The next day I set out towards the Law and Order Bureau Office. All the Bureaus were located inside the Imperial Palace grounds but were situated in one of the four gates.

The Research and Development was located by the Western Gate, which leads to an open area and further out was a forest populated with small animals and monsters. To the Eastern Gate that connects to the city proper was the Intelligence and Communications Bureau. By the Southern Gate was the Public Infrastructure Bureau where most of the artisans of the city were located at, basically it's the area for any production of anything. The Law and Order Bureau, my destination was located by the Northern Gate, it also doubles as the barracks for the city garrison.

Although all the bureaus were located in each gate, there were direct hallways that connects each bureau to the next or previous one while also having a hallway that connects to the Imperial Palace at the center of all the bureaus.

I left the office after reminding my assistant Julie of the responsibilities I will be leaving once I depart. I brought the documents for the mission with me as I head towards the L&O Bureau.

I arrived at the reception desk of the L&O Bureau and walked up to the receptionist. "Viola Tessanya of the Research and Development Bureau. I would like to set up an appointment with Director Julian Lightfield." The receptionist smiled and nodded cheerfully. "Of course, let me verify first your identity." She pulled out a small flat black board from under their side of the desk. "Please pour your magic onto the scanner." She asked.

I complied and place my right hand on it and poured a little bit of magic. Soon after, the scanner lit up in green and let out a beep. "Identity verified. Please wait a moment while I check for Director Lightfield's schedule.". She stood up and went to one of the office cubicles by the back which was the secretarial office. I stood patiently and after about five minutes she returned alongside another woman who had red hair that stretched past her shoulders. She was the secretary for this bureau, Alicia Fleur.

"Good day Viola." She greeted me and I replied in kind. "What brings you out to answer my request Ms. Fleur?".

She chuckled, "Don't be so stiff Viola, we're both secretaries and we all know the eccentrics of the Research and Development bureau has, but about your request, I assume it's about what we sent to Director Pathwalker a few days ago?". As expected of the secretary, she knew what I would be coming here for. "You are correct. I would like to clarify a few things with Director Lightfield."

Her gaze sharpened as she nodded, "I see." After a pause she continued, "He will be meeting with the team at an hour past lunch, I'll inform them that you'll be joining them, would that suffice?". She asked with the same sharp gaze. What's with her suddenly showing such an interest I wonder?

"Yes that would work fine. Will they be inside the Director's Office?" I asked, and she nodded in affirmative. "Alright, then I'll be back by then. Thank you for your assistance." I bowed to them and they bowed back. "It is our pleasure for assisting you today." The way she smiled as I turned around was picture perfect of the ideal receptionist you could think of.

After finishing my lunch at the cafeteria at the R&D bureau I went to the Director's Office at the L&O bureau. I was greeted by Ms. Fleur again at the reception desk. "Good to see you again", she said as I walked up towards her, "They are already at his office, I'll guide you over there. She walked over to the side and motioned for me to follow her.

The layout of each bureau was similar to each other in most parts, minus the facilities each would be specializing in, so from the reception desk near the secretarial office of the L&O and the path leading to the Director's Office was pretty much the same way as it was at the R&D bureau.

Ms. Fleur knocked on the door, "Director, I've brought Secretary Tessanya from the Research and Development Bureau.". A reply came immediately and she guided me inside.

The interior didn't look as spacious as Director Pathwalker's office back at the R&D but I think that's mainly down to the room being cramped with already seven people inside before we entered. The director was standing on his side of the desk while the other six were stood at attention with their backs turned against us. I assumed they were the Enforcer Team that was assigned to be under me for the upcoming mission.

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"Good. Your commanding officer for your next mission has arrived." The six figures turned around simultaneously and lined up at the sides and saluted properly. I acknowledged them by nodding while Director Lightfield introduced me. "This is Secretary Viola Tessanya of the Research and Development Bureau. Though she may be the desk officer, she still ranks as one similar to a captain and will be essential for the task at hand. Is that understood?" He all gave them a piercing gaze.

"Sir yes sir!" They all bellowed together, and introduced themselves one by one.

The first one to speak up was the farthest from me at my left, Cameron the team's leader. He was a tall well-built man, truly a veteran of the enforcers. Next was the woman beside him who had white accents on her uniform that indicated she was a healer and bowed as she introduced herself

"I am Rona. light mage healer. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.". The plain young man beside her introduced himself next,

"Joran of Enforcer Four!". He said. Then the woman furthest on my right, who had an unreadable expression by the way, spoke up, "Melanie, Enforcer Sergeant.".

She was then followed up by a short bulky man who introduced himself as Ian, and last was Victor who wore his uniform a bit loosely but still within regulations.

"This is Enforcer Team Four, Secretary Tessanya." Director Lightfield explained, "They will be under your command for the duration of the mission. They have also been briefed upon the contents of it and any further instructions shall be relayed to you or be given by you as the situation arises."

I nodded, "Thank you for your introductions. I will be grateful for your cooperation for the success of this mission." Director Lightfield nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Now that has settled the introductions, you have a week to prepare for the journey to Auburn City. Please double check your responsibilities that you will be leaving here and to make sure to double check your luggage and inform us of any possible things we might have missed for your team to packed in. That will be all.". With that, we all saluted, and we all left the director's office.

I was walking alongside them as we made our way down back to the reception desk when Cameron spoke up, "Please be at ease ma'am. Despite how some of them look, they are all capable and mean well. If you have any issues, you may bring them up to me or to Melanie." Before being able to offer a reply, they all went towards their barracks to prepare for departure.

"Why do I feel a headache coming on?" I sighed as I watch them disappear in the distance.

When I returned to the R&D Secretarial office, I relayed the important things to be taken note of the days of my absences while also accomplishing the rest of the tasks I have to personally oversee during the days before the departure. I just hope the bureau doesn't fall apart just because of my absence.

Meanwhile, Cameron kept me updated on their luggage preparation as well as the provisions the Empire will be allotting to this mission. Surprisingly, the budget allotment was way out of what I expected. It gives me the shivers of what would happen if we fail this mission.

The next six days went by like a flash. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, except that on the last day my colleagues at the secretarial office begged me to reconsider but it's director's orders so there's really nothing I can do if I want to keep my job.

"Well then, I leave the secretarial duties to you Julie. Make me proud." I gave her a hug and waved at them goodbye,

Then I said farewell to my colleagues for the time-being and head home for the day. Tomorrow, we'll be departing for Fort Stoic and then head out to Auburn City. I made my return home with tons of things to think about, mostly about the mission since my whole career rides on whether or not this succeeds. Geez, why did Director Pathwalker even assign this to me?

My home was a rented apartment in the Western District. The proximity of it to the marketplace makes it a convenient place to shop for groceries or for eating out, although the rent is pretty pricey due to it. I spent the night jumping from food stall to food stall since I won't be coming here for at least half a month.

The food journey I experienced that night was sublime. From various fried meat skewers to flat pancakes filled with different flavors. It felt like a huge banquet of cheap foods but all the stall owners were accommodating enough as long as I dangle enough coins to them.

I can't remember much what happened since I think I went pretty all out and almost used up all the money I had on me. Good thing banks exist huh.

I looked towards the window as a small stream of sunlight passed through it, shining down in my room. After a few seconds of trying to get my bearings I went to prepare to meet the team by the southern gate an hour after the morning bell.