How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game

The sky was dark before midnight. With snowflakes that started falling in the evening, quite a bit of snow had accumulated at the base.

The base was tinged orange due to torches and mana lamps. I approached stealthily.

As I observed with winds, no matter how strict the security was, there was no difficulty in entering.

I had already identified Erendil’s tent. The area around the tent was bright, but there were blind spots.

Hiding in those shadows, I sent a signal with winds. I tapped on the mana lamp inside Erendil’s quarters.

I felt Erendil startle. However, it seemed she immediately realized it was me.

“It’s alright. Come in.”

It was a whisper, apparently judging that I could hear. Then she clicked a button next to her desk.

A subtle wave flowed around the tent. It was magic. So subtle that I hadn’t noticed it beforehand.

It seemed at least an Archmage had a hand in it. If I had just entered, the magic would have activated. I was slightly surprised.

Well, the emperor wouldn’t have sent Erendil without any thought, so maybe I worried too much.

Seven seconds later. After surveying the surroundings, I entered Erendil’s tent.

Under the crimson light of the mana lamp, Erendil was sitting in a chair waiting for me.

Despite it being past midnight, just before bed, she was wearing simple armor. It meant she wasn’t neglecting vigilance.

Her current appearance reminded me of the time during the war with the West.

‘Still, she looks quite different.’

The war with the West was about a year and a half ago. Although not a long time, the impression was different. Back then, she had an obviously youthful look.

Of course, she still looks young now, but I should say she seems more mature than before. The atmosphere is a bit different too.

Well, originally young people grow rapidly. Even when I was in middle and high school on Earth, it was like that.

After the holidays, many kids had changed so much they were almost unrecognizable.

This winter will pass and her next birthday will make her nineteen, so it’s understandable for Erendil as well.

In fact, I briefly met her at the last coming-of-age ceremony, but at that time I was too focused on communicating with my eyes to pay attention to anything else. The situation was also busy. ꞦΆ𐌽ỔʙĚṥ

‘And she would have endured alone for a year and a half.’

Erendil trusted me a lot. And she lost her mother by my hand. Even knowing the inside story, it must have been painful.

It was natural that Erendil would have become much stronger mentally as well.

“Your Highness.”

“Have you been well?”

As I bowed my head in greeting, Erendil asked about my well-being. Can I say I’ve been well?

The results were good, but I’ve been quite busy. There were many difficult things too. I showed a faint smile.

“Many things have happened.”

“I’m sure. It was the same for me.”

Erendil nodded gracefully. It felt like she empathized without needing to ask more.

Unlike in the past, she seems relaxed.

Even then, her actions were elegant, but it didn’t feel like she was relaxed. This too was a positive change.

“I’m glad you seem to be alright.”

“Have you been well, Your Highness?”

“Well…”

Erendil looked at me with a slightly uncomfortable face. I have no excuse, being the very person responsible.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. Let’s not bring that up. There are stories that hurt the heart even if you know them.”

“I will do so.”

After a moment of silence, Erendil asked me.

“So. What brings you here?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Is it related to the expeditionary force?”

“Similar.”

“I was curious too. Father told us to subjugate the enemy, but the troops aren’t moving from here. Lord Rudehrn doesn’t say much either.”

I thought Erendil would know, but was Rudehrn hiding even that intention?

“He said we’re waiting for information, but it doesn’t seem like that.”

“Was that so?”

“Yes. In my opinion, Father has no intention of waging war. Is that right?”

“I think so too.”

“I thought it was just an action to turn public opinion, but seeing your face, it seems there’s a hidden story behind it.”

“It’s not a pleasant story for Your Highness to hear.”

“…Tell me. I will listen.”

I talked about the emperor’s plan that I had deduced. Erendil threw a few questions.

She seemed quite surprised at the fact that I had met the emperor.

She said she didn’t know I had met her father right away on that day when she asked if she could call me and I said it was impossible.

Anyway, I explained the reasons based on my hypothesis and the current situation, and after hearing everything, Erendil was silent for a while.

“…”

Her expression looked quite complex. It would be. It’s natural. I couldn’t guess what emotions she was feeling.

It’s true that the emperor had been indifferent to Erendil until now, but things changed quite a bit after I came. And he is her only remaining parent.

“As I said, it’s not certain. It’s just that I think there’s a high possibility.”

“No. After hearing your words, I too think that might be right. I knew Father’s health wasn’t good. And the current situation is like that too.”

Saying that, Erendil seemed to fall into deep thought for a moment. I gave her enough time.

And finally, Erendil raised her head and let out a deep sigh.

“Somehow, lately it seems like you come with bad news more often.”

“I’m sorry.”

Well, she said that, but I’m not sure what she means. I’ve only met Erendil twice recently.

Once was to prevent the terrorism, and now is the second time. If I had to say, wasn’t the former a good thing?

Well, from the perspective of someone who experienced terrorism, it could be a bad thing.

Before that, the last time she saw me was when I was killing her mother, so it’s understandable for her to say that.

“Still, thank you for telling me. It’s better than not knowing.”

I chose to keep my mouth shut. There was no need to say anything unnecessarily. Erendil probably wasn’t expecting an answer either.

After finishing her words, Erendil looked at the command board placed on the desk.

“Then I guess I should think about how to return with these troops.”

I thought about giving advice, but at that level, I felt there was no need to say anything. Erendil will handle it well.

If the direction becomes strange, I can tell her then. I can’t tell her everything. Erendil needs to grow too.

“Your Highness, I noticed on my way here that the security around the tent is lax.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, there were blind spots.”

Thanks to that, I could easily enter, but a warning was necessary. I can’t protect 24 hours a day either.

Also, I’m confident I could find a way to enter even if the security became stricter.

“It’s fine. Isn’t Lord Rudehrn next door?”

The tent next to Erendil’s was indeed Rudehrn’s. Well, it wasn’t that important.

Anyway, if they send an assassin, they’ll send quite a strong one.

Even if we block the blind spots, it won’t prevent infiltration. There’s even magic that I couldn’t notice.

“Also, wouldn’t it be difficult for you to visit?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Erendil looked at me with slightly pouty eyes before turning her gaze. It was to the command board on the desk.

She didn’t seem to pay much attention to this issue. Erendil spoke without looking at me.

“Schurtafen.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Drop by like this occasionally.”

Well. There’s no need to come see Erendil without a good reason. It’s better to do other things in that time.

Especially in the imperial palace, it will be even more so in the future. If she becomes emperor, Sword Masters will be guarding her.

But I didn’t add any unnecessary comments. It felt like I shouldn’t say anything.

“I will do so.”

“You may go. It’s good to see your face.”

“Yes. I’ll take my leave. Have a peaceful night.”

***

From the next day, the soldiers at the forward base started physical training. They ran and marched carrying heavy loads.

They even conducted training on quickly packing their belongings. The cavalry was running separately on the plains.

Erendil and Rudehrn were observing this scene. From a distance, I couldn’t be sure, but Rudehrn seemed to have a satisfied look.

Perhaps the emperor and Rudehrn had also given Erendil this test of figuring out this plan.

Anyway, Erendil’s response was very satisfactory.

When the situation I predicted occurs, the key will be how quickly the troops can return to the capital.

‘They’ll probably win either way, but we need to minimize our losses as much as possible.’

If chaos in the empire starts to spread widely, the problem becomes complicated. The battle in the capital might not be the end.

If the princes call their close associates nobles and cause a civil war, it really becomes hopeless.

The devil worshippers will aim for that. So what’s important for us is speed.

Saving one day could save thousands or tens of thousands of imperial soldiers. They will take up arms against the devil worshippers.

Perhaps we’ll have to divide the troops in half. Erendil needs to arrive at the capital as quickly as possible.

She should be at the forefront with the cavalry, and the infantry can come after.

‘Well, Rudehrn and Erendil probably know that too.’

I focused on external security. Knowing the purpose of the forward base, there was no reason to watch the inside.

What I’m concerned about now is whether the devil worshippers have noticed the emperor’s plan.

From the outside, they might think like I did at first. That we’re waiting for internal information, or have no intention of waging war.

But there was a possibility they could notice the emperor’s plan. They have spies within the empire too.

It was something that could be sufficiently deduced using the return of Imperial Intelligence Agency agents as a clue.

If so, they’re likely to move quickly as well.

‘Intelligence agency agents are probably watching around the northern limit, but…’

If they move quickly, it’s useless. From the devil worshippers’ perspective, they just need to hold back the expedition force.

Erendil can’t just return to the capital immediately if the emperor dies during battle.

Anyway, the key was time.

The emperor needs to die as soon as possible. And the emperor probably knows this too. He’s the one who made the plan.

‘The reason for calling me is probably similar.’

The emperor calling me before the expedition makes sense when considering this plan.

Because I’m the only variable.

When he made up his mind, he probably wanted to control me, the variable that would arise.

However, there was one concern. Survival instinct. People facing death want to live.

Even if it’s planned.

Although the emperor of the empire certainly has fortitude, he might become weak-hearted in the face of his own death.

‘Well, we can only wait.’

Some time passed like that. I was still waiting for news of the emperor’s death.

Past midnight. In the north, which had now entered winter, snowflakes were constantly fluttering.

Today was the same. Snow that started falling during the day had piled up quite a bit. I was keeping watch in all directions near the forward base.

It was then that I felt a strange sensation. In the widely spread winds, I heard a rustling sound tickling my ears.

However, winds didn’t catch any signs. There were no animals or people in that direction, even though it was quite far.

But a vague sense of unease came over me.

‘Shadow?’

I thought of the Haisen Chief of Intelligence’s confidant. He can move through shadows.

But based on my previous encounter, it didn’t feel like this.

I don’t know if the person changed in a year, but I didn’t think it would be to this extent.

And there’s no reason for that confidant to come here.

But then again, if that confidant had switched sides to the devil worshippers, the situation is unknown.

Of course, Duke Brusek wouldn’t be unaware of that, but I needed to check the situation.

I moved quickly. As I got closer, the faint sound gradually became clearer.

Rustle, rustle-

And at the place I arrived, I could see a dark purple darkness sliding over the white snow field.

The sight of what looked like a well of darkness moving across the snow was quite terrifying. And I knew what it was.

‘Devil’s fragment.’

I could guess their intention. And which devil was the second to descend.

Anyway, whatever the reason for the troops waiting here, their intention must be to attack Erendil.

From their perspective, there’s no reason not to try this even if Rudehrn is here.

Of course, I had no intention of leaving it alone. I gripped Moonlight in my hand.

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