Ven sat upright on her chair and looked Amon in the eyes while she started telling the reason for her presence in New-Paris. " As I've said, I'm an intelligence operative. My work consists mainly of infiltrating and monitoring the Order. I was previously stationed in Cairo. About a month ago I made a report to the Order that three Holy Knights had left the capital and were headed to one of our safehouses. However, I wasn't able to discover where exactly they were heading because my cover was at risk of getting found.

As such, I requested a withdrawal from my current mission and a reassignment. For the past month, I was in one of the Ravens' hidden base, waiting for a new identity to come through, and a new mission to go with it. Since I'm a New-Paris native, they sent me here to observe the Order's movement in Europe. I arrived two days ago.

My new identity was that of an Order's soldier who was transferring because of familial reasons. This afternoon I reported to the New-Paris command and was placed in a unit. My goal is essential to climb the ranks and not get discovered.

-I see; although, I'm surprised you answered. Usually, intelligence operatives are quite secretive.

-I just thought it might be good to make myself some allies. Plus, without the support of the safe house, it might be pretty hard for you to do your work.

-How much do you know about my mission?

-Most of it. Remember, I was the one who found out that Holy Knights were deployed. The fact you tried to infiltrate the guard even after killing the captain shows you still have another objective. Most likely, those three Holy Knights are in New-Paris.

-Indeed, I don't have much time before they raid our base.

-You have at most three days, so you better hurry it up.

-What? Three days only?

-Don't forget the Holy Knights have been here for almost a month now. They've had plenty of time to prepare. I would guess the only reason they didn't act sooner is that they didn't want to alert our operatives in the city.

-Can our men hurry up with the evacuation?

-Sadly, no. We have too much physical evidence and material that needs to be moved. Now that their location is compromised, they need to flee regardless, but if you can't take care of the Holy Knights in three days, some crucial information regarding our operations in Europe might lend in the Order's hands.

Amon sat back in his chair, thinking deeply. They had even less time than he had anticipated. They might need to take care of the Holy Knights without optimal preparation. As he was thinking, Amon noticed a detail that had escaped him.

-When we met this morning, did you know who I was?

-I only thought you were weird; Ven let out a silvery laugh. During my mission, I need to act as normal as possible and interacting with people is part of my job. However, I became suspicious after I saw you near the scene of the captain's murder.

-I remember you having a weird look after seeing Bel.

-Is Bel the tall guy that was with you?

-Yeah, Bel's pretty eye-catching.

As she heard him speak, Ven looked she had an epiphany.

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-Wait, Bel as in Bel the Ravens' legendary crazed assassin? No wonder I felt like I recognized him. You're quite something to be working with him.

-We've been together for the past five years, but this is our first real mission. The rest was just some odd jobs. Is Bel that famous?

-Infamous rather. But as an intelligence operative, I wouldn't want to give you some wrong information, so I'll just shut up. Regardless, I have a proposition for you. How about we work together; I help you with your mission, and you owe me a favour.

-What type of favour?

-I don't want to stay an intelligence operative forever; there's not much advancement. So how about you request for me to be a part of your team once this is all over and we can work together in the future. You guys have much more authority and prestige in that regard; plus, my skills might prove useful to you.

Amon paused to think. Ven had already proved herself quite capable in terms of combat capabilities, and she had managed to dig out some vital information. An ally like her surely couldn't hurt. However, he felt like she had a hidden purpose in making such a request.

He didn't need to doubt her identity as she had revealed some information that could only be known by someone who belonged to the Ravens. What he suspected was why she wanted to join him. Seeing him so deep in thought, Ven guessed that something was bugging him.

-If you doubt my motive in wanting to join you, let me say this. It's true that there is something I want to do and I might need your help in the future, but I can swear it won't be detrimental to you. As we work together and get closer, I'll let you in on the details. For now, we'll have to trust each other. The information you know pretty much confirms your identity to me, and it's probably the same for you.

Amon weighed his options and realized that she was right. They were both a part of the Ravens and even if she had a hidden purpose, that wasn't something that he needed to worry about for now. And even if something were to happen in the future, he was confident in handling it.

-Alright then, let's work together to get rid of these Holy Knights."

The two of them then reached across the table and shook hands. If they were working together, Amon's job would get much more comfortable as he had little experience doing actual reconnaissance work. For the next fifteen minutes, Ven explained everything he had done wrong in trying to infiltrate the guard's barrack. Amon knew his plan was somewhat weak but he didn't realize it was that bad and the lecture made him slightly depressed. He always loved to be on the safe side and to take unnecessary risks was against his nature, and he realized just how much he had put himself at risk unknowingly.

After that embarrassing episode, the two started discussing the possible location of the three Holy Knights. Amon asked, "Are you sure the three Holy Knights aren't in here?

-I'm pretty sure. I haven't been here long, but from the few conversations I had with other guards, it seems that when they only communicated orders through the captain. This morning, after finding out he was killed, they appointed someone else to relay their instructions.

-It seems they're using a puppet to avoid revealing themselves too soon. I guess that they will only willingly come out when they start the raid on the safehouse. Have they brought any of their men with them? Or are they using local troops only?

-I don't have any confirmation for this, but I highly doubt they would only use local troops. After all, most guards aren't augmented. Even the captain wasn't before the Holy Knights came. To have a stronger strike force, they will surely have brought their troops. Plus, it's better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, I might have an idea as to where the Holy Knights are hidden.

-Please do tell me.

-I have a sneaking suspicion that they might be at the mayor's house. Not only is he one of the few officials from the Order with enough authority to host them, but rumour also has it that is mansion is quite something.

-In what sense? Is it that big?

-It is gigantic, but it's more about the sheer amount of defensive capabilities it has. You haven't been here long so you might not know, but the mayor is the only place in New-Paris equipped with mounted turrets. There have always been rumours from former servants and employees that the house was also equipped with a ton of gadgets and defensive mechanisms. If the Holy Knights wanted a safe place to rest and house their troops, then it might be the best choice.

-It might be worth investigating if that is the case. Do you have any way of getting us into the mansion? Like an assignment from the guard or something?

-I wouldn't bet on it. Although the guard and the mayor are both a part of the Order, the mayor has his security force assigned by the Order, so he doesn't rely on the guard. Even so, the two must interact in some way so I'll try to do some digging. However, don't get your hopes up. You should also take some action on your own to avoid the worst if I don't succeed.