NOVPUBBrass-crafted mechanical ships and magic-guided beasts traveled to and fro on the water, where advanced mechanical engineering and modern Magical Engineering melded perfectly, creating marvels distinct from those of the Kingdom’s Magic Engineering.
The Imperial Series of Magical Engineering, based on a foundation independent of magic devices, vigorously proceeded with mechanical innovation. Its purpose was to carve out a technological path that did not overly rely on magic, with the ultimate goal of one day defeating magic through machinery.
Correspondingly, roles such as mechanists, gunsmiths, and snipers almost all originated from the Cerryti Empire.
For Frey, who self-proclaimed to be a "back-row ranged attacker," he had once told Lanci that he would definitely visit the Cerryti Empire given the chance.
Only gunsmiths with sufficiently immense strength could manage the terrifying recoil of the high-order firearms of the Imperial Series.
"Are you all right, sir?"
As Lanci was intently gazing at the increasingly distinct outline of the city, a male voice sounded from beside him.
The voice was steady and strong.
Lanci then noticed that at the door of his compartment stood an officer who appeared to be in his thirties or forties, impeccably dressed in a crisp military uniform.
He was tall and upright, with a well-built physique, his golden-brown hair meticulously combed, with slight greying at the temples, projecting an aura of authority yet stability.
The officer’s face was adorned with a short beard, his chin somewhat pointed, his nose high-bridged, and his blue-grey eyes slightly weathered but sharp with keen insight.
"I’m fine."
Lanci smiled and looked over, responding.
In comparison to Lanci’s own usually reserved self, Mr. Landry’s personality seemed to be more confident and extroverted.
"I am the commander of the Second Military Police Brigade at the Capital Garrison Headquarters, Burke von Arnold."
The officer did not enter the compartment but stood at the doorway, introducing himself.
"Please have a seat, Colonel."
Lanci recognized the officer’s rank from his uniform at a glance, stood up, returned the courtesy, and gestured for the officer to sit opposite him.
Although this officer was calm and polite, it did not affect the Imperial army’s intensity when carrying out their duties.
Once the Imperial Military Police detected any signs of disloyalty or defiance, they would act swiftly and decisively.
If Lanci were to work at the Saint Kray Temple on the outskirts of Brilda and a safety incident were to occur at school, it seemed likely he would interact with Colonel Burke, the commander of the Second Brigade.
"I heard it was you who repelled the enemy. Were you injured?"
Colonel Burke von Arnold sat down, hands clasped upon the table, and calmly inquired, looking across at Lanci.
He could discern that the black-haired, blue-eyed youth across him was a noble, and exceedingly powerful at that.
For the majority who had not stepped into the Extraordinary and Holy Realm, a Sixth-order in the borderlands was already a dominant leader, and even in the Capital, such individuals were rare.
Fortunately, there was indeed such a Powerful One on this train, or it might have turned into a major safety incident.
"I wasn’t injured. My fight with the enemy was merely a spar."
Lanci modestly replied.
Colonel Burke hesitated for a moment, then took the investigation records from a soldier who followed him. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"However, I’ve heard from other compartment passengers that you had an overwhelming advantage when facing that enemy female combatant."
Colonel Burke looked at the papers, then raised his head to question.
"If I had pushed her too far, I might have really gotten hurt."
Lanci responded with a casual smile.
"Is that so."
Colonel Burke mumbled to himself, then again gazed at the black-haired, blue-eyed youth, deliberately scrutinizing him.
This Powerful One’s composure was not mistaken, but the youth before him was even stronger than he had imagined, with a sense of profound mystery.
"According to passenger information, your name is Landry Washington. Can I ask what is the purpose of your trip to the Capital Brilda?"
Colonel Burke continued to ask and record.
"I’m here for work. I received an appointment letter from Brilda."
Lanci bent over, preparing to retrieve documents from his luggage at his feet.
When he looked up again, Colonel Burke had already turned his head towards the window.
It seemed they were almost at the station.
They were not in a hurry at this time.
Arriving in Brilda only meant that they could converse with more peace of mind.
As the train gradually slowed down, the bustling train station came into view.
Upon hearing the news that the Bulida Train had been attacked outside the city, crowds and reporters swarmed the platform, making it impossible for water to drip through.
They were abuzz with discussion, and although the Military Police Department’s troops tried hard to maintain order, it was to no avail; Brilda, as the political and economic center of the Empire, ensured that even the train station was lively enough.
"Mr. Landry, I might delay you for some time, but rest assured, I will take you to your destination as quickly as possible. Should we talk while walking, or should we finish our chat right here?"
Colonel Burke added.
"Let’s talk while walking."
Lanci picked up his luggage and stood up, suggesting to Colonel Burke.
"A wise choice, I believe. By yourself later on, it will not be easy to break free from the human wall and the reporters."
Colonel Burke did not delay either, and he started talking with Lanci as they walked.
As they waited at the door of the carriage, with the sound of the doors opening, another group of Imperial Army soldiers in different uniforms were already waiting outside the door of the fourth carriage.
There were strangely fewer people on the platform than before; it seemed like they consciously made way for these Imperial soldiers.
Their numbers were far less than those of the Capital Garrison Headquarters’ Military Police Brigade.
Or rather, it was only an action team.
The officer in the lead had a very deep cap visor, almost covering his forehead.
"Captain Nikola, why have you come?"
It was Colonel Burke who spoke first, asking the officer on the platform known by the code name Red Falcon.
He clearly recognized the other party.
Silently observing, Lanci noticed that only the fourth carriage’s doors had opened; evidently, passengers from other carriages were not allowed to leave either. The purpose of opening the doors seemed only to allow the officers to board.
Long before arriving in the Cerryti Empire, Lanci had done his homework; Nigel had provided him with detailed information on the military structure of the Cerryti Empire’s Capital.
From the uniform of the officer standing at the carriage door, one could tell that they belonged to an independent branch of the Capital Garrison Headquarters—the Imperial Special Operations Department, also known as the Imperial Magic Guide Special Forces.
This included a department for dispatching spies to other countries to probe military and political intelligence and a department for undertaking terror activities such as assassinations, kidnappings, and sabotage in enemy-occupied zones to disrupt the enemy’s rear.
More focused on internal affairs of the Empire was the Internal Affairs Service Section, tasked with monitoring dissidents within the country, identifying war critics and spies, and maintaining regime stability. Lastly, there was a secret laboratory, developing various silent and stealthy special weapons, such as poisons, alchemy creatures, high-performance explosive devices, etc., with the research facility also located in the Capital, Brilda.
The head of the Special Operations Department was directly responsible to the Emperor and could mobilize resources directly without going through the military system.
Relatively speaking, the Empire’s Special Operations Department held extremely high authority within the Empire.
"We suspect that the attack was likely a collaboration between insiders and outsiders, involving traitors."
Red Falcon Nikola said, standing on the platform.
Compared to Colonel Burke, he was much younger, with a handsome face, sharp features, neatly trimmed deep auburn hair, exuding the sharpness and efficiency of a soldier.
The Internal Affairs Service Section One he led was responsible for monitoring dissidents in the Capital to maintain the stability of the regime.
"In my opinion, I need to focus on investigating the personnel related to this accident. Both the deceased and survivors may be suspects. For caution, I need to personally cross-examine them once again."
Red Falcon Nikola said with a slight smile, but there was an unmistakable chill in his demeanor.
"No problem."
Colonel Burke’s expression was solemn; he frequently dealt with the Empire’s Special Operations Department on cases and trusted the judgment of Chief Red Falcon Nikola.
Colonel Burke readily agreed, then turned to Lanci, gently patting Lanci’s shoulder, as if to reassure him not to feel pressured.
Because the investigation by the Special Operations Department would undoubtedly be more stringent, and as a young man at the center of the event, he would face more questioning and scrutiny.
"..."
Talia was starting to panic inside Lanci.
She thought Lanci was courting disaster.
He just had to assume the identity of Landry and then turn the accident into Landry having repelled the enemies!
Though he had gained an apparently better identity, the corresponding struggle would be that once the Empire’s real hounds got on his trail, he would have no peace in the Capital, Brilda, let alone think of doing anything else.
