5.7 - A Ray of Hope
Observation Room, Amethyst Merchant HQ
0125, 7 Jul 2025
After information was obtained from the Northern Coalition leaders, the next process was to confirm the truth of the information. The method chosen was to mix the interrogation formula into the drink of the Northern Coalition leaders.
The interrogation formula would not make the Northern Coalition leaders automatically speak the truth. However, for a few hours it would hinder their ability to think creatively. This meant that the Northern Coalition leaders would only be able to access their memories whenever they answered a question.
Before the interrogation formula is given, the prospective victims must also be ensured that they are as relaxed as possible. If the prospective victims are even slightly pressured, they will subconsciously form self-defense which will reduce the effectiveness of the interrogation formula.
Meanwhile, if the victim is unconscious, the border in accessing memory and thinking creatively will disappear. This means that the information provided may contain the victim's hidden imagination, not purely a real event recorded in memory.
Slowly but surely, the Northern Coalition leaders sank under the influence of the interrogation formula. Every time a question was asked, they would answer at length with pleasure, and even though their sentences were irregular and somewhat chaotic, IDG personnel were still able to confirm the truth of intel they had previously provided.
The problem was after the confirmation process was complete, there were still no clues that led to the involvement of the North Coalition leader with the Berril Plains incident.
Vex took a deep breath before turning his head towards Major Maxwell.
"Are you sure there was nothing wrong with the interrogation formula?"
"I and two other officers confirmed it before the interrogation formula was given."
Major Maxwell massaged his forehead for a moment before continuing.
"The Northern Coalition leaders are not involved in the Berril Plains Incident, unless they have had modern counter-interrogation training."
Vex once again let out a long sigh before saying.
"Then I'll change the TF Pollux menu to standard hostage rescue until we have identified the target. Meanwhile, invite and dig up as much intel as possible from the higher-ups and nobles of the Northern Coalition."
Major Maxwell nodded firmly before answering.
"Understood."
- - - - -
Super Supreme VVIP A Room, Maple Palace Hotel.
0700, 7 Jul 2025
Lady Naomi walked over to Count Weizz with a cup of warm black tea.
"The sugar and black tea quality at this place are amazingly good, and they provide it massively."
Count Weizz accepted the black tea his wife handed him with a smile.
"Did they treat you well?"
Lady Naomi nodded lightly before saying.
"Don't worry, the facilities, culinary, and service in this place far exceed the standards of the Royal Mansion in Makai Royal City. Mier and the hotel manager are also very kind to us."
"Good."
Count Weizz smiled with satisfaction before taking a sip of the tea in his hand. A moment later he had returned his focus to the list of high-ranking officials and nobles in Tarai Region whom he would summon to Magwurt City.
When Count Weizz a few days ago asked what if she had to stay in Magwurt City indefinitely, Lady Naomi immediately realized that her husband was considering the option of relinquishing his position as ruler of Tarai Region, and asked for protection from Tuscan Region in return.
Lady Naomi's suspicion got even stronger after her husband asked her and her children to go to Magwurt City with him.
If not careful, a noble family that loses power can end up tragically at the hands of those who hold a grudge against them. That's why, since the first day she became Count Weizz's wife, Lady Naomi has begun to make preparations if the worst scenario happens to her family.
So naturally, even with a very limited time Lady Naomi still has time to pack a large number of banknotes, gold coins, and other liquid assets belonging to the Weizz Family.
She also had time to send a message to her family, that they should start sending their assets out of Tarai Region with the most important family members of the younger generation.
- - - - -
Study room balcony, Villa Hagel.
0800, 7 Jul 2025
Lassac looked out over the side yard where his five prisoners were mixing soil samples taken from the fields with charcoal, sand, and some other material.
Lassac was clueless about agricultural techniques, but he could see that Peggie and her friends' methods were much better than the previous maester.
The previous maester directly applied their technique to the fields that were to be repaired. Meanwhile, Peggie and her colleagues chose to take soil samples and then did the experiment using small plots and documented the progress of each trial plot.
The trials carried out by Peggie and her colleagues were also not limited to one or two solutions, but 14 solutions simultaneously which were applied into 14 separate plots.
'I've got to get the other stuff Peggie asks for as soon as possible.'
Lassac muttered inwardly as he looked at the long list in his hands.
Peggie asked for dozens of items that at first glance had nothing to do with agricultural engineering. However, because Peggie insisted that these items were very important for the experiments she was doing, Lassac promised to bring them in as soon as possible.
Lassac also greatly admired the lilies that Peggie and her colleagues planted. The lilies were a legacy from Lassac's father and were previously planted in pots. But now the lilies are moved to the front yard of the villa and form a very large and striking '505' pattern.
Lassac did not understand the symbol's meaning, but since Peggie said the '505' pattern represented luck and blessings in farming, Lassac did not ask any further.
Moreover, every morning and in their spare time, Peggie and her friends will care for the collection of lilies wholeheartedly as if the lilies are the most valuable treasure.
"Hopefully our efforts are not in vain."
For more than a month Lassac prepared his men, so that they were able to pass through the dense forest of Landei Gorge while pulling the wagon carrying the Cloud Hawk. This was no easy feat and needed steel determination, plus he also had to lose several of his subordinates.
However, the toil and the victims suffered in the attempt to kidnap Amethyst Merchant personnel was nothing compared to the rewards obtained.
Lassac smiled faintly before returning to his desk. He couldn't wait to write a report to Baron Eslei that the fields in the Liqua Region could be saved.
- - - - -
XO Office, FOC South 860.
1615, 14 Jul 2025
Over the past week, various information has been gathered from the higher-ups and nobles of the Northern Coalition. However, there are no specific leads regarding the incident on the Berril Plains.
Even so, it does not mean that hypotheses cannot be formulated.
Of the dozen hypotheses compiled by IDG personnel, one of them caught the attention of Major Maxwell, and he immediately shared it with Vex.
Currently, the condition of agricultural land and food stability in Liqua Region is in very bad shape.
Last year, the land in Liqua Region turned out to be no longer suitable for Nouel and could only provide about 60% of the food needs. Meanwhile, this year the percentage fell to 45%.
After the peace agreement was signed, Liqua Guard even had to carry out house-to-house inspections to confiscate leftover foodstuffs. Currently, Liqua Region residents can only rely on the distribution of porridge twice a day which is managed directly by Liqua Region authorities.
The Liqua Region higher-ups had very well concealed this from their people, but IDG field personnel had already confirmed the real conditions of the fields in Liqua Region.
Major Maxwell cleared his throat before adding.
"And to this day, the only influential figure in the Northern Coalition who hasn't come here is Baron Eslei, on the reason that he is seriously ill."
Vex immediately asked.
"What do you suggest?"
"Focus our search on Liqua Region and launch intensive observations at Baron Eslei's residence."
Vex did not immediately respond to Major Maxwell's suggestion. He took the log-book containing the mission and operational rotation of ACG's assets from his desk drawer and studied it for a while before speaking.
"We will still conduct aerial tracking in other two Regions, as well as add 4 Reapers and 2 Poseidons to Liqua Region."
Major Maxwell smiled broadly before speaking.
"I will immediately prepare a team to make observations to Baron Eslei's residence."
*****
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