CHAPTER 200: INTEL ANALYSIS II

CH200 Intel Analysis II

***

"Do you know how Black Mantle can easily confirm the validity of our suspicions?" Alex asked.

"By going to Ormshire...?" Udara replied uncertainly.

Alex shook his head.

"Not necessary—and also far too dangerous. The Kellermans must have the place locked down so tightly that no stranger could get close."

"Then... there’s another way?"

"What’s something Lucas mentioned that I haven’t touched on?"

While Udara might not yet understand military intelligence or how to analyse it, what she did have was an attentive mind.

It didn’t take her long to realise what Alex was alluding to.

"The trade routes," she said.

Alex’s smile widened with approval.

"Very good," he nodded.

"The reason they opened new trade routes is obvious. Black Mantle, merchant guilds, and other organisations have eyes all over the normal routes. That makes it difficult to move sensitive materials or troops covertly. So, it’s only natural they’d open an alternative route."

"Then shouldn’t they have hidden the new trade route entirely? Why did Lucas mention it like it was common knowledge?" Udara asked.

"I’m confused about that too," Alex admitted. "Maybe they figured it would be more subtle to make it semi-public. After all, a long trade route covers a lot of land. It would be impossible to keep all of it hidden. So instead of hiding it outright, they let just enough information leak to make people think it’s normal or ordinary."

He gave a wry smile, then continued.

"That’s just my guess. Whatever the case, the route itself is the easiest way to confirm Kellerman’s true intent.

"If this new route happens to lead into some obscure part of Fury territory—someplace our forces wouldn’t be prepared for—then that alone is proof enough."

"Do you understand now?" he asked.

"I do, Master," Udara nodded firmly.

"Any other questions?"

Udara hesitated, then gave another nod.

"Earlier... you said you would have been disappointed if I hadn’t asked you. Why is that? A Shadow Guard isn’t supposed to ask questions."

"And yet here you are, asking questions," Alex said with a teasing smile.

"Ah! Sorry," Udara pulled back quickly.

"Don’t be. I’m joking," Alex said with a quick chuckle. He sighed, the amusement fading into something more thoughtful.

"As I’ve expressed before, I’m not a typical young noble. I don’t follow the usual standards or doctrines expected of someone in my position.

"Likewise, I don’t expect the people around me to behave according to the norm either. If they want to serve under me, they must be different from the norm.

"In that vein... I don’t want you to simply be my Shadow Guard. I want you to become my shadowy hands and feet—to reach where I physically cannot. My representative in the dark. My champion."

He looked at her, voice steady and sincere.

"I have high hopes for you, Udara. And I’ll reveal more of them in time. But for now, if you’re to live up to those expectations... you’ll need to be like Saint Allen."

"A Saint?" Udara blinked.

"No. I know you will become a Saint in due time," Alex shook his head.

"What I’m talking about is his ability to read between the lines. To find the critical clue in a haystack of seemingly useless information.

The ability to be—and to run—an Intelligence outfit."

"Because in my vision, information is more important than overt power. With the right knowledge, and the right intellect, even the strongest being in the world can be brought to their knees by the weakest."

"In a sense, information is a form of power that anyone—irrespective of cultivation ranking—can obtain and wield. I need you to eventually become my custodian of information, so that I may wield said power when the time comes."

"I’m not someone who likes to stay on the defensive. And in my eyes, you have the potential to be more than just a mere guard. You will become my most important agent. And, if the need arises—my most powerful weapon."

Alex smiled faintly as Udara’s expression shifted from shock... to quiet contemplation.

He said no more.

He picked up the document he had received from Black Mantle and cast a basic [Ignite] spell, setting the parchment aflame.

With his Eidetic Memory, there was no need to keep the physical copy of the sensitive intelligence report.

He returned to his bed, sat down, and entered a meditative posture—leaving Udara to her thoughts.

He didn’t want to forcefully push her onto the path he envisioned.

He could nudge her toward it... but the decision had to be hers.

After all, it was a path filled with difficulty—one she’d have to walk largely on her own.

He wanted her to make that choice herself.

In a way, this was a test.

He hadn’t been exaggerating when he said Udara could become his most important agent and most powerful weapon.

Alex’s mouth still watered at the very thought of her.

No—not because of her beauty or unique charm, but because of her innate physique.

A rare body-type that made her the perfect platform for his Rune Tattoos.

He expected those tattoos to play a major role in the future of RuneTech Magic—perhaps second only to the Nest Queen and the OmniRune Core.

The possibilities were endless.

He didn’t even know where to begin—nor could he guess where he would stop.

But before he could begin tapping into Udara’s incredible potential, she had to make the decision herself.

Only if she chose to walk the path of his agent would Alex feel justified in doing whatever it took to unlock her full capabilities.

If she was willing to take that final step—to become more than just a glorified bodyguard—

If she chose to become his Champion...

Then Alex was prepared to pour his all into her.

She would become one of the key pillars of his RuneTech path—a custom-made gift the world had so kindly prepared and dropped straight into his lap.

---

Udara spent the next half hour in silent reflection, replaying Alex’s words and her growing impressions of him over and over in her mind...

Until she made her decision.

Without a word, she stood up and walked to the door.

She left the room.

Alex, who had only been pretending to be deep in meditative cultivation, opened his eyes.

A flicker of surprise passed through them.

Udara had walked across the hallway...

...to Allen Holder’s room.

A flash of suspicion stirred in Alex’s mind.

---

By the next day, that suspicion was confirmed.

Allen Holder had taken Udara in as his student.

And from that moment on, whenever the opportunity arose, he would begin teaching her the tradecraft of intelligence and espionage.

***