As the delegates left the meeting room and went their separate ways, Aurora and Eldrin headed back to the village, while Lukas returned to his office. Bell was left with a thought that had only just occurred to him: the dead demon that had harmed Aurora. He had been a part of the Empire. Could it be that other soldiers who had gone AWOL had committed similar crimes?
It was certainly possible. Hunger and anger could drive people to do strange and even outright bad things. Tomas had already informed Bell that the military was mostly in disarray and on the run, but what if a battalion or a division of them had turned to banditry? That would certainly be a problem.
"Bell, have you seen the autopsy report?" Lisa chimed in.
"No, I haven't. Is there anything particularly interesting in it?" Bell asked.
"Interesting is an understatement. Did you know that horns are anatomically similar to nails, with the main difference being the support they get from a lot of muscle and different tendons covered in dead cells?"
"No, I didn't," Bell replied, his curiosity piqued. "So, what did you discover?"
"It turns out, the body isn't even that of a Sa'El. It's human, with demonic horns surgically implanted into its head to make it appear like a Sa'El. Quite crazy, isn't it?" Lisa added.
"Wait, what? Could we be victims of a false flag operation here?" Bell asked, though he had already begun to suspect as much. If that were the case, it was possible that the disease and contaminants in the elven village were their doing. But how? The hunting team hadn't reported any sightings of humans yet.
Whoever had orchestrated this was undeniably clever, but they seemed to have little to no knowledge about Bell's abilities. If not for the modern rifles and weapons, the elves might not have settled for mere protests; they would have likely formed a warband with the sole aim of eliminating any demon they came across for the murder of their deity, Aurora. The question remained, however: was there a human liaison involved, and if so, where?
"It certainly appears that way. The pathogens found in the elven village aren't of natural origin. It was a bioengineered strain of Vibrio Cholerae, capable of rapid reproduction and able to thrive in cold ice and water. Fortunately, it's highly susceptible to even the slightest doses of Doxycycline, almost as if the bacteria itself prioritized sheer reproduction over resistance," Lisa explained.
"My lord... who the hell is this bioengineer in the Southern Coalition? I want to find them, and I damn well want to bring them to justice," Bell said, frustration evident in his voice, his anger simmering just below the surface.
"Don't be too hasty. He's more valuable to us alive," Lisa cautioned.
"And how exactly is that?" Bell inquired.
"Whether we like it or not, the creator understands these pathogens better than anyone else, which means we might have a chance at finding a more effective cure," Lisa replied with a thoughtful smile.
"I just wish we could find a cure for the bleeding plague," Bell sighed.
"Well, I need samples," Lisa responded. "Or maybe not." She was well aware of the risks associated with bringing samples back to the base, as it could potentially lead to the pathogen spreading among multiple demons, jeopardizing their lives. It was like trying to enter paradise by smashing yourself against a brick wall to destroy it.
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"We definitely need an intelligence division or unit," Bell concluded.
This division would require highly skilled resources, individuals with ISR capabilities on par with Lukas. The hunter team alone wouldn't be sufficient to identify the pockets of coalition operatives in the region, as we've seen over the past three weeks.
"I agree, Bell," Lisa chimed in.
"We'll name the unit the Regional Analyst Agency. I can allocate 6,000,000 EP for the unit. Can you make that happen, Lisa?" Bell inquired.
"That budget should be more than enough. I also suggest adding Rossovento to the RAA, given her intelligence expertise. However, I'll consult with Lukas since this falls under his area of expertise," Lisa added.
"Alright, I'll eagerly await the results," Bell said.
"Bell, if you ask me, they'll deliver quickly but at a hefty price," Lisa continued. "I'll opt for experienced workers rather than novices. Rest assured, I'll ensure they deliver the best results for us."
"What are you referring to?" Bell asked.
"Open your interaction menu, then navigate to your specialized summoned personnel. I discovered a new interface when you leveled up to level 23," Lisa explained.
[Specialized Personnel Sub-Menu][Input Code: ___ ][EP: 25,650,000] [Experience: ◄Novice►]
* [Engineers]
* [Medicines]
* [Cybermagicals]
* [Legals and Civil Affairs]
* [ISRs]
1. Novice Professional: Represents individuals with no work experience, typically fresh graduates or those in entry-level positions. This level reflects the initial learning and adaptation phase in a professional setting, whether in medicine, engineering, or any other field.
2. Experienced Professional: For individuals with around 10 years of work experience. At this stage, professionals have developed a significant depth of knowledge and skills in their field. They are often seen as reliable, competent, and capable of handling complex tasks with minimal supervision. [+1,000,000 EP]
3. Advanced Professional: Represents those with about 20 years of work experience. Professionals at this level are often leaders in their field, possessing a wealth of experience. They may take on senior roles, mentor younger colleagues, and are often involved in strategic decision-making processes. [+2,500,000 EP]
4. Master Professional: This level represents individuals with approximately 40 years of work experience. At this stage, professionals are recognized as masters in their field, exhibiting exceptional skill, depth of knowledge, and a broad perspective gained through extensive experience. They are often the go-to experts for solving the most challenging problems and are highly respected for their contributions. [+5,000,000 EP]
5. Veteran Professional: This level is for individuals with more than 50 years of work experience. They are typically seen as experts or authorities in their field, having accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and experience. They may play pivotal roles in shaping the future of their profession, either through leadership, innovation, or education. [+10,000,000 EP]
Bell hadn't explored the new interface yet, but the prospect of getting a seasoned veteran in the field excited him. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that a million EP for each personnel might be a bit too steep. Nevertheless, he decided to entrust the task to Lisa and Lukas since they appeared to have a good grasp of what needed to be done.
"At the very least, the organization should have two sub-units: one for analysts and one for paramilitary operations," Bell suggested.
"I completely agree," Lisa nodded.
"Speaking of which, what category do you fall into? You're certainly not a regular soldier like Sylva, even though Sylva is more skilled in combat," Bell inquired.
"I belong to the bottom category in the interface," Lisa admitted, prompting Bell to give her a sharp look, considering the significant cost associated with her.
Bell then gave a sharp gaze at Lisa, the implication was that she was older than 50 years old. However, she looked 30, at most.
"What? Why do you think I'm both the chief of staff and head of the health department?" Lisa explained.
"Yes, but I don't think you're that old, ever!" Bell remarked.
"Come on, Bell, we're not that different in age, and besides, demons have significantly longer lifespans," Lisa reassured him.
Bell chuckled. "Anyway, Lisa, I appreciate your help."
"It's my pleasure, Bell," Lisa replied before exiting the conference room
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Regional Analyst Agency
[https://i.imgur.com/YDXj3Mk.jpeg]