The young prince sat behind his ornate oak desk, his eyes fixed on Robert. His voice was calm yet resolute as he said, "This agency will remain a secret. No one in the country will know of its existence except for you, me, and Rock. It will be the keystone of our victory."
Robert nodded, his mind racing to understand the prince's vision. But as he processed the declaration, a look of concern crossed his face. "Young prince, I understand your intent, but... what about the members of this CSRW, the Crown Security and Research Wing? How will they be trained? Normal soldiers won't suffice for a task as delicate as this."
The prince leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening with thought. "You're right," he admitted, his tone tinged with frustration. "We can't simply assign untrained soldiers to such a critical role."
Silence lingered in the room before the prince waved his hand dismissively. "You may leave now, Robert. Inform Rock to accelerate the recruitment of soldiers. We need an army capable of supporting our invasion plans as soon as possible."
Robert bowed deeply. "As you wish, young prince." He turned and exited, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts.
Weeks passed, but the prince's mind remained consumed by the challenge of making the CSRW functional. The lack of sleep had etched faint shadows under his eyes, but the country's progress brought a flicker of satisfaction. Roads stretched across the once-barren land, infrastructure flourished, and factories hummed with activity, producing iron and other essential resources. The agricultural sector boomed, feeding the growing population driven by the prince's policies to encourage families.
Despite this progress, he knew it wasn't enough. Compared to neighboring nations, his country is just a new born fish. Yet the determination of his people was a beacon of hope—they worked tirelessly to build a future worth fighting for.
One day, while sifting through paperwork in his office, the prince's gaze fell on a newspaper lying askew on the desk. His eyes scanned the headline, and a spark of inspiration ignited within him. Without hesitation, he summoned both Rock and Robert.
The two men entered the office briskly, bowing in unison. "You called for us, young prince?"
The prince, his excitement barely contained, pointed at the newspaper. "Look at this," he said.
Robert picked up the paper and read the highlighted article aloud. "An assassination of a noble in the Azure Empire... Young prince, I don't understand what excites you about this news."
The prince leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with newfound purpose. "Doesn't this give you an idea?"
The two men exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads. "Our apologies, young prince, but we don't understand your meaning," Robert admitted.
The prince stood, his voice firm. "The CSRW—we will make it work. This article has shown me the way."
Robert and Rock's confusion deepened. "How, young prince?"
"We will recruit assassins," the prince declared.
Both men stared at him, stunned. "Assassins?" Rock finally managed to say, his disbelief evident.
"Yes," the prince said, pacing the room. "Assassins are already well-trained in the skills we require. They are masters of stealth, infiltration, and information gathering. They can act as both spies and operatives, serving the CSRW perfectly."
Robert's face darkened with concern. "Young prince, I see your reasoning, but assassins are notoriously untrustworthy. If even one of us has a bounty placed on our head, they might turn against us. Are you willing to risk that?"
The prince stopped and faced him, his expression unyielding. "I am. The benefits far outweigh the risks. With assassins on our side, we can gather internal intelligence, carry out precise strikes, and secure our country's future. If taking this risk is what it takes to elevate this nation, then I will bear it."
Robert hesitated, reading the determination in the prince's eyes. He knew there was no dissuading him. "As you command, young prince."
The prince turned to Rock, his tone authoritative. "General Rock, I order you to locate and bring as many assassins from this region as possible. Take a unit of soldiers for protection if needed."
Rock saluted and exited immediately to carry out the task.
Robert lingered, his voice low but earnest. "Young prince, I urge you to reconsider this decision. The consequences—"
"I have made my decision," the prince interrupted. "If we are to rise from the ashes, we must take bold steps, regardless of the risks."
Robert sighed, bowing his head. "As you wish, young prince."
As Robert left the room, the prince returned to his desk, his mind churning with plans. The CSRW would not only serve as a cornerstone of the country's defense but also as a symbol of its ambition to rise against all odds.