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At first, I was utterly baffled.

Why would they assign a liaison officer to me when I don’t even need an interpreter? I had my doubts, to say the least.

But it seemed that the diplomats thought otherwise.

“An interpreter? Oh, it’s nothing major.”

Diplomat Abas from the Kien Empire chuckled awkwardly as he passed by.

“When a foreign military officer is newly appointed, the Ministry of Defense assigns someone proficient in the local language for interpretation and guidance. Think of it more as a guiding role than true interpretation.”

“Guidance?”

“Yep. After all, a military officer who visits the Empire for the first time tends to be quite clueless about local affairs. Even if they’ve received training, it takes some time to adapt, right?”

When I heard that, it did sound like a plausible explanation.

This was indeed my first time entering the Empire. Before, I had been sneaking around under an unofficial disguise, traveling on a passport from a third country.

“The military office staff mentioned they would begin military meetings from this week, right?”

“Correct.”

“The person you’ve been introduced to will probably guide you through various things. Feel free to ask questions, and they’ll answer.”

The attaché added, “Of course, they’re not just handling interpretation and guidance… but, uh, it’s best to keep a little caution in mind.”

“Uh, got it.”

It wasn’t a direct surveillance, but it did imply that I needed to be careful with my words and actions.

While my suspicions weren’t completely gone, I decided to go along with it. After all, isn’t it common for intelligence agencies to monitor diplomats?

“… Yeah, this much is just playful oversight.”

I imagined that the liaison officer wouldn’t be too harsh either.

There’s no way they would outright target me, right?

*

Or so I thought at the time.

My expectations took a spectacular nosedive.

“There’s no way this is okay,” I said in disbelief.

“Did you say something?”

“Oh, no, nothing!”

The interpreter and guide, Senior Lyudmila, was making my life a living hell. Whenever I made contact with any Ministry of Defense staff or government officials, she would sidle up and offer her interpretation.

Sure, I could understand that needing an interpreter for conversations with Empire locals was reasonable.

But she insisted on joining even when no interpretation was necessary!

In conversations with diplomats or military officers from a third country, or even when I was talking with senior officials who already had their interpreters present.

I could understand the necessity for double interpretation in some cases, but why on earth did she need to follow me to places where we didn’t even use Kienese?

“Our Lushan Federation has always valued cooperation with Abas. However, we can’t overlook the recent unfortunate incidents centered around Mauritania, particularly concerning provocative actions between the involved parties.”

“Is this something I can even comment on?”

“I understand, Colonel. Your Earam language skills are quite impressive. But may I ask, who is the person beside you…?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer the military officer from the Lushan Federation when he asked.

Here we were, discussing military activities concerning the Abas forces stationed in Mauritania, and I couldn’t grasp why we needed a Kienese interpreter at all.

Moreover, this woman…

“……”

She didn’t even understand any foreign language besides Abas!

I just couldn’t understand why she was even present when she couldn’t comprehend the conversations. I was baffled, and so were the foreign military officers. We would often split up after a brief exchange of business matters, unable to establish any rapport in the awkward atmosphere.

The only relief was that she didn’t interfere with our conversations and clearly knew when to stay out of it.

Having finally passed the interpretation baton to her, I dragged my exhausted body toward my companions.

“Did you arrive? Come sit and take a break.”

“Thanks! I can’t believe how tiring it is to chat non-stop for an hour!”

As I loosened my tie to breathe a little, I noticed Camila whispered with a cheerful smile while looking at the interpreter stationed in a corner of the party hall.

“Is she watching over us?”

“Not sure yet. She seems like just a regular interpreter and guide, but….”

It looked like she could indeed interpret well. Despite her slightly rapid speech, she understood and translated quite decently into Kienese, even deciphering complex and obscure Kienese phrases that nobles would use without a hitch.

But…

How should I put it?

“Maybe she’s a bit dim-witted…?”

“Pfft!”

“Hey, what was that? Don’t spit out your drink and get away from me!”

As Camila dabbed her mouth with a napkin, she stifled her laugh and continued, “So, how do you feel? Do you think it’s dangerous or not?”

“I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous… but I guess we need to be particularly cautious.”

“Are you saying we shouldn’t be friendly?”

“If possible.”

The interpreter officer, busy scribbling in her notepad, sat there, holding her pen and staring blankly into space, blinking her eyes.

I shook my head with a grim expression.

“What on earth is going on from day one…”

*

After keeping my seat during the dinner, making connections with bureaucrats and diplomats, and touring the embassy to familiarize myself with the facilities and staff, the schedule wrapped up only after I reached my lodging.

Thus, the first day passed by.

For reference, the accommodation I was assigned was exclusive for diplomats. Unlike Camila, Lucia, and Francesca, I had my own separate lodging due to my diplomatic status. However, it wasn’t anything extravagant.

Typically, diplomats reside in designated areas. Either near the embassy or in areas where many diplomats from third nations live.

So, arriving at a two-story standalone house in the embassy vehicle felt almost surreal.

“We’ve arrived! This is where you’ll be staying, Colonel!”

The second secretary pointed at the lodging and kindly explained.

“Heading left from the main entrance will take you to one path, while going right will lead you to the embassy. While there’s no regular gardener, if you request, they can send someone from the embassy to assist. Furthermore, they also explained how to separate the trash, and they pointed out where to find nearby dining places or stores…”

It had been three years since I had visited the Empire, so I was unusually attentive, hoping for any changes, but none seemed different.

“You can use the assigned vehicle during your stay.”

“A vehicle? Don’t I need to request it?”

“Ah, normally that’s the regulation, but given your special status and the current situation of the embassy…”

It seemed like diplomats had been expelled so often that using the vehicle was no longer an issue.

“Anyway, if anything feels off during your stay, do let the embassy know. Schedule for a meeting with the Ministry of Defense is around 10 a.m. tomorrow, so please report on time. And since you need to adjust to the time difference, go in and rest well. Farewell for now.”

“Thanks for your help. Good work!”

After taking a moment to thank the diplomats who had squeezed in time to help amidst their busy schedules, I stepped into my accommodation.

The diplomat-exclusive lodging was surprisingly spacious, and the decor and furniture were decent enough. When I opened the refrigerator, I found some food still in its packaging. I took everything from both the fridge and the pantry and tossed it all into the trash.

I wondered if it was appropriate for me to occupy a two-story house all alone, but then I thought it was probably cheaper than staying at a five-star hotel, so I decided to just stick with it.

As soon as I found a room that looked acceptable, I began setting up the equipment I had brought from Abas.

If this were Earth, I would connect the INMARSAT satellite phone to the decryption equipment, catch signals through a satellite antenna to establish a communication network, or send secure messages through the embassy’s computer, but this wasn’t Earth.

Thus, I had to construct a secure communication network in a very complicated and frustrating way.

Actually, assembling the equipment and catching signals was the easier part; it was organizing the wires that took nearly an hour.

Beyond that, the process was straightforward. I powered on the encryption materials, connected the communication link, called out numbers for identity verification, received a code to access the network, and then waited for approval.

Finally, exchanging data and checking the connection status wrapped up the setup of the communication network.

“Oh right, the listening device.”

I activated the eavesdropping equipment. If any type of communication took place near the accommodation, the device would pick up the signals. Analyzing that would reveal what kind of communications had occurred.

However, I needed to sleep for now, so I decided to delegate the analysis to the Military Intelligence Agency’s communication department.

Considering the time difference between Kien and Abas, it was probably morning rush hour there, and the officers would start working as soon as they arrived at the office, but that wasn’t my problem.

With the communication network established, I tried to steal a quick nap when suddenly—

-♪!

The terminal began to ring out of nowhere.

I groggily jumped out of bed and hurried to sit in a chair.

“Communication security. Colonel Frederick Nostrim, in charge of the Kien Empire.”

‘It’s me.’

Leoni.

I checked the numbers and connection status displayed on the screen.

“No issues with receiving. What’s up?”

‘Have you arrived at your accommodation?’

“Yes. I arrived two hours ago—”

‘Anything unusual?’

Her anxious voice cut off my words. Ah, she’s starting again. I can’t believe Leoni hasn’t changed a bit in three years. I’d rather have Clevenz hounding me.

‘Are you not answering?’

What an attitude.

I clicked my tongue internally and picked out the most critical details.

“I met with officials from the Ministry of Defense, local bureaucrats, diplomats from a third country, and executives from organizations like the Knights Order and the Magic Tower that operate in the Northern Regions during tonight’s dinner. For now, I just got familiar faces and exchanged greetings, and I plan to discuss more in-depth during the meeting next week. The nearest meeting is the military exchange meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 10:20.”

‘Next.’

“I received information regarding the situation in the North. It seems there’s been a surge of refugees overwhelming the supply of medical materials and essential items, and the administrative power in the North is struggling to handle it. The source is reports from the Knights of the Order of Saint Andrew.”

‘Those bastards who hang people on crosses, huh? What about the sorcerers?’

“The Magic Battalion from the Magic Tower has some forces dealing with demons and monsters in the North’s rear areas.”

‘From the rear?’

“Yes. I hear that the demons and monsters are coming down along the mountain ranges and rivers.”

The Northern Regions of the Kien Empire near the ‘Frozen Lands’ are infamous.

With treacherous mountain terrains and sharp rocks. Always green, yet dense with coniferous forests. The never-ending blizzards.

Gaining time in such conditions is extremely difficult, and the coniferous woods hinder aerial reconnaissance. Shadows created by the terrain can even render specialized detection equipment ineffective.

Leoni was aware of all this. After all, she had been in charge of the Kien Empire’s branch.

‘The northern mountains do make sense. With dense coniferous forests and rough terrains, even if we deployed mountain troops, tracking would be difficult. Look into it further.’

“Yes. Tomorrow’s military meeting will also include executives from the Knights Order and the Magic Battalion, so I’ll check it out.”

‘And?’

“Yes, as for what else… I’ve met everyone I needed to. I think I can wrap things up before heading North.”

‘The Empire assigned you a woman to tag along, right?’

Leoni suddenly charged in. It was a mix of nonchalance yet sharp, like she was interrogating me.

Did other officers report that? Maybe she’s getting info from the Royal Intelligence Department’s Information Officer. Leoni had worked for years as the head of the Royal Intelligence Department before recently returning to the Information Agency.

I blinked once and replied.

“I was just about to mention that.”

I didn’t have much to say. Just that she was assigned to me as an interpreter and guide, so I thought I’d leave it at that.

“Lyudmila Smirnova. Female, early thirties. She’s senior rank, but I don’t know her department. It seems she majored in languages in university and appears to have a specialty in Abasan. Her interpreting skills were quite impressive.”

‘If you look into her background, something will come up. She looks to be an oversight role, so don’t get caught up in anything unnecessary.’

“Understood.”

‘Be sure to attend the meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning on time. Send me a mid-business report during the day.’

Before I could even respond, the communication was cut off. Leoni simply dropped her part and hung up.

I stared at the terminal with a look of disbelief, and then burst into a chuckle.

“For crying out loud, that old cranky…”

I glanced at the clock, and it was already 2 AM.

As I shut down the terminal and prepared to head to bed, suddenly—

-Beep!

The listening device I had set up in the corner by the window lit up.

The equipment, equipped with an antenna for signal information collection, began to blink ominously with a red light and emitted a loud beeping sound.

Just as I was about to lie down, I approached the window to see what was happening outside.

Beneath the streetlight just a few meters away from my accommodation, a heavily tinted vehicle was parked.

 

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