eurekapd Chapter 145 'Collecting the Chapter's Identity'
Chapter 145 'Collecting the Chapter's Identity'
Chapter 145 'Reclaiming My Identity'
"My partner and I arrived in Dixie County and had just settled in. Before we could even begin our work, a battle involving extraordinary beings broke out in Dixie County, which affected us as we were taking a walk together at the time."
My partner died on the spot, and because I witnessed the extraordinary battle, I was placed on the official observation list of extraordinary beings in Dixi County. The property we brought to Rune was also destroyed in the extraordinary battle.
In this situation, Colonel Kalinin judged that I was now a useless pawn. If the previous plan were to be carried out forcibly, there was a risk of exposure, so I could only be converted into a regular agent.
Just as Zeryl was saying this, Evan suddenly interrupted him and asked:
"This isn't right, is it? You were on such a top-secret mission. Since you're no longer useful, to prevent leaks, you should be transferred back to Fursac, or even silenced. Why have you been left in Rune?"
Zeryl had clearly anticipated Evan's question and answered directly:
"The situation was complicated at the time. On the one hand, I already knew about the existence of the Extraordinary from the Night Watchers of Dixie County, and I had been on their corresponding watch list."
If I simply disappear, it might arouse the suspicion of the night watchmen, prompting them to conduct a thorough investigation into me. Once the investigation begins, they might discover clues, which would be too risky.
On the other hand, at that time, Colonel Kalinin was just a promising intelligence officer in the Fussac Empire's intelligence organization. He had not yet entered the upper echelons. The plan had just begun when a pair of agents who had been trained and placed at great expense and effort were lost. This would make it easy for others to take advantage of the situation.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Colonel Kalinin changed my identity, making me a regular agent, and assigned me to infiltrate Backlund.
Evan also knew about the main rival of the Rune intelligence agency. Kalinin showed great intelligence talent when he was young and cracked several major espionage cases, so he was promoted very quickly.
However, his lack of connections also attracted the hostility of many people. After becoming a mid-level member of the intelligence agency, he was ostracized and antagonized by many, which led him to develop a habit of being very careful in everything he did and cherishing his reputation, for fear of giving anyone cause for criticism.
So he didn't deal with Zeryl because he was worried about being tricked, which Evan thought was probably the right thing to do.
But despite his belief, he still had some doubts, so he continued to ask:
"You said that Kalinin didn't deal with you before because he was worried about the suspicion of the night watchmen and the schemes of others in the country."
So what happened next? Kalinin was in a difficult situation at the time, but after gaining the favor of the current King of the Fussac Empire, then the Crown Prince of the Fussac Empire, he rose through the ranks and made so many contributions that he became the top intelligence officer in the Fussac Empire. So why would he let you, this loophole, slip through his fingers? I don't think he forgot about you! A person like him wouldn't forget.
Upon hearing this, Zeryl clapped his hands and said with a smile:
"You're absolutely right. Someone like him will never forget my existence. As long as he has the time, he will definitely get rid of this threat."
So after I realized my situation, and after the night watchmen relaxed their watch on me, I began to work hard to gather relevant intelligence, build an intelligence network for homeless children, and steal a lot of important information about Rune.
As an intelligence officer in MI9 of Ruen, you should know very well that due to the special nature of intelligence agencies, no one can tolerate a monolithic internal structure; there must always be multiple levels of leadership.
My outstanding performance in Ruhnn eventually attracted the attention of other senior officials, including Petrov Andrei.
Because of the need for secrecy, Kalinin altered my file, only stating that I was an ordinary undercover agent, so Petrov easily categorized me as one of his traitors.
This made Kalinin hesitant to act rashly, because Petrov Andrei's former superior was Kalinin's current deputy and also his biggest obstacle within the organization. He could cause trouble for anyone else, but he couldn't cause trouble for his biggest obstacle, otherwise his position would be unstable.
So after careful consideration, and considering that Kalinin had seen that I had been quite honest over the years, he ultimately didn't take action against me. He simply sent a message from Saint Milon City, telling me to keep my mouth shut.
After listening to Zeril's words, Hugh Deercha looked at the Fusak man, who looked like a Rune, with almost worshipful eyes.
Because in her preconceived notions, the Fusak people were always associated with barbarity, bravery, and lack of common sense, but she never expected to meet such a meticulous person today, which was completely beyond her comprehension.
"Mr. Zerrell's story is amazing and seems very convincing, but until now it has been said that it is only your side of the story."
Whether it's Project "Cuckoo" or the so-called exploitation of factional infighting within the Fussac Empire's intelligence services for survival,
This is all just what you said; I have absolutely no evidence to verify it.
If you think you can get the 20,000 gold medals based on a baseless statement, aren't you being a bit delusional?"
Evan believed what Zeril said from the bottom of his heart. The intelligence was of considerable value, at least raising MI9's vigilance and giving them a new direction for investigation, but it was definitely not worth 20,000 gold pounds.
Evan believed that Zeril was aware of this as well, and that he must have even more valuable information, such as that someone in Project Azalea had already entered the upper echelons of Rune, and that Zeril had recognized him.
"Indeed, this intelligence is quite valuable, but it is not yet worth 20,000 gold pounds. However, you have only paid my deposit and have not paid the corresponding balance."
And let me remind you of something: without my help, even if you use those extraordinary methods to force me to reveal the names of people, you will not have any evidence to arrest them. Don't forget, we were all disguised by Lieutenant General Kalinin using magical items.
That wondrous item, according to your classification among the extraordinary beings, should be called a 'Level 0' sealed artifact.
Seeing Zeril's confident demeanor, Evan remained unmoved. He simply gave Zeril a deep look and then said:
"Okay, I will apply to the higher authorities for these 20,000 gold pounds."
Now, Mr. Zerrell, please leave with us. Your superior, Petrov Andrei, must be frantic with worry about you being in our hands, and the Intis side must be just as anxious.
If Petrov Andrei, in order to protect his own identity, were to say that you have already defected to us, how would Kalinin react? Would he think that you would eventually leak the Cuckoo Plan?
So the most important thing now is not to let Petrov Andrei believe within the Fusak intelligence community that you have defected.
So the first thing we need to do now is to keep Petrov Andrei calm. We'll go to MI9 now. Looking at Evan, who has a clear mind and can unravel the key points of a matter step by step, North Zereil couldn't help but sigh:
"It's no wonder I lost to you; I feel like I'm seeing a young Lieutenant General Kalinin in you."
Evan brought Zerrell to MI9, settled him in a secret room within MI9, and then, together with Hugh, reported to Deputy Director Jonas.
Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Jonas shook his head with a wry smile and said:
"You're too late. According to our intelligence channels in Fursac, Fursac has already determined that Zereil has defected and sold the stolen ironclad data to the Intis intelligence department, and was eventually captured by us."
Hugh Deercha was taken aback. She hadn't expected Petrov Andrei to act so quickly, and to explain and cover up the fact that Intis intelligence agents were present at the scene of Zeril's arrest, thus completely clearing him of suspicion of leaking information and betraying Zeril.
Moreover, no one within Fussack would consider the possibility that Petrov betrayed Zeril, because the top official of Fussack's intelligence department is probably more concerned with how to silence Zeril and how to prevent the undercover agent, Dujuan, from being discovered.
Just then, Ms. Trish, the secretary to Deputy Director Jonas, knocked on the door and entered, saying anxiously:
"The guards in the secret room just reported that the prisoner Captain Evan brought died mysteriously in the secret room."
Moreover, they discovered that the person's corpse had transformed into the appearance of another person!
Upon hearing this, Hugh Deercha immediately looked at Deputy Director Jonas and Evan, only to find that they didn't even blink, as if they weren't surprised at all.
Deputy Director Jonas simply sighed, took a coat from the nearby rack, put it on, and said:
"Let's go take a look."
He then went out first, followed closely by Evan and Hugh.
Walking along the road, seeing Hugh Deercha hesitate to speak, Evan glanced at Deputy Director Jonas walking ahead, then smiled and said:
"Are you trying to ask us if we foresaw Zeryl's death?"
Hugh Deercha nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice. "Actually, it's nothing. Considering what Zeril said about them exchanging identities with some Runes, this disguise is something that no one except the gods can see through. Also, he mentioned that the Kalinin used a '0' level sealed artifact to cover up their identities."
I knew Zeryl was doomed. He wasn't an Extraordinary, so he had no idea how terrifying a Level 0 sealed artifact was.
Since this sealed artifact can allow him to exchange identities with the Rune people, it can also take back his identity. Without his 'identity,' can he still live?
Moreover, Kalinin is not someone who can be influenced by so-called "elbows." The reason he didn't punish Zeril is more likely because he officially controlled the '0' sealed artifact, directly holding Zeril's life and death in his hands, so he no longer cared about him.
Evan's words left Hugh Deercha speechless. She really hadn't expected that a Level 0 sealed artifact could take a life from thousands of kilometers away, which sent chills down her spine.