Malina POV
The sunlight glinted off the polished stones of the Salmo estate as I strode through the courtyard. My mind was occupied—not with training beasts today, nor with dungeons, but with politics. REF's growth had drawn attention, and some noble families were beginning to show their true colors.
I adjusted the strap of my satchel, where I kept notes and intelligence reports on the noble houses. Today's focus: Lord Cedrus Semper of the Semper family. Greedy, deceitful, and ambitious, he had been quietly undermining our allies while pretending to be an honest merchant. REF couldn't afford any misstep.
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Meeting with My Father
I found my father, Lord Salmo Sale, in the study, reviewing trade contracts. His face lit up briefly when he saw me, but his sharp eyes quickly assessed the tension in my demeanor.
"Malina," he said, gesturing for me to sit. "You look troubled. What is it?"
I opened my mouth, then closed it, gathering my thoughts. "Father… it's about Lord Cedrus Semper. His actions concern me. His family is ambitious, and his intentions toward REF are… questionable. I think he may try to exploit REF's expansion for personal gain."
Lord Salmo leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Semper, you say? I've known that family long enough to recognize trouble when it wears a familiar face. What makes you certain?"
I placed my notes on the table, pointing to specific incidents: subtle trade manipulations, false rumors to discredit REF allies, and unusual scouting around the northern districts. "These patterns are too consistent to be coincidences. REF's reputation and resources make us a target, and Semper is positioning himself to benefit from chaos."
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Father's Caution
He nodded slowly. "You've grown sharper than I imagined, Malina. REF relies on allies and intelligence. You've done well to notice this."
"But father," I said, leaning forward, "we must be careful. Acting too soon or too aggressively could backfire. REF cannot afford a civil scandal or conflict with influential noble families—not yet, at least."
Lord Salmo's gaze hardened. "I understand. I will be cautious, but we will not allow Semper to undermine REF. Keep watching. Gather evidence. And if he acts… we act swiftly."
I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. The Semper family was dangerous, but careful preparation could prevent disaster. REF's prosperity—and our friends' safety—depended on it.
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Gathering Intel
After my meeting with my father, I began compiling intelligence discreetly. Using my Beast Tamer skills, I sent familiars disguised as small animals to observe Semper's manor and trading posts. Tiny magical eyes recorded movements, interactions, and conversations.
System pinged:
[Intel Acquisition — Semper Family: Observation Initiated]
[Skill Potential: Espionage Lv.1]
I smiled faintly. Even without brute force, a tamer's network could reveal more than armies sometimes. Every movement, every whispered conversation, every transaction could be traced, recorded, and analyzed.
I focused, allowing my aura to subtly influence nearby creatures, extending my observation network without alerting anyone. Knowledge was power, and in this case, power would be REF's best weapon.
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Reflection on Strategy
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the courtyard, I reflected on the precarious balance REF maintained. Trade, magic, and diplomacy were all intertwined. One misstep, one overconfident noble, could spark a chain of events that might destabilize the city.
But REF had us—Kael, Brown, Amara, Luminor, Malina, and the rest. Allies who could fight, strategize, and protect each other. And I would do my part, keeping REF safe from hidden threats before they could escalate.
System pinged:
[New Objective — Monitor Semper Family Activities]
[Priority — High]
I exhaled. High priority, indeed. There was no time for hesitation. Every day, every observation, every piece of intel could prevent the Semper family—or any other ambitious nobles—from endangering REF.
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A Personal Note
I paused to glance at the sky as the first stars appeared. REF was growing, thriving, and beautiful, but it also drew envy and greed. It wasn't enough to fight monsters in dungeons or defend against demons and rogue mages. Some of the greatest threats came cloaked in civility, dressed in fine robes, and carrying silver tongues.
But I wasn't afraid. I had training, instincts, and allies. And if necessary, I could face any adversary—political, magical, or martial. REF's future was worth every careful step, every subtle maneuver, and every ounce of attention I could give.
I gathered my notes and familiars. Tomorrow, I would continue surveillance, tracking every move of Lord Cedrus Semper and ensuring that his ambitions would not threaten the city, the people, or our friends.
For REF, for my family, for my friends—I would remain vigilant.