A group of men gather in a dark secluded place within the Duchy of Hyacinth. The hooded figures ensure none are followed as they gather and seat themselves in an underground room. At the head of the table sits a gaunt man, Military Liaison Gauthier.

A sly voice full of righteous anger breaks the silence. “What is being proposed is treason?” The short figure flatly said.

“Would General Bartholomew have done anything less for us?” A calm detached voice said as he pushes his spectacles up as the glimpse of a Lieutenants insignia is seen.

The short figure sighs at the tone of voice. “I only wish to ensure that we are aware of what exactly we are preparing to do,” a certain merchant voice dryly stated.

“Bah, nobles,” the figure spat on the ground to the dismay of most of the members in the room. “The only good one in the whole bunch is Lady Lena,” a former criminal head growled.

“Enough,” a firm voice of power sternly said. The room stills as the figure turns towards Liaison Gauthier. “What will the General have us do, Liaison Gauthier?” the highest-ranking officer determinedly asked.

The room grows thoughtfully silent as they all turn their gazes towards Liaison Gauthier. It should not be possible to communicate with anyone who resides in the royal dungeons. But if so, then just who is Liaison Gauthier? With newfound respect and wariness, the men wait for a reply.

Liaison Gauthier closes his eyes tiredly and says, “The general asks that we wait. The general understands our out righteous fury and asks that we wait. The general firmly orders us to not move, she will not abide fools who do not obey the chain of command.”

The men grunt in response as they lean back in their seats to ponder the response given. “The General cannot have any sort of shadow of a doubt cast upon the Investigation Unit,” The former criminal head quietly murmured.

“The General has her reasons and I am sure that is one of them,” Gauthier faintly replied as he opened his bloodshot eyes.

The spectacled figure frowns and says, “Liaison Gauthier, when was the last time you slept?”

Liaison Gauthier pauses to think and after some time gives up. “I can’t remember,” Gauthier dismally replied as the men send pitying looks his way.

“You will do the General no good if you collapse from exhaustion,” the spectacled lieutenant crisply said.

“I know. The general ordered that I rest after the meeting,” Liaison Gauthier tiredly slurred his answer as the spectacled lieutenant and his commanding officer sigh at his words.

The musing figure of the former criminal mastermind taps his finger against his chin. “Even so, I do not like how the waters are churning, something is rising from the deep. I can feel it in my bones,” he firmly said as he slapped his chest for emphasis.

“No, you’re not the only one,” the short merchant matter-of-factly stated.

“The General’s false charges and conviction were far too swift. But it seems that that everything began to stir within the months following her coronation and creation of the investigation unit,” the merchant said and paused for a moment, before continuing, “Barclay, as a former head, doesn’t this have the scent of a power struggle?”

“A bit, it smells more like a cover up to me,” the former ruffian rumbled.

The room is heavy with silence until the spectacled lieutenant says, “But that only raises the bar even more. Just who can Alyssum ill afford to find guilty?”

The men stomach twitches nauseously as they wonder, just high up the betrayal goes?

“In that case, we wait as instructed,” the small merchant said as he pauses for emphasis.

“Barclay, the general handed thee the greatest responsibility to ensure the survival of the Investigation Unit. And once enough time has passed,” the merchant darkly murmured as he makes a crushing fist in the air.

The man wordlessly disperse as the short merchant remains behind to ensure the drowsy Liaison Gauthier made it back to his quarters.