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“When does the next examination start?”

Giada Bianchi checked her watch and clipboard alternately in response to my question.

“If we’re going by schedule, we should start right away, but since it’s late…”

About ten seconds passed as a crease formed on her forehead before she spoke up.

“It’s not one of those lengthy, important tests anyway, so let’s take a short break before we move.”

“Alright.”

—

**Episode 3 – A Fabulous Vacation**

The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is not just a research facility.

It’s a grand establishment that lives up to its name, being the largest research complex in the country. This institute develops core technologies and magic for all the equipment used by the military; it’s essentially a research hub.

It’s similar to how superpowers like the USA and the Soviet Union built small cities around missile and nuclear weapon research facilities during the Cold War.

Of course, countries like the UK, France, and China also operated similar facilities when it came to nuclear weapons. Most of them were shut down shortly after the Cold War ended, leaving only a handful remaining, which continue to churn out nuclear materials and various biochemical weapons.

It’s ironic that all permanent members of the UN Security Council are nuclear states responsible for world peace and safety, but well, that’s international politics for you.

Anyway, the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute was exactly the sort of secret research facility that evokes a Cold War vibe.

Though it was a bit more modest compared to a nuclear test site since the mountains had been hollowed out to make room for this building, aside from being hundreds of meters underground, it had everything.

“Wow. I didn’t know there was something like this here?”

“Is this your first time seeing a movie theater?”

“Is there even an opportunity in life to see a movie theater built under a mountain?”

“That’s a good point.”

Though the area wasn’t exceptionally large, there weren’t any technologies in this district that could construct a giant town beneath the mountains.

However, thanks to the development of magic that could utilize space more efficiently, such trivialities were easily resolved.

“This is the cultural center.”

“Wait, this was made using space magic…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

We arrived at the cultural center of the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute via tram.

As the name suggests, this space was created to ensure the cultural and leisurely pursuits of the research institute’s employees. Although small in scale, it was equipped with various facilities, including a movie theater, gym, auditorium, restaurants, and even a park.

This was made possible by the hefty investments in all sorts of magic.

“They say the tramway is also a space created through magic. In reality, it’s only wide enough for a person to pass through.”

“Wow… How do you know that, Colonel?”

I thought about saying I’ve seen the blueprints of the institute—

but saying that would likely get me accused of being a spy, so I just made up some excuse about hearing it somewhere.

The former earthling, now a magical girl from imported foreign species, Camila Lowell, looked on in amazement at the marvels of modern magical engineering.

“Is this a commercialized technology?”

“It has been commercialized, but…”

Unfortunately, magic in this world isn’t as advanced a field as you’d find in web novels or movies. The fact that the Magic Tower had only recently defeated the cult in a war that hadn’t even lasted a century underscores this point.

As I’ve reiterated before, the influence of religion is very strong in this area.

While we can’t ascertain whether gods truly exist, the existence of priests wielding the ‘Divine’ power creates an environment conducive to religious fervor. Usually referred to as faith, various religious organizations exert influence throughout society based on this belief.

Hence, although it’s not as rampant as in the past, there are still many religious figures who often interfere with policies and scientific research, citing “sacrilege.”

For instance, prohibiting the development of airplanes because “the sky is governed by the divine, and flying in it is going against the natural order.” Or banning genetic modification by claiming “altering the genes of creations touched by the divine is a challenge to God.”

Space magic was once banned due to concerns of it being misused in crimes during the tumultuous times of the Magic Tower and the cult.

While it’s currently being tacitly allowed for the sake of convenience, any reckless attempts at development could easily mark you as a heretic, so research is being conducted very cautiously under the state’s guidance.

Of course, explaining all the behind-the-scenes intricacies to a modern earthly girl would be far too complicated and headache-inducing. So, I just brushed it off by saying it’s expensive.

“It’s slow in development due to costs. Research funding doesn’t just fall from the sky, you know.”

“Just how expensive can it be…?”

“I don’t know the amount, but I heard from the Ministry of Finance that shutting down the facility and building above ground would be cheaper.”

“I see.”

Camila Lowell slapped her forehead.

“What a waste of tax money.”

—

Following Giada Bianchi’s guidance, we arrived at a convenience store located in the cultural center.

The convenience store was placed right at the very center of the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute, which was circularly designed.

It felt slightly eerie, having heard that the game company was a Russian enterprise.

For some reason, the layout seemed somewhat similar, and even the grass and trees planted for landscaping felt just like what I had seen in America.

“Hmm.”

While I was internally grappling with a strange sense of déjà vu, Giada Bianchi turned to us and asked.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Something sweet.”

“How about that?”

In response to Giada Bianchi’s question, Camila Lowell searched through the menu for a sweet drink, while I just picked some random coffee from the menu.

As the employee went to prepare the coffee, I stuck my hands in my pockets and strolled around idly.

“….”

The wide corridor, fittingly described as a street, was bustling with people in white lab coats and suits. Researchers munching on sandwiches for lunch after wrapping up a project, clerks walking by with cups of coffee in both hands, and people puffing smoke in a secluded smoking area.

All civilians.

“Uh, Manager. I’m just bringing the coffee over.”

“Yes, but it seems I won’t be able to take annual leave until this project is over… What? The project has been extended? Damn it.”

“Last time I wrongly fiddled with the flying magic spell and messed up my leg…”

“Why am I here as a newlywed…?”

Well, everyone seems to be managing well enough.

As I strolled slowly down the bustling corridor, I took in the world around me. Aside from being underground, the environment was not too shabby.

It was when I made my way close to the trash bin that I pulled my hand out from my inner pocket.

Then, I inserted the earpiece into my ear.

“…Can you hear me?”

-‘Loud and clear.’

The voice of the Sergeant came through the transmission. I guessed he was hiding among the crowd, as I couldn’t see him anywhere.

Camila Lowell was busy studying the menu, and Giada Bianchi was murmuring something beside her while I discreetly glanced at the passersby.

“The suspect is currently at the convenience store.”

-‘The suspect next to the counter. I can see him clearly.’

I didn’t see anyone acting suspicious, at least not to my eyes.

The problem was: there were too many civilians.

“There’s too many civilians here. What should we do?”

-‘If we expose civilians rashly and they catch on, the operation might fall apart. The Team Leader hasn’t given any instructions, and since this operation isn’t being conducted here, we have no reason to introduce anyone.’

Well, that certainly makes sense.

“…What about above ground?”

Camila Lowell folded the menu and stood up, while Giada Bianchi started to glance around from her seat.

I turned my head away before our eyes met.

-‘…Six minutes ago, the Captain passed the checkpoint. He should have joined by now.’

“Can we find out when he’s coming down?”

-‘It’s impossible to track in real-time. At least not until he passes the checkpoint.’

How fantastic. Conducting operations underground is already a pain, and we have no backup communications, satellites, or reconnaissance aircraft.

This is precisely why I don’t donate to the church. Those filthy religious folks.

“What about the support team?”

-‘I’ve gathered remaining personnel and equipment underground and have them on standby.’

Fortunately, there were agents ready to back me up. They were originally scheduled to join when the operation started.

Indeed, as I looked carefully, familiar faces mixed with the crowd, not that I recognized them all. A right-handed man reading a newspaper at a corner table near the convenience store, his left jacket pocket hanging as if he had stashed a firearm inside.

A woman leaning against the wall while holding a sandwich about twenty steps behind. She had the sandwich in her right hand, so judging by the wall she was leaning against, she appeared to be left-handed.

Additionally, there were people smoking, reading books, and waiting beside the order counter. At least five counterintelligence agents were congregating in this small space.

-‘Your coffee order is coming up. You should leave now.’

“I’ll assess the situation and get back to you.”

I cut off the communication and shoved the earpiece back into my inner pocket.

Before heading back, I drew the pistol tucked into the back of my pants and racked the slide.

-Click!

The slide moved forward, loading a round into the chamber.

The firearm was ready.

The operation begins.

 

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