It was the day after we left Mineras City. We left after lunch yesterday and will be arriving at Auburn City on the day after tomorrow. Count Leonhart had already given advanced notice to the governor ruling the city of our arrival and our directive so we would get sorted out and accommodated immediately. We planned to still hold the mana manipulation training for Victor so he can add that to his recon skills. I felt a little bad for Joran since he's not a qualified mage so I thought I would spar with him for a few martial arts. Surprisingly, he was pretty adept at most of them. Guess he already knew that martial arts would be his only line of offensive and defensive capability.

We continued this routine for a total of three days during our travel between Mineras and Auburn. On lunch the fourth day, we arrived at Auburn city. It was a city less grandeur than Mineras since it was more of an agricultural city. There were wide swats of farms and orchards on the approach to the city gates, dotted with little houses in-between for the storage shed and farmer's abode. In contrast to Mineras City, with its more industrious feel, Auburn was more like an agricultural development city. Fields stretched upon the horizon, dotted with farmers and helpers around, even young children can be spotted helping them.

"This feels like a whole different region already huh." I said out aloud. My companions inside the wagon, Rona was asleep, while Melanie and Ian were up front. Given that the last few days have been nothing but the green scenery, I could understand being a bit bored and more drowsy than usual. But we would be entering the city proper in a few minutes so I decided to wake her up.

She stirred and stifled a yawn as she sat up. "We just passed the gates so we'll be disembarking in a few." I told her. I leaned towards the front, "So where we headed for now?"

"We'd be paying the city governor a visit. If Count Leonhart's letter arrived we should be expecting accommodations all throughout our stay here and the cooperation of the city officials so it should be a matter of time before we find Lucian and get back to the Capital." Melanie said as she continued to face forward, "In any case, our first couple of days would be settling in and discussing the matter with the city governor.

We strolled on the front of the city hall, which was located a few blocks away from the entrance we went in. There were already a few guards stationed and a few official ready to assist us. The passengers of the first wagon were the ones to talk to them about the arrangements discussed beforehand. Then after a few minutes, a couple of guards arrived on horseback, led by a man with an civil servants uniform.

"It is our pleasure to accommodate Enforcers from the Capital. Lord Leonhart has already told me of the circumstances. I shall lead you to an empty estate the government owns, along with a few hired hands for maintaining it. If you please follow me kindly." He turned his horse around and headed towards the estate we would be using. We all went back inside the wagons and followed him. It was a sort or procession. With his group on horseback leading the way, our wagons in the middle and another group at the rear of our formation. Though it did feel to the people that it was something important that their governor was involved, but after a few reassurances from the lead group, the anxiety eventually settled down.

"Here we are!" The governor announced. When we stopped our wagons, we took a peak at the estate the city would be loaning us. We were told along the way that this was one of the empty estates this city has and the city officials had the ownership for the land since there was no eligible heir for the land. It was a faded colored ivory mansion, with a second floor.

The governor led us inside the mansion. The ground floor had three rooms; a kitchen, a dining hall, and a living room, minus the entrance hall with the stairs leading upstairs of course. The second floor had more rooms but with less space inside. There were five rooms that seemed to be the same size overall and the last room looked to be something similar to a wash room.

"This seemed like a pretty okay mansion." I said out aloud as we walked outside again to look at the mansion loaned to us. "Why didn't anybody buy this off from you?" I turned to ask at the governor.

"Most cases that there are empty houses and plots here is because of the nature of our city." He turned around to face the other lots around us. "Our city is known to be an agricultural one, thus anything that puts a negative impact on it." He looked melancholy for a moment before returning to his business-like face. "If you have any need of assistance, you may drop by the city hall or have one of the servants to do so." He bowed, "I bid you farewell for the time being."

He left us but some of our escorts stayed behind to help us unload our wagons. Then we discussed with the housetakers the governor loaned to us on what the routine will be during our stay and which rooms will be used for which purpose. For the rest of the day, we decided to rest and to confirm the outline of our week or two stay here for our investigations.

On the next day, we set out for our individual plans. Rona and Joran would be the ones staying at the manor, receiving and sorting information gathered by both Victor's own investigations, and Cameron's contact with the various persons we were told to meet, namely Count Leonhart's spy Spawn, and the representative from the Intelligence and Communications Bureau, whom I and Melanie will meet at a cafe. Ian Would be responsible for the defenses of our base so he's permanently stationed there.

The cafe in question was a popular one for both nobles and commoners alike for their affordable sweets and pastries, as well as the ability for the venue to be rented for certain occasions. It was located at the center of the commercial district, which was located near the northern gate.

It was an established that stood at an intersection of roads. The building had a lot of space and had two floors. The second floor was split half with a terrace area.

"We were supposed to meet the representative at the terrace I recall." I said in a whisper. Melanie nodded.

However as we approached, there seemed to be a commotion. Imperial Police Force members were on the ground and had medics on the scene, talking to what seemed to be a butler. A staff of the cafe I presume. Nevertheless, we strode forward to which we were halted by one of the Police.

"The area is off-limits for a time being. We graciously ask for your patience as we solve this emergency." He said. It seemed that the crowd who were gathered outside those who planned to enter the establishment. Inside, past the windows, I could see some of the customers inside were looking at something or someone instead of enjoying their dining experience.

"It seems there was a problem." I whispered to Melanie. "Do you think it could be related to our contact?". Melanie took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. "It seems unlikely. From what I know, operatives from the Intelligence and Communications are well trained and well disciplined in their field of work."

We waited for the investigators to finish their owrk. A crowd of both people interested in the commotion and those wanting to enter the cafe piled up. Eventually, a group of officers filed out of the establishment, along with a man who looked like a chef. He had his arms behind him as he was escorted to a carriage of the police force.

A stern looking officer walked up to addressed the gathered crowd. He had short silver hair and had the air of refinement and elegance.

"Apologies for the delay citizens!." He bellowed out, enough for everyone to hear him. " After responding to an emergency call, we have taken custody of persons that may be suspect to the incident in question. Rest assured, the area is now safe again for the public. Any further news shall be relayed directly to the establishment. Thank you for your understanding!" He turned towards his men, "Move out!".

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The rest of the officers got into the carriages waiting outside and soon disappeared when they turned a corner.

"It appears the situation has been resolved, although we have been delayed quite a bit." Melanie said. Letting out a sigh, we went inside the cafe and placed our orders. Then, as we were about to head to the terrace, the cashier stopped us.

"My apologies valued customer, but the terrace area was the site of the incident earlier. We ask you to avoid sitting in that area for the time being." She bowed to us in apology to which we replied readily.

"We never took into account this kind of situation. How will we contact the representative now?" I thought about it for a moment, but never quite got an answer. The area available on the second floor was the indoor tables which was half of the space of the cafe. It would be the most logical choice to set up shop as near as possible to the terrace to find our contact who no doubt will come to the same conclusion. Hopefully. I don't really know how these people were trained in that bureau.

Thus, we sat at the table nearest to the doors leading to the terrace. It gave us ample view of the outside and the scenery, even if only the distant ones. Not long after, our order arrived. Mine was a chocolate milkshake while Melanie had a slice of cheesecake. We indulged in our sweets bit by bit, gauging the people around us of whether or not they would be the representative we would be meeting. However long we waited though, no one seemed too interested in getting as close as possible to the terrace area.

After almost an hour of dining, I decided to ask Melanie. "Do you think something happened to the representative?" I asked in a low voice. There were other diners at the second floor. Can't risk leaking any confidential information.

"Possible." She said. as she continued to devour her third slice of cheesecake, or was it her fourth?. "If so, we need to account for that and the possible scenarios of an outside entity." She sure really looks cheesecake huh?

"Then after you finish that slice, we can up and go now." I flagged down a waiter, asking them to see our bill. Though I have a feeling it's gonna be really expensive with all the cheesecake. Good thing expenses are covered by the Empire.

After signing off the receipt and stamping it with my mana, it will then be sent to the relative departments in the Empire to process the finances. We left the cafe shortly after that and headed back towards the mansion loaned to us. It was well past-noon already, though still a good time way for the third bell. Melanie sidled up next to me, almost touching my shoulder with hers.

"It seems we are being tailed." She said quietly. "Though it seems they can hide their visual presence well, but their gaze on us I can detect." I nodded. "Let's lure her out then."

We changed our direction. Instead of heading back directly to the mansion, we led our curious observer to an secluded alleyway where shops and buildings looked closed for the moment. Once we reached a good enough distance from the main street, we stopped. "We know you're tailing us, so why wont you introduce yourself."

Though the person tailing us didn't speak, they let us knew or their presence by purposely making their steps loud. A tense atmosphere of quietness erupted. We were sizing each other up, and determining the capabilities, though we were at a disadvantage since we were showing our backs to them, we were prepared to counter regardless.

"It seems you are indeed the real deal." Our unknown pursuer said. When we turned around, it turned out that it they were alone, and had a slim figure. They wore a travellers' cloak with a hood. After they spoke, they took their hood down and the face behind it was a feminine one, sharp blue eyes and and bright-yellow hair, cascading down to just before her chest.

She brought upon her head, and with it, a badge with the symbol of the personal crest of the one of the Imperial Princesses, a book with a flame at the center. "I bring no harm. I came upon orders from my master and the Intelligence and Communications." She said. Not wasting anytime to her introduction. "Follow me, this is no place for this conversation."

After all those one-sided exchange, she turned around and turned a different corner in this alley. Melanie and I exchanged a brief glance before following her. After all, nobody would be brazen enough to forge a counterfeit of the personal crest of an Imperial Family and brandish them in front of complete strangers.

The woman led us to a small house far from the main street and went inside, leaving the door open to let us know to follow her in. Once inside, it was a normal home. There was a living room with a table and chairs, and past that looked like the kitchen. "Please sit. I'll make tea." She said as she disappeared further in. Feeling that there was no cause for concern yet, we obliged.

Looking around further, it seemed this house looked far too normal, to the point of being uncanny. There were furniture and decorations displayed neatly, but none of them feel like personal, just calculated to make it look like an ordinary home. There was a flower vase by the windowsill, a few books on the table, and simple designs of the wooden furniture.

"Though not made from the most luxurious leaves, I am quite proud of my skills." She emerged from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea. Once she poured for everyone, she settled down at the other side of the table.

"Apologies for the late introductions." She placed her hand on the table, looking like a merchant about to start a negotiation. "I am Commander Blue of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Unit of the Intelligence and Communications Bureau. In other words, I am the field commander for intel gathering. I was here to collect the agent that was originally tasked to assist you in your mission however, she had befallen an unfortunate accident and is recuperating. I went to visit her and get the documents but I was told she had nothing else on her during the time of accident, thus I can only speculate that her report was swiped from her in that timeframe." She adjusted her posture, "In conclusion, the report that will assist you in your own mission here has gone missing and responsibility falls partly to me as her direct superior. While I await for her recovery, I shall lend my assistance to you for the time being. Once I am able to converse with her, I will be unable as I will conduct an investigation on the events that led to her accident."

That was a lot to take in. An Imperial Spy was found out and taken out of commission, and then her report, which she was supposed to hand to her superior during that time got swiped during the time of her accident and before Commander Blue got to her. This narrows down the suspects quite a bit.

"And you suspect one of the responders?" I asked. She nodded,

"Yes, though I am not quite certain myself as there were nothing out of the ordinary during their response nor any of their movements. I assume you saw the commotion at the cafe no?". She asked as she elegantly stirred and sipped her tea.

I nodded, "We were told to wait a while if I remember. That should be sufficient time to swipe any possessions she may has." She nodded to my assessment as well.

"However, based from her earlier reports, there are mysterious individuals who were prowling around recently so she chose to tail them. The report for what happened after that was what was supposedly be in the report she was about to hand out. Its only fair to assume that those involved in what transpired during her tailing are the ones responsible for her supposed accident."

"And her supposed accident was?" She was kind of dodging the question. What had fallen on this agent to make her out of commission and had required police responders to intervene?

Blue took a deep breath, as if preparing herself for something one wouldn't expect.

"From the preliminary investigations, the police have written it as over exhaustion that led to the her fainting. After I introduced myself as part of the bureau, they told me that standard procedures dictate that they would perform health and physical checks on her before discharging her." She sighed, "Though it seems the culprit is not one of their ranks, but not a foregone conclusion. This chain of events led me to this decision of offering you my assistance before I am able to start an investigation behind this. A stealth attack that left no evidence on an agent from the Intelligence and Communications Bureau will not go unanswered." She said quietly but with fury in her voice.

I exchanged a glance at Melanie, who throughout this talk had remained the same expression as always, but I could read from her that she would agree to my choice. I turned to face Commander Blue.

"We appreciate your help then Commander Blue. I'll be relaying to you our plans during the week we expect to stay here. We are not yet sure if we would be prolonging but we will inform you of the matter should it happen." I told her our plans during this mission and told her our address where she can meet us and the rest of the team. Then I told her what we needed her to do, gather local information so that we can narrow down our approach to our goal.

She nodded, "Very well then. It shall be done."