Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

"Are you Number Six?"

Tolyado asked Nikola straightforwardly, without preamble.

He pulled out a photograph from his coat pocket—a picture of Princess Alexia and Nikola—and held it up for Nikola to see.

"...You are?"

Nikola did not immediately admit to it, but when he saw the photograph, his eyes wavered.

It was as if he couldn't help but ask how Tolyado had come into possession of an image of Alexia and whether Alexia was doing well now.

"Number One—such a thing could only be produced by our Dimensional Branch."

Tolyado said with a hint of pride.

"Meow."

Cat Boss perched on Lanci's shoulder, observing Tolyado's increasingly smug expression.

In reality, all this was due to the intervention of a Saint's patron.

"I am Number Six."

Red Falcon Nikola finally sighed in relief. In the cold air, a mist formed as he exhaled. In his outstretched palm appeared the Pink Sacred Magic Card that Princess Alexia had entrusted to him.

[Ultra Long-Distance Communication Program-6]

[Type: Spell Card]

[Grade: Pink Sacred]

[Attribute: Link]

[Rank: 6]

[Effect: Compared to standard super long-distance communication magic, this card offers enhanced range and interference resistance.]

[Notes: Loyalty to the Empire—unwavering dedication to serve the Empire.]

Nikola held this Magic Card, symbolic of the Silvermoon Reform Association, tightly in his hand and stared at it.

"I do not swear allegiance to this organization. My loyalty has and always will belong to the Cerryti Empire."

Red Falcon Nikola declared.

"But for now, I will assist you."

He raised his head and looked towards Lanci and Tolyado.

Though cooperating with the Rebirth Church's Cardinal Bishops had been an unforeseen circumstance, Nikola now understood, in service to the Empire, what was right and who were allies and enemies.

"Alright, let's head back to the Mafia headquarters at the Hassel Port Building for now."

Lanci waved for them to move into the base to continue the conversation. Having received confirmation from Nikola, the day had already yielded great progress.

"Mr. Barton will handle matters at the battlefield over there. After finishing his tasks, he'll also return to the Hassel Port Building."

Lanci headed toward the main entrance of the Basic Layer of the building.

Pure white snowflakes fell gently from the overcast sky on a cold winter morning, landing on the thin sheet of ice covering the calm river at Hassel Port. The ice barely caused a ripple upon contact.

This was a moat port located southeast of the capital Brilda. The contours of buildings on both banks appeared faintly visible through the snow. Not far from Hassel Port was the headquarters of the Bulida Mafia—officially a registered business building with a company logo prominently displayed on its gray walls.

"Lanci, you really are a member of the Silvermoon Reform Association."

Red Falcon Nikola followed behind, stating as if he were unsurprised.

He glanced at the man disguised as a Mafia operative, whose voice seemed unmistakably familiar, already knowing the man's true identity.

It turned out that the day Princess Alexia assigned him to escort the newly arrived member of the Silvermoon Reform Association at Brilda's first station, that member had been Lanci.

What truly caught Nikola by surprise was Lanci's other identity—he was also a Cardinal Bishop of the Rebirth Church, akin to the Dimensional Bishop.

Today, not just one, but two bishops had come to personally rescue him. Even if the Saint of Decay couldn't have foreseen this, Nikola himself hadn't anticipated it either.

"Strictly speaking, I'm not Landry. This matter is complicated, and we'll discuss it more when there's time. Let's focus on the important points first."

Lanci turned back and smiled at Nikola as he spoke.

Initially, Lanci hadn't realized that Red Falcon Nikola was also part of the Silvermoon Reform Association. For this reason, no one else would have suspected Nikola to be a member either.

"Then it makes sense."

Red Falcon Nikola nodded.

Based on his investigation into Professor Landry, Nikola had long been suspicious that Professor Landry had been replaced. Yet everything lined up too well—Professor Landry had simply turned into a more capable person.

Nikola couldn't find any proof, so all he could do was continually test Landry to figure out whether he was genuine.

The bad news was that Landry was indeed fake, just as the lingering sense of discord had suggested. However, the good news was that the fake Landry remained an ally.

"Let's head somewhere more concealed and make sure the Saint of Decay is secure."

Tolyado led the way, moving as if returning to his own territory.

Upon entering the building, there were few signs of Mafia members around. Today was a holiday, and the Mafia didn't work overtime. Only their footsteps echoed in the empty corridors.

The interior walls and floors of Hassel Building were composed mainly of dark brown stone bricks, resembling the sophisticated style of a century-old high-end hotel.

Soon, Tolyado guided them upstairs to Barton's office and stopped in front of what seemed like a regular bookshelf.

By reversing the order in which the books were arranged, just as when they had exited previously, a series of clicking sounds preceded the slow rotation of what had appeared an immovable bookshelf. Behind it lay a hidden passage stretching into the unknown depths.

A chill colder than the snowy weather outside greeted them.

"You're quite familiar with this place?"

Red Falcon Nikola glanced toward the icy passage, taking in the realization that despite never setting foot in the heartlands of the Bulida Mafia before, this gray territory could be considered part of the Silvermoon Reform Association's domain.

"Been here a few times. As familiar as with the Empire's Special Operations Department."

Tolyado replied.

The last time he was arrested by Captain Makuire, it was Red Falcon Nikola who dragged Lanci along to bail him out. Thus, Tolyado held a favorable impression of Nikola.

Without hesitation, Tolyado stepped into the tunnel behind the bookshelf. Lanci and Nikola followed closely, the Anti-Magic Steel bookshelf silently closing behind them, sealing off all traces of noise from the outside world.