Hey it's been awhile guys, sorry for almost a 3 months of not updating but here it is now, a new chapter! ENJOY!

Chapter 14: Gathering Intel

(The Royal Palace of Tristain)

At the meeting room, Queen Henrietta along with her officials and trusted aides currently discussing about the rumors that suddenly spreading around.

"Is this news is true?" Henrietta asked wanted to clarify the report she received.

"We still can't confirm it yet your majesty, but that what was the rumors said." Cardinal Mazarin replied.

According to the rumors, a new civil war broke out in Albion. They thought at first that it's was the royalists that manage to survive and now gained a momentum to strike back but they put it aside because the last member of royalty in Albion has been assassinated and no reason for it's surviving remnants to fight anymore. And what's more of this rumors that turns out a ridiculous one because they heard that the rebels who dared to challenge reconquista are nothing but a group of peasants, they become somewhat muse of it. But as the rumors goes, it becomes more absurd to hear. The rebellion just started almost 5 weeks ago and the rebels already manage to control the southeast part of Albion and reconquista can't even penetrate their defenses there, and now just recently they manage to capture Plotsmouth.

"These is utter nonsense, this rumors cannot be true. This is probably their trick to reverse our attention!" General Gramont said in disbelief. Having reconquista with a force of mages being beaten back by a group of powerless peasants is really unheard of for them. Most of the people present shared the same thoughts but Zaric interrupts by a question.

"And what would they gain on that?"Zaric simply let out a question.

"What do you mean miss Zaric?"Gramont asked her.

"What I mean is that they would never gain in something like that. Spreading a rumor about a rebellion would not stop the other nation to invade and in fact, this would present an opportunity to us to attack them while they are disorganized."Zaric explained to everyone present in the meeting.

Everyone nods in approval to her. She's really now became worthy of respect from the others in the meeting after the battle at Tarbes which she gained fame from it, although not intentional but the news about their feats resounded all over Tristain and the commoners who hears it become more rejoicing because she is also a fellow commoner that brings pride for them. The queen also gained public trust from the common folk because Zaric is her familiar and the feats of her familiar affects her image. Because of Zaric, Henrietta's reputation greatly skyrocketed. But then again, there are some nobles who's still don't like Zaric nosing around in their affairs.

"So...what is their real motive then?"Gramont further asks.

"We still don't know yet but we have someone who is now working on it."Zaric replied which made every one inside the room confuse from who she was referring to.

(Duroc's Manor, Tristain)

General Duroc was currently on his study room pacing back and forth contemplating at the events happening right now. He manage to excuse himself that he cannot attend the meeting at the palace due to some personal matters...a very, heinous matters.

"What kind of rumors is this about, is this true? I've been sending them some news about here but since that failed invasion they didn't even respond and now there's this disturbing news about them circulating around!" The general muttered to himself. These rumors about the reconquista's defeat by the hands of the peasant army was really unheard of. Quite shocking to him but most people didn't buy this rumor because it's impossible to happen. Also, what he is thinking right now that who spreads this rumors. It's obviously not reconquista so who? This will be a problem because the plan that they had been planning for long will be for nothing as it already postponed by their failed invasion attempt but he still hopes that Albion would send another invasion forces. As he was thinking all of this, a guard hastily barge in inside his room.

"MILORD WE HAVE A PROBLEM!" The guard shouted with an alarming look.

"What is it?!"The general asked.

"Someone just breach our armory and we've found out that some of our guards were killed milord!"The guard informed him.

"WHAT?!"He was caught on shock with that.

"Yes milord, and the armory is now emptied. All of the weapons we've been collected for the preparations was stolen!"The guard added. This makes the general infuriated with rage, he already has some problems and now this? The armory has been ransacked and all the arms and supply that they've been collecting so far suddenly lost just like that.

"GRAAAAHHH BASTARDS, WHO DID THIS!"He yells in complete anger, but out of nowhere someone answers him.

"Me." Said a random voice and a burst of smoke suddenly shrouded the entire room and caught the general and his guard on it.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH."

"What is this?!"General Duroc said trying to asses himself as they struggling themselves from the smoke.

"WHO ARE YOU, SHOW YOURSELF!" He demands while keening his eye at the smoke around him, looking for the culprit. As the smoke slowly dissipates, he saw a silhouette of shadows appeared in front of them. His eyes widens in surprise as the smoke subsides just to see a group of strangers in peculiar attire. Their face is covered and only their menacing eyes can be seen, equipped with slightly short sword strapped on their backs. These people looks like some sort of assassins from his perspective, it makes him fear as he thinks about it that this people are here to assassinate him. His guard even steps back in there presence. When the smoke completely clears out, the general gasp in surprise to see a very familiar person standing in front of this assassins.

"Y-YOU-"General Duroc stammers while pointing his finger towards the said person.

"Greetings general, if your curious of what I'm doing here...I am here to arrest you." Saito stated in a serious tone.

"WHAT...ARREST ME, FOR WHAT REASON?!" The general demanded.

"For conspiring and betraying against your own nation. And don't you dare deny it because I have this." Saito shows some papers his holding to the general.

"WAIT...T-THAT'S, WHEN DID YOU...!"The general was loss for words as he realizes what those papers are. He's screwed, he knew that and once those papers were to reach the palace he will be done for good. He leaves no choice but resort to this, he need to kill this man.

"So why don't you be obedient and come with us peacefully?" Saito said to him.

"HAH, as if I've surrender myself to a mere familiar!" The noble general defiantly replied to him. The general was determined, he will not let himself be captured especially by this lowly familiar. He will never lose himself to another peasant that will brings him such more humiliation.

"GUARD PROTECT ME!" He shouted to his guard as he grab his wand hiding in his waist. He will use him as cover in order to chant a spell.

"But s-sire...there's to-"The guard was reluctant to fight against a group of assassins as he was outnumbered.

"JUST DO IT SERVA-AAAARGHHHH!" General Duroc screamed in pain as he drops the wand, holding his injured right hand. A shuriken blade was embedded on his hand.

"That's enough resistance general, you have nowhere to go now." Saito let out a piercing eye intimidation, this sent shivers to the guard as he fell down on his knees. There's no way they win this, so he choose the best way to survive. General Duroc on the other hand still writhing in pain glared at the japanese commander with pure anger in his eyes.

Saito wanting to finish this quickly, he signalled the two shinobis beside him to apprehend the guard and the general. The guard didn't resist as he was tied up but not in the case of the general.

"GET AWAY FROM ME-GUH!" He was struck from his belly as he was tried to fight back. He fell on the floor in agony and he was immediately apprehended. As everything is now settled, Saito let out an order.

"Alright, let's clear out this place and bail out!" Saito commanded.

"HAI!" The shinobis replied in unison.

(Royal Palace Tristain)

Henrietta frowned upon seeing the reports presented to her desk. Numbers of traitors and spies was found and busted as Saito and his group continued to investigate. Now, the recent addition was General Duroc. She could not believe it, even the military was infiltrated by the enemy and him of all people!? As she keeps reading it she notices one thing, this people are everywhere. They are even found in the government, army, servants, and even in the common folk. They manage to persuade this many people through promises of wealth, fame, and position. She was shock to see this and no one even notice this happening. But thankfully, they will be captured one by one thanks to her reliable friends.

Louise and Saito was working so hard to catch this people who wanted to ruin this nation. They even pinpoint there communication network and identified who they are. When they found this out they've discovered something, it seems like that they are working separately. The other party, the one who is responsible for spreading the rumors about the events in Albion are answering to someone else. Strange, but there's definitely another unknown group involved in this.

"Another group, not reconquista? Who are they?" Those are questions in the queen's mind. She even fears that this is also another nation that wanted there fall.

"Zaric, do you have any idea who are this third party?" Henrietta asked her familiar who is standing beside her who sent her this reports. Zaric ponders about this mysterious group, then suddenly she remembers something.

"Your majesty, there's something I forgot to tell you. It's about an exchange student from Gallia that mr. Hiraga got entangled with and he just discovered something regarding that student." Zaric informed and Henrietta's attention was now on her.

"A student, who is it?" Henrietta then asked.

"Her name is Tabitha or that was her cover name. Her real name is, Charlotte Orleans De Gallia." Zaric revealed and the queen was gasp in surprise as she heard the last name.

(Lagdorian Lake, Near Tristain Gallian Border)

"Thank you Gandalrf for returning this ring unto me." The water spirit express it's gratitude for returning the artifact.

"It's nothing, I'm just that kind of man that always keeping his promise." Saito just replied casually and continues.

"By the way I will send some surveillance here just to be sure that if there's still someone who would steal that ring." Saito added, his uncertainty about the security of the ring. He just witnessed how dangerous this artifact is so he wants some assurance that it would not fall into wrong hands again.

"I appreciate your assistance but rest assured Gandarlf I will make sure that I will not repeat the same mistake again." The water spirit replied in assurance.

"Alright but better be safe than sorry." Saito insists.

"I understand your concern Gandarlf. Until we meet again."The water spirit replied then returns underwater. Saito then leaves the area and rode on his sudden transport all the way back to his base where Louise is secretly training her void magic.

It's been a week since they begun hunting some moles in the society. So far the results are good and they've manage to infiltrate their very network bases. Their investigation reveals some facts behind the illegal smuggling of weapons and the high taxation for the locals, all connected to reconquista. They found that this people has been doing this for the long time. They even manage to establish an operation in this place outside of there influence which means that someone from the mainland is secretly backing them and that is what they discovered, a separate faction. They tried to investigate this mysterious people that also cooperates with reconquista agents but they are good enough to erase there traces and also unable to gain some information from them because even this people didn't know the identity of there bosses.

But Saito suspected only one, if Tabitha's statement is holding genuine.

(Letuce, Gallia)

In the gallian capitol of Letuce at the royal palace throne room, a certain middle age man is sitting bored in his throne, not until a woman emerge from the shadows.

"Any interesting news Sheffield?" The man in the throne asked the woman as he finally relieves from his boredom.

"It's about the news in Tristain. They've started hunting down our agents that we sent there and they manage to capture some of them. But worry not your majesty I already make sure that all the information that will lead to us is completely vanished." Sheffield stated with assurance.

"Hoh, so Tristain became witty nowadays. So who is leading the hunting?" The gallian king asked in amusement.

"It's the human familiar of the youngest scion of the Valliere family. He has people and assets to back him up and I don't know where he get those, but definitely not from the Valliere's or the queen." She replied. The king rubbed his chin in interests, all interesting happenings in Tristain was revolving around this two human familiars. Since their arrival everything turned upside down that suddenly pick his attention. He want to know this people but it seems that they are difficult to approach and hard to keep an eye. It seems like his little playground is getting more interesting as new players step in to increase his amusement but still must be wary.

Not only in Tristain but also in Albion, a rebellion appeared out of nowhere and surprisingly making big waves in their name. He was also intrigued in this rebels, being an army of peasants they able to push back reconquista and beat them in a series of battles. He's so curious about who is behind this rebellion, he's got some skills and leadership to lead such a weak force and manage to pull scores of victories against an experience army. He let a request to capture alive this person but it's looks like he/she is impossible to capture. Now, his desire to meet this person grew ten fold when the rebels manage to even taken over Plotsmouth.

"So what about the other task that I assigned to you?" He asked about the other task.

"I'm still investigating it, there disappearance seems like someone help them. Their butler has no means to help them and so neither that brat herself which means whoever they are they're from the outside." Sheffield answered him. He pondered to that, whoever aid them must be aware of their identity but who is it...

"But from what I've discovered she's in the academy continuing her studies. I don't know how she's still supporting herself there but that was my conclusion that someone is aiding her."She added her report regarding the investigation of his missing niece. He is now become curious as who would go this far to help her.

"But I already had a suspect that probably help her." Sheffield stated.

"And who is it?" The king asked.

"A germanian exchange student of the Von Zerbst family." She said and the king raise an eyebrow as he hears it.

"She is the only known friend of your niece and probably the only one she would tell about herself. She has influence to pull this off but I have some slight doubts that she can do it outside of their territory." She continues but her king was thinking about something.

"What about the Valliere's human familiar?" Her king asked about the possible involvement of the Valliere.

"I have also considered that but the possibility of their involvement is low. Valliere and Von Zerbst are long time rivals and miss Zerbst is friends with your niece so it's highly unlikely that the young Valliere is involve with her but I'm still not putting it aside." She replied.

"I see, and Albion?" He then asked about Albion.

"It seems that we were totally lost contact with them since the rebels seize control of the port city there. They effectively cut off the communication between Albion and the mainland. The rebels leader seems quite a genius strategist to pull this off."Sheffield stated about the latest news in Albion.

So far, this is the situation unfold around. There spies has been compromised, his rebellious niece has gone AWOL and then there's an uprising in Albion. Still not turned out bad for them but everything slowly out of there control. This game is finally getting interesting.

"Sheffield I want you to tell our remaining spies in Tristain to pull out and lie low for the time being. Also continue searching the hiding place of my foolish niece. I know that she hid her mother somewhere but make sure you stay hidden, our enemies has becoming aware now." The king ordered.

"As you command your majesty."She bowed her head with grace and then stand straight with a glowing purple runes etch on her head.

(Louise Manor, Tristain)

A long break in the school was a given opportunity for Tabitha to visit her mother at the manor. The former counts mansion was the chosen hiding place for her mother's recovery. Saito said to her that she must visit her mother secretly so he suggested that he rode on one of the peculiar horseless carriages that surprisingly can disguise themselves into plain looking wagon. No one would suspect to follow a hay wagon because eventhough they manage to escape from the hands of her mad uncle they still not safe from his search, so her visit must be hidden.

As the sudden transport she rides in stops at the mansion's gate guarded by two imperial soldiers with weird looking knight metal armored statues standing in the either sides of the gate (steel ronin). The gate then automatically opens as they confirmed there arrival. The transport stops in front of the mansion and she disembarks. At the entrance door of the mansion her loyal butler Percerin was waiting for her. She approaches and the butler bows on her.

"Welcome milady, sir Saito just notify me about your arrival." Percerin said.

"How is mother?" Tabitha asked.

"She is sleeping now, her recovery is slow but she is fine." The butler replied. Tabitha nods and they entered the manor.

"She is no longer being hysterical and been stable ever since, sir Saito's healers has been doing a good job." Percerin said while they're walking. The generosity is way too much to repay them for hospitality and even tried to heal her mother. Tabitha didn't know how to repay there kindness so she decided to do anything to help them. They stops in front of the door and the butler opens it.

"I will wait here outside." Percerin said with a bow of respect and Tabitha nods as she proceeds to enter. Inside the room there's three people and one of them checking a certain person lying in the bed sleeping.

"Ah, Tabitha you're finally here!" Louise said as she saw Tabitha the room. Tabitha bows slightly in front of them as she approach and then she looks at her mother in the bed. She is slightly better now than the time when she was at the villa, little by little she is somehow improving. The engineer then finish checking her.

"What did you find out?" Saito asked the engineer.

"Sir I still don't know the cause of her condition, but she is clearly not poisoned now. From what I saw today it seems that her current state has something to do with her mental health." The engineer concluded. Saito think deeply about this, the medicines help a bit but it's not enough for recovery.

"I'm sorry sir if we are not much of a help, this is not our field of expertise so I am not so knowledgeable about this." The engineer apologetically said. It's understandable that this is only the best way they can do. Imperial engineers are not medical specialist. The field that they specializes are electrical, robotech, nanotech, mechanical and advanced architectural engineering but not in health. Medics are almost non-existent in the imperial army because nanotech replace them in service or they just occupy some random civilian hospitals in the battlefield. If he has those engineers of the allies...

"It's alright , you may leave now." Saito said and the engineer bows his head and leaves the room. If it is mental health then their is no helping it, all they can do now is monitor her. Tabitha then approaches her mother and hold it's hand still hoping for the day her mother would come back to her usual self. They can't hire some healing mages because of possibility that someone might recognize her being a former queen of Gallia.

"Hey partner." Suddenly, Saito's sword Derflinger spokes.

"Hm, want to say something?" Saito asked.

"I sense some faint foreign traces of magic in her body..."His sentient sword whispered to him.

"What...?" Saito raises his eyebrow in that sentence. He looks at mrs. Orleans and then back at his sword pal. Of course there's some magic within her because she is a noble but when he heard the word foreign he already knows what his sword referring to.

"Is that the poison...wait, you have an ability to sense magic?!" Saito asked in surprise.

"Well err...I've just suddenly sense it." Derflinger replied uncertainly. Louise then butted in them confused.

"Saito, is something the matter?" Louise asked him.

"No, nothing. I'm just talking to my sword here." He replied and asks his sword again.

"How can you be so sure about that?" Saito asked in reassurance.

"Because that foreign mana I sense from her is harming her inside."Derflinger answered.

'A poison made from magic, that's why medicines has little to no effect to her.' Saito thought as he gets it, just like aphrodisiac that also made from magic.

"So is there any way to remove it from her?" Saito then asked.

"Hmmm, I think...I can absorb it out of her." Derflinger said.

"You can do that and you didn't tell me about it, how many abilities do you have that you have no plan of telling me?" Saito was annoyed by his sword that was hiding some secrets from him.

"Hey can't blame me partner, I've been living for thousands of years and I'm already mostly forgot everything about my abilities!" Derflinger blurted out in defence. Saito narrow his eyes from that but he finally buy that reason.

"Alright but how should you do it?" Saito finally asked.

"Just let her hold me for a moment and I'll handle the rest." Derflinger said what to do. Saito follows what he said as he unsheathes him. Louise and Tabitha was shock by his actions, he suddenly grab his sword as if he was going to attack.

"S-SAITO, W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Louise stammers in surprise while Tabitha was about shield her mother as Saito approaches them. She was now began to think if Saito didn't see any benefit of helping them now so he wants to dispatch them.

"Hey relax, I won't do anything harm to her." Saito eases her worries. He switch his holding and offered the hilt to Tabitha.

"Take this sword and make your mother hold it." Saito said to her. She is now confuse at his words. Why would he want his sword to be held by her mother? But nonetheless she decided to follow his words and grabs the sword. She looks at her mother and then place Derflinger in it's hands. She was clueless of what Saito was up to this nor Louise who was now staring in confusion, no idea of what on her familiar's mind.

Suddenly, a faint glow shrouded Tabitha's mother. The two girls caught in surprise but Saito eases there worries.

"No need to worry, my sword has the ability to heal her." Saito stated to them which earned a surprise looks on their faces but they're now understand him.

"WHAT?!...if that so then why you didn't use it in the first place?!" Louise asked in surprise.

"Hey, I've also discovered that kind of ability just now." Saito sternly replied back and Louise just pouts to his usual attitude. Looking back at the situation, mrs. Orleans body stops glowing and Tabitha after hearing this swords ability checks her mother. Her face has seen some good improvements, her usual paleness has gone and was replace with a calm looking one. The sentient sword's ability actually worked! Saito then picks his sword pal.

"I've already remove the poison inside her but I cannot fully heal the damage it caused." Saito nods in Derflinger's explanation and then turns to Tabitha.

"Your mother is fine now, all she needs is long rest to full recovery. She will be back to normal soon." Saito said as he sheaths back Derflinger. The former gallian princess widen her eyes in gratefulness and tears appears as she realizes that her mother is finally healed and will return to her former lively self. She's been longing for that day to come and now it will become possible for the help of her unexpected saviour. Unable to contain herself, she unconsciously let out an emotion that she didn't show for all her life since the day her mother poisoned. Even Louise was surprised to see this new expression that her quite emotionless classmate shown.

"Thank you!" She suddenly hugged Saito and everyone surprised to her sudden action. Louise widen her eyes and her mouth slightly hung open at the situation in front of her. Her hands wanted to separate them but reluctant to do so because of the situation. This weird feelings of her suddenly appears everytime their is a girl flirting around her familiar. Why is she reacting like this? She shook herself out of that kind of thoughts as there was an important thing happening right now.

Saito on the other hand was also surprise but only raise his hands in defeat as Tabitha hugs her with joyful tears.

"Lucky for you partner, another girl in your harem!"His sword suddenly chimed in with glee. Saito twitched in annoyance by a sudden remark.

"Say that again and I will dump you in a closet for years." Saito sternly said with seriousness.

"Hehe, sorry..."Derflinger then shut himself.

This awkward atmosphere lasted for a few moments and only interrupted when they hear a moan. All of there attention switch to Tabitha's mother and Tabitha herself pulls away from hugging Saito and tends to her mother. It seems she was still sleeping but muttering a word that Tabitha never heard from her for a long time.

"Charlotte..." Her eyes widen to hear that name coming from her mother. She holds her mother's hand and smiles. Saito then decided to leave them alone for privacy.

"Let's go partner, let's give them some privacy."Saito said to Louise as he walks towards the door. Louise followed suit as they both leave the room. Leaving the mother and daughter in there good moments.

(Plotsmouth Albion)

A week after there initial assault and takeover of the port city, Stanford inside the city halls office currently scurrying some papers and important documents regarding the enemy's movement and there other military secrets that they found after searching around the hall. Stanford was amused by such incompetence, they didn't even think of burning this sensitive informations that will ultimately possibly fall into enemy's hands when they knew they were under attack. They maybe think that they can easily beat us because were only an army of commoners...well it helps him a lot if they stay to that kind of thinking. Foolish foes is better than genius opponents but still he will not take it for granted, underestimating your enemy no matter who they are is the biggest mistake the commander will do.

A knock on the door was heard in a silent room.

"Come in." Stanford said while looking at the papers. The door opens and a green haired woman enters.

"Is there something you want my assistance?" Matilda asked as she approach to him.

"Yes, I have a special assignment that I will assign for you." Stanford said the reason of his summon.

"What is it?" She questioned.

"You will be assigned in an espionage mission on the mainland with the spy team that I will send there." Stanford stated his intention to send her on a spying mission in the halkeginia soil. Matilda frowns from this task, because it has some flaws if she will be sent there.

"Are you sure you want me to be on that mission? You know that I'm a wanted criminal in that place, and a chance that someone will identify me if I go there. There's also a possibility that they already put a bounty on me to hunt me down there. I'm sorry to say this but that mission of yours might be compromised if I tag along." Matilda said her opinion of bringing her along will get the possibility of ruining their espionage mission. Her hair is the most identifying one here, the reason why she's wearing a cloaking robe when she was Fouquet to hide her unique hair color.

"I know, but I have a reason why I must assign you there." Stanford replied and pointed out his reasons.

"First, you are the only person who is very familiar of that place and knows how things run there, especially in their underground network. And second, being an infamous thief I'm sure you're well knowledgeable of this things and you will be a great help to my spies if you will be there to guide them. It will be easier for them if you go along." Stanford elaborates her importance in this mission but she's still seems not convince though.

"If you're worried about someone will know you I already had a solution on that." Stanford seeing that she's still has concerns about this espionage he revealed something behind his jacket uniform. He puts it in the table and show it to her, it is a black tinted eyeglasses. She then looks at him with an incredulous gaze.

"You think this is enough for disguise?" Matilda twitched her eyebrows, she thinks that he is just fooling around.

"Why you try to wear it first." Stanford suggested. She looks at him for a couple of moments and see that he was serious about this.

'What was he thinking?" Matilda was unable to read him so she choose to go along. She picks up the peculiar eyeglasses, it's really black in color so how could she see in this kind of eyewear. She then tried to wear it and was taken aback by surprise as she saw the surroundings clearly.

"H-how...?!"She was speechless to say a word. She looks at Stanford who is now slightly grinning at her.

"Now try to press the button at the right portion side of the glasses." Stanford instructed her. She follows what he said as she touches the right side and find the button. She press it and suddenly an option menu with various different images of women's faces appears in her visio-no it was in the glasses!

"W-what is this, wait...is this one of your magic artifacts?!" Matilda asked in bewilderment. She already witnesses so many things since she's working with them, things that she had never seen before and left her speechless and bewildered. She even recently thinks that he was an elf, but he has no pointy ears like elves and also he claims that he has no magic at all, so she put aside that suspicion. So who in the world is this man really, aside from being her sister's familiar?

About being him a familiar, it was a surprise to her that aside from that Valliere brat and the Tristainian princess, her half sister Tiffania also summon a human as a familiar. This era is really weird with now humans becoming familiars is unheard of.

When she talk to her sister about this man she said that he was from another world and was summoned by her to be her familiar. She at first would not believe it if she wasn't witness all of this what is considered to be otherwordly things. This is the only explanation so far about him.

"You could say like that but learn how to use it first." Stanford replied to her and resumes to instructing.

"Now, choose a picture in the images you saw by pressing the button beside the button you press." Stanford instructed as Matilda proceeds to follow. She presses the said button and the image flips replace by another image. She was amaze by this as the images moves everytime she presses. This was a work of marvel, no artifacts can do this and even the founders blessed items has no functionality like this.

"If you already choose one then press the previous button." Stanford then finalizes. Matilda then presses the button as she finally chooses one image. The former allied commander smirks lightly while looking at the former thief and made a comment.

"You've got a good choice of looks." He said that made Matilda confuse.

"What do you mean?" She asked. Stanford just opens the desk drawer and grab a mirror inside.

"See it for yourself." Stanford handed the mirror to her. She accepts the mirror and look herself at the reflection and what she saw greatly shock her. Her face...no it's not her FACE! WHAT'S HAPPENING?! It's a face of someone else! She touches her face slowly while gazing at the details of her new look, brown long hair with blue eyes and her cheekbones was shapely different as if she was looking to a different person. But when she looks carefully at it she identifies that it's the same face she choose.

"Now you don't have to worry about being identified." Stanford said with confidence. The 5d dimensional holographic glasses is really a convenient spy gadget that the allied spies uses to increase there disguising ability while they are on an infiltration mission. Thanks to the british and futuretech technological research that made this possible. With this, Matilda will not needed to worry about being caught. Oh how convenient this artifact is. If she has this when she was an infamous thief it would be easy for her to do her job without worrying about hiding her face.

"Your disguise will be worn out if you remove that glasses so be careful that no one must touch it or else you'll be in trouble." Stanford reminded her and the former thief nods in understanding.

"Good, now let's get onto briefing regarding your mission. The place that I assigned to you is..." Stanford then started to elaborates the task on her that she will do in her mission to the mainland.

After instructing her about there infiltration plan, Stanford bring her to the infiltration team she will work with while in the mainland for more instructions. This mission is too sensitive so it needed to re-evaluate again, the outcome of this intel gathering will decide the next course of action he will do in the future.

He resumes to his office when suddenly the H.Q contact him.

"What is it?" Stanford asked through the comms.

"Sir it's about the patient, you informed us that we will notify you once he woke up." The H.Q command reported.

'So he finally wakes up huh. Just a perfect time for the infiltration." Stanford thought. He need him for something that will ensure that there will be no third party will involve in this civil war.

"Thank you for informing me, I will be arrive there soon." Stanford said his soon arrival.

"Yes commander." The H.Q replied and the line cut off. The former allied commander leans on his seat, his next plans are now set in motion. He then stands up and prepare for travel back to the main base to meet there rescued guest.

(Allied Main Command Base HQ, Southeastern Albion)

He was confuse.

The time he wokes up he was in a different place, an encase metallic room. At first, he thought he was in heaven but this is not heaven-like. The last thing he remembers is he was stab at the back by an unexpected person that he never thought would do that, and then he lost consciousness, he thought he got killed or this was a dream but it's not as he tried to pinch his skin and he felt the sensation. He touch his chest center where he was impaled by a sword and found out that his wounds are gone.

During his confusion, a door suddenly slide open and a man in apron and hat enters the room he was in. He prepared himself to whatever is going to happen as the man approaches to him but his body is too weak to do anything. The man eases him as he means no harm and then checks the apparatus hanging beside his bed and the strange almagation that releases a beeping sound with zigzag line appearing in it's screen like magic. When he observes it he just realize that their is a long slender thin tube like attached to his wrist to the transparent bag that contains pure liquid. The man in apron explains to him about the apparatus that it sustain him nutrients and energy he needed to get his health back. He somewhat reluctant to believe it but he sense that this man has no ill intent to him so he accept his explanation.

The man leaves after a short while and he was left alone again in the room. He looks around and saw everything is foreign to him, metallic walls and ceiling was all good refined and polished. Even the best smiths he knows are nothing compared to the level of whoever made this place. They even had enough resources to waste just to build this room. Up the ceiling is a light illumination that he suspects was magic and a somewhat comfortable steel bed.

About half an hour has pass since the last person entered this room and he already feel some boredom. He wanted to move and leave his bed so but his body is too weak for now to even stand and walk, he wants to know where is he or what this people want to him and who are they. He tried to asked them about that but they only replied that their is someone will come to explain everything to him.

Then, the door slide open and revealed a blonde haired man entering the room. This time it was different person, unlike the apron wearing man this one has an imposing aura in the way he walks towards him and he wears a somewhat a peculiar blue military uniform showing that he is a high ranking officer but he has no medals that pinned on it with only a weird colorful plate attached in his left chest.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting for long because I've only just informed now and I travelled back here from Plotsmouth." Stanford explained to him.

"Ah where are my manners, let me introduce myself first. I'm Peter, Peter Stanford and for why are you here well we are the ones who save your life prince Wales of Tudor." Stanford introduces himself and the prince frowned from this man, this person knows who he is. He is definitely not a royalists so he must wary of what this people need to him since they know who he is.

"I send my utmost gratitude to you for saving my life sir Stanford. So ...what do you need in exchange of saving me?" Prince Wales beat him to the bush before he says something. Stanford smiles at the prince frank behaviour. He is a straightforward person, always voicing his thoughts and the only aristocrat who cared for the commoners well being. Well that what was written from his investigation about the albionese prince so far ,but he will eventually know him fully later as he will persuade him to join his endeavour.

"I like that attitude of yours. Always straight to the point, and yes there is something I want in return... an offer." Stanford commented and admit that there's a reason behind of rescuing him.

"What is it?" The albionese prince asked now willing to listen.

"A cooperation. I want you to join us in our plan of saving the people of Albion against the embodiment of oppression and tyranny which is reconquista. Since we have the same common enemy so why don't you join us." Stanford offered him to join the allies. Prince Wales raises his eyebrow with that kind of offer. The prince ponders for a moment, it was a sudden offer to him but nevertheless there is no problem of cooperating with this people if they are really an enemy of reconquista as he claimed to be. But there are still some doubts about this proposal, he need to know them first and there agenda.

"Before I answer that, I want to know who are you guys, your goals and the current situation now." Unable to give an answer, the prince of Albion demand an explanation about them and the present happening today.

"Well, I already expected that you will ask those questions, so let me elaborate you. This will be long, are you prepare to listen?" Stanford said to the prince who nods in return. With that Stanford started to explain everything to the surviving prince.

TO BE CONTINUED...

A new year with new update. Sorry guys if this is late, I was a busy but still I will update this story with the best I can and as I said I will not abandon this. I've indulge myself in playing FPS games since it's been five years since I last played this and this is one of the reasons why I delayed updating so my utmost apology...sorry. Anyways here is another character profile of one of our protagonists.

CHARACTER PROFILE:

PETER STANFORD

FULL NAME: Peter Rodriguez Stanford

BIRTHDATE: December 6, 20XX

BIRTHPLACE: San Francisco, California

AGE: 24

PROFILE INFO:

Born from a normal family, Peter was inspired to become a soldier wanted to serve his nation. Being inspired by the history books of heroism and a freedom advocate himself that he even joins protests movements against black discrimination. His mother was a mexican native who migrated in U.S in hopes of a better life and there where his mother meets his father, got married and have three children which Peter is the eldest with his twin younger siblings Simon and Samina. His father was a gun store owner and since he was 14 his father always teaches him how to shoot a firearm during there camping trip in the woods using hunting rifle. His father saw his great potential of being a marksman and decided to participate him into some shooting competitions and surprisingly always comes out first place. He even participate in international shooting tournaments and surprised the world of his absurd accuracy that it was keen like a hawkeye resulted of always bringing home medals and trophy. After finishing studies, he enrolled in himself at West Point. Because of being a prodigy since pre school to senior high his abilities was shown as great in average potential of being a soldier. He became a valedictorian in there class and graduated with promising position in the military. When the war in europe broke out with soviets almost control all of the continent, he was called in by the allied command in european front. Due to his impressive records, the top brass promoted him in commander rank, because the allies are so desperate to quell down the soviet invasion as the british isles became the last bastion of the allies in the european front. Stanford answered the call and the allies made a right choice of choosing him.

HINT: Stanford's birthdate is the same date (not year)when the slavery has been abolished in the United States (The 13th ammendment). The same in this arc as if he's arrival will become a symbol for the commoners in Albion to become free people although they're not slaves technically but there lives under the corrupt noble system is no different from being a slave.

See you in the next chapter guys!

Next chapter: Undercover