"I have been briefed with the objective of your mission and the reason for your stop in my domain. I agree with the Imperial top brass' decision in getting rid of potential causes for unrest but there might be connections from the problems I am facing with yours." He said it a serious tone and his eyes focused on me and Cameron.

He held his hand out and a servant handed him a file of some sort.

"This is a collection of our investigations about a suspicious group that were spotted around my domain, this includes both Mineras and Auburn as well." He handed me the file across the table.

I glanced at Cameron, who was took a glance at the file before returning his gaze to the Count. He nodded subtly which was my cue to pick up the file and read it.

It contained various information about the suspicious individuals that were seen around his domain. Descriptions of them were rather vague since they wore a cloak that obscured most of their clothing and had their hoods on. It also detailed their activities such as being seen near slums, junkyards, and the disposal sites during the night. The conclusion for them was that it might be mages from the Magic Federation to the south. They have long been a thorn to most nations due to their mage supremacy ideals and have been the causes of a few magic accidents in history.

"I see, they're up to no good again huh." I sighed. "I understand the connection you pointed to. They might be the ones spreading rumours of the technological advancement and spreading the malpractice of it since we were always conducting them in secured environments. No doubt those rumours have been exaggerated to this degree." I pinched my forehead in annoyance.

"I understand your irritation to these pests but I trust that you understand the nature of this discussion?" He asked. This is what I don't like about nobility, the roundabout way to discuss things and the maneuvering behind words and praises.

"Of course." I flashed him a thin smile, "You would like us to assist you with information sharing both what we have now and we could encounter in Auburn City. Likewise, you will also share yours in order to bring this case to a close." I told in a matter-of-fact tone, changing my thin smile to a daring one.

He grinned and nodded.

"It appears the heir of House Tessanya is true to the academies' whispers. I will task one of my agents to make contact with you once you arrive in Auburn. He will be the one you will be coordinating with on behalf of House Leonhart." He slid a small paper towards me.

I unfolded the paper and the content was the details for his agent, well details may be a generous term. It contained his codename 'Spawn' and that he was a man. The codewords we would be using would be him approaching me at the Auburn's Adventurer Guild with a phrase and the reply code to it was written here. I read it thoroughly to commit it to memory but I also folded it back up and placed it in my chest pocket for safe keeping just in case. Once the paper was secured, I faced Count Leonhart again.

"Understood. Our mission directive will have a secondary objective but know that since this is an order originally from the Law and Order, I have to prioritize the original goal of the mission." I said to him with full seriousness. It would cost me my job and my reputation if I failed this mission because I focused on an additional tasks that was related but no entirely the main goal.

He closed his eyes and nodded.

"I know. In that case, you are free to use the resources my agent has to his disposal once you meet him." After that, the tension and serious atmosphere melted away as he to a more soft expression.

"Now that business is over. I will take my leave. I have to resume the deskwork I left unfinished." He stood up and looked at all of us again. "Please enjoy your stay here during your resupply." He bowed and left. His wife followed suit while his brother lingered for a bit.

Faust, the younger brother, continued to enjoy the remains of his dessert.

"Quite a serious affair no?" He asked as if it didn't concern him.

"To think that he had that of a problem here when I visited on my day off." He sighed, "If I would've known I would've already prepared a sortie from the Imperial Army if he had wanted to get it solved quickly but alas he wants to keep it under wraps for now." He continued sighing disappointedly as he ate the dessert.

I glanced to my side, signalling to Cameron that I wanted to talk about what just transpired. He closed his eyes and stood up.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll have to retire now. The trip was exhausting and quite frankly it will be nice to spend the night in a bed for a few days." He grinned and left the dining hall, through the hallway that we entered that led all the way to the side entrance to the guest manor.

We eventually dwindled in the dining hall until it was time for the last to finish their dessert to stand up, which was me and Rona.

"Glad to see that I wasn't the only one who took too long to finish ice cream." I told her as the servants cleaned up our plates. Once they were done, we stood up and walked back together.

The night sky was more serene than it was earlier, now that most people are now fast asleep, the quiet atmosphere and the breeze was soft and cool. It feels like you the night was calling you to sleep outside.

Once we entered back into the manor, we headed towards the living room area where the rest of the team was waiting for us.

Cameron and Melanie were seated together in one sofa while Ian and Victor were lounging on the chairs.

"Sorry it took us this long to finish the dessert, I was too stuffed by then." I laughed awkwardly as I made my way to an empty seat. There was a table in the center of our gathering. It had a teapot on it and some cups but nobody has use one yet. I surveyed everyone as I sat upright and took a deep breath.

"Now." I said to call their attention, "Let's take a look at our situation." I turned to Cameron and nodded at him, prompting him to continue. He crossed his arms before he spoke.

"Since we're guests of House Leonhart, we're changing up our schedule." He took a second to make sure everyone was listening before he continued, "We'll still do as scheduled but we're going to use this guest manor as our base of operations instead of an inn. That makes the process of security easier but makes accessing the alleyways and back here to be difficult." He turned to face Victor.

"Check the route and rendezvous point tomorrow morning. Double check for a safer route back here by noon." he nodded, "Got it L.T." He swivelled next to face Melanie.

"I'll leave it to you make contact with the this Spawn fellow Count Leonhart mentioned when we arrive in Auburn. For now, stick to the plan with Ian." Melanie nodded, with a bit of a serious expression.

"As for Rona and Viola." He turned to face us. "You'll act as back up for any of the teams in both cities, simply put, you're holding the fort." He then looked at everyone in the room, "Any questions?"

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A moment of glancing at one another passed but not one raised a word. Once one started to nod, everyone started to exchange nods with one another until everyone turned to face Cameron.

"Sounds like a plan!" I told him. Everyone else spoke in agree with positive one.

Cameron dropped his hands to his sides, "In that case, everyone is dismissed. Get some rest." He walked forwards towards the hallway that led into the entrance lobby, presumably to head to bed right away.

I looked at the forlorn tea and snacks. It would be a waste to not eat them.

"Anybody want to finish these with me?" I pointed to the treats at the table. Everybody shook their heads except Melanie and Rona.

"I feel a little peckish, I'll have some before bed." said Melanie.

"I agree with Melanie. It would be improper to just ignore these treats the servants prepared." Rona said.

Everyone else bid their farewell and headed the way where Cameron went. Melanie, Rona, and I enjoyed the tea and cookies until there was nothing left. We called for one of the servants to come and collect the plates and that everyone will be taking their rest. They nodded in understanding and left us. Soon, we also joined the other members in retiring to our rooms.

I could faintly hear the chirping of birds in the distance. The bed I was laying on was so soft and big and fluffy. It was wide enough for me to spread my arms wide and still have enough space on either side. The pillow was cold and soft to the touch, making one feel so sleepy as soon as you lay your head on it. If only every bed in the world was like this but unfortunately, these kinds of bed were expensive and thus only high-class inns, rich merchants, and influential nobility had these kinds of resources in abundance."

I sat up in bed and stretched. It was a good night's rest that I've had in a while, this even beats the bed I have at my home back at the capital city. Once I got out of bed I went downstairs to the kitchen to see what would be for breakfast. As I headed there, the house servants I passed through slightly bowed their heads as we crossed paths. When I reached the bottom floor, I smelled the scent of meat being boiled, and some faint scent of spices. I eagerly made my way towards the kitchen.

Though I know for health safety measure and proper nobility etiquette that I can't just waltz right in the kitchen without asking one of the staff to announce that I would be entering so that the chefs won't be surprised but alas, there were no one to call for that was outside the kitchen. I gingerly knocked at the door before opening it slightly, announcing myself.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but what would we be having for breakfast?" I asked politely as I peaked in. There were around six people inside the kitchen, though only two wore the proper chef attire while the others were assistants that wore the maid uniform or the butler uniform. One of the servants who was close to the door stopped what they were doing and faced me.

"Good morning guests!" He bowed before continuing, "Breakfast for today would be grilled steak and vegetable soup. Preparations are already well under way and we will inform everyone when it is ready to be served. You may wait for us at the next room over or you may opt to let us fetch you in your room or somewhere else."

"I see." I nodded, "In that case, I'll be outside for some air then. Thank you." I closed the door again and went towards the lobby entrance. Some light exercises should be enough to work an appetite for breakfast. The garden that connected the main estate and this guest estate was large enough that a few laps around would be decent exercise. The team wouldn't conduct anything yet before breakfast so we can all do our own things first.

I went for a light jog around the grounds of the garden. It was beautiful and teeming with growing flora that looked like it was still spring. Along the way there were gardeners that tended the garden. They bowed their heads and I waved at them in return. It took half an hour to go one a single lap and I've worked up a quite a sweat when I returned to the estate. I also ran into Lilian as I walked up to the entrance.

"Do you need us to prepare a bath?" She asked as she turned to face me. I waved a hand.

"Thank you, and only for a quick wash, I don't want to miss breakfast." She bowed after my reply and headed deeper. Come on to think of it, where do they bathe here? is it in one the bathrooms upstairs?

After taking washing off the sweat I've built up from my jog, I went to join the others at the multi-purpose room next to the kitchen. It was mostly for a waiting room for guests or it can be a small room for clandestine meeting or just a casual reception room. For our stay, it was being used as the dining room during mealtime, though it was mostly the servants who would prepare and clean up after those mealtimes.

The room was styled simply. A rectangle table long enough to seat six people. Cameron, and Ian were already seated, drinking some morning cup of tea or coffee I think? I took one of the empty seats and greeted them.

"So it' just us up for now. I thought for sure everyone would be awake by now." I said aloud. "Victor's out on some short reconnaissance but he should be back soon. Joran wanted to help in the kitchen but he was refused since he was a guest. I never asked where he would wait." Cameron replied.

"Rona's remembering her time back because of the bed. Melanie might be just be enjoying this luxury." He also added. I nodded, "I guess I can understand how they feel."

A few minutes later, Melanie entered the room. She looked refreshed and seated beside me. Rona joined soon after. Then one of the maids entered the room. She was wearing an apron and announced that breakfast is ready. As she stepped aside, the kitchen staff brought in the plates for our breakfast. They also offered a choice of drink between water, tea, and coffee. House Leonhart really is that wealthy because of their mining rights.

While they were laying breakfast, Victor and Joran entered the room. Then when the maid who announced earlier said that breakfast is served we heard Rona's voice from the hallway, asking where breakfast would be served. I guess everyone'll be here for breakfast.

Breakfast was over in a blink of an way and we soon parted with our own missions. Cameron and Victor would set out to meat the Intelligence and Communications Bureau agent for updated details on our mission. Melanie, Ian, and Joran would be in charge of our provisions for the journey to Auburn. Rona and I were just left on standby at the manor guest. Thus, I decided to spend the time practicing new ways to utilize my remote artifact control while Rona would be borrowing House Leonhart's library for anything interesting which was located at the main estate.

By lunchtime everyone had returned to the estate relatively unscathed. We decided for a debrief after lunch. The lunch they served that time were sausage rolls, pretty heavy meal you could say with the amount they chose to serve for us but it was delicious regardless. Once the plates were cleaned up, we switched to debriefing, with Cameron leading the discussion.

"What did you find?" He was also holding a bundle of files as he asked Victor.

"Route seems safe, found a few alternative routes for approach and exit so I think it'll be fine."

Cameron grunted, "What about your end Melanie?"

"We were able to procure all the provisions we need for both the journey and the first few days we would spend in Auburn. Any more than that we need to resupply elsewhere." She said as she handed a paper to him, presumably the list of things they acquired.

Cameron skimmed it through before setting it down alongside the other bundles of file he was holding. "So it seems we are set. Anybody got any loose ends that needs to fix?" He scanned around as he ask us.

We glanced at each other, waiting to see if anyone had any. When it seemed there wasn't any, I raised my hand.

"Given that it's already lunch, we would be biding our farewell to the Count later tonight no? and depart by tomorrow. It would be rude and dangerous to set out at sundown."

Cameron nodded, "Of course. After this debriefing I would ask the maids to inform him of our discussion."

Everyone nodded and agreed with everything we've discussed. There were no massive issues that needs immediate discussion and so, we asked Lilian to inform Count Leonhart of the result of of discussion. Now it was just another dinner with the Count and we'll be leaving after breakfast tomorrow.

The afternoon passed by quickly, there was no urgent task that we needed to now. It was just a waiting game for the dinner where we'll thank the Count for his hospitality. The updated information we've been able to receive from the Intelligence and Communications bureau was intriguing to say the least.

Some of their reports have confirmed what the Count's agents have gathered. Numerous suspicious individuals who all originated from the the Magic Federation were spotted numerous times in deserted places after dark. Most times they were with another person, possibly an accomplice or a inside man, other times, they just stand other alone, motives unconfirmed. The only thing the bureau's information that stands above the Count's was that our target, Lucian, was somehow loosely connected to these individuals which means things might get dicey when we approach him in Auburn. No one knows yet if we can resolve this peacefully now that other nations have been involved.