The Mechanical Era

Arjun, wearing a white cloak, sat in his office looking at the report. It had been nearly a week since the spy squealed about their collaborative efforts. As a result, the remaining knights, who were supposed to be defending the city from any demonic attacks were now occupied with finding any men guilty of suspicious activities. It wasn't all bad, however, as they had the help of the new police force.

Regardless, no matter what, he is going to have to be more cautious. Any information that needs to be given now was handed through an expensive white envelope, glued shut so that only the recipient would read it. As an extra projection, they used a strong small purple ribbon to tie it around in a roll. Purple dye was very expensive, and they doubt anyone would have the funds to afford it.

So far, he had managed to identify and put to death 2 maids and 3 knights so far with this method. Currently, they have 3 more suspects being interrogated. Suspects who were close to the previous culprits. However, upon further questioning, they hinted at the fact that there was a lot more present in the castle. Either that or they were bluffing to spook him.

Just then, he remembered to hand over a letter and the report to Kant, as he requested. He had been busy designing and making new types of devices to help improve his flintlock musket. The design was for a device that 'helped make grooves inside the barrel'.

Other than the letter, there was a report on immigration. Apparently, the report states that more wealthy artisans, merchants, and stone masons have been moving into the city, who claim they wanted to take advantage of the new institutions that have popped up in the last two months.

Although it is plausible, Arjun suspected it was due to the war going on in the south, and that they would like to stay far away from it as possible. Regardless, he got up from his seat and walks out of his room to the hallway. From there, he journeys across the palace, over to his door.

Just as he was about to place his hand on the knob, from behind, he can hear the voice of Cora. She was just making her leave, but not before dismissing herself.

"I will be on my way, master," she said. Arjun immediately retracts and hides in a corner, waiting for her to leave.

"Master?" he whispers to himself. Soon, Cora opens the door and leaves the room. Arjun, feeling as if he had learned some big secret, pondered what it could mean. Usually, she would refer to him as "Prince Kant", which is far different from master. The word master was used at a more professional level, while the name followed up by the title was a bit more personal.

'What are the chances that Cora could be one?' he thought. It was a possibility, however, he cannot be completely sure. At first glance, she looks to be the person least likely to be part of Salvator Humat, regarding her past history.

But then, he remembers. One of the collaborators of Salvator Humat was one of her friends. In that case, the chance is one of them would skyrocket. It was the reason that when he heard she got caught, he did suspect Cora a little.

As he thinks further, as if a light bulb switched on his head, he remembers the day when Kant pitched the flintlock musket for the first time. Kant mentioned that one was most vulnerable when one thought they were safe. Could that mean she had revealed herself, and now using him as a sort of hostage?

Arjun looked at the tightly sealed letter. He realizes that this could have been the perfect opportunity for them to send him messages that only he could read. Deciding that it was for the best for him, Arjun turned back, straight for his office.

Arriving back at his office, he placed the envelope down and searched his drawer. He found a file, regarding the information regarding the suspects and the guilty he had been provided. From his examination, they all worked as a sort of personal, or close to a personal position of one member of the government and the royal family.

He checked her file containing her decade-long history of working here, as well as her background. Soon, he starts finding discrepancies regarding her past. He starts writing them down on a piece of paper, before summoning one of his most trusted knights, Leon.

"You requested my presence, sir?" he asked.

"Yes. I want you to investigate Cora. The prince's maid. I have reason to believe that she might be part of the Salvatore Humat organization," he explained to Leon, who listened in very carefully.

"Alright sir, but what about the experiments? The order?"

"Do not worry about that. I will consult it with the prince and find a suitable replacement, is that good?"

"Hmm... alright then."

"Good. You may take your leave now."

With that, Leon left the room. Arjun turned to face the letter, wondering what was inside it. Considering he has more envelopes just like it, he decided to carefully tear it open and read the letter.

Nothing noteworthy seemed present. Arjun made sure to write it down, just in case there was some hidden meaning to decode, placed the letter into a new envelope, and brought it over to Kant.

...

On his desk, multiple books were opened for Kant to read clearly. In front of him was his typewriter, with a beige paper inserted. He appeared to be typing something, using the information stored in the books. As it was a hot day, Kant was sweating a little, even after taking off his suit.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. After putting a smile on his face, he let the one on the other side enter the room. Arjun, who looked rather calm and collected, entered the room. He held a stack of papers, as well as a white envelope tied around a purple ribbon.

"Good morning, sire. Working on a piece of legislation?" Arjun asked.

"Yes. Now, can you hand me my letter and report?" Kant requested. Arjun willingly gives over the report and the envelope. Kant, after holding and looking at the envelope, puts it down and reads the report first.

The report details one's occupation, where one came from, how long one intended to stay, and other important details Kant needed to know.

"520 merchants! That is good. Better than the 120 last time. 350 stone masons... 140 weavers... 170 tailors... 240 smiths..." Kant continued to read the report, and he saw that most of them are from near the area closest to the line that separates the north from the south, with the least coming from close by.

"2,500 people in total. Nice." Kant decides to place the report in a labeled file he took from the drawer, then keep it inside a cabinet.

He walks back to his chair, sits down, and examines the envelope. Kant's smile has faded, replaced with a cold face. He takes off the ribbon and tries to feel the envelope letter before opening it up. He compared the letter to the envelope. He noticed that the envelope was less rolled than the letter, meaning someone had opened it, and based on the appearance of the roll, it was opened VERY recently.

Arjun, who is still standing there, finally sat down. His heart beats a little faster seeing Kant observe the letter and the envelope. Kant then moved on to reading the letter, detailing that the rifled flintlock musket is ready, thanks to a simple device Kant invented and gifted the smith.

"All appears to be in order," Kant said. Arjun let out a deep breath. Kant puts the letter and envelope down, and turns his attention to Arjun.

"Is there anything for you to say, minister?" he asked.

"Yes, sire. I have to inform you that Knight Leon De Vandel won't be there to test your rifle with you. Mind choosing a different one?"

"What happened to Knight Leon?"

"I had given him an important assignment to do. It would be a while until he would be able to join you again."

"I see... That is fine. I was meaning to try it out myself."

"Excuse me, sire?"

"Try it out myself. I mean, I am designing a weapon for my own self-defense after all."

"Ah yes. Of course. Say, sire, when does that other rifle come in?"

"I estimate it should come in about 2 to 3 days in time. Along with the other barrel of gunpowder and paper cartridges."

"I see. Alright then. That is all I have to say."

"Good. You may leave the room now. By the way, make sure you tell Cora to get a cup of coffee. I forgot to ask her about it."

"Ah, of course... sire." Arjun stood up from his chair and then left the room. Kant looked at the envelope and the letter again. It was clear to him that someone opened it beforehand, as the new envelope was much flatter than the letter.

Kant suspected Arjun to be the culprit, considering he has possession of a bunch of white envelopes and was the last one he knew of holding them. The retraction of Leon further increased his suspicion of him as well, as the one behind the door. Although Kant wasn't certain, it was likely that it was him behind that door. As a result, Kant made an assumption that it was him, and that his ears did not deceive him. In this regard, it is better to be safe than sorry.

He picks up a blank piece of paper and starts writing something on it. Cora soon enters the room, holding a tray with ceramics on top. The teapot was spouting steam off its spout, while the cup was filled with air.

As Cora leaned down to give him his coffee, he showed her the piece of paper he had. It read 'Be careful. The minister may be watching.'