Don't confiscate my citizenship

The next day, night.

Central area of ​​Manhot, Brilda city.

As the night fell, Ranchi and Thalia strolled through the wide central square of Broadway, with the fountain in the center shining brightly under the lights.

It's November 5th, seven o'clock in the evening.

Overtaking the slow-moving vehicles and passing the newly changed lights at the intersection——

It is only about one kilometer away from the Brilliant Opera House and the Hallworth Crossing where the Imperial Special Operations Office is located.

But Lan Qi came here tonight neither to go to the opera house nor to work in the operations department.

It was an invitation he received at home when he went to the Shadow World.

Captain Maguire wanted to entertain him and have a chat with him.

So Lanqi brought Talia to this restaurant.

There are now eyes and ears from the Imperial Special Operations Office everywhere outside. The more people out there, the easier it is for unnecessary loopholes to appear.

For more than half a month before the decisive battle in Blood Moon City, it was best for them to keep a low profile.

With Lanci's persuasion, Thalia and Sigrid finally stopped insisting that the three of them go out together.

But according to the inexplicable agreement between Thalia and Sigrid, the next time he needs to bring his fiancée to a meeting, it will be Sigrid's turn to accompany him out.

Tonight he took Thalia with him.

Thalia has excellent lie detection skills.

And the most important thing is that if she is not allowed to go to dinner occasions, it would be a bit abusive to the elderly.

"Um?"

Thalia looked sideways at Lanqi.

"Tata, we're almost late."

Lan Qi looked at the building in the distance and said seriously.

Hearing this, Thalia nodded slightly hesitantly, and then quickened her pace.

The Eleven Madison Park restaurant they are going to today is a restaurant opened by the famous Empire chef Thomas Keller. It is located on the 11th floor of the West Wing Memorial Building near Broadway Square. It provides exquisite modern Empire-style cuisine and first-class service. , is also one of the most luxurious restaurants in Brilda.

The restaurant offers a seasonal nine-course Imperial traditional menu and a nine-course vegetarian menu that is slightly different for each guest to ensure a unique dining experience.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide a panoramic view of the charming night view of the open-air sky park and Brilda Circle.

The two of them went all the way to the building and took the stairs upstairs.

As soon as she left the hatch and arrived at the door of the restaurant on the eleventh floor, Thalia took a sniff and knew she was in the right place.

"This is a restaurant that usually requires reservations one month in advance. If you don't make a reservation, it seems difficult to eat."

Thalia told Lanci what she knew from Brilda Gourmet Weekly.

In this restaurant, men are expected to wear suits or formal wear, women are expected to wear cocktail dresses or little black dresses, and everyone is almost always in formal attire.

So today she and Lan Qi also dressed up like a newlywed couple.

It should not arouse Captain Maguire's suspicion.

Through the automatically rotating glass door, you can see the overall high-quality pure black style of the restaurant interior as well as the sky courtyard and terrace outside the window.

When night falls, the stars seem to be reflected on the windowsill, giving customers a dreamlike beauty.

"Guest, are you Mr. Maguire's companion?"

The polite waiter came to the two of them immediately and inferred which table they were at based on the customer's reservation time and number of people.

"Yes."

Lan Qi smiled and nodded.

"Okay, please follow me."

The waiter's speech was professional and unhurried. While guiding them to their seats, they handed over a carefully crafted black leather guide with lychee noodles.

Thalia opened it, held Lanqi's arm and walked forward while reading the guide.

The hot-stamped words were arranged neatly and orderly on the black cover. When opened, there was a menu, but Captain Maguire, who was inviting them to dinner today, must have already ordered it.

The aroma of flowers mingle with the smell of truffles and black pepper that fills the air.

Waiters in crisp uniforms shuttled back and forth or stopped between the tables. They carefully poured the sobered red wine for the guests, and from time to time there was the crisp sound of tableware being clinked.

The two of them soon saw the table at the end of the aisle that the waiter pointed to.

Maguire, who was sitting on one side, had raised his hand to them.

Maguire wasn't wearing his leather jacket today, but was in formal attire, and came to treat the Landrys to dinner.

"Captain Maguire, long wait."

Lanci and Talia quickened their pace and walked to the sofa opposite the booth table where Maguire was sitting.

"No, I just arrived."

Maguire shook his head and smiled, looking at the two people seated,

"I ordered some food without permission. You guys can see what you want to add."

he asked Professor Landry and his wife.

"No, no, it's costing you money."

Lan Qi quickly denied it.

If Talia eats openly, when Maguire sees the bill, he will probably offend Maguire and make a quarrel.

Talia suddenly became a little angry, as if she had guessed what Lan Qi was thinking.

"There is another lady, isn't she here?"

Maguire asked Lan Qi after confirming the menu with the waiter.

"I'm upset at home, don't mention it."

Lan Qi sighed.

"It's not easy, Professor Landry."

Maguire knows something.

Landry has to take care of the moods of two wives at the same time, which is something Landry has the ability to do.

"Professor, do you know what Director Dax's attitude was after he heard that you brought two fiancées to Brilda?"

Maguire picked up his glass and toasted Landry.

"You must be disappointed in me."

Lanci responded to Maguire with water instead of wine.

"No, you underestimate Director Dax."

Maguire sipped his wine and preached.

"How do you say that?"

Lan Qi asked sincerely.

"Director Dax is not afraid of his subordinates being greedy or lustful. Such people are easier to control."

Maguire looked around and saw that there were no other informants from the Imperial Special Operations Department here. He had already checked them out and they could speak freely.

Landry now has two fiancées in hand, which makes Dax look at him more favorably.

Originally, if there was only one fiancée, Dax might be suspected of being the one he hired to handle errands, but two would definitely not be the case, unless they were all members of the grass-roots team and made an own mistake.

The same is true for Maguire. Maguire is greedy, and Dykes sometimes turns a blind eye to Maguire's plundering and petty actions when performing tasks.

As for Nicholas the Kestrel, there are no flaws, but because he is Duke Dax's favorite disciple, Dax cares a lot about Nicholas and may doubt him, but he will not reveal his doubts to him casually.

Therefore, Maguire is very worried that Duke Dax will favor Nicholas and try to find a way for Nicholas to make a contribution at this juncture and overtake him, Maguire, so that he, Maguire, will not be dissatisfied.

"So that's it..."

The two of them chatted before serving the main meal.

Thalia almost kept quiet, looking at the food on the next table from time to time and swallowing her saliva.

In the Imperial Special Operations Division, since Professor Landry is always monitored by Nicholas the Kestrel, who is called "Protected", Director Dax also acquiesced in letting Nicholas be in charge of Professor Landry's schedule, so Maguire and Professor Landry rarely get a chance to chat alone.

Most of the time, we met at the Operations Division headquarters and said a few polite words.

Maguire has a good impression of Landry, because Landry and Nicholas don't get along, but Landry has always respected Maguire, so Maguire has long wanted to win over the professor. .

Soon, dinner began.

The waiter presented each guest with an appetizer of corn mash with caviar and black truffles.

The milky white mashed corn is spread out in a soft piece at the bottom of the bowl, and a spoonful of caviar is piled into a mound in the middle, garnished with thin slices of black truffle.

Thalia dug lightly with a silver spoon, and the sweetness of the corn, the saltiness of the caviar and the richness of the truffles intertwined in her mouth with wonderful feelings.

Then came the appetizer, and the waiter brought a white porcelain disc with foie gras mousse and figs.

The pink foie gras mousse is cut into small cubes, coated with a layer of caramel-colored honey, and dotted with fig jam.

The richness of foie gras, the crispness of caramel, and the sweetness of figs. Thalia had no intention of listening to the conversation between Lanci and Maguire, and only tasted them wholeheartedly.

As soon as she finished eating, confit lobster with black pepper sauce was served.

The crystal clear lobster meat is shiny under the infiltration of butter. The meat is elastic and tender, with the freshness and sweetness of the ocean.

The light dances in the corners of the floor tiles, the crystal of hand-made ice, the luster of wine bottles, the mist of newly served food, everything is refracted in the light.

"Brother Landry, please forgive me. This is the first time I've invited you out for dinner in so long. I don't mean to be negligent. It's all because that guy Nicholas is always getting in the way and preventing me from building a good relationship with you."

Maguire drank wine and preached like a close friend.

“With great power comes great responsibility, I understand that.”

Lan Qi responded with a polite smile and sighed,

"But indeed, when it comes to Duke Dax's intention to retire, I feel a headache. I really don't want anything to change at this juncture. I always feel that something big will happen."

Immediately, Lan Qi also remembered something troubling and muttered to himself unsteadily.

For a neutral figure like him in the imperial capital, if there is no clear tendency, any disturbance and reshuffling of power will be a bad thing.

Because he can only go with the flow, he may suddenly be suppressed or become a victim of a power struggle.

"If Brother Landry has any ideas, please share them with me."

Maguire said to Ranch.

Lan Qi pondered.

"I only know that if Nicholas is doing well, I will definitely not be able to live well."

Lan Qi looked back at the corridor, as if he had a psychological shadow on Nicholas the Kestrel. After making sure that there was no one around, Captain Maguire answered.

"..."

Maguire stared at Landry's blue eyes, which were sincere and sincere eyes. He seemed to really hope that this operations captain could become the new director of the Empire's Special Operations Division.

"It seems that everyone has the same idea."

Maguire slowly nodded his head in agreement.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, Landry will come here to see him today, and he obviously understands what he means.

Although their two interests do not completely overlap, Nicholas will stand in front of them at all levels.

Even without considering Landry's current status and potential in the imperial military industry, Maguire is convinced that there is nothing wrong with making friends with Landry. After all, today's simple conversation made Maguire very fond of Landry. .

He doesn't have the unruly character of a magic engineering genius, nor does he think that with his reputation, he doesn't have to consider other people's emotions.

There is no rush to inquire about anything with Landry now. The more critical the information, the easier it is to arouse suspicion.

"Your wife is really quiet. She hasn't said a word since she came here."

Maguire suddenly stopped talking and looked at Tata diagonally opposite.

She is still eating.

Like someone who came out of a starvation prison.

"..."

Thalia raised her head from chewing the shrimp meat and looked at them in confusion.

Could it be that she was suspected by the captain of the action team because her fiancée pretended not to be like her?

"She hasn't been able to eat well for a while. She was hungry all day long and had to compete with cats for food."

Lan Qi laughed dumbly.

"Tsk, it's obvious that you deceived me and asked me to feed the cat. The rest is mine."

Thalia thought about the past and became angry.

"It seems that the past when you two met is quite interesting."

Maguire commented as he watched the interaction between the two that was all too real.

He didn't doubt Mrs. Landry very much. She took her meals too seriously.

This kind of noble country girl who looks like a princess and a village girl is not an actress.

"You can eat with peace of mind. No need to be stressed. Captain Maguire and I will talk about our affairs."

Lanci patted Thalia's forearm and said to her.

All flaws mean no flaws.

Tata didn't need to act at all.

Thalia nodded and continued eating.

The existence of Lanci and Maguire has no impact on her, she is just here to work.

The atmosphere in the restaurant became calm, like a black treasure box, with only small lights flickering.

Cutlery and glass containers are placed on the black tablecloths on the restaurant tables. There is a small menu beside each table, and most of the customers who are dining are silent or speak softly.

The lights of Brilda's night scene outside the window were like shooting stars streaking across the sky, and the air was filled with the aroma of imperial food.

Time passed by minute by minute.

"The Creation Empire is in the midst of unprecedented changes. Ever since the popular faction of the country became strong, earth-shaking changes have taken place in many aspects, including this war."

Maguire sighed.

"First of all, in the cultural field, the royal family vigorously promoted nationalism and heroism, rekindling the pride of the Creation nation, suppressing the dominance of the nobility before the 'Bloodbath Day,' and allowing the people to begin to balance it."

"In terms of social life, what can I say about the series of policies implemented by Emperor Saint Baldo aimed at shaping the image of the Crejuan people? As a result, some civilians such as the Estes and Roma whose ancestors migrated from many northern kingdoms have He was increasingly ostracized in the central city-state, and the contradiction between the nobles and the common people was once again divided."

Maguire and Ranch chatted about the Empire's situation in recent years and trade.

"Currently, we are vigorously developing the military industry and improving the employment situation, so that the Creation Empire will become more powerful in the southern continent. Although we are in a turbulent era, under the banner of the empire's revival, the internal problems of the Creation nation have gradually spread outward. Spread, it should indeed show a vigorous attitude in the short term, what do you think we should do at this time? "

He asked Lan Qi questions to test him.

"Serve the Empire?"

Lan Qi asked uncertainly.

"Oh, Brother Landry, you are so honest."

Maguire waved his hand.

"It's time for us to reap the benefits. If you don't build enough wealth now, when will you do it in the future? Aren't our current lives, current status, and current comfort all created by us?"

Maguire tapped the table with his other hand and preached.

His hint was obvious.

When the time comes, he will become the director of the Empire's Special Operations Division, and Landry will become the chairman of the Creation New Energy Organization Committee. The two of them will have a lot of business to do.

"But... I essentially want to be the leader of the Creation New Energy Organization Committee, and it is for the sake of the empire and personal gain. I don't dare to do it if there is a way."

Lan Qi hesitated and looked at his wife, who was having a meal beside him, feeling a little uneasy.

"Brother."

Maguire chuckled.

He could tell Landry was shaken.

Landry would have to pay a lot of money to support such a wife. Naturally, he wanted to give his wife the life of a rich wife, but he couldn't let go of his belief in the empire.

"Those big figures in the empire talk about doctrines and only care about business in their hearts. How can those of us who are just living in the corpse position be much worse than those of us who really work for the empire? It's not your turn to feel guilty."

Maguire whispered to Lanci and sped up his speech.

"..."

Lan Qi was stunned, and slowly raised his eyes to meet Maguire.

That straight look in his eyes seemed to have some greed being turned on.

"That's it, Mr. Maguire..."

Lan Qi put down the tableware and murmured.

His voice was hoarse, and the desire that had been dormant in his heart for a long time seemed to be uncontrollably stirred.

"That's it."

Maguire raised his glass.

Lan Qi also came back to his senses, raised his wine glass and touched it with him, and drank it in one gulp.

A long time passed.

The two continued to chat and ate their dinner lightly.

"Landry, if you have any clues, you can tell me at any time. I know you can't trust Nicholas, but I will definitely do my best to help you."

Seeing that the two of them had finished eating and chatting, Maguire pressed the table slightly and moved closer to Landry.

He was now increasingly convinced that an Allied mole had infiltrated the Imperial Special Operations Service.

Although he most hoped that the spy would be Nicholas, he also knew that it was unlikely. Nicholas was a native of Brilda. Maguire and Nicholas had been competing for so long. It couldn't be more familiar.

As for the others, he doesn't have many clues to start with at the moment, because under the instruction of Director Dax, Nicholas the Kestrel can always get in touch with Landry earlier.

In a way, it is also because Nikolai is too clean and is trusted by Dax.

"As for Connor, the director of the confidential room, and Atticus, the director of the laboratory, they do have access to my research results."

Lan Qi thought for a while, glanced around, and then answered hesitantly.

"It's indeed a bit suspicious."

Maguire thought to himself.

But Maguire still had doubts.

If the moles are these two, there is no reason why they could steal his ID.

After all, Connor, the director of the confidential room, and Atticus, the director of the laboratory, would not run towards the action team, nor could they unknowingly bypass the many members of the action team and go to his office to investigate him. .

Maguire raised his eyes and glanced at Landry.

Landry's answer was more perfunctory.

What could be seen from Landry's expression was a little uneasiness, plus a lingering hesitation. It seemed that he was a little confused about whether to say something or not.

"Brother Landry, just say what you have to say. Anyway, you should have heard about me. The Allied spy is definitely not me."

Maguire took out a portable soundproof shielding magic device from his pocket and deployed a small barrier so that Landry could only hear the sound of their table.

There was another long moment of silence.

Landry said nothing.

Just thinking.

"Captain Maguire, have you had any personal contact with people from the Allied Forces?"

Lanci took a deep breath, looked much more solemn, and asked Maguire.

"Of course not."

Maguire didn't get angry and answered patiently.

It is natural for Landry to doubt anyone, but Landry made it clear and asked, which was a sign that he was gradually dispelling his doubts.

"It shouldn't have anything to do with the Silver Moon Restoration Society?"

Lan Qi tried again.

"Of course there is no such thing, otherwise Nicholas would not let me go."

This too straightforward question made Maguire laugh.

Even if most people have such doubts in their minds, they won't ask them directly.

But Professor Landry seemed too innocent and wanted to gain a sense of security from Maguire before he was about to reveal a piece of vital information.

You could tell Landry was scared and upset.

Maguire couldn't help but wonder what Landry knew.

"Excuse me, Maguire, can you guarantee that you are loyal to the empire?"

Lanci asked Maguire again.

That heavy tone was probably the last question.

"certainly."

Maguire nodded without hesitation.

"..."

Lanci stared at Maguire for a while and nodded.

Thalia had already picked up the glass of water and sipped it.

Ranchi had told her what to do before they came.

She does nothing to represent the truth.

And drinking water represents a holiday.

"Captain Maguire..."

After Lan Qi pondered, he seemed to have finally mustered up the courage and was sure of what he wanted to say.

"Think about it, besides me, excluding the Director of the Confidential Office and the Director of the Laboratory, is there anyone else who has access to first-hand documents..."

Lan Qi lowered his voice, as if he didn't dare to speak any more.

Keep talking, no matter whether this guess is true or false, it is his little Professor Landry who should be the one who lost his head.

"..."

Maguire thought for a moment and frowned.

Then his eyes opened as wide as bells.

Although this is an unprecedented possibility.

But it was confronted with his recent depressing experience.

Why didn't he think of it——

Director Dax can't be a fucking Allied spy.

If Dax is found out, it will be more than just being promoted to director.

As long as we can get conclusive evidence and find the First Army God Hyacintos, Hyacintos will definitely be able to bring down Duke Dax. Even if the First Army God Hyacintos falls out with the Emperor Mingpai, he will not Spare the Allied spies!

What's more, the interests of Hyacintos and Dax have long been in conflict. Next, Emperor Saint Bardo will secretly support the powerful faction represented by Duke Dax to suppress the powerful people. The First Army God Hyacintos.

"I understand, brother, I'll take it seriously. I'll go back to the operations office first."

Maguire stood up, patted Lanci on the shoulder as he passed him, and said goodbye eagerly.

"Captain Maguire, I didn't say anything. Don't think too much."

Lan Qi added worriedly.

"Don't worry, we haven't met at all today."

Maguire put down these words, waved and went to check out and left.

Ranch watched Maguire leave the Eleven Madison Park restaurant.

Thalia was stunned.

She seemed to understand Lan Qi's hint.

According to Lanqi's three questions, Maguire is neither an Allied member nor a hidden member of the Silver Moon Reformation, but he is not loyal to the empire, so his identity is clear at a glance.

Let Maguire shoot arrows first, and then help him draw targets. As long as Maguire becomes suspicious of Director Dax, Lan Qi will have to create various signs in the operation office to deepen Maguire's suspicion of Director Dax. Confirmation of a guess.

"Lan Lan, you..."

Talia swallowed the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and said to Ranch.

"I didn't say anything."

Ranch raised his hands, as if making a disclaimer.

It was none of his business what Maguire thought about.

"You are such a poisoner."

Talia understood Ranch too well.

She believed that Maguire would soon fall into his intuition 100% - with Ranch's further plotting and alienation, he was sure that the Allied spy was Director Dax.

When a person encounters a puzzle that he can't figure out, he suddenly realizes a possibility, and the next thing he encounters can continue to prove it, then he will believe it without a doubt.

However, if Maguire dares to investigate Dax, he will be finished, because Dax is now also investigating who the Allied spy is.

"Eat slowly, it's over."

Ranch called the waiter to add a meal for Talia.

Then he will pay for it out of his own pocket to celebrate.

"Okay, I won't be polite."

Talia felt that Lanqi was a good boyfriend. It was indeed satisfying to use the apprentice she raised.

She was also much more relaxed. The Empire Special Operations Department should not have any trouble with Lanqi in the future. The scapegoat had been found. Red Falcon Nicholas and Duke Dax would be satisfied and no longer stare at Lanqi.

He, Professor Landry, just focused on preparing for his work and research.

Everyone has his own things to do, and everyone is very busy.

Although Nicholas is also annoying, it is better than Maguire, who is disloyal and unrighteous.

"But don't you worry that the Allies will assassinate you next?"

Talia leaned back on the sofa and thought for a while, then turned her head to ask Lanqi.

She thought that if this continued, Maguire would become an "Allied spy", while Professor Landry would rest assured and take over as the head of the Empire's new energy organization as he wished.

The Allies might think that Landry was gradually out of control.

Not only did they lose the handle to threaten him, but it would even become more and more difficult to assassinate Landry.

If you don't kill him now, you may not have the chance to kill him later.

"Heh, you can break into my house in the middle of the night and kill me in broad daylight."

Lanqi laughed. He felt that Talia underestimated the security of Brillda.

Moreover, he still had Talia, Sigrid, and Ifatia, three generals, at home. If anyone dared to provoke him, they would surely end the enemy's life.

"That's right."

Seeing Lanqi's aura of "who dares to kill me", Talia was relieved.