Sword of Dawnbreaker

Chapter 759 - 758: Intelligence

Inside the Bureau of Military Intelligence Headquarters, in a simple office, thick curtains blocked out the brilliant sunlight outside. The thin rays of light slipping through the gaps between the curtains made the room appear dim and shadowy. A Magic Web Terminal was placed beside the desk, and a faint blue light hovered above the Projection Crystal. The connected printer clicked and hummed as sheets of white paper were imprinted with ink and delivered to the tray.

The printed paper floated up as if lifted by an invisible hand, flipping in mid-air with a rustle. When the last sheet was turned over, a barely audible sigh sounded in the room: "Ah..."

A moment later, the paper folded itself in mid-air and gradually vanished into the atmosphere. Subsequently, the shadows in the dim room shifted, and after a barely perceptible breeze blew through, the Magic Web Terminal fell silent, and the room descended into dead silence.

In Gawain’s study, a gentle and silent flow of hot air from the heating system warded off the harsh winter cold outside. The incense placed in the corner emitted a calming scent that slowly dissipated with the faint air currents circulating throughout the room.

Perceiving something, Gawain casually set down a document and looked up: "Not in the best mood?"

"...Not really," Amber’s figure appeared from the air, and she handed a folded document to Gawain, "Reports from the Western Holy Spirit Plains Valley Reconstruction Area, the southern borders Territory Peibo Area, and Eastern Territory Suram Plateau’s Internal Affairs Section Three. Take a look."

Gawain casually picked up the document and seriously read the names and the preliminary investigation brief on top, his expression unchanged: "...Not really, isn’t it?"

"I can’t see any good," Amber pouted, "Some people are comparable to the old aristocrats... even worse."

Gawain looked at the half-elf with a slight smile: "Still not used to it?"

"...Not exactly," Amber frowned, "I just feel regretful. Some people are opportunists who slipped in due to loose screening and insufficient manpower, but some have been working for the Administrative Office since the principality period. They were promoted from the commoners, selected from progressive scholars, yet..."

"A world of pure light is a beautiful vision, but it is ultimately unattainable," Gawain shook his head, "Especially given our rapid development, there simply isn’t time to thoroughly audit and test each Administrative Office official, such situations are inevitable. Sometimes, we can’t rely on any group to possess innate morality and conscience—this philosophy is no different from the so-called ’aristocratic excellence theory,’ thus we need to use systems and laws to constrain order."

As Gawain anticipated long ago, with the rapid development of the Cecil Order, individual corruption inevitably appeared. Moreover, with the establishment of the Empire, large new areas were incorporated into the Supreme Administration Office’s jurisdiction, and some remote areas had to form temporary Administrative Offices with mixed quality grassroots officials. Disconnections between the peripheral offices and the Supreme Administration Office arose, creating unavoidable chaos in certain areas.

However, Gawain felt regretful but not surprised by these developments.

From the start, he never expected the order he crafted to be flawless; he only hoped everything he built would align with the current situation and best "suit" this era.

He believed Amber, who navigated the darkness daily and dealt with intelligence from all over the Empire, understood this point well.

"Internal Affairs Section Three is just a means, but ultimately, it is managed by people," Gawain said to Amber, "The real enduring method is through cross-supervision, long-term responsibility system, dual responsibility tracing, as well as the future improvements based on them, and the enforcement and maintenance of these systems.

"On this foundation, we should actually be grateful now, because at least we can promptly catch these people, list them, proving many systems we preset are effective, and some can implement them. If one day your list is empty, then as the director of the Bureau of Military Intelligence, you’ll really encounter trouble."

"The pity is, most people in the administrative office are just executing orders," Amber said with some lament in her tone, "Few reflect on the underlying intentions, even fewer can discern the logic and basis behind these orders, and almost no one fully understands the vast system you created... Aren’t you tired?"

Gawain smiled noncommittally.

Two seconds later, he asked Amber, "And you? Which group do you belong to?"

"I probably belong to none," Amber thought for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "I’m not one to overthink."

"To avoid overtime, you’re willing to sacrifice intelligence, quite the effort," Gawain chuckled helplessly, pointing at the document he was reading, "The Typhon side has preliminarily agreed to our proposal, including mutual long-term ambassadors, establishing embassies, expanding commercial cooperation, etc. Regarding exchange students, they will send a survey team in early spring, led by Rosetta Augustus’s eldest daughter, Matilda Augustus."

Amber blinked, recalled the corresponding intelligence in her mind, "Matilda Augustus, 22, Rosetta’s eldest daughter, intelligent, skilled in martial arts, proficient in single-handed swordsmanship, personal strength probably in the powerful tier, specific level unknown. Seldom appears in public, holds good reputation among Typhon aristocrats, due to noble status, excellent conduct, and exceptional knowledge, known as the ’Highmountain Flower’ of the Typhon Empire...

"Furthermore, based on the Intelligence Agency’s evaluation, her odds of becoming the next Typhon Emperor is about forty percent—her brother, Prince Hadrian Augustus, is a strong competitor, with an advantage in the succession priority due to commanding the Obsidian Imperial Guard. But this doesn’t mean they are at odds; at least for now, Matilda Augustus and Hadrian Augustus present a harmonious and respectful relationship, especially since Rosetta Augustus’s eldest son unexpectedly passed away, leaving the remaining primary heirs and other siblings with notably united and cordial relations.

"These are all the intelligence I have, given it concerns their high-tier level, external information is limited."

"A standard yet perfect image setup..." Gawain rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Moreover, feeling as if I’ve heard of similar settings somewhere..."

Amber puzzled at Gawain’s remark: "Hmm? What are you suggesting?"

Gawain’s thoughts slowly unfolded: "I’m mulling over pitting Veronica against those two, who do you think would be stronger?"

Amber baffled: "...Why pair them together? Because they are both princesses? But Veronica already..."

"Because their personas seem quite... ah, no, never mind," Gawain waved his hand, "Just speaking offhandedly, no real meaning."

"Oh..." Amber scratched her head, accustomed to Gawain’s frequent incomprehensible notions or bizarre comments, did not pursue further, but mentally noted the odd words to later relay to Veronica.

"Speaking of, aren’t you intending to leverage the two special ’citizens’ over in Sorinburg?" after pondering briefly, Amber spoke again, "One is basking in photosynthesis, the other mainly labels the crystal jars and studies tree photosynthesis excavated from the relics. It feels like a waste given their unique identities."

Gawain knew what Amber was referring to.

In the Sorinburg Region, Bard Wendell researches the photosynthesis of giant trees, and Beltira Augustus spends all day photosynthesizing. These two are undoubtedly the most unique "citizens" of the Cecil Clan, especially when it comes to affairs involving the Typhon Empire—their identities are simply marvelous.

The former is the father of Typhon’s current Wolf General, and the latter is the ancestor of Typhon’s current emperor.

It always feels like if you just push these two to the border at the right moment, you can make the military and political heads of Typhon and a bunch of important figures clutch their chests and cry out "Noooooo——"

With a bit of luck, they might even die of high blood pressure on the spot.

The biggest challenge in the whole process is that moving Beltira to the border is quite difficult—for the time being, the Druid Research Institute in Sorinburg can’t solve the transplant issue of Beltira. If she attempts to move herself, she might flatten the entire Eastern Corridor and the Longwind Twelve Fortresses Group... if she could successfully pull her roots out of the ground.

Because these two are too special and too powerful, Gawain is unwilling to expose them too soon and instead hides their information.

"These two cards are too big," he shook his head, "Using them to shake the resolve of the Typhon Empire now is just a waste. Rosetta has countless ways to mitigate the impact of ’rumors.’ Let’s save it for the future when it will be more effective."

Amber exhaled lightly: "I understand."

Gawain rubbed his brow, relaxing his somewhat tight nerves.

"Is there anything to report from Office Number Twenty-Five?" he asked casually.

"The current main work is to design contingency plans for the fluctuations of the Mind Network. According to the recent intelligence returned by Daniel, the worst-case scenario is the temporary or permanent disruption of the Mind Network—we will have to temporarily execute the ’Freeze’ plan for Daniel’s line and later consider other means to restore contact with Daniel and his intelligence personnel. Fortunately, Typhon has developed several backup lines by now, Daniel’s apprentice, Typhon’s emerging investment merchants, and the minor aristocrats contacted in the ’Trajectory Plan’ all have been persuaded or we hold leverage over them. The intelligence network over there no longer completely depends on Daniel’s personal activities..."

Amber reported methodically, while Gawain listened and nodded slightly.

——Amber referred to the "Trajectory Plan" as the various actions undertaken in Typhon to output Magic-guided Trains, engage with grassroots aristocrats and down-and-out knights, infiltrate, persuade, send personnel for friendship or surveillance, establishing regular intelligence channels.

This plan has been executed for almost a whole year, although still in the early stages, some results have been achieved.

The power of capital is immense, especially when it’s in an environment with weak oversight. Typhon’s "investment aristocrats," who have just tasted the sweetness, are almost powerless to resist its temptations.

Amber didn’t mention what would happen to the intelligence system established within the Eternal Sleepers if the Mind Network collapses, for an obvious reason—if the Mind Network really blows up, then the Eternal Sleepers would likely be gone too...

"Next... let’s hope everything goes well on Daniel’s side," Gawain leaned back in his chair, his gaze tranquil, his tone leisurely, "and hope those high-ups in Eternal Sleepers are smart and alert."

...

Typhon Empire, Aldernon, in the Mage District near the Obsidian Palace.

During the season when the fog starts to rise, the already weak sunlight slanted into the room, partly shaded by the curtain, making the room seem dim and gloomy. On a wide armchair, an old mage in casual attire was dozing through the leisurely afternoon.

Black-haired Mary sat near her mentor at a square table, her head bent as she seriously wrote on advanced math assignments.

Suddenly, the sound of flipping pages and the movement of the pen tip completely stopped, and stayed silent for a long time.

Daniel immediately opened his eyes and looked towards Mary: "What, can’t solve a problem?"

The next second, the old mage’s relaxed expression turned serious.

He saw the black-haired apprentice by the table turn her face to him, and at some point, that face had changed into another.

The sunlight streaming through the window and the dust particles swirling in the light all halted.

"Daniel," the apprentice "Mary" looked at the old mage, said softly, "We’re here to learn some things from you."

(Oh my gosh!!!!!!

Ran out of manuscript, tranquil despite being inept.

Feel like my body’s been emptied... I’ll return to single updates for a while, adjust, and slowly build up manuscript again... Rest assured, once the manuscripts are piled up, there will be such continuous double updates again.

Finally, considering the double updates lately, if you still have votes, cast one please =.=, everyone spread the word, let’s open up after fattening~~~)