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The old man sat down with a faint smile.

The priest who had guided me just moments earlier stood behind the old man. Apparently, he was his secretary.

I drummed my fingers on the armrest, lost in thought, while the old man merely tilted his teacup, not offering any conversation.

As the black tea in front of me began to cool, the old man finally spoke for the first time.

“It’s a rare occasion to serve tea. Why aren’t you touching it?”

“….”

I didn’t bother to respond. The head of the intelligence agency already knew everything there was to know, and I didn’t want to carelessly run my mouth in front of someone like him.

Tilting his head, the old man continued with a nonchalant demeanor.

“Is black tea not to your taste, Colonel? Rebecca, could you prepare another type of tea for him?”

“We have black tea, green tea, coffee, milk tea, and iced tea available.”

As the silent priest answered, the Inquisition Director raised both hands with an expression suggesting to take a pick.

“No tea is necessary. Just let us know what business you have, Inquisition Director.”

“Oh, you seem to be in quite a hurry, Colonel.”

He spoke as if he hadn’t had such an interesting experience in quite some time. The old man put down his teacup and began to introduce himself, something rather predictable.

“I am Inquisition Director Petrus. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Colonel.”

—

Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

Inquisition.

An institution established by the 101st Pope in the year 897.

Its main tasks at that time included the discovery and punishment of heresy, as well as marriage and divorce verdicts.

In an era when the state’s administrative power did not reach the provinces, Inquisition officers would descend into remote areas to conduct civil and criminal trials. Such practices have continued to this day, leading priests specializing in law to observe court proceedings.

Currently, their duties involve maintaining public order within the cult’s laws and conducting espionage activities. They plan to transfer public order responsibilities to newly established agencies. In the future, they intend to focus more on their spy work.

…Or so the Inquisition Director said.

“What do you think, Colonel? An agency that captures both heretics and spies at the same time.”

“….”

“No response huh? Rebecca, was my story too boring?”

“No, not at all, Director Petrus.”

What in the world was all this?

I found myself pondering as I gazed at the steam rising from my teacup.

I had come to the Inquisition to convey information about the bombing that occurred yesterday. The head of the Inquisition’s Safety Department greeted me. It felt like he was botching his job so badly that I stormed out. Then, I got on the elevator, and a priest sent me all the way to the top floor.

There, the Inquisition Director was waiting for me.

For me.

“Are you curious about why I called you?”

“…Yes.”

“Well.”

At a glance, the old man seemed like a mischievous person. He looked like a grandfather who would joke around with his grandchildren.

“If you came to report, shouldn’t you share some details before leaving?”

The issue is that this gentleman is the head of the espionage agency. In other words, he is public security.

Inquisition Director Petrus.

“I want to report, but I don’t quite trust you.”

“Oh my! It seems Bernard has been playing pranks too seriously. How unfortunate, Colonel Frederick.”

His apology was far too light, and his expression was filled with mischief. I gently touched the teacup, lost in thought while Petrus pointed at me and spoke.

“Are you still not planning to drink your tea?”

“….”

“Could it be that the reason you’re not drinking it is that you didn’t witness the cooking process with your own eyes?”

The fact that he asked that while already knowing makes it clear that Petrus is a cantankerous old man.

“Espionage agency agents are always like that. Suspicious, cautious, and quick-witted.”

“Is that so?”

“Weren’t you trained that way? Unless it’s a special case, you must confirm the cooking process with your own eyes before consuming any food.”

He rattled on about how every espionage agency in the world trains their agents that way, and he seemed rather delighted.

“Isn’t it fascinating that agents receive similar training regardless of nationality, Colonel?”

I didn’t feel the need to respond. There could be a wiretap hidden somewhere, or a recording device might be running. I’ve said this repeatedly, but for an agent, security is a matter of life and death. Never should one disclose their affiliation by mere words.

Petrus smiled as he continued.

“I deduce you might be an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency of the Kingdom of Abas.”

“I am simply an ordinary Army Colonel, Director.”

“Oh! You do not need to tell such lies. There are no wiretaps or recording devices here.”

I didn’t believe those words. Colonel Clevenz always told me to be suspicious of everything.

Observing my demeanor, Director Petrus leaned back in his chair, still wearing a smile.

“Do you know why I suspect you belong to the Military Intelligence Agency?”

“…I’m not sure. Since I came from the kingdom, it’s only natural to assume that—”

“It’s due to your actions.”

Director Petrus laughed heartily, as if he found it amusing, and began his explanation.

“You reached for the thin blade hidden up your sleeve in order to attack Rebecca.”

That was correct.

I had suspected her, and I had the ability to flee even after killing her.

It was a method personally taught to me by my instructor during my training as an agent. I remembered it clearly as we had trained it through abuse until it was mastered, and Petrus confidently proclaimed that he knew this.

“The kingdom has been training soldiers in such methods for a long time. Not just agents, but special forces also hide knives in their sleeves. They may wield greatswords, but agents like you also use thin blades that wouldn’t be caught in body searches, right?”

“I’m not special forces, so I wouldn’t know.”

“Oh, I’m aware of that, Colonel. Your stories have been in the newspapers quite a lot!”

The priest handed a newspaper to the Director, who showed it to me. The old man pointed at it with his finger, reading slowly like he was narrating to a grandchild.

“A newly commissioned second lieutenant at the northern frontline. Received a medal for outstanding achievements, and was promoted by one rank. Later, he’s been active on the front lines and has been promoted to captain.”

“It’s embarrassing, but that’s true.”

“I know you fought elite troops of the Kien Empire in the northern frontline.”

“So you do.”

What is he trying to imply?

“A newly commissioned second lieutenant leading a squad to achieve outstanding feats. Isn’t he the kind of person the Military Intelligence Agency would covet?”

The old man chuckled lightly, scratching his cheek.

They did visit when I received the medal from the Military Intelligence Agency.

The soldier who came to meet me then was Colonel Clevenz, and I became an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency at his suggestion. For the record, I was promoted to captain due to my work at the agency, not on the front lines.

Thus, that newspaper contained a mix of accurate facts and falsehoods as counterintelligence.

Of course, Petrus likely understood that. But he seemed to be enjoying himself with this ridiculous performance.

“Honestly, I envy you. You’re smart, capable, and young. Now that I’m getting older, my teeth are uncooperative—”

“So what is it you want to say?”

Even with my sharp response, Director Petrus continued to smile as if he found it all hilarious.

“Alright, let’s get back to the point. The reason I thought you were an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency is precisely because of the blade. There were also several circumstantial details.”

“What might those be?”

“Your subordinates are competent, but—they lack caution. You must always be vigilant when contacting your informants.”

Damn it.

While I was down, it seems Pippin and Jake got caught in the Inquisition’s intelligence web.

But that’s fine. The fact that we had met with local informants is not an issue at all.

If the Inquisition officers had swooped in while confidential documents were changing hands, Pippin and Jake would have been stripped of their diplomat statuses and expelled back to their homeland on the spot.

What’s the reason for such blatant talk?

“…Did you call me here to warn me?”

“I had a hunch that you were an agent from the start. Of course, it was just a suspicion.”

Where the hell did he learn about me?

“You were too quick to react for an ordinary Army Colonel. A bomb went off right in front of you, and you instinctively shouted to protect the hero, didn’t you?”

“….”

“Of course, I don’t know exactly what you shouted, but seeing your subordinate run toward the hero suggests you must have given such an order.”

“So you do monitor the cult’s events at the Inquisition?”

The hidden blade, Pippin and Jake’s activities, and my responses during the bombing. Each and every one of my actions was being observed and understood by the Inquisition.

‘We’re keeping an eye on your foolish antics. So don’t play around and just quietly get out of here.’

Those weren’t exactly Petrus’s words, but that’s how I interpreted it. It was essentially an unspoken pressure.

The old man clapped his hands, interrupting the flow of conversation.

“Alright! Let’s cut the introduction here and hear the information you brought.”

I placed the document I had brought on the desk. Petrus took it, examined it for a while, and suddenly started smiling.

“It’s a report on the activities of suspicious groups following the incident of the bombing. I presume you won’t share where the information came from?”

“…I was just ordered to relay it, so I don’t know.”

“Then I won’t pry too much. The materials you provided will be useful in the investigation of the bombing. I’d appreciate it if you could convey my thanks.”

Petrus waved his hand gently to summon Rebecca. She handed me a small envelope.

“…What is this?”

“Results from the analysis of the bomb used in the terror act.”

When something comes in, something must also go out, right?

The old man chattered something meaningless while leaning back in his chair, and I maintained a blank expression as I stared at him. As he quietly observed me, Petrus sighed and began to speak with a smile.

“Oh! If you’re worried about a leak of confidential information, you needn’t be concerned!”

Confidential leaks. Internal documents. Bernard from the Safety Department.

It looks like they placed surveillance on me the moment I stepped into the Inquisition. Or perhaps the room I had been in was merely an interrogation room.

My blood ran cold.

What would have happened if Bernard had read the documents I received? Would I have been charged with espionage and expelled? Or would I have been dragged off to the torture chamber?

That’s a little frightening.

“…Well, if you say so, Director.”

I slipped the envelope into my pocket.

Suddenly, I became curious about why they were putting me through all this. I was about to ask when Petrus got ahead of me.

“By the way, you were drinking tea earlier when you met with Director Bernard. Yet now, you aren’t even touching it.”

Petrus brought up the topic of tea again.

“Why did you drink the tea that was provided in that room?”

“I was thirsty.”

“Then the reason you aren’t drinking now is that you aren’t thirsty, correct?”

“That’s right.”

Petrus shook his head in disagreement.

“Wrong. You’re suspicious at the moment. It’s been disorienting suddenly meeting the Inquisition Director.”

There’s a dagger in his words. I can already anticipate what this old man will say.

From the moment I set foot in the cult until now, he has been testing me. And now he is warning me.

If I carelessly meddle in his territory, I will meet my end.

“The reason you aren’t drinking tea now is because you came face to face with Rebecca and me, isn’t it?”

“Then what was my reason for drinking it earlier?”

“Relaxation.”

The old man laughed.

“You had let your guard down when you encountered the guard at the entrance. You underestimated the Inquisition based on his demeanor and appearance.”

Petrus laughed.

“When you used the secret passage, you must have felt safe. I’m sure you even felt good. How was it in that cramped room? Wasn’t it quite cozy?”

The Inquisition Director laughed. He laughed broadly.

“Don’t let your guard down, Colonel. The moment you drop your vigilance, you’re dead. What if I had poisoned every tea in that room?”

I hate to admit it, but he was right. To brush it off as the old man’s delusion would be foolish—he was the head of the counterintelligence agency.

I cleanly acknowledged my mistake. The espionage agency would do whatever it takes to catch a spy, and I knew they could set such traps. I was the one who had forgotten that and let my guard down.

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Haha! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes!”

Petrus concluded his statement as if it were of no significance at all.

“But remember, there’s no second chance in life, Colonel.”

—

After several hours of conversation, Petrus eventually set me free. I expected to be thrown into an interrogation room, yet here I was, even being sent back with valuable information related to the bomb used in the terror act.

When I questioned him about why he called me, he said he was curious about what sort of fellow the hero’s compatriots were. It seems he’s a bit off his rocker.

The priest guided me outside the building of the Inquisition. Since I went through a secret passage, no evidence remained that I had been here.

Her name was Rebecca, right? I wasn’t sure if that was her real name or an alias.

“…Thank you.”

“Take care, Colonel Frederick.”

She escorted me near the embassy, then disappeared in the direction of the Inquisition. After watching her silhouette fade away, I turned and entered the embassy.

I sent a communication back to the homeland stating that I had returned to the embassy. Though it would be nice to verbally report to the Colonel, there was so much to do today that I figured I wouldn’t have time to make a call.

So, I finished my return report and met with Pippin and Jake to caution them.

The moment they heard about the Inquisition watching them, both of them turned pale as ghosts. Public security is terrifying, no matter where you go.

Afterward, I exchanged simple greetings with the ambassador and the clerk, staff at the embassy.

Then, I handed over the information Petrus had provided to the agents disguised as Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff. There was no need for additional analysis. Colonel Clevenz would organize everything and inform us later. One of the agents mentioned that the psychological analysis results would be available in a few days.

Now, the only one left is the hero.

“Camila Lowell.”

“Colonel?”

Camila Lowell was sitting on the terrace, sipping a cold drink. I followed her gesture and took a seat opposite her.

“How was your day?”

“I thought it would be over quickly, but the conversations dragged on.”

“It seems you got to meet someone of higher status.”

Indeed, being the head of the intelligence agency is certainly a high position.

However, I couldn’t reveal to a civilian that I was an intelligence agent working in concert with the head of the espionage agency, so I disguised my day with a plausible lie.

“I just met with the police.”

“Ah….”

Her expression darkened as if the thought of the terror came to mind. I threw out a question to shift the topic.

“What did you do today, Camila Lowell?”

“I had a meal with the ambassador, chatted with the embassy staff, and also participated in some tests with the lieutenants.”

Having dinner with the ambassador. Being shadowed by agents all day long. It meant she went through psychological examinations.

Of course, she was completely unaware that the staff she conversed with were agents. She might never know that. She shouldn’t, nor does she need to.

I spent a while asking her about how her day went. She answered effortlessly and even smiled during our conversation. Perhaps due to her optimistic nature, her mental recovery seems to be surprisingly fast.

“I never expected to see a lobster that was bigger than a big crawfish! The aroma from the butter and spices was absolutely wonderful….”

Especially when it came to food, her tone noticeably rose. It seemed her most definite joy came from gastronomy.

“It sounds like you had quite an enjoyable day.”

“Yeah—honestly, I did! I got to eat delicious food and had a lot of fun experiences. Yes, that’s right.”

That was some good news.

“And how was your day, Colonel?”

“I was fine too.”

“You look incredibly tired.”

“If a civil servant isn’t tired, that’s when the nation is heading for ruin.”

I dismissed it nonchalantly. I couldn’t possibly confess that I had been held captive and interrogated by an irritable old man for several hours. To be honest, it was more embarrassing to be unable to say it was classified than to feel ashamed of it.

As the conversation began wrapping up, she threw a question at me.

“Oh, by the way. When are we going to go out of the embassy, Colonel?”

“We can go out once safety is secured. We’re discussing it with the authorities, so good news should come soon.”

“Are you going to work tomorrow, Colonel?”

“That’s right. I’m a civil servant, after all.”

“What kind of work will you be doing tomorrow?”

Espionage, probably.

“Um…. Why do you ask?”

At my question, Camila Lowell giggled. She had an expression that seemed to say, “Isn’t that obvious?”

“We’re colleagues, after all.”

Ah, that’s right. I was her colleague. I momentarily forgot that fact.

“So, are you not going to let me know what you’re working on?”

She pouted slightly as if disappointed.

Thinking it over, I realized that for the time being, I would not be able to engage in espionage activities. Given that I had already been marked as a target by the Inquisition, it was impossible to openly conduct such activities right now.

In other words, as long as it isn’t illegal, I can do whatever I please.

Just in time for election season.

I stroked my chin, pondering what to say before finally opening my mouth.

“I think I might go meet Camila Lowell’s new colleagues.”

I should stir up some public sentiment during the election season.

 

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