Chapter 166: Cleanup (Part 2)

Squelch!

Blood splattered everywhere. The flying knife plunged straight into Zimo’s throat. This spy, who had been in total control just a moment ago, collapsed onto the carpet without even letting out a scream. He twitched twice, and then there was no more sound.

Dean did not even look at the other person as he walked straight toward the chair in front of the square table.

In fact, for Dean, the other person’s fate was sealed the moment he unauthorizedly opened the door to the basement where Madel was imprisoned.

Dean did not need a subordinate who took it upon himself to act like that.

Moreover, such a subordinate was only nominal. Dean was not a Goth.

Therefore, Dean felt no psychological pressure at all in getting rid of him.

As for the other person’s subordinates, and the spies in front of him?

Dean naturally had his own arrangements.

“Pine, Horned Sheep, Black Bird, Mulberry, Catalpa Leaf… and Lit!”

Dean named these spies one by one, as well as Lit, who had just pushed open the door and entered from afar but was stunned by the scene before him.

“My Lord Lone Wolf!”

The five spies looked at Dean sitting there. Immediately, they all stood up to salute and greet him. Earlier, Zimo’s words before his death had already explained everything, so naturally, they did not doubt anything.

“My Lord, My Lord Lone Wolf!”

After hesitating for a moment, Lit, Zimo’s top subordinate, made a new choice.

After all, Lit was a subordinate who knew how to follow orders very well. At the same time, knowing the strength of the adult before him, he dared not have any thoughts of disobedience.

As for the dead Zimo?

Being dead meant he was a thing of the past. Moreover, Lord Lone Wolf’s status was obviously higher than Zimo’s.

Lit naturally knew what he should do.

“Lit, sit down. You have the right to participate in what happens next—as a replacement for Zimo’s position!”

Under Dean’s gloomy voice, Lit’s whole body shook. He raised his head and looked at Dean in disbelief. After a moment, he walked somewhat frantically toward an empty chair to Dean’s left.

Watching Lit sit down, the remaining five senior spies who had just been named looked on with envy, while also becoming increasingly uneasy.

They did not know how Dean would deal with them.

The most likely outcome was death!

At the thought of death, these spies specially selected by Madel became restless again.

Dean swept his gaze over these spies who were afraid of death, feeling grateful in his heart for Madel’s actions. For Dean, who had arrived here long ago, the previous conversation between Zimo and these spies, as well as Zimo’s methods, were all crystal clear. He was especially satisfied with the performance of these spies.

Was there anything more worth celebrating than the enemy having a group of subordinates who were afraid of death?

That would be becoming the direct superior of this group of subordinates who were afraid of death!

Because of their fear of death, some matters would become exceptionally smooth under Dean’s control.

Just like now—

“Do you know what you did wrong?”

Dean asked gloomily.

The moment these words were spoken, the five senior spies shuddered all over.

“My Lord, we were all deceived by River Rat. We didn’t know…”

The senior spy with the codename ‘Pine’ explained. He was also the one who had constantly questioned Zimo.

“If you hadn’t been deceived, do you think you would still have the chance to speak right now?”

Dean’s cold words carried undisguised killing intent, causing ‘Pine’ to stop speaking abruptly in shock as a chill ran through his body.

However, although there was killing intent in Dean’s words, the spies present secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because they all heard it; it seemed they didn’t need to worry about their lives anymore.

“I asked, what did you do wrong?”

Dean asked again.

“We should not have disregarded the rules and met privately with any colleague other than you, My Lord!”

The spy with the codename ‘Horned Sheep’ gritted his teeth and replied.

Obviously, after their lives were no longer in danger, these spies still showed some competence.

“Very good. It seems you still know your mistakes… I will only say this once. I hope this is the first time, and also the last time—otherwise, I won’t mind adding a few more names to my execution list!”

Dean said slowly.

“Thank you for your mercy, My Lord!”

Including Lit, all six people stood up and saluted Dean again.

“Pine!”

“My Lord, what are your orders?”

The senior spy who had just sat down immediately stood up.

“Pine No. 1 is your subordinate, right?”

Dean asked this question—the arrangement of the codenames made it easy for Dean to spot the connection.

“Yes, My Lord!”

‘Pine’ nodded.

“Clean him up!”

Dean said indifferently.

“Yes, My Lord!”

‘Pine’ replied with certainty.

From beginning to end, Dean did not explain why, and ‘Pine’ did not ask either, but everyone present understood the matter clearly.

After all, they all knew about the rumors circulating internally previously. The adult before them had encountered a trap set by Lord Silver Goose in Tier Town and almost lost his life.

However, it seemed now that this adult was superior in skill.

Lord Silver Goose was long gone.

That delusional River Rat had become a corpse.

In the end, this adult was the one who achieved victory.

The spies present sighed slightly. Thoughts that hadn’t existed before made them become even more cautious. After all, compared to the ‘open and aboveboard’ Lord Silver Goose, the adult before them, who hadn’t even shown his true face, was obviously more mysterious. And more ruthless.

Glancing at Zimo’s still-bleeding corpse, the spies naturally knew what to do.

The subsequent dinner began in this slightly oppressive atmosphere.

Of course, Dean did not participate.

He took Lit into Zimo’s room—

“Divide those Gold Pulton into two portions. Keep one portion for yourself, and distribute the remaining portion to those guys. Then, help me keep a close watch on those guys… If there is any unusual movement, report it to me!”

As Dean spoke, he left a method of contact.

Of course, it wasn’t a fixed, personal one, but one mixed with secret codes that only needed to be written on a wall.

As for which wall?

That was decided based on the date.

“Understood, My Lord!”

Lit repeated the contact method in detail, then bowed in salute.

Compared to his previous attitude, Lit’s attitude was now exceptionally more respectful.

After all, by leaving such a method of contact for him, Dean was obviously treating him as a confidant. And as a confidant, one naturally had to have the attitude of a confidant.

In fact, Dean, who could not permanently reside in Vauban City, really needed a confidant within the Goth spy network.

And was there anyone more suitable than a person he had personally promoted?

Of course, some tests were still necessary.

However, that was a matter for later. As for now?

He needed to leave. He had to rush back before the young lady of the Tier Baron family returned to her residence. The time left for him was not much—

“The shop and residence left by River Rat—I’ll give you a week. Then, I need to see everything return to normal!”

Dean said.

“I can do that, My Lord!”

Lit nodded immediately.

“Very good!”

Dean said this, turned, and walked out of that room. Then, he returned to the living room; however, he did not say much, but just waved his hand and left.

Of course, while leaving, as he passed by the spy with the codename ‘Pine’, a paper ball was flicked by Dean to the other person’s feet.

Watching ‘Pine’ step on the paper ball without showing any emotion.

Dean left with satisfaction.

In his previous secret observation, ‘Pine’ was the only one who had shown ‘loyalty’ to his identity. Although it wasn’t wholehearted, it was better than those who showed none.

Therefore, Dean didn’t mind giving the other person some more power as a reward.

Of course, it also served as a ‘double insurance’ within this spy network.

Dean, who possessed an instinct for caution, would never dislike such methods. Especially when inside the enemy’s ranks, he could be even more absolute.

Of course, just like the test for the ‘confidant’ earlier.

These things all needed to be done slowly.

Even if Dean was extremely short on time, it was the same.

…

When Dean returned to his room, changed into the outfit belonging to the Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander, and sat at the dining table, the carriage of the young lady of the Tier Baron family only just appeared outside the courtyard of the residence.

“Regiment Commander, Miss Lily asks you to go over!”

Ike, who was on duty, quickly ran into the dining hall and said loudly.

The young people around immediately started making faces, wearing smiles typical of young people.

“Mhm, got it!”

Dean nodded and stood up.

However, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he smacked Theron on the back of the head before lifting his leg to walk away.

“Next time you dare do that, your training will be doubled!”

Dean’s voice came from outside the door.

Theron rubbed the back of his head, which didn’t really hurt, and chuckled—he was the first one to make faces earlier and had led all the young people to do so.

However, the next moment, Theron shouted, “Bastards, what are you laughing at? Why am I the only one getting hit by the Regiment Commander? You guys were part of it too!”

Naturally, the next period of time belonged to the young people’s noisy fun.

Listening to such lively noises, Dean walked with light steps to the door of the Baron family’s young lady’s room and knocked gently—

Knock, knock!

“Come in!”

The voice of the young lady of the Tier Baron family sounded from inside the room.