Spymaster's Mission

Greta was thrilled to hear she’d been selected for training.

Her mission this time, aside from causing trouble, was to figure out exactly what the Textile Works was up to, so she could report back to her master.

After making it through round after round of screening, she could finally go to training. It seemed Princess Jade Hayes took the Textile Works very seriously—the place was guarded like a fortress, not something ordinary folk could just stroll into.

Just looking at all the guards stationed around the factory, Greta figured whatever was inside must be extraordinary. If she could pull this off, she’d be a hero back home.

With these thoughts swirling, Greta joined the crowd heading toward the training hall.

Along the way, she didn’t forget to link arms with Mrs. Zane and Mrs. Lu, saying a few words of thanks.

Both Mrs. Zane and Mrs. Lu were simple souls, genuinely happy Greta had been allowed to stay.

Mrs. Zane smiled and said, “Well, this is wonderful. Now you can finally find your footing with your husband’s family.”

“Yes, I really owe it to you both. But from now on, let’s not get involved in this stuff again, okay? If I slip up and say the wrong thing, I’ll get kicked out.” Greta warned them.

Mrs. Zane and Mrs. Lu nodded in agreement. Greta looked at them and couldn’t help but marvel again at how easy these two gullible fools were to trick—they believed every word she said.

But fools are just what she needs. She’ll keep making use of them, so best to keep them happy!

The women workers entered the training hall, where long benches awaited them. Everyone took a seat.

Greta looked around curiously. She’d expected to see the textile factory’s machines, but there weren’t any here—just a blackboard at the front. What was this all about?

The female supervisor knocked on the blackboard and said, “Everyone, please sit down. Training starts now. Since you can all read and write, this class will be easy. Today’s first lesson is all about safety. You need to master this before I let you anywhere near the machines!”

The women obediently followed instructions. The entire day was devoted to safety training, full of rules—like never touching a running machine.

None of them had ever seen a machine before, so the lessons sounded mysterious and confusing. They had no choice but to memorize everything by heart.

When the first day of training ended, everyone ate at the factory before heading home.

Greta was all smiles. “Working here means I finally get a full meal.”

Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Zane looked at her with concern. “Greta, the factory provides meals. From now on, you’ll never go hungry.”

“Mm-hmm!” Greta feigned innocence, flashing them a sweet smile. The three left the factory together, but in her mind, Greta was already marking the locations and counting heads.

By evening, Greta didn’t return to her so-called ‘husband’s home’—not that she had one. That identity was stolen.

In a nondescript farmhouse, Greta wrote a secret report about the day’s events. When midnight came, she heard a knock at the door. She opened it, and a man dressed as a farmer slipped inside.

This man was Greta’s handler. He looked her over and sighed in relief. “You’re clever to have stayed. Now you’re the only one left in the textile works. Hold your ground.”

Greta nodded and handed him her report. “Everything I saw today is in here. The textile works is tightly guarded—whatever’s inside must be important. I haven’t seen the mysterious machines yet, but I will soon. Just wait for my good news.”

The man said, “Good. If you can figure out what’s really going on with those machines, you’ll earn a huge reward! And if you sabotage the textile works, you’ll be handsomely rewarded when you return!”