The city was boisterous despite the nation having lost a major war just recently. Everyone was still going about their everyday lives and no one was the wiser about the fact that a foreign power had just infiltrated into their city.

The credentials that Cecil and Fatima had shown to the city guards were ones that they had taken from the city lord's mansion so it was authentic. Also, with their disguises, it was easy for them to enter the city.

Cecil, Fatima, and a few others were escorted to the lord's royal compounds and were given a place to rest while the soldiers 'accompanying' them were directly led to the capital city's barracks.

Rowan was the captain of their unit so he was led to the barracks as well. When Fatima heard about this development, she immediately gave him a mission to quickly find out more info about the formation and ranks of the soldiers currently present in the capital.

If it was manageable, she wanted the company of soldiers under Rowan's command to try and cause havoc and reduce those numbers while Cecil went to attack the Merkruz leaders during the meeting.

Right when they had entered the city, Cecil had already spread his senses and noticed that the castle that they were staying at had a particular spot where he couldn't penetrate his sense into.

He immediately deduced that the area was covered by an M-Jammer. Cecil hadn't been able to find the Merkruz Lord so the man had to be inside this particular area. It was located in the core area of the castle residence.

Cecil didn't understand why it was placed there since, in his opinion, it only made the lord and the people inside vulnerable to attacks. It was true that magical attacks couldn't be used while in the area or sent into the area since it would immediately dissipate, but if someone like Cecil, who was adept in combat without the need of mana or could use Ki like his family and Quinn, then the Merkruz Lord was s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g himself over right now.

Anyway, this was a pretty nice development for him since he could just stroll right into the core area and just directly capture the Merkruz Lord with Fatima and the group currently with him.

"Sis, I think I know where the Merkruz lord is..." Cecil said.

"Where?"

"In the core area of the castle, there's an area that my Mana Sense can't penetrate. It's probably under the influence of an M-Jammer. I couldn't find the lord anywhere so that's probably where he is."

"The M-Jammer, huh... hmm, then wouldn't our task be easier now since we have you?"

"Exactly, our soldiers aren't particularly weak without mana as well so our mission will be much easier."

"We still have to take into account the many guards that the Merkruz lord has posted in that area. We also have to a.s.sume that their combat prowess is high since they were trusted by the lord to guard the area," Fatima cautioned. She began to think deeply but Cecil lightly flicked her forehead.

"Hey!"

Cecil smirked cheekily at his sister and said, "You have me, remember? Why do you need to think so hard? Unlike everyone else, I can also use Ki and Ether. With me here, the core area is only like a cage for that Merkruz Lord."

"Hmph," Fatima harrumphed and smacked Cecil on the forehead in revenge.

"OW!"

"You may have grown taller than me but don't forget who's the older one here!"

"Sheesh, sis, you're no fun!"

"Given our current situation, we shouldn't be having any 'fun'," Fatima curtly replied. "Anyways, in your opinion, should we begin the attack tonight or during the monthly meeting?"

Cecil shrugged and said, "That's up to you big sis. Which scenario would be better for us and which one would cause more damage to the lord?"

"...A public display of power during the monthly meeting would be our most ideal course of action since we'd be able to display our power not only to the Merkruz lord but to all the city lords of the Merkruz Princ.i.p.ality. Also, once our army finishes their tasks and timely show up knocking on the capital city's doors, then it'll be more perfect."

"Okay... what about taking action on only the Merkruz Lord tonight?"

"It's faster and we could take control over the lord without anyone else being the wiser. We could have him become a puppet leader under our control and reap more benefits in the long run. Also, having our presence known through only the destructions of the border cities will place an unknown fear on the other city leaders and the Merkruz Lord would have to think twice if he wanted to betray us and renege on any secret agreements we impose on him," Fatima continued.

"Mhm," Cecil nodded thoughtfully at her words.

"They'll eventually find out about us sooner or later, but they won't find out about us reaping any benefits from the Merkruz Lord. However, if we were to enact the second plan and stay covert, we should quickly contact father and the other generals to inform them about the change of plans."

"Why?"

"Because then, they wouldn't need to come to the capital after taking care of the border cities. They could immediately just pull back and return home ahead of us."

"Then let's do that."

"Hm?"

"We'll go with the second plan. Use my MID big sis, contact father, and the rest and immediately inform them of the changes. We'll attack tonight. Tell Rowan to be alert and start preparing for our departure. Also, call Lucia and quickly have her come over."

"Okay, but wait... I thought Lucia needed a clear picture of the place she wants to teleport to—"

Cecil immediately cut her off, "We brought the Wanderer remember? The inside of the Wanderer is something she can easily picture."

"Ah! Now I see why you insisted on bringing the Wanderer with us!" Fatima exclaimed.

"Mhm, now we can easily get out of the city after we complete our mission. Have Rowan and the others immediately bring the Wanderer out of the city—"

Before Cecil could continue his words, a voice called out from outside the courtyard they were in.

"Hey, Belsor! Are you there?!"

Cecil turned to look at his sister and Fatima only eyed him and whispered, "Belsor is you! That's the city lord's name you're impersonating, remember?"

"O-oh, I almost forgot. Tch, just who's calling me right now?"

"Hurry up and go out. It'll raise suspicions if you don't do anything. Don't worry. I'll be there next to you so you won't need to say much. Just respond to what's necessary," Fatima said before opening the door and walking out to the courtyard.

When she walked out, Fatima could see an obese man waiting at the entrance to the courtyard with a few attendants with him. Fatima walked up to the man and asked, "Are you looking for the city lord, sir?"

"...Are you Belsor's new secretary? Don't you know who I am?" The man frowned in reply but started eyeing Fatima up and down with interest.

She went through the info about the other city lords that the army had found inside Belsor's office and deduced who this man in front of her was based on how haughty his att.i.tude was and his prominent body features.

"I'm sorry, sir. You must be city lord Murphy, my Lord's friend from the East Light Border City," Fatima answered.

"Well, if you know who I am, shouldn't you be inviting me in?"

"Yes, of course, milord. Please, follow me," Fatima gestured for Murphy to follow her into the courtyard. Once she made it to the room that Cecil was staying in, she slowly opened the door. After seeing that his brother was already properly dressed and ready to receive the other city lord, she fully opened the door and gestured for Murphy to head in.

"Please, enter, milord."

"Well, Belsor, it's been a while," Murphy exclaimed after seeing the disguised Cecil sitting inside the room with a few refreshments already prepared inside.

"Yes, it's been a while—" Cecil eyed Fatima for a moment and saw her swiftly spelling out Murphy's name using sign language. "–Murphy."

"I see you've gotten a new secretary, your tastes are just as good as always!"

Cecil didn't respond to his words and only gestured for the obese man to sit down. The man talked for a long while about the recent developments of the kingdom and the outcome of the last war.

He was a little disgruntled at the loss since it was unfortunate that a SSS ranked monster had suddenly shown up and laid waste to the army which directly resulted in their loss against some unknown backwater kingdom.

Cecil wanted to smirk but he kept a poker face when he heard Murphy talking on and on about how unfortunate they were.

'Looks like the Merkruz Lord still hasn't acknowledged his loss, it looks like attacking him covertly and placing him under our control would be the best course of action. He'll provide our kingdom with outside riches and resources that can't be found in the No-Man's Land.'

"Belsor, did you hear?"

"Hm?"

"Some kind of neutral force had suddenly snuck into the West Wind Port City and laid complete waste to it! They didn't loot or try and occupy the city, they instead destroyed everything! Man, that b.i.t.c.h Tania is sure in for a headache! She sent a messenger to relay the news to Lord Alexander and it's been the gossip of the city lords."

"...When was this news received? I haven't heard anything about it..." Cecil said before discreetly eying Fatima.

His sister only nodded at him. It seemed that a few people were able to escape from their attacks and had somehow informed the city lords about the attacks and destruction of their cities.

"Well, the news was received only today. It's no wonder you haven't received it. I was on my way here when I overheard some of the other lord's talk about it."

"I see. Well, hopefully, no more bad news comes to us," Cecil replied.

The two talked a bit more before Murphy decided to head back to his a.s.signed courtyard residence. Cecil heaved a sigh of relief knowing that he had not raised any suspicion with the city lord at all.

"Sis, hurry up and give father and the other's a call..."

"Already did, father acknowledged the change of plans and have gathered everyone in the Central Light City that we took over. They're probably preparing for the journey back and Lucia should already be waiting for us outside of the city."

"Great! We'll commence the operation later tonight. We'll bring only a handful of men with us. Have the others head out and wait outside of the city. Also, start some rumors about how the Central Light City have also been destroyed and occupied. This will give us a reason to quickly see the lord and have our forces head back to the city."

"Good plan. I'll immediately have some men go spread the rumors and have someone go request an audience for us with the lord," Fatima said before quickly getting up.

"Remember to get someone to bring Lucia here," Cecil reminded.

"Sheesh, you can't even spend a few days without your wives next to you."

"Shut up!"

Fatima only chuckled at her brother amusingly before exiting from the room.