Empire's Monster Gambit
“Are you sure about entrusting me with something that could decide the fate of the Empire?”
“When did I say it was just you? There are already more than ten agents in the field. You're simply one of them, Captain.”
“Ahem.”
Embarrassed, he turned his head slightly.
“I won't deny it's dangerous, but the situation is graver than we thought. I need you to step up.”
“Sigh, understood.”
Is my body just getting used to being handed all the dangerous jobs?
Honestly, I put up a verbal fuss, but my mind's already numb to it.
My sanity's definitely cracking.
It terrified him that he might end up like Derek one day.
“Don't worry too much. I've assigned you a top graduate from the entry exam.”
“There's an exam like that?”
“Of course there is. You're the unusual one, Captain. Normally, you train for three months and take exams to join the Intelligence Agency.”
“Oh….”
He could already picture the hellish ordeal just from hearing about it.
“What's the acceptance rate?”
“About 170 applied this time, and we selected three probationary agents. Do the math yourself.”
Nearly 50-to-1 odds.
Disappointingly lax compared to Korean corporate hiring rates.
170 people dying to join this death trap? The Empire must be a tough place to make a living.
Thank God I was born a noble.
“Get the details from the contact there. I'm beat from moving since dawn.”
Eden leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
“Rest well, sir.”
Exhausted himself, Palan skimmed a bit more of the report before nodding off just like him.
“Duke Seto, are you aware of the public outcry lately? Talking like victory was guaranteed, only to suffer a crushing defeat.”
In the capital of the Aditz Empire, Parahon, the empire's leading nobles—Duke Barion Seto and Duke Serendia Abiel—glared at each other inside the imperial palace at its heart.
“I've already submitted a report on that. I don't know why you're bringing it up again.”
Duke Seto's face twisted in irritation at the pointed jab.
“Over 10,000 confirmed dead, and you think a report wraps it up? I didn't peg you for someone so devoid of responsibility.”
She twirled a lock of her long purple hair mockingly.
“Enough.”
As Duke Seto's expression darkened, Emperor Simon Aditz, who had been listening from above, spoke up.
“As I said before, there were no major tactical flaws. We've issued demotions; let's end this pointless bickering. Duke Abiel.”
A loss was a loss, no matter the internal issues.
Baren Seto had been demoted from lieutenant colonel to major.
The other key commanders, including Lieutenant General Krem, had all been dishonorably discharged.
“I only brought it up out of worry that Belgium Fortress might fall to the enemy next.”
“Haven't we dispatched troops for that?”
“It's tragic how those soldiers suffer from someone's foolish blunders.”
His fists trembled.
The relentless, sly barbs kept landing.
“That's enough.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Duke Abiel bowed with a smug smile, having already scored her points.
The reason these fellow imperial nobles tore into each other so viciously was simple: power among the aristocracy was immense, and the two central houses vied relentlessly for dominance.
“With internal discipline in shambles, no wonder things are a mess. And no gains to show for it.”
The defeat was blamed on an internal spy; the Reconnaissance Command was still hunting them down.
Torture and other methods had been employed, but the leak's source remained elusive.
“The enemy's Intelligence Command has been moving with eerie stealth and cunning lately. We need countermeasures.”
Duke Abiel openly sneered at Duke Seto's words.
“What good are countermeasures? With winter coming and resources drained from this disaster, we can't sustain more fighting anyway.”
She casually dumped the blame back on him.
The emperor, about to speak, closed his mouth—it wasn't wrong.
“Winter always ends. How do you expect to achieve great things with such short-sightedness?”
His counterattack bounced off harmlessly.
“The suffering, dying imperial citizens must be invisible to you, Duke. No tears left to shed.”
Words hard to believe from the cold-blooded woman.
He wanted to retort, but it was obvious it'd be futile.
Damn her.
This was likely the most humiliating day of his life.
“Don't let emotions cloud judgment.”
“That's only when all options are idiotic, Your Majesty. Shouldn't we seize the initiative before winter ends?”
Duke Abiel stepped forward.
“Do you have a method?”
“Our house's long-researched monster control magic tool has finally borne fruit.”
“Is that true?”
The emperor's shock was warranted—if they could control monsters, conquering the continent was no dream.
“Yes. Efficiency is low, but it's viable. Proof: monsters aren't descending from the Gork Mountains despite territorial wars up there.”
“You mean your house did this?”
Duke Seto, equally stunned, asked—and she smiled.
“Obviously.”
“To keep such dangerous research secret this long... No hidden motives?”
“Hilarious coming from you, always slashing budgets. Would you have helped if I'd announced it?”
“That's different from this...”
“Enough nitpicking, Duke.”
The emperor cut off Duke Seto as his voice rose, already captivated by Abiel's news.
“Continue.”
“Trolls are the current limit, but that's enough to inflict serious damage.”
“You said efficiency is poor, so meaningful damage means budgets, I presume.”
He wasn't a fool, despite lagging behind Lycan's emperor in reputation.
“Yes. We're minimizing costs, but mana stones are essential in large quantities.”
Duke Seto shook his head at the money talk.
“Your Majesty, this is excessive. Duke Abiel, are you serious?”
“Better than dropping our own troops into hell, no?”
“Even if it works, the fiscal loss is too great. The idea's sound, but refine efficiency first...”
The emperor had decided, ignoring Seto's rambling.
“Proceed. Settle this before winter ends.”
“Thank you for your wise decision, Your Majesty.”
Duke Abiel bowed, securing a budget that could sway the empire's fate for her house.
“Is this the place?”
A plain, tiny village near the Gork Mountains.
A carriage halted in front of its small tavern.
“Yep. Exhausted from playing nursemaid to you. Let's head in.”
Major Eden Tal rolled his shoulders as he dismounted.
No retort—he wasn't wrong.
Who knew he could cook like that?
After two days camping, he'd gagged at Palan's food and taken over.
The taste? Shockingly restaurant-quality.
Born to burn everything, yet a master chef. What can't this monster do?
Hate to admit it, but the guy was freakishly competent.
Creak.
The tavern door screeched unpleasantly as it swung open.
Ugh, no maintenance?
Nails on chalkboard level—customers fleeing wouldn't be unjustified.
“Not mealtime yet, so few patrons.”
As Eden said, only two groups inside.
This a secret base? Hmm.
Zero vibes of an Intelligence Agency spot.
“Welcome. Gentlemen.”
They sat at an empty table; a server soon placed water glasses and greeted them.
“Lunch menu, please.”
“Right here.”
She handed Eden a prepped menu from her apron.
“Hmm, two B sets. Tea for drinks—body's worn out.”
“Got it. Coming right up.”
She headed to the kitchen; Eden hung his coat on the chair.
Was that order a passphrase swap?
Secret bases needed security protocols.
Movies make this cool.
Shouldn't get hooked, but hey, guy stuff.
“First course.”
She gently set down bread and butter.
“On me, promotion celebration. Eat up gratefully.”
“Yes, sir. Deeply thankful.”
Agency cafeteria meant expense account anyway—scammer move.
Just eat.
A rare normal restaurant meal; he buttered and bit into the bread.
Warm's nice.
Some places served cold; here, it was standard.
Next: light pasta, lamb, then dessert—a simple course.
“To your taste?”
“Yes, sir. Delicious.”
Lamb doneness especially pro for a village joint.
“If it suits a noble young master's palate, we're golden.”
“That palate's long gone.”
Never had it; army slop had regressed it anyway.
“Pity. Done? Let's go.”
Thirty minutes after entering, they finished and rose.
Leaving already?
Tense, Palan followed Eden to the counter.
“50 silver.”
“Here.”
Eden handed over five 10-silver coins.
“Thanks for visiting. Safe travels.”
“Good work.”
Eden nodded to the bowing server and exited...
Eh? Where's he going?