How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 206 - The Imperial Palace (7)

“‘Ravens cry above death?’ I heard this is how you’d know?”

It was Denif’s words. I couldn’t help but smile. It was the clock tower where I met Phiri when I first came to the empire.

And that evening, I headed there. Phiri was standing there, looking the same as before. With the white city bathed in darkness as a backdrop.

“Phiri.”

At my call, Phiri turned her head. Her hair, touched by moonlight, swayed. It was a welcome face.

She looked more tired compared to the past. Being the intelligence agency leader in recent situations must have been quite difficult.

“It’s been a while. Late congratulations on becoming the leader.”

Phiri just smiled and looked at me without saying anything. She had a proud expression.

I could feel her emotions.

How should I put it? It felt like how a close older sister would look if you actually had one. Of course, that wasn’t really the case.

“Why are you so quiet? Your little brother is here.”

When I said that, Phiri came closer and patted my shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard. I was worried about you.”

“‘Again, farewell.’ That’s what you left me with, right? I had to keep it.”

“Yes. Again, farewell. We finally met.”

Phiri held my shoulders and looked me up and down.

“Is it because you’re young? You seem quite different now.”

“Do I?”

“You’ve grown a bit. Your aura too.”

“I went through some hardships alone. And a lot of time has passed. Have you been well, Phiri?”

“It was tough. But not just for me.”

We smiled at the same time. It must not have been easy for me wandering alone, nor for Phiri under the empire’s surveillance.

Suddenly, Phiri glared at me with playfully disappointed eyes.

“By the way, why are you so cold? You should have shown your face to this big sister when you came to the capital.”

“The atmosphere was hostile, wasn’t it? You would have heard that I was safe anyway.”

“I’m even more disappointed now. Is that all our relationship amounts to? With your abilities, you could have visited anytime.”

“That’s true, but I was busy too…”

I stopped mid-sentence and instead narrowed my eyes to glare at Phiri.

“No. Aren’t you the same? Honestly, if you had asked to meet through Denif, I would have come, you know?”

“Hey, you can’t come at me like that.”

“What?”

“The younger sibling is supposed to give in.”

“I thought it was the opposite?”

Phiri burst into laughter. It was all playful banter anyway. Though some of it was probably sincere.

“You’re still the same. Anyway, it all worked out well. You’re safe, we’ve rooted out some of the traitors within Haisen to an extent, and you’ve made the princess into an emperor.”

“That’s right.”

“To be honest, when you said you’d become a guard knight, I wondered if this would be possible.”

“I am pretty amazing, aren’t I?”

Phiri glanced at me sideways.

“It’s not wrong, is it? In fact, I practically did it all.”

“…You’re right. It was an incredible achievement.”

Phiri nodded and acknowledged it. A natural wind blew, scattering Phiri’s hair.

We looked at the capital’s scenery for a moment. The white city. It looked different from when I first came here.

“Well, now that we’ve had our sibling reunion, shall we get to the main point?”

“I don’t mind.”

“What do you think Father said?”

“‘You did really well. Good job. You must have had a hard time?'”

When I said this while shrugging my shoulders, Phiri raised the corners of her mouth and narrowed her eyes.

“It’s not wrong, but stop joking around.”

“Well. He wouldn’t have made any demands of the emperor yet, right?”

“That’s right. As time passes, our contributions might be forgotten bit by bit, but it’s not the time to make such demands. Besides, we don’t have to worry about that since you’re here.”

It wasn’t wrong. As I just said, it would have been impossible without me.

Although I belong to Haisen, I did almost everything alone. And I still maintain a relationship with Erendil.

“Anyway, I don’t know. Didn’t you call me because you have a separate task for me?”

I said this while observing Phiri’s expression. I had some guesses, but I couldn’t be sure what it was.

I was thinking it might be about returning to Haisen or observing the devil worshippers.

Personally, I thought the former was more likely. They had said they were considering me for the next Chief of Intelligence position.

Of course, that was just Marhan’s words. It might have been just flattery, and I don’t know the duke’s real intentions.

“He asked what you were thinking of doing.”

“He didn’t give any specific orders?”

“No. He said to ask for your thoughts.”

Is it really because they’re thinking of me as the next Chief of Intelligence? Maybe.

He probably wants to compare what he thinks with what I think.

Moreover, I did achieve proper results by acting independently this time.

“I’m planning to go north.”

“North?”

“We’ve solved the empire’s problems, right? The next issue is the devil worshippers. It will be a bigger problem than you think, Phiri.”

“You mean the devilization? I heard it appeared this time too.”

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Two devils have already appeared on this continent.”

“What?”

Phiri’s eyes widened. This was something I hadn’t told Haisen yet.

But it didn’t matter now.

My blood had been revealed, and to make Haisen move as I wanted, this was better.

“Is that something you know because of your blood?”

“Yes. And it won’t end with just those two.”

“…I suppose not. They were larger than we initially thought, and they’re growing.”

“If I hadn’t revealed their identity when I killed the empress, they probably would have grown even more.”

Phiri thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

“Haisen gaining benefits through the emperor only matters if the continent is intact. We need to drive them out first.”

“I’m not sure. Isn’t it easier to gain things in a chaotic situation?”

I felt it was a naive thought, but I hid my emotions. Of course, she could think that way.

This was why I mentioned that devils had been summoned.

Probably even now, it doesn’t really hit home. Devils are a story from the founding emperor’s era.

Almost a thousand years ago. It’s hard for people of this era to grasp the danger of creatures that only remain in documents.

In other words, it’s difficult to imagine the repercussions of the harm they could cause. Naturally, they would think the empire would win.

And if everyone tries to get their share in the final battle with them like this, the fight becomes harder.

“You’re not wrong. But if the events of the founding emperor’s era are repeated, the small gains we make won’t even last ten years.”

“You think things will get bigger.”

“I guarantee it will be beyond what you or Father imagine.”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, I’ll guide things that way. For example, making sure Haisen doesn’t march to a battlefield that’s meant to be sacrificed. Still, annihilating them is the priority.”

Phiri fell into thought for a moment. She still didn’t look fully convinced.

But it seemed she wasn’t taking my words lightly.

“Well. I heard from Denif. You were chased by them even when you were alone?”

“Yes.”

“You probably know more. I see why Father asked for your thoughts.”

I nodded. Duke Brusek is not a careless person. He mentioned the Chief of Intelligence position even knowing I was Devil’s Blood.

He must have thoroughly investigated Devil’s Blood before that.

“Is this all? Just hearing my thoughts?”

“Father said to let you do as you wish, as long as it’s within my understanding.”

“Then I can do as I want, right?”

“Aren’t you too confident that you’ve made me understand?”

“Did you not understand?”

“It’s not that. I’m just not sure how big the danger you’re talking about is.”

“You’ll find out soon.”

Phiri nodded, but still seemed deep in thought. I understand. Even if devil worshippers have appeared, talk of the founding emperor’s era seems far-fetched.

If it wasn’t me, they probably wouldn’t have listened properly. They’re considering it because it’s coming from me, who made the princess into an emperor.

“The emperor is trying to restore my honor.”

“Yeah. I noticed. Words started spreading from this morning.”

Phiri’s expression soured slightly. It was because becoming the emperor’s guard knight would restrict freedom of movement.

“Don’t worry. I set a condition. I asked to be allowed to move freely. The emperor agreed.”

“That’s not bad then?”

“Yes. It means I can use the empire’s power without being tied to the palace.”

“Should we be happy that this lightens our load?”

“It’s not a bad thing.”

A Haisen spy giving orders to the Imperial Intelligence Agency using the emperor’s power. The situation was rather amusing.

“Of course, it will be difficult right away. They’re busy too. I need to create enough justification to move the empire on my own.”

“Is that why you want to go north? Won’t it be dangerous?”

“Denif is planning to come with me. And it’s me we’re talking about.”

Phiri let out a dry laugh.

“Right. You are you. I heard he’s skilled too. Do that then. I’ll tell Father.”

Things are working out well. Actually, even if the duke had given orders, I would have gone to persuade him directly, but this saves some effort.

“I’ll compile the information we know about the north for now. The empire will probably tell you too, but we might know something they don’t.”

“Thank you.”

“If you need anything else, just say so.”

“Okay.”

“You’ll be busy, but show your face sometimes when you’re in the capital.”

It was a familiar-sounding phrase. Erendil had said something similar recently. When I remained silent, Phiri continued.

“I might forget my little brother’s face if I don’t see it for a long time.”

“I’ll try, depending on the situation.”

“Depending on the situation?”

Phiri glared at me with a bitter expression. The conversation ended with me promising to definitely come by. As I turned to leave, Phiri grabbed me.

“Carlyn.”

“Yes.”

“Be careful, the north is dangerous, as you know.”

I knew. The north is dangerous. Especially near the northern limit line where they are. Even Phiri, who doesn’t fully grasp the danger of devils, is giving this warning.

I smiled and nodded.

“Don’t worry.”

***

A few days later, Erendil finally announced my innocence. Of course, I wasn’t present at the event.

The announced facts weren’t complicated. It was simply that all the infamy I had was mistaken.

It was reported that the empress tried to kill Erendil due to a powerful brainwashing magic from someone in league with the devil worshippers.

It wasn’t magic, but it was a statement to raise awareness about the devil worshippers.

Anyway, the emperor at that time didn’t know who the traitors were, so he sacrificed me to try to uncover them.

And behind all this was the first prince, and during my period of disappearance, I had been protecting the princess from the shadows.

‘There are parts that differ from the truth, but it’s not entirely wrong.’

Originally, hiding lies within truth is more convincing. Moreover, this was easier for people to accept.

A few stories about me were also released. Like protecting Erendil during the coming-of-age ceremony terror, and defeating the devil’s fragment in the north.

Almost no one raised doubts. The young princess who became emperor. And the guard knight who secretly protected the princess while bearing all sorts of false charges.

It was material that the public would love and be excited about.

And even at this moment, the word that I was moving against the devil worshippers under her orders.

Some people even said that this might be a smokescreen, and I might actually still be hiding next to Erendil, protecting her.

Anyway, the moment I confirmed this article, the system message was updated.

[You gain Stratagem experience. Stratagem becomes lv.15. You acquire the ‘Emperor Maker’ trait.]

Actually, I had been wondering why it hadn’t appeared. I thought there must be a reason, and it turned out to be because of my honor.

The reward judgment would be different for making the princess emperor while remaining a villain versus the opposite case.

I probably gained a bit more experience. Emperor Maker, the name of the trait I gained was clear.

-You have created an emperor of the empire through a long-term Stratagem. Even the heads and tongues of the most cunning nobles in the empire will not match you.

-Now your words and actions easily convince others, and even remove the doubts of those who are suspicious.

-Now even the greatest Stratagem practitioners cannot easily notice your Stratagem, and they struggle to plot against you.

And it had the longest description of any trait I’ve gained so far. In fact, most just increased the amount of experience gained or provided slight corrections to judgments.

Of course, this one was similar too. However, the intensity of the expression was different. I couldn’t quite grasp how much of a correction this would be.

Still, it was an extremely good reward for now, as I was about to go scout the north, the stronghold of the devil worshippers.

Because it would extend my lifeline in enemy territory.

“Denif.”

“I’m ready. We can leave right away.”

And today was the day Denif and I were leaving for the north. It’s just the two of us leaving, but I wasn’t worried.

Neither the devil worshippers nor the empire know my trail. Moreover, Phiri said she would watch over us separately.

“Have you all finished preparing too?”

“Yes!”

The kids had packed everything too. Now, instead of staying at the lodgings, we decided to establish a proper branch.

From now on, we planned to grow the mercenary group by recruiting other people.

Namir, Aron, and Jofor would each command and improve their skills. It was about creating my own weapons for the upcoming war.

Well, it seems like the time of fierce battles is approaching faster than I had thought and prepared for, but it will be sufficiently helpful.

I told Denif.

“Let’s go.”

It’s time to depart for the north.