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“Actually, this return wasn’t just a simple debriefing.”

It was because I had a vacation.

I planned to visit the hospital for a check-up on my gunshot wound, run some personal errands, maybe do a little shopping, and, while at it, buy some supplies needed for Camila’s training, gather information about the next deployment area, and find out the whereabouts of my two colleagues. Or I could head back to my family’s home after three years to see their faces, among other things.

I didn’t know how long my leave would last, but I was thinking of taking some time off from being an operative.

After all, I’m human, and I can’t just live working all the time, right?

So, with a slightly excited heart, I was packing my bags when…

A problem arose.

– “The Inspection Office is conducting a background check on you, Colonel. Did you know this? No, more importantly, what do we do now?”

“……”

– “Colonel?”

That was a very big problem.

—

Episode 8 – Say Hello To My Little Friend

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If you were to choose the most powerful departments within the Information Agency, certain ones would definitely come to mind.

Planning, Personnel, General Affairs, Finance, Legal Affairs, and Inspection.

Among them, Inspection holds unparalleled authority. Due to the sensitive nature of information handled by the agency, it is difficult to undergo external audits, so every agency has an internal audit department— that’s the Inspection Office.

The duties of the Inspection Department include counterintelligence and internal audits.

They investigate everything from minor violations of internal regulations to serious issues like leakage of confidential information, exposing and punishing unethical behaviors like corruption, unauthorized economic activities, or even affairs. The targets of inspection encompass all employees working at the Information Agency, from low-ranking clerks to those who have served for decades.

The important thing is that the Inspection Department possesses disciplinary authority.

At this point, I instinctively sensed that I was screwed.

No matter the reason behind it, merely being inspected would negatively impact my performance evaluation.

Just receiving a ‘warning’ or ‘caution’ would get recorded in my personal assessment record, and even the lightest punishment, a ‘reprimand,’ would mean I couldn’t receive any performance bonuses for an entire year. If I faced consequences like ‘suspension’ or ‘demotion,’ I wouldn’t be able to progress in rank.

If I were to receive any of the severe penalties such as ‘dismissal,’ ‘termination,’ ‘demotion,’ or ‘suspension’? Well, that would mean the end of my military career. Most people who receive severe penalties are deemed unsuitable for active service in a suitability evaluation and get discharged. This isn’t just a formality; it’s a recommendation to leave if you want to at least secure your retirement pay.

That the Inspection Office, wielding such absolute power, was conducting a background check on me while I was returning home for debriefing? I couldn’t tell if this was coincidental or inevitable.

First, I needed to assess the situation.

There was still some time left until my return date, but I had to go to the intelligence office and find out what was happening. Since Clevenz had been in the Inspection Office before becoming the head of counterintelligence, he might know something.

So, the moment the sun rose, I headed towards the Warp Gate to Abas with the mindset of a death-row inmate waiting for execution.

“……”

And the moment I stepped out of the gate, I encountered some suit-wearing gentlemen I had never seen before.

“Frederick Nostrim?”

“Yes, that’s me. But who…?”

“We’re from the company. Let’s go together.”

—

At first, I thought they were there to apprehend me for the Inspection Office.

After all, the only ones who’d come to meet me a few days earlier than my scheduled return were from the Inspection Office.

But that wasn’t the case.

“Oh, you’ve arrived?”

Guided by the company employees, I found my way to an office, where I met Clevenz.

He had a very pleased expression on his face as we reunited after several months.

“It’s good to see your face again after such a long time. Ha ha.”

“…Director?”

“First, take a seat. You just came back and haven’t adjusted to the time difference, so let’s have some tea and catch your breath for a moment.”

Clevenz, who had been working at his desk, stood up and offered me a seat. He had his newly appointed advisor bring out some tea.

While I was glad to see Clevenz after a few months, I felt a bit frazzled after hearing the news about the Inspection Office tracking me down, so I sat on the sofa with a distracted mind.

As the advisor brought in refreshments, Clevenz, occupying the prominent seat, spoke in a soft voice.

“So, after three years abroad, how was it? Did you manage to enjoy your time at the Magic Tower?”

“Oh, yes. It was manageable.”

“I’m relieved to hear you adapted well. More importantly, how’s your injury? You got shot, right?”

As I touched the area of my gunshot wound, which I had almost forgotten about, I replied that it was fine.

Clevenz, pondering something for a moment, nodded.

“While it may not be a serious injury, you should check in at the hospital. If you explain the situation to the General Affairs Office, they’ll cover the treatment costs. Since it was a work-related injury, you’ll probably receive ample compensation. You might even get a discount if you go to the military hospital.”

“No matter how you put it, though, the military hospital is…”

“Well, it’s understandable. You can’t really trust the military doctors too much. Unless they’re priests, of course.”

In this area, the military hospital wasn’t exactly the most reliable place.

Clevenz chuckled as if acknowledging the validity of my argument, tossing a few sugar cubes into his teacup.

“So, what brings you back so quickly? Did something happen? I did send staff after hearing you’d left the Magic Tower.”

“Ah, that’s the thing…”

I decided to unload my concerns, filled with complicated feelings.

It felt a bit like a child trying to hide a stick after doing something wrong, but at this moment, Clevenz was the only one who could help me.

“I received a message from Jake saying that the Inspection Office is conducting a background check on me. What on earth is going on? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Clevenz, who had been chuckling, murmured with a puzzled expression.

“Background check?”

“It’s an investigation. The Inspection Office is looking into me.”

“I thought you’d done something. Anyway, don’t use slang like that. Why is today’s lingo so complicated…?”

Clevenz suddenly blurted out some oddities about feeling old and out of touch with the times.

This slang was something even the executives at headquarters used.

Anyway, even at this very moment, the Inspection Office was likely having a field day digging into my background, so I started pouring my words out to Clevenz.

“…Hmm.”

After a while of listening, Clevenz finally spoke with a bored expression.

“Well, I understand what you mean. You seem a bit overwhelmed, so why don’t we go outside for some fresh air and continue this conversation?”

—

The view of the capital from the rooftop of the Military Intelligence Agency was truly beautiful. It even reminded me of the night view of Banpo-dong I had seen from the top of the headquarters building long ago, across the Han River towards Yongsan.

We quietly shared a conversation against the backdrop of the beautiful scenery of the capital.

Of course, while the scenery was nice, the content of our dialogue wasn’t particularly uplifting.

“So, the Inspection Office is conducting a background check on you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Clevenz nodded gravely while gazing at the capital.

“Do you remember what I told you? There’s a little backstory you might not be aware of.”

“I remember.”

“The Inspection Office looking into you is related to that. It’s probably best not to know the details. However, I doubt this inspection will bring you any harm.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ah, why is it that youngsters are so curious? Sometimes ignorance is bliss, you know.”

Clevenz responded, his expression somewhere between vague and mysterious. It was evident that he was hiding something from me.

“It’s frustrating, that’s why! It’s genuinely frustrating.”

“Even if it’s frustrating, ignorance is sometimes best.”

“How can I just sleep easy knowing the Inspection Office is digging through my past?”

As someone who wouldn’t typically display irritation, I raised my voice in frustration.

However, Clevenz didn’t reprimand me.

Today, he just stared at the incredibly clear sky of Abas, clicking his tongue in discontent.

“Do you really have to know all the details to feel good about it?”

“Yes.”

“Sigh… You really are a stubborn one.”

Clevenz, instead of giving me a proper response about the information I was after, sat down heavily, sounding somewhat resigned.

He slumped down one side of the rooftop and began reminiscing about the past.

“Did you ever have someone tail you while you were with the Cult?”

“The Cult? Oh, you mean during my time with the Inquisition?”

It didn’t even feel that long ago.

When I was first dispatched to the Cult, chosen as a hero’s companion, a bombing had occurred, and I had gone to see the Inquisition.

Whether it was a radical group’s terrorism or an assassination attempt by the Information Agency, the local counterintelligence agency likely knew something. Ultimately, that judgment had been correct.

But,

While leaving the embassy for the Inquisition, I had been followed. I had managed to lose them and reported it formally, but to this day, I still didn’t know who it was.

Clevenz mentioned the situation from that time.

“Our agents, dispatched to the embassy, identified the ones tailing you. It turned out to be an information officer from the Intelligence Agency working as an administrative staff member at the Lushan Federal Kingdom embassy.”

“The Intelligence Agency?”

The Intelligence Agency was the national intelligence body of the southern Lushan Federal Kingdom, adjacent to the Mauritania Continent.

While geographically, the Lushan Federal Kingdom is located near the likes of Abas, the Kien Empire, and Patalia, in terms of culture and history, it has deeper ties with the Mauritania Continent. You could compare it to how Turkey sits at the crossroads of the Balkans and Europe but still has deep links with the Middle East.

Moreover, the Lushan Federal Kingdom even has a different mainstream religion, making it frequently at odds with the Cult. Those crazy religious fanatics.

But they were the ones who had been following me?

“Lushan is an ally, isn’t it?”

“They are, but they aren’t a staunch ally like Patalia with Abas. Their diplomatic paths, culture, political systems, ideologies, and even religions differ.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

I trailed off as I compiled the information Clevenz had shared.

The Lushan Federal Kingdom was not a steadfast ally of Abas like Turkey, which had to balance between the First World (Free World) and the Second World (Communist-Socialist World).

On the surface, they claimed to have a presidential system, but in reality, it operated under an absolute monarchy where the ruler of the strongest kingdom among the federation of principalities continued to inherit the throne, gaining considerable advantages from democratic Abas and dictatorial Kien Empire.

Because of this political and diplomatic landscape, just like how Istanbul, once the capital of Turkey, served as a hotspot for Western intelligence operations against the Communist bloc while also being a key location for Eastern intelligence operations against the West, the Lushan Federal Kingdom was also a place where espionage activity was quite active.

So, it made sense that an intelligence officer disguised as an administrative staff member at the embassy had been tailing me.

Wait.

An administrative staff member at the embassy?

Something felt off.

“……”

When intelligence agencies typically conduct foreign intelligence gathering and overseas operations, they often use their own diplomatic missions. Even with thorough monitoring, embassies are the easiest places to infiltrate.

There were times in the past when North Korean agents had utilized embassies and consulates in Eastern Europe and Africa for operations against the U.S., and notably, the East German embassy in East Berlin had also carried out operations against the South.

However, infiltrating through diplomatic missions is burdensome for intelligence agencies as well.

The core of all intelligence activities is plausible deniability. It’s crucial to obscure the backers of such operations. But if a diplomat working at an embassy were to get caught engaging in espionage, it would inevitably lead to a diplomatic disaster.

Thus, covert agents pretending to work in embassies invariably disguise themselves as diplomats protected under the Vienna Convention. Diplomats have immunity from arrest, after all. Agents of intelligence agencies refer to such individuals as “whites” or official cover agents.

Calls.

But if I infiltrate under an official disguise, problems arise. The counterintelligence agency isn’t filled with fools; they have no reason not to mark someone who clearly looks like a spy. Thus, when infiltrating under an official disguise, most are relegated to managing local information networks and information officers from a desk rather than doing fieldwork. That may be acceptable in a resource-scarce third world country, but it’s not beneficial for diplomats to be running around and getting caught.

For those official disguise information officers who can’t move freely, there are those who operate in the shadows: black, unofficial disguise information officers.

These information officers lack the protective benefits of diplomatic agreements, but they enjoy greater freedom of movement. However, they must be prepared to face arrest, torture, or even death.

These unofficial disguises often masquerade as civilians like businessmen or journalists, but if an infiltration angle isn’t viable, they might instead slip in as lower-level administrative personnel or laborers within the local diplomatic mission.

Administrative/labor personnel aren’t protected under the Vienna Convention, making identification and background checks difficult. Plus, since they are part of their own embassy, the chances of successful infiltration are higher. This method is frequently employed by the CIA when conducting operations in the heart of the Soviet Union.

“Since the Lushan Federal Kingdom has a complicated relationship with the cult, the high cult’s maneuvers primarily utilize diplomatic missions.”

“I didn’t realize unofficial disguises were in play. I thought it was the Empire.”

“Did you think your ally would just turn a blind eye? This field doesn’t exactly have a culture of leniency…”

The Counterintelligence Chief of the Military Intelligence Agency muttered a casual joke.

“In fact, besides those you mentioned, there were many others investigating you. Of course, the Empire was watching, but the Inquisition and National Security Agency were also keeping tabs on you. Yet, somehow, you managed to slip through unscathed.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Do you want to be insulted instead?”

“No. After all the hardship, I’d prefer not to be insulted…”

“Anyway, even if I told you to act like an investigator, you’d just brush it off and make things difficult for yourself…”

Clevenz grumbled, recalling the long-forgotten occasion when I’d declined the position of investigator in the Military Intelligence Agency and applied for an overseas operative role.

I thought he’d forgotten about that event six years ago. I don’t know why his memory is so sharp. Regardless, he is a truly unpredictable old man.

Clevenz then revealed bits and pieces regarding my overseas assignments.

He mentioned that they had arrested agents from a certain country who were eavesdropping on me along with the local counterintelligence agency, or how they had traced an information officer’s identity and dismantled the intel network he managed. All of it was news to me.

And it was also something I had neither needed to know nor should have known.

“Why are you telling me this? Isn’t it against regulations for someone without clearance to leak this kind of sensitive information? I’m under scrutiny right now.”

“Weren’t you the one who asked to know?”

He shot back, saying it was you who asked for the red pill remedy.

What I actually wanted to know was the reason behind the scrutiny, not this information. Was the red pill given to me mistakenly?

While I contemplated this, Clevenz clicked his tongue and continued speaking.

“You’ve been under surveillance by several intelligence agencies over the past few months, regardless of ally or enemy. It’s the Inspection Office that’s investigating you.”

“If it’s a security clearance issue, then there shouldn’t be a need for the Inspection Office to get involved. Other employees have also been monitored overseas—”

“Do you think the Imperial Guard HQ wouldn’t keep watching just because you returned home?”

I was at a loss for words for a moment.

Clevenz spoke with a face that showed no sign of change.

“About a month ago, the Empire’s intelligence agency approached people around you. And that was within Abbas.”

“…Who did they approach?”

“Family, relatives, military academy colleagues, junior and senior officers from your field days, even teachers from school, and names of classmates who barely registered while passing through the Academy—all of them. Coordination with related agencies is being carried out, and the Inspection Office is conducting comprehensive checks.”

“…….”

“I did say it might be better not to know.”

This was precisely why.

*

“Do you remember the informant I mentioned last time? The defector from the Empire’s embassy.”

“Yes. I remember that you had bribed him.”

“He has two dependent children but was on the verge of being fired, so I smoothed things over with cash. A few months ago, before he repatriated, the last piece of intel he passed was that the Empire is conducting background checks on you.”

“Who is spearheading this? The Imperial Guard HQ?”

“The large-scale spy hunt after their overseas intelligence network was partially dismantled by the Imperial Guard HQ left a vacuum that other agencies filled. Our organization currently suspects the military. It’s likely the Reconnaissance Command. However, there’s no physical proof, only strong suspicion.”

“I saw the Reconnaissance Command at the Magic Tower. If they are approaching family members, they must have deeply infiltrated. How could that even be possible?”

“They’re the Empire; they can pull off things like that. You’ve spent more time abroad than I have, and you should understand that better than anyone. Regardless, we tried to capture the spies lurking around you with the help of a double agent. Although it failed.”

“Failed? Did we miss them?”

“We had them pinned down, but those crafty rats managed to escape. Although we moved the military police to chase down the spies trying to flee to the harbor with support from headquarter staff and local counterintelligence operations, we still couldn’t capture them.”

“What went wrong?”

“The spies opened fire first, resulting in a firefight. All the escaping spies were killed, and the vessel we suspected as a transportation route managed to slip away into international waters. We are currently trying to locate the port at which the spy vessel docked through overseas channels.”

“…How much information has leaked?”

“Considering we struck before their network had time to establish roots, it’s safe to say no sensitive information has gotten out. Your guise remains intact. However, should other nations besides the Empire start surveilling you, or if the Empire’s intelligence agencies tighten their security protocols and operate with extra caution, then I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“…Is there any risk to my family?”

“Fortunately, they are unharmed. The police are currently protecting them, so you needn’t worry.”

“What about the other employees? Pippin or Jake? Or anyone else associated with me?”

“There are no issues with the employees. However, we cannot ensure the safety of every single person related to you.”

“Why not?”

“Too many.”

“…….”

“We can’t protect every single person you’ve interacted with over the past 28 years. There just aren’t enough personnel or funds for that. Even if we tried to safeguard all those people, there’s no guarantee we wouldn’t leave gaps for something to get through. You know this better than I do since it’s your specialty.”

“…I suppose not.”

“What else can I say? That’s the reality. All resources are limited, and we must allocate them appropriately. In that context, your scrutiny is not so different.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We cannot maintain your disguise indefinitely. Eventually, there will be a limit. The intelligence agency is preparing for when that limit is reached.”

“…So you’re saying if my identity is exposed, I could face diplomatic expulsion as an official diplomat according to international agreements?”

“Exactly. However, that in itself wouldn’t completely protect you from intelligence agencies or third-party forces. To put it bluntly, if someone decides to view you as a threat and eliminate you, can we prevent that scenario in advance?”

“If news of my scrutiny were to leak, the intelligence agencies would see it as leverage to manipulate.”

“It’s not unheard of for employees who have suffered disadvantages at the company to defect and become double agents. You’re aware of this too, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Then we can get to the point. You’ll be undergoing an internal investigation by the Inspection Office going forward and will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee. Once a suitable penalty is decided, the intelligence agency is obligated to disclose this internally according to regulations. Though only internally. If this information leaks out, foreign intelligence agencies will likely reach out to you first instead of just tossing you out.”

“Plus, they’d uncover that there’s a mole within the company.”

“Exactly. Do you now understand why I mentioned your scrutiny?”

“It was all an act, huh? I mean, if that’s the case, it would be nice to know beforehand. Why always make me jump in surprise…”

“Isn’t it odd for someone to take in an inspection notice and still eat a meal like it’s normal?”

“Now that you mention it, it really is.”

“Regardless, if you’ve understood, wait in the residence. The Inspection Office is aware of the situation, so they won’t treat you harshly.”

“Yes, understood… But what actually are my charges? Leaving aside what could be embarrassing like sexual harassment or embezzlement—”

“You’ll find out when you go. Isn’t it more fun to go in without knowing?”

“…If I find it fun, I might get into trouble.”

Remembering Clevenz’s joke made me chuckle. Truly, the old man has a knack for being difficult.

Anyway, I learned the Military Intelligence Agency’s plan was straightforward.

I would be given a suitable reason to undergo an internal investigation by the Inspection Office and face a penalty from the Disciplinary Committee. Then the Military Intelligence Agency would publicly disclose the penalty internally as per law. If this fact leaked, they would suspect a mole within the company, leading them to initiate a hunt for double agents. I would then feign defection to the intelligence agency that uncovered this information.

How I dodged the initial approach or how I picked up on overheard chatter while trying to flee was unimportant—the order was the only thing that mattered.

That was the Military Intelligence Agency’s plan.

I leaned back in my chair and lamented.

“This is why I should have stuck to desk work instead of fieldwork…”

Anyway.

Right now, I was in the Inspection Office of the Military Intelligence Agency. According to Jake and Clevenz, I was here to undergo an inspection.

You’d think an inspection office would look like an interrogation room, but the Military Intelligence Agency’s Inspection Office resembled a typical meeting room. There was a long table in the center, with chairs surrounding it.

“If you wait here, someone will be along shortly. If you need anything, just let us know.”

“Okay, thank you for your help.”

The inspector who guided me to this place closed the meeting room door behind him. I sat alone in the spacious room, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I had been terrified they’d dig into my background during this inspection. However, it turned out to be no big deal. It was just a routine background check for information officers who would be sent abroad.

In fact, it wasn’t even a very common background check; it was one of the methods the intelligence agency used when preparing for an infiltration. Essentially, they’d dredge up some charges to hit me with a penalty or temporarily shuffle me into an undesirable position while waiting for a new rookie spy to stumble in. Classic counterintelligence work.

Of course, being penalized or relegated to a lesser position was ultimately for the sake of the mission. It didn’t mean I had genuinely done anything wrong, so once the operation concluded, everything would be voided anyway. If I had been demoted, I’d simply return to my original rank afterward. I would likely be returning to that state too.

So, I was waiting with a relaxed mind for the Inspection Committee to begin. I figured I’d just nod along to whatever the inspector said and sign papers as needed.

But.

No matter how I thought about it, this wasn’t right.

“…Hey kid, who are you?”

“How dare you speak to the inspector in such a manner when you’re under scrutiny! This is quite disrespectful…!”

 

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