NOVPUBThe agent in the driver’s seat started the engine without a sound.
With a soft hum, the car pulled away from Saint Kray’s Terre Monastery’s Elliot Building, heading towards the heart of the Capital Brilda.
The Empire’s Special Operations Department was established over a century ago, initially to counter the threat of spy infiltration from the Demon Race during the holy wars, playing a vital role at that time and later gradually shifting focus to conducting intelligence activities against neighboring countries and the Kingdom Joint Council.
Its mission was to secretly gather intelligence both inside and outside the Empire in order to protect the national security interests of the Cerryti Empire, with threats of interest including terrorism, organized crime, regional conflicts, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The department had at least three thousand well-trained agents organized into multiple regional task stations and specialized divisions, independent of the Imperial Military Staff and Command headed by Hesintos, the War God, though there were collaborations.
Duke Dex Reynolds, the current Director of the Empire’s Special Operations Department and one of the Empire’s most enigmatic figures, served overtly as the Foreign Minister while his directorial position remained a secret for over twenty years until it was officially disclosed a few years ago.
Red Falcon Nikola was to take Lanci to the headquarters at Holworth Crossroads, in the center of Brilda, thus nicknamed "Holworth Cross Claw."
After arriving at the Capital, Lanci had not yet visited such a central location.
"What kind of person will we be meeting?"
Lanci asked Nikola beside him.
In the back seat, Lanci leaned against the soft leather, awaiting the journey to the headquarters of the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
The scent of flowers drifted in through the window, the breeze and midday sun filling the car, adding a touch of languor to the handsome face of Landry, who seemed a bit weary from having just finished class.
Red Falcon Nikola still sat as composed as a chess piece.
"Our Empire’s Special Operations Department’s highest official, Director Dex."
Red Falcon Nikola glanced at Lanci and answered.
He noticed that this professor wasn’t nervous in his presence, wondering if it was a solid psychological quality or just innate.
With that, he looked out at the Imperial buildings speeding past the car window.
"Is it Duke Dex who ordered Captain Nikola to bring me to the Empire’s Special Operations Department?"
Lanci was slightly surprised and smiled.
"Yes, the position of honorary advisor to the Special Operations Department isn’t something I can decide on my own."
Red Falcon Nikola nodded. 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"That’s quite an honor."
Lanci acknowledged Nikola’s statement.
"..."
Talia now felt a bit worried.
The results of Lanci’s research at Saint Kray’s Terre Monastery had clearly attracted the attention of many high-ranking Empire officials, with Duke Dex being one of the key figures.
For a true Imperial Hound, it was undoubtedly an opportunity to showcase talent, demonstrate value, and vie for power, but for an Allied Forces spy, it would be a den of dragons and tigers, where any flaw could be magnified to the extreme, potentially leading to an unknown and untimely death.
The new environment Lanci was about to enter seemed idyllic but concealed countless pitfalls, causing her heart to beat with constant unease.
"Tata, just focus on being a good housewife, don’t worry about the rest; leave the work to me."
Lanci spoke inwardly to her,
"I will make sure you have a good life in the Empire, just be at ease."
He added.
"Then good luck..."
Talia decided to let go of being called a housewife for now, as she indeed cooked for Lanci every day, and he appreciated her for it.
Hearing Lanci’s enthusiasm and sense of responsibility for his career, she felt it wasn’t so bad to spend life with this guy—if only his name wasn’t Lanci, he would actually be an ideal partner.
