Don't confiscate my identity as a human race-Chapter 1310 - 825 Tolyado Tears Overtime_5

"I understand, of course I do. For some of the Demon Race, it's truly an unbearable burden."

Lanci nodded repeatedly in affirmation.

"..."

Toriyado cast a glance at Lanci.

Though he felt the meaning behind his words differed from Lanci's, he could surprisingly guess who Lanci was referring to.

It seemed that for Lanci, a day without mentioning her would be incomplete.

Outside the car window, the scenery kept sliding past in reverse.

Lanci took the opportunity to feast his eyes on the sights of Bulida City's Lunar Festival.

When the magic-guided vehicle gradually slowed down and entered the courtyard of a colossal institution, they had arrived at the Empire's Special Operations Department.

"Follow me later, don't say much. We're both academic personnel, traveling together out of Saint Kray Temple isn't a problem."

Lanci reminded Toriyado.

"No problem. On Northern Herram Continent, you and I had quite the synergy."

Toriyado confirmed.

Over half a year ago, he often strolled and spoke with Lanci within the Protoss Royal Magic Academy.

The two disembarked and headed toward the headquarters building of the Empire's Special Operations Department.

The towering spire of the headquarters loomed into the clouds, standing on a desolate square with slender, stretched silhouettes casting geometric shadows on the ground.

Under the snow-laden skies, the building of the Special Operations Department stood in solemn defiance.

Lanci led Toriyado up the steps toward the building's entrance.

The entire structure was built from creamy white granite, engraved on all sides with the inscription "For the Glory of the Empire." Snow gently graced the thick, heavy metallic door several meters tall, softening the stern visage of this institution.

"Mr. Landry."

As they entered the lobby, most personnel of the Empire's Special Operations Department greeted Lanci respectfully.

By now, the Department was well aware of Lanci's growing potential and the imminent authority he was poised to receive.

With Professor Landry's unparalleled contributions and irreplaceable talents, as long as the newly appointed director of the Empire's Special Operations Department didn't obstruct him, his position as the head of the Empire New Energy Organization was practically guaranteed.

Leading, Lanci guided Toriyado as they ventured deep into the core area of the Special Operations Department.

Through winding and shadowy internal corridors, they arrived before a row of discreet offices.

Knock, knock.

At the far end, Lanci gently knocked on the door of a departmental office but received no response for a long time.

A passing officer from the Crisis Policy Division noticed Lanci and Toriyado.

"Professor Landry, are you looking for us?"

The officer inquired of Lanci with some uncertainty.

Normally, it was the Policy Division seeking out Professor Landry, often "inviting" him to their section. At this point, it might even have annoyed Professor Landry, as anyone knew of the strained relationship between Captain Nikola and him.

Today seemed to be an unprecedented reversal—Professor Landry had actively come looking for them instead.

"Yes, I'm looking for Nikola. Is he in the Department?"

Lanci could be certain that Director Dex wasn't at the headquarters.

Duke Daiske was headed to the palace today.

As a major festival of the Cerryti Empire, the Lunar Festival required Duke Daiske, as both a key official and prominent noble, to observe numerous ceremonial duties. More than anything, his presence symbolized his faction; merely standing beside the Emperor carried immense political weight and was crucial for stabilizing imperial authority.

"Captain Nikola? Last night, suspect Maquiel, accused of colluding with the Allied Forces, escaped from prison. Captain Nikola is leading the team to capture him."

The officer from the Policy Division hesitated briefly before answering truthfully.

Despite Nikola's earlier instruction not to discuss things casually with Professor Landry, this was information that could be easily gathered within headquarters, and withholding it might unnecessarily offend Professor Landry.

"..."

Lanci raised his brow slightly.

After some thought, if Maquiel was a Blood Clan member, he could use the Blood Lord's authority during the night; if aided by the Blood Clan Marquis's power coupled with his own Seventh-order nature, achieving a surprise jailbreak was indeed plausible.

During the second Shadow World Sanctuary Evil Banquet, Lanci had already witnessed how the traitor's Blood Clan member used the Blood Lord's authority at night. Once darkness fell, enabling the Goddess of Destruction to unleash [Blood Rage] for head-on combat could realistically lead to total annihilation.

"Please contact Nikola for me. I urgently need to speak with him."

Lanci instructed the officer from the Policy Division.

"Understood."

The officer nodded as they led him into an adjacent office, using the magic communications device to get in touch with Captain Nikola and handing the receiver to the professor.

"..."

Lanci gripped the receiver, awaiting Nikola to answer.

Although Nikola was at the peak of Sixth-order, with the Empire's Special Operations Department's elite agents by his side, he could sufficiently outmaneuver fugitive Maquiel within Bulida City's boundaries.

The gap between Sixth-order and Seventh-order was vast, but as Loren had taught, if the Church's elite Sixth-order squad formed a team of twelve or twenty to hunt down a Seventh-order, even the Seventh-order would become anxious.

Fortunately, it was daytime now, meaning Maquiel likely couldn't utilize his authority.

Soon enough, the communication line connected.

Through the receiver came indistinct and chaotic noises.

"Nikola, where are you? I need to speak with you."

Lanci immediately said.

"Lan... Teach... Honestly..."

Red Falcon Nikola seemed somewhat taken aback. It was the first time Professor Landry, usually the one being sought by him, reached out proactively.

However, the communication device buzzed and hummed with static, making Nikola's words barely discernible to Lanci.

Sensing the futility of the conversation, Nikola quickly ended the call.

"He's certainly engaged in his official duties, likely on high alert and ready for combat, unable to spare attention."

Toriyado remarked from beside him.

He was all too familiar with such a state, having experienced it sneaking into the palace the night before.

Red Falcon Nikola had already done Lanci a courtesy by responding with a few words.

"He's in a signal-blocked zone. There's also the sound of waves and metal ringing from containers colliding."

Lanci reflected thoughtfully and deduced,

"I know where he is."

His eyes suddenly lit up with realization.

Lanci had once heard this exact combination of ambient noises before.

It could only be Bulida Mafia's port.

Having fled through the night, Maquiel must escape into the gray zones to break free from the Empire's Special Operations Department's pursuit.

Only there could Maquiel avoid Bulida City's defensive barrier, engage in direct combat, and attempt to flee across the sea.

The Mafia's port was undoubtedly the optimal choice.

"Thank you!"

Lanci stuffed the magic communications device back into the hands of the Policy Division officer and turned quickly with Toriyado, sprinting away together.

Together, they rushed through layer upon layer of the Empire's Special Operations Department's checkpoints.

They returned to the bustling headquarters lobby.

Emerging from the imposing steps—spanning wide and stretching to the end of the plaza—Lanci ran ahead, Toriyado closely trailing behind. The two were exceedingly busy today, without much time to celebrate the festival.

"Honestly, Nikola's a bona fide loyalist to the Empire. Lately, he's been investigating multiple lines simultaneously, even uncovering traces of the Corrosion Branch..."

Lanci shared with Toriyado.

Quite a few people must have wanted Nikola dead, including the Rebirth Church.

Working alongside Nikola at the Special Operations Department, Lanci was well aware of Nikola's exceptional prowess. In addition to managing the busy affairs of the Policy Division, Nikola had to monitor Maquiel, keep tabs on Professor Landry, and pursue the recent series of grisly murders in Bulida City where dying individuals were transformed into artistic displays.

Although Nikola's investigative efforts had temporarily halted the serial killings targeting civilians, the killer, driven by their own deranged logic, likely now regarded Red Falcon Nikola—the Empire's interfering agent—as their prime target.

"To the opera house; we'll take the shortcut to finish this sooner."

Dimension Bishop Toriyado aimed to use teleportation magic within the city's limits, requiring spatial barriers already established to evade detection by the Imperial Army God.

Luckily, less than two kilometers away from the Empire's Special Operations Department headquarters at Holworth Crossroads was Broadway 33rd Street Bulida Opera House, where they could access the second-floor barrier and teleport directly to the underground of the Mafia's port building.

From the perspective of a gray zone, they could appear there inexplicably. As long as they disguised themselves as Mafia members, it wouldn't pose much of a problem.

"What a privilege, having two bishops personally chasing someone, meow."

Cat Boss peeked its head out from the shadows, muttering.

Don't forget—it was working overtime, too!

Still, it found watching two Cardinal Bishops acting as civil enthusiasts in Bulida City far more entertaining than the Lunar Festival itself.