Baekseol (2)
"I wonder what this is about..."
Cervantes, the executive of Jin Gang Regiment and chief of the intelligence division, muttered to himself as he headed to the captain's office.
His mind was a whirlwind as he walked down the corridor.
It hadn't been long since they had taken Astra as their captain, but in that short time, he had led Jin Gang with uncanny insight, as if peering into the future.
Sometimes it was downright chilling.
He always made the precise decisions at the exact right moments, as if he knew what was coming.
The lich incident is the perfect example.
Cervantes recalled that time.
How had the captain known about a lich that had been sealed away for at least thousands of years?
It wasn't even in Jin Gang's intelligence network.
Even more astonishing, the captain had never been to that region, yet he knew the exact routes and trap locations like someone who'd been there dozens of times.
There must be some secret intelligence network only the captain has access to.
That was Cervantes' conclusion.
An independent intel web unknown even to him, Jin Gang's intelligence chief.
Otherwise, too many things didn't add up.
For such a captain to summon him, the intel chief, personally...
Something big is about to happen.
Cervantes furrowed his brow.
The captain usually issued directives at executive meetings or via written orders. Personal summons were rare, and even then, only for predictable missions.
A foreboding unease wrapped around him.
Reaching the office door, Cervantes took a deep breath.
The cold touch of the doorknob heightened his tension.
He knocked twice and waited for the low voice from within.
"Come in, Cervantes."
The moment he opened the door and stepped inside, instinct told him something was off.
Standing by the window, gazing at the night sky, the captain's back exuded a heavier aura than usual.
The shadow over his shoulders seemed unusually dark.
As expected... something's not right.
"Intelligence Chief Cervantes, reporting as summoned."
He dropped to one knee in greeting, and Astra turned slowly.
Moonlight from the window illuminated his profile, his deep black eyes faintly gleaming in the darkness.
Cervantes felt himself unconsciously drawn into those eyes, like staring into an endless abyss.
"Rise. Sit and talk."
The captain's voice was as calm as ever, but the weight it carried was anything but light.
An ominous silence hung in the air, like the calm before a storm.
Cervantes rose carefully and sat in the indicated chair.
"Cervantes."
Astra interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them.
"There's work for you all."
You all?
Cervantes' eyes flickered subtly.
The captain hadn't said "you," but "you all"—meaning the entire intelligence division, no, every assassin organization under his command would be mobilized.
"Understood. We shall obey any order."
"From today, you will track the individuals I designate."
Astra finished speaking and unrolled a continental map on the desk.
His finger pointed to the red circles marked across it, one by one.
"There are four targets: Jin, Cross, Mage, and Sera."
Cervantes' gaze shifted to the map.
In that instant, his expression stiffened slightly.
"The circled areas..."
"Yes. Kingdoms and cities you must infiltrate."
Even Cervantes, unshakable in most matters as a Jin Gang executive, couldn't hide his surprise this time.
The map was densely packed with major and minor kingdoms across the continent.
Among them was the Lunaria Empire, a superpower rivaling Haven, and a thick circle around the Papal Court.
This is... essentially infiltrating the entire continent.
"Sera's location is certain."
Astra pointed to the Papal Court.
"Sera is definitely there. The other three are uncertain."
Cervantes swallowed hard.
The Papal Court was an impregnable fortress boasting the continent's strongest holy knight order, the pride of the Lunaria Empire.
"Mobilize every resource to find them. And remember this."
Astra's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Do not act on your own judgment upon discovery. Report only to me. Take no action unless their lives are in immediate danger. Understood?"
"Yes. But Captain, these four... who exactly—"
"You'll know when the time comes."
Astra cut him off.
"What you need to know now is one thing: Finding them will determine the fate of this world."
Cervantes' eyes widened.
"And one more thing."
Astra handed over a sealed letter stamped with black wax.
"I've noted their characteristics. Pass it only to your direct subordinates."
"Understood. I shall engrave it in my mind."
Cervantes accepted the letter and bowed his head.
This was the heaviest mission since becoming intel chief.
Leaving the office, he headed straight to intelligence headquarters.
Upon arrival, Cervantes issued orders without delay.
"Emergency assembly. All available personnel to the conference room now."
Less than thirty minutes later, the core agents had gathered.
Unusual for such a hasty summons, tension etched every face.
"Direct orders from the captain himself."
Cervantes opened his mouth.
"Euhuhu, finally, a big one for us."
Deputy Chief Kain smirked slyly.
Normally, Cervantes would have fired back with a quip, but not now.
"Kain."
At Cervantes' cold tone, Kain's smile vanished.
"This is no laughing matter. Failure means death for us all. No..."
He paused briefly.
"Botch it, and we could spark a continental war."
The conference room froze instantly.
"From now on..."
Cervantes unrolled the massive continental map, red circles dotting it everywhere.
"We infiltrate all these regions. Kingdoms, cities, and..."
His finger pointed to the largest circle.
"Even the Papal Court of Lunaria."
"What?!"
"All these countries?"
"Is the captain planning war?"
The agents buzzed.
"No."
Cervantes held up the black-sealed letter.
"We're finding people. The captain wrote their characteristics himself."
He broke the seal and pulled out the contents.
"Mobilize every intel agent and hidden asset. Upon infiltration, report to me immediately if you spot a match."
"And then?"
"That's it. No contact. Observe only."
Kain looked puzzled.
"Just... find them?"
"Unless they're in mortal danger, do not intervene. This is the captain's strict command."
Cervantes scanned the room.
"Remember: This decides not just Jin Gang's future... but the entire continent's fate."
"Understood!"
The agents replied in unison.
"Depart for your assigned sectors within three days. Dismissed!"
At "dismissed," the agents scattered like smoke.
The now-empty conference room held only Cervantes.
He stared at the map and let out a deep sigh.
Jin, Cross, Mage, Sera... what the hell are you?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"L-Lady Baekseol! Running like that is dangerous!"
But Baekseol didn't seem to hear.
Thrilled at her first outing in ages, she dashed through the streets like a child.
In human form, she looked more ordinary than before, but still drew every eye.
Her long, shimmering brown hair and clear eyes retained their mystical allure.
"There it is, Cheongam Fortress!"
The massive gate loomed ahead.
"Halt!"
A gate knight raised his spear to block the way.
"State your identity and purpose."
His sharp gaze swept over Baekseol's group, lingering on her.
Even a trained knight couldn't ignore a beauty.
"We are from Bai Ling—"
Marcus moved to answer, but Baekseol raised a hand to stop him.
She approached the knights slowly.
"State your identity again."
"You've had a hard shift."
Baekseol's voice rippled softly.
In that moment, the knights' eyes glazed over, losing focus.
"We're a merchant caravan. Identity and cargo checks are done, right?"
"Ah... yes, that's right..."
The knight nodded blankly. His comrade did the same.
"Checks... complete. Open the gate!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The subordinate knights hurriedly swung the gate open.
After passing through, Marcus spoke cautiously.
"Captain, are you alright? Even so, entering another captain's territory without revealing..."
"If I reveal myself, word will reach the Jin Gang captain instantly, won't it?"
Baekseol grinned playfully.
"That'd ruin the fun. Sometimes I just want to wander like an ordinary person."
Marcus shook his head at the sight.
He respected her more than anyone, but her childlike whimsy was still hard to get used to.
Cheongam Fortress's streets buzzed with energy.
Merchants' calls mixed with laughter.
Baekseol eagerly explored every corner.
"Hey, pretty lady!"
As she enjoyed herself, someone grabbed her arm.
A man reeking of booze.
"Where you headed? Have a drink with me. I'm a B-rank mercenary, you know!"
"Do you even know who she—"
Marcus stepped forward, but Baekseol lightly stopped him.
"Let go."
Her voice was icy, but the man pressed closer.
"Aw, don't be so cold. My treat. There's a great tavern nearby..."
"Wh-why's it suddenly so cold?"
His mercenary buddy rubbed his arms.
The temperature plummeted with Baekseol's mood.
Onlookers' breaths fogged the air.
"What's the commotion?"
A low, authoritative voice cut through the crowd.
Rynel, Cheongam executive, appeared with his guards.
His sharp eyes assessed the scene.
"What is this? Explain."
"N-no, it's nothing! I just..."
The mercenary stammered excuses, but chattering teeth cut him off.
Rynel's gaze landed on Baekseol, his expression shifting subtly.
She looked like an ordinary traveler, but the overwhelming aura she emitted was unmistakable.
This presence... no ordinary person.
As Rynel took a cautious step forward, another voice came from behind.
"Rynel, what's going on?"
Astra, captain of Jin Gang, appeared.
His presence made the air heavier still.
Astra's eyes naturally went to the center of the disturbance, meeting Baekseol's.
"What brings Bai Ling's captain, Baekseol, to my domain?"