Chapter 1: Agent Perceval

In the cold corridor of the Intelligence Bureau headquarters on the outskirts of the capital, Halliey stood silently, lost in thought.

"At last... I'll finally be free. As long as my resignation is approved by the High Command, Hallenia and I can live a normal life. Though... Father is going to be furious. He's always forced his ideals onto me. Ever since I was little, all he's ever wanted was for me to remain a field agent for the rest of my life. What a pain."

Just then, one of the senior secretaries stepped out of the conference room.

"Agent Perceval, the High Command has concluded their meeting. You may enter now."

Halliey quietly pushed the door open and took the seat prepared for her. Looking at the row of senior leaders before her, she calmly reported her identity.

"Reporting. Halliey Radarae. Codename: Perceval. Age: twenty-five. Rank: Executor."

One of the leaders looked surprised.

"You're an Executor? Why don't I remember that?"

The man sitting beside him nudged him and whispered,

"Have you lost your mind? If you can't even remember Agent Perceval, maybe it's time for you to retire. She's the bureau's most talented female operative."

The first man blinked in surprise.

"So... she's Perceval? She's that young?"

The other man sighed helplessly.

"Seriator... you're getting old. Has your hearing gone with your age?"

A calm but authoritative voice echoed from the head of the table.

"Agent Perceval. What brings you here today?"

Halliey answered without hesitation.

"I came to ask whether my resignation has been approved."

Murmurs immediately spread across the conference room.

"Perceval wants to resign?"

"Such a waste of talent..."

The chairman spoke again, his voice noticeably colder.

"Your resignation cannot be approved."

Halliey's expression darkened.

"And why not? It had already passed the review process."

The chairman replied calmly.

"It had. However, a new issue has arisen. Yesterday, shortly after you submitted your resignation, we received a direct order from the Supreme Government."

Halliey let out a cold laugh.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

The man's expression stiffened.

"It concerns an extremely important mission. The target is highly dangerous and has been pursued by INTERPOL for years. To get close to him, we require a female operative."

Halliey mocked them openly.

"So the Intelligence Bureau has become so incompetent that it now has to send a woman to seduce a man just to complete a mission?"

The chairman slammed his hand on the table.

"Perceval! This is neither the time nor the place for sarcasm."

Halliey let out a weary sigh before speaking through gritted teeth.

"So... what exactly does any of this have to do with me?"

The chairman continued,

"The Supreme Government reviewed the records of every female operative in the bureau. Two other outstanding candidates remained—Manillia Gentian and Aloria Elorin. However, in the end, you were chosen."

He paused before continuing.

"Because you are an Executor with exceptional combat ability, outstanding appearance, and a mission success rate of ninety-eight percent."

Halliey took a deep breath.

"I refuse. Neither the government nor the Intelligence Bureau has the right to force me into a mission like this."

The chairman struggled to remain calm.

"Perceval... don't force the state and this bureau to resort to stronger measures."

Halliey looked him straight in the eyes.

"And what exactly are you going to do?"

His voice grew heavier.

"We have the authority to suspend every privilege attached to your status as an intelligence operative."

She gave a mocking smile.

"So you're willing to let the National Intelligence Bureau earn the reputation of forcing its own agents into missions against their will?"

Realizing that persuasion alone would not change her mind, the leaders exchanged glances before lowering their pride.

"Agent Perceval... we know you don't agree with this mission."

"But at this moment, our allied nations are placing the responsibility of capturing this target entirely on Lungwort. They claim our country possesses the largest number of highly capable intelligence operatives."

"If we fail, the diplomatic pressure will fall entirely upon our nation."

"Even Lobilium—the continent's leading economic power and our neighboring country—has already delivered an ultimatum."

The chairman lowered his voice.

"So... on behalf of the people of Lungwort, we ask you..."

"...please complete this mission for the sake of your country and its people."