Ethereal Ascendance: A Journey of Transformation(Vol 5)

Vol 5/Chapter 61: Spy

"It's over. Let's wash up and sleep!"

For sure, the Earth army won. I turned back to my room, feeling bored, ready to rest more.

"But how did they win? These Earth people don't look very strong. Even with their strange weapons, it's unbelievable they beat the Imperial troops so fast!" Adrian couldn't believe it. He kept looking at the sky. "And what were those red lights shooting out from the base earlier?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's their secret weapon. How can you expect to know everything?" I yawned, annoyed. I don't know much about Earth's military stuff, so I just guessed. Probably some rocket launchers or missiles?

I've never actually seen missiles fly in the sky. But the very next morning, I got to see the real deal!

"Feliciana, come quick! Something's flying up again!" This time Mia ran in. She pointed at a long cylinder thing in the sky with flames and smoke coming out the back.

"Is it really a missile?" I was surprised too. This missile-looking thing wasn't flying very high. After going up a bit, it started going down, making a nice curve. Looks like the target wasn't too far.

But what could make the Earth army use missiles? I had no clue!

"That direction looks like where the Imperial base is..." Reed's voice came over. She and Adrian were watching too.

"If last night's attack by the Empire was the start of the war, then the Earth humans are getting ready to attack back? Too bad this small army can't really hurt the Imperial base! If it's a sneak attack, it's too big. And it's daytime. Not sure what they're trying to do..."

Adrian couldn't see how big it really was from so far. He thought it was just a flying ship with humans inside. He was shocked at how fast Earth's airships were, but wondered why there were so few.

"Maybe they want to weaken the enemy before they attack here. But they don't know anything about that Imperial base!" Reed sighed. She guessed what the Earth army wanted, but didn't think the attack would work well.

"The base situation?"

Suddenly I understood. The Imperial base was where we snuck in through the underground tunnel before. The whole base was covered by an element isolation shield. You can't see anything inside from outside!

But that's not the main point. Even if you can't see with your eyes, Earth's army should be able to get some info, right? Even without drones and stuff, people should be able to find out something. But the problem is the base building itself!

"The Empire didn't build that base. The mysterious white-robed people helped build it!" Reed pointed out the harsh truth. We don't know if the white-robed people are really connected to technology, but they seem way more advanced than Earth. If the Imperial base walls weren't so strong, we wouldn't have been stuck in there so long. We barely escaped thanks to the Midas.

Even if the missiles are powerful, they probably can't ignore the defense completely. The troops outside will suffer, but the people inside might not be affected at all. Earth people can't possibly know this kind of info, no matter how good they are.

"Why do you two seem to know so much? What if that thing isn't aiming for the Imperial base, just passing by?" Mia looked at me and Reed suspiciously.

"Uh... you have a point. We haven't confirmed anything. No use just guessing!" I quickly agreed. Mia already knows we four souls came from other worlds. If she starts doubting us, we'll be totally exposed.

"But in these times, and in this sensitive direction, it's hard to believe the target isn't the Imperial base..." Adrian was still lost in thought, but clearly didn't agree with Mia.

I felt relieved again, but suddenly so tired. Do we really have to keep hiding like this? Maybe Reed was right. If we were honest from the start, we wouldn't have to pretend now.

Of course, we "outsiders" stuck in the shelter can't know what actually got hit. We're just watching this war. Like I said before, there's no point in just guessing when we don't know what's going on...

"Food time! Food time!"

Soon it was lunchtime again. As a pro foodie - no, food angel! - I don't usually get hungry easily. But how can I resist yummy food from home?

"Why aren't you guys going? Today's food seems really good. I heard there's chicken soup too!"

But today was different. A middle-aged man also stuck in this shelter suddenly came over to chat with us.

"Oh... chicken soup?" I looked at him suspiciously. My gut feeling said this guy wasn't just a normal local. From how he moved, he had at least level 1-2 skills. He was hiding something!

From our small talk earlier, I learned his name was Egil. He'd been here for two days. He said he came to join the Earth army to avoid the Empire's forced draft. He didn't have any family here.

At the shelter entrance, Reed got her lunch and left alone. She likes being by herself, so we didn't mind. Adrian and I were about to go back to our room when Egil suddenly followed with his tray.

"Mind if I join you? The Earth humans call this H-country food. They say it's more fun to eat together. You don't mind, right?"

"You really want to join?" I never thought he'd ask this. Pure otherworlders like Adrian wouldn't like H-country food if I hadn't trained his taste buds. Like Mia, who just gave up on this meal!

"It's okay. If he wants to come, let's eat together. It's good to talk more!" I was about to refuse, but Adrian stopped me and agreed right away. I got it instantly. He must have noticed something fishy.

"Is there something wrong with this guy?" I couldn't help asking quietly on the way.

"Not sure yet. Let's see what he's up to," Adrian shook his head.

It was a short walk. Soon the three of us were sitting around the table in my room. The small room suddenly felt very crowded.

"You like soup that much?" I asked weirdly, watching Egil gulp down his soup as soon as he sat down. He didn't seem shy at all. If not for this guy, it'd just be me and Adrian alone. Now there's all this drama!

"Not really. But this chicken soup tastes really good. I didn't know you could cook chicken this way... Huh? Aren't you two eating?" He put down his bowl and looked at mine and Adrian's portions. Obviously he wanted more!

"Just take it!" I waved my hand, annoyed. This guy didn't touch the main food at all. Can he really get full just drinking soup?

"Drinking soup is such a pleasure!" After finishing all three of our soups, Egil finally patted his belly, satisfied. He turned to close the door a bit, then looked out the window to check. When he was sure everything was okay, he finally told the truth.

"Actually, I'm a special spy sent by His Majesty the Emperor to sneak into the Earth humans' base!"

A spy? Just say it directly - he's a secret agent, a spy, a scout!

"Sent by His Majesty? Didn't Reider go back to the capital Kyndrill? Shouldn't the military be in charge here?" Adrian looked doubtful. With things as they are, the Imperial army and Earth army are total enemies. Spies should be from the Imperial military, not directly connected to the Emperor.

"Uh, there are some special reasons. I don't know the details. I got orders directly from His Majesty and came from Kyndrill..." Egil looked troubled. Then he explained more. "My job isn't very complicated - sneak in as a civilian, watch what the Earth humans are doing without being caught. Also keep an eye on the angels still in the Empire, and try to contact Cyra and the others!"