When the morning bell rings, it signals the official start of most work hours and can be heard all throughout the capital, although I'm not sure how far one can actually hear it but that's not my problem.

I arrived at the Imperial Palace grounds just before the bell rings and made my way towards the southern gate. After a good few minutes of walking the directly connected hallways, I eventually arrived at the gate and found two wagons and lot of soldiers scattered around it. One of them seemed to notice me and walked towards me. When he was close enough I noticed he was Director Lightfield. I immediately straightened and saluted him properly.

"Sorry for taking so long Director! Secretary Tessanya reporting for duty!". I exclaimed, loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear. The director nodded, "Good timing. Now follow me for the final debrief." he turned around and walked back to the wagons and I hurried after him.

When he stopped, six soldiers also stopped and stood at attention, saluting him properly.

"Now that everyone is here, remember, discretion is advised. Do not bring any unnecessary attention to this case more than you need. Is that understood?" He gave each one of us a menacing stare when he spoke, all of us agreed by nodding, not being brave enough to answer back with our voice.

He sighed, relieved, "Good." then he turned towards me, "I entrust the mission to you now Captain Tessanya. Director Pathwalker talked highly of you. Do not fail me." He said with an icy voice and then left. Meanwhile, I was frozen stiff with terror at the aura he released when he was actually working as the Director for Law and Order you know?

Anyway, Cameron walked up towards me, now sporting the standard black with gold accents Imperial Uniform rather than the enforcer specialized, red and gold. This time, the only thing that separates them was the color of their shoulder guards. Cameron was wearing a black one, Rona was wearing white, while the rest have gold.

"Looking forward to working with you captain." He said in a gruff voice. "You'll be riding in the second wagon alongside, Rona, Melanie, and Ian. I'll be in the first wagon with Joran, and Victor.". We walked towards the rest of the group who were assembled in the back on the second wagon. Melanie, with her blackhair tied up and tucked under her beret approached me.

"I shall be responsible for your needs during travel but when we reach Auburn City, the role returns to Lt. Cameron." She still had her expressionless face on when she informed me but I agreed nonetheless.

When every luggage and provisions were loaded in, we were signaled by the gate garrison that we were clear for departure. We boarded the wagons and soon set off towards the Citadel City of Fort Stoic. The rattling of the wagons as we sped away from the gates and the capital city growing smaller and smaller as we followed the southern road confirmed that our deployment is an actual mission.

We continued down the road as silent as the wind, the neighing of the horses the only sounds one can hear from living beings. It was honestly deafening so I started up conservation.

"So Rona. I read in your file that you were brought up together with a noble child? Are you a ward of that house or are you just someone who grew up with them?" I inquired. Her aquamarine-colored eyes met mine and after a brief pause replied, "They were considering to make me a ward, but soon after discovering I have light magic affinity, the Intelligence and Communications Bureau took me in."

Though she was staring right at me, it felt like those eyes of hers were looking at something distantly. "I served that noble house until I joined the enforcers though. I was only took in to train my light magic, so I don't really blame the bureau."

Ian, who was beside her, grunted, "Past is past, no need to dwell too much on it." He was sitting with his arms crossed and eyes closed. Somewhat similar to a meditative stance. Melanie was at the reins of our wagon.

"Huh, I see." was all I could say in response since it looked like they wouldn't just open up all the way just because I was their temporary commanding officer. After all, they might've have more life and deaths missions than I assumed and have built immense trust with each other already.

After a few more hours Melanie called out, "Alright, we're stopping here for lunch."

The wagon stopped at the rest stop at the side of the road. Rest stops like these exist all throughout the major roads of the Empire which helped travelers to be able to replenish their strength and be able to exchange small talk as they travel throughout the empire. The rest stop exists on both sides of the road, one for either direction. In the rest stop going south, there were three other groups that were resting already.

I hopped out of the the wagon and Cameron greeted me, "For now, we'll have lunch cooked by Joran and after half an hour, we'll be back on the road."

"Got it." I replied and soon sat down at one of the empty spots near a campfire site. I watched as the enforcer members, with their practiced movement, unloaded what they needed for lunch. Ingredients, cooking utensils, and feed for the horses. I turned towards the other groups resting and it appeared one of them was a noble while the other two were merchant caravans. Seeing that they were making small talk, I thought to join in.

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I called out to Rona, who was the nearest to them, "I'll be joining the other groups for a moment while you guys unload. Please call me if anything arises." I said and walked towards the others. Rona just nodded and said, "Order received."

I straightened out my uniform and walked towards them at a leisurely pace, making sure to be not to eager to approach them nor to haughty and soon they noticed my approach as they murmured down. I introduced myself when I was a few steps away from them.

"Good afternoon. I am Viola Tessanya of the Research and Development Bureau. May I join this conversation or am I intruding on a private conversation?" I scanned each one of who I assumed to be the leaders of their respective caravans.

The nobles were appeared to be under the command of a young lady with long blonde hair with an outdoorsy dress. "Of course not, I am Lilia Lupane, a student of the Imperial Academy." She said as she curtsied. The merchants bowed after her. The first one was a slim young man with slick black hair. "I am Duncan of the Aurelion Company. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." he bowed and the second merchant soon followed, "Likewise, I am Janus of Trey Company." He was a more plump man and a head shorter than Duncan.

"The pleasure is all mine." I said and asked them, "What brings you all on this road towards the south?" Lilia was the first to answer.

"As classes for the Imperial Academy has ended and summer break has started, I would be returning home to my family's domain." She said in a manner befitting of a noble woman. Duncan replied, "I regularly conduct trade between the merchants in the capital city and in the citadel city." He was looking far more composed or maybe on guard while Janus was cautious. "I check the different branches of the company along the southern reaches. Since summer is approaching that would mean we would need to make sure our stocks are appropriate and are properly displayed."

Everyone of them became a bit distant the moment I entered their lively conversation. Since I was an official of the Imperial Government, and the Empress's impressive crackdown on the corrupt nobles four years ago still lingers on the hearts of many, I can understand their reasons.

"Not too worry. I have my own specific mission that will take me further south. Do not fret that I am part of some sort of mercantile crackdown." I waved my hand to try and dismiss their fears. "Anyway, I have heard about your excellence at the academy Ms. Lupane. I must applaud you for scoring high for the first years."

At that praise, she blushed a little and puffed her meager chest out. "Why, thank you for acknowledging my talents. After all, I wouldn't bring shame to House Lupane." She said with a satisfied grin on her face.

"I expect a steady amount of good things from you as you continue your education." She nodded eagerly, "Of course. I am Lilia of House Lupane after all, I can quickly become the face of my batch.". Satisfied by my praise, she nodded enthusiastically. I turned my attention towards the two merchants.

"As for your wares, may I inquire as to what you have? They might be suitable souvenirs for my co-workers who got left behind back at the capital." At the mention of souvenirs, their merchant instincts immediately popped up and became eager to make profit. Janus was the first one to reply.

"Since summer has just begun, we have begun stocking swimwear for both commoners and nobles, as well as items for cooling oneself in hot weather or for those who like to bathe in the sun." He then listed out the branches which he manages in the southern road. I nodded at appropriate intervals and replied with "I see." each time to reassure him that I was listening.

After he was finished speaking, I turned my attention to Duncan, "What about your company Mr. Duncan? What wares does the citadel city have that people from the capital would be eager to see?". He was quiet at first, I guess contemplating might be the correct word.

"Since the citadel city is for small and travelling merchants, they could not hope to compete in the capital city's marketplace without a powerful backer thus, we would buy some of their wares and sell them at the capital. Then if it receives a positive attention, we would then decide on furthering our partnership with those merchants." He said. Well, he never said anything about the particular wares they were herding so I asked him to give an example.

"One of the items I was going to negotiate for was this." He retrieved the satchel bag he had lying beside him and pulled out a small box.

"This box contains herbs that when used correctly in alchemy, can create lotions that can moisturize the skins and make them supple again." By his mention of making skin better again, I perked up. Lilia also seemed to be listening quite attentively.

"Although the process is common, the herbs are difficult to obtain and can only be cultivated on certain land. The merchant I bought this from had a land he inherited from his mother's family. I was on my back to sign a contract with him as supplier for these herbs.

Like the eyes of a hunter, I zeroed in on my prey. The first one to take action wins after all.

"My, my! That seems like a splendid item. How was it received in the capital?".

Duncan smiled a bit, "To be honest, it took a while to get going but eventually we sold out once the alchemist actually proved the herbs effectiveness and the lotion was a success." He placed the box back inside the satchel.

"Well, that seems to intrigue me even more Mr. Duncan. If possible I would like myself to place a reservation for two- no, three! bottles of it. I can pay half for them right now and the other half when you deliver it to my workplace.

With my statement, Lilia also joined, "I too am interested in this lotion you speak of. I would like two bottles and can pay for them in full immediately.

Janus was petrified while Duncan had a victorious air about him. "Very well. Although I do not have them in hand just yet since we still need to procure the herbs and process them into proper lotions, all I can provide for now is a contract of sale. Would that suffice?".

A contract of sale was basically an agreement between two parties about a product that is yet to be sold or handed over. Sometimes merchants use it to swindle commoners or loan sharks who take advantages of people not reading the contract as a whole. Of course I accepted his offer but I read it very meticulously! I will not be scammed in pursuit of soft skin!

I handed him the contract back after triple checking it and signing. "I look forward to the products when I return to my work place in three weeks time." I said, and handed him a business card I always kept on me alongside half the payment for the lotions which was by the way, thirty imperial copper. it was still cheap since they still have yet to know the impact this could bring onto humanity.

"Thank you for doing business with..." He trailed off as he read my card but I was already planning to head back to the team. Lilia was also just about to pay up for the lotions.

"If you'll excuse me, I must head back to my team. May you have safe travels." I bowed to them and went back to our campsite.