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I wandered around the containers stacked on the Magic Tower platform with Veronica.

Fresh produce. Machine parts. Snacks. Herbs. Chemicals. Luxury goods.

I saw countless smuggled items there.

“Hmm…”

And even drugs.

“Colonel, are you okay?”

“My tongue feels numb. Is there no water?”

“There’s seawater over there.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

—

Episode 6 – The All-Knowing Spy Perspective

In reality, tasting a little drug doesn’t make one high.

The characteristic of drugs is their intensely bitter and sour taste that can numb the tongue.

The National Intelligence Service and the police sample drugs during detection training (also called drug specialization training) by tasting small amounts; if they actually got high, they wouldn’t be asking for more.

So I wouldn’t get in trouble for tasting a bit of drugs. When I was dispatched to North Africa or the Middle East, I had tried cocaine a few times with my fingers, and it had no effect then either.

Honestly, licking Veronica’s finger was more unsanitary than inhaling a small amount of drugs.

“You’re keeping your fingers clean, right?”

“I wash them daily with holy water.”

“That’s quite an extravagant habit.”

I leaned silently against the car, gazing at the horizon.

Smuggling. Drugs. Oracle. Slush funds. Secretariat. Economic Management Department. Alchemist. Private Enterprise. National Security Agency. Veronica.

It seemed like something was about to connect, yet there was an unsettling sense of disconnection.

“…….”

As I sank into my thoughts, Veronica approached me and asked,

“So, what are we going to do now?”

—

“Under no circumstances should our government’s name be mentioned. Absolutely.”

The minister spoke with a firm voice.

Though his pronunciation was slightly slurred, the low tone made every word pierce through my eardrums and embed itself in my mind.

The Military Intelligence Agency Chief nodded, and the Royal Intelligence Department Chief flicked cigarette ash into the ashtray before replying.

“Understood, Minister of Finance.”

“Thank you for understanding. Information Chief and Intelligence Agency Chief.”

No matter how powerful the intelligence agency was, the Ministry of Finance was not an entity to be easily trifled with.

A department that manages a country’s economy, adjusts budgets, and collects taxes has always been the strongest organization throughout history. Besides, the intelligence agency was in a position to receive money (budget) from the Ministry of Finance.

Moreover, Minister Abas of the Ministry of Finance was a strong contender for the Prime Minister’s political successor alongside other party representatives.

In other words, if the Prime Minister failed to be re-elected, the Minister of Finance was one of the two individuals most likely to win the next prime ministerial position. To put it directly, he was the most powerful figure in the room closest to the presidency.

Of course, even such a powerful figure couldn’t act recklessly in situations like this.

After all, it was in front of the Prime Minister.

“Have all three of you finished your discussions?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

The Prime Minister smiled warmly and picked up his coffee cup.

“Our Minister of Finance always has a long introduction; don’t you think that’s a problem? Isn’t that right, Minister of Foreign Affairs? Haha!”

As always, the Minister of Foreign Affairs laughed off the Prime Minister’s joke. The Prime Minister always behaved this way, whether in public or private, so no one paid much attention to his jokes. It was the same for Colonel Clevenz of the Military Intelligence Agency’s Counterintelligence Division.

“Oh, Clevenz! Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“You’ve done a great job with the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute. The Magic Tower construction as well. I’m pleased with how well the Military Intelligence Agency is performing, don’t you think, Information Chief?”

The Royal Intelligence Department Chief, sitting on the sofa, nodded.

Rather than appearing arrogant, he seemed too exhausted to speak, merely giving a nod. In fact, the Royal Intelligence Department Chief was older and on the verge of retirement, looking utterly worn out.

It seemed that the upcoming operation was keeping him up at night, Clevenz thought.

“Alright then. So what’s the conclusion?”

“It seems we’ll proceed with a joint operation. The Royal Intelligence Department, Military Intelligence Agency, Cabinet Security Office, and Special Investigation Bureau. Along with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Magic Department working together.”

“Ugh! Just hearing that sounds dreadful. Just thinking about all the paperwork piling up in the corridors of this residence makes me wonder if I should just sleep now.”

The Prime Minister expressed his intention to continue speaking with a gesture, accompanied by humor.

The Royal Intelligence Department Chief nodded and continued speaking.

“This operation is a considerable burden for our government. Analysts predict that regardless of whether the operation succeeds or fails, it will have significant ramifications for the entire nation, including the economy and foreign relations. There will certainly be considerable damage to international relations and national security, including cooperation with our allies.”

“Sounds like a headache from the morning. Can’t you just say it briefly?”

“It’s a problem whether we succeed or fail, Prime Minister.”

Damn it.

The Prime Minister muttered a light curse while holding a sandwich filled with fresh lobster meat.

“Then, if we move together with our allies, can we mitigate the shock?”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs answered that question.

“Of course, Prime Minister. It’s entirely possible.”

“Is that so? Then let’s proceed as per the report from the Military Intelligence Agency and make contact with Patalia. Cautiously, of course.”

“I’ll arrange a meeting with Ambassador Patalia.”

“Great. Can the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance take a moment to set the stage?”

With the official permission, the two ministers packed their things and left the residence. The Prime Minister turned to face the Royal Intelligence Department Chief, the Military Intelligence Agency Chief, and the Military Intelligence Agency Counterintelligence Chief who remained.

Holding a sandwich and coffee, the Prime Minister suddenly blurted out.

“What is the Major at the Magic Tower up to?”

“He’s doing just fine without any incidents. His identity cover is still valid, and the local counterintelligence agencies or hostile intelligence organizations have not detected his activities.”

“Oh, Chief. That’s not what I’m asking.”

Thud. A few files dropped onto the side table.

They were brown files marked with red letters indicating classified status.

Both the Military Intelligence Agency Chief and Clevenz were aware of what those files contained. They were documents produced by the Military Intelligence Agency, after all.

“I understand that the Major isn’t participating in this operation. But the reports he’s sending make it seem like he’s involved in some way. I’d appreciate it if you could be honest with me….”

“…….”

“…Did you perhaps include him in the operation?”

The Military Intelligence Agency Chief shook his head.

“Prime Minister, this operation is overseen by the Royal Intelligence Department, and all discretion belongs to them. Even if the Military Intelligence Agency were to deploy the officer you mentioned, we would need the Royal Intelligence Department’s consent. Naturally, your final approval as Prime Minister would also be required.”

“Then, is there a chance that any information has leaked, or was there any hint dropped?”

“…….”

At the Prime Minister’s question, the Chief quietly directed his gaze at the Counterintelligence Chief.

However, Clevenz remained composed and shook his head silently. The Chief then spoke.

“No, absolutely not. Security is being maintained perfectly. It’s practically impossible for an officer deployed in the field—not at headquarters—to perceive any information unrelated to their duties.”

“Damn. So, what happened then? You can’t be suggesting it was merely a stroke of luck that they figured it out?”

The Prime Minister chuckled awkwardly and glanced at the Royal Intelligence Department Chief, who shook his head in response.

“Whether it’s luck or not, at least no one from the Royal Intelligence Department or the Military Intelligence Agency transmitted information to the operative. There’s been no contact, nor are there any records of searches related to this operation in the internal network or of any intelligence documents being accessed.”

“Is that really true?”

“I found one related document, but it wasn’t significantly important.”

“If that’s the case, it’s hard to believe.”

The Prime Minister turned to the Royal Intelligence Department Chief.

“So, what are we going to do?”

The Royal Intelligence Department Chief returned the question to the Prime Minister.

“What do you want to do?”

“Selfishly speaking, I think it would be good to involve the Major in the operation.”

The Military Intelligence Agency Chief interjected into the conversation.

He frowned slightly and spoke in a cautious tone.

“I’m sorry, Prime Minister. The 73rd Task Force is still in the pilot program stage.”

“Oh, Chief. Please say it in a way that I can understand.”

“It means it’s in the testing phase. The 73rd Task Force is undergoing procedures to verify its political, diplomatic, and military utility.”

“Hasn’t that testing phase already been completed? I think its utility has been sufficiently proven.”

“Prime Minister, evaluations don’t conclude after just one or two trials.”

“…Is that so?”

The Prime Minister paused, briefly checked his watch, and began to gather his coffee cup and sandwich-laden plate as he stood up. The time was approaching 9:00 sharp.

“It’s time for work. Let’s put a pin in this discussion for now, everyone can head back.”

“Understood, Prime Minister.”

“…Ah. And.”

Dragging his indoor slippers that peeked out from under his pajama pants, the Prime Minister spoke.

“Who was it that was in charge of this operation?”

*

“…….”

“Why are you here again, Director?”

Leoni sat across from me, looking at me with an impassive expression. It was hard to tell whether she was simply expressionless or not focusing on the conversation. The seasoned Information Officer was difficult to read.

“Weren’t you here to say something? Go ahead and speak quickly.”

“Have you been causing any trouble lately?”

 

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