The Shadow Within

So, Felmina, how's she been doing recently?

She's doing well. She's been helping out in the tavern, doing odd jobs, and as skillfully as you would imagine.

Ah, good to hear. I wonder how she's getting on with life in the big city. Her lifestyle now must be so different from what she was used to. If she's kept busy hopefully that'll make it easier for her to forget all the terrible stuff that happened.

It's unfortunate that she had to suffer so much, but you can't deny that she now has a truly impressive set of skills. It's up to us to ensure she uses them well.

Any idea how she's going to do that? I mean, right now she's just helping out in the tavern... What can she do with that in the future?

Just living her life normally will allow her to grow day by day. We simply need to watch over her.

If you think that'll be enough, then okay.

I can see you're concerned about her. Why don't we go and visit her, then?

Yeah... She'll be in the Unigan tavern around now, right? Okay, let's go and see her.

Yay, Felmina!

It's good to see you, young lady. How are you getting on with your work?

It's going great! I can even do the tidying up now!

Can you really? Sounds like you're having fun here then!

Felmina, don't you think it'd be all right to have her become your apprentice already?

While it may be my obligation to ensure she's looked after, I don't want to make her follow in my footsteps.

But Felmina, I don't mind at all! Helping you would make me happy!

That's very nice of you to say. Eventually, you'll be able to make an informed choice about what you want to do for yourself. Everyone must have their own dream. I have mine, and you must find one for yourself as well.

My own dream? Hmm... I can't think of one.

What's your dream then, Felmina?

It's not that easy to talk about... But I suppose it's best for you to know about it.

What I want to do is become an expert on intelligence, and use my knowledge to bolster the city's security.

Intelligence? What do you mean? Sorry if I'm being a bit dense here, but aren't the knights capable of looking after the city?

The knights are effective when misdeeds are carried out in the open. When it comes to secret plots, they aren't able to do much.

Hmm, I guess secret plots aren't so easy to deal with...

And that's what I mean by intelligence. Covertly gathering information to prevent acts that would harm our country. Up until now the authorities have rarely been aware when there's been, for example, an assassination plot in the offing. If I can fill that gap, it'll improve our country's security to no end.

And if our country is safer then she'll be safer as well...

If this is something no one else has done before, won't you have a hard time figuring out what to do?

I won't be starting completely from scratch. When I visited the East I came across an organization known as The Kunoichi. Seeing them at work was eye-opening for me; it convinced me to use them as a model for my operations.

Huh, never heard of them. Not surprised the East has something like that, though.

Oh, the Kunoichi? I see why you think they'd be a good model.

Felmina, isn't it about time you got going?

Okay, let's go, Aldo.

You don't mind me coming along to... wherever it is you're going?

No, I'd much appreciate having you in attendance.

In attendance? Uh, okay.

The meeting place is in town, nearby.

I'll be back soon. Be a good girl while I'm away, okay?

That's wonderful!

Sorry for the wait.

Who is this you have with you?

He's a trusted ally of mine.

I see, of course.

First of all, please give me your report on the latest incidents.

I have investigated the circumstances surrounding our allies who we have lost contact with... And found clear indications that they have been the victims of intentional attacks.

To be honest with you, Felmina, I'm worried for my own safety.

Indeed... So my suspicions were correct. There is an organization that wants to put a premature end to our operation.

I truly appreciate your loyalty in these dire circumstances.

We need to find out who's behind this.

Our priority is to ensure that our associates are kept safe. I've taken measures already.

...I see. That message makes perfect sense now.

What message?

I sent a message to our surviving contacts.

Could you show him what I sent you, please?

Yes, of course.

Uh, I can't make any sense of this, sorry.

It's an encoded message. You need the Mistlancians' Codebook to be able to read it.

Mistlancians?

Just a cute little title I've given it.

So it's impossible to read without the codebook?

More or less. The key thing is that the codebook itself is encrypted, so simply having it won't allow you to read our messages.

A second encryption? Seems over the top...

In fact, it'd probably be better if we added an extra layer of encoding. An information leak could spell the end of us.

So what was the message?

It's an order to gather at Karek Swampland. We're meeting to discuss our response to this threat.

Oho...

I need you remain in Unigan and gather more information about these assailants.

Of course. I won't let you down.

Be alert for any signs of danger. Don't act rashly, and don't act alone.

Yes.

It's time to go. Will you accompany me, Aldo?

Got it!

Why are they here?!

If there are beasts here, does that mean the location of the meeting place was leaked?

*sigh* This is not what I had hoped for, but it is what I expected.

We'll have to take them out. Are you ready?

Always.

Hey, what the?! We're supposed to be doing the ambushing here!

Not the best ambush we've ever done. Now we'll have to do things the old fashioned way.

Those would-be ambushers have been neutralized. You can come out now.

Oh, weren't you supposed to have stayed in town?

Clearly there was not much use in me staying in Unigan. And I was worried about Felmina.

You shouldn't have disobeyed my instructions.

But how did those beasts know we'd be here? The only possibility seems to be that someone leaked the message.

Either one of our allies yielded under the force of torture...

Or we have a traitor in our midst.

Yes, that much seems clear.

Please answer me this: if the only ones informed that the meeting would be held here were me, you, and Aldo...

Wait! Hold on...

The message we sent to everyone clearly said to meet here!

Did you send a different message to me?

No, the message was the same for everyone. You saw that for yourself.

The message had a second layer of encryption. Upon decoding both layers, you get a different message. The others would have read what I intended. I warned them to stay away. I knew we'd been betrayed.

Why didn't I know about this second code...

It was only given to our most trusted operatives. You were not among them.

Since when has my cover been blown...

I never found any proof of your betrayal. That's why I set this trap.

That's quite underhanded of you, wouldn't you say!

Enough. It's my turn to ask the questions. What is your objective? Surely you're not just killing off my associates for kicks?

Don't even think of running.

Well of course I'm going to run.

Aldo, get back!

Uuurrgh... So bright...

...!

Quite noble to put yourself in the line of fire, Felmina. It could have cost you your life. What it has cost you, though, is the codebook. My new allies are going to love this.

......

Sorry Felmina, I should've been more alert...

No, let's think of this as an opportunity. She'll be going to rendezvous with our enemy now. We merely need follow her, it'll lead us straight to them.

This road leads back to Unigan, so...

I'm sure she'll head for the nearest port out of Unigan.

That'll be Rinde. Let's go.

*huff* All according to plan... *puff* Though, ideally, this would've involved less sweating. *puff*

Hi!

...I've got it. This is the Mistlancians' Codebook. It'll allow us to decipher all of their messages we've intercepted.

Oh, good job. Our boss will be really pleased, for sure! Anyway, you look all tired out. How about something to drink?

Oh than...

*splutter* Urgh, tell me this isn't...

Silly you. Felmina would've told you to be more careful.

But why...

This is what happens to clumsy spies. You've made my mission even trickier, now that they know what we're up to. By the way, that's not gonna kill you. So don't worry, Felmina will be here soon to rescue you.

......

Felmina told me she knew someone who had a life like mine. I think she was talking about herself. I'm happy she got her happily ever after, but it won't be the same for me. I'll just make everyone feel sad and hurt. That's why I've got to go. I'm sorry, Felmina.

It's her! What's going on?!

Stay back, Aldo. This could be a trap.

Is she okay?

She's breathing again. It looks like she'll recover.

It's a good thing you had the right antipoison.

It's a poison we used in my former guild. By mixing it together with a secondary drug... You can remove all traces of the poison from the victim's body. I'm sure you can imagine why assassins would prize something like that.

So this guild we're dealing with is the same one you were in?

Unfortunately, yes. I did dark, unforgivable things under the orders of the guildmasters there. I'm sure you understand why I don't want another girl like me to tread the same path.

Oh, speaking of her... Huh? ...Felmina! She's not here!

She's not? Hm. I must admit, when I saw her steal Aldo's wallet that day, I found myself half-expecting this.

B-But then...

That said... She doesn't seem to be quite up to the job yet, I don't think. She forgot to apply the secondary drug, allowing me to identify the poison, and the culprits...

Or... Another possibility is that she did this on purpose!