After leaving the home for veterans, Halogen got into the sedan waiting beneath the stone steps and headed straight back to his estate.
Without pausing for even a moment, he immediately went to his study, activated the panoramic conference system, and contacted Tyr, commander of the Southern Legion, far away in Avent City.
Looking at the holographic bust emerging amid pale blue light, Halogen immediately assumed a respectful expression and bowed his head as he reported.
"Commander, Triumph City has rejected our request to reopen the border."
Tyr spoke slowly.
"Did that governor mention a reason?"
"The reason was still the Death Agent. The Imperial Guard insists it has received conclusive intelligence that the stolen genetic source code has been used to create a genetic weapon targeting Velanders." Halogen hesitated slightly before speaking in a low voice. "I don't think Commander Razer was lying... I was wondering if we should be more cautious as well?"
Though he had no doubts about the Southern Legion's intelligence department, he also found it difficult to believe that the Imperial Guard would make such claims without solid evidence.
Especially since his family was still in Avent City.
If the "Death Agent" really existed, he could hardly help worrying about his family's safety...
Commander Tyr stared at him in silence, seemingly deep in thought, and said nothing for a long while.
Halogen wisely did not disturb him, but just then, he suddenly remembered something else.
"...Oh, Commander Razer asked me to pass on a message."
Commander Tyr finally seemed to react, looking at him expressionlessly.
"What did he say?"
Halogen answered truthfully.
"He said... Marshal Julius is watching you."
The instant he heard those words, Tyr's expression remained unmoved, but his heart involuntarily trembled.
But it lasted only an instant.
He knew that was impossible.