Steel and Mana

Chapter 297 – Suspicion

It seemed that after a long winter, we were going to have a long summer now. Okay, it wasn't as hot as two months ago, but despite entering autumn, the weather was still clear and sunny most of the time. I was in the throne room, having the weekly meeting with my ministers, and it was Oleg's turn to give his report. He stood at the opposite end of the long table, his massive frame straight as a pike, his gloved hands clasped behind his back. I almost chuckled, thinking about how weird it was seeing him outside of his new lover, his armor. Since getting it, he has been at the Pass, training the new recruits, organizing the veterans, and testing all the functions of our new set.

The room was silent while he spoke, except for the clicking sounds of a typewriter. Since its invention, I have had a clerk present, documenting our meetings, so it wasn't just my memory that kept track of things; my ministers could also always read back what we discussed with precision. Oleg cleared his throat after finishing the regular greeting and summary of the status of the Pass.

“Progress with the training regimens continues on schedule, My Sovereign,” he spoke with clarity, his voice carrying a natural authority. “The latest recruits from our academy have completed their initial evaluations, and I am pleased to report that they show remarkable promise. We’ve also implemented the updated drills for urban conflict and fortified defense scenarios derived from our experience in Lothlia. The results have been… promising.”

"Mhm. Good." I nodded, "I expected no less." Hearing me being satisfied, he paused, his lips curling into a faint smile.

“The new recruits may lack the battle-hardened experience of our veterans, but their adaptability and discipline are already the telling sign of future elites. The training enhancements incorporating synchronized tactics with our mechanized divisions have already proven highly effective during simulated engagements.”

“And the morale? I expect a beast tide coming at us this winter.”

“High,” Oleg assured him. “Especially among the younger ranks. They take great pride in being part of Avalon's armed forces and view their service not merely as a duty but as a privilege. The presence of our war machines during training—particularly the Lion—has only reinforced their confidence in our superiority.”

“Confidence can affect their discipline,” I warned him, waiting and allowing him a moment to consider before answering.

“For the most part, it remains exceptional, Sovereign. However…”

"However?" I raised an eyebrow, letting him continue. He switched to the topic that he had already reported individually, namely, our increased influx of foreigners.

“With the recent inpouring of foreign merchants from Atuvia, there has been a slight rise in incidents,” Oleg continued, his tone collected but edged with distaste. “Bar fights, mostly. Minor scuffles in taverns and marketplaces. In every case, the instigators have been foreigners, not Avalonians. I made sure that an impartial examination took place in each incident! Our soldiers, even when off-duty, have maintained composure and avoided escalating these disturbances... but these problems have tripled in the past month and don't show any sign of dying off.”

"I expected as much." I shrugged, knowing about most of it. Did I like it? No. But it is simply unavoidable; it is human nature, especially when different cultures and ideologies clash and rub up against each other.

"A full report on these incidents has been compiled." He continued, gesturing towards a clerk standing behind my ministers' table. "The most serious involved three Atuvian traders engaging in a drunken brawl over a gambling dispute. They damaged property and injured our tavern keeper. All three were swiftly apprehended and are currently awaiting sentencing.”

“And the tavern keeper?” I asked, my gaze hardening.

“Recovering well,” Oleg replied. “He will receive compensation for the damages. We’ve already ensured that such incidents are dealt with swiftly to maintain order. The Atuvian merchants, while bringing opportunities, have also introduced an unpredictability that our city is not accustomed to, My Sovereign. We are monitoring the situation closely.”

“See to it that these disruptions do not escalate." I shrugged, exhaling through my nose, "I will not have our city’s peace compromised, even by allies. Diplomacy can only stretch so far. Fine the instigators heavily, and as for the three, confiscate all their cargo and expel them from Avalon's territory. Make sure that a group from our elite escorts them out of the country back to Atuvia. If they complain, break some bones.”

“As you command, my Sovereign,” Oleg said with a respectful bow of his head.

"Also!" I added, "Write an official document explaining why they are banned from returning to my city ever again. Make two copies, give one to them, and send one directly to Chairman Alvor. Make it public and make sure others learn of their sentence! We are going to crack down on this before it gets out of hand. If they don't like it, then they can get out of our city!"

I watched as my ministers nodded, agreeing, and I knew that if I was too soft, I would be taken advantage of. Honestly, Atuvia needs me more than I need them anyway. As I looked at them, I saw that Oleg hesitated for a moment before continuing, his tone shifting slightly.

“There is… one more matter to address. A report was brought to my attention late last evening. Minor, but curious nonetheless.”

“Go on.” I nodded, tilting my head curiously.

“This comes from a trainee within our Military Academy, Lieutenant Korval. While off-duty, he encountered a young woman—an Atuvian visitor—who showed unusual interest in certain aspects of our infrastructure, our factories... Specifically, she inquired about the radio and its production.”

“Is she a merchant or a noble? Although, in Atuvia, those are two and the same...” I muttered, comprehending the answer halfway through my question.

“I checked her information from the gates and the border crossing, My Sovereign. She presented herself as an aspiring merchant, someone who became successful early in life. It seems legit, but... She is not you, My Sovereign. I have my doubts."

"Ahaha, I am not the only talented man!" I laughed heartily, "For example, I dare say Merlin is above me in talent."

"You jest, My Sovereign!" he exclaimed, shooting to his feet at once. Looking troubled, he nudged the people around him to back him up. He made everyone chuckle, easing the mood before I waved to him to sit down, looking at my General once again.

"Well," Oleg continued, "Lieutenant Korval initially thought nothing of it, as such questions from visitors are common. Most are overwhelmed by their first experience within our city, coming face to face with our lifestyle. But... her questions were… precise. Lieutenant Korval's report mentioned multiple times that her wording was too precise for someone who should be unfamiliar with how magic works. While most visitors marvel at the radio’s capabilities or its novelty, she seemed to have a rudimentary understanding of how it might function. Her phrasing suggested a functional knowledge of magical formations—at least enough to understand how such knowledge could be applied in manufacturing, calling it an artifact from the get-go."

"That could be strange..." I mumbled, "And they only have two mages there... But that also doesn't mean they wouldn't have the expertise in recognizing magic and making deals with other nations and mages."

"Sovereign," Merlin interjected, standing up. "I am not so sure about that. Dealing in magic artifacts or resources could be an answer, yes, but considering her age and her background, it is implausible that any nation would strike a deal of such high security with someone still new and relatively nameless."

"I agree." Oleg seconded him, "When the Lieutenant offered vague answers, as per protocol, she dropped the subject unnaturally quickly and redirected the conversation to less sensitive topics. As per his report," Oleg looked down, reading it word for word, "It was as though she realized she’d probed too far. Her demeanor remained pleasant, but the abrupt change felt… calculated.”

“Is there anything more?" I asked, leaning back on my throne, thinking, tapping its armrest rhythmically.

“Just the Lieutenant's thoughts." Oleg continued reading Korval's raw report, "She was charming, perhaps too charming, after I traced back all of our interactions. At first, I thought she was simply being polite, even flirtatious. But now, in hindsight, her interest in the radio seems… deliberate. I have no concrete evidence to suggest ill intent, but I felt it to be prudent to report my suspicions.” Looking up from the written report, he also added one last tidbit of information. "Her description matches of a drunk Atuvian woman walking towards the palace last night, My Sovereign.

“What about your assessment?” I asked, looking at everyone at the table.

Oleg’s face was a mask of calm calculation, speaking up first after a few seconds of silence.

"Lieutenant Korval acted correctly in bringing this to our attention. While it may simply be an Atuvian woman with a sharp mind and curiosity, the circumstances are unusual enough to warrant vigilance. With Avalon's growing prestige, we must assume that others—friends and foes alike—will seek to uncover our secrets. We all know Atuvia is already dismantling the tractors we sold them. This can be their way to learn more, or... We must not forget that the previous Empress could have people still in her debt. The current Emperor may have cashed in those debts to try and infiltrate us through them.”

“What is her name?” I asked calmly, taking note of Oleg's assertions.

“She introduced herself as Eira Shastan." Oleg answered at once, "Of course, if it is a false identity, we shouldn’t expect such an individual to leave an obvious trail of the fact. I can contact our troops in Atuvia, overseeing the railways, to look into it, and when they reach their city, they can uncover more information.”

“Let's do that!" I agreed, wanting to be sure, "Have her movements within the city tracked,” I ordered. “Discreetly. If she were a spy, she might realize it, but that wouldn't be ideal. Nobody is perfect, so she will slip eventually if we are right. In the meantime, I want additional scrutiny on those entering Avalon, especially from parts of Atuvia that we have no contact with.”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“It will be done.” Everyone answered at once.

"We cannot allow foreign powers—whether out of envy or ambition—to undermine us." I continued with a half-smile, "And I don't mean Ishillia alone. In the future, we will have faraway empires sending their people here, so this is not the last we have to deal with foreigners. If this ‘Eira Shastan’ proves to be more than she seems, she will find that Avalon does not tolerate dangers to its safety. No matter if it arrives openly or uses subterfuge.”

A faint murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber as Oleg stepped forward, reclaiming the room’s focus.

“With your permission, Sovereign, I will also recommend that our intelligence operatives monitor any unusual communications or movements among Atuvian visitors. Be it via letters, birds, or any other method. Although we would detect any magical traces, there are other ways to send a message.” he declared. “If this individual is part of a larger effort, we may uncover more by observing her associates.”

“Do it,” I agreed at once.

"Yes, My Sovereign!" Oleg straightened up, saluting, his posture as unyielding as ever. “Then that concludes my report, My Sovereign. Is there anything further you wish to address?”

I regarded the room for a moment before shaking my head and ending the week's meeting.

“No. You are dismissed. Keep me informed.”

As the ministers and their clerks began to file out, Oleg lingered for a moment. I knew that his mind was already turning over strategies for heightened security. If this woman—this Eira Shastan—was indeed a threat, she would soon find herself ensnared in our ever-watchful grasp.

Maybe, if I am lucky, I can either convince her or blackmail her into betraying her current masters. A double agent is never something terrible to have, even if it could be dangerous. I was about to leave too when Merlin returned, looking a bit... troubled?

"What happened?" I asked as multiple other ministers were just as stiff, following him, feeling that something big had to happen.

"My Sovereign!" He said hurriedly. "Duke Kustov! He is here..."

"Kustov?" I furrowed my brows while Merlin continued, licking his lips.

"Yes. He says he came to report something that can't wait..."

"Everyone! Back to your seats!" I ordered, raising my voice, "Go on, Merlin." I nodded, also sitting back, "Call him in. It has been a long time since we last met..."