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It’s widely known that the research institute is a food haven for information agencies.

There isn’t a corner of influence in either state-run or privately established research institutes that the information agencies haven’t touched.

South Korea’s Defense Science Institute, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, France’s Defence Innovation Agency, Russia’s Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, North Korea’s Academy of National Defense Science, and so forth.

Countries with a certain level of military power generally invest in ‘national defense’, and research institutes dealing with state and military secrets are greatly favored by all information agencies.

The National Intelligence Service, External Relations Department, Cabinet Intelligence Office, Ministry of National Defense, Mossad, MI6, SVR, GRU, CIA, DGSE, etc.

Information agencies recruit researchers as informants to obtain defense-related materials, smuggle classified documents, and sometimes even kidnap or assassinate key figures.

For example, there are hundreds of hacking attempts made annually on the Defense Science Institute, and there was an incident in 2012 where physicist Massoud Ali Mohammadi was assassinated by a bomb in downtown Tehran.

No one knows who did it, but considering the inter-Korean relations and the relationship between Iran and Israel, it can be speculated that North Korea and Israel’s intelligence agencies were behind the operations.

In this manner, information agencies do not shy away from illegal activities for national security.

And that’s the same for the information agencies in this world as well.

“I think there might be an industrial spy in our institute.”

This wasn’t particularly surprising. The Military Intelligence Agency had also sent out foreign industrial spies from time to time.

With a sort of pseudo-Cold War happening, what’s the big deal about having spies?

As is customary, they’ll start an investigation and, after interrogating the employees for a few months, they’ll catch them easily.

But….

“Where are we talking about again?”

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

Now the situation is a bit serious.

“This is the research institute scheduled for the Hero’s examination in two days.”

—

### Episode 3 – A Fantastical Holiday

In the heart of the kingdom’s capital lies an upscale restaurant.

Colonel Clevenz spoke as he picked the fish apart.

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute. You’ve at least heard the name, right?”

“Yes.”

The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is like the Defense Science Institute but in another world.

The difference is that what they create is not missiles, aircraft, surface ships, or tanks, but simply magic.

Years ago, the age of magic singularities faded, and as technology advanced, new fields of study like magical engineering emerged, which led to the expansion and restructuring of the institute.

In other words, this institute can be seen as a hybrid defense science institute that deals with both magic and science.

“Nations like the Empire and Patalia each have such research institutes. However, it seems our institute’s security has been breached.”

As Clevenz sharpened his knife, he narrowed his eyes.

Most defense-related research institutes belong to the military, but security issues there fall under the jurisdiction of information agencies.

So when the Defense Science Institute gets compromised, the Military Security Command and the National Intelligence Service conduct a joint investigation.

For reference, the scale of the facility, its precise location, details about the researchers, and research data all fall under at least Level 3 or Level 2 classified information.

And since the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is the defense science institute of this world, the security there is the responsibility of the Military Intelligence Agency.

But it looks like information has leaked from there.

“Recently recruited informants tipped us off about the staff details being leaked, and a few days ago there was unauthorized communication from the institute.”

As soon as the informant indicated the possibility of a leak, it seems someone attempted to communicate with the outside world without permission.

Regardless of his explanation, I instinctively felt that this incident was not just a simple misstep by a staff member; it was suspecting industrial spying activity.

“We have an industrial spy in the institute?”

“We’re still in the realm of suspicion. There’s no hard evidence yet, and above all, it hasn’t even been a week since the incident occurred, so we haven’t even assessed the situation properly.”

Leaning back in my chair, I asked the obvious question.

“Is it impossible to postpone the examination schedule or change the location or personnel?”

“Considering the Hero’s condition, the examination cannot be postponed. And in the whole kingdom, there isn’t a place with better equipment and research personnel than the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

Camila Lowell fainted while using her abilities.

Lucia suspects it was due to magic power exhaustion, but no one knows the exact cause. So it is indeed correct that the examination should proceed as planned.

The problem is that an industrial spy is active in the nation’s largest-scale and best research institute where the examination is to be held.

“…So we’re supposed to conduct an examination regarding the Hero’s health and abilities in an institute where we don’t even know if there’s an industrial spy present?”

“That’s right.”

It’s a frustrating situation.

I am an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency and a colleague of the Hero.

In other words, if something happens to Camila Lowell in the institute, I’m the one in trouble.

In two days, she will arrive at the institute, and I can’t hesitate any longer.

“So what is it that I need to do there?”

“The immediate fires have been extinguished, so I want you to go and gather the situation reports instead of me.”

I sensed an urge to just go and check things out. Nodding my head, I stood up.

“Don’t think of it too seriously; just go with a light heart.”

“Yes.”

—

The means of transportation in this fantasy world may not differ from modern times.

However, given that magic exists here, there are a few fantasy-like modes of transport.

The prime examples are brooms controlled by magicians and Warp Gate technology utilizing teleportation magic.

Public institutions, wealthy enterprises, and expensive hotels usually have one or two Warp Gates installed.

However, there are no Warp Gates in national critical facilities or military-controlled areas. They’re surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by armed forces, so having an access point with a high-pass entrance would inevitably pose security concerns.

Thus, I had to travel by broom to reach the research institute.

“We are almost there, Colonel.”

“What did you say?”

“We’ll arrive shortly!”

The magician shouted something, but I couldn’t catch it due to the wind noise.

The fierce wind echoed in my ears, and the tree branches brushed against my military boots.

As we crossed the massive mountain range, the magician and I tried to converse, but we ended up just muttering incoherently before giving up.

“….”

The landscape bathed in gentle moonlight flowed like a panorama.

I could see the shyly blushing leaves through the dawn mist.

Occasionally, the sound of gunfire echoed from a distance.

Tilting my head down the steep incline, I saw the towering mountain range right next to me.

Underneath the broom tilted a little to the right, I glimpsed the reversing moon mirrored on the rippling river.

The water droplets crashing against the rocks appeared to fly fast due to the strong current.

“Arrived!”

“…Arrived?!”

“Yes!”

I barely understood the magician’s words and looked ahead.

A valley surrounded by rugged mountains.

Fast-flowing, deep waters shrouded by steep cliffs and thick vegetation.

A land island forged by nature.

From the encroaching darkness, a small light emanated.

—

Without the need for tiring identity checks and entry logs at the inspection station, I was guided straight into the institute as soon as I dismounted from the broom.

Surprisingly, the research institute was located beneath the mountain.

I heard that for security and safety, the institute is buried underground while the accommodations and facilities for the staff are built above ground.

After hearing the entire story of the incident, I learned that the unauthorized communication occurred not in the underground research institute but at the staff’s accommodations above ground.

Anyway, after a brief tour of the facilities to listen to the progress of the investigation, I went back upstairs to report to Clevenz.

-‘How’s the investigation going?’

“It seems to be going well.”

-‘Alright, start the report.’

Since my purpose for being there was essentially to gauge the situation on the scene in place of Clevenz, I unfolded the hastily scribbled notes and began the official report.

“Five days ago, in the early morning, the military intercept team detected magic resonance waves being transmitted from the staff accommodations. The internal investigation department confirmed it was unauthorized communication, and they sealed off the institute.”

This was the sequence of events.

Five days ago, at 3 AM, the military intercept team near the institute detected communication attempts from the mountain.

Upon pinpointing the source, they found that it was precisely the staff accommodations above ground from where the magic waves were being transmitted, and the duty officer called the research institute to report this.

The internal investigation department reviewed the records, confirmed that unauthorized communication was occurring, and immediately reported it to the military while coordinating with nearby units to seal off the entire institute.

As soon as the institute was sealed, the Military Intelligence Agency promptly dispatched an investigation team, and they had only just begun the investigation.

“The internal investigation department and the dispatched team from the intelligence agency are conducting the investigation jointly. They’ll be questioning every employee on the suspect list, and starting tomorrow, they’ll search the accommodations.”

-‘Have they found any leaked materials or anything?’

“No, they say they haven’t found anything yet.”

Hmmm. Clevenz’s voice carried over the call.

-‘It’s a bit hard to trust them….’

“Ah, don’t worry too much. Everyone’s working hard.”

-‘Sure. If you’re saying that, then I’ll trust you. Is that all the report?”

“Yes.”

It’s only the third day since the investigation started, so it’s too soon for any information about industrial spies to surface.

While I felt a bit anxious and flustered, I figured these were experienced individuals capable of handling things.

I thought I was done with my duties.

“Can I return now?”

-‘Huh?’

“I’m going on vacation, aren’t I?”

-‘Why would you return now?’

What?

-‘The Hero’s examination is day after tomorrow, and if you’re not there, what do you expect will happen?’

“….”

-‘Stay there until the examination is over and then come back with the Hero.’

“….”

-‘I’ll arrange some time for your vacation later, so just keep the Hero company until then.”

“….”

-‘Are you even listening to me?’

“…Yes, understood.”

If I have complaints, I might as well consider retirement.

 

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