Southside of Magwurt City

1810, 28 Feb 2025

A middle-aged man with a thin body and tattered clothes, sat in a hut while enjoying a bar of chocolate. The Tuscan Guard's centurion several times came to persuade him to immediately move to the Amethyst Merchant Camp, but the man insisted on staying in his rickety hut as long as possible.

After enjoying the last piece of chocolate in his hand, the man took a deep breath before looking at every corner of the hut where he had lived for the past seven months.

During the last seven months, he collected various information about Magwurt City and Tuscan Region. The people who live in it, environmental conditions, living standards, beliefs and traditions, and other things that might help the negotiation with Tuscan Region's higher-ups.

Sometimes, he would also guide Agriculture Development Group's personnel who came to check the farmland. Now, the tiring and mentally draining task had been completed, and he had just received orders to regroup with Amethyst Merchant in Magwurt City.

"I'd better hurry. I'm really hungry and thirsty."

After locking the door, the man then walked towards the southeast side of the city, carrying a bundle of rags on his shoulders.

Without checking it, no one would have thought that the bundle on the man's shoulders contained a radio, maps, compass, and various other tools. One would also never suspect that a Glock 43, silencer, and two extra magazines were tucked at his waist.

Tuscan Guard members were not too strict when checking people who were entering or leaving the city gates. Especially if the person's appearance and clothes were as shabby as most residents of Magwurt City.

With feeble steps the man walked down the dark streets, and he had to make several turns because the road he had traveled by was being torn down and rebuilt.

When he finally arrived at the gates of Amethyst Merchant HQ, the man waited for two guards to approach him.

"Good evening, Sir. Is there anything we can help you with?"

Asked one of the guards, and in a casual but dignified tone the man answered.

"Major Petrov, IDG 3rd section, Lieutenant Colonel Slane asked me to come here, please confirm it."

One of the guards was about to grab the radio over his shoulder, when his senior partner stopped him. The senior guard then looked at the man in front of him carefully before saying.

"Major, welcome back."

The senior guard saluted before opening the gate, and the shabby man walked in before asking.

"Do you know me?"

"Counter-observation class, three times you came to teach while I was in attendance."

The shabby man gave a small nod before walking in, this time with the steadfast and dignified steps of a middle-ranking officer in an elite unit.

- - - - -

Dining Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ

After washing his body and changing clothes, Maj. Petrov immediately rushed to the dining room.

With a friendly smile, Chef Bianca handed over a 1/4 cooked steak, two slices of wheat bread, and pure orange juice without sugar, which all she personally prepared.

"Major, welcome greetings from Lieutenant Colonel Slane."

Maj. Petrov immediately smiled at Chef Bianca, one of the best chefs in Ametyst Merchant while saying sincerely.

"Thank you, Chef."

Without delay, Maj. Petrov then hurried to an empty table in one corner. And not long after he started savoring his dinner, Maj. Shade walked into the dining room and went straight to him.

Previously, Maj. Petrov had helped him make a list of Magwurt City's residents who needed serious medical attention and where they lived, so Maj. Shade intended to thank him.

"Thank you for fulfilling the request from Medic Quarter," Maj. Shade said as soon as he sat down across from his old comrade.

"No worries, XO agreed so it is part of my job."

"Still, the intel you gave makes Medic Quarter's personnel work more efficiently."

Maj. Petrov gave a small nod before changing the subject, "What have I missed?"

Major Shade cheerfully explained, "Last week South High Road and the FOC's protecting it were completed, followed by construction of other facilities starting from the southern end of Southeast Triangle.

However, the level of threat in the area is higher than the initial estimate. So the number of GCG personnel securing the construction process must be increased."

Maj. Petrov downed a mouthful of orange juice before asking another question, "Do you know why I was pulled back three weeks earlier?"

"I heard a thing or two, but can't say for sure if that was the reason."

Maj. Shade cleared his throat a little before continuing,

"Some time ago we rescued a settlement from slave hunters. IDG officers then tried to dig up information about Kingdom of Makai from its residents. Not many results were obtained but some residents proposed to be sent to the Kingdom of Makai. CO agreed and asked IDG to select candidates, then prepare and lead them."

Without further question, Maj. Petrov easily concluded that he would be involved or possibly be in charge of the operation.

"What about Operation Neptune?"

"Currently TF Amethyst's relationship with Tuscan Region is still limited to landowners and tenants, but a tantalizing bait has been prepared to lure them into a closer relationship. When Tuscan Region higher-ups grabbed the bait, Operation Neptune was said to be 50% complete."

Maj. Petrov took a deep breath before saying, "I'm relieved Operation Neptune can be executed without the need to muster military force."

Major Shade smiled faintly when he saw that his old friend was sympathetic to the Tuscan Region, especially to the residents of Magwurt City. Although he did not say it openly.

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