Lanqi's Brilliant Scheme to Pacify the World

As night fell, Lanqi returned to the lodgings arranged for him by Saint Creti Monastery. The creamy white walls of this classical two-story villa looked exceptionally warm under the soft glow of the streetlamps, complementing the azure-tiled roof and dark brown window frames. "Autumn has arrived, but going home remains nowhere in sight." Lanqi gazed toward the north, letting out a sigh. As far as the eye could see, the monastery's distinctive architectural style was on full display here as well, dotted with marble towers and flying buttresses. A lush, tree-lined avenue wound past, and a clear brook babbled through the monastery grounds, the sound of trickling water ringing especially pleasant in the tranquil night. Every day since arriving in the Creti Empire had been thoroughly fulfilling. It was just that living in this turbulent world did not bring him much happiness. "I know it must be hard bearing such a heavy burden all alone in a foreign land, but I'll be here with you. If there's anything on your mind, you can always talk to me." Sensing Lanqi's melancholy, Talia spoke to him in his mind. Whenever Lanqi was riding high and full of himself, she always wanted to give him a hard time; yet whenever he was feeling down, she couldn't help wanting to treat him a little better. "Can I really say whatever's on my mind?" Lanqi's spirits instantly perked up, and he seemed almost nervous yet eager to try. "..." Talia felt her blood pressure skyrocket. "You'd better not say a word." She was afraid that the moment she heard it, she wouldn't be able to hold back from dragging him into the entryway and pinning him to the floor for a beating. "Then I won't say it." Chilled to the bone, Lanqi immediately grew much more obedient and quickened his pace through the courtyard. "Back when we were in South Vantina, when I first watched you make those two cards, I realized both were remarkably suited to use on you. One can make you drop to your knees and admit your faults, while the other can make you talk less." Talia recalled Basic Etiquette and Friendly Communication, reflecting that back then she hadn't realized those cards were tailor-made specifically for Lanqi. "Then why haven't you used them on me?" Far from being intimidated, Lanqi asked curiously. "Do you think I'd deign to use your magic against you? Sooner or later, my own mind magic will be enough to domesticate you until you obey my every word wholeheartedly." Talia warned him with immense pride. Wielding both mind-reading and demonic voice, she was the ultimate Demon King. "Talia, you're truly beautiful," Lanqi replied. "...What crazy nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?" Talia didn't understand what Lanqi meant, only feeling her heart flutter in slight disarray. "Your wishful thinking is just as beautiful." He gave a helpless chuckle. A mere Demon King living on borrowed credit, yet she dared to talk about domesticating him. "Just tell me this: if I take complete control of you, won't those six seals belong to me? Does something you don't have to repay count as a loan? That's called pure profit." Talia paused, quickly grasping what he was insinuating, and retorted with a mixture of embarrassment and indignation. "What kind of bandit logic is that?" Lanqi found himself unable to argue. "This is demon logic," Talia corrected him. "..." Marry an authentic demon wife, enjoy the life of Duke Mikhail. Therefore, even when finding a fake fiancée, it was much safer to find a reasonable human woman to play the part. Lanqi pushed open the heavy front door, stepping into what was now his home in the Creti Empire. A delicate bouquet of phalaenopsis orchids rested beside the off-white sofa, lending a touch of vitality to the parlor. "Meow, meow! The divine beast takes the stage!" Boss Cat cried out cheerfully, popping out of the shadow first and rolling on the sofa, impatient to enjoy the domestic comforts. Being cooped up in Lanqi's shadow all day had bored it stiff, but lately it was energized every day, filled with anticipation for the nation-guarding divine beasts and guardian beasts Lanqi had told it about. Of course, before that, it still had to prepare dinner. Through the floor-to-ceiling window, one could see the meticulously manicured garden outside, its path dotted with warm yellow ground lamps like strings of gleaming pearls—the very trail they had walked earlier. "Lanqi, meow, buy some groceries. I remember our household supplies are running low, meow." After resting for a short while, Boss Cat lounged comfortably on the sofa and waved a paw at Lanqi. It clambered back up from the sofa and sauntered off to the kitchen to do the prep work. "Got it." Lanqi glanced briefly in the direction Boss Cat had gone, then headed upstairs. Aside from a smaller sitting room compared to the first floor, the second-floor layout was more tailored for daily living. He walked into a study lined with bookshelves on all sides, in front of which sat an exceptionally comfortable leather chair. Through the window, the night view of Saint Creti Monastery lay completely in sight. Once seated, Lanqi began operating the faculty ordering system on the magitech crystal screen embedded in the wall, where he could find the on-campus branch of the grocery chain Brierda Box Fresh. It had been four days since he arrived at Saint Creti Monastery. He was no longer as unfamiliar with the institution as when he first arrived, when he still needed Nella to order for him. "..." Without him noticing, Talia had appeared behind Lanqi, arms folded as she watched his adept food choices. Every time her lips parted to say something, she stopped, watching again. This fellow Lanqi was like a worm in her stomach; he understood exactly what she craved tonight. This was actually quite abnormal. If it were Hubao, having lived with Talia for so long, she would naturally know her culinary tastes. Yet Lanqi went beyond knowing them—he could accurately anticipate what she preferred under different circumstances and at different times. "You've had it rough, Master, going hungry all day." Two minutes later, having finally placed the order, Lanqi turned back to Talia and said. "Don't go pitying me on this sort of thing in particular, would you?" Talia crossed her arms and uncomfortably looked away. Lanqi was always fretting over whether she had eaten her fill, which was both endearing and infuriating. If he were just a little nicer or a little more infuriating, she wouldn't feel so awkward. "I'm going to make dinner." Leaving behind those words, Talia prepared to step out of the study and head downstairs to cook with Boss Cat. "Wait, Tata, help me study Landry's communication magic card first." Lanqi called her back. She hesitated, halting her steps. "You're planning to contact that organization?" Talia returned to his side and sat down in the other chair before the desk. "Over on the Allied side, Miss Unity only said she'd do her best to help me look, but gave no guarantee. I'm completely unfamiliar with the Creti capital. To find someone from Nixassend on the northwest border, I can only pin my hopes on this organization or Nigel's contact in the Kingdom of Posen." Lanqi brought out a stack of magic cards as he answered. Everything in his hands belonged to Landry's relics. To play Landry convincingly without giving anything away, he carried Landry's original magic cards every day. Among the glowing magic cards, the most striking was that translucent pink card—a Sacred-grade communication spell, Ultra-Long-Range Communication Program-7, the likes of which neither he nor Talia had ever seen before. "Is it safe to look for this organization?" Talia examined the magic card from the side, still feeling that a Sacred-quality pink communication spell was far too extravagant. This organization was definitely out of the ordinary. "I won't ask in the group chat. I'll just ask Number 1 to help me." Lanqi remembered Number 2 saying that members of the organization tried to help one another whenever possible. Aside from the group chat, only Number 1 and Number 2 had private messaging privileges. In other words, while striving not to reveal one's identity, the organization's purpose was to carry out mutually beneficial transactions. Judging from a custom Sacred-grade pink communication magic card, the organization's resources were likely remarkably abundant, capable of trading for many things. Procuring the identity of a woman from Nixassend on the northwest border might not be out of reach. Regarding the matter of the fiancée, approaching Number 1 meant not having to worry about everyone else finding out who he was. Number 1 ought to be the only person in the organization who explicitly knew Landry's identity. Without needing excessive explanations, Number 1 would surely understand his predicament. Just as the two of them were conversing unhurriedly, ripples of pink light suddenly drifted across the translucent card like a soft breath. "What happened?" Talia shifted her gaze from Lanqi's face to the magic card in his hands. "Looks like someone in the organization is speaking." Lanqi tapped the Sacred communication card. This time, unlike the previous occasion where Number 2 sent him a private message, it was a message in the group chat. They had never encountered a group message before. It seemed members avoided idle chatter during the day on weekdays to avoid disturbing others, or perhaps everyone was too busy, with no one having the luxury of being an unemployed vagrant in the empire who had nothing to do during the day. Information gradually flooded into their minds. [Mercy (Number 3): Can any of you get materials on the mana fission principle from Saint Creti Monastery? My boss is interested. I can return the favor once later.] Only a single message like this surfaced before their eyes, visible to them alone. "Doesn't this mean business has arrived?" Talia expressed her surprise. Having inherited the traits of the Poet of Great Love, once Lanqi handed her the magic card, she was able to share access to it. "Number 3. First time seeing this person." Lanqi scratched his head. This Number 3, codenamed 'Mercy,' was likely an early veteran who had joined the organization quite some time ago. Within Landry's mysterious communication magic card, contacts were not labeled with real names, only a title. Landry's title was 'Justice,' defaulting to Number 7. This communication card also allowed notes to be added to contacts, but Landry had never edited notes for anyone. The person who just spoke likely had a card ending in -3, and judging from the message, they were serving another faction and had a boss of their own. Such behavior was actually tacitly permitted by Number 1. The organization's flexibility was even higher than Lanqi had anticipated. "Do you want to sell this intelligence? You've already sent a copy to the Allied forces anyway. The more smoke screens you create, the better it is for you," Talia asked Lanqi. "Let me consider it. After all, sending it out would make it much easier for the others in the organization to deduce that I, Number 7, am someone from Saint Creti Monastery," Lanqi pondered. For now, he didn't want this mysterious organization to discover too much about him. Except for Number 1 and Number 2, private messaging was disabled. Even if someone could provide intelligence, to avoid revealing their real-life identity, they could only post it in the group chat where everyone could see it. Since he was an imposter, the more he said before understanding the organization's patterns, the more mistakes he might make. Even if he chose to participate in the conversation, he decided it would be better to do so later. The magic card lit up again with translucent pink light. [Aspiration (Number 9): I'm quite interested too, though it has no practical use for me.] Someone replied immediately. [Mercy (Number 3): Even you don't have it?] [Aspiration (Number 9): Please, if I dared to snoop around for that and buy or sell it, the Imperial Special Operations Department would probably be knocking on my door within two hours.] "Is Number 9 an intelligence broker?" Watching the messages flit past, Talia conversed with Lanqi. "Feels like the neutral sort. If the mana fission principle has no practical use to them, it shows they aren't with the Allies, and since they fear the Imperial Special Operations Department, they probably aren't with the Empire either," Lanqi deduced. "Then this fellow's professional skills aren't that impressive either," Talia said, throwing up her hands. [Aspiration (Number 9): Unless you offer a truly fair price, I'll go get you the complete version today.] Number 9 sent another message right after. "..." It seemed their professional competence was fine after all. It just cost extra. After that, Number 3 fell silent for a long time, probably going to consult their boss. Lanqi thought it over and first added notes for both Number 3 and Number 9. A moment later. [Ardor (Number 4): Is your boss planning to resell it or study it themselves?] Someone else spoke up in the group. [Mercy (Number 3 / Intelligence Buyer): Personal use. Do you have a way to get it, Number 4?] Number 3 replied instantly. Evidently, Number 9's price would be steep. Moreover, Number 3 seemed not to have easy access to funds. If they had the budget to buy it outright at such an exorbitant price, there would have been no need to ask for help in the group. [Ardor (Number 4): Can't get it. I was purely curious what your boss wants that thing for. Just don't blow up the capital.] [Mercy (Number 3 / Intelligence Buyer): Rest assured, we aren't a terrorist organization.] "Do Number 3 and Number 4 know each other?" Talia asked Lanqi. "Quite possible. They sound fairly familiar with each other." Lanqi had the same impression. A lower number meant joining earlier. As veteran members, those with low numbers might know a bit about each other's backgrounds, so their chat sounded more like acquaintances. Then again, it made sense. He had previously heard Number 2 say that except for Number 4, everyone in the organization was in Brierda. Since Number 4 wasn't in the capital at all, even if they had the channels, they couldn't do anything. Lanqi tentatively added a note for Number 4: [Ardor (Number 4 / Hasn't Returned to Capital)]. While the two chatted in the study, messages in the communication magic card remained active. [Struggle (Number 5): I can try to help you, but there's risk.] Another member had just joined the conversation. [Mercy (Number 3 / Intelligence Buyer): Don't, don't. If there's risk, don't go.] Number 3 hurriedly replied. [Struggle (Number 5): If it's particularly important to you, I'll definitely give it a try.] "How is Number 5 so nice? They look like someone very easy to talk to," Talia rested her chin on her hand, analyzing. What's more, they actually had permission to enter Saint Creti Monastery. Yet they might be a fairly conspicuous figure; once they entered the monastery and headed for Classroom 4-21 in the Eliot Building, if the principle were stolen right after, it would easily be tracked down by agents like Kestrel Nikolai. Even so, Number 5 still wanted to help a companion, making the entire mysterious organization seem surprisingly warm. "The atmosphere in this organization is remarkably good." Lanqi adjusted Number 5's note to [Struggle (Number 5 / Little Angel)]. "Looks like this organization really does have the means to find you a fiancée. Even though intelligence on the mana fission principle has been locked down by high-ranking imperial figures, there are still people willing to pull off a heist against the wind," Talia felt the organization's connections were indeed formidable. Just then. [Loyalty (Number 6): Wait a moment while I upload the information.] Accompanying this message came a recording crystal data document. "..." Lanqi and Talia exchanged glances. There was another expert? The recorded data that appeared before them was the original version from the classroom in the Eliot Building, distinctly different from the one Lanqi had handed to the Allied spy Unity. The version given to Unity was more concise, with extra explanatory notes added. "Could this Number 6 be right around us?" Bearing the moniker 'Loyalty,' yet decisively selling out classified imperial intelligence—truly worthy of the name. By this deduction, Number 6 was very likely inside Saint Creti Monastery as well, or at least possessed the clearance to enter. "The timing of their response was quite subtle too. They were probably lurking just like us earlier... Number 6 might want to do Number 3 a favor, or perhaps they were stopping Number 5 from doing something reckless," Lanqi murmured as he analyzed. For now, their relationships were based entirely on deduction. Yet meeting offline in the near future might well be unavoidable. After all, today's conversation had revealed that the organization's members were all in this city, constantly trying to touch the core of the empire's operations; their paths were bound to cross eventually. "What note are you going to give him?" Talia knew Lanqi was pondering what to tag Number 6. "Let's go with this." Lanqi made up his mind quickly, labeling Number 6 as [Loyalty (Number 6 / Loyal!)]. "..." Talia didn't know what to say. [Mercy (Number 3 / Intelligence Buyer): Thanks.] [Aspiration (Number 9 / Intelligence Broker): You actually had it.] [Struggle (Number 5 / Little Angel): Now I'm relieved.] After that, Number 6 went silent, appearing rather aloof. The others exchanged a couple of casual remarks and stopped sending messages as well. Lanqi leaned back against his chair, thinking for a moment. This was the first meeting he had witnessed since replacing Landry in this organization. It was true that the organization was quite free, and it was equally true that everyone wanted to stir up trouble in the empire. Openly trading the empire's latest top-secret intelligence like this meant every participant was looking at an eighty-year prison sentence minimum. Without overthinking, Lanqi straightened his posture, placed both hands on the desk, and began sending a private message to Number 1 using this communication spell. This was the real business for tonight. Even just lurking in this organization without doing anything yielded substantial benefits; it was an exceptional, natural source of intelligence. [Justice (Number 7): Could you do me a favor? Today I met with Dex. My research might receive backing from the Empire, but I need a fake fiancée. She must be from Nixassend on the northwest border, preferably an intelligent woman who can play the part well. If that's too inconvenient, I only need the identity, not the person.] Lanqi sent the message to Number 1 via Ultra-Long-Range Communication Program-7. [Friendship (Number 1): That truly is a difficult problem.] Number 1, codenamed 'Friendship,' didn't keep Lanqi waiting long before replying. While the group chat was active earlier, Number 1 had certainly been lurking, watching the members converse. Number 1 naturally knew that Professor Landry Washington, the creator of the mana fission principle, was in the group, and that he was Number 7. Yet Number 1 wouldn't expose him, upholding the impartial rules of the game. Asking in the group chat might have yielded more members capable of procuring a female identity from Nixassend on the northwest border, but Lanqi did not wish to expose his identity yet, leaving Number 1 as his only option. As the most mysterious founder of the organization, their connections would certainly not be lacking. [Friendship (Number 1): I'll look into it for you. At the latest, I can have it sorted out in about a month. You don't mind a woman from the Resurrection Church, do you?] A moment later, Number 1 sent another message. Both Lanqi and Talia were taken aback. Number 1 actually had ties to the Resurrection Church. "As expected of a seasoned power... the Resurrection Church is everywhere," Lanqi murmured to himself. "Have you thought this through? A female spy from the Allied forces is one thing—at least she's essentially on our side. But a female cultist from the Resurrection Church? I think you'd better not touch that," Talia grabbed Lanqi's wrist, trying to dissuade him. "There are good women in the Resurrection Church too. As long as she can help, the Resurrection Church is the same as the Allies." Lanqi shook his head and typed another message. Seeing his resolve, Talia had no choice. [Justice (Number 7): As long as she's well-trained and can cooperate with my act, that's fine. I won't touch her.] [Friendship (Number 1): Then rest assured.] Number 1 left behind this calm, dismissive reply and said no more. Lanqi put away the Sacred communication magic card, and the conversation with the mysterious organization came to an end. Several minutes later. In the second-floor study. "Meow, meow, dinner's ready!" Boss Cat knocked on the door, calling for Lanqi and Talia to come downstairs. Pushing the door open gently and seeing that Lanqi and Talia were still discussing business, it sat obediently on the rug nearby to listen. "I don't know whether Number 1 is reliable either. I still feel like making one more backup plan," Lanqi explained to Talia earnestly, strategizing with consummate confidence. "Then go find Posen's operator. See if Nigel has a way to get you a female spy's identity. If both the Allies and the organization fall through, at least I can back you up," Talia nodded. If he wanted to reach the Kingdom of Posen's intelligence operatives, placing a notice in the Creti Central Daily would easily establish contact—provided Lanqi decided he wanted to activate the intelligence support personnel Nigel had prepared for them now. There was no need to meet Posen's contact in person; messages could be transmitted via coded dispatches. Unless absolutely necessary, it was ill-advised for them to actively meet the Kingdom of Posen's operatives face-to-face right now. "Wait, meow..." Boss Cat tilted its head. It roughly understood that Lanqi had just sought another backup fake fiancée from Landry's organization. When it came to fiancées, more was better than fewer. Lanqi's goal was to have at least one candidate capable of playing his fiancée. Yet one could never be too careful. "Don't end up producing three wives in the end, or they'll start brawling at home, meow!" One from the Resurrection Church, one from the Allies, and one from the Kingdom of Posen. Boss Cat feared that Lanqi's brilliant scheme to pacify the world would only end with him losing the lady and suffering a setback! "It's fine. They're all going undercover for their beliefs. Would an act cause them to fight? Do you really think they're sending me real wives?" Lanqi bent down and stroked Boss Cat's head, laughing merrily. He felt this move was thoroughly foolproof. With requests sent to three parties, at least one was bound to help. Besides, the odds of all three delivering a wife were exceedingly slim; statistically speaking, arranging even one suitable candidate would be quite an achievement.