episode_0004

*

When asked by the students why the United Kingdom is called the “United” Kingdom, Ivan tends to show them the train route map.

During the war with the Demon King, this massive railway network, which transported military supplies, served as the lifeline connecting not only cities but also nations.

Metal beasts that could cover long distances that would take more than ten days by carriage in just a few hours. They were the true heroes of the past war.

“Who will arrive first?”

“It’s Princess Essidis from Droan, senior. She’s scheduled to depart first!”

“But it’s still January?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Who comes out two months in advance to wait for the day of admission? Even the royal family! It’s such a nuisance.”

He said with a smirk.

“It seems Princess Essidis had a hard time. From her hometown! It seems the folks in Droan look down on those who play musical instruments.”

“…Musical instruments?”

“Oh, didn’t I mention it? Princess Essidis applied to the music department. She specializes in the orchestra and violin. Isn’t that amazing? The descendant of ‘that’ King Ainar is a violinist.”

Ivan paused for a moment after hearing those words.

The Ainar he remembered, the one before he became king. Ainar, who was part of the dragon slayer party, was a miner who wielded two axes and collected orc heads in the morning and Taurus heads in the evening.

-Hahaha, look at this ‘little’ Ivan! This is how you swing an axe!!

Usually, daughters resemble their fathers, don’t they…?

No, that’s not it.

It’s been several years already, but the faint image of Essidis that came to mind was that of a delicate little child. She really liked her father.

Actually, there weren’t many resemblances. Fortunately, for everyone.

Anyway, the strongest music student in history is about to be born. Ivan left a brief comment.

Essidis didn’t resemble her father in appearance or personality, but she definitely inherited the axe skills.

“By the way, senior, are you sure about that information? That there will really be a terrorist attack on the train?”

“Yeah.”

“Who is it? Well, um… Even though there are too many people who get suspicious when asked that question… Anyway, she is the daughter of King Ainar. If she’s discovered, she’ll face the wrath of the Blood Eagles.”

The Blood Eagles is the most popular folk game among the citizens of Droa. It can be seen as having a similar status to traditional holiday games like Yutnori or Dan-o swings (at least in terms of attracting a crowd).

The details are too gruesome to explain to the civilized society of the Kingdom of Krasilov.

“If you take the shortest route from Droa to Yansk University in Krasilov, it goes here.”

Ivan ignored his words and drew a solid line on the route map.

Route 12.

One of the trade routes connecting the Kingdom of Krasilov to the Kingdom of Droa.

“And I assume this place, Igorbich Station, is the most likely.”

“How can you be so sure…? Who would announce the location of a terrorist attack? Senior, did you plant someone?”

“Well, because it will explode at the border.”

We don’t know who will carry out the terrorist attack. We can’t predict it.

He has withdrawn from the front lines and is not connected to intelligence agencies.

But we can make assumptions.

Assuming that the occurrence of terrorism itself is a constant,

now let’s match ‘why,’ ‘who,’ and ‘how.’

“The purpose of the terrorism must be Princess Esidis.”

“Well, um… If a real terrorist attack happens, then yes?”

“Why?”

“…What?”

Of course, it’s to create conflict between Krasilov and Droa.

That much is obvious.

“In that case, terrorism won’t happen south of the Droa border. In order to shift the blame to the Kingdom of Krasilov, it must happen within our border, no matter what.”

“Um… Yes, I suppose?”

“But this route passes through a total of three military zones once it passes Igorbich Station.”

Even if trains are vulnerable to terrorism, it’s not within military zones.

Not all directions of the route are surrounded by military zones, but it was passing through at least three garrisons.

This is essentially a trace that the railway itself was designed for military purposes.

“And as you get closer to the capital, it’s natural for the security to become stricter. So, the most vulnerable place is Igorbich Station.”

“Oh… Yes, that’s right?”

“What time is Princess Esidis scheduled to depart?”

“The train is scheduled to leave in two days at 12 o’clock.”

“Then we’ll arrive around 10 a.m. four days from now. It would be just right if we leave now.”

Ivan nodded, folding the route map.

His junior, who had been staring blankly at his face for a moment, chuckled and said, “What’s really going on? I don’t think it’s a trust issue. Even during active duty, I’ve never heard of a senior who can make prophecies. I can persuade the higher-ups to dispatch agents for counterterrorism, but I need evidence too.”

“Shall we make a bet then?”

“…A bet?”

“Without on-site support. Just based on the results.”

Ivan smirked and turned to his junior.

There was no evidence. There might not even be an informant. But terrorism would happen. It’s ‘common sense.’

He didn’t have time or room to persuade anyone about this issue. There would be more instances of this ‘common sense’ in the future, so how could he convince them every time?

So, Ivan made up his mind to cut it off from the beginning. And he believed in himself as well.

If terrorism doesn’t happen, there would be little burden since he didn’t request support in the first place.

If terrorism does happen, his words will gain serious persuasiveness from now on. It would be like saving the daughter of a hiking guide.

Moreover, it was highly unlikely that Hiking Ainar’s most cherished daughter would be sent alone. Naturally, there would be operatives accompanying her.

‘But if terrorism is a constant occurrence, it means they are confident enough to face all of Aesidis’ operatives.’

There’s a lot to gain, even if there are some setbacks.

Furthermore, it was an opportunity for Ivan to verify whether his ‘Academy Doctrine’ was accurate. If he fails this, along with several other tests, well, it might not be worthy of being called the Academy material.

“You seem really confident. Well, fine. I’ll keep my hands off for now.”

Ivan didn’t bother to respond. It was natural not to believe.

Usually, sane anti-government organizations don’t commit terrorism on civilian transportation railways.

A train terrorist attack consumes numerous human resources. From the moment the incident occurs, all those involved lose the fruits of their labor, which they have spent years or even decades building.

The losses far outweigh any gains from merely sabotaging civilian railways.

Even if it were to involve the assassination of Princess Anya’s precious daughter, the losses would still be overwhelming.

Unlike assassinations carried out while staying within the country, incidents that occur on trains have somewhat opaque accountability. In other words, while diplomatic relations may cool down, it would be difficult for them to escalate beyond the realm of disputes.

Engaging in terrorism for such limited objectives only serves to heighten vigilance, which is futile. Therefore, the Krasilov royal family does not invest more than the minimum required for security.

This is the “common sense” of people in this world. It is rational reasoning and judgment.

However, Ivan’s “common sense” was different. This was an official matter, after all.

The disappearance of ominous events like terrorism and conflicts during these peaceful four years with the Demon King.

It wasn’t strange that Ivan was the only one who could anticipate a train terrorist attack.

Even if a foreign princess were to enter the country, all they would need to do is hold a ceremony or make preparations in the capital. That’s all.

“I guess I’ll have to do this three more times.”

Ivan let out a deep sigh as he descended to the train platform. Apart from the saintess, there were only four members of the warrior party departing from abroad.

If a terrorist attack were to occur on the “Academy Admission Train,” they would have to protect all five routes of the admission trains.

This world is sickeningly familiar.

As Ivan boarded the train, he pressed his temples firmly.

*

When Ivan departed on the train and headed toward the border, his subordinate diligently made his way to the palace to report.

“Your Highness, Sir Dmitry Cherkatov has arrived.”

“In the palace, he is the Palace Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A wooden carving with gold plating, an extravagant inner wall.

An office that was outrageously spacious for just one person.

In Princess Elizaveta Kirillovna Krasilova’s office, adorned with marble and ivory, there was a massive ebony desk.

Behind the cluttered desk, a woman absentmindedly toyed with a pen.

“Proceed with your report.”

“Petrovich has left.”

“Exclude what you already know.”

“They suspect a train terrorist attack. The time and place are quite clear.”

Upon hearing those words, Elizaveta paused her pen.

“Does Banca have any informants?”

“No, there has been no sign of that for the past 4 years.”

An intelligence organization ultimately relies on human resources. And all human resources are essential components that require consistent management and proper lubrication.

It meant that it was impossible to accurately identify the ‘unknown anti-government organization’ without any support or management in the mission entrusted to him without any evidence.

Even though his actions were mere speculation, he seemed to possess a certain kind of ‘conviction.’

Just like when he left on his last mission four years ago.

Without any evidence, as if claiming that terrorism is common sense.

If someone other than him had made such a claim, Elizaveta would have easily evaluated them as ‘crazy.’

“This information may become clear over time, but at least Petrovich is still active. Your Highness, it seems the story is far from over.”

The reliability of the information is a secondary concern. Since Ivan left alone without requesting any support, even if the information turns out to be wrong, there will be no loss.

Dmitri shivered slightly as he recalled something more important. It was the incident when he first went to meet Ivan.

Suppressing one’s instincts and naturally concealing one’s presence is a basic skill for an elite operative.

But accurately determining the position and height of an unseen opponent behind a closed door.

The attitude of revealing one’s presence and preparing to counterattack by bending down and avoiding the line of sight was a training state that even active agents found difficult to detect.

The moment he turned the doorknob, he felt a deep sense of anticipation and a dry intensity.

Raising his voice to let Ivan know his location was instinctual. If he had stayed silent, an axe blade might have flown at him in the next instant.

“Hoo, hoho.”

A small laughter could be heard from across the table.

In Dmitri’s memory, it was a pleasant laughter that he hadn’t heard in three years.

“Your Highness…?”

“Attach people. Monitor and record every detail of Banca’s activities, even the smallest actions. Bring the records as a report for immediate review at any time.”

“Well… If you want it that way, wouldn’t it be better for you to go in person?”

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have been just reporting for four years.”

Elisabeth smirked and moved her pen again.

“It’s right to reunite at a better moment, with perfect timing.”

“Oh, yes…”

“Stop talking nonsense and go protect the border. Are you free?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will retire, leaving my loyalty, Dmitry Cherkatov.”

Dmitry stepped back with an uneasy expression and left.

No, receiving detailed reports on every little thing is not dignified or romantic.

At least, I hope his lover doesn’t think that way. Dmitry hurriedly left the palace.

*

When the agents dispatched by Dmitry arrived at Igorbich Station, they received three neatly packed body bags.

At the meticulously cleaned crime scene, there was no sign of Ivan Petrovich.

At that moment, Ivan was running through the forest, gripping an axe.