Hitman: Resurgence

The Immortal

47 WAS STANDING IN A CABLE CAR ascending the mountain, one of the transportation options provided by the party's organization. Originally designed to carry skiing enthusiasts up the mountain and visit the palace, the round cable car with mirrored windows and a chromed body resembled a Christmas ornament suspended on a string, moving up and down the mountain.

47 was dressed in a white double-breasted Italian suit with a black tie. Besides him, two elegantly dressed women were seated at the other end of the cable car, conversing in Mandarin.

As 47 approached the top of the snow-covered mountain, the imperial palace came into view. The exterior, adorned with intricately carved wooden panels painted in vibrant hues of red, green and gold, glistened in the soft glow of the setting sun. Levels built upon levels gave the impression that the palace was constantly changed over time. The palace was built close to the peak of the mountain, in an enormous plateau that comfortably suited the size of the construction.

It was surrounded by tall white walls, often interrupted by red columns with orange paper lanterns. The green roofs, covering the inner building and above the walls, were curved in the edges and had red carved wooden sculptures in some spots.

Wooden panels embellished with scenes of warriors and emperors of old hanged all over the building interior and exterior, and columns of the inner building also had depictions of ancient wars and legendary conquests.

The cable car arrived near the palace. 47 stepped out onto a pebble path that led to the outer gates, green wooden structures towering above the walls, adorned with bronze knockers. These were open, and a multitude of people were entering. Most of them had arrived in luxury cars, parked in the surroundings of a paved road that went down the mountain. 47 joined the group of people.

47 had researched. Mongolia was indeed a republic. A royal family didn't exist.

He went past the gates to an outer courtyard which also served as a rose garden. The snow was all over the ground, except on the path that led to the doors of the inner building of the palace. The plants were almost frozen from the cold, but the roses managed to bloom in the extreme weather.

Guards in black attires were standing outside the building, carefully checking the crowd with the eyes.

47 managed to cut his way through the crowd of people until he reached the building.

The interior felt welcoming, illuminated by a warm light, and he instantly smelled the strong fragrance of sandalwood. The floor was covered with woolen carpets, and the walls were adorned with intricate and detailed tapestries depicting more war scenes.

He heard the applause of the crowd and looked ahead, to a grand round staircase that led to the upper levels. In the corner of the stair stood a man, with a long black hair, covered in robes from the rarest silks in white and gold in intricate patterns, and wearing sparkling jewelry around his neck, smiling to the crowd. He started descending the staircase while holding to the golden railing, something that reminded 47 of Viktor Novikov.

That was his target.

Prince Khuyag Khan.

Behind the serene face of someone considered royalty, Khan was behind a mass slavery system that had spread its wings over to China, India, Malasia and several other neighboring countries. The plantation labor throughout East Asia was completely dominated, and that man was, literally, its crown jewel.

While the prince made his entrance, a guard approached 47.

_Ganbaatar? Khan wishes to speak with you after the dinner. It's about the recovery plan.

47 nodded and the guard walked away.

The Mongolian Prince raised his hands, asking for silence. The sound in the room died.