“But of course we have to be efficient in our work. If even we fail to be efficient, then who can be relied upon in this Empire?” - Sargon Veroz, undercover agent for the Elmaiya Empire, retired, circa 419 VA.

Aideen had to admit one thing, and give credit where it was due: The Veros family was efficient when they went to work.

Publicly, Oleg’s entourage was considered a small one for a noble of his status, merely twenty-five soldiers as guards along with twice that number in servants and other household staff to handle all the things he would require during the trip. What most never expected was how out of the fifty servants, maybe ten were not part of Oleg’s undercover agents, with the rest – as well as the guards – in the know.

As such, once he relayed the command to Jacilqa – publicly the head maid of his manor, but covertly one of the highest ranking operatives working under him – it only took less than ten minutes before the agents and guards loyal to him were roused, got themselves into armor, and were ready to act. Fortunately they were all housed in the same wing of the Baron’s manor, so coordination was easy.

From there, they spread out and immediately took every person they met into custody, on Oleg’s authority. The guards on night shift were caught by surprise, and most surrendered immediately, as they knew that Oleg was much higher up on the nobility ladder compared to their employer. A few resisted, but were swiftly subdued by Oleg’s retainers before they could kick up a fuss.

Oleg sent his agents into the basement to secure everything Aideen found there, while at the same time, he himself led the soldiers towards the wing where the Baron and his family lived. Aideen, Celia, and Kino followed along behind him, still clad in the veiled cloak they had disguised themselves with, though they had changed to their usual wear underneath it.

“Esteemed Erstgertsog! There must have been a misunderstanding! Why are we being detained!?” cried a woman who was probably the Baron’s wife as they reached the upper floor where the Baron’s family lived. The woman looked positively distraught and more than a little incensed, which was understandable, as most everyone suddenly roused in the middle of the night to be told they were under arrest would be in the same state.

As a refreshing change, for once the noblewoman wasn’t shrieking at the top of her voice demanding that she be released, calling upon the privileges she had been entitled all her life. Then again, Oleg was a high noble of the Empire, so far ahead on the hierarchical ladder it wasn’t funny, so even the densest nobles would likely have realized the futility of that type of complaint.

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They knew that those above them could detain and arrest them on vague premises the same way they could do the same to those stationed below them. As for that station, it was very much not in question when the man placing them under arrest was the third most powerful person in the whole of the Empire, just behind the Empress and the Prime Minister.

“Rest assured that there had been no mistakes made tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” said Oleg grandly as he stepped up to address the captives. The Baron, a woman that was likely his wife, another two that were probably his concubines, and five youngsters ranging from teenagers to children just past their toddlerhood were all lined up next to each other. “You have been detained this night because your liege lord has been cavorting with things he shouldn’t have, so direct your questions towards him, if you wish.”

The Baron visibly paled, doubly so when one of the agents came out from the basement while carrying the old human Aideen saw below over their shoulder. The old man was still unconscious due to what Aideen did, and not even being manhandled woke him up.

“We have discovered and apprehended wanted personage Inge Lauda, my liege,” reported another agent to Oleg. “We have also discovered what we believe to be most of the missing women from the cases of the past decade locked up in cells in the basement. Several likely accomplices have also been secured and are in custody.”

“Good work. Treat those women kindly. They had been through much because of our failings,” replied Oleg with a nod of his head. He then turned to the Baron, who was drenched in cold sweat by then and bared his fangs in a scowl. “I wonder what excuses you would offer to Her Imperial Majesty when you’re brought before her… that you didn’t notice someone building a large basement and did illegal research under your nose?”

“My Liege,” cut in another agent, who Aideen recognized to be Jacilqa. She along with a couple others had been tasked to search the Baron’s personal quarters in search of more evidence, and apparently she found some, considering the thick account book she proffered with both hands to Oleg. “We have discovered proof of smuggling activity in the Baron’s personal storage artifact. Illegal goods, at that.”

“Well done,” said Oleg as he accepted and skimmed through the book. “Well, well, my dear Baron. Apparently you’ve been compounding one crime after another just because nobody bothered to look closer,” he noted. “Hmm… I guess it must have been going on since the previous generation, but your late father had the brains not to cross certain lines, at least.”

“You see, my dear Baron, while we’d turn a blind eye to people smuggling luxuries and delicacies, we don’t appreciate it when someone uses that channel to traffic illicit drugs instead. I don’t think you’re going to enjoy what we have in store for you once everything gets sorted out,” he added. “Jacilqa, confiscate several carriages from the Baron’s household. We’ll be using them to transport all our captives to Sabaya.”

“It shall be done, sir,” replied the woman sternly, “anything else?”

“Yes, send a message to the manor to send Andery over. Can’t have this place fall into chaos because we’re taking their liege lord away now, can’t we?” said Oleg after some thought. “Tell Andery to bring in as much support staff as he deemed necessary. I want him to further investigate the smuggling connections to its source.”