Don't confiscate my identity as a human race-Chapter 1281 - 817 Lanci: Who Dares to Kill Me?_3

A lady of both princess and peasant qualities, genuine and unpretentious.

"You just eat at ease, no pressure. Captain Maquiel and I will discuss our matters."

Lanci lightly tapped Talia's arm, reassuring her.

A scene full of flaws is as good as flawless.

Tata didn't even need to act.

Talia nodded and continued to eat.

For her, the presence of Lanci and Maquiel made no difference; she was there simply to eat.

The ambiance in the dining room became calm, like a dark treasure box, with only small lamps flickering.

On the black tablecloths of the dining tables lay still cutlery and glass containers, and each table had a small menu beside it, while most diners either remained silent or spoke in hushed tones.

Through the windows, Brilda's night lights glided across the sky like shooting stars, the air filled with the mingled scents of imperial cuisine.

Time ticked by, second by second.

"The Cerryti Empire is undergoing unprecedented changes. Ever since the rise of the people's faction, everything has changed dramatically, including this war," Maquiel remarked nostalgically.

"Firstly, in the cultural sphere, the Royal Family has been vigorously promoting cultural nationalism and heroism, reigniting the Cret Nation's pride, suppressing the former dominance of the nobility before Blood Cleansing Day, and enabling the public to balance that power."

"In terms of societal life, Emperor Saint Baldo's policies aim to shape the identity of the Cret people. As a result, some commoners, like the Estet People and the Romu People whose ancestors moved from the kingdoms in the north, are increasingly discriminated against in central city-states, renewing the class divide between nobles and commoners."

Maquiel and Lanci started discussing the empire's recent political and trade climate.

"Currently, the empire is vigorously developing the military-industrial sector, improving employment rates, making the Cerryti Empire even stronger on the South Continent. Though we live in turbulent times, with the empire's revival, internal issues of the Cret Nation have started to dissipate. The nation appears lively and robust. What do you think should be our move at this time?"

He posed the question to Lanci, testing him.

"Serve the empire?"

Lanci asked tentatively.

"Oh, dear Landry, you are such a straight shooter," Maquiel waved it off,

"This is the time to reap the benefits. If you don't build up your nest egg now, when will you? Isn't everything we have now, our lifestyle, status, and comfort, all fought for by us?"

Maquiel uttered as he lightly tapped on the table with his other hand.

His hints couldn't be more obvious.

When the time comes for him to become the Director of the Empire's Special Operations Department, and for Landry to become the Chairman of the Cret New Energy Organization Committee, they would have plenty of business to do together.

"But... Fundamentally, my aspiration to be the head of the Cret New Energy Organization Committee is for the empire. Going independent, I'm not too bold to try that route,"

Lanci hesitated, glancing at his wife who was pleasantly dining beside him, feeling a stir of unease.

"Brother...

Maquiel chuckled.

He could see Landry wavering.

It would cost a lot to sustain such a wife; naturally, he wanted to give her the life of a wealthy lady yet couldn't let go of his loyalty to the empire.

"Those big shots in the empire, they all talk about ideals, but their hearts are full of business deals. Aren't they no better than us who truly work for the empire? You have no need to feel guilty."

Maquiel spoke to Lanci in a muted, rapid tone.

"..."

Lanci froze, his eyes slowly lifting to meet Maquiel's.

That intense gaze was as if some avaricious desire had been unlocked.

"I see, Mr. Maquiel..."

Lanci put down his utensils, murmuring.

His voice was hoarse, as if a long-suppressed desire had been irresistibly levered open.

"That's right."

Maquiel lifted his glass.

Lanci, coming back to his senses, also raised his glass and clinked it with Maquiel, then drank it down.

A long while passed.

The two continued to chat casually while eating their dinner.

"Landry, if you have any leads, you can let me know at any time. I know you don't trust Nikola, but I will definitely help you with all I got,"

Seeing that they had almost finished dining and chatting, Maquiel leaned in a bit closer towards Landry, pressing down on the table.

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He was becoming more convinced that an Allied Forces spy had infiltrated the Empire's Special Operations Department.

While he dearly hoped that the spy would be Nikola, he also knew it was unlikely. Nikola was a native-born Brilda noble, and having been at odds with Red Falcon Nikola for so long, Maquiel knew him all too well.

As for the others, he had no substantial leads to act on yet, because under Director Dex's instructions, Red Falcon Nikola always managed to get in touch with Landry first.