Two intelligence officers arrived together. When they saw Nina and Neil were also present, they hesitated for a moment. They glanced at Aegor and saw he had no intention of dismissing the bystanders, so they ignored the others and began reporting their work.
"There has been considerable progress in the investigation into Ezzan, but unfortunately most of it is unrelated to the poisoning, and no accomplices have been found," Harvey, a close confidant of the Hand, was the first to present the report. "However, we successfully found a witness who can prove that this person came to Westeros by ship from Pentos."
Not good news, but it at least met the minimum expectation.
Daenerys wanted him to thoroughly investigate the poisoning case. No matter what, Aegor had to show some progress. Very few people knew he was the real culprit. The middle and lower ranks assigned to the task would work diligently, just like when they dismantled half the mess hall in Winterfell. With respect for Murphy's Law, extreme situations had to be considered. What if there were truly brilliant detectives in the intelligence department he had not discovered, and he casually assigned the task, only for them to thoroughly investigate and end up targeting their direct superior and the Hand of the Queen? Would that not become material for detective stories in the world of Ice and Fire?
To avoid such a dramatic outcome, the best method was to shift the target using his position. Aegor directly excluded other possibilities and designated the unfortunate scapegoat Ezzan as the poisoner, redirecting all investigative resources toward clarifying his identity, background, and social connections. The investigation appeared to target the poisoning case, but in reality it was misled toward a dead man who could no longer defend himself. No matter how much suspicion was stirred up, it would not point back to him.
The best part was that after setting the tone that "thoroughly investigating the poisoning case means clarifying Ezzan's identity," Aegor hid in the safest place, the light under the lamp. Not only did the investigation no longer need to be concealed, even reporting the results did not need to avoid his own people, such as Nina, Neil, and Warner, who were present.
"Hm," Aegor murmured as he took the report, opened it, and skimmed through it.
The report detailed Ezzan's activities in King's Landing while serving Varys, covering everything from daily routines to habits. It included routes between the Red Keep and his residence, taverns and restaurants he frequented, the location of his rented house, and what the landlord and neighbors knew about him.
If this were a manhunt, the information would be very detailed, but the subject was already dead.
It had to be said that Varys was truly a formidable opponent. His meticulous arrangements and experienced countermeasures made him difficult even after death. Aegor originally wanted to use the scapegoat's social network to uncover a connection between Ezzan and Illyrio, but found nothing. He had to settle for less and seek other results to justify the effort.
The poisoner came from Pentos. This single vague detail could not prove anything. Providing Daenerys with fragmented but suggestive information to fuel her suspicions was the minimum goal Aegor set for the team.
Lying was easy, covering lies was hard. To avoid creating more loose ends, Aegor instructed them not to fabricate anything. But not fabricating did not mean sticking strictly to facts. If they only investigated based on a name and portrait, progress would be limited. But if they asked leading questions such as "Did this person come from across the Narrow Sea?" or "Is he from Pentos?" and offered rewards, then witness testimony would naturally appear.
These testimonies were not fabricated, but whether they were true was another matter.
Aegor did not ask how Harvey obtained the witnesses, nor did he want to know. Taking down Illyrio with this alone was unrealistic. What mattered now was tightening the rope from all sides and slowly strangling the enemy using proximity and advantage.
After confirming there were no obvious errors, Aegor nodded. "Alright. Continue the investigation at full intensity. Even if nothing more is found, it will pressure the enemies hiding in fear. Warner, what about your side?"
Jarman Buckwell, who never disappointed, finally brought good news.
"There are almost no useless people under the Magister of Pentos. Even stable hands and palanquin bearers are experienced and alert, with stronger counter-surveillance skills than ours. We made no progress in the first few days. But after releasing the news, as instructed, that the 'Western Expedition to the Riverlands is about to begin,' they could not hold back. Their activity increased in both frequency and pattern, giving us an opportunity," Warner said, presenting diagrams and lists. "They do not engage in espionage directly. Instead, they use daily activities such as procurement and visits as cover to reach markets and residential areas, mainly Flea Bottom, where they contact informants. The information is passed through chains until it reaches locals who carry out frontline work."
Aegor flipped through the materials. They were filled with complex diagrams and profiles. Though he did not recognize the individuals, he understood. This was the intelligence network Varys and Illyrio had planted in Westeros over the years. Not all were spies. Most were ordinary residents who occasionally did small jobs for payment. Even after strict control policies over orphans and vagrants, the scale of this network was alarming.
"Due to limited manpower and experience, we can only track a small portion of their activities for now, but all of them point to the Long Night Industrial Park. Employees near the King's Gate, residents near the training grounds, suppliers delivering food to Blackwall Keep, even businesses near your temporary residence. The Industrial Park is under constant watch. We have identified several peripheral workers who have been contacted by suspicious individuals. Their names are marked in red on the last page."
Only a small portion had been tracked, yet the report was already so thick. Even prepared, Aegor felt uneasy. Without the advantage of acting from the shadows and the use of firearms, and without forcing the enemy into mistakes through the threat of war, his intelligence department would not even uncover this much.
Westeros, a feudal society, faced with organized schemers and infiltrators, had almost no resistance. It had been penetrated thoroughly. Without aggressive measures suppressing soft power like intelligence and culture, the outcome would still be uncertain.
"Although we have gathered much information, it only gives us a general picture. Based on these clues, we cannot legally arrest anyone," Warner said seriously. "I do not recommend competing in an area where the enemy is stronger. We should use our strengths, act decisively with force, and prevent further spread. It is better to act harshly than to let anyone slip away. Their influence has only reached the periphery, but it spreads like a plague. If left unchecked, we may lose the ability to act effectively."
Warner was right, but this was not what Aegor wanted.
Even if he proved to Daenerys that Illyrio was conducting intelligence operations in King's Landing, it would not bring him down. Pentos having an intelligence system was normal. A Magister taking part in it was reasonable. Daenerys owed Illyrio a debt, and their states were not at war. At most, she would question some names, arrest a few minor figures, and expel them after punishment.
After that, she might even question why he targeted a neutral force at such a critical time.
What Aegor wanted was for Daenerys to realize that Illyrio was her enemy.
"Well done," Aegor said, glancing at Neil, who still seemed unsure why he was allowed to remain. Aegor showed a confident expression. "How to respond is our next topic. I have always believed that reacting to the enemy is the worst strategy. Capturing the king and eliminating the core is the best strategy. I summoned Nina and Neil tonight so the Intelligence Department and the Industrial Research Institute can cooperate. Through a 'leak,' we will lure the snake out, then uproot the intelligence networks of the trade city-states, the Riverlands, and the Iron Islands in King's Landing in one move. Once the rear is secure, we can calmly complete the final battle to unify the Seven Kingdoms."
(To be continued.)