Oko rated this mission SS+.
Almost in an instant, the entire castle was packed with people and bustling with activity.
One command from their spy father, and somehow...
Even Richie, nestled in Twilight's arms, couldn't help clicking his tongue.
Even Luo Ji would have had to say, "You people really know how to have fun."
King You of Zhou would have been green with envy at a spectacle like this.
Twilight held Richie in one arm, looking thoroughly depressed. Thanks a freaking lot.
Anya was so excited she nearly jumped up and down.
Richie sat in Twilight's arms, deep in thought. A faint smile curled his lips as a grand plan took shape in his mind.
Twilight knew his colleagues were risking their lives to play along. If the government discovered an operation of this scale, they would probably all be rounded up in one fell swoop!
A crowd of Twilight's colleagues stood below the stage, playing all sorts of roles.
Some casually whispered among themselves, "That's Mr. Twilight, right?"
"Let's ask him for an autograph later!"
Explosionshead patted Twilight's shoulder in satisfaction. "The organization's pretty capable! Give everyone a heads-up first, then I'll explain."
Elegant Young Man stood helplessly in place, his face expressionless. It was hard to tell whether he felt awkward or embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Richie kept giggling in Twilight's arms.
What an elegant scene. Truly, exquisitely elegant.
The event instantly turned into the organization's annual party-a murder mystery game on the company dime.
After hearing Franky's words, Twilight let out a deep sigh.
The lights throughout the castle dimmed, and a spotlight shone down on Twilight. He stood on the stage while his colleagues below turned their attention to him.
Twilight forced a smile. "Thank you all for attending this celebration for my eldest son and young daughter."
As he spoke, Twilight tapped his foot against the floor in a rhythm to transmit his orders.
The agents below got to work decoding his Morse code.
{Remain in place and await orders.} (Twilight's coded message)
Twilight's admirers received his instructions and could hardly wait to carry them out.
"I would like you all to play villains who obstruct the spy coming to rescue the princess."
{Furthermore, this concerns the successful progress of Operation Strix. Do not inquire further.}
An agent below twitched his little mustache. This is baffling, but it's Mr. Twilight. He must have some strategic consideration in mind.
Sure enough, with enough authority, absolutely anything you said became correct.
Still, speaking while transmitting a coded message was just too elegant.
Twilight continued issuing instructions under the spotlight onstage. "For the sake of my eldest son and young daughter, sorry for the trouble, everyone."
{That man will explain the details. Please follow his instructions from this point onward.}
The spotlight on Twilight abruptly went out, and the fluffy-haired Explosionshead made a dashing entrance on the other side. "I'll assign the roles now. First, today's star."
The spotlight fell on Anya's tiny figure, and Franky's voice rang out. "Princess Anya."
Everyone turned to Anya. She spun happily in place, holding a microphone as she called out to Twilight:
"This is Loidman, the spy who will rescue Anya."
The spotlight returned to Twilight. With one hand on his hip and Richie in his other arm, he was so embarrassed his toes practically clawed at the floor.
The spotlight dazzled Richie a little, and Twilight considerately shielded his eyes from the glare.
Richie thought mischievously, If the organization finds out about this, will they beat him to death?
Anya continued, "This is the boss of the Evil Organization, Earl Mophead."
Mophead appeared beneath the spotlight again.
Finally, it was Yor's turn. Anya thought for ages. "Mother is... um... whatever."
Yor instantly snapped out of her swaying stupor, utterly shocked. What?! She didn't even get a role?
"Daaamn!" Yor cried.
Yor thought, So all my devotion was wasted after all.
Mophead continued explaining the rules. "Everyone, please devise brilliantly challenging obstacles to stop Loidman from advancing."
Before Explosionshead had even finished speaking, the agents below were already restless with excitement. Mission rating: SS+. We must complete it at any cost.
Our opponent is Mr. Twilight. What more could we ask for?!
Or, alternatively, The moment has finally arrived!
Mophead continued, "Decide for yourselves how to obstruct Loidman, and use your own judgment. It's no exaggeration to say that the success of this operation depends entirely on you."
Twilight's eyes nearly popped out. "Wait... isn't that going a little too far?!"
Unfortunately, no one could hear Twilight except Richie in his arms.
Richie wrapped his arms around Twilight Dad's neck and watched the crowd below rubbing their hands in anticipation. There were definitely some personal grudges mixed in there.
Their enthusiasm had been ignited. A company-funded outing had instantly become company-funded training.
Richie looked at Twilight with amusement. "Father, you're about to get beaten up on the company dime! Haha."
Twilight felt helpless. Rather than answering Richie, he simply let out another deep sigh.
Internal shenanigans, playing house on the company dime, and a massive Oko assessment event.
Everyone except Twilight was enjoying themselves.
Franky issued his final command. "My minions, for Princess Anya's sake, go put Loidman through hell! Bang, bang, boom! Take your positions as soon as you're ready."
Now their game of make-believe had truly become a mission, and Twilight was suffering most of all.
Twilight really was being forced to work overtime.
All the agents below were fired up and shouted in unison, "Understood!!!"
If there were even one Spy Among Spies among those agents, everyone in this castle would be done for.
At Mophead's command, the game officially began. "Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! Princess Anya is mine! Come after me if you want to rescue her!"
Mophead definitely had a bit of a personal grudge here. Richie guessed it might have been because Twilight Dad had repeatedly bought intelligence from Mophead without settling the bill.
If Twilight Dad had paid a little more back then, things wouldn't have gotten this ugly.
Anya pretended to have been captured. "Save me, Loidman."
Twilight still hadn't quite caught up. "We're starting already?!"
Holding Richie in his arms, he boarded another cable car and went straight after Anya.
Richie chuckled. Twilight Dad would definitely answer Anya's question correctly this time. After all, he was holding a man who already had the script.
With one hand gripping Anya's collar, Mophead had already traveled some distance in a cable car with Yor, while Twilight entered another.
There was a note on the control panel: please push.
When Twilight pressed the button, the cable car shuddered and slowly began to move, giving him a fright.
The game had officially begun.
Before you continue