Steel Empire
Secret Agent

Linde sat down near her baby, who was currently sleeping on her bed. Although she had no way of knowing what kind of man she would later grow into her son, she actually showed unconditional love to the child, very clearly, she said, he's gonna be good, isn't he? Although still an infant, the child was born with a head full of strawberry blonde hair like his mother, and his eyes were sapphire like his father's.

Linde knows that one day her son will grow up to be a great and powerful man like his father, but the extent to which he will achieve it remains unknown, because humanity has no power to see the future. As Linde watched over her son, she received three letters; one addressed from Berengar, one written by her half-brother Adelheid, and the last letter written by her father, Count Lothar.

He read the contents of each letter with a smile on his face. Berengar's letter contained information that he was besieging Schwaz after surviving the local Regent's levies. This shift in plans was not important to him as Berengar most likely had to exterminate the Viscount's son after seizing Innsbruck since the young man would definitely rebel against Berengar.

The letter from Adelheid stated the girl's plan had hatched to allow Berengar to seize the Castle without besieging it. Adelheid was very worried about the possible collapse of the wall and its defense with it. After all, Linde had communicated to his half-brother about the effectiveness of the Berengar cannon. His plan was actually brilliant, and as such, Linde would later write to Berengar informing his sister's plans so that he could take the Castle in Innsbruck easily. Thus, he had the advantage of having a fully functional wall while he waited for the enemy to move.

As for his father's letter containing information regarding the soldiers he sent to seize Kufstein and how Theodoric led him; soon after reading the name, Linde's smile turned into a frown. He could not help but voice his concerns.

"When that depraved old fool comes to Kufstein, I'll make sure he's the first to die from the cannon bombardment!"

He was too aware of Theodoric's tendencies; he was a depraved man who was very interested in young women and girls. The old man also had a pension for sacking every city he besieged. No doubt if Linde really let Theodoric into her lover's town, the man would tear apart the town and potentially try to force himself on her. Therefore, he wanted the garrison to target their explosive bullets at his position when his troops arrived. After all, it was common practice to wear a tabard with one's emblem emblazoned on it during this time; he would be easily staked out from among the enemy forces.

So Linde spent some time compiling a letter to Berengar to relay the information she received from harassing her sister and father. Once completed, the letter was sent with a messenger to drive towards Berengar's encampment outside Schwaz, where it would be sent to him, hopefully before the power of his weapons completely destroyed the city.

After finishing his papers and spending time watching his sleeping son, Linde begins work, gathering several intelligence agents under his command. These hands were the best among the saboteurs and assassins; they were equipped with rotating flintlock pistols based on the collier pattern design from Berengar's previous life. These weapons are best used outside the battlefield because the cylinders have to be manually recycled, and the reload speed is very poor. However, they are excellent for personal defense and have been built specifically for use among Berengar operations.

Linde began speaking to the operators known as hands as they were gathered before her in secret.

One of the chiefs of operations who, like his comrades, was currently enveloped by hooded robes spoke from among their ranks.

"What do you ask of us listeners?"

Linde grinned when she heard her shadowy title before giving her decision to the trained spy network Berengar.

"I want you to infiltrate various Barons and Visounties throughout Tyrol. Your goal is murder and sabotage. Issue high-profile targets, sabotage of city food stores, as well as strategic positions such as major defense structures. With the use of TNT, you will have a much greater chance of destroying the enemy fortress. The purpose of this action was to provoke the enemy Lords into marching into Kufstein, or Innsbruck where Berengar would soon seize them. I want them to be so angry that they will feel that they have no choice but to end their woes unless they personally take action against our Liege! Thus allowing Berengar to trap them with his army."

The same agent who had spoken earlier nodded while answering Linde's duty in agreement.

"It will be done!"

With that, the qualified agents of Berengar's growing spy network were assigned to the task, since for the rest of Viscount's operations, they would be assigned to counter-espionage operations within Berengar's lands.

Thus, the war of intrigue waged behind the scenes of war for Tyrol has begun. The other lords and Madam of the kingdom are no longer safe in their own palace against the shadowy agents of Berengar's vast spy network, as they will soon come to find out. Linde feels the need to take action on her husband's part; while Berengar goes to war as a valiant commander, Linde will handle the dirty work in the shadows. Thus, the expert pair complemented each other in terms of war and intrigue. Soon enough, the whole of Germany will be caught in their collective net.