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“The Security Committee has been listening in on you and the Hero. As you know, the Security Committee is the counterintelligence agency of the Republic of Ashtistan.”

The police officer said.

“Of course, Mr. Frederick is an official of the enemy nation, and considering the recent cooling of relations between our countries, the overly sensitive ‘Rabdar’ people might have taken drastic measures….”

An official from Ashtistan expressed confusion.

“That said, why was the Hero monitored by Rabdar as well? This remains an unresolved question.”

A middle-aged local man chuckled lightly and remarked.

“Could it be that the Hero is suspected of being a spy too?”

“…….”

“I’m just joking.”

—

Episode 20 – Who Threatened with a Knife

—

The wiretapping incident involving the Ashtistan Security Committee is a significant diplomatic issue in itself.

Having the counterintelligence agency of the Republic of Ashtistan eavesdrop on a Duke is like stabbing the Kien Empire in the back.

But the core of the issue lies not in the eavesdropping but in bribery.

Referred to as Rabdar. An official of the Ashtistan Security Committee shamelessly demanded a bribe from me.

The Oversight Committee became aware of this through some channels and quickly disciplined the official. They had likely recognized the official’s corruption long before we reported it, but the decisive blow was the incident in which a bribe was demanded from me.

Concerned that his corruption would be exposed because of me, the official threatened me to “leave Ashtistan,” and together with Camila, who could conjure money, submitted a complaint to the Security Committee.

The agency that received the report was the Oversight Committee under the Security Committee.

That very department embroiled in controversy due to the eavesdropping incident.

“… Hmph.”

I tilted my teacup for a moment and slowly ruminated.

Was it really beneficial to inform Camila about her involvement in this commotion?

From an information standpoint, the fact that she, a 100% civilian, was entangled in trouble caused by the counterintelligence agency was a ‘noteworthy event.’ More specifically, it would be ‘a suspicious event.’

Being involved with a counterintelligence agency or intelligence agency in the capacity of a mere civilian suggests that she is by no means an ordinary person.

It wouldn’t be a positive development for either Camila or for me, who had been with her.

Whether it be police or counterintelligence, Ashtistan must not suspect Camila, nor should they be led to suspicion.

The problem is,

“… Well. Isn’t it standard practice for a counterintelligence agency to suspect anyone? You being a police officer should know.”

The person who came to conduct the inquiry was indeed part of the investigation team.

“That’s true. It’s like a professional hazard.”

“Some have full-blown suspicion syndrome.”

“I just think I’m more cautious and inquisitive than others.”

The middle-aged man who introduced himself as a police officer mumbled with an intriguing tone as if he found the topic fascinating.

He kept his eyes fixed on me as I took out a cigarette.

“Hey, if the curiosity strikes twice, you’d turn everything inside out, huh?”

I muttered aimlessly, deeply lost in thought.

I wasn’t sure if he was genuinely from the police or some other intelligence agency, but one thing was clear: the man in front of me was ‘working in the investigation department.’

And given my observations of Clevenz during his tenure as the head of the counterintelligence agency, spinning lies under the pretense of protecting Camila was sheer madness.

Anyone coming to investigate the Security Committee would undoubtedly learn some details about the case.

That the Rabdar official demanded a bribe from me and that a complaint was filed with the Oversight Department in that process, along with the fact that the author of the complaint was Camila—such information would eventually surface. If they were investigating the intelligence agency, they probably already had some understanding of the situation.

From the perspective of the investigation, if I lied to protect Camila, that would be a problem of its own.

It would mean that a foreign official suspected of being a spy was protecting a civilian involved in the case.

From the perspective of the investigative agency, this would be an undeniable cause for suspicion.

“…….”

I tapped the top of the cigarette pack with my palm, and a yellow filter popped out.

I bit down on the top cigarette with my front teeth before extending the protruding one towards the other man.

“Care for a smoke?”

The middle-aged local official chuckled lightly and began to wave his hands in denial.

It was a soft yet firm refusal.

“I quit smoking.”

“Ah, I see.”

There was no need for further persuasion.

I lit the cigarette with a flickering flame and broke the silence with a puff of smoke.

“Camila probably got wiretapped because she was involved in this case.”

“Was it you who initiated that?”

“I had a bit of a clash with the Security Committee staff. But would you believe it, by a stroke of bad luck, Camila got caught up in it from the very first day I arrived.”

“Hmmm… What kind of clash was it?”

We carried on our conversation for quite some time, sitting between two lukewarm teacups and a heap of ashtrays.

I explained every incident that had unfolded without leaving anything out.

What exactly triggered the bribe demand from the Security Committee official, why I sought help from Camila, and what conversations I had with the chairman of the Oversight Committee, and so on.

Of course, I sprinkled in a lie or two.

“Camila had no idea she was being wiretapped. I didn’t realize it either. Not until Alexandra Petrovna, the Duke, caught on.”

“You didn’t even suspect you’d be followed or watched?”

“Not even a little.”

If the investigative agency of Ashtistan were to seriously launch an investigation, matters of fact or timelines that could be objectively understood would soon surface.

However, other pieces of information—like when Camila and I became aware that we were being wiretapped—would be hard for even the investigative agency to uncover.

To begin with, the found listening devices were all left exactly where they were.

I spilled all sorts of information, such as tomorrow’s schedule, plans after our party arrived, and casual conversations I had with priests, fully knowing that the Security Committee would be listening. This was my way of putting them at ease and deceiving them.

The exposure of the wiretapping incident was solely due to the sensitive perception of Duke Alexandra Petrovna, and the ensuing massive diplomatic issue was also a result of the Duke’s actions.

In other words,

“I believe the Duke can provide more specific context than I can. After all, she was the one who discovered the listening devices.”

On the surface, Camila and I appear to be the ‘perfect victims’ in this incident.

This fact could be confirmed even by investigating the diplomats and intelligence officers from the Empire who were involved at that time, as well as the officials from Ashtistan.

In other words, their claims could serve as evidence supporting my lies.

—

As I was casually responding to the inquiry, my mobile phone started ringing loudly. Thinking it might be Camila, I checked the number but didn’t recognize it.

A spam call, perhaps.

I pressed the end call button, rejecting the call, and smoothly shifted the topic again with an apology.

“I’m sorry. I got a call from someone I don’t know….”

“It’s alright. I understand.”

“Where were we?”

“We were at the point where you were demanded a bribe by the Rabdar officials from the very first day of your arrival.”

The middle-aged official from Ashtistan smiled softly and listened attentively. I mixed in the mundane facts alongside crucial details that would be hard for him to uncover.

“Right. Almost had my pockets picked on the very first day. They appeared out of nowhere and mentioned they had some investigation, and as we got into an argument, I saw him open his jacket. Like this.”

I held one side of my jacket and waved it while looking at the man. He seemed not to care about my flapping garment, keeping his eyes firmly on me.

“Were you there at that time, Hero?”

“No.”

I immediately shook my head.

“I was absent with the Duke, as the palace staff recommended wearing the Lusarri.”

“In that case, the commotion must have continued until you both returned.”

“Actually, I had already caught wind of it before arriving. The voices were just too loud.”

“Hmm….”

The middle-aged official raised an eyebrow.

He held a notebook with his left hand while rubbing his beard with his right, and the moment a subtle hum slipped through his lips was right after.

“According to reports, it is indeed a fact that Mr. Frederick had an argument with the Security Committee staff. But even from a distance, it’s said that their voices weren’t raised enough to be heard….”

What happened?

The middle-aged local official inquired, tilting his head in a rather puzzled gesture.

“Isn’t it all just magic?”

“Does that mean the Duke and the Hero have such extraordinary hearing that they can perceive voices that ordinary people nearby couldn’t even catch?”

“Ugh,” he added gruffly.

“That’s because she’s a magician. If her senses were no different from an ordinary person’s, wouldn’t the listening device have been discovered?”

“Ah. That’s true.”

It was a fact that both Camila and the Duke had overheard the argument and assessed the situation. It was also true that the Duke detected a weak magical aura and found the listening device.

From the perspective of the Republic of Ashtistan, there was currently no way to ascertain concrete circumstances, but considering the magical sense demonstrated by the Duke in this listening incident, it was a sufficiently rational claim. After all, it was the truth.

Even if Camila or the Duke testified about the commotion that happened at the Azadi Palace to the investigation agency, the fact that the two who weren’t present figured out the situation just from the sounds of conversation was evident.

This would serve as grounds for my claims to consistently state only facts during the future investigation.

“In summary, the Hero was already aware of the friction between Mr. Frederick and the security officials at Azadi Palace. When the officials came to threaten the two of you a few days later, you remembered that incident and willingly helped in writing the report, correct?”

The civil servant from the Republic of Ashtistan summarized the incident clearly.

According to that summary, Camila merely helped me when I was in trouble, making her an outsider with no connection to the information or counterintelligence agencies.

There was no need for her to face any suspicion or doubt. To be precise, there was nothing to doubt at all.

And just as I had anticipated, the middle-aged civil servant wrapped up the conversation in a monotonous tone.

“This is indeed quite an awkward situation. One could say it truly fits the expression of having bad luck. For both Mr. Frederick and the Hero.”

“…….”

“I personally want to express my regret. It makes me ashamed as a civil servant of Ashtistan.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

“Yet it’s only right to point out the faults. Apologies should come with that. That’s dignity and honor, after all.”

It was a statement typical of the local residents who valued honor more than life. It was an admirable remark, in terms of character. Just in terms of character.

The middle-aged civil servant hurriedly jotted down the results of his investigation in his notebook. I waited while brushing off the ashes from my half-burned cigarette into the ashtray.

“However,” he suddenly spoke up while scribbling with his pencil.

“It’s curious that all three of you vacated your accommodations during such an unfortunate incident. Normally, after experiencing this kind of event, one would expect to be flustered or fearful.”

“Does being flustered or fearful change anything?”

“Have you not considered moving to a different place? Doesn’t a new hotel offer a safer and more peaceful life?”

“Safety and peace are abstract and relative concepts.”

“Those are things everyone dreams of, aren’t they?”

Screech. I stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

As I crunched the cigarette with a snap, I suddenly moved my lips.

“Was there a safe and peaceful place in Shizuya?”

The man chuckled silently.

No answer came back.

I shook the ash off my clothing while he took a sip of tea. The politeness he had displayed throughout our lengthy conversation remained, but his sentences had noticeably shortened.

“Hero and Duke. Where are the two of you now?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard any news separately.”

“Mr. Frederick. Where were you just now?”

“I felt frustrated, so I took a stroll. I had an errand from my grandmother too.”

“Isn’t it strange that all three parties involved vacated the hotel just a day after being tapped?”

“Then is it a natural occurrence for the Duke of the Empire to be tapped by Ashtistan’s security agency while meeting with the Priest of Al-Yabd?”

The civil servant from the Republic of Ashtistan continued to look at me with a smiling face.

Just as I was moistening my mouth with some coffee and about to take out a new cigarette.

-♬~

A loud bell rang again from inside my pocket.

“…….”

As I pulled out the buzzing mobile phone, the middle-aged man’s expression contorted. To be precise, it was an extremely tired expression.

In fact, the phone had been persistently ringing since earlier, so this must have been the third or fourth time.

Hence, he could only offer the phone call with a very weary face.

“Just answer it. Please….”

“Ah, yes.”

*

It seemed he had some business to attend to as well. He hurriedly took out his phone, checked the screen, and rushed off.

I awkwardly offered an apology as I also shifted to another spot.

“…….”

I opened the obnoxiously ringing mobile phone and skimmed through the phone number. As expected, it was an unknown number once again, but it was the same number that had called earlier.

Is it a company call? I tilted my head and pressed the call button.

“Hello?”

-‘Is this Frederick?’

A familiar voice.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but ask back with a perplexed expression.

“Camila? Is that really you?”

-‘Yep.’

“No, what the heck is this number? What happened to the one I gave you? More importantly, where are you calling from? You said you were coming, so did you get sidetracked?”

-‘That’s what I want to ask you!?’

Anyways!

Suddenly, through the phone, Camila’s familiar squeaky high-pitched voice came through, and it started with a bizarre question.

-‘Frederick, back when we were at the Magic Tower or somewhere, didn’t you say your sister was a magician?’

“Yeah, that’s right.”

-‘Then why didn’t you mention that she’s younger than me? You scared me!’

“…What’s with this sudden talk?”

What the heck. Why is Ayla’s business coming up here? Is she talking nonsense out of nowhere?

I couldn’t help but suspect Camila’s state regarding alcohol or drug use. Was she chewing on hashish rolling around the marketplace?

Just then.

-‘No! I almost used honorifics because I thought she was older than me!’

“…?”

…She almost used honorifics?

What on earth does that mean all of a sudden?

Dumbfounded and incredulous, I leaned in closer to the phone. It seemed like I heard someone softly whispering next to Camila.

“Camila. Just checking, but you’re not with my sister right now, are you?”

-‘…Huh?’

“I asked if you are with Ayla.”

-‘Th-that’s, no. That was just a slip of the tongue. I was just bored and thought I’d say that….’

“Then whose phone are you calling from?”

-‘Ah? Well, the truth is, my phone’s battery died. I borrowed this from a passerby to check in…’

“Where are you now? Give me your location.”

-‘……’

There was no answer.

The muscles in my neck tensed just after.

“…Ayla, you little-”

*

Caw caw-

A high-pitched scream soared beyond what the phone could contain, barely managing to reach my ears.

Bam! Camila, who hastily pressed the call end button, was flustered, having turned pale.

“Was it a secret to say that I’m here, brother?”

She looked awkwardly at the person she was speaking to, but no answer came back.

Why?

Because the person who lent her the phone was entirely fixated on the loudly ringing mobile phone.

[Where are you?]

[You said you’re in the Lushan Federation.]

[Hey. Answer me.]

[Answer me.]

[Are you gonna tell Mom?]

[Hey.]

[Hey.]

[Hey.]

Tap. Tap tap. Tap.

Just when the hand checking the flood of incoming messages froze in place.

A short message that didn’t even have a period came in with a cheerful “ding~.”

[Since I just got your location, if I catch you, expect to smell incense behind the folding screen.]

“…….”

The information officer’s eyes widened as he turned away from the mobile phone.

It had been six months since he entered the Royal Intelligence Department.

A new recruit who had been dragged from the Lushan Federation and brought to the Republic of Ashtistan.

And his sister, who was told to wait anxiously for her brother’s return.

“…Oh, Mother.”

“Ahhhhh!”

Ayla Nostrim collapsed to the ground, her eyes rolling back.

 

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