Chapter 46: The Poison That Blooms in the Flowers (1)

One of the good things about becoming an inquisitor is gaining authority.

The authority to access information. It's the most important factor for spies.

Even though it was a short time, it's not like I was just getting brief information to understand the situation as before.

I heard everything about this mission, including the people involved.

This mission wasn't being carried out by the Empire's intelligence unit but was to support the Haisen intelligence unit.

In a way, it could be seen as being sidelined.

'Everyone avoids supporting other intelligence units.'

I had to follow the orders of people I didn't know and had no room to take the lead.

On the surface, it might not seem like a big mission, but knowing the future, I had to prepare thoroughly.

In any case, what stood out was that Denif was participating in this mission.

'What?'

Denif's eyes seemed to say that when he saw me at the meeting place.

I also showed a slightly surprised look, and Denif immediately whispered to the man next to him.

He probably said something like, "I know this guy."

That man was in a similar position to Phiril, one of the candidates for the next deputy head of the Haisen intelligence unit.

"The poison that blooms in the flowers. I come from Chenarus."

I said the password as per the procedure. I felt again that the operation name was too one-dimensional.

The man nodded lightly, but his expression wasn't good.

"Even if it's a light support request, sending a rookie alone? Really, the Empire's people are so busy these days, aren't they?"

He cursed openly, muttering to himself. I didn't feel good, but hierarchy is hierarchy.

I couldn't openly express my dissatisfaction. I showed a slightly annoyed look.

This was within the allowed range, so the man didn't say anything to me. It was inevitable.

Even within Haisen, there was a competitive mindset between intelligence units.

The chief of intelligence also encouraged this, positively speaking. Therefore, it was absolutely forbidden to harm each other.

That's why there are inquisitors, internal monitors. After saying this, the man patted my shoulder.

"No, what did you do wrong? I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"Tymang. Nice to see you."

"Kalin."

Or maybe he was expressing passive resistance through me. In any case, I didn't need to notice.

I could understand why Tymang was annoyed.

"Did you come without sleeping?"

"No, I usually look a bit tired."

"Hmm."

Tymang examined my face. He seemed to pity my chronic fatigue.

I usually look like this, but he thought I was overworked in the Empire.

"Well, it's not a big mission, so don't worry. Just monitoring one person. The chances of anything happening are low. The team is four, including you."

I pretended to hear the mission for the first time. However, the conversation ended there.

Indeed, knowing the information is good.

This mission is to monitor a high-ranking noble of Haisen. There was a minor suspicion that he might be colluding with the Empire.

That's why the operation was named "The Poison That Blooms in the Flowers."

My role is to support the monitoring and identify the people he meets.

That's why a rookie like me was sent, which annoyed them. It's a hassle to compare faces.

'I hope a familiar face shows up.'

Since coming to the Empire, I've memorized the faces of all the major nobles. They were easy to find in the intelligence unit.

The problem was the other characters.

There are so many important figures in the Empire. Probably few agents know them all.

I've seen some over the past two days. I'm confident, but the issue is that it's not perfect.

Still, I wasn't burdened, as it wasn't my fault. It was the fault of the director who sent me.

Tymang seemed worried and checked my reaction.

"We need to confirm the faces the target meets. Can you do it?"

"I've memorized the main people, but I'll try my best."

"Good."

Since I didn't give a definite answer, Tymang sighed lightly, probably not expecting much.

"They said you two know each other?"

"Yes."

Denif answered. Whether he knew the situation or not, his cheerful face was secretly welcome.

Did he grow a bit in that short time? He seemed a bit different.

It was probably because of his disguise. I also made myself look a bit older.

"Denif, you need to work harder."

"Yes?"

"Even if you're a rookie, sending you alone means your friend is recognized for his abilities."

Denif's mouth opened slightly, and a hint of anger appeared in his eyes.

He knew my character and was trying to provoke me, as he was my deputy.

"Starting in the evening, take a short break and return by 7 PM. Take care of your meals."

"Yes."

Tymang, who had taken a step back, turned around as if he had forgotten something. His gaze fell on Denif.

"You're not going to challenge anyone to a duel here, right?"

"Don't worry."

Denif affirmed, but Tymang remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"…Don't. I mean, work harder, not fight. Don't do anything, whether in the city or in a quiet place outside."

"…Yes."

Denif bowed his head, looking dejected. Did he really plan to challenge someone?

In any case, this embodiment of competitiveness seemed to be obsessed with duels even in the Haisen intelligence unit.

"And be careful, there might be Empire people around."

Tymang's last words were quite heavy.

After that, we headed to a bustling restaurant connected to the market.

It was an action following the spy's maxim of hiding in plain sight.

You should assume that the Empire's eyes and ears are everywhere in the Empire's territory. A noisy place is fine.

The probability of being noticed in a quiet place is higher than in a crowded place.

Denif followed with a slightly excited look and spoke when we reached the restaurant.

"Really nice to see you. I didn't expect you to come."

"Me too."

"Why does it feel like it's been so long?"

I felt glad that Denif was happy to see me.

"Both of us were busy adapting, I guess. How have you been?"

"Me? I've been fine. I'm completely recognized."

Saying that, Denif glanced at me. I was on a solo mission.

"I saw you challenging people to duels there."

"…Not really."

Judging by his subtle eye movement, it was obvious.

Denif, judging by his character, should have been a mercenary, knight, or adventurer, not a spy.

"How about you?"

"I'm trying to adapt."

"You've also received solo missions."

"My supervisor received a solo mission, so we're temporarily separated. It's like being sidelined."

"Ah."

Denif nodded, as if understanding. It was amusing how he seemed relieved.

My mouth itched, but as an adult, I decided to hold back.

"How many missions have you done?"

"Six, including this one? Three minor ones."

Denif's pupils dilated slightly before returning to normal.

"Same as me. I've also done six."

It seemed like a lie. I pretended to agree and let it go. Actually, I was the odd one out.

Maybe it's because I'm in the Empire or because Phiril is always finding work. As a rookie, I've been working non-stop.

"How are the people you came with?"

"I can't tell you that."

Denif pretended to be mature and changed the subject. I chuckled.

"Not who they are, but what they're like. We're in similar situations, so I'm not really curious."

Tymang is probably a supervisor with a bit of status like Phiril, and the other person is just an agent.

Denif looked at me, as if hit a nerve.

"I don't know the other person, and Tymang is… neither good nor bad."

"Just focused on the mission?"

He seemed to be thoroughly fulfilling his role as a supervisor.

"Ah, yes. Just that."

"That's good."

"Is it?"

"It's better than being overly favored or disliked."

Denif nodded, as if convinced.

From my perspective, Tymang was perfect for Denif. Someone who keeps him in line.

"How long are you staying here?"

At my question, Denif looked at me drowsily.

"That's fine, right? It's not detailed information. Don't you know either?"

"No, I know a bit."

Denif was slightly irritated.

"Probably less than a week. It should be over soon, right?"

We'll see. We need to watch how things develop.

* * *

The surveillance was simple. We worked in pairs, in two shifts.

Tymang and I, Denif and another agent, Forden, were together.

Tymang was the leader, so I thought he might be taking care of me as a support.

For four days, there were no unusual signs.

Our surveillance target, Baron Aitami, was here to finalize a marriage proposal.

Since the other party hadn't arrived, he was mostly shopping or enjoying himself at a high-end hotel.

'Hmm, wasn't this the time?'

One reason I thought this operation would fail was that in the game, Baron Aitami was in the Empire.

I remember he often sided with the first or second prince, depending on the situation.

This was one of the things I learned this time. Since it was after Haisen's decline, it meant the baron was a traitor.

However, since Haisen's decline was a bit later, we had to consider the possibility that this mission would yield no results.

Perhaps the Empire might have subtly approached after the marriage of his children.

I put aside my thoughts and went to the bathroom after the patrol.

'I need to brush my teeth before bed.'

Tymang was already asleep, adhering to the principle of sleeping when you can.

I also lay down on the bed on the opposite side.

My physical fatigue wasn't that high. With two shifts, it meant 12 hours of rest.

Moreover, Tymang and I worked from 6 AM to 6 PM, so our sleep patterns weren't disrupted.

'I'm a bit dissatisfied that I can't train, though.'

I fell asleep instantly. How many times did I toss and turn in the familiar nightmare?

I woke up to a strange feeling.

Wind.

The wind was sending a signal, indicating something was wrong with the surrounding atmosphere.

I focused and noticed the rooftops of nearby buildings. I could sense people moving quickly.

At least seven in this area. I estimated at least ten in total.

The fact that they were moving so openly meant a high probability they were Empire people.

However, they weren't targeting us. They were moving in a different direction.

"Sir Tymang."

At my low whisper, Tymang immediately opened his eyes.

Instead of asking what was happening, he quickly and quietly moved to the window to check outside.

"Since when?"

"I just woke up too."

Could they be targeting Denif?

If so, the probability was high that they were Empire people. Tymang's expression was also not good, as if he had the same thought.

"Prepare."

We were already dressed, so there wasn't much to prepare.

I picked up the sword by my bed and pulled out a mask from my pocket, covering my neck and nose.

At that moment, a red signal flare shot up into the dark sky outside the window. It was quite far away.

Tymang also saw it. It wasn't a signal flare we used.

"…Why are the Temerzan people here?"

Temerzan was one of the two kingdoms adjacent to Haisen. The other was Altre, where Orhen is.

The Empire and Temerzan.

I realized something was happening here that we didn't know about.

"What do we do?"

Tymang bit his lip. His conflicted expression was directed at the window.

We had one choice now.

Escape and assess the situation.

The former was safe but increased the risk of losing a comrade. The latter required being prepared to be noticed by the Empire.

Five seconds. That's how long it took for Tymang to speak.

"You escape. I'll assess the situation and act."

Is he thinking of me? It's ambiguous.

I had no choice but to use the option I had prepared in case I had to escape.

Denif must survive.

If I hadn't been here, Denif would likely have been resting here.

"No, I'll move with you."

"What?"

Tymang glared at me, clearly angry. Disobedience wasn't allowed.

I calmly met his gaze.

"Tymang Serca. Fourteen years of service. Transferred to Haisen intelligence unit from Altre seven years ago. Candidate for the next deputy head of Haisen."

"You…!"

Tymang was shocked, realizing I was an inquisitor. I nodded, signaling to move.

"Command remains with you. But I'll move with you."

Time was running out.