55: Chapter 0055 Bandit

From the first snowflake to the first sprout discovered in the suburbs yesterday...

It has been nearly two months since Felina 'joined' The Lurkers.

Before this, Felina hadn't received a single mission, which made her wonder if Rice had been exposed.

Today, the issuance of this mission dispelled her worries instantly...

And this mission was ruthless!

How could a newcomer to the organization be assigned a mission of this magnitude right off the bat?

To obtain the enemy nation's latest top-secret technology—did The Lurkers look down on the Crimson Soul Duchy too much, or did they overestimate Felina?

Clearly, it wasn't the latter, nor was it likely the former.

The only plausible reason was: this mission was in Felina's territory; but Li Size felt this reason wasn't enough.

Was the mission unimportant?

Obviously not!

Any country or organization that heard of this surveillance technology would regard it with extreme importance.

They would desperately want this technology because it could satisfy their need to spy on others' secrets.

When things are abnormal, there must be a hidden motive...

However, based on the premise that the Feiting Federation had already obtained the top-secret intelligence,

With Felina's ability as an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, although extremely difficult, it didn't seem impossible to complete the mission.

The difficulty might lie in: Felina didn't know if the Crimson Soul Duchy had arranged any covert defense forces at the Communication Center?

If there were defenders, how many would there be?

How strong would they be?

If their strength was too great, she would definitely have to use non-combat methods to complete the mission.

Moreover, she couldn't expose herself.

Before undertaking the mission, all these factors needed to be scouted and confirmed.

But for Felina, this was actually quite simple... because she had the spirit Bobby, who could turn invisible.

However, the above constituted the normal logic for completing the mission, based on the assumption that Felina was a spy for the Feiting Federation...

But Felina's true identity was not actually a genuine Feiting spy; she was actually a new employee of the Crimson Soul Internal Affairs Department.

These difficulties naturally ceased to be difficulties. The real difficulty, instead, was: the Feiting Federation was already targeting Crimson Soul's secrets—should she give them away, or not?

If she gave them away? This was secret technology that the Crimson Soul Duchy had painstakingly developed; the loss would be devastating!

If she didn't give them away? Then the Counter-Espionage plan would be exposed instantly, and Li Size's borrowing a chicken to lay eggs plan would naturally collapse entirely!

How could she act to both complete the Feiting mission and avoid harming Crimson Soul's interests?

Naturally, this kind of problem couldn't be left for Li Size to worry about alone...

Therefore, the moment he received this mission, Li Size decided to report it to Yanhu Sven, letting Sven decide how to proceed with the mission next.

These things required the organization to put in effort.

Felina and Li Size clearly did not possess the capacity to bear this burden alone.

Li Size immediately rushed to the police station's communication room to borrow the police internal line from Gelia, ensuring information security.

Li Size, now an Elementary Wizard Apprentice, actually possessed the ability to operate a Level One communication node.

But he still preferred to go to the police station to bother Deputy Director Gelia.

Who wouldn't like having a beautiful Director serving by their side?

Alas, the agreement with Felina was only two months ago...

In the police station's secure communication room, Gelia glared at Li Size with anger:

"You brat, you're already an Elementary Wizard Apprentice!

Operate the communication node yourself, don't even think about ordering me around!"

Got it!

She saw right through him!

Li Size helplessly changed the subject: "Big Sister, stop calling yourself 'Old Mother'.

You are so young and beautiful, don't age yourself."

Gelia skillfully flicked a coin against his forehead:

"Stop sweet-talking me!"

Gelia acted very stern when there were police officers around in the station...

Seeing that she was being so uncooperative, Li Size connected to Sven's communication node himself.

Gelia lingered nearby, wanting to know more information.

Li Size thought for a moment and didn't try to persuade her to leave; no matter how this mission proceeded, it would require the help of the local expert, Gelia.

After a few minutes, a gentle and refined male voice sounded:

"This is Sven, Student Li Size, good afternoon!"

Since the other party was so polite, Li Size could only reciprocate:

"Captain Sven, good afternoon!

Rice has made new progress and conveyed the specific mission assigned to Felina by The Lurkers.

This mission involves 'surveillance technology'; we have some confusion, and we also need the organization to clarify the next step.

Also, Gelia is listening beside me.

Regardless of how this mission proceeds, she will need to help. Is that a problem?"

"Of course not.

Junior Sister Gelia, good afternoon!

Student Li Size, please continue."

The same gentle refinement gave people a sense of peace.

Li Size then detailed the intelligence Rice obtained and the mission.

Sven, who was in the Internal Affairs Department, was naturally aware of the surveillance technology; the current closed testing was hosted by the Internal Affairs Department, and Gray Mist Mountain Town was within Sven's jurisdiction.

Gelia, on the other hand, was hearing about such a 'disgusting' technology for the first time, and her aversion was clearly visible on her face.

"Oh!? It leaked so quickly?"

Upon learning that the technology and even the testing site had been leaked in detail, Sven's reaction seemed both expected and surprised.

It seemed he already had a contingency plan!

"The Lurkers of the Feiting Federation require Felina to cooperate with a communications expert in infiltrating the Gray Mist Mountain Town Communication Center soon to steal this technology."

After finishing the details of the Feiting Federation's mission, Li Size continued:

"How is the Internal Affairs Department arranging this?

What do you need Felina and me to do?"

"Hmm! The usual Federation style—insidious!

Listen, Li Size and Gelia, wait for me for fifteen minutes. I need to discuss this with the Director."

Sven's tone was still calm, but a trace of exasperation could faintly be sensed.

However, the choice for this mission was clearly not something he could decide alone, so he immediately thought of consulting his superior.

Li Size and Gelia were alone in the room. Gelia seemed lost in thought about something.

She appeared less natural than when interacting with Li Size before, as if she was facing some worries or difficulties.

Li Size also couldn't think of anything to talk about, so the two engaged in awkward, desultory conversation.

While waiting, about fifteen minutes passed.

Sven reconnected to the communication node:

"Li Size, Gelia, are you still there?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Sven's voice sounded even more steady now, suggesting that a superior had likely stepped in to absorb the pressure for him, or perhaps a very reliable countermeasure had already been devised.

If it was the latter, then things were getting interesting.

Seeing that both were present, Sven first signaled Gelia to leave:

"Gelia, based on organizational principles, it's not suitable for you to continue listening to the following information.

However, as an auxiliary member, I hope you will cooperate fully with Felina and Li Size this time.

Whatever they need your cooperation for, it is an order from the Internal Affairs Department."

Upon hearing this, Gelia glared resentfully at Li Size before storming out of the communication room.

Next, Sven relayed the latest order from the Internal Affairs Department in Gele City:

"Let the Feiting complete this mission!

Of course, you must make the process appear somewhat difficult. My people will cooperate with you.

This will be beneficial for Rice and Felina to gain higher status within The Lurkers organization."

Unthinkable!

The Internal Affairs Department's mission was actually to assist Feiting in completing its task?

Was the Internal Affairs Department not the Internal Affairs Department of the Crimson Soul Duchy?

Had it actually always been the Internal Affairs Department of the Feiting Federation?