Intelligence

At Intelligence Bureau headquarters, in a plain office, heavy curtains blocked the brilliant sunlight outside. The thin rays filtering through the gaps left the room dim and shadowy. A Magic Net Terminal stood beside the desk, its projection crystal glowing with a faint blue light. The printing device connected to the terminal clattered away, gears and rollers turning as sheet after sheet of white paper was inked and delivered to the tray.

The printed pages floated into the air as though held aloft by invisible hands, drifting to the desk and rustling as they flipped through themselves. Only when they reached the final page did a faint sigh sound in the room. "Sigh..."

A moment later, the pages folded themselves in midair and vanished inch by inch into the air. Then shadows stirred in the dim room. After an almost imperceptible breeze passed through, the Magic Net Terminal fell silent, and the entire office sank into dead stillness.

In Gawain's study, the heating unit silently breathed out warm air, warding off the bitter cold of deep winter beyond the window. Incense burning in the corner gave off a soothing fragrance, which gradually spread through the room on the faint circulating air.

Sitting behind his desk, Gawain sensed something and casually set down a document. He looked up. "In a bad mood?"

"...Not really." Amber's figure emerged from the air. She handed Gawain a folded document. "Reports from the third internal affairs divisions in the Western River Valley Reclamation Zone of the Holy Spirit Plain, the Peibo Region of the southern territory, and the Sulam Plateau of the eastern territory. Take a look."

Gawain took the document and carefully examined the names and preliminary investigation summaries on it. His expression did not change. "...Not really, is it?"

"I don't see anything