Night settled over Krujë like a held breath.
Torches burned low along the walls, their flames steady despite the mountain wind. Blendi stood before a large wooden table carved with the map of Albania. Small iron markers showed troops, granaries, workshops, and passes. For the first time, the map was no longer symbolic.
It was operational.
A new chime echoed in his mind, sharper than before.
[New Subsystem Available]
Espionage and Counter Intelligence Module
Status: Locked
Requirement: External Threat Awareness Increased
Trigger Condition: Met
The interface unfolded.
Espionage Overview
Internal Intelligence: Minimal
External Intelligence: None
Enemy Knowledge: Historical Data Only
Risk Assessment
Ottoman Invasion Probability: Medium
Information Reliability: Low
Blendi exhaled slowly.
"So now we fight with lies."
Footsteps approached.
Lady Mira Kastrioti entered the chamber without ceremony, a bundle of sealed parchment in her arms. Her dark eyes moved from the map to Blendi's face.
"My Sovereign," she said quietly, "messengers intercepted beyond the northern passes."
She placed the parchments on the table.
"From the Ottomans."
The system flickered.
[Foreign Correspondence Detected]
Source: Ottoman Regional Command
Author Identified: Pasha Kemal ibn Halil
Title: Governor of Rumelia
Threat Level: High
Traits: Cautious, Calculating, Empire Loyalist
Blendi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A name worth remembering."
He opened the seal.
The letter was polite. Almost dismissive.
The Albanian territories appear calm.
Internal consolidation observed.
No immediate threat to imperial stability.
Blendi smiled faintly.
"Good," he said. "Then the lie has already begun."
Espionage System Activation
[Espionage Module Activated]
Available Actions
Recruit Informants
Plant False Intelligence
Intercept Messengers
Train Shadow Operatives
Initial Agent Slots: 3
Lady Mira studied his expression.
"You intend to deceive an empire," she said.
"No," Blendi replied calmly. "I intend to teach it a habit."
Recruiting the First Shadows
Blendi's gaze moved across the interface.
Three candidates appeared.
Ilir Dervishi
Former smuggler
Traits: Adaptive, Greedy, Networked
Espionage Rating: B
Vesa Kodra
Mountain courier
Traits: Silent, Loyal, Untraceable
Espionage Rating: B+
Nikollë Shpata
Disgraced scribe
Traits: Intelligent, Vengeful, Observant
Espionage Rating: A
Blendi selected all three.
[Agents Recruited]
Ilir Dervishi assigned to Trade Routes
Vesa Kodra assigned to Border Intelligence
Nikollë Shpata assigned to Foreign Correspondence
Espionage Network Established
The First Lie
Blendi turned toward Nikollë's profile.
"Plant a report," he ordered mentally.
Content
Albanian nobles resisting centralization
Food shortages worsening
Military discipline declining
Target
Ottoman Regional Command
[Espionage Action Initiated]
False Intelligence Deployment
Success Chance: High
The system paused.
Then chimed.
[Action Successful]
Enemy Perception Altered
Ottoman Threat Assessment Lowered
Blendi closed his eyes briefly.
This was more dangerous than battle.
Because it bought time.
Bloodline Awakens
Another alert appeared.
[Dynasty Event Triggered]
Bloodline Resonance Detected
Kastrioti Line Compatibility: Exceptional
A new panel opened.
Bloodline Traits Unlocked
Iron Sovereign
Authority checks strengthened
Succession stability increased
Mountain Born
Defensive combat bonus in homeland
Civilian resilience increased
Unyielding Legacy
Nation morale persists after ruler death
Blendi's breath slowed.
"So Albania will remember," he murmured.
[Bloodline Registered]
House Kastrioti
Legacy Strength: Rising
Lady Mira looked at him intently.
"With these traits," she said, "this state will not collapse even if you fall."
"That," Blendi replied softly, "is the point."
First Spy Report
Vesa Kodra's icon pulsed.
[Border Intelligence Report]
Ottoman scouts spreading rumors
Fear detected among irregular troops
Reference made to Eagle Guard
Enemy Morale: Shaken
Blendi nodded.
"They should fear a name."
New Rewards Unlocked
[Achievement: The Art of Deception]
You misled a superior power without battle.
Rewards
Espionage efficiency increased
Enemy reaction time slowed
Diplomatic manipulation unlocked
[Hidden Reward]
Title Acquired: Weaver of Statecraft
Effects
Espionage actions cost reduced
False intelligence harder to detect
Foreign rulers underestimate you
Nation Status Update
Standing Army: 9,600
Elite Units: 700
Gold Reserves: 2,300
Monthly Balance: Stabilizing
Unity: Very High
Foreign Fear Index: Moderate
Ottoman Awareness: Low
Eternal State Route Progress
12 percent
Blendi stood once more at the edge of the battlements.
Beyond the mountains, fires burned in Ottoman camps.
Men laughed. Drank. Boasted.
They believed Albania was struggling.
They believed Skanderbeg was merely surviving.
He let them.
Because when the empire finally marched in force, it would march blind.
And blind empires bleed.