ALL NOVEL Chapter 115: White Grand Empire
As Athena stepped into the teleportation array, subtle shifts in her facial bone structure occurred. Yet, these slight changes had dramatically altered her appearance from what it once was.
The system’s camouflage function was in effect; Athena’s attire had transformed into simple black clothes, complemented by a large black trench coat adorned with an eagle emblem.
This journey into the new world was unusual, allowing the accompaniment of one subordinate, a role naturally filled by Mikmik.
Originally a black grassball cat, Mikmik had been transformed into a white Persian with blue eyes under the system's disguise. Despite its discomfort with this new form, compliance was mandatory.
The teleportation, as always, was like a washing machine's spin cycle—an instinctual need to find a wall for support, a movement so familiar it was almost painful. Mikmik had fallen to the ground in a crumpled heap of feline fluff.
Athena surveyed her surroundings: a redwood writing desk with an ornate leather-cushioned chair, oil paintings on the walls, and wooden floorboards. The curtains were neatly pleated with tassels, and the entire office exuded a medieval style.
The room was occupied only by Athena and Mikmik. Outside the window, carriages and people in extravagant attire passed by. Ordinary citizens in simple linen garments stood along the road, making way for the carriages.
Opening a file on the desk, Athena saw her own face on the first page.
Identity Card Unlocked!
Agency: Eagle Claw
Position: Deputy Director
Introduction: Known for her capricious temper and cold demeanor, code name ‘Dream’. Manages the ‘Locked Affairs’ for the White Grand Empire and oversees urban security.
Activating her system panel, Athena saw a list of teammates, including herself and Ilinaya, with her as the team leader. A small map icon was visible, allowing them to view each other’s locations. Athena disabled this feature for now; it wasn’t yet time.
Looking out the window, she noticed that all the noble carriages were heading in one direction. Following their path, she could see the distant spire of a castle obscured by mist. Today seemed to be a significant day, yet Deputy Director Athena was not attending, which left much to ponder.
Turning the page, Athena found detailed files on the remaining personnel of the Eagle Claw agency. The files were meticulously organized, revealing intricate connections between each member and the royal family. A few were linked to the current state minister, Babron, showing that the Eagle Claw agency was intertwined with political struggles.
As Athena pondered, footsteps approached from outside the door, followed by a knock.
She returned to her office chair, gently picking up Mikmik and stroking its back.
"Come in."
Two people entered: a middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle and a young woman, both of whom Athena had seen in the files. The man, Carter, worked for Babron and was holding a sword. His face was weathered with stubble and a determined expression.
Trailing behind him was a neat and efficient young woman, recording notes and mumbling to herself.
"8th, 5:43 PM, the executor accidentally injured two civilians and damaged one house, with compensation of 54 silver coins."
"9th..."
Yuris, the Eagle Claw agency’s finance officer, was like a living calculator. Even if she knew of royal assassinations, she’d respond with a mere hum. Yet, ask her about the agency’s expenses, and she could recount every detail for hours, stressing how difficult it was to secure funding.
Carter saw Athena seated gracefully, her white-gloved hand petting the white Persian cat, her demeanor calm and elegant. His anger flared instantly, but a single glance from Athena extinguished his rage, leaving him with a diminished resolve.
He tossed the documents onto Athena’s desk.
"Director Athena, while you’re here petting cats, you’ve violated Article 149 of the Empire's laws by embezzling funds from the agency. This proves your disloyalty to His Majesty!" Carter's posture was rigid, his words sharp, as he prepared to seize the opportunity to advance his own position should Athena fall.
Athena didn’t even glance up from the documents. She focused intently on the papers Carter had handed her.
"Continue."
Carter, enraged by her nonchalant response, dragged Yuris forward.
"Yuris, explain it to her!" Carter’s eyes gleamed with malicious glee, convinced this would be Athena’s final downfall. "You don’t think you can escape this, do you? No one can save you!"
Yuris, initially uninterested in the drama, stepped forward at Carter’s insistence. She closed her ledger and, with a respectful bow, addressed Athena.
"Director Athena, it’s time to set out."
At Yuris’s words, Athena casually closed the file, picked it up, and set it alight with the desk’s oil lamp, dropping it onto the floor.
Watching the flames consume the papers, Carter lunged to extinguish the fire, but it was already half-burned.
His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the charred remains. "Don’t think burning these files will erase the evidence of your crimes!"
He then cast a murderous look at Yuris. "So, you’ve chosen to conspire with her, huh? Just wait!"
Despite his vehement threats, this was his stage alone, as the other two had long since left.
The files contained evidence of Athena’s corruption, but what of it? In her desk drawer were other documents of her transgressions, even bearing the Emperor’s seal.
Some feared confronting her but sought to earn merit by secretly reporting her crimes. Yet, every time the Emperor read these reports, he returned them to her.
The fates of those who had attempted to expose her were long forgotten, buried in unknown places.
To Athena, these so-called incriminating documents were just ordinary files, casually stored in her drawer without disguise. Anyone who dared to look would find a mountain of evidence.
The Emperor was not afraid of her greed but rather of her lack of it…