Chapter 135 The Scars of Britannia
The capital of Britannia stood as a testament to resilience, yet it bore the scars of a war that had pushed the kingdom to the brink. The once-bustling residential and commercial areas now lay in disrepair, their streets silent and buildings crumbling. The kingdom was fighting on two fronts—against the Latvian army and the growing unrest in the Elysian Archipelago. Rebuilding the capital was a luxury Britannia could not afford, not when survival was the priority.
♦♦♦
Hollow Palace
In a dimly lit chamber deep within the Hollow Palace, the air was thick with the hum of outdated technology. Diplomat Joseph adjusted the dials on a bulky satellite communication device. The screen flickered to life, casting a grainy, monochrome glow across the room. The image of Alberto materialized on the display.
"Joseph," Alberto's voice crackled through the speakers, "has the Queen agreed to our proposal?"
Joseph inclined his head respectfully, his expression calm but his mind racing. "Your Majesty, while the Queen has not granted us full control of the Elysian Archipelago, she has conceded the rights to its natural resources. This is a significant step forward."
Alberto's lips curved into a faint, calculating smile. "Very good. This will strengthen our position and provide the resources we need to maintain our influence in the region."
Joseph hesitated, his brow furrowing as he weighed his next words. "Your Majesty, there is something else. I have come across... rumours. They are unverified, but they could have significant implications."
Alberto leaned forward, his piercing gaze narrowing with interest. "Go on."
Joseph lowered his voice, as if wary of unseen ears. "I have heard whispers that Queen Maria was responsible for her husband's death. The rumours suggest that she had numerous affairs, and when her husband discovered them, she orchestrated his murder and made it appear accidental. However, I must emphasize that these are merely rumours. I wanted to investigate further, but I feared that doing so might jeopardize our relationship with Britannia."
Alberto's expression darkened as he processed the revelation. The implications were staggering. If true, these rumours could destabilize Britannia's monarchy and provide the Bernard Empire with an unprecedented opportunity to exert greater influence. Yet, without concrete evidence, acting on them would be reckless.
"You did the right thing by bringing this to my attention," Alberto said after a moment of silence. "We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. Remember, she has already exposed our spies once. We must tread carefully."
Joseph nodded, his resolve firm. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will await further instructions before taking any action."
____________________
Bernard Empire's Capital
In the Imperial palace, Alberto sat in his private study, the weight of Joseph's report pressing heavily on his mind.
"These matters are getting very complicated," Alberto muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on a map of the Britannia Kingdom. The rumours about Queen Maria's involvement in her husband's death were troubling, to say the least. If true, they could shift the balance of power in the region. But if false, they could provoke a backlash that would undermine his empire's carefully laid plans.
Alberto leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought. "What should I do about this now?" he murmured. The answer was far from clear. He needed more information—reliable, concrete evidence—before he could act.
With a sense of urgency, Alberto reached for the telephone on his desk. He dialled a number, his fingers moving swiftly over the keys. When the call connected, he spoke with a firm tone, "Please inform Circe to come to my office right away."
After hanging up, he leaned back in his chair, allowing himself a moment of contemplation. With a deliberate motion, he opened his system panel, a glowing interface that displayed the intricate details of his empire's status.
As Alberto's level increased, new features and capabilities were unlocked within the system. The magic's ability to detect and neutralize his spies with such ease was a problem that could no longer be ignored. His jaw tightened as he considered the implications. If this continued, it wouldn't just be a matter of failed missions—it could lead to a catastrophic breach of national security.
He scrolled through the system, his mind racing. The solution had to be perfect. There was no room for error. He needed spies who could not only evade detection but also counteract the magic.
Status Panel
Name: Alberto Bernard
LEVEL: 48
HP: 300/300
MP: 51,000/525,000
Experience Points: 454,408/850,000
Technological Level: 1990s
Country Citizen: 690,000/1,200,000
Military Troops: 130,000/160,000
Air Force: 30,000/90,000
Navy Staff: 75,000/75,000
Police: 20,000/90,000
Heroes: One SS-Rank and Two S rank
Balance: 5,000,000,000 SC
Map
Inventory
Shop
Next Goal: Reach Level 50 to unlock Global Influence Mechanics and Space Program Tier 2.
[Mission: Bring peace to the Ostra Continent. Ongoing]
Nation Status:
- Stability: 78% (Declining: -2% monthly due to war expenditures)
- Treasury: 8.2 billion Alber ( Bernard Empire's currency name)
- Military Strength: 235,000 active personnel
- Public Loyalty: 95% (Propaganda campaigns ongoing)
Espionage Network (Priority Sector):
- Active Agents in Britannia: 37
- Success Rate: 12% (Catastrophic; Queen's counterintelligence effective)
- Agent Classes Available:
Novice (Level 1): 50,000 SC
Tasks include basic surveillance and information gathering.*
Operative (Level 2): 150,000 SC
Capable of conducting simple operations and reporting intelligence.@@novelbin@@
Agent (Level 3): 350,000 SC Capable of performing more complex operations, including undercover work.
Senior Agent (Level 4): 500,000 SC
Able to lead small teams on missions. Also capable of strategic planning and intelligence analysis.
Field Director (Level 5):850,000 SC
High-level management position. Oversees multiple operations and agents. Responsible for mission success and resource allocation.
Chief of Operations (Level 6): 1.2 Million SC
Senior leadership role within an intelligence agency. Sets strategic direction and policy for operations.
Legend (Level 7): 10 Million SC
A historical figure or character with legendary status. Represents the pinnacle of spy expertise and influence.
???? (Level 8): Classified
Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire
???? (Level 9): Classified
---
Alberto's eyes lingered on the system panel, his mind already formulating a plan.
What do you think?
Total Responses: 0