NOVPUBThe mountain breeze gently caressed the woods woven with scarlet and gold, and in this season of fallen leaves, the Bulida Magic Power Rail Train once again traversed the undulating Langal Mountains near the South Crayney capital.
Lanci was sitting in compartment number 404, being investigated.
He looked a bit weary but remained composed.
Of course, by now he had switched to the seat across from his original one.
That is, the seat of Mr. Landry Washington.
"Yes, it was I who defeated the enemies on the train,"
Lanci honestly answered the questions of the investigating officer sitting opposite him,
"The situation at that time was simply unbearable. Have we come to this? In the capital, Brilda, someone dared to openly challenge the authority of our Empire! I couldn’t tolerate her arrogance for a second longer. I had to make her understand what ’Imperial Authority Unmatched’ and ’the Empire’s Faith’ truly mean."
He couldn’t help but tap on the table.
This uprightness, this hatred of evil, yet the deep concealment of his achievements and name, made the investigating officer opposite him nod repeatedly in agreement.
Because what this young man was saying did not sound like a lie at all.
His attitude was passionate and sincere; sitting opposite him, one would feel ashamed as a fellow Empire Person—ashamed that one’s love and faith in the Empire as a member of the Imperial Army were not as firm as those of such a young man.
"Then, Mr. Landry, in a little while, my superiors might come to question you further. We do not mean to inconvenience you, but as the central figure in this incident, we still need your cooperation to gather more clues about the enemy,"
The investigating officer put away his notebook and stood up to speak to Lanci.
"No problem,"
Lanci nodded, watching the investigating officer leave.
The carriage corridors were covered with scorch marks, and if not for the sturdy protective Barrier overhead, the train would likely have derailed and vanished amidst the towering mountains.
The Capital Garrison moved back and forth through the carriage, comforting passengers whose nerves were still unsettled and gathering evidence for their investigation.
As the elite force guarding the Empire’s center, the Capital Garrison was known far and wide for its rigorous selection and brutal training, specifically tasked with the safety and defense of the capital.
Among the departments under its command, the "Imperial Guard" served as the personal bodyguards of the Emperor as well as protectors of the Imperial Palace, government institutions, and other significant sites.
The "Military Police Department" maintained social order in the capital area, suppressed rebellious activities, and monitored the speech and conduct of officials and the public.
The "Barrier Air Force" managed the air raid alarm system and operated the capital’s air defense troops to ward off enemy air attacks, while the "Fortress Guard" was stationed at several large fortresses on the outskirts of the capital, forming the first line of defense for the city.
This incident on the Bulida saw the responsibility falling to the Second Military Police Brigade, which was in charge of the capital’s outer areas.
Fortunately, most passengers were safe and sound, but in other compartments, the bodies of the accompanying Imperial Guards could be seen everywhere, with blood staining the shattered windows and twisted metal.
"Extremely dangerous individuals are no longer aboard the Bulida. Please rest assured, dear passengers. The Bulida Magic Power Rail Train is now under the control of the Imperial Capital Garrison. We ask for your active cooperation with the military’s investigation. The train will soon arrive at the terminal station, Brilda. Please be patient for a little while longer."
The train’s broadcast continued to console the passengers onboard.
Most passengers did not display the calm that Lanci did.
Perhaps showing a bit of panic at this time might have been better.
But the Landry that Lanci portrayed valued natural confidence and self-assurance, which meant that in many respects, he did not need to deliberately act out.
"Lanci, are you sure you haven’t gone over to the enemy?... I’m a little scared,"
Talia started chatting with him again in his mind.
Now that she, as Lanci’s spiritual companion, was essentially bound to his fate, she could only watch his story unfold day after day.
She was beginning to feel that something was not quite right.
Being able to quickly blend into the surroundings is certainly a remarkable gift for a spy, but in the blink of an eye, Lanci seemed to have become a native.
"Tata, just put your heart back in your stomach. It was just a coincidence, an accident that I inadvertently helped the Empire catch a spy from the Allied Forces. It won’t happen again."
Lanci’s eyes conveyed resolute assurance as he responded to her in his mind.
He would not help the Empire again, nor would he become a traitor.
This time, unlike in the Protoss Empire on the Northern Continent, he was clear about his stance and allegiance.
"That’s good,"
Talia barely let out a sigh of relief, her voice carrying a hint of a smile.
She figured that even if Lanci wanted to thrive within the Empire, he did not have what it took.
The Empire was not that simple.
"It seems we’re almost there,"
Lanci sat in the compartment, quietly gazing out the window.
Although he had experienced some setbacks, overall, things were going well.
He had obtained a new identity, and Miss Unity, a spy of the Allied Forces, had escaped. The only one injured was Mr. Landry.
However, Lanci would carry on Mr. Landry’s legacy and use his identity to strive to change the Empire. In doing so, perhaps he could also allow Mr. Landry to rest in peace.
The train gradually left the golden mountains and entered an endless green plain. On the distant horizon, the majestic silhouette of the holy city became increasingly distinct.
He was finally approaching the legendary capital of the Cerryti Empire—Brilda.
Spires crowded the city walls, reaching for the sky, steel-made towers shone in the sunlight, and immense airships navigated the streaming clouds. The whole city was outlined by canals that encircled it, sketching a magnificent visage.
