, who had recently become increasingly rampant.
The most troublesome part of espionage was not knowing clearly which side someone was on. When arriving in a new area, it was very likely that fights would break out among one’s own people.
Regardless, he couldn’t keep her pinned to the ground anymore.
After Lanci ordered Talia to release the psychic hold on the Allied Forces spy, Unity.
Unity felt like she had regained control of her body in an instant.
She gripped her palms incredulously, then instinctively pulled away.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to escape from this car of the Bulida Train.
But a wall, built of telekinesis magic, blocked this fourth car, not only preventing other passengers from opening compartment doors but also stopping her exit.
Although this telekinesis felt not too strong, merely Fifth-order, she knew in the presence of this at least Seventh-order old man, there was no possibility of escape. His confident release of her bonds was meant to make her fully aware of the gap in their power.
"Can we talk, Miss Unity? It will probably be over ten minutes before the Imperial Army from Bridal arrive."
Lanci raised his hands, indicating Unity could feel safe.
"..."
Unity didn’t respond, her gaze like an unquenchable flame in the dark, still exuding an inviolable dignity despite the recent dishevelment and torment.
Never communicate with an Illusionist, Mental Manipulator—it’s common knowledge.
Such individuals are masters of manipulating the mind.
At any moment, they could be deceiving you.
"Lanci, haven’t you felt that the more friendly you are to her now, the more it seems like your habitual behavior, in the eyes of the enemy, your carefree, cynical, and often weak appearance seems the most oppressive villain."
Talia remarked in a tone that seemed to enjoy the spectacle, commenting in his mind.
"..."
Lanci choked.
So he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t?
"Let’s go."
Laci struggled for a long while before finally shaking his head.
Their encounter had been too dire, trust could hardly be built with words alone; only actions could gradually change her perception.
Continuing this tangle with the female assassin wasn’t a wise move; he couldn’t harm her, he could only let her go and, perhaps, see her again if fate allowed.
Chances were that this Allied Forces spy usually also adopted a disguise in the capital, Brilda. It was probable that they would meet again.
If she saw him as an Empire officer, she had no reason to report him to the Empire side; that would be suicidal. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
She should run as far as possible for the time being, while he might have to find a way to change his identity once he reached the capital, Brilda—this old man’s identity was just too inconvenient.
"?"
