Palace Infiltration

In the bustling hub of commerce and leisure that I've meticulously crafted, Spade Mall stands as a beacon of modernity and innovation. Eager to gauge its progress, I turned to Lusav, the astute manager entrusted with its operations, for an update.

"My Lady," Lusav began, his tone brimming with assurance, "Spade Mall continues to thrive. Our dedicated workforce is diligently fulfilling their duties, resulting in a noticeable uptick in sales across the board. Notably, the casino segment has seen a substantial surge in profitability, while our recreational facilities are attracting a younger demographic, fostering a vibrant atmosphere."

Listening attentively, I absorbed the details of Lusav's comprehensive report, nodding thoughtfully as he spoke. "I see," I replied, acknowledging his insights with a sense of satisfaction.

"So the mall shops are thriving," I observed, contemplating the next steps. "We should allocate space for a new shop. I'll handle the negotiations to bring in that reputed jeweler to our mall," I instructed decisively, setting the wheels in motion for further expansion and prosperity.

Lusav retrieved a folded sheet of paper from his pocket, unfolding it meticulously before us. He began to delve into each item listed, providing a comprehensive overview of the activities and progress of our esteemed intelligent guild.

The guild's latest discovery revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the evil beast's cubs.

"My lady, it's not yet disclosed to the public, but we have infiltrated through some palace officers and discovered that the Duke of Carter reported to the palace the absence of evil beast cubs during their expeditions. Though they've spotted broken eggshells, no cubs were found in the entire forest." Before Lusav could speak further, I was mesmerized by his talent.

"You infiltrated the imperial palace and read a letter sent by the duke to the king?" I couldn't believe that just within a few days of my absence, he accomplished such a great task.

"Yes, my lady," he replied. "With the budget you allotted before going, I purchased more slaves and am now training them to be spies. They include women, men, as well as young teens."

His calm demeanor belied the gravity of his words, but I couldn't help but be impressed by his resourcefulness and dedication. This was a promising development in our quest for information and security.

"Teens? Are you forcing kids to work?" I asked, my expression stern. Having begun my training as an assassin in my first life as a child, I knew how difficult it was to work, fight, and exist in an atmosphere where you are taught to kill or die.

My concern for the well-being of these young recruits weighed heavily on my mind. While their skills may prove invaluable, their safety and mental health were paramount.

I could see in Lusav's expression that he had no sympathy towards kids as he spoke. "Yes, my lady, I have purchased kids who would have been sold to rich lords as slaves for their filthy pleasure. And now they have to work for their bread. Isn't that how life works?" His lack of empathy made me stutter, remembering that even Lusav was just a child when he must have been sold from different slave agencies.

The callousness in his words sent a chill down my spine, reminding me of the harsh realities of our world. Despite my discomfort, I understood the necessity of his actions to gather information and protect our interests. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the thought of children being subjected to such cruelty.

"Yes, you are right. Kids or adults, they should learn to adjust to their living situation. Still, don't be harsh on them; the world is already harsh," I spoke, my heart weighed down by memories of my childhood. At a time when I should have been pampered and carefree, I was forced into a life of bloodshed and violence.

The words lingered in the air, heavy with the weight of our shared experiences and the harsh realities of our world. Despite our efforts to protect and nurture those under our care, we were reminded of the cruel and unforgiving nature of society. But amidst the darkness, there remained a glimmer of hope-a hope that one day, we could create a world where no child would have to endure the pain and suffering we had known.

Lusav looked at me, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and sympathy. "My lady, I may not fully understand what weighs heavy on your heart or what brings that expression to your face, but please know that I am always here for you," he said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring.

His words brought a sense of comfort to my troubled mind, reminding me that even in the darkest moments, I was not alone. Despite the challenges we faced and the burdens we carried, there was solace in knowing that I had someone by my side who truly cared.

With a grateful nod, I acknowledged his unwavering support, silently vowing to lean on him whenever the weight of the world became too much to bear. Together, we would navigate the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, drawing strength from each other as we ventured into the unknown.

With this, he continued the report, and I listened attentively as he detailed the progress of our intelligence network. "The new trainees have been hired as staff in the mall to gather any gossip they may hear," he explained. "Additionally, fifteen of our spies have infiltrated various locations, with three successfully penetrating the palace. One is in close proximity to the emperor's personal aide, while the other two are still working to get closer to the imperial family. We've also successfully infiltrated each marquis estate, including the Selgae Marquess's, where the spy is currently operating outside the main manor but still providing us with valuable information about the family's schedule."

"Hmm, I see. That's quite clever," I remarked, impressed by the thoroughness of our network. "What about the Carter Dukedom?" I inquired, eager to learn more about our operations in that region.

"It's impossible to infiltrate now, my lady. They have strict background checks before hiring anyone, even examining family backgrounds. While the palace also checks family backgrounds, we successfully fooled them by purchasing a fake family and issuing fabricated family stories. I also plan to buy a baron title for the one close to the emperor's aide; I was waiting for your approval, my lady."

"Hmm, sure, go ahead. Also, once he gets the title of baron, make sure you create a family for him - a family with a daughter and a wife." I instructed, considering the intricate web we were weaving in our pursuit of information.

"Yes, my lady," Lusav concurred with a nod of understanding. "Once the children are sufficiently trained, I will carefully select the most suitable candidate to fulfill the role."

Lusav's countenance bore a gravity that spoke volumes of his intense focus on the task at hand. He seemed almost chiseled from marble, his sharp nose and penetrating eyes exuding an air of authority as they meticulously scanned through the reports before him. As I rose from my bed and began to pace the room, I prompted him to continue discussing our attempts to infiltrate Carter Dukedome.

"We encountered insurmountable obstacles in our efforts to penetrate Carter Dukedome," Lusav resumed, his tone measured. "Their vetting process is stringent, extending even to the hiring of gardeners. However, my lady, I have devised a strategy to circumvent their defenses. I propose that one of our spies assumes the guise of a knight during the upcoming selections in a few months."

The notion struck a chord with me. "Indeed, that is a promising plan," I acknowledged. "Having our operatives embedded as knights within Carter Dukedome would provide invaluable insights into the military capabilities of the entire nation, given the Dukedome's command over its armed forces.".

"Very well, proceed with your plan," I instructed Lusav with a nod of approval. "Select the most suitable candidate for this endeavor, considering the rigorous standards of selection for commoner knights. Additionally, to ensure our spy's seamless integration, prepare a detailed backstory and establish a fabricated family to bolster their cover."

"Yes, my lady," Lusav responded, his tone indicating a readiness to act. "Regarding the matter of the cubs of the evil beast, our current intelligence remains limited. Shall I undertake further investigation to uncover additional details?"

Upon reflection, I realized the absence of any evidence regarding the existence of the evil beast's cubs. However, considering the delicate state of affairs within my agency, I harbored reservations about delving into a matter that had already captured the attention of both the Duke and the Emperor. With this in mind, I gently rebuffed Lusav's inquiry.

"Not now, Lusav," I remarked, my tone measured. "I shall inform you when the time is right to pursue further investigation into this matter."

"Yes, my lady," Lusav replied with his customary obedience, devoid of any queries.

"As for the next topic of discussion, it concerns the initiation of the Victory Ball," he began, prompting my attention. Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

"Oh, I understand. Another tedious affair to orchestrate, I presume?" I questioned Lusav, my gaze conveying the weariness that settled upon me at the mere mention of yet another party.