His voice was trembling, terrified as he was desperately defending himself.
The man opposite him wore a beret, clad in a black leather jacket, well-built, roughly in his thirties or forties, exuding both an officer's aura and a bandit's vibe, tapping lightly on the table.
Lanci recognized him at a glance; this was the captain of the Empire's Special Operations Departnt's action team, Colonel Maquiel.
Captain Maquiel, when on duty, wouldn't wear a uniform but instead don civilian clothing, ready to lead a team in raids at a mont's notice.
Unlike Dostic Strategy Section One, which might negotiate onsite, Nikola's primary responsibility involved initial scene investigations, and usually, Captain Nikola wouldn't initiate large-scale combat.
Direct confrontations and captures are more likely to be actioned by Captain Maquiel's team.
The mont Red Falcon Nikola and his people entered, the mbers of the interrogation room's action team were ready for combat.
"Brother, brother!"
Tolyado saw Lanci and looked as if he had seen his savior.
"..."
Lanci's eyes were full of helplessness, while both Talia and Sigrid looked speechless.
If they did not know Tolyado's true nature, no one would believe that such a cowardly-looking guy was a Cardinal Bishop of the Rebirth Church; he was really capable of abandoning all dignity.
"Maquiel, are your n always this welcoming to ?"
Red Falcon Nikola glanced at the action team mbers and spoke.
"Humph, a misunderstanding. I didn't expect it to be one of our own."
Captain Maquiel turned his head, shook it, and signaled to his subordinates to stand down,
"But Captain Nikola, what brings you to the interrogation room I'm using?"
Maquiel counter-questioned Nikola.
Red Falcon Nikola did not reply, but simply looked back at Professor Landry.
"Captain Maquiel, Mr. Xido is a friend of mine, you might be mistaken."
Lanci picked up on Nikola's cue, stepped forward, and began explaining to Maquiel.
"Ah, Professor Landry... Good afternoon."
Captain Maquiel's gaze lingered on the two won beside Lanci for a mont before he stopped staring at another man's wife and greeted Professor Landry.
Amidst his hesitation, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, as Landry had married two extraordinarily elegant beauties.
"Landry, you finally ca to rescue !"
Tolyado said excitedly.
"..."
Maquiel looked back and forth between the two, the man they had brought back was indeed called Xido.
He appeared indeed to be an acquaintance.
"This is really a bit ssy."
Maquiel murmured to himself.
He had thought that even by forcing a confession, he could charge the man and claim so credit, but he hadn't expected Nikola to bring Landry over to ss up his plan so soon.
Nikola, that bastard, was as detestable as ever.
"Captain Maquiel, I'm sorry you went to the trouble of ensuring my safety. My apologies for mobilizing your valuable forces, it was my mistake. In the future, I will definitely make ands to you. If there's anything I can help with, just say the word."
Lanci earnestly said to Maquiel.
Sigrid couldn't quite comnt; Lanci's way of speaking was always so smooth. Not only did he help his colleague save face, but he also complinted him and assured he would repay the favor—it was as though he had been mingling in such circles for a long ti.
If she didn't know that the Saint Heir was actually from Nanwantina of Hutton Kingdom, she might suspect he was actually an Imperial.
Maquiel no longer hesitated and stood up.
"I must honor Professor Landry's request."
Maquiel readily agreed, knowing there was no need to offend Landry.
Nikola would probably love for him to clash with Landry right now.
And Landry, by chance, might just beco the leverage in him and Nikola's competition for the position of director, tipping the balance.
"Now, release Mr. Xido imdiately."
Maquiel turned his head and gave his subordinates a look, issuing the command.
Imdiately, the action team mbers began to unlock Xido's handcuffs, releasing him from his restraints.
But Red Falcon Nikola's attitude towards Maquiel was not as friendly as Lanci's.
"Captain Maquiel, I'd advise you to not waste our departnt's valuable manpower. Instead of that, you might as well strengthen Mr. Landry's... protection."
Nikola said to Maquiel with a touch of mockery.
The best outco for today would have been Maquiel harboring a grudge against Landry, but it wasn't bad that Maquiel didn't manage to add another achievent either.
"I'm saying, do you really distrust Professor Landry that much? You just like to expend energy on infighting, if not against , then against Professor Landry, and it truly affects the efficiency of our departnt's work,"
Maquiel said, glancing at Professor Landry while he spoke.
He intended these words for Landry to hear.
Maquiel believed Landry already had grievances against Nikola.
Even a clay figure should have a temper to so extent. The problem was that Landry just hadn't had the chance to press this annoying falcon to the ground once and for all.
"Don't forget our working principle – we can suspect anyone, but trust no one. You can fight , but don't forget your loyalty to the Empire,"
Nikola answered Maquiel, hands behind his back in his military coat, standing straight.
"There's no need to teach how to do my job, Colonel Nicola."
Maquiel snorted coldly, not wanting to engage with Nikola any longer, walking past him with his team.
He approached Lanci, who was standing apart.
"Professor Landry, if Nikola gives you too much trouble, feel free to contact at any ti."
Maquiel took off his beret, placed it over his chest, and briefly said to Landry as a gesture of respect.
He believed Landry had already received his invitation. This was not only an opportunity for them to unite but also a pri chance to overthrow Nikola.
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