chapter_0168

167 – The Role of the Security Bureau

167 – The Role of the Security Bureau

After his meeting with the Emperor, Daniel returned to the Central Security Agency in triumph.

Having been awarded the White Dragon Medal of Honor and holding the position of Emergency Security General, everyone at the Central Security Agency had no choice but to bow their heads to Daniel Steiner.

Among them, the Chief of Public Security, who could be considered the second-in-command at the Central Security Agency, flattered Daniel by declaring it a “monumental day for the establishment of a new order in the Empire,” but he received no favorable response.

This was because Daniel was filled with anger at the missed opportunity for a promotion that had come after a long time.

Thanks to this, Daniel reprimanded the Chief of Public Security in front of everyone at the Central Security Agency, saying, “If you have time to flatter me, you should focus on stabilizing the security level of the Empire.”

The Chief of Public Security, whose face turned pale as he wondered if he had done something wrong, bowed and apologized, and upon seeing this, Daniel clicked his tongue and entered his temporary office.

And now.

Sitting in his chair, Daniel was buried in the leather-upholstered seat, lamenting his life and sighing heavily.

“How did it come to this…”

At Daniel’s muttering, Lucy, who was sitting at a nearby desk working, perked up her ears.

Stopping her work, Lucy looked up at Daniel, a question mark appearing above her head.

Clearly, the person who had seemed so cheerful that he was humming a tune when he left the Central Security Agency was now slumped over like a dried fish as soon as he returned from the Imperial Palace.

“What could be the reason?”

Thanks to receiving the White Dragon Medal of Honor and occupying the position of Emergency Security General, Daniel Steiner was now in a position to wield power comparable to that of the Emperor, albeit temporarily.

Yet, he wore a sad expression like a drenched puppy, which was puzzling.

Lucy, tilting her head in confusion, opened her mouth.

“Colonel Daniel, did something happen at the Imperial Palace?”

Daniel snapped out of his thoughts at Lucy’s question.

Turning his chair slightly to look at Lucy, Daniel offered a faint smile.

“…I’m sorry for making you worry. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience, but it’s not something to trouble my aide over.”

In truth, he simply couldn’t express his desire to be promoted.

“I’m fine, so focus on your work.”

Though he politely suggested she not worry since he wasn’t in the mood for conversation, Lucy did not turn away.

She continued to stare at him with her red eyes, as if she suspected something.

Staring into her eyes made him feel a trickle of cold sweat.

Thinking he needed to change the subject, Daniel cleared his throat.

“By the way, do you remember the battle with Johannes, the commander of the Imperial Guard?”

Lucy’s innocent red eyes blinked.

“Yes, I remember.”

“At that time, it seemed like you were quite angry. What did you talk about with Johannes?”

“Ah, that…”

Lucy recalled the past.

When she had entered the Astral Chamber alone to persuade Johannes, the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Blocking the exit of the Astral Chamber, Johannes had responded to Lucy’s demand to surrender with mockery.

He had told her not to speak out of turn, considering she was just Daniel Steiner’s dog.

Feeling her pride wounded, Lucy had retorted that “the relationship between Daniel Steiner and me is equal on a human level.”

Noticing that Lucy was emotionally agitated, Johannes had asked her what basis she had for thinking they were equals.

At that time, Lucy had recounted her memories with Daniel, and upon hearing this, Johannes had asked, “Are you in a romantic relationship with Daniel Steiner?”

It was a question she couldn’t affirm, so Lucy shook her head, which made Johannes chuckle softly.

The words Johannes left her with still lingered in her mind.

─ Then Daniel Steiner is just playing with you. It’s truly unfortunate. You still don’t realize you’re merely a toy.

There was nothing easier than dealing with an emotionally disturbed opponent.

Johannes had deliberately mocked her, and Lucy had known this, but the violence of words was not easily resolved, even if one understood the intent behind them.

That was why she had been angry and had exerted herself a bit more than usual to overpower Johannes.

After finishing her recollection, Lucy opened her mouth after a brief moment of contemplation.

“Colonel Daniel, what am I to you?”

This left Daniel no choice but to be taken aback.

He had asked what she had talked about with Johannes, and suddenly, an odd question had come up.

Thinking she might be joking, he was unable to dismiss it easily due to her serious expression.

As he pondered how to respond, a knock sounded.

“Colonel Daniel, are you there? This is Otto Whitmore, the Director of the Security Agency. If it’s not too much trouble, I would like to have a word.”

At the voice coming from beyond the door, both Daniel and Lucy naturally turned their gazes.

Thinking she had asked a hasty question swept away by the flow of memories, Lucy cleared her throat and stood up.

“…Should I open the door?”

Daniel nodded.

He had been thinking that he needed to see Otto Whitmore’s face anyway.

When Lucy opened the door, Otto appeared, dressed neatly in a navy blue police uniform.

As always, Otto greeted Daniel with a relaxed smile, taking off his hat.

“It’s been a while. You look much more seasoned than when I last saw you. Oh, by the way, congratulations on your appointment as Emergency Security General.”

Daniel, who had stood up, received the greeting lightly.

“Thank you, though it’s only a temporary position. You seem to have become younger since I last saw you as well. It’s hard to believe you’re in middle age.”

“Oh, please don’t say that. What use is it for a much younger person to be praised for their youth? Though it does feel nice…”

While Otto chuckled softly, Lucy naturally brought over a chair for guests and placed it in front of Daniel’s desk.

Without even glancing at Lucy, Otto approached Daniel and extended his hand.

“You might not believe it, but I knew you would accomplish great things, Colonel Daniel. Do you remember the conversation we had before?”

“Ah, I remember. You hinted that Duke Belvar was plotting something. I owe you a great debt. Before we discuss that, would you like to sit down?”

Nodding, Otto took a seat, and Daniel sat down shortly after.

Facing each other, Otto wore a sly smile as he began to speak.

“Since you called it a debt, I think it will be easier to talk. The Security Agency intends to fully cooperate with you, Colonel Daniel Steiner. There is also the Emperor’s command to urgently stabilize the Imperial City.”

“I see. If the Security Agency cooperates, things will be much easier. However, I think we need to clarify one thing. What is the role of the Security Agency?”

What was his intention? Daniel couldn’t understand, but Otto answered without hesitation.

“The role of the Security Agency primarily involves counterintelligence.”

“Counterintelligence. I’m not very knowledgeable about this, but could you explain exactly what it means?”

Otto’s brow furrowed slightly.

He couldn’t understand why Daniel, who should know the meaning of counterintelligence, was asking such a question.

However, unlike the confused Otto, Daniel simply asked again with a calm expression.

“Was my question too difficult?”

Otto swallowed hard and shook his head.

“No, it’s not. Um, to put it simply, counterintelligence refers to activities aimed at preventing the Empire’s secrets from leaking to the outside.”

“Preventing leaks of secrets. Then, capturing traitors who convey military information to the Allied Nations is also the role of the Security Agency.”

The smile vanished from Otto’s lips.

He realized that the warm atmosphere was shifting.

Watching Otto’s reaction, Daniel smiled knowingly.

“Please don’t think too strangely about my question. I’m just trying to confirm the facts. This conversation might take a while; would you like something to drink?”

“…”

“Well, if you don’t have a particular preference, I’ll prepare coffee. My aide makes excellent coffee, so you can look forward to it. Aide! Please bring two cups of coffee!”

Nodding, Lucy stepped back and exited the office.

As soon as the sound of Lucy closing the door echoed clearly, Daniel shrugged his shoulders.

“While we wait for the coffee, let’s continue with the questions. Where did we leave off? Ah! We were discussing that capturing traitors is also the role of the Security Agency.”

Daniel picked up a document and unfolded it.

The document roughly outlined what information Duke Belvar had conveyed to the Allied Nations.

“As far as I know, Duke Belvar is the leader of the traitors. He intentionally conveyed our military information to the Allied Nations to annihilate the 7th Armored Division. If I understand correctly, he is also a target for the Security Agency.”

“Colonel Daniel…”

“Of course, if we assume that Duke Belvar was unaware of being a traitor, there might be some leniency. After all, one wouldn’t dare think that such an organized evil exists within the Security Agency.”

Daniel lightly closed the document.

“But if he knew, then the story changes.”

Daniel’s gaze turned sharp as it focused on the Director of the Security Agency.

His mouth smiled, but his eyes, resembling an abyss, showed no movement.

“To remain silent despite knowing is practically the same as being in league with the traitors.”

Otto began to breathe heavily.

It felt as if an invisible hand was tightening around his throat.

As Daniel stared intently at Otto, he placed the document on the desk.

Depending on the answer, it seemed that a name could be added to the list on that document.

“There should be no one like that.”

A voice as sticky as a swamp continued from Daniel’s lips.

“Isn’t that right?”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed sharply as he looked at Otto Whitmore, the Director of the Security Agency.

A word from the author (Author’s Note)

Thank you for reading today!

It’s the start of a new week…! It may be tough, but hang in there! I will cheer for you from afar!

Then, I hope to see you again tomorrow…!