IV

*** ***

The scheduled meeting did not take place. After a somewhat unbearable wait in an empty conference room in the North Shore Fortress, the envoy from the Holy Coman Empire finally made his way to his temporary abode under the guidance of a female captain who was still wearing a drenched military uniform and seemed to have just returned from outside.

The corridors of Fortiburg Fortress are long. The surrounding turquoise bricks and stones are dotted with moss, giving off a smell of historic architecture, but the traces of constant renovation and alteration can be seen in the cement plasters.

The knight, dressed in inconspicuous civilian attire, followed the officers leading the way into the room, put down his luggage, looked around, and let out a soft snort. At first glance, the room is in pretty good condition, probably comparable to a high-end hotel with two or three gold marks a night, and the room is as clean as if it had been cleaned by a cleanliness housewife - but the décor of the room hides a lot of tricks. These spy tricks were no secret to a professional like him, and he could see seven or eight out of ten of them at a glance.

The walls, windows, and doors of the room were apparently equipped with alarm magic, and two layers of locks were added to report to the guards here whenever he moved, preventing him from communicating with the outside world. The candle glowed brightly yellow with a slightly different light, and it was most likely used to create illusions or paralyze his nerves. There was a heavy scent of lavender wafting through the air, no doubt to mask the strange smell that might otherwise be released. Although he had not yet found a small magic device for listening, the knight believed that the opponent had already prepared it. In order to warn an envoy of a potential enemy country from espionage, the defenders of the fortress were not inadequately prepared.

"I'm sorry, but you have to stay here for the time being. If you need to go out or eat, please ring the bell to call one of our guards, who will notify the officers to accompany you. As Lennie's spies may have infiltrated our fortress, please understand that these measures are for your safety. ”

The beautiful female officer with the captain's epaulette spoke high-sounding polite words, but the knight knew exactly what it meant. He smiled and shot back with high-sounding diplomatic rhetoric.

"Don't worry, I'm here to negotiate, not to spy on your reality. In the name of my knight of liberation, I will never spy on your information here. I hope that I will soon be able to meet with the honorable Field Marshal Radetz Govar, for after all, communication and understanding are the guarantee of peace. He pressed his right hand on his left chest and swore solemnly.

The female officer apparently did not believe his oath. She responded to him with the same fake smile and exited the room. When the door closed softly and the footsteps faded away, he relaxed his tense spirit, collapsed on the bed, and looked at the ceiling with a sigh of relief.

Espionage is a duel between the false and the false, the boring and the boring – a famous spy active in the era of the Freedom War left this famous quote to the Holy Empire's Ministry of Security. It wasn't until long after he became a member of the intelligence service that he understood the phrase. In this era, intelligence agents are everywhere in the world, and everyone is trying to gather information about others, and they are also trying to release false information to deceive others. Every intelligence agent struggles with an ever-changing sea of intelligence, trying to arrive at the optimal solution, but there is always no answer.

"No matter what, the work still has to be done......"

He muttered to himself in his head, considering his next move. His public name is Vlasol Rasta, his title is Viscount, and his position is Squadron Leader of the Knights of Liberation, but his secret position is that of a secret agent of the Ministry of Security, Second Class. Of course, as the beloved general of Sid Nasser, the Holy Empire's Minister of Security, he is here for more than just that negotiation job – but also an important liaison job. This is an extremely important and urgent liaison task that will affect the future direction of the entire Southern strategy. The man's contact code name was "Brume Eagle......

The next thing to consider is how to get in touch. The Knight knew it would be difficult, but was confident it wouldn't be a tricky one. If your opponent restricts your movement somewhere, just avoid that place and do so.

And now? Viscount Rasta hesitated and decided to sleep from now on.

*** ***

"Seriously, if it weren't for the fact that most of my former subordinates and colleagues were captured or killed that nightmare night, I really wouldn't want to use you newbies. ”

Major Theon Constein, the captain of the gendarmerie, pointed slowly with his gold-studded command staff, causing the dozen or so lieutenants present to shudder. The middle-aged man's eyes were even more gloomy and serious than usual, and he lowered the temperature in the room quite a bit just by looking at him. Lieutenant Namen Soleton stood at the front of the line and smacked his tongue secretly: he sometimes felt that Major Thine really should not be an officer, but a banker, a factory owner, or something like that of a capitalist, who could easily intimidate his subordinates.

"But this knight sent by the Empire is undoubtedly a spell user, so I still have to rely on you mages and priests to watch out for him. I do not believe that this man is only here as a secret envoy, and he must also be tasked with such important tasks as spying on our military subordinates, intelligence, and logistics. Because of his delicate status, it is impossible to get rid of him: the only way to do that is to deny him any valuable information. At all times, you have to make sure that at least two people are on a mission to spy on him. ”

"What is his subtle identity?" someone asked.

"The illegitimate son of an imperial dignitary. In a sense, his status is an endorsement of the Empire's sincerity to them. If something happens to us, he will give the Empire the best excuse to go to war. "You must prevent him from getting the information, and if possible, give him false information." If you are careless about this task, I will not hesitate to take you to court-martial. ”

"Yes!" a dozen or so right hands were raised in unison, accompanied by a categorical response.

Hearing the word court-martial, the magicians and priests who had been temporarily transferred from the various companies shuddered. Major Sean Constan was nicknamed "Devil's Adjutant" when he was an adjutant of the gendarmerie at the General Staff Headquarters, and he was known throughout the Free Army for never being pardoned or soft-hearted. Unfortunately, the mild-mannered captain of the gendarmerie was killed on the night of the 7th, and the entire coup army, or rather, the discipline and counterintelligence departments of the Directory, fell into the hands of the devilish adjutant. This was a real disaster for the rambling defenders of the fortress - the General Staff had only been stationed in the fortress for two weeks, and the confinement zone at the bottom of the fortress was already so full of petty infractions of military discipline that it had to be punished by a large increase in the cursed midnight guards and long-range patrols.

Seeing that everyone agreed very happily, Major Sein nodded with satisfaction: "Then, the shift schedule will start with lieutenants, and then ensigns and warrant officers according to military ranks. Lieutenant Namen Soleydon was responsible for duplicating and distributing the schedule, and all of them were dismissed. ”

Naimon secretly complained in his heart and took the list from the chief's hand. This shift list includes almost all the captain-level mages, and there are many such shifts as "12 a.m. to 4 a.m." and "4 a.m. to 8 a.m." It's not like the guards can't nap at all, but they still have to sit in the dark and damp surveillance room and wait for the magic alarm. He glanced slightly, and saw that the names of himself and Captain Edith were written in the first shift "four to eight o'clock in the evening".

A sharp-eyed ensign also caught a glimpse of this arrangement, and protested with some dissatisfaction: "Why can the lieutenant of the headquarters arrange dinner with the beautiful women, and do this every day?

Hearing this protest, Naimon smiled bitterly and playfully did not have an interface. He had long known that almost all the mages who accompanied him had very big opinions about him, a lieutenant who had been promoted directly to the headquarters, but he didn't dare to attack because of his rank, military regulations, and the prestige of the headquarters. If they have the opportunity, they will not hesitate to attack him. Although he had a small amount of prestige among the soldiers, he did not receive any good praise among his colleagues.

"Do you question this arrangement? Then I'll explain it to you. The command staff flew and pointed to the tip of the second lieutenant's nose, "The reason why the strongest and most experienced group is placed at dinner time is because this time is the time when the responsibility is the greatest. After dinner, the security is at its lax and chaotic, and most of the espionage activities are carried out during this time. For example, a look at the number of masts in the harbor at dinner time gives an accurate estimate of the strength of the fleet, which is the time when the fewest ships sail. And according to the amount of food consumed or the number of diners in the canteen, the strength and strength of our army can also be estimated quite accurately. What's more, if the target can go out reasonably during this time period, we must prepare experienced and capable counterintelligence personnel to follow us. Among you, the two most suitable for this task are the two headquarters officers. If any of you think of yourself as overcoming them, you can volunteer, but don't let me find anything wrong. Absolutely not. ”

Shocked by the tone of the major, the lieutenants obediently withdrew from the office of the gendarmerie department, accompanied by endless slander. Naimon could only smile wryly and walk to the press room with the schedule, where he was going to reprint.

"Maybe I'll be killed by the magic from behind in the future. The boy muttered to himself.

*** ***

Viscount Vrazol Rasta slept until his head began to ache slightly, and then he got out of bed. After a good nap, he felt that the fatigue in his body had disappeared a little. After estimating the time, he guessed that the "Fog Hawk" should have prepared several sets of methods to hand over the information to him, so he decided to start the operation. After tidying up his clothes and finding a basin to wash his face, Rasta gently tugged on the bell rope at the head of the bed.

"It's half past five, I want to taste the food of Fortiburg, please hurry up and report to your boss. ”

One of the two sentries trotted away, leaving the other on guard. The Viscount knew that he would not be able to bring anyone back in half an hour, so he took a book of legends from his inner pocket and began to read it, while the other guard at the door looked at him as if he were facing a great enemy. The viscount smiled awkwardly and showed him the cover of the book, but the guards stared at him with alarm.

"It's really not some secret information or spell book...... Oh, sorry, are you illiterate?"

Hearing his question, the guard turned hesitantly, holding his spear in a daze. Frasol had no choice but to drop the book and lie back on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze. The female captain, who had changed into a dry suit and concealed her curves, arrived twenty minutes later, accompanied by a young lieutenant of mediocre appearance who he had no impression of, whom the viscount reckoned should be an officer of the gendarmerie.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. As soon as the captain entered the room, she bowed deeply according to imperial etiquette, "We should be faster." ”

"No apologies, you guys came faster than I expected. Vlasol stood up from his bed and replied.

"Shall we go now, then? We have reserved for your Excellency the most exclusive folk restaurant in the whole of Fortiburg, which dates back to a time when your country had not yet been re-established. ”

"Thank you. Flasol picked up his book of legends and handed it to the humble young lieutenant, "By the way, your guards seem to be quite wary of me reading. I don't want to be bored and locked up here, right? ”

Naimon took the book, skimmed through it, and felt that there was no problem, so he returned it: "I think this book should be fine." ”

The Viscount took the book and threw it back on the bed: "Shall we then go?"

Edith opened the door and made a gesture of please: "Please come with me, Your Excellency the Viscount." That hotel has not received aristocrats for decades, and your presence will surely make them shine. ”

Not necessarily...... Flasol Rasta reminisced about the exploits of the nobles who had infiltrated the fortress decades ago, as she followed Edith and Naimon deeper into the corridor.

*** ***

The group chatted with each other along the way, talking about unimportant topics, and testing each other's abilities and identities. They both knew that each other could use magic, but they didn't know each other's exact schools and abilities. However, Viscount Rasta was somewhat surprised to find that he had not seen any accommodation or canteen, nor any soldiers gathered for dinner, let alone the mast in the harbor - so he guessed that there must be a mage with a fairly good level of illusion among the two on the other side.

However, when he really saw the location of the restaurant, he was still taken aback and secretly happy in his heart. The restaurant sits on a small mound, hollowed out on all sides, with a sea breeze blowing in it, and eating in it overlooks the entire bay.

"The location of this restaurant is really good, overlooking the whole estuary. I've heard before that the mouth of the Meterbuti River is spectacular, and I'm thrilled to see it this time. ”

Ithis smiled: "If Your Excellency comes to Fortiburg but does not see the big outlet to the sea, I am afraid it will affect our bilateral relations." I can't afford to be a responsibility. ”

It wasn't until he had taken a seat in the dining room that the viscount understood the source of the other man's confident smile. There were only two lonely warships in the huge harbor! At that moment, he felt that his face had changed slightly, and he was a little "flattered" by the "excellent treatment" he had received.

In order to prevent him from getting information, the other party was able to send all the ships out...... This kind of courage is also quite amazing. However, this also proves that the other party does not know about the existence of "Fog Eagle".

"Do you order, or do we order, Lord Viscount?"

"I'll do whatever I want. Also, this is a free country, there is no need to call me Viscount, just call me Fra. Dare to ask Madam Captain's name?" Rasta smiled diplomatically, trying to close the distance. After all, the possibility that the woman in front of him is the agent of "Fog Eagle" or "Fog Eagle" is not impossible......

"Yes, Your Excellency Viscount Fra. Edith handed the menu to the inconspicuous lieutenant next to her, motioning for him to order, "I'm Edith, Edith Magnum." Although my last name is Magnum, everyone thinks my name is more pronounced. ”

"Edith, the name should have meant 'dangerous beauty' a thousand years ago? The viscount complimented the other man's beauty while observing the surroundings. The restaurant was dimly lit by the sea breeze, and only the rays of the setting sun in the distance covered the surroundings with a halo. There was almost no one in the shop, presumably pre-cleared by the defenders.

While the two were complimenting and testing each other, the waiter came over and marked the lieutenant's order on the recipe in his hand.

"Lemon juice flavored minced meat. Marinated beef and lamb in a can. Stewed herring soup with plum and greens. Sweet and fast fire oysters. For dessert...... the humble lieutenant ordered this, and hesitated, "For the main course, the Pilo cheese stew with pigeon and brandy veal steak is ready, what do you think?"

Hearing this order, the waiter in the suit asked: "Do you want a new cooking method or an old cooking method for the pigeon?"

"I want the old burning method from more than ten years ago. The lieutenant hesitated again, "How cooked do you all have to be steak?"

"Six points. Rasta replied, the bloodshot steak was a good indication of his habits as a northern nobleman.

"Nine points. After a little consideration, Edith chose this rather ladylike, fully cooked steak.

"Then I'm going to have seven and a half points. ”

"Okay. The waiter immediately made a note of the requests of several people, "Our chef will definitely do his best to receive this distinguished guest." ”

Vlasol Rasta licked his lips quietly: he noticed the strange light in the waiter's eyes when he heard the word "half-ripe". He also noticed that the lieutenant was a little strange when he ordered. He smiled, and brought the conversation back to small talk, a little uneasy in his heart.

He felt as if he had found a clue to the "Fog Hawk".

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