Chapter 1097 The Spy Game Has Started
After departing from the secret hideout of the Vilnius gang, Elmer mounted his white-maned horse and made his way straight toward Durran. To conceal his identity, he shrouded his face beneath a hood and added a fake beard on top for good measure.
Durran was currently engrossed in its harvest festivals, and the orc guards stationed at the city gates were not overly diligent in scrutinizing every incoming visitor. With this advantage, Elmer passed through the gates unobstructed.
Once inside the city, he steered his horse in the direction of a peaceful park situated on the eastern side of Durran.
As Elmer dismounted his horse and made his way into the park, he couldn't help but overhear the hushed conversations of the city's citizens. It seemed the recent Rideon funds heist and the exploits of the Vilnius gang were the hot topics of discussion.
"Did you hear about that heist at Rideon funds? They say the Vilnius gang pulled it off!"
"Unbelievable! How did they manage to break into such a well-guarded place? The security there must be incompetent."
"You'd think the guards would be better trained. This is an embarrassment to the city!"
Elmer continued to listen to the disgruntled chatter as he strolled deeper into the park, keeping his true identity and purpose well hidden.
Elmer eventually reached the park, finding it to be a serene and tranquil place, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the city. The park was adorned with a picturesque pond at its center, where ducks glided gracefully on its glassy surface. A majestic tree with pink leaves stood tall nearby, casting a gentle shade over the area.
Several benches, weathered by time but still sturdy, were scattered around the pond. It was under one of these benches that Elmer had tied his steed, making sure it was secure before he walked towards another bench, nestled comfortably in the shade of the pink-leaved tree.
Seating himself, he took a moment to observe the park's beauty, the serene ambiance allowing him to clear his thoughts and prepare for the task at hand.
As Elmer sat by the pond, watching the ducks glide gracefully, another cloaked figure quietly settled on a bench behind him. Like Elmer, this figure concealed their identity with a hood, but their attire was a striking pink, blending harmoniously with the hues of the leaves and the tree.
A commanding yet feminine voice broke the silence. "How is everything, Aranel?" the figure inquired.
"Elders want to know more about the Rideon funds heist. It was supposed to be a failed operation," replied Elmer, his eyes still fixed on the tranquil pond.
"Things went way south," he added, both of them looking in opposite directions, maintaining the facade of two ordinary park-goers enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
The park was bustling with people, and the constant murmur of voices made it an ideal location for their clandestine conversation. No one could eavesdrop unless they ventured uncomfortably close.
"By the gods, Aranel. The underworld is going to grow stronger with the treasure you seized. What in the world happened?" inquired the woman, her tone laced with concern.
"Someone else interfered with my plans. I had to adapt and improvise; otherwise, my cover would've been exposed," Elmer replied somberly.
"Who?" questioned the woman, clearly alarmed.
Elmer paused, building tension in the air before delivering his revelation. "The one who entered Rideon funds to check on the hostages and proceeded to beat our agent," he disclosed.
The woman leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Do you have any information for me to work with, Aranel? The elders are becoming increasingly anxious, and they are on the verge of aborting this operation."
"His name is John, but I don't believe it's his real name. And you wouldn't believe what happened," Elmer remarked cryptically, leaving his companion eager for more.
"What happened?" the woman demanded, her curiosity piqued.
"He ventured into Vilnius gang territory, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. He poisoned Vilnius and made him his subordinate. Tell the elders, from now on, Vilnius will maintain the appearance of leadership to the outside world, but, in reality, he'll report to John," Elmer disclosed.
The woman fell silent, digesting the unbelievable turn of events.
"We need to gather more information about this John. What's his next move?" inquired the woman.
Elmer dropped another bombshell. "He's planning to rob the Eden's Garden," he revealed.
Hidden beneath her hood, the woman's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What?" she exclaimed, her voice betraying the shock that coursed through her.
"I've been tasked with getting the blueprint for the Eden's Garden," Elmer confirmed.
"Eden's Garden... That's madness. No one has ever lived to tell the tale after attempting to rob that place. No one has ever succeeded. He's either a madman or someone we should approach with extreme caution," Thalindra contemplated.
"It's the latter. He's anything but a madman. I'm telling you, Thalindra, he's far more dangerous than Vilnius. Vilnius is just a puppet, but John is a mastermind. If I hadn't witnessed the things he's capable of, I would have said that robbing the Eden's Garden is impossible," Elmer emphasized.
As Thalindra listened to the words of Elmer, one of Valandor's top agents, she came to a sobering realization of the grave threat that John posed.
"So, do you believe he can actually pull off this heist? When is it scheduled to take place?" Thalindra inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity. She was Elmer's handler and the intermediary between him and the higher-ups.
"I'm not sure, but I suspect it's going to happen very soon. What are your orders?" Elmer inquired.
Thalindra fell silent for a moment, contemplating their next move.
"Perhaps John is our key to capturing the Night Warden. If he successfully executes heists of this magnitude, the Night Warden is likely to take notice and might approach him. This could be our best opportunity in a long while," Thalindra proposed.
"So, you want me to assist John in robbing the Eden's Garden?" Elmer asked, even though he was fairly certain of the answer.
"Yes. I'll use my contacts in the town hall to secure the blueprint for you. But you must stick close to John and gather every piece of information you can about him," Thalindra instructed.
"This is excellent, Aranel. With the information you've provided, I can convince the elders to continue our mission. Keep up the exceptional work you've been doing," Thalindra praised him, her excitement thinly veiled.
"If John successfully carries out this heist, notify me immediately using the emergency rune. Speaking of the heist, do you know how John plans to sell the alchemical goods in the black market?" Thalindra inquired further.
"John is an alchemist, a proficient one at that. I witnessed him refine an energy-boosting pill in a matter of seconds. He's at least a five-star alchemist," Elmer informed Thalindra.
"A five-star alchemist? That certainly narrows down the possibilities. So, he plans to refine the alchemical goods into pills and potions for sale in the black market? That's quite clever. It would make it much harder for the Eden's Garden to trace the sellers," Thalindra commented.
Even in Durran, there were countless transactions that took place within the dark underworld. Many of these transactions involved potions and pills. By selling refined products, rather than the raw ingredients, the risk of being traced back to Eden's Garden was significantly reduced. Despite Eden's Garden boasting some of the finest alchemists in the world, they wouldn't easily discern whether the ingredients used came from their own supply.
"If you could procure us a few samples of the pills and potions he refines, our alchemists might be able to discern his unique signatures and refinement skills. Additionally, we should alert our agents in the dark underworld to purchase these potions and pills. The last thing we need is those nefarious criminals in the dark world getting their hands on high-grade substances," said Thalindra.
Elmer nodded, acknowledging the importance of this task.
"Any information on the Night Warden from your end?" Elmer asked.
The Night Warden was an infamous yet mysterious figure among the Agra worshippers, a prominent player in the underworld. No one had ever laid eyes on him, which made him nearly impossible to track down. According to Valandor elves, the Night Warden was the third-largest smuggler and celestial weapons dealer, responsible for countless deaths. Yet, even in the clandestine world, there were many who doubted his existence.
"I have some agents who claim the Night Warden might be selling weapons and scrolls to both Rainar and Kranar in their ongoing wars," said Thalindra.
Elmer let out a heavy sigh. "Makes sense. Two gods locked in battle, and every arms dealer in the world would vie for a contract to supply them with everything they need. War is, unfortunately, good for business."
Thalindra nodded somberly. "And terrible for the people," she added, expressing a hint of pity for the refugees caught in the conflicts of Rainar and Kranar.
"We can't halt their wars. Only the Pantheon has the power to do that. But the least we can do is eliminate scum like the Night Warden," Thalindra remarked.
Elmer agreed, "As you said, John might be our means of reaching him."
"Alright, Elmer. Keep me informed. Stay here for an hour, and then proceed to the town hall. I'll have my people procure the blueprint you require. Be cautious, Elmer," Thalindra advised, her concern evident in her voice.
Elmer let out a soft chuckle. "My dear handler, you know I've been at this for decades. I know how to keep myself from meeting an untimely end."
Thalindra smiled faintly, acknowledging his experience. "You're a skilled spy, Elmer, but never forget that in our line of work, there's always someone better."
With that, Thalindra rose from the bench and said, "Keep a close watch on John," before walking away.
At that moment, Elmer had embarked on a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with Michael, unaware of the formidable adversary he was facing. However, Elmer had thrived in the shadowy world for decades, always at the peak of his craft. Hence, only time would determine who would emerge victorious in this high-stakes contest.
"Night Warden, I will catch you," Elmer muttered under his breath.
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