Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

As Rain wondered about the situation, he began to suspect a connection between the ambush at the border and the ongoing conflict with the sea folk. Though he couldn't quite pinpoint it, a sense of unease suggested that these two events were somehow intertwined. Rain had a gut feeling that a hidden connection between two incidents existed for quite a while.

The group left the city again to the camp that Rain made and in there, they prepared to take all the information out of him in one way or the other… However, Branden stepped in and stopped them.

"Why, Rhodes?" Branden asked. "I chose you and the others because I thought that my enemies wouldn't be able to find any weaknesses in you all. You don't have a family, so they couldn't use that against you. I don't think that you all could have been bought with money only, so why?"

"My lord… I have no excuses," Rhodes said. "I accept my death."

"No, no, while death ends quickly, too fast, and we don't have time, it isn't the best option here," Rain said. "Torture can take too long, but it will also give us some information."

"I have nothing to say," Rhodes said with his head down as if he was waiting to be beheaded.

Too bad for him, for Rain didn't have a sword, while he could make a blade out of magic, Rain didn't have the luxury to spend that much mana on an opponent that wasn't planning on fighting.

Branden was caught in a difficult situation. The informant's betrayal left him in a dilemma. He couldn't ignore the argument that killing him wouldn't provide any valuable information. This issue left Branden in a bad spot.

Meanwhile, Seadir, Sirenus, and Coraline were on high alert. They sensed that they might have stumbled upon a lead connected to the sea folk kidnappings. Their growing determination to uncover the truth manifested in their increasing bloodlust.

"If he has no family and if money can't buy him, I guess the only explanation is a Lover," Rain said and then realized that Rhodes flinched a little. "I guess this is a jackpot. What do you think, Branden? He fell in love with someone else, and your enemies are using that against him, or he fell in love with someone that works for the enemy and lured him knowing that he works for you?"

"... It is hard to say," Branden furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm guessing both of them are highly plausible."

Informants and spies must navigate a delicate balance between earning the trust of their handlers or organizations while remaining loyal to their own interests or causes. This dual allegiance can be emotionally challenging and ethically complex, that was probably why Branden didn't want to kill Rhodes immediately.

The constant pressure of espionage work can lead to severe psychological stress. Fear, anxiety, and paranoia are common emotions experienced by those in the field. The risk of getting some mental health issues is substantial. With those in mind, it wouldn't be weird if spies and informants find solace in the arms of a lover. m _v,l-e _mp|y|r reader

Espionage is a world where betrayal is a constant threat. Informants may feel betrayed by their handlers or employers, while spies may face betrayal from within their own ranks. The high-stress nature of espionage work can lead to burnout. The constant need for secrecy, the pressure to produce results, and the risk to personal safety can take a toll on physical and mental well-being.

"I almost pity him for working in this line of work, but you didn't force him, did you?" Rain asked.

"Anyway, it seems that he is cooperating with those that caused that battle and probably wanted to start a war, his new friends also tried to stop us when we went to make that deliver to the magic people, I suspect that he is also working for those who contracted the assassin that tried to kill Lorene… What is the punishment for all those crimes?"

"Death, death, and death," Orcis replied in a cold tone. "His master of masters orchestrated the highest level of betrayal In this country… all those involved will either suffer capital punishment or be banned from the country if His Majesty finds himself in a good mood."

When Rhodes was informed about the severe consequences of betrayal, a wave of anxiety washed over him and he began to sweat cold. It wasn't just him who would suffer the consequences; anyone linked to his actions would also face a grim fate, with options boiling down to either death or exile.

This policy reminded Rain of a principle he had encountered back on Earth – the idea of addressing a problem at its source instead of trying to fix it after the damage is done.

Rain understands the reasoning behind such harsh measures. It made more sense to prevent potential threats from emerging by ensuring that those associated with the betrayers also paid a steep price. This approach aimed to nip any future problems in the bud by making it clear that even indirect involvement in betrayal would lead to severe repercussions.

"Do you understand, Rhodes?" Branden asked. "You and anyone who was seen with you will be paid for the betrayal. Do you want to die knowing that, or are you willing to cooperate?"

"... I will answer all of your questions," Rhodes said after a resigned sigh.

Rhodes disclosed a troubling turn of events. He explained that he had refrained from reaching out to anyone about his investigations but had received a disturbing letter instead. This letter delivered a gruesome ultimatum: halt his investigation into the city's lord or face a gruesome fate where both he and his lover's heads would explode violently.

This dangerous threat left Rain, Lorene, and Orcis contemplating the possibility that the same person who had tried to bury them earlier had somehow made contact with Rhodes without his knowledge.

The authenticity of this threat remained uncertain, though, and it was unclear whether it was a genuine danger or just a bluff. However, the timing of the threat was that dangerous. It coincided with the recent relocation of the city's ruler, suggesting that Rhodes had been under investigation for quite some time.