Chapter 74

74.

“Hmm.”

The grand festival appeared to be proceeding smoothly without any major incidents on the surface.

It was now the fifth day of the festival period.

As usual, I arrived at the audience chamber in the morning, where a report was already waiting on my desk. It contained a list of deaths and updates on the ongoing operations.

The report was filled with unfamiliar names. More people were losing their heads than originally planned. The sheet of paper in my hands, faintly scented with ink and wood, gave an odd impression of blood.

While I was stroking my chin and reading through the report, I heard a calm, beautiful voice speak up.

“Cain, your expression seems off. Is there something troubling you?”

“Ah…”

I turned to see Iris’ violet eyes meeting mine.

Lately, Iris has been showing more emotions on her face. Perhaps because of that, her concerned expression was quite evident now.

“Not precisely worry. I’m just surprised at the efficiency of one of my subordinates.”

“Have you found a capable person?”

“Yes, beyond expectations.”

It was truly beyond what I had expected.

The plan with the Raven was to restructure the Central Intelligence Department.

The directive given to the Central Intelligence Department was to hunt down the spy network’s leadership.

Andre completed the hunting of the leader on the second day.

In addition, there was collaboration with Retina Florence’s Investigation Division 2, uncovering and quietly dealing with those in Max’s group who were beyond redemption.

During the upheaval within the Intelligence Department, not only foreign spies and their leaders were targeted but also local collaborators aiding them were identified.

This is why the number of deaths had risen sharply above projections.

Furthermore, before resorting to indiscriminate slaughter, Andre meticulously extracted information. Based on this, he gave additional instructions to the field operatives stationed abroad; displaying highly aggressive activity.

‘Whether it’s the synergy from assigning Charles or the blooming of Andre’s own abilities.’

The speed was faster than expected, and the scale grew larger.

More astonishingly, despite this storm-like operation, no complaints arose. The grand festival continued to be brimming with excitement.

Flip.

I turned the page to check Andre’s report.

On the next page was Charles’ evaluation, which I had requested during this operation about Andre’s skills, nature, and attitude.

The evaluation was positive overall.

Apparently, Andre was leading most of the activities while Charles was only involved directly in the violent aspects and was merely moderating any excessive or rash actions.

In his private opinion section, insight could be gleaned into why Andre had been so frantically active.

During the time Andre was trapped in a trap and rescued by Charles, it seems that the Intelligence Bureau Subdivision 3’s hideout and office in the south also came under attack.

Due to the sudden raid, everyone except the personnel on external missions were wiped out. Since the field agents equipped with combat capabilities, including Andre, were mostly in the capital, they were swept away one-sidedly.

Upon receiving the news about the near-total destruction of Division 3, Andre reportedly began to frantically act.

It appears from his eyes that he knows who the culprit is.

Flip.

Turning the page from Charles’ evaluation, Andre’s plan came into view.

Written neatly on the paper were the simple words:

‘Capture Max.’

He has detected signs of Max leaving the capital. Seeing some movements suggesting that Max has realized something and is trying to escape, the plan is to capture him and bring him to the underground of the Imperial Palace before it’s too late.

Setting down the paper with its sharp letters, which appeared hastily scribbled, I turned my head toward the window.

***

Max Kendler pushed against the plain wall with rough hands.

Creak.

With a heavy grinding sound, the wall started to rotate. After a short while, the wall blocking the way disappeared, revealing a dimly lit passageway.

“…”

Max moved into the passage without hesitation.

The headquarters of the Central Intelligence Department located in the basement of the Imperial Palace were connected through this secret passage to the office of the director. This emergency escape route, known only to the royal couple, the chamberlain, and the intelligence director, was a secret weapon that had never been disclosed to anyone.

Pluck. Pluck.

Lighting a piece of wood, the darkness began to fade. Gazing at the torch peacefully burning amid the endless darkness, Max’s agitated mind began to settle slightly.

Swallowing dryly, he quickly moved into the darkness.

The hurried footsteps echoed and the torch swayed roughly.

After traversing the narrow passage where barely two people could pass, Max heard the sound of a water stream in his ears. Arriving at an open space, he quickly looked around.

‘…That way.’

Shining the torch revealed a simple marking on a pillar – three stalks of straw aligned in a row. This indicated the direction leading to the western gate stables among numerous escape routes.

There was no time to waste.

Unlike the secret passage, the underground waterways were illuminated by small torches attached to the walls. After throwing the torch into the waterway, Max quickly moved on.

The eerie sound of the water current and his hollow footsteps accompanied his movement when a dead-end eventually appeared before him.

Even though the path ended, Max showed no signs of panic.

Lifting a long stick placed on the wall, he tapped it rhythmically against the ceiling, causing the ceiling’s bricks to move aside, and a thick rope descended.

Max climbed up the rope to escape the underground waterway.

The distinctive metallic scent at his nose indicated his arrival at the stables of the western gate. Nodding to the stable boy who had lowered the rope, Max moved once more.

Already prepared, the carriage started moving as soon as he boarded.

The compartment was filled with various crates and furs, among which Max curled his body as much as possible, surrendering to the carriage’s sway.

“Even during the grand festival, the stable boys are busy, huh. Here’s my pass.”

“I have it right here. Hehe. One must work even when others are having fun, right?”

“Wow, so diligent of you. Hey! Check the compartment. Don’t let the guards slack off.”

“Sir! I’ll check!”

As the carriage approached the western gate, the conversation between the gate guards and the stable boy took place.

The money had already been given, but the inspection was just for protocol, and getting caught would serve no good.

Max covered himself with the furs and suppressed his breathing.

Swish.

The armor’s squeak and the sound of the compartment flap being pulled aside illuminated the dark carriage and revealed the shadows lined up. The young guard briefly looked through the crates and furs before closing the flap again.

“All clear. Proceed!”

“Thanks for your hard work. Have a refreshing drink once your shift is over.”

“Hmph. What nonsense… Next!”

The carriage that passed through the western gate moved smoothly along the road.

As the bustling atmosphere of the capital faded away, silence enveloped the surroundings.

The cheerful clatter of the horse’s hooves and the harsh noise of the carriage wheels indicated that Max had fully escaped the capital. He shook off the furs.

“Hmph.”

A small sigh of relief escaped his lips.

‘Curse.’

Lying down in the soft fur as comfortably as possible, he unwound his body.

‘You insane butcher… Was I your goal?’

Max brought his hand to his forehead, recalling the fierce face of Cain.

Having worked for many years as the director of intelligence, his instincts had become highly developed.

These instincts had whispered to him,

‘Get the hell out of here, or you’ll die.’

Initially, he assumed the grand duke was checking the Central Intelligence Department’s capabilities while cleaning out spies, and until the festival began, he truly believed that.

However, throughout the operation, he had felt a strange unease.

Despite the Intelligence Department’s movements, there was an undeniable sensation that someone else was observing the entire operation. It was as if another third force was involved.

This operation was so secret and careful, no one else except himself felt anything abnormal.

The intelligence director himself had been in a perplexing situation, unsure of what was going on. The certainty came when Andre’s operation failed.

‘Cooperators’ communications had all been cut off simultaneously. With Andre’s abilities, that was impossible.’

Someone was backing Andre.

Had the entire team, including Andre, been wiped out, he wouldn’t have come to this conclusion. In that case, he would’ve attributed it to a counterattack from another traitorous spy who’d detected their moves.

However, Andre was still alive and taking rapid control of the intelligence department.

Looking at the flow, it was obvious.

Andre’s goal was Max Kendler himself – the information director.

‘You son of a bitch duke.’

Without a doubt, it was by command of that nobleman butcher.

Despite the overarching principle of following orders, his erratic movements were unmistakable signs of someone with a very strong backing.

‘Damn.’

The fortunate point was that he had read Cain’s objectives and Andre’s movements well in advance. Thanks to this, he had managed to escape the empire smoothly with the help of two covert operations.

Max rose up to check if there were any pursuers.

Swoosh.

The view beyond the open compartment flap showed an empty forest. Everything was quiet.

After checking the surroundings, he spoke.

“Shit.”

Retreating and extending his hand toward the driver, his arm shot out like lightning as the flap opened. The powerful hand gripped the driver’s neck.

“Ugh…!”

Before the driver could struggle, Max twisted his neck sharply.

Crack!

A chilling sound reverberated and the driver’s body went limp.

Quickly pushing the corpse out of the seat, Max took hold of the reins and sharply pulled them.

Neighhh-!

In an instant, the carriage and horse accelerated violently. The carriage shook wildly as it rushed down the rough road.

Despite the impact transferring to his body, Max had no time to focus on the pain.

‘How…!’

The carriage was heading toward some unfamiliar place, straying from the original route.

The driver wouldn’t have gotten lost. The path wasn’t that complex, and the driver was no novice.

It meant someone had bribed him already.

“…”

The sound of numerous hooves began to approach.

In the midst of desperately urging on the horse,

Suddenly, another carriage burst from the bushes with violent noise.

Bang!

As the horses tangled together, the carriages collided with a loud noise and flipped over.

“Ugh!”

Max, flung out of the carriage, rolled on the ground.

The pain throughout his body. His shoulder, which collided straight with the ground, burned. The shock made his body stiff with pain.

It seemed one of his ankles was broken, and an excruciating pain erupted from his left foot.

Biting his teeth as if to break them, he gathered himself while trying to calm his blurred vision and dizziness. The sound of hooves approached.

Several figures dismounted their horses and surrounded him.

A man emerged among the cloaked figures.

“Escaping like a scared rat, huh? Max Kendler.”

“Huh… Who told you if I didn’t? Was it the grand duke?”

With Max breathing heavily and asking this, Andre spoke calmly.

“You don’t have the right to ask questions. Only truthful answers can extend your thin lifeline.”

Upon Andre’s gesture, people with ropes approached Max.

If this went on, he’d be bound helplessly and dragged back to the capital.

Max waited till the people got close enough.

Then,

He lunged.

“Urgh!”

“Aaah!”

In a flash, the two people fell to the ground as he swung his dagger.

Even with one twisted ankle and a body full of wounds, Max’s movements were swift.

Unprepared for the sudden attack, the others couldn’t react in time.

With a flexible breakthrough of the encirclement, Max charged directly toward Andre.

Clang!

“Ugh…!”

Andre calmly drew his dagger to counter, but under Max’s ghost-like attack, he slashed Andre’s hand, causing him to drop his dagger.

Max tightened the grip around Andre’s neck and turned his body.

“Don’t move! Whoever else comes closer, I’ll snap this bastard’s neck right away!”

Shudder.

The movements of the people halted.

Swinging his bloodshot eyes, Max waved Andre around menacingly. The sight struck fear into his foes, causing them to step back further, reaching a standoff. Max then spoke,

“Arrogant peasant brat… You’ve already forgotten who taught you the art of dagger combat, huh?”

A snarling creature wounded beyond repair.

Max mocked the intelligence department personnel surrounding him and the Andre he had in hand.

“How dare you bring such lowly minions to face me? Fool. When your kind were rotting in the filth before joining the department, I was already leading it.”

“Kkkeehhh!”

A deep stab tore into Andre’s thigh.

It was the exact spot where he was stabbed before, still not fully healed. The pain flared through Andre, forcing him to open his mouth in anguish.

“You… You’re finished, Max Kendler. My very presence here should prove it. The higher-ups have decided to cut you out… Kech!”

“Shut up. You ungrateful bastard.”

Max observed the surroundings, carefully controlling the amount of pressure on Andre’s throat.

Despite showing apparent calmness, the situation was severe.

His body was far from normal, and the bleeding and pain were gradually sapping his strength.

The surrounding area was filled with intelligence department personnel who had followed Andre.

In this inextricable situation, to survive, he needed to use Andre as a hostage and escape to the agreed location. There, the knights sent by the faction would be waiting for him.

With their help, he could escape safely.

“There. Bring over a horse. If you make any reckless moves, it won’t end well for you.”

“Ignore him and attack this bastard…”

Gack!

Thud!

After wrenching his neck again, Max lightly stabbed his arm to silence him.

One of the officers, teeth clenched, reluctantly stepped forward to fetch a horse.

As the horse was delivered to him,

A single gust of wind accompanied a dispassionate voice.

“Can you even lead an organization with such skills? Investigator Andre.”

“Kyaahh!”

Clutching his gushing arm, Max fell to his knees.

The green-haired woman who had appeared between Max and Andre. Her amber eyes looked down disdainfully at Andre.

“Huff. Kech! Kuh! …G, thank you.”

“Direct your gratitude to the Master. I merely act on His instructions.”

“M, my arm! The arm!!”

As Charles stuck a paralyzing needle into Max, who was convulsing with tears streaming down his face, she spoke.

“The Master instructed to bring you back alive, so as soon as the bleeding stops, we’ll transport you to the capital. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

While the officers were on edge attending to the unconscious Max,

Charles turned to Andre, who was stumbling,

“I commend you for preemptively identifying and analyzing the escape route and patterns. And for securing the stableman beforehand. You’ll earn extra points for that. Now, I’ll teach you a bit about your lacking dagger technique. Consider it a treat.”

“Yes. Yes. I’m truly honored. Thank you, Lady Charles.”

Charles turned her back on Andre who bowed laboriously.

“I’ll personally deliver condolences to the stableman’s family. Transport Max Kendler to the north gate. Through Aria Whitriver, the director of the garrison department, you can enter the capital quietly.”

Charles’s shadowy figure had appeared and disappeared like the wind.

Andre, still feeling the eerie chill from her ghost-like movements, moved on.

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