Tyranny of Steel

While Berengar was spending the weekend in Vienna, entertaining the world's leaders. Linde was hard at work in the city of Kufstein. It was not easy negotiating a high level defection. For Min-Ah to switch sides, and learn how to competently spy on Itami, it would be among the most difficult tasks the redheaded spymaster had ever participated in. 

Naturally, she could not get involved herself. However, Linde had a very powerful pawn, one who would be able to thoroughly convince Min-Ah to side with the Reich. Since she had first been taken captive. The Joseon Princess had unknowingly begun to develop feelings for the German Agent responsible for her interrogation. 

After informing Min-Ah about her family's deaths. Agent Friedrich Ziegler accompanied the woman for some time, ensuring that she received the comfort she needed before finally returning to the headquarters of German Imperial Intelligence.

Where the veteran agent knelt before the Kaiserin and bowed his head as if he was the most obedient of dogs. Linde did not even pay the man any attention as she looked through the report in her hands. To her, it was only natural that her agents kneeled before her. 

This was a level of respect that not even the Kaiser was afforded by his soldiers. Why did the men of Imperial Intelligence bow their heads and kneel before their boss in such a submissive manner? Because she was without a doubt the most terrifying human being on the planet. If they accidentally gazed upon the woman with lust, she would have them blinded for their sins.

Or so the rumors had said. In truth, no agent had ever been so cruelly punished, but no man was foolish enough to test the Director's patience. Everyone knew how much Linde loved her husband. The devotion she showed the man was borderline fanatical. Any man who gazed upon her with lust was practically tainting her, something she would never allow.

In fact, in the entirety of German Imperial Intelligence, Linde had practically become a goddess, worshipped by her own cult of devotees. An idol, never to be tarnished with impure thoughts. If Agent Ziegler even so much as looked at her the wrong way, he would have to deal with more than a few of the woman's angry admirers. 

Thus, he was sweating bullets as he kept his head hung low. Never before in his life had he been graced with the presence of the Director. Now, kneeling before her, he did not dare to even speak in fear that he might upset her. 

After several minutes of intense silence, Linde finally sighed before tossing the folder aside, as if its contents had disinterested her. After doing so, a stern expression appeared on her flawless face as she scolded the man for his lack of effort.

"I am told that it is highly likely that one of your prisoners has developed feelings for you. It's no surprise, after all, you are a relatively handsome man, and an experienced girl like Min-Ah is bound to fall for a pretty face, especially one who treats her nicely.

This is actually the reason why I selected you to interrogate the Joseon Princess. Well, that, and your apparent psychopathic tendencies. At the very least, I know that whatever happens, you will never grow attached to the woman. So answer me this, Friedrich, how certain are you of your ability to charm Min-Ah further?"

Cold sweat dripped from Friedrich's forehead as he contemplated a precise answer to this question. He feared that if he was off by even a single percentage, it would be the end of his career. After several moments, he spoke up with a cracked voice. 

"I... I am ninety-nine percent certain that I can make Min-Ah fall for me. In fact, now, in her depressed state, she is certainly most vulnerable to such a thing. However, forgive me for asking god- Director, but what purpose would such a scheme have?"

A slight sneer appeared on Linde's lips as she heard the agent's slipup. Naturally, she was aware of the cult of personality that had been formed around her. In fact, she did not mind what her devotees called her behind her back.

After all, the only woman fitting to be Saint Berengar, the Blessed's soul mate, was a goddess. However, she never wanted to hear such unprofessionalism in person. After careful consideration, Linde ultimately decided to ignore this slipup, and simply lectured the man on his responsibilities instead.

"I want you to make Min-Ah fall so head over heels in love with you that she will do whatever you say without question. Once she is charmed, I want you to float the idea of working for Imperial Intelligence. I want her to spy on Empress Itami for us.

If she resists such a suggestion, I want you to assure her that you will be in her corner as her sole means of contact. Once she agrees, I will have her appropriately trained in the art of espionage before selling her back to Japan. I'm sure this won't be a problem for you, will it?"

Agent Ziegler shook his head frantically. There was a noticeable sense of anxiety was written all over his face, but not because of his orders. Rather because of the cold glare that Linde was giving him. After taking a few moments to find his courage, he finally spoke in agreement with the terms that were presented to him.

"No... No problem. I assure you that I will follow your orders to the letter..."

Linde's stern expression turned into a warm smile as she heard these words, a smile which was more than enough to melt even the most cold-hearted killer's heart. Agent Ziegler gazed upon the beautiful expression for but a single moment, before bowing his head once more, afraid that is he was to continue to gaze upon the woman's flawless appearance for even a single second more than the redheaded temptress would steal his soul away. 

The man's panicked expression caused Linde's pretty smile to sneer into a sadistic grin while she nodded her head three times in approval. Only after silence prevailed in the room for several moments did she deign to grace the man with her heavenly voice. 

"Good... Then I won't keep you any longer. If you find yourself having any complications with your task, report them to your direct superior. I am sure that I don't need to remind you about the consequences of wasting my precious time..."

Agent Ziegler immediately nodded his head and gathered his thoughts before departing from the room. When he left, he gave one last gaze towards the Director who had immediately returned to her paperwork as if their discussion did not even phase her in the slightest.

With a sigh of relief, the agent departed from the headquarters, only letting his thoughts escape from his mouth once he knew nobody was listening in on him. 

"Such a terrifying woman. I will never know how the Kaiser has managed to tame her..." 

As for Linde, she continued to fulfill her work, until the sun began to set, where she departed from her office, and returned to her home. Although her beloved husband was not there to greet her, four out of five of her lovely children were. Seeing their brimming smiles was enough to fill the woman with a joy that only a mother could truly experience, and thus allow her to relax after a stressful day at work. 

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