"You must be very disappointed in ."
Lanci toasted Makuire with water instead of wine.
"No, you're underestimating Director Dex."
Makuire sipped his wine and said.
"What do you an?"
Lanci asked sincerely.
"Director Dex isn't afraid of his subordinates being greedy or lustful; such people are easier to control."
Makuire glanced around. No other eyes from the Empire's Special Operations Departnt were present here; he had already checked. They could speak freely.
Now that Professor Landry has two fiancées, it, in fact, made Duke Dex look upon him with more favor.
Originally, if there was just one fiancée, Dex might suspect she was chosen just to fulfill a duty, but two couldn't be a fluke, unless it was a total farce.
It's the sa with Makuire. He is greedy, and sotis Dex turns a blind eye to Makuire's looting and tricks during missions.
As for Red Falcon Nicola, there are no flaws, but since he is the favored student of Duke Dex, Dex has a soft spot for Nicola and might suspect him, but wouldn't easily show his suspicion.
That's why Makuire was worried that Duke Dex would favor Nicola, trying to let Nicola gain rit at this critical mont and surpass Captain Makuire, leaving him no grounds to object.
"I see..."
Before the main al, the two made small talk.
Talia kept mostly silent, occasionally glancing at the dishes on the next table, swallowing saliva.
In the Empire's Special Operations Departnt, because Professor Landry was always "protected" under surveillance by Red Falcon Nicola, Director Dex had also nodded approval for Nicola to be in charge of Professor Landry's schedule, so Makuire and Professor Landry rarely had a chance to chat alone.
Most of the ti, they would et at the headquarters of the Special Operations Departnt, saying a polite few words.
Makuire had a favorable impression of Landry because of his disputes with Nicola, and Landry had always shown great respect to Captain Makuire, so Makuire had long been thinking of winning over the professor.
Soon, the dinner started.
The waiter served each guest an appetizer, corn purée paired with caviar and black truffle.
The creamy-white corn purée spread softly at the bottom of the bowl, with a scoop of caviar piled up in the middle, garnished with thin slices of black truffle.
Talia gently scooped with a silver spoon, the sweetness of the corn, the salty freshness of the caviar, and the richness of the truffle intertwined in her mouth, creating a wondrous sensation.
Then ca the first course. The waiter presented a white porcelain plate, on which was goose liver mousse with figs.
The delicate goose liver mousse was cut into small cubes, wrapped in a layer of caral-colored honey, dotted with fig jam.
The richness of the goose liver, the crispness of the caral, the sweet and sour of the fig, Talia was so engrossed in the taste that she paid no mind to the conversation between Lanci and Makuire.
As soon as she finished, the butter-poached lobster with black pepper sauce was served.
The crystal-clear lobster at shone glossily in the butter, tender and springy, with the sweetness of the sea.
The light danced in the corner of the floor tiles, with the transparency of handmade ice, the sheen of wine bottles, the mist of the newly served dish, all refracting in the light.
"Brother Landry, I apologize for only inviting you for a al after so long; I didn't an to neglect you. It's all because Nicola is always interfering and preventing from making a good relationship with you."
Makuire drank his wine, speaking like he had found a soulmate.
"With great power cos great responsibility; I understand that very well."
Lanci responded with a polite smile and sighed,
"Indeed, the re ntion of Duke Dex's intention to retire gives a headache. I really don't want any changes at this juncture, I always feel like sothing big is going to happen."
Suddenly, Lanci also seed to recall so vexing issue, vacillating as if talking to himself.
For a neutral figure like him in the Imperial Capital, without a clear preference, any shift in power can be a bad thing.
Because he could only go with the flow, he might suddenly be suppressed or beco a casualty in the power struggle.
"If Brother Landry has any thoughts, please share them with ."
Makuire said to Lanci.
Lanci pondered.
"All I know is that if Nicola does well, I surely won't be able to."
Lanci looked back at the corridor as if already psychologically shadowed by Red Falcon Nicola, making sure no one was around before answering Captain Makuire.
"..."
Makuire stared into Lanci's erald eyes, a sincere look from the heart. He seed to earnestly hope that this action team leader could beco the new director of the Empire's Special Operations Departnt.
"It seems great minds think alike."
Makuire slowly nodded in agreent.
Actually, upon reflection, the reason Landry ca here today to et him was clearly that he understood Makuire's intentions.
While their interests may not fully align, Nikola would stand in their way regardless.
Even without considering Landry's current status and potential in the Imperial Army's engineering world, Makuire was quite sure that befriending Landry was the right choice, as today's casual conversation had already left a good impression.
He was nothing like those arrogant geniuses of Magical Engineering; he didn't believe that fa ant disregarding others' feelings.
It was not yet ti to probe Landry for anything critical, as such information could too easily arouse suspicion.
"Your lady has been very quiet, she hasn't said a word since arriving here."
Suddenly, Makuire changed the topic, looking towards Tata who was sitting diagonally across.
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