Chapter 9 – The Emperor's Spy
The celebration didn't last long.
Hours after Eden claimed the eastern gate, her scouts brought troubling news — a spy had been captured in the heart of her newly claimed city.
They dragged him in, blindfolded and bruised.
His clothes marked him as a palace servant… but the poison hidden in his boot said otherwise.
Raik snarled, "He's not just a spy. He's an assassin."
Eden stepped forward.
"Who sent you?"
The man laughed, blood on his lips. "The empire sends its regards."
Then he bit down on something.
Too late — the poison was already in his system.
---
That night, Eden sat alone in the war tent, studying the letter the spy carried.
It wasn't just a message…
It was a map. Marked with three red X's — locations of secret imperial bunkers hidden across the west.
"Why send this with a spy?" she muttered.
Unless...
"It was meant to be found," said Captain Seris, entering. "They want you to chase ghosts while they regroup."
Eden nodded.
Or worse… it's a trap.
---
Still, she couldn't ignore it.
"Prepare the Phantom Battalion," she ordered. "We move before sunrise."
"Which bunker?" Raik asked.
"All of them," Eden replied. "Split the forces. I'll take the one near Blackwood alone."
"You're risking too much."
"No. I'm doing what Jin blood does."
She looked out at the dark horizon.
> "We finish what we start."