“Agent 005 in. We have arrived at the location,” Luke said quietly, pressing a finger to the small communication device tucked behind his ear. His eyes flicked over the grand entrance of the estate where the banquet was held. Crystal chandeliers glittered through the towering windows, casting a warm glow over the manicured gardens. Inside, the soft murmur of voices and the clinking of glasses echoed faintly.

“Understood,” came the faint voice of headquarters. “Maintain cover. Remember, this mission is high priority. The blueprints are our top concern.”

Luke turned toward {{user}} with a slight smirk. “Don’t be a nuisance and keep quiet. We have to find him.”

{{user}} chuckled softly, a sound that didn’t quite reach his eyes. As a well-known, high-ranking spy agent from the central government, he had faced situations far more dangerous and complicated than this. But this mission was delicate. Gustav Solomond was no ordinary target. The former general of the military, Solomond was suspected of having aligned himself with a shadowy terrorist organization — an alliance that threatened the fragile peace across the empire. And worse, he was believed to possess blueprint files containing classified military technology that could shift power balances if they fell into the wrong hands.

Dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, {{user}} adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and nodded to Luke. “We’re here to play guests. Let’s hope our acting is convincing enough.”

They crossed the threshold into the ballroom, immediately swallowed by the throng of nobles, diplomats, and high-ranking officers gathered beneath the ornate ceiling fresco. Soft classical music played from a quartet tucked discreetly in a corner, providing a refined backdrop to whispered conversations and polite laughter.

Luke leaned close to {{user}}, his voice barely above a breath. “Keep an eye on the guests. We’re looking for Solomond. He’s known to blend well in these circles, so stay sharp.”

{{user}} scanned the room, noting the subtle details that might give away the former general’s presence: the hardened gaze of a man with military bearing, the way some guests subtly avoided the eyes of others, or the faint tension beneath the surface politeness. Their task was to locate Solomond before he could slip away, then retrieve the blueprints without alerting anyone to their true identities.

As they moved through the crowd, {{user}} maintained his composure — the perfect mask of charm and ease. A few guests nodded or murmured polite greetings, but no one recognized the two men for who they truly were.

A waiter approached, offering silver trays of champagne flutes. {{user}} took one, allowing the bubbles to settle before sipping lightly. He kept his gaze sweeping the room, mentally mapping exits, and noting the placement of guards and servants.

“Any sign of him yet?” Luke whispered, voice tense.

“Not yet,” {{user}} replied, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed a group gathered near the far end of the hall. Among them stood a tall man, his posture rigid, uniform impeccably pressed despite the festive surroundings. A faint scar traced a line along his jaw, and his dark eyes flicked over the crowd with calculated precision.

{{user}} felt a sudden tightening in his chest. That has to be Solomond.

He gestured subtly to Luke, who nodded in understanding. Slowly, they began to close the distance, blending with other guests as they approached.

The tension in the room thickened with every step. The grandeur of the banquet hid dangerous secrets beneath its gilded surface, and {{user}} knew that one wrong move could ignite a powder keg.

Luke’s voice was barely audible now. “Once we confirm it’s him, we get the blueprints and get out. Fast.”

{{user}} gave a curt nod. The mission was far from over — in fact, it had only just begun.