How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 269 - Preparation for Departure (3)

It was a sudden worry that crossed my mind, but I didn’t think I needed to be too concerned. It was closer to just a feeling of liking.

Originally, Orhen didn’t have any friends besides Denif until I came along and became close to him.

Even when we met together in Chenarus recently, I didn’t particularly get that feeling. I changed the subject.

“When did Phiri say she wanted to meet?”

“She said anytime you’re free is fine. If possible, she suggested meeting at the usual place around 5 o’clock. Or I could relay a message for you.”

“Let’s go with that time.”

It had just passed 2 o’clock. If I went back to Chenarus, had a light meal, took a shower, and left, the timing should work out.

As I was about to get up, Denif glanced at me.

“That idiot left too, so how about we go one more round?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Ah, why?”

We’ve done enough sparring. Moreover, for Denif who just became a Sword Master, actual combat isn’t important right now. I’ve experienced it myself.

“You’ve gained insight and put it into practice, so now focus on thinking about it. That’s better.”

As his horizons of understanding swordsmanship have expanded, his thinking must be different from before. Originally, you need time to refine that at first.

In fact, Rudehrn gave me that time too. We sparred inevitably because we’re leaving tomorrow, but Denif also needed time alone.

“If you say so.”

Denif agreed without much protest. He must have felt he needed time to organize his thoughts too.

“Let’s clean up.”

Denif’s sand and my winds, we tidied up the area that had become messy from our rough sparring before heading to Chenarus.

After sparring was when I felt the effects of overcoming Worst Condition the most.

In the past, after difficult missions or intense sparring like this, I had to get through the rest of the day almost purely on willpower.

Now, I even felt refreshed and in a good mood.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that I understood Denif’s feelings a bit more after treating Worst Condition.

Anyway, I headed to the clock tower according to schedule. I arrived about 10 minutes early, but Phiri was already waiting for me at the top of the tower.

“You’re here?”

“Have you been well?”

“Well, I’m comfortable now. Someone made the princess into an empress.”

Phiri shrugged. Her face looked much better than before. In fact, she probably doesn’t have much to do now.

“We all did it together.”

“Look at you being modest after not seeing me for a while? Unlike before. Why do you seem a bit awkward?”

“No, I’m just trying to show you how I’ve grown. You’re right. It was all thanks to me.”

“There we go. Now you’re more like your old self.”

Phiri burst out laughing.

“I hear you’re departing tomorrow?”

“Ah, yes. But I’ll probably leave a little later.”

“Right. You’ll be moving with the emperor.”

“So why did you want to see me?”

At my words, Phiri narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

“Are you already trying to get to the point? Don’t you want to talk with me?”

“It’s not that. I’m just curious.”

“Just. I wanted to see my little brother’s face before he leaves for the east. It’s the Great Devil, right?”

A slight worry clouded Phiri’s face. The majesty of the Great Devil was that impressive.

“We’ll have to hope for the best.”

“It’ll go well. The you I know is followed by strong luck.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Strong luck and bad luck, they’re somewhat similar words. I could relate to that too. It’s not that I didn’t have luck. No, my luck was generally good.

It’s just that there were many moments where I had to risk my life to get that luck.

“Some of our people will be moving too.”

“Through the Haisen army?”

“Yes. Toun Zaha is included.”

Toun Zaha. It had been a while since I heard that name. When I first went on a mission as a spy, I helped him and received a lot of advice.

After that, we spent time working on missions as part of the same team. It was a face I missed.

“If there’s anyone you need to deal with there, let me know.”

“Deal with?”

“You could probably handle it through the emperor, but you might need a hand to do the dirty work for you.”

In fact, I could do it myself or have Denif do it. There’s no real need for that either. As Phiri said, I could just go through Erendil.

However, this was Phiri’s maximum consideration and gift that she could give to her little brother who was leaving for a dangerous place.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“From your expression, it doesn’t seem like you’re very grateful though.”

“I don’t think there will be much need for that.”

“It hurts my heart that you’re not wrong.”

Phiri made a sad face. It was clearly full of mischief, so I calmly ignored it.

“Sigh, in the old days you used to follow me around trying to learn even a little bit.”

“Now I’m a Sword Master.”

“That’s right. I knew you were talented, but to think you’d become the youngest Sword Master after the founding emperor.”

Phiri’s face seemed to be reminiscing about the past as she said that. A lot has changed. When I was under Phiri, I was just a newbie who didn’t know much.

“Actually, you might be the first. The founding emperor was from so long ago, how do we know it wasn’t made up?”

“Right? I think so too. Maybe I’ll be able to become a Sword Lord soon?”

When I spoke shamelessly, Phiri burst out laughing instead.

“Ah, and I’m going to Haisen.”

“To Haisen?”

“Father called for me.”

“So you will be the next Chief of Intelligence then, Phiri.”

Originally, Duke Brusek was thinking of me as the next Chief of Intelligence of Haisen. Now that’s no longer possible.

It seems he chose Phiri among the remaining people. Phiri must have expected it, as her expression didn’t change. However, she still answered cautiously.

“We don’t know yet, there are many talented people after all.”

“Come on, who could be better than you?”

“Look at this kid? You’ve gotten even better at flattery after being under the emperor.”

“I’m sincere.”

“Thanks.”

Phiri answered with a smile and then sighed.

“I am a bit annoyed though.”

“About what?”

“About going to Haisen.”

“Why’s that?”

“Why do you think? Because of this big sister’s love life.”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head at the unexpected words. Another love story after Denif and Rina. Is it because of the Great Devil’s appearance?

“You worry about that too?”

“How old do you think I am… Originally, I was planning to catch a decent young man and keep living in the empire.”

“Is there a decent young man?”

“Are you looking down on me?”

Phiri narrowed her eyes.

“I’ve got someone in mind. He’s the son of a merchant group that supplies fabric to our shop, handsome and diligent. He’s kind too.”

“What about his feelings?”

“What feelings? I can already see he’s fallen for me.”

Well, Phiri wasn’t someone who would lose out on looks anywhere. I examined her face. Her disappointment wasn’t too great. More like regret.

“It’s not like it was decided before you could properly meet.”

“That’s true.”

“There will probably be good people in Haisen too.”

“That’s the thing, becoming Chief of Intelligence creates a lot of restrictions. It’s not the same as being Chief of Intelligence and being a leader under them. Look at Father. He didn’t even get married, let alone have children.”

Well, that’s true too. In her current position, she could seduce someone and then persuade them, but that becomes difficult as Chief of Intelligence.

There are many factors to consider. Of course, Duke Brusek himself isn’t the type to form bonds with others as a personal preference.

“Come on, couldn’t you find the best person with Haisen’s intelligence network?”

“You think so?”

“Or you could pretend to be incompetent at work. Would he notice that too easily?”

“He’d notice right away. He’s seen me all this time.”

“Then just say you’re retiring.”

“Should I?”

Phiri asked back with a serious look of contemplation. I burst out laughing.

“I’ll have to think about it.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Being Chief of Intelligence is a bit troublesome. Well, whichever way, it’ll have to be after the eastern problem is resolved.”

“That’s right.”

Phiri, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up.

“It’s been longer than I expected. Thanks for making time, you must be busy.”

“Of course I’d come to meet you.”

Phiri approached and lightly hugged my shoulders.

“Come back safely, my little brother. You have to come to this big sister’s wedding.”

I shuddered at her following words and pushed Phiri away.

“That’s even scarier. You’re not supposed to say things like that to someone going on a mission.”

If there’s such a thing as a jinx, that’s it. Similar to saying “After this war ends, I’ll…” on Earth, such words were taboo among spies.

As I frowned, Phiri shrugged.

“Don’t worry. It’s the opposite. Among the people I’ve said this to, no one has failed to return.”

“…How many times have you said that?”

“This is the first time.”

Phiri said proudly. My face scrunched up instantly.

“Oh come on.”

As I got annoyed, Phiri burst out laughing.

“I’m joking. I’m saying this because I trust you that much.”

“Alright. I’ll come, so make sure to invite me when you get married.”

“Sure. I’ll hook a decent man.”

“Your little brother is going to the battlefield while his big sister is busy seducing men, the world really is going to the dogs.”

“It’s fine since I half-raised that little brother.”

I wanted to argue, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. And although playful, I could feel her concern for me.

Thinking about it, catching Duke Brusek’s eye was quite a good thing. Both for my growth and the people around me.

Denif, Orhen, Phiri. They were the Chief of Intelligence’s adopted children, but they felt like real friends and siblings.

“I’m going.”

“Goodbye, until we meet again.”

“You too, sis.”

At my words, the smile on Phiri’s face deepened.

***

“Our agents have been isolated.”

This was said at the imperial meeting in the evening. After the Great Devil’s descent, the empire quickly sent word to its agents. Half were withdrawn and half continued their missions.

We can’t suffer too great a sacrifice, but we need to obtain information about the enemy if possible.

However, such matters don’t usually come up in meetings attended by the emperor. It was an issue to be handled at the intelligence agency level.

“If you’re saying it like that, is there something important?”

“The last news we received was that they encountered another force hostile to the devils in the east. They were supposed to bring one of their people back.”

“But the enemy’s movements were too fast?”

After the Great Devil’s appearance, whether trying to withhold their information as much as possible, the eastern army moved on a large scale.

They created a massive encirclement from the Trafal Mountain Range. I thought that might be it.

“It’s not there. The meeting point was further down. However, it seems they were tailed during the meetup process. They managed to shake off the pursuit, but they said it’s difficult to escape on their own.”

“Hmm.”

Count Campbell pondered. I was also racking my brain. A force hostile to the devils… I wondered if it might be the ones I met before.

The people I inevitably had to deal with in the process of meeting that noble’s daughter.

‘It would be good if we could meet them.’

I’m not sure how much power they have, but they’re not pushovers if they can attack an important noble’s daughter.

As locals, their information network is likely better than ours. We need to meet them if possible.

“A hostile force, could it be the ones Lord Schurtafen encountered before?”

“It could be a trap.”

It was Count Campbell’s warning. Of course, that possibility exists. The devil worshippers probably aren’t unaware of their identity.

Rather, they might be trying to give us false information using them as an excuse. But there was a need to meet even at that risk.

“I’ll go.”