The intelligence unit sent by King Edmund gathered quietly in the backroom of a tavern.
The location:
A noble-owned town near the Armand border, the last settlement before the fortified Armand wall.
Their leader stood at the center, a short blade at his hip and a black cloak over his uniform.
"Tonight we move."
The agents listened silently.
"Some of us will pose as merchants."
He pointed to the six in the corner. "Slip inside through the caravan checkpoints. The rest go by foot. Take the cliff path, the northeast route, or the forest crawl. No obvious signs."
"Yes, leader."
He narrowed his eyes.
"They don't know we're coming.
Blend in.
Get everything."
He raised a rolled scroll — a list of their objectives.
"Magic systems.
Defense layout.
Current equipment.
Mana infrastructure.
Weapon stockpiles."
He lowered the scroll.
"Once inside, gather all information you can.
After that, regroup and send your report back here."
"Yes, leader."
The reply came as one.
