The night air was cool as Lukas paced in his chambers, his mind turning over the details of the newly unlocked system quest. The discovery of spies within the estate had ignited something within him—a desire not only to purge the treachery festering in his household but to master the strategic knowledge that the system promised. He had already begun to build his forces, transform his guards into something more than simple soldiers, but now the real game was beginning.
The estate had long been a place of shadows, and Lukas knew he couldn't trust everyone. Even with his grandfather's firm hand overseeing things, enemies had found their way inside, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.
[System Alert: Quest Unlocked—Secure the Estate.]
Objective: Root out the remaining spies within the Veridan estate. Use the intelligence network you are building to uncover the traitors before they can strike again.
Lukas sat down at his desk, his eyes fixed on the papers spread out before him. His newly formed intelligence network was still in its infancy, but it had already proven useful. Whispered rumors from brothels, information gleaned from merchants, and the quiet murmurs of those who passed unnoticed in the city streets—all of it was coming together like pieces of a puzzle.
But this was no ordinary puzzle. The stakes were high, and one misstep could bring ruin not only to Lukas but to his entire house.
Zane entered the room quietly, as was his way. His ever-watchful eyes immediately caught Lukas's tense posture. "The men are progressing well," Zane said, leaning against the doorframe. "But I can tell something's eating at you. What's going on?"
Lukas glanced at him, then back at the papers. "We're not just fighting a war out there on the battlefield, Zane. There's another battle happening right here in the estate."
Zane frowned. "You mean the spies?"
Lukas nodded. "Exactly. And the system has given me the tools to start rooting them out. But I need more information. The network we're building—it's not fast enough yet. I need to know who's been feeding information to our enemies."
Zane crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. "The estate's been crawling with visitors, merchants, servants. It's a perfect breeding ground for whispers. If someone's been spying on you, it's likely they've been here for a long time, blending in."
"That's what worries me," Lukas said, standing up and beginning to pace again. "They're too well-embedded. They've had time to make connections, find the right people to talk to. But we'll find them."
Zane smirked. "I'm guessing the system's helping with that?"
Lukas nodded. "It gave me a new quest to root out the traitors. I just need to figure out how to use the network efficiently enough to do it."
Zane's grin widened. "Well, if there's one thing I know, it's that you always find a way. You'll figure it out. In the meantime, we can tighten security around the estate, make sure no one leaves or enters without us knowing."
Lukas stopped pacing, his mind latching onto Zane's suggestion. "Yes. We'll lock it down. No one leaves without my permission. And I'll start reviewing the staff, see who's been acting out of place."
---
The next morning, Lukas called a meeting with his core group of guards and household staff. The mood was tense as they gathered in the estate's great hall, unsure of why they had been summoned so suddenly.
Darian stood at the front of the room, his arms crossed as he listened intently to Lukas's instructions. The transformation in him since Lukas had started training the guards was evident in his confident stance and sharp gaze. He was already becoming the leader Lukas had hoped for, and his loyalty was unquestionable.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I called this meeting," Lukas began, his voice calm but firm. "There's been a breach of trust in this estate. Spies have infiltrated us, and they've been working against House Veridan from within."
A murmur ran through the room, the guards exchanging uneasy glances. Lukas's sharp eyes caught the subtle shifts in their expressions, watching for any sign of guilt or nervousness.
"From this moment on," Lukas continued, "no one leaves the estate without my express permission. Darian will be overseeing the training and security measures while I begin my investigation into who's been leaking information."
Darian nodded, his expression hardening. "We'll lock it down, sir."
Lukas's eyes swept over the group once more. "If any of you have information—anything suspicious you've seen or heard—now is the time to speak. I won't tolerate betrayal. The safety of this house depends on it."
No one spoke, though Lukas could feel the tension mounting. He knew it wouldn't be easy to uncover the traitors, but he trusted in the network he was building. Slowly, surely, the truth would come to light.
---
That night, Lukas met with his network of informants in the darkened halls of one of the brothels he had quietly brought under his control. The men and women here were skilled in gathering secrets, unnoticed as they went about their business. They had already provided Lukas with valuable information about movements in the city, but now he needed something more specific—details about the estate itself.
A woman named Selena, one of Lukas's most trusted informants, approached him with a hushed voice. "Word around the city is that the prime minister's men have been making inquiries about the Veridan estate. They're careful, but I've heard enough to know they're watching you closely."
Lukas's jaw tightened. "Do you know who their contact is inside the estate?"
Selena shook her head. "Not yet. But I've got my girls listening. If there's a traitor in your house, we'll find them."
Lukas nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. The pieces were starting to come together, but the prime minister wasn't the only threat. There were others who wanted House Veridan weakened, and Lukas needed to be prepared for whatever came next.
---
Two days later, Lukas was walking through the gardens of the estate when Zane approached him, a grim look on his face. "We found something," he said quietly.
Lukas's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
"One of the kitchen staff—he was sneaking out of the estate last night. Darian caught him and brought him in for questioning."
Lukas felt a cold rage begin to burn in his chest. "Take me to him."
Zane led Lukas to a small room in the lower levels of the estate where the traitor had been detained. The man, a middle-aged servant who had worked in the kitchens for years, sat bound to a chair, his eyes wide with fear as Lukas entered the room.
Lukas crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he stared down at the man. "You've been feeding information to the prime minister's men. How long?"
The servant stammered, his voice shaking. "P-please, my lord, I didn't mean to—"
"How long?" Lukas's voice was icy, cutting through the man's pathetic excuses.
"T-two years," the servant finally admitted, tears streaming down his face. "They paid me to give them information—just small things at first, but then they started asking for more."
Lukas's fists clenched at his sides. The betrayal cut deep, but there was no time for hesitation. "Who else is involved?"
The man hesitated, then blurted, "The stablemaster—he's been passing messages too!"
Lukas's gaze hardened. "You've made your choices. And now you'll face the consequences."