novelraw Chapter 125 : Mission Accomplished Without Dishonor
Chapter 125 : Mission Accomplished Without Dishonor
Chapter 125: Mission Accomplished Without Dishonor
The battle continued deep into the night. With the arrival of reinforcements from the fortress, the militia realized the situation was hopeless and ultimately chose to retreat.
Levi and the others followed the reinforcements back to the Governor’s Office, where they reported everything to Governor Geller in full detail.
“Information leak? How is that possible?”
After hearing the report, Governor Geller was equally incredulous.
“This plan was finalized at the last moment! I didn’t tell anyone!”
“But the fact is, the enemy knew about our operation. So the only explanation is an information leak.”
Levi sat on the sofa, leisurely sipping tea as he spoke.
“Governor, are you certain you didn’t tell anyone?”
“I’m absolutely certain!”
“Not even just an idea? No concrete measures—are you really sure? You didn’t tell anyone anything?”
“…What do you mean, Mr. Levi?”
Governor Geller stared at him, his expression serious.
“I mean exactly what I said.”
Levi played with his teacup, calm as ever.
“I’ve handled many cases. Often, the real culprit is someone you would never suspect. From my perspective, once something like this happens, it’s like a case appearing—there must be suspects. So I’ll ask again, Governor.”
Levi locked eyes with him.
“Are you sure you didn’t reveal any part of this plan to anyone?”
“………………”
This time, Governor Geller fell silent.
“…I did mention some related thoughts to my wife.”
“Oh?”
“But she’s not with the rebels, she—”
“Is your wife an imperial citizen?”
“No. She’s from the Melisia Region.”
“Then that’s enough.”
Levi set down his teacup.
“As a Melisia native, it’s only natural for her to help her fellow people resist the Empire.”
“She’s just a woman! She doesn’t have that kind of capability!”
“Whether she does or not isn’t for you to decide, Governor.”
Levi dismissed the objection.
“I’ve seen girls who wouldn’t dare kill an insect turn out to be murderers. That argument doesn’t work on me. Anyone who could have leaked information is a suspect. In fact, I even suspect that your current cautious approach toward the rebels may have been influenced by your wife.”
“…This…”
Governor Geller was at a loss.
As the Parliament-appointed governor, he should have taken strong action against the rebels. Yet his wife, Margaret, had always urged restraint—saying the rebels were just ordinary people driven to revolt by unbearable taxation.
She hoped he would avoid direct confrontation to prevent further bloodshed.
At first, Geller found her reasoning sound.
But now…
“You… you have no evidence…”
Even he lacked confidence saying it.
“I don’t. But you can.”
“…?”
“On the way back, I had some ‘conversations’ with captured militia. I learned quite a bit.”
During the night battle, imperial forces had captured several militia members. Levi had “chatted” with them and learned their origins.
“These militia mostly come from nearby areas. So if you want to confirm whether your wife leaked the information, it’s simple.”
Levi leaned forward slightly.
“Tell her that this battle proves the militia are enemies of the Empire. Then casually mention that you plan to retaliate against a certain militia group—pick any location, and make it sound as harsh as possible. After that, send someone to observe that place.”
He paused, watching Geller’s changing expression.
“If information leaks again, then you’ll know.”
“…Provided you didn’t tell anyone else.”
“………………”
Geller said nothing.
Levi didn’t care. He had his own matters to handle.
“By the way, I have a question. Are there any indigenous tribes in the Melisia Region?”
“Indigenous tribes?”
“Yes.”
Levi nodded. After his fight with the Phantom Killer, he recalled a detail—the opponent’s face had strange painted patterns. Not like cult symbols, but more like primitive tribal paint.
That was the benefit of perfect memory—like replaying footage frame by frame.
“…Hmm…”
Geller studied the map, then snapped his fingers.
“I recall hearing from border patrols—there’s a tribe in the Orens Mountains.”
“The Orens Mountains?”
“Here.”
He pointed to a long mountain range in the northeast.
“It forms the Empire’s border. Beyond it is only ice and snow. Patrol reports say a tribe lives there. Locals occasionally trade with them, but it’s remote, so I never paid much attention.”
“That’s quite far.”
Levi compared distances and frowned.
“…Forget it. I’ll use a simpler method.”
“…?”
Geller looked confused.
“What do you mean?”
“What were your orders from the Parliament?”
“Suppress the Melisia rebellion and arrest the leaders of the local Parliament—Samuel Adams and John Hancock.”
“Good. Issue an arrest warrant. I’ll go.”
“…What?”
“Samuel Adams and John Hancock are suspected of treason, correct? Arresting them under imperial law is perfectly reasonable.”
Geller was speechless.
“You don’t understand the gravity of this. They’re in Fehart City, preparing for the Second Continental Congress. That’s the heart of the rebellion. You plan to just walk in and arrest them?”
“Yes. Any problem?”
Levi looked at him as if he were foolish.
“Melisia is still imperial territory. They haven’t declared independence. Enforcing imperial law here is entirely justified. If they refuse, that’s open rebellion—and as Governor and commander, you can suppress it.”
“…That logic is correct, but…”
Geller hesitated.
Levi remained calm.
The rebels were stalling for time—avoiding outright war while gathering strength.
But Levi intended to force the issue.
If they resisted—rebellion confirmed.
If they complied—the rebellion would collapse.
From last night’s battle, Levi had already seen that the rebels were disorganized and vulnerable.
And he felt no sympathy.
This wasn’t a desperate uprising—it was a refusal to pay taxes.
Historically, during the war with the Francis Kingdom, Melisia had even traded with the enemy while refusing military taxes.
And now they wanted tax autonomy again?
Did they think the Empire was foolish?
So in Levi’s eyes, this was simply a conflict over利益—not justice.
“And you know this is dangerous, right?”
Geller asked again.
“Someone has to do it. And it’s my task.”
Levi shrugged.
He didn’t think they’d openly attack him in daylight. At most, an assassination attempt.
And even then—he wasn’t worried.
“If you have no objections, it’s settled.”
Levi glanced at his task panel:
【Mission “Blade of Shadows” Activated】
【Objective: Completely eliminate the Phantom Killer】
“Completely”… interesting.
This was why he chose to walk into danger.
The rebels would likely send the Phantom Killer again.
“No need to chase them—it’ll come to me.”
“How will you go?”
“There’s a train to Fehart City, right? I’ll take that. Leaving today.”
Strike while the iron is hot.
“…Very well.”
Geller finally nodded. He wrote and sealed a letter.
“As Governor of the Melisia Region, I order you to proceed immediately to Fehart City and arrest Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and their associates on charges of treason!”
“Understood, Governor.”
Levi accepted the letter, glanced through it, and smiled.
“I will not fail the mission.”