NOVPUBAs the Magic Guided Vehicle gradually slowed down, entering the large mechanized courtyard, Lanci knew they had arrived at the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
Throughout the ride, Lanci passed through many places, with the scenery outside the car window constantly receding.
"Professor Landry, this is your first time at the Empire’s Special Operations Department, please follow me later and don’t wander off,"
Red Falcon Nikola rarely reminded.
Otherwise, he couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be any danger.
"Don’t worry, Captain Nikola, I’m not a dolt. I won’t self-appoint and lead the way erratically,"
Lanci leaned against the back of the chair and laughed lightly in response.
Having said that, he looked back out the window.
The towering spires cast long, slanted shadows over the open square, reflecting the empire’s immovable force. If one looked up, they could see the imposing Special Operations Department building towering grandly beneath the clear blue sky.
Until the vehicle driven by the special service personnel stopped in front of the lengthy steps of the building.
The view before Lanci also halted.
Seemingly confirming Lanci’s thoughts, the car door was already opened by the guards of the department.
A solemn atmosphere unique to the Special Operations hit them in the face.
The Cerryti Empire’s Special Operations Department was located in the heart of Buli’s Capital, not far from the magnificent Imperial Palace, separated only by a few streets.
The current director, Duke Dex Reynolds, was the emperor’s most trusted confidante, had established great martial achievements, and was known as the empire’s sharpest shadow blade.
"We’ve arrived."
Red Falcon Nikola’s words made Lanci look out the window.
"Please follow me, let me give you a brief tour of the Empire’s Special Operations Department’s central courtyard before I take you to meet Director Dex."
After getting out of the car, Red Falcon Nikola’s military coat was once again pristine, and he adjusted his hat brim.
Lanci nodded slightly, and Red Falcon Nikola then turned and led the way.
Lanci followed Red Falcon Nikola along the path of the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
The entire building they walked up was constructed from milky white granite, inscribed on all sides with "For the Glory of the Empire," the ivy that climbed it was dyed a warm golden hue, and tender yellow maple leaves occasionally brushed over the several-meters-high heavy metal door lightly.
Two statues of stone lions, all black and with spirited eyes, stood silently at the entrance, silently warning everyone.
Upon entering the hall, most of the people from the Empire’s Special Operations Department would salute Nikola briefly.
Behind the hall, on the wall, hung the black and gold dual-color flags of the Cerryti Empire, with portraits of past emperors on both sides.
Occasionally, agents wearing dark black trench coats would walk briskly, their chiseled faces showing no expression, the clacking sound of military boots on marble flooring quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor where light and shadow intersected.
"They don’t salute you?"
Lanci quietly asked the Nikola next to him.
Considering military ranks, Nikola was a major of the empire, while those agents were non-commissioned officers, Nikola should theoretically be their superior.
"They belong to the action team, under Captain Maguire’s command."
Red Falcon Nikola said indifferently, not seeming to care much.
"..."
Lanci nodded thoughtfully.
Nikola was the head of the Strategy Section, and it seemed his relationship with the action team’s Captain Maguire wasn’t good, as seen from the attitude of the subordinates.
From his understanding of their duties, it was common for the Strategy Section and the action team to run into situations of credit-grabbing or sabotage, with mutual discord not being uncommon. 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Following Red Falcon Nikola’s lead, Lanci entered the core area of the Empire’s Special Operations Department.
"Lanci... Lanci, you’re really quite impressive."
Even though Talia was a princess of the Demon Clan who had seen much of the world, when she was brought into this low-key yet majestic building by Lanci, her heart still stirred slightly.
She reaffirmed one of her previous conjectures.
It often wasn’t Lanci seeking jobs and opportunities, but rather his talents and the undeniable aura about him, constantly attracting workunits to value him, and even necessitating his presence.
Before she realized it, the young man from the border territory had grown into such a remarkable man. When had time started to pass so quickly? She almost hadn’t noticed.
"Master, why do you talk in such a soft, womanly manner?"
Lanci immediately responded in his mind.
"You..."
Talia suddenly felt that this guy hadn’t changed at all.
He deserved to not have any girls like him.
"That’s more like it."
Lanci instantly felt the aroma of wine rise.
"You just enjoy it... if you can, sniff it directly off me like last time..."
Now she couldn’t get back at Lanci, but she remembered the grudge, gritting her teeth as she spoke.
Passing through the deep and winding corridors inside the building, the two came to a hidden elevator.
Red Falcon Nikola took out a crystal card from the inside of his coat, swiped it, and randomly pressed several floor buttons in a complex rhythm.
"Wow, which floor are we going to?"
With a barely perceptible buzzing sound, the elevator began to ascend rapidly, making Lanci wonder if they were soaring towards the sky.
He remembered this building was very tall.
The Empire’s Special Operations Department was fortified with hundreds of layers of Prohibited Zones from ancient times to the present.
Even an Eighth-order would find it difficult to forcefully penetrate the department’s mechanisms, correspondingly, once inside, one shouldn’t even think of breaking out using force.
"Relax, Professor. This ascension process might be a bit uncomfortable, but you might come here often in the future."
