Spy

For the many common demons of the territory, this was nothing less than a golden ladder of advancement—an actual chance to leap across class boundaries!

Once they mastered these skills, they would not only gain stable employment but also official craftsman certification, higher wages, and bright prospects whether they stayed in their villages or moved to Evernight City.

With that hope burning in their hearts, long queues quickly formed in front of every registration point.

Young villagers, workshop apprentices, even former slaves looking to change careers—all lined up eagerly.

Among the crowd stood a man in rough work clothes, a faint scar across his cheek.

His eyes quietly scanned the surroundings.

He was a spy sent by the Rhine Holy Church, disguised as a freed s*ave.

His mission: infiltrate Evernight Academy and gather intelligence on the territory.

When he saw the announcement for the new majors, his heart leapt—this was the perfect opening.

He stepped forward pretending to be an experienced craftsman with years of experience, claiming expertise in mechanical repair and applying for the Mana-Crystal Equipment Maintenance program.

Luna and several veteran craftsmen handled the registration and screening.

She had anticipated opportunists and prepared a battery of basic questions on mana-crystal theory and mechanical principles.

“Sir, have you ever repaired mana-crystal-powered equipment before?”

Luna asked, studying him carefully.

The spy was ready.

“Of course. I fixed mana-crystal furnaces and simple mana tools in other workshops.”

“Then explain the principle of energy conduction in mana-crystal devices.”

It was the most elementary question any real technician could answer.

The spy’s expression flickered.

He only knew surface-level operations, not the underlying theory.

He forced composure.

“Well… the principle is very complicated. I just know how to fix them, not how to explain it.”

Luna raised an eyebrow.

“When repairing magitech machinery, what should you pay attention to?”

“How do you distinguish between an energy conduction fault and a mechanical structural fault?”

Question after question.

The spy began to sweat, stammering incoherent fragments, eyes darting away.

Luna exchanged a glance with the old craftsmen beside her.

They saw it instantly.

“You don’t actually know anything about mana crystals, do you?”

Luna’s tone turned stern.

“Who are you really? Why pretend to be a craftsman to enroll?”

The spy knew he was exposed.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He yanked a dagger from his coat and lunged for the exit.

He didn’t even take two steps before a guard kicked him hard, sending him sprawling.

More guards rushed in and subdued him in seconds.

“Take him to Lord Demon Lord.”

Luna ordered calmly, though her heart pounded—if she hadn’t prepared the test, the spy would have slipped into the academy.

In the council hall, Vivian looked at the bound spy and gave a helpless sigh.

“The Rhine Holy Church really is like a lingering ghost. Now they’re targeting the academy.”

Luna reported with a hint of pride.

“They’re so clumsy, Lord Demon Lord. He didn’t know the first thing about mana crystals—exposed the moment we tested him.”

Vivian turned her cold gaze on the captive.

“You’re from the Rhine Holy Church. What were you after in Evernight Academy?”

The spy clenched his jaw, staring straight ahead, silent.

Vivian was about to press further when the man suddenly bit down hard.

Black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

His eyes rolled back—he had taken poison and died on the spot.

Vivian shook her head.

“Again with this. So stubbornly loyal they’d rather die than talk. Not a single useful scrap of information.”

Luna looked worriedly at the corpse.

“Lord Demon Lord, why are human spies keep coming lately?”

“First scouts, now academy infiltrators, plus the old nobles and Heart of Molten Stone’s secret lines…”

“I’m really worried about your safety, and the academy’s, and the whole territory’s.”

Her eyes were full of concern.

“You handle so many affairs every day and still have to deal with all these hidden threats… you must be exhausted.”

Vivian saw her worry and suddenly laughed.

“What’s this? Did you forget who I am?”

“I’m the Demon Lord. These little annoyances can’t stop me.”

She patted Luna’s shoulder lightly.

“Besides, the better Evernight develops, the more it threatens them.”

“These spies and plots are proof our reforms are hitting them where it hurts.”

“With the Shadowmoon Wolves watching, the new army guarding, and careful teachers like you at the gate, they can’t stir up real trouble.”

“But…”

Luna opened her mouth to protest.

“No buts.”

Vivian cut her off, deliberately puffing up with pride.

“I’m the Demon Lord. This is nothing.”

“Plus I have Aria, Lucia, Lucia—everyone helping me!”

Luna couldn’t help giggling.

“Lord Demon Lord, you’re amazing!”

“Of course I am.”

Vivian laughed.

“So stop worrying. Just focus on making those two new majors perfect.”

“With you in charge of teaching, I’m completely at ease.”

“Roger that! I’m on it!”

Reassured, Luna gave a clumsy salute and dashed back to the academy, full of energy.

Five days later, Vivian received word from Thomas and Gru.

“Lord Demon Lord! The prototype mana-powered pumping station and pipeline system passed all tests!”

“Come see!”

When Vivian arrived at the academy’s experimental fields, she saw a waist-high mana pump humming steadily.

Pale blue mana-crystal energy flowed.

River water gushed upward, traveling smoothly through the newly laid mana-crystal pipes into the neighboring terraced fields.

Flow rate could be precisely adjusted with a knob.

“Yes—this is exactly it.”

Vivian circled the machine twice, eyes shining with approval.

“How’s the pumping efficiency? Any leaks in the pipes?”

“Zero problems!”

Thomas thumped his chest proudly.

“We ran it three days and three nights. Mana consumption is thirty percent lower than projected.”

“The pipes are reinforced mana-crystal brick—pressure-resistant, corrosion-proof, not a single drop lost!”

Gru added.

“We also optimized layouts for different terrains—terraced fields, flat plains, everything.”

“Branch valves can be adjusted according to each field’s water needs.”

Vivian nodded, decision made.

“Excellent.”

“Bart, take the agriculture team and roll out the three-field rotation system to every village at once.”

“Pair it with mana plows and mana-crystal fertilizer—the beetle droppings have all been fermented in bulk, right?”

“Use the first batch as starter fertilizer.”

“Everything’s ready!”

Agricultural supervisor Bart stepped forward.

“Three full warehouses of fertilizer, two hundred mana plows already collected from the workshops—just awaiting your order!”

“Wait—there’s more.”

Vivian continued.

“I’m establishing an agricultural incentive fund.”

“Every quarter we’ll award the villages with highest yield and best-maintained fields mana crystals, new tools, and priority academy enrollment slots.”

Lucia happened to walk over carrying Luna and overheard.

“Rewards?”

She tilted her head curiously.

“We’re already giving them technology, tools, and irrigation. Why extra rewards?”

Vivian smiled at her.

“You still don’t understand.”

“Pure top-down rollout breeds resistance.”

“Rewards spark enthusiasm.”

“It’s like giving medals to top students at the academy—when people see hard work pays off, they’ll naturally put in effort.”

She paused.

“The three-field system and new tools need time to learn.”

“Incentives encourage villagers to experiment and compete in a healthy way.”

“In the end the whole territory benefits.”

“More grain means everyone eats well and the workshops get more workers—win-win.”

Lucia’s eyes widened in realization.

“So that’s how it works! I only ever knew war and training—I never imagined farming had so many tricks.”

Vivian touched her chin thoughtfully.

“Then how about we go to the countryside together this time with Bart?”

“Luna loved it last time and keeps talking about how fun the grass was.”

“You’ve never been either—come see the results of our reforms for yourself.”

Luna clapped excitedly.

“Yes yes yes!!”

Lucia looked at Luna’s sparkling eyes, remembered her endless chatter about the countryside, and felt curiosity bubble up.

“Alright. I want to see this place our little girl loves so much.”

“Then please help Luna pack a few changes of clothes and snacks.”

“We leave at dawn tomorrow.”

Seeing Lucia agree, Vivian nodded.

“No problem!”