Graycastle, a garden mansion in the inner city.
Today was the scheduled intelligence-sharing day. Tasa leaned back in the living room's soft chair, awaiting the arrival of the' Dove and Hat 'acrobatic troupe. With autumn's arrival, the inner city gates had been closed earlier in the evening, forcing the secret gathering to be moved to the afternoon.
Hill Fox is always the first to arrive at the mansion.
He wore a blue velvet open-collar jacket, light gray tight pants, and deer-skin boots, with a white bow tie around his neck, looking every bit the Noble. After exchanging pleasantries, he handed Tassa the copy of *The History of Kingdom Customs* tucked under his arm. The latter took the book and gave him a curious glance. "Read it all?" "Yes," Hill nodded, then hesitated. "Why don't you teach me some swordsmanship... or assassination techniques?" "Why?" "When the Evil Disease broke out, you said you'd train me to be a competent intelligence agent," he scratched his head. "But so far, you've only given me some odd books to read." "You mean *The History of Customs*?" Tassa poured himself a glass of wine and tossed in two ice cubes. "It's not some odd book. It documents the origins, traditions, family crests, and local specialties of the Nobles across the kingdom. As an intelligence collector, you need broad knowledge to assess the value of information from different regions. As for swordsmanship and assassination?" He smiled. "I'm not suggesting you infiltrate an organization or spy on enemies. That's dangerous, time-consuming, and exhausting. With that kind of time, you might as well spend more gold dragons directly bribing informants." "But not everyone can be bribed," Hill insisted.
"Even the most airtight organizations would struggle to infiltrate the eyes. It would take at least a decade to penetrate them." Tasa swirled his glass and took a sip of ice wine. "A qualified intelligence agent only needs to master two things: discerning intelligence and concealing oneself. These books I gave you form the foundation for intelligence discernment. As for the second... being a circus performer, you should have more experience than I do. Take your outfit today, for instance—it's quite impressive." "..." Just as Hill Fox was pondering the implications of these words, the Joker and his crew arrived at the secluded residence.
"Your Majesty, all are present." "Very well, let us begin," Tasa said, setting down his wine glass and opening his notebook. "Who shall speak first?" "I shall be the first to speak, Your Majesty," the most imposing figure, Rock Mountain, declared. "A new contingent has arrived at the camp in the eastern suburbs of the capital." The news sent a shiver down the guard's spine—the first intelligence received was far from encouraging. Since the Knight Regiment had suffered heavy losses, the suburban barracks had become a militia base. Any rats, fugitives, or criminals recruited by Tifeiko were conscripted into the eastern camp before their campaigns. Yet over a month ago, a militia force of a thousand had just been dispatched to the western frontier. Now, fresh reinforcements were arriving?
"How many?" "Currently, there are only two to three hundred people, mostly from the northern territories... There are also some Blood Sail Society rats, but fewer are willing to join compared to the first two batches." "Keep a close watch on their movements. Whenever the camp gains over two hundred new members, report it to me immediately," Tasa ordered.
"Yes, sir." These individuals serve only one purpose: to be consumed after swallowing the pill. With the Queen of Azure waters advancing northward and no resistance remaining in the southern territories, Tifico will undoubtedly continue his assault on Your Highness Roland's domain. He must relay this news to Border Town without delay.
"Next, the Joker brings you some confidential intelligence—or rather, a drunken ramble," the Joker said in an exaggerated tone. "I can't verify this claim, but since the merchants spoke with such confidence, let's take it at face value. They say the Black Sails fleet from Giasia Wemberton has appeared in the Kingdom of Eternal Winter and launched an attack on the Church, which has also caused the siege of Wolfheart City to fall apart. They're even planning to take advantage of the pre-winter period to bring in some scarce goods for trade." The Queen actually went to Eternal Winter? Tasa was slightly surprised, but whether this news was true or not didn't matter. By choosing to head north and leave Graycastle, she had already forfeited her right to claim the throne. "Just this?" "Well, I know this matter is somewhat distant from Graycastle," he stuck out his tongue. "Next time I'll gather more useful information." "Cough, cough," Hill cleared his throat. "Your Highness, there's new lead on the mission entrusted to me. Tefiko has built a new workshop in the inner city and hired many stonemasons. The large batch of saltpeter recently acquired has been transported there. However, the workshop is heavily guarded, and my men couldn't further investigate the purpose of that saltpeter." "Oh?" Tasa's spirit lifted. "They actually transported the saltpeter into the workshop?" "Indeed," Hill nodded. "I personally followed a freight cart." This was highly valuable intelligence. Having spent considerable time with Your Highness, Roland naturally recognized that the seemingly indestructible gunpowder was an alchemical substance, primarily composed of saltpeter. Since the saltpeter from the nitrate mines near the capital had been extensively procured, he had taken note of this and tasked Hill Fox with tracking the goods' destination and intended use.
The current transfer of saltpeter from the Alchemy Association to the workshop reveals their intent clearly: the shift from alchemical experiments to workshop production indicates they've mastered gunpowder's formula. This intelligence carries even greater priority than the new recruits in the eastern suburb camp.
"Good job," said Tasa.
...
After the private meeting, the group left the mansion in batches.
As Hill was about to leave, he suddenly asked, "Your Highness, can we really dethrone Tefiko with what we've done?" "Of course," the guard replied with a smile. "Didn't you see the letter Your Highness Roland sent through the retreating troops? His throne is already on the verge of collapse." That evening, back at the Underground Hornet Tavern, Tasa encountered an unexpected acquaintance: Sean.
Just like you, he is also a personal guard of Your Royal Highness.
As they entered the second-floor guest room, the two exchanged brief pleasantries before Tassa drew the curtains and whispered, "How did you know I was here?" "Your Highness gave me a token to find Miss Margaret. She knows where you are," Sean replied, pulling out a translucent red gemstone and shaking it.
"Got a new assignment?" "Not a task, but a gift," Sean said with a smile as he walked to the window, parted the curtain slightly, and whistled. Three gray-brown birds flew into the room and perched on the table, cooing at him. After feeding each bird some wheat grains, they finally calmed down.
Tasa had never encountered such a spiritually attuned bird before. "This is..." "A messenger trained by witches," Sean explained, stroking the graybird's neck. "Unlike homing pigeons, these birds can travel between locations autonomously without human guidance. Simply utter a specific command, and they'll deliver your message to Your Highness. If all goes well, you'll receive a reply within a single day."