The Great Vampire General is a Girl! - Chapter 99

Be a spy? Valerie had no idea that she would be one of them. The Scout and Intelligence division was not very prominent in Florentia. They were tasked with gathering information about the enemy as well as carrying out missions secretly.

Their achievements were barely audible. No one knows that they assassinated the great people of Avalon. Or when they paralyze enemy bases in mysterious ways. They were intelligences who were said to move in various ways to achieve their goals.

Before she joined the jaguar team in wartime—she was under Maxwell’s division. The Scout unit was indeed the first thing she was after. Valerie felt she could provide a lot of information that would benefit Florentia. Only, since Valerie’s goal was to quickly advance through the ranks— she didn’t know if being in the intelligence department would help her.

“So, Lady Chastain, I have a feeling you have the potential to be intelligent, do you know why?” Maxwell asked her again. The general did have a friendly demeanor that made anyone not hesitate to talk to him. Even so, he was very mysterious. He never showed his strength in front of people.

“Is it because of my ability to predict the future, sir?” Valerie replied.

“I don’t know if it’s possible, I know someone who might be able to do it, he’s an Avalon as well as your teacher, Alexander Gregovich. He can control time, but that doesn’t mean he can predict the future. I know he can go back in time but he can’t bring himself to the future. I consider you talented in predicting, you can guess the scenario in an event and choose the most favorable plot for Florentia. So, I respect your instincts. That, is something that to me, is worth more than the power of your cursed weapon,” Maxwell explained as he cupped his fingers and placed his hands on the table and looked at her with a smile. Valerie was a little nervous in response.

Maxwell apparently knew she learned to use a cursed weapon from Gregovich. But he didn’t seem to mind it. Valerie at that time also kept their interaction focused only on using her weapon and not to share any information about Florentia.

“So all my hard work to become strong with my cursed weapon, isn’t really impressive for you?” Valerie knew it was rude. As a subordinate, she should have nodded and agreed with all the words of her superiors. But Valerie was a critical person. She had to come up with a reasonable answer before she could agree.

“Don’t get me wrong, of course your power is very useful to Florentia. Until then your status as a cursed weapon user is a valuable asset to Florentia. However, we are in a truce period..I don’t know how long this will last. Obviously, you can see that the knights are starting to lower their weapons and live a more peaceful life. An example is Raphael Chastain’s last mission which does not require swords and arrows at all. You should know that as knights we don’t use our swords all the time,” Maxwell explained.

It was a fact, when war didn’t happen, they just slash their weapons at the training grounds. They didn’t have to shed blood or take risks. Then the military kept them busy with routine and administrative matters, such as dealing with civilians, guarding territories from petty rebellions or arresting criminals.

“That means, we probably won’t be facing life-threatening situations often or facing strong enemies?” Valerie made sure.

“Yeah, you know the point of a truce is that neither side can attack or initiate an attack. There won’t be any Shadows wandering around, there won’t be any border disputes involving the military or anything like that. Any acts of violence between knights will be seen as a private matter, unless it is proven that they were officially ordered by their superiors.”

“Meaning, for now, the worst thing that could happen is that I could be targeted by an Avalon who attacks me out of spite or dislike,” Valerie recalled Caesar’s words. He says one day he will kill her to avenge what she did to Gunther.

“Yes, an Avalon can kill you, but he will be tried by a military tribunal. The Avalon must take strict action against him or Florentia will see it as an official military action and the truce is cancelled. On the other hand, if you kill an Avalon, you will be tried. Killings that occur outside of a war situation will be prosecuted legally. Do you understand it?”

Valerie nodded trying to think about the situation. Being a knight during the truce was probably safer for her. This was completely different from her previous life. She continued to fight for her life almost every day until she was tired of waiting for peace to come.

“For now, both Florentia and Avalon are withdrawing and carrying out their missions behind closed doors. They don’t attack each other and are focused on their internal achievements. The research division, for example, is now experimenting with new weapons. The ground troops division will be holding a tournament to find new talent, the marine division has built new ports in strategic places and the civil and government affairs division is busy socializing new laws and regulations for humans and vampires,” Maxwell explained again.

“Then what about the Scout and intelligence divisions?”

Maxwell straightened his back, and made a more serious gesture before answering.

“Despite the truce, Florentia and Avalon are still at war. And the intelligence division is the only Florentia and Avalon division that remains at war in the shadows,” said Maxwell again a little mysteriously.

Valerie was silent. She didn’t know much Intel in Florentia other than Maxwell himself. There were several knights who joined the Scouts, just like she used to be. There were also some people hanging around the army base or barracks but Valerie didn’t know what their position was. Were they part of Florentia’s spies?

Then she thought of the commander Kylus. He was a mysterious man who, in Valerie’s view, had plunged Florentia into a terrible defeat in her previous life. He’s not often seen at base, but he’s a commander. That meant he was on par with Raphael. It was just that he was a quiet person who likes to sit away from other people and was busy with his thoughts alone.

Commander Kylus was the one she met when she was dying on the battlefield. He provided intelligence which he eventuallly passed on to the generals. Maybe, he was not really a traitor. Maybe he was a spy who received the wrong information.

As she knew, it wasn’t just Florentia’s spies who were busy. Avalon also has intelligence and they may have penetrated Florentia’s internals long ago. Who knows, if the knights he used to interact with might be intruders from Avalon?

“So sir. You want me to be a spy for Florentia?” Valerie confirmed.

“I heard you took art and drama classes at the academy,” he said again.

“That’s right sir, usually noble girls like me take art classes. It makes it easier for us to socialize,” Valerie responded a little confused. Why did the general bring up her education which had nothing to do with the military?

“Are you willing to sacrifice your life and everything you love for Florentia?” Maxwell asked her sharply.

“Sorry sir, but, I know that there is a military code of conduct that allows me to refuse missions that violate ethics. So, it all depends on what mission I’m told?”

“It’s just a theory, just laws written on paper. As a knight, you must obey all the orders of your superiors. You, Valerie Chastain, will work directly under my orders.. so, as long as the mission is still useful to Florentia’s interests—you must comply,” Maxwell said sharply.

“However,” Maxwell continued.

“You are a cursed weapon wielder, you have the right to refuse. I believe you are talented and will shine in my division. But, should you choose to work under another general, I won’t forbid you,” Maxwell smiled at her. Valerie contemplated with a slightly bitter smile. She hadn’t had time to consider it. However, if Maxwell felt she would be of any use there— Valerie was afraid she would regret it if she refused.

This might be a more appropriate division for her. Valerie was raised as a lady. Unlike most of Florentia’s female knights—who came from middle-class families—Valerie might be able to capitalize on her image as an elegant lady for Florentia.

“Why are you talking about me studying art?” Valerie confirmed.

“Have you thought about using the skills I have for certain missions?” Valerie continued. She felt a little excited. But she tried to look disinterested.

“Yes, I was thinking of sending you as a piano teacher in a noble family’s house,”

“Noble family?”

“Not an ordinary noble family, but in the house of the royal family of Avalonia. You will interact with the prince and princess of king Dimitri,” General Maxwell said, smiling at her.