The next morning the sky hung gray over the city as if the weather itself sensed the tension between guilds. Evan walked through the intelligence room reviewing the night’s reports. The apprentices gathered quietly waiting for his signal. Lenar stood near the window clutching a cup of tea that had long gone cold.

Today Evan said we follow the conflicted operative. She is the thread that will reveal Iron Crest’s true intentions. Weak links always reveal more than strong ones.

The apprentices nodded. They remembered her from yesterday. A woman with slow steps and uncertain eyes. Someone who did not move with the conviction of her guild. Someone who hesitated before every decision.

They left the guild building and spread across the city. Evan positioned himself near the herbal district. The sharp eyed apprentice took a spot near the western avenue where Iron Crest members often passed. Lenar waited at a tea stall to blend into the crowd.

It did not take long. The conflicted operative appeared wearing a dark robe that blended with the morning shadows. She walked carefully as though afraid someone might be watching. She carried a small scroll case under her arm.

Evan whispered to the apprentices through subtle signals.
Follow but not too closely.
Watch her eyes not her feet.
Eyes reveal intent.

The operative visited a spice stall first. She spoke with the vendor politely. Evan observed from a distance reading the body language. She asked the vendor about the reliability of Silver Quill shipments. Was it true Silver Quill hired new guards Was it true that Silver Quill prices were rising too fast Was it true that the guild pressured suppliers into loyalty

Planting doubt Evan whispered. Classic reputation probing.

The vendor answered calmly. He mentioned the stability Silver Quill showed last night. Their presence. Their defense. Their consistency. Evan had prepared him the previous evening. The operative left unsatisfied.

She moved next toward a small metal shop. Evan stayed behind a stack of crates watching. She asked the same question pattern but the metal dealer laughed softly and said he trusted Silver Quill more than Iron Crest these days. She stiffened before forcing a polite smile.

Her confidence is breaking Evan murmured.

The operative then walked toward an isolated alley. She hesitated then entered. Evan signaled the apprentices to maintain distance. Inside the alley she met another Iron Crest member a coordinator. They spoke in sharp whispers.

You must move faster the coordinator said. The guild needs answers. Have they lost trust in Silver Quill or not

The operative’s shoulders slumped. I cannot tell she whispered. Their suppliers are steady. Their contracts look real. They show confidence.

The coordinator growled. The strategic head expects results today. If we cannot break their image then we must attack the merchants directly.

Attack merchants Evan mouthed silently. Not physically. Economically.

The coordinator continued. Spread word that Silver Quill has hidden debts. If suppliers think Silver Quill borrowed too much money they will abandon them. Debt rumors destroy guilds.

The operative nodded reluctantly though her face carried heavy doubt.

Evan stepped back letting her path unfold. She did not want to spread lies but she would follow orders. That made her the perfect link. She would execute the strategy incorrectly. She would reveal confusion inside Iron Crest.

When she left the alley Evan regrouped with the apprentices.

She will spread debt rumors Evan said. That is Iron Crest’s next move.

Lenar paled. Debt rumors spread fast. Even if false they can poison trust.

Evan placed a hand on the map. Then we prepare the counterattack. If they spread lies we reveal transparency. But not by shouting. By showing. Information must look natural or no one believes it.

He turned to the apprentices.

Prepare clean ledgers. Summaries. Contracts. Shipment logs. We present them quietly to key merchants. Calm clarity destroys panic.

One apprentice asked Should we call a meeting

No Evan said. Meetings look defensive. Strategy never defends directly. Instead share information during ordinary conversations. Make merchants feel like insiders. People trust what they discover themselves.

The apprentices nodded.

Lenar asked But what about the operative Should we stop her

Evan shook his head. No. Let her move. Let her spread the rumor. When the truth follows naturally people will realize Iron Crest lied. That damages their credibility far more than anything we could say.

He looked toward the direction she had gone.

Weak links do not destroy guilds Evan said softly. They reveal them.