Chapter 65

65.

*

“Ha…”

After dealing with Karlheigh, I greeted two more delegations before the day finally came to an end.

Most of the events in the Imperial Palace require an immense amount of mental energy, so it’s not exactly a relaxing experience. My body may not have moved much, but my mind was constantly spinning, and this is probably what they mean when they say your head is “overheating.”

On top of my usual duties, I had to oversee the Central Intelligence Department’s operations.

And then there was the wedding preparation, along with the delegation from a foreign country.

I didn’t even have the time to relieve stress through physical activity. And in the midst of all that, someone decided to provoke me.

‘The wall broke for no reason.’

And in my agitation, I even called Calion, who punched a hole in the ceiling of the Audience Chamber.

Since everyone was emotionally charged and focused, no one reacted much at the time. However, as soon as King Jade left the room, everyone began alternately glancing at Calion and the damaged ceiling.

The ceiling was slowly shedding chunks of stone, while Calion remained firmly embedded in the floor, as if to ask, “What now?”

At this scene, Alberto remarked nonchalantly to Kierson about repairing the ceiling.

After hearing the Chamberlain’s words, the representative from the Inner Palace replied indifferently, “The barbarian’s wedding gift should more than cover the repair costs.”

He then summoned a servant and gave some instructions.

‘This is all because of Karlheigh.’

I shook my head as I recalled the distorted face of King Jade as he exited the Audience Chamber.

There’s no use dwelling on what’s already passed.

It only piles up more unnecessary thoughts.

Clink.

Attempting to calm myself, I raised my teacup. The dark liquid inside emitted a faint steam, and its sickly sweet aroma made me instinctively wrinkle my nose.

“…Ugh.”

Even after taking a small sip, I couldn’t help but marvel at how truly terrible it tasted.

However, regardless of its taste, I felt a slow ease in my stomach.

It was late at night, the sun long since set, and the only light in the Audience Chamber came from small candles. The calm and quiet atmosphere finally allowed my frazzled mind to settle down.

Gurgle.

Just as I leisurely drank another sip of the tasteless tea—

“Master, I have returned.”

What the—!

“Hack! Hack!”

A sudden voice from behind me made me choke.

“Master?”

Charles approached with a puzzled look as I waved him off and set the teacup down.

‘How did he get in here?’

Both the entrance and the windows to the Audience Chamber were closed. Yet, Charles somehow managed to get right behind me.

Even with my heightened senses, capable of detecting the faintest of noises, I didn’t hear a thing. Though I had dulled them slightly since this was a non-combat situation, his presence should have been detectable.

It was only when I concentrated further that Charles’s almost ghost-like movements became noticeable. Once again, I was reminded of just how absurd the stealth capabilities of a Master-level assassin truly are.

“Charles, why do you insist on calling me ‘Master’ instead of using my proper title, His Highness?”

“You are my master. The Chamberlain assigned me to you personally, and the Emperor agreed. Therefore, His Highness is my master.”

When I subtly hinted for him to change his address, he brazenly ignored me.

“…”

Truthfully, I never paid much attention when Rani called me Master. She was just another maid, and I had long since considered her more of a younger sister.

However, hearing that title from an adult woman dressed as a maid was oddly unsettling.

My Confucian principles, few as they were after 21 years in this world, were reacting quite negatively to this dynamic, leaving me feeling quite uncomfortable.

‘…Fine. I’ll get used to it eventually.’

I set down the teacup and spoke.

“Well, Charles. Did anything significant happen during your surveillance?”

“I bugged their entire suite but found no important discussions.”

“Guess so.”

I had tasked Charles with infiltrating and eavesdropping on the delegation team, including Karlheigh’s representatives.

Our targets were the entire Karlheigh delegation.

Although I didn’t really expect to uncover anything significant. Nobody in an enemy’s camp is foolish enough to discuss crucial matters openly.

I sent him out with the mindset of “no loss if we try,” and, as expected, there were no results to report.

“Karlheigh was quiet too. That’s surprising.”

“Jade Camelsson merely cursed inside his room, letting out a torrent of insults as if practicing a speech. Interestingly, he often mentioned you, Master.”

That’s understandable.

After outright denying the legitimacy of the Kamalson Royal Family, Jade’s restraint in not challenging me to a duel indicates he has a decent level of patience.

‘He’s probably conserving his energy.’

Karlheigh accepted the invitation likely as reconnaissance.

They would have observed various territories on their way to the capital, gathering indirect intel on the nation’s internal situation.

They were probably judging just how weak Altain had become.

Despite the hostile atmosphere from Karlheigh’s actions, given that they dispatched their own king rather than a proxy, they likely calculated that things wouldn’t escalate into bloodshed.

From a diplomatic standpoint, it’s not wise to let provocations escalate to personal offense. Today, though, hitting back hard was the best choice.

Karlheigh alone reacted to our diminished power.

Though it appears that way on the surface, practically every country is probably keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

If the empire were still strong, only Karlheigh would be troubled.

But if Karlheigh declares war on the empire, other nations might see it as an opportunity to mobilize their armies.

Given that Master hasn’t publicly appeared for quite some time in official settings.

And considering the apparent lack of Swordmasters, our once strategic weapons…

If we don’t fight back this time, everyone will surely think the same—that we’re too weak to stand up.

That much I’m certain of.

“Shall I continue monitoring them? I still have some spare time unless the Intelligence Bureau requires my attention.”

“No, leave the Karlheigh matter alone. Focus on the Bureau. Besides…”

Karlheigh isn’t a significant issue we need to address here directly. We can destabilize their nation later using our spies within the confederation. Placing some of our intelligence department staff should suffice.

‘And crushing them outright wouldn’t be a problem either.’

Our immediate priority is dealing with the Central Intelligence Bureau. Only after restructuring the counter-espionage agency can we begin any serious information warfare.

I asked Charles, who refilled my empty teacup,

“What’s the status of the Dust Sweeping Operation?”

“It’s smooth. Specifically, this…”

Swish—

Charles pulled a bundle of papers from his chest area and handed them to me.

“…Charles, why do you keep critical intelligence in such a place?”

“This is precisely because the information is critical.”

As I took the strangely warm bundle of papers, she confidently added,

“It’s the second hardest location for others to search on my body. Hence, it’s stored here.”

“Second?”

“Yes, the second. The hardest location is slightly lower…”

“No, no. No explanation needed.”

Her matter-of-fact answer shattered my focus.

I waved my hand dismissively at Charles, who was giving me a blank stare, and looked over the documents.

The Dust Sweeping Operation.

It’s a codename for the initiative to purge accumulated corruption and inefficiency within the Central Intelligence Bureau.

‘Max Kendler’s faction accounts for 30%, Jimmy Soilen for 20%, and Retina Florence for 30%.’

The organization of the Central Intelligence Bureau is divided into three departments under Max Kendler.

Eastern Zone, Investigation Division 1, overseen by Jimmy Soilen.

Western Zone, Investigation Division 2, overseen by Retina Florence.

Southern Zone, Investigation Division 3, overseen by Andre.

As a long-standing establishment, it is naturally fraught with factions.

According to the documents, it appears the three factions are engaged in an internal power struggle.

However,

In reality, it’s a fight between Max and Jimmy against Retina.

‘Andre remains neutral, being a commoner and thus unable to join any faction.’

The number of personnel assigned to Division 3 is vastly smaller compared to the others.

Like many government departments, it seems the Southern Zone is considered a less important post. Appointing a commoner as its leader says it all.

“About half the workforce will vanish when the grand festival ends…”

Meaning that roughly half of the Central Intelligence Bureau will vanish by the time the grand festival concludes.

‘Even after removing those less deeply involved, it’s still about 40%.’

That will cripple the organization’s functionality.

There won’t be enough resources for counter-espionage activities, and we’ll likely be focused on rebuilding. Still, we cannot let this slide.

The Central Intelligence Bureau has its fingers in many pies, and reformation is necessary. If left unchecked, the risk of it becoming a double-agent network increases. In fact, it already seems to be leaning in that direction.

While no critical intel has leaked so far — thanks to the life-or-death secrecy protocols — there’s no guarantee this will continue indefinitely.

‘Though a bit messy, some drastic measures are necessary.’

Fortunately, we have our own Black Crows to compensate if the Bureau temporarily weakens.

Now then. How to deal with the deeply intertwined Central Intelligence Bureau?

Clink.

After taking a sip of the lukewarm tea, I spoke,

“Is Max definitely linked to Silvester?”

At my question, Charles promptly answered,

“Following the leak of misinformation leads to five confirmed informants. Three are being investigated by our informants for their pasts, but the other two are definitively connected to Silvester.”

“Indeed.”

In this case, it’s clear we’re talking about treason, regardless of personal survival considerations.

As for dismantling a tightly-knit group like this, the strategy is well-established.

While reading the final page of the bundle of papers, I said,

“Retina Florence seems fairly clean. Andre…”

“Being a commoner, his past is unclear. Our undercover agents are investigating his hometown.”

Once Andre’s investigation concludes, reach out to him.”

Factions can be dismantled using factions.

With Retina and Andre’s cooperation, it might just be enough. Plus, adding a whistleblower will swiftly unravel Max’s group.

While they might have once embodied loyalty and dedication,

That feeling has dulled, yet there are invariably still some who remain upright.

There are bound to be areas where comrades turn a blind eye to each other’s wrongdoings. But once treason is uncovered, all ties are severed.

Furthermore, Andre, the commoner in his position, will likely have an easier time cooperating.

“What about the location?”

“Here. Be discreet.”

“Understood.”

Charles, lifting the hem of her maid’s uniform, gave a light bow before refilling the teacup.

Now cold rubylinella tea, it complemented the dim environment of the Audience Chamber. The dark liquid in the teacup seemed like a bottomless abyss.

Clink.

As I lifted the awful tea and gazed at it, Charles’s straightforward voice broke the silence,

“Master, how should we handle the rest?”

“The rest?”

Excluding Max Kendler, whose case requires further investigation, it sounds like she’s referring to Jimmy Soilen, the remaining Bureau employees, and the spies we’re still tracking…

Their fate has already been decided.

“Is the list ready?”

“Yes. The Black Crow network and our control level have been appropriately categorized.”

Meaning spies we’ll spare and use in reverse. Then…

“Proceed.”

After all, this will happen quietly, in the shadows.

Such disappearances happen frequently without incident.

Even if the shadows grow faint, no one will pay attention.

*