Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 120: The Visit

Athena was not particularly surprised by this discovery. There was simply another place that needed to be explored, and none of them were straightforward.

She had initially intended only to review some documents to check the current status of the Babron family, in preparation for an upcoming visit. However, she did not anticipate uncovering yet another church in the process.

The files she had just reviewed included not only the internal records of the Eagle's Claw Agency but also documents concerning various factions. There were royalists, pro-Babron supporters, and even factions beyond the neutral ones—some that sought to gain advantage and declare themselves rulers.

The variety of people one encounters over a lifetime is astounding. Athena dismissed these families that failed to grasp the situation.

The situation was far more complicated than she had imagined. Each time she visited a location, the system would assign her a task based on the circumstances, but this time, there was no task given.

Was it because she had entered the White Lands too early, or was it because she had yet to find the crucial clue? Was there anything she had overlooked? Party disputes, conflicts between monsters and humans—if it wasn't any of these, then what could it be?

The World's Energy, world energy or whatever it was, was of no use to Athena directly, but it could be exchanged with the system for the materials she needed. There was an 80% chance that this mission might be related to the World’s Energy. Although Ilinaya had promised to help her investigate, Athena did not intend to place all her hopes on her.

Especially considering that Ilinaya had not recklessly ventured into the White Lands; she had likely joined the organization known as the "Rats" by now. Seeking her out at this moment would be highly imprudent.

Athena spread out all the files, beginning to construct a network of relationships within the empire, and gained a rough impression of it.

She had only intended to rest for a short while on the bed, but when she awoke, four or five hours had already passed.

In the White Lands, there is no night; people's routines still follow a 24-hour day, divided into morning and afternoon shifts. Both shifts required work, but each half-day included a six-hour break.

Well, in this empire at least.

When she stepped out of the dark compartment, the Eagle's Claw Agency had resumed its normal operations.

Athena merely sat in her chair, pressed the bell beside her, and immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard from outside. The door was flung open with force, bypassing the usual knocking.

Yuris entered, holding a steel pen with a deadly gleam. The ink of Yuris' pen was poisonous; ordinary people who touched it would die instantly. Only Athena could be immune to this poison.

Upon entering, Yuris quickly scanned the room. Seeing Athena sitting calmly in her chair, Yuris even doubted if the bell had been rung out of mere convenience.

If there was anything different in the room, it was merely the absence of a Persian cat.

Despite Athena being her superior, Yuris felt a strong urge to drive the pen into her neck. However, her professional demeanor prevented her from doing so. She reattached the pen to her chest and asked, “Director Athena, has something significant happened that required the emergency bell?”

“Prepare a carriage to the Babron residence for me.”

Yuris paused for three seconds to confirm once more, “Just a carriage?”

“Of course not. You also need to prepare some gifts for the visit.”

Seeing Athena’s sincere smile, Yuris felt her own smile falter and, without responding, turned and walked out.

Athena was not worried; she knew Yuris would ensure everything was prepared. Losing face for her meant losing face for the Eagle's Claw Agency, and Yuris would not allow that to happen.

As expected, Yuris was highly efficient. Before long, she returned and informed Athena that everything was ready, and they could set off at any time.

Athena then rose and left. The Eagle's Claw Agency staff continued their work but dared not raise their eyes to look at her.

Even those on duty would choose to step aside, waiting until she had left before slowly heading to their posts, as if she were some fearsome beast or a flood of disaster.

The carriage driver who awaited Athena was still the same one from the morning shift. Judging by his state, he likely spent most of his workday idly.

However, today his attendance rate was unusually high, which contrasted with his usual monthly or annual attendance records.

The main road was paved with cobblestones, and the surrounding houses featured many overhanging wooden structures. Pedestrians moved quickly, and street vendors would involuntarily halt their cries upon seeing Athena’s carriage.

Such reactions were typical for any noble’s carriage here, as the lives of commoners were often considered less valuable than the exquisite shoes of the aristocracy.

Leaving the bustling streets behind, the carriage headed towards the more remote outskirts. From a distance, Athena saw the Babron family’s residence on the hillside.

It was no wonder that their king was so wary of the Babron family. The construction of the residence alone could rival the king’s palace; apart from being slightly smaller and more remote, it was almost identical in grandeur.

The symmetrical architecture, three-dimensional sculptures, and clear, imposing outlines were magnificent.

The carriage stopped at the estate's entrance, where guards were stationed. They halted the carriage, unmoved even by the displayed insignia.

In their eyes, their master was the most esteemed, and they had no reason to fear Athena, whom they considered merely a king’s lackey.

A knight ran inside to announce their arrival. After a long wait, the one who emerged was not a steward but a mere maid.

The maid glanced at the carriage and signaled for the guards to let it pass.

As the carriage driver prepared to enter, he was stopped once again and told that Athena needed to enter on foot.

Yuris, observing with some surprise, saw that their Director Athena actually disembarked calmly and even took the gifts with her.

She reluctantly followed, surrounded by meticulously trimmed flowerbeds and trees. Each flower was a rare variety, enough to sustain a commoner for a month.

The lavish display was casually planted around the exterior, even more extravagant than a palace.

The maid led them without stopping, bypassing the hall and reception area, and took them directly to the dining room.

At the dining table, Babron’s ministers were enjoying their meal with elegant use of forks and knives. The Duke and Duchess of Babron and their son sat quietly beside them, eating in silence.

Seeing Athena enter, they wiped their mouths with the prepared napkins and then discreetly withdrew.