Just when the great and glorious Sky Nation was mired in war on Mount Namoa for the nth time, the Holy Auckland Empire, the most important ally of the Natya Federation, was still living its life as usual.

The capital of the Oakland Empire, Serokxia, was located in the western part of the Gaboa continent, on the impact plain of the confluence of two large rivers, the Solmis and the Grona River. Just a little west's drive from here, you can see the endless blue waters of Carudit Bay and the Morning Sea.

Located on the vast plain of the two rivers, Serokhia has gradually developed into the world's most prosperous megacity with its abundant products and convenient transportation, and after hundreds of years of painstaking management by the Imperial Holy Spring Dynasty. This historic city, named after the goddess of radiance, Serokchia, is also known as the "City of Radiance".

The Shining City is made up of the South City and the North City. The Solmis River divides the city in two, connected by twelve tall bridges. The population of Nancheng is about two million, and it is mainly composed of the residences of ordinary citizens, bazaars, merchant houses, and various professional guilds; The population of the northern city does not exceed 300,000, and generally speaking, people who do not have a certain status are not qualified to live in this urban area.

The most important nobles, local lords, and merchants of the empire owned real estate in the city, and on the other hand, it contained the embassies of all the countries with which it had diplomatic relations with the city. St. Croll's Cathedral, the Great Museum of Westerculen, the Temple of Splendor and many other famous landmarks are also located here. In this part of the city, any visitor will be amazed by the elegance and grandeur of the ancient buildings. Walking along the glorious avenue paved entirely with bluestone and white marble, you can come to the Triumphal Square at the end of the street, where the 30-meter-high huge white jade statue of Auckland's founding emperor, Kenaus, stands with a sword, and the ancient and modern eyes and majestic tall body seem to represent the inviolable majesty and sacredness of the empire. Behind him is the world's largest royal palace complex, the ruling center of the empire and the residence of the royal family - Yongchen Palace. Standing in front of the palace gate decorated with countless gold-encrusted ivy patterns, looking at the elegant and magnificent pavilions like a picture scroll, the perfect combination of luxury and solemnity is reflected in everyone's heart.

Lu Xi arrived at the port of Gloren by floating boat, from where he took a river cruise up the river Grona, disembarked at the town of Holy Springs, and then transferred to a horse-drawn carriage. By the time he arrived in the City of Radiance, the year 531 had already entered August, less than a month before his 18th birthday.

At this time, the entire Glorious Avenue is decorated with colorful Auckland-style buildings and tall cedar trees lined with all kinds of ornate buntings. Visitors walk by with cheerful laughter, and vendors pushing pastries and colorful balloons shout loudly. From time to time, there are also snack stages set up in small squares and parks, where various songs, dances and acrobatics are performed, attracting many people to stop and watch.

This glorious city seems to be immersed in the enthusiasm and celebration of the festival.

Of course, no matter how narcissistic Lu Xi is, he will not think that these activities are prepared for him.

The young special officer of the newly promoted Federal Embassy in Auckland poked his head out of the carriage and involuntarily exclaimed: "Has this city always been so lively?" ”

The man sitting opposite Lu Xi laughed: "Of course not, although Auckland people like to be lively and happy, they can't stand it if they carnival every day." ”

The man was about forty-five years of age, handsome in appearance, with two beautiful mustaches and black hair, and a generous and proper manner, and an elegant and peaceful voice. His name is Phils Markville and he is currently Assistant to the Ambassador at the Federal Embassy in Auckland. …,

In terms of administrative rank, this assistant, who is already 47 years old this year, is half a level lower than Lu Xi, an 18-year-old counselor military attaché. This is normal, in the Natya Federation ruled by the Alpha, the magicians are the so-called nobles, and they will always enjoy more promotion opportunities and social resources than the "mortal people".

Therefore, it is also a helpless fact that this erudite and talented beautiful man, who is obviously the most suitable professional for diplomatic work, has to be subordinated to a young man who is less than half his age because he is not a magician.

Whether the other party will have any dissatisfaction, Lu Xi naturally doesn't know. Anyway, since a few days ago, when Fils picked up Lu Xi in Holy Spring Town, what he had always made himself feel was a kind of enthusiasm and elegance like a spring breeze.

"You mean: what celebrations are going on here? Well, weird, Auckland's founding day is July, and it's already over. Holy Light Day is in December...... Why don't you start celebrating at this time? ”

"Hehe, Your Excellency has been growing up in the Federation, maybe I don't know. However, there is one more important event in the underground imperial state than other festivals. ”

"You mean?"

"Naturally, it's the emperor's birthday." Fils gave the answer with a smile, and then added, "Besides, this year is the eightieth birthday of His Majesty Gaius, and the anniversary of his sixtieth anniversary on the throne. Therefore, this celebration will naturally be a little more lively than in previous years. The Emperor's birthday was September 12, but the city of Serokhia began to celebrate a month in advance. After September, emissaries from all over the world will arrive to congratulate the world's longest-lived and longest-reigning ruler, which is sure to be a global spectacle! ”

"Are all the nations coming? It turns out that as long as it's the emperor, he'll like this tune. Lu Xi let out a few laughs that I didn't know whether to echo or mock.

Looking at the noisy and noisy street scene outside the window, Lu Xi suddenly thought: At such an extraordinary moment, maybe in a few days, the city will be full of big people from all over the world. At that time, even if you do something, it is estimated that few people will be able to know.

Such discordant thoughts, which were incompatible with the entire environment, continued until Lu Xi met the ambassador.

The federal ambassador to Auckland is an old man who is already sixty years old. His eyebrows were stiff, his hair and beard had turned gray, but his spirit was still very strong, and his figure was still as powerful as those warriors on the battlefield.

The old man's name was Boyle Duranda, and he was once a prominent member of the Union Army, having retired from the army at the age of forty-five to enter the government. It's a pity, just like the vast majority of officials and officers in the government and the military, because they are not magicians, they are too slow to be promoted. Otherwise, with his qualifications and past military exploits, he would at least be a deputy minister of foreign affairs.

Ambassador Boyle met with Lu Xi in his office. He squinted his eyes at the young counselor military attache and said, "Young man." First of all, you must first understand that as the head of this embassy, I do not welcome you! ”

When Lu Xi was still pondering why this sentence was so familiar, the ambassador said again: "I don't know what you, the underage counselor military attaché, do. In short, no matter if you want to come to gild or mess around, it will not affect our normal work! Do you understand? ”

Lu Xi smiled and said, "I wasn't prepared to affect your normal foreign affairs activities. However, I also have my responsibilities, and I hope that you will be as cooperative as possible when needed. The sooner I'm done, the sooner I'll be able to get out. Isn't that what you and I can dream of for the most? ”…,

Boyle looked at Lu Xi meaningfully, and then lowered his head to the paperwork.

Lu Xi saluted the ambassador who seemed to have started his desk work, and without waiting for him to respond, he strode out of the office.

Fils, who was waiting outside the door, saw Lu Xi come out and greeted him and said, "Your accommodation has been arranged, can you go and see it now?" ”

"There's nothing wrong left and right, I'll go and have a look." Lu Xi nodded.

"Alright, please come with me. Well, it's close to the embassy, how about we walk there? ”

"Naturally, I don't have any problems, but you, as the ambassador's chief assistant, should be very busy, right? Don't waste time for me, just find a regular clerk to show me the way. ”

"Hehe, like you just said: I don't have anything to do with the left and right, just take a walk."

"The work of the embassy is so leisurely? Looks like I've come to the right place. ”

"Hehe, in fact, in a foreign-related organization like the embassy, the most casual should be His Excellency the Ambassador. If there were no instructions from the central authorities, his daily work would have been balls, parties, cocktail parties, or press conferences, and he would have been responsible for playing tricks with foreigners, and the purely clerical work should have been done by us assistants and secretaries. However, Ambassador Boyle is a special ...... As you know, he was born in the army, served as an intelligence staff officer, then an operational staff officer, and finally commanded a real combat unit. Such a person is completely idle, and when he first took office, he took on a large part of our work, which gave us people room to fish. ”

"Oh, so it's important to find a good boss?"

That's what it means...... Lord Berencaster, Lord Boyle was born in the military, and is a good man with a straightforward heart. He doesn't mean anything malicious, I hope you don't take it to heart. ”

"Hehe, I'm not a chicken belly kid. However, with all due respect, is a straightforward and cheerful person, a person who doesn't know how to hide his true thoughts, really suitable to be a diplomatic ambassador? You know, the Oakland Empire is the Federation's most important ally, right? ”

"Hehe, you don't have to worry about that. The people of Auckland may not think the same way as we do, but the princes and nobles of Shining City actually appreciate Lord Boyle's straightforward military demeanor. Don't look at him like this, many noble ladies in the imperial capital admire him very much. ”

"An idol for middle-aged and older women?"

"Well, that's what it means. And, as you said, Auckland is our most important ally, and we are also Auckland's most important friend, so could it be that the relationship between the two countries will be worse because of some of the ambassador's blunt remarks? ”

“…… What you said seems to have some truth. ”

"And more importantly, the ambassador fought alongside the late His Royal Highness the Crown Prince during his military days, and maintained a good relationship with the royal family. In addition, Lord Tyrion, Duke of Kaiyan, and the Earl of Bahrain, who served as the commander of the Praetorian Army, have also been friends of His Excellency the Ambassador for many years. Isn't Ambassador Auckland the right one to have such a relationship? ”

I think the last one is the most important, right?

The accommodation arranged by the embassy for Lu Xi is a luxury apartment just a 10-minute walk from the embassy. There are two floors in total, which are very complete with furniture, kitchen, dining room, bathroom and other facilities, and the space is enough for five or six people to live, and you only need to move in with your bag.

After Phyllis said goodbye and left, Lu Xi commanded Grant and Bull to enter the room with large bags and small bags. He remembered his property in Elichar, where the old deacon, Monsieur de Lavo, and his wife were now left to look after it. When he moved into that new house, Lu Xike never imagined that he had just moved in for a few days, and he would move out immediately. Even the government doesn't bring such a toss-up. …,

"Forget it, anyway, that house will appreciate in the future, so it's an investment."

There was a knock at the door, and Grant quickly ran over and opened the door.

"Miss Moore, Miss Primra, you've arrived, too."

Lu Xi looked up from his contemplation and saw that the two girls had already entered the living room.

"Sit down and talk slowly."

Sesilio looked at the luxuriously decorated room, and then looked at Lu Xi with a gaze full of disgust and disdain, which made him smile bitterly.

"Don't look at me like a class enemy. This house was found by the embassy people, and it was also used with public funds, so it has nothing to do with me. ”

"Public money?" The girl asked rhetorically in a stiffer voice. His eyes had begun to turn to hatred, as if he were directed at a class enemy.

"Hey, hey, you're supposed to be staring at the embassy guys, right? I'm just a newcomer to the central commissioner, and even if I want to embezzle, I don't have the ability to do it now, right? ”

"The important thing is the name of the central commissioner." Sesiluk said coldly.

"Well, then you can't live?"

"Stay!" Seyleus said viciously, took out a bottle of juice from the wine cabinet, and gulped it down in a vicious gesture, and then sat down.

Primra didn't say a word, and sat down beside Sehireu with a blank face.

"How's it going?"

When it comes to business, Seyleus regains his former ability and seriousness. She pulled out a small notebook, which was already full of words.

"Yesterday at 8 o'clock in the morning, the subject left his home for the embassy and arrived at 8:20 a.m. without talking to anyone. When he came out of the embassy, it was twelve o'clock at noon, and he had lunch at a restaurant called 'Serling's Kitchen'. During this time, I talked to the owner of the restaurant, the waiter, and the guests at the next table, a total of three people. But it's all some homely gossip, and nothing suspicious has been found.

The target returned to the embassy at 1 p.m., chatted with the embassy guard for fifteen minutes, and then got to work. When I came out of the embassy, it was half past five in the evening. He rode to the South City, and at 7:20 he entered a small pub called 'Mark Donaldson's Bar', where he had dinner and then played cards and drank with the guests in the tavern, and stayed until eleven o'clock in the evening. When I got home, it was 0:15. ”

"Doesn't sound suspicious." Lu Xi said.

"I want to ask you. Why did you ask Lim and I to come to Radiant City first instead of taking the passenger boat arranged by the government? He wants us to spy on this Bars, how do you think he is just an ordinary military attache counselor of the embassy. Well, it's still the kind of person who has a particularly tasteless life. ”

"Well, if you live too tastefully, it must be very eye-catching. Looking at it this way, it is becoming more and more suspicious. ”