Barely had the sun risen when Gregor opened his eyes. Today was a special day for him: the day the war began and his mission was of the utmost importance.
He was the one charged with informing the count directly in case there was a change in the situation. This task had been designated to him personally by the count, which demonstrated how valued he was by him.
He still remembered the moment in which the count asked him his name. From that point he knew that good things were coming for him. Now he only hoped to carry out his last mission in this war and receive generous rewards.
The only thing that bothered him was that the count had designated his maid as leader of this mission, and he had to obey the orders of that woman. He was very angry: he could not stand being ordered by a woman.
---
"Everyone, the army of our lord count has just departed. In one hour begin deploying according to your instructions. Each one of you take a canteen of water and a package of dried meat. These will be your provisions for the day. Remember to keep yourselves hydrated; we do not want accidents because someone did not drink enough water and did not report in time," ordered the maid.
Upon hearing her words, Gregor was furious. He did not want to receive orders and unconsciously did not want to take the supplies. But the main thing was to fulfill his mission. Then he looked with hatred at the maid, thinking: *How could a woman give orders on the battlefield?*
Even so, he fulfilled the order.
---
An hour passed rapidly and the entire group of scouts departed toward their position.
Despite it being early in the morning, the sun shone intensely. Gregor was glad to have taken his canteen of water and not follow his pride. He removed the lid and took a great sip, refreshing his throat, and continued on his way.
Soon he arrived at his destination. From that distance he could see the magnificent army of the count and smiled with pride. He uncovered his canteen and drank a great deal of water to hydrate himself.
After a while, he felt a strong dizziness and fell to the floor. Then he felt his throat drying; a scorching heat took possession of him. Then he looked at the canteen that was spilling water beside him and realized what was happening: **the water was poisoned**.
Darkness began to take possession of his consciousness. With his last trace of lucidity he thought of the maid. He knew he should not have trusted a woman. Fearing the worst, Gregor breathed his last breath.
---
### Time earlier, before dawn
Lisa walked toward the railway station, heading to the baggage storage area. In a predetermined crate, making certain that there was no one, she opened it and took a small bag that was in it.
When she left the station she encountered the Count of Blair. She became a little nervous, but quickly calmed herself.
"Lisa, what are you doing here?" The count was surprised upon seeing her in that place at those hours.
"My lord count, I simply could not sleep and went out for a walk. That place seems very strange to me and I wanted to come look." Lisa quickly found a convincing excuse.
"Oh, it seems we think the same. I was also restless with this place. What is it that you are carrying in your hand?" The count had already accepted her excuse, but he noticed the bag in her hands.
"Oh, this is a small bag of sugar that I took from the supply room. I was thinking of preparing myself a herbal tea before beginning my work labor," Lisa answered casually.
"You seem to be nervous. It's fine; tea is good for passing the nerves. If everything turns out well, I will reward you generously." The count did not continue with the subject.
"Thank you, my lord count. Everything is in your favor; I do not need a reward." The maid bowed slightly.
"Very well, that is why I fully trust in you. Your task will be the most dangerous and the most important. Do you believe you can do it?"
"Yes, my lord. In a moment I will prepare the supplies for each one of the scouts," Lisa informed.
"Very well, go. I will not delay your time."
"With permission, my lord." The maid bowed and moved away from the station.
Watching Lisa's departure, the count smiled slightly. *This woman I want for myself. When I celebrate my victory, I will make her mine.*
---
Lisa arrived at the supply room. She set aside a large quantity of canteens and made small packages of dried meat. Then she set a barrel of water aside toward a corner.
She made certain that no one was watching her and then took the small bag, poured it into the barrel, and mixed a little. Afterward she proceeded to fill the canteens.
---
### Returning to the present time
Lisa was standing outside the station, looking at the group of men who lay thrown on the ground. There were no fluctuations on her face: she had changed her sweet smile for a cold and expressionless face.
In her hand she held a blood-stained dagger and at her feet there was a bloodied body. It was the only one who had not drunk the water. Lisa had been ready behind him when the symptoms of the poisoning began: she did not want to have failures in this mission.
---
**Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!**
Suddenly a strong sound came from among the mountains, causing Lisa's cold face to smile for a moment. Her mission was fulfilled.
Soon two locomotives arrived at the Black City station. From the first one a middle-aged man descended and approached Lisa, surprised by the scene he had in front of him.
After only an instant he came out of his astonishment, but his men looked at Lisa with a little fear.
"This is Colonel Hugo Barris. Please report your code name." The colonel did not relax his vigilance: he had to confirm Lisa's identity before fully trusting her.
"Special agent of the CIA, code name *Shadow*. I inform you that all the scouts the count placed in the rear should by this moment have died. Therefore my mission ends here and I withdraw. The rest remains in your hands." With a cold voice devoid of emotions, *Shadow* informed Colonel Hugo of the situation and left without paying him more attention.
Everyone saw her enter one of the locomotives, which departed from the station with a single passenger inside.
In the future, many of the soldiers present would tell stories to their grandchildren of the only time they saw this legendary agent, who would leave so many legends in this world.
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