Nick disguised himself as a random human and flew towards Aegis' headquarters.
While Death knew about part of his abilities and his identity as Julian Winter, it didn't know about Nick's ability to disguise himself.
As long as he flew around as a normal human, it wouldn't suspect him.
Nick identified himself with his Barrier as a special Agent, which gave him entry to the headquarters.
Luckily, Death didn't have access to Aegis' network.
As soon as Nick entered the headquarters, he entered the research and development department.
Nick gained access to the Technician's office with his Barrier, and as soon as he entered, the Technician raised a brow.
He knew about Nick's disguise ability, but that was not the issue.
The fact that Nick casually entered the office while being disguised was very suspicious.
"It's me, Julian Winter," Nick told the Technician.
As soon as Nick said that, the Technician understood what Nick was doing.
"I thought so, based on the signature of the Barrier," the Technician said. "I'm just surprised at your appearance."
Nick was planning on going public with his disguise ability.
Well, not completely public, but more public than before.
"I have gained this ability after my advancement," Nick said.
"You're a Fallen now?" the Technician asked in surprise.
"However, there is a problem that has cropped up," Nick said. "Champion, are you listening?"
"I am now," the Champion transmitted to the Technician and Nick.
Naturally, Nick could tell that the Champion had been watching him ever since he entered the Technician's office.
"There is an issue," Nick said.
"What issue?" the Champion asked.
"My sources tell me that Death and the Trio of Destruction have gotten wind of my existence," Nick said.
"I mean, that's to be expected," the Technician commented."You've done quite a lot of stuff recently."
"No, I mean that they know I am a Specter and that I have advanced perception abilities. They know specific details about me."
The Technician narrowed his eyes.
That was problematic.
"How do you know that?" the Champion asked.
"Excuse me, but I have to keep my sources hidden," Nick answered. "I can only tell you that I know that Death now knows about me. I am lucky that I didn't return before becoming a Fallen. I knew that the ability to disguise myself would prove useful, but I wouldn't have expected it to be this useful this soon."
Naturally, the Champion wasn't happy that Nick wouldn't unveil his sources, but he had earned the privilege of privacy.
Nick had contributed so much to Aegis.
"Technician," Nick said, looking at the Technician. "You have known about my abilities for the longest. If it were you, Death would have killed me way earlier. You are clear."
"Clear?" the Technician repeated. "You think there's a traitor?"
Nick nodded. "I am sure there is, and while I don't know the masked identity of the traitor, I know who they are."
Up in his office, the Champion also narrowed his eyes. "You're saying Greed is part of Aegis' leadership?"
Nick nodded. "Greed is a Specter, and it wants to become stronger. And yet, we have never seen even a single city controlled by it. It is not feeding on normal humans but on Aegis."
"I am certain that Greed is either among the Peak Protectors or the Shields."
"What makes you say that?" the Champion asked.
"The timing of my cover being blown," Nick said. "It happened within the last thirty years. That means it happened sometime after the big battle."
"The Technician, the Wall, the Politician, and you, Champion, knew about me much earlier. If you were Greed, Death would have already killed me. I'm simply causing too much damage, and no kind of scheme or plan is worth the resources sacrificed by letting me stay alive."
"Greed knows that,and it would have told Death about me way earlier."
"That is, if it knew about me earlier, which it didn't."
"During the battle against Gluttony, I revealed my secret to the ten Peak Protectors. Aside from them, there were also new Shields that came to power. I would assume that you told the new Shields about me."
"Naturally," the Champion asked. "We are one unit."
"How much did you tell them?" Nick asked.
"I don't believe you are in the place to ask me about how I talk with my coworkers," the Champion said with a dark voice.
"I am trying to help," Nick answered. "Aegis is my partner. I was responsible for the deaths of three Corruptors, and that number will increase as long as I stay alive."
"I am not questioning you. I am trying to find Greed. You are free to deny your share of information if you believe that it is breaking your confidentiality but understand that my contributions will inevitably lessen. I need to stay alive to help."
"If you share my ability to disguise myself, the next time I appear in this building will be the day of my death."
The Champion remained silent for a couple of seconds.
"I think we should help Julian," the Technician said. "He has proven invaluable. A threat to him is equal to a threat to one of our Shields. Maybe even more. After all, we can replace Shields, but we can't replace Julian."
"If we like it or not, Aegis' success is significantly linked to Julian's survival."
The Champion remained silent, and Nick understood why.
'He's insecure,' Nick thought. 'Admitting that there is a traitor in Aegis' leadership means that he made an error in his judgment. It's even worse if it's a Shield. The Champion is the one who decides who is allowed to become a Shield. That means every Shield has his approval.'
'Admitting that there is a traitor amongst them means admitting that he made an error in his judgment.'
The Champion remained silent.
"About 25 years ago,I briefed the new Shields on our operations against the Corruptors," the Champion said. "The newer Shields wanted to strike as soon as possible, and I had to give them a reason why we can't strike the Corruptors yet."
"I told them that we need Julian to strike them."
"Naturally, I told them about you since it was necessary. Otherwise, they would have launched a solo operation."
The author's . If he gets more than 1000€ per month, he will increase the number of words in the chapter.