Ch.117Episode 6 – The Omniscient Spy’s Perspective

I wandered around the containers loaded on the magic tower platform with Veronica.

Agricultural products. Machine parts. Luxury foods. Herbs. Chemicals. Luxury goods.

I saw countless smuggled goods there.

“Tsk…”

And even drugs.

“Major, are you okay?”

“My tongue feels numb. Do you have any water?”

“There’s seawater over there.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Episode 6 – Omniscient Spy Perspective

Actually, just sampling a bit of drugs doesn’t make the effects kick in.

The characteristic of drugs is their intensely bitter and sour taste that can numb your tongue.

When the National Intelligence Service or police receive drug detection training (also called drug specialization training), they pick up small amounts of drugs to taste, but if the drug effects actually kicked in, they wouldn’t make them do that.

So there was no problem with me sampling a bit of the drug. When I was deployed to North Africa and the Middle East, I tried cocaine a few times by dabbing it with my finger, and there was no effect then either, so this was expected.

Rather than orally ingesting a small amount of drugs, licking Veronica’s finger was actually more unhygienic.

“You do keep your fingers clean, right?”

“I wash them with holy water every day.”

“What an extravagant waste of money.”

I silently leaned against the car and gazed at the horizon.

Smuggling. Drugs. Oracle. Slush funds. Secretariat. Economic Management Department. Alchemist. Private companies. National Security Bureau. Veronica.

Everything seemed connected yet the links kept breaking off, leaving something suspicious about it all.

“……”

As I was lost in thought, Veronica approached me and asked:

“So, what are we going to do now?”

*

“Absolutely. Under no circumstances should our government’s name be mentioned. Never.”

The Minister spoke in a resolute voice.

His pronunciation was slightly slurred, but thanks to his deep baritone, each word he uttered seemed to pierce through the eardrum and lodge itself in the mind.

The Military Intelligence Director nodded, and the Royal Intelligence Director tapped his cigarette ash into an ashtray as he replied.

“Understood, Finance Minister.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Intelligence Director, and Intelligence Bureau Director.”

No matter how powerful the Intelligence Department might be, the Finance Department was an opponent they couldn’t easily challenge.

The department that manages a country’s economy, adjusts the budget, and collects taxes has always been the most powerful organization throughout history. And the Intelligence Department was in a position to receive money (budget) from the Finance Department.

Moreover, Finance Minister Abbas was currently considered one of the most likely political successors to the Prime Minister, along with the party leader.

In other words, if the Prime Minister failed to be re-elected, the Finance Minister had one of the highest chances of being elected as the next Prime Minister. To put it bluntly, he was the person closest to supreme power among those in this room.

Of course, even with such power, he couldn’t act carelessly in this setting.

Because it was in front of the Prime Minister.

“Are the three of you finished talking?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

The Prime Minister smiled pleasantly as he picked up his coffee cup.

“Our Finance Minister always has such long introductions, doesn’t he? Isn’t that right, Foreign Minister? Haha!”

As always, the Foreign Minister laughed off the Prime Minister’s joke. The Prime Minister was always like this, whether in public or private settings, so no one paid much attention to his jokes. The same went for Clebins, the Counterintelligence Chief of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

“Ah, Clebins! It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face. Have you been well lately?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Good work on the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute matter. The magic tower issue as well. I’m pleased to see the Military Intelligence Bureau people doing such a good job. Wouldn’t you agree, Intelligence Director?”

The Royal Intelligence Director nodded while sitting on the sofa.

Rather than appearing arrogant, he seemed to nod because he lacked the energy to speak. In fact, the Royal Intelligence Director was elderly, nearing retirement, and looked thoroughly exhausted, his appearance quite haggard.

Clebins thought he must be losing sleep over the upcoming operation.

“Good. So what’s the conclusion?”

“It seems it will proceed as a joint operation. Royal Intelligence, Military Intelligence, Cabinet Security Office, Special Investigation Bureau. Along with the Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Magic Departments moving together.”

“Hmm! Sounds dreadful just hearing about it. I’m considering whether I should get some sleep now, thinking about the paperwork that will fill the corridors of this residence.”

The Prime Minister gestured for him to continue speaking while making his joke.

The Royal Intelligence Director nodded and continued.

“This operation poses a significant burden for our government. Analysts predict that whether the operation succeeds or fails, there will be some level of repercussions throughout the nation. Not just economically and diplomatically. There will be considerable impact on international relations, including cooperation with allies, and national security.”

“That’s a headache to hear first thing in the morning. Can’t you just keep it brief?”

“It means there will be problems whether we succeed or fail, Prime Minister.”

Damn it.

The Prime Minister muttered a mild expletive as he picked up a sandwich. It was a sandwich stuffed with fresh lobster meat.

“Then can we mitigate the impact by moving together with our allies?”

The Foreign Minister answered that question.

“Of course, Prime Minister. It’s entirely possible.”

“Is that so? Then let’s proceed with contacting Fatalia as per the report submitted by the Military Intelligence Bureau last time. Carefully.”

“I’ll arrange a meeting with the Fatalian ambassador.”

“Good. Then could the Foreign Minister and Finance Minister please arrange a place for a moment?”

At this dismissal, the two ministers gathered their things and left the residence. The Prime Minister looked at the Royal Intelligence Director, Military Intelligence Director, and Military Intelligence Counterintelligence Chief who remained.

The Prime Minister picked up his sandwich and coffee and abruptly said:

“What is… the Major at the magic tower doing?”

“He’s doing well without any issues. His cover identity remains effective, and his activities haven’t been detected by local counterintelligence agencies or hostile intelligence agencies.”

“Oh, Director. That’s not what I’m asking right now.”

Thud. Several files dropped onto the side table.

They were brown files with security classifications marked in red letters on the cover.

Both the Military Intelligence Director and Clebins knew what those files were. They were documents produced by the Military Intelligence Bureau.

“I understand the Major is not participating in this operation. But looking at the reports he’s submitting, it seems as if he’s getting involved in the operation. I’d like you to be honest…”

“……”

“…Did you involve him?”

The Military Intelligence Director shook his head.

“Prime Minister. This operation is led by the Royal Intelligence Department, and they have full discretion. Even if the Military Intelligence Bureau wanted to deploy the officer you mentioned, we would need the Royal Intelligence Department’s consent. And of course, your final approval would be necessary.”

“Then is it possible that information was leaked, or someone tipped him off?”

“……”

At the Prime Minister’s question, the Director silently turned his gaze to the Chief.

But Clebins had nothing to hide, so he silently shook his head. The Director saw this and spoke.

“No. Security is being maintained perfectly. It’s realistically impossible for an officer in the field, not at headquarters, to be aware of information unrelated to his duties.”

“Damn it. Then what’s going on? Surely you’re not saying he just figured it out by luck?”

The Prime Minister looked awkwardly at the Royal Intelligence Director, who looked back and shook his head.

“Whether it’s luck or not, at the very least, no one from the Royal Intelligence or Military Intelligence has passed information to the operative. No one has contacted him, and there are no records of anyone searching for information related to this operation in the internal network or accessing information documents.”

“Really?”

“He did look up one related document, but it didn’t contain any significant information.”

“If that’s true, it’s hard to believe.”

The Prime Minister asked the Royal Intelligence Director.

“So what are you going to do?”

The Royal Intelligence Director asked back.

“What would you like us to do?”

“Personally, I think it might be good to involve the Major in the operation.”

The Military Intelligence Director interjected.

He frowned slightly and spoke in a cautious tone.

“I apologize, Prime Minister, but Project 73 is still in the pilot program stage.”

“Oh, Director. Please speak so I can understand.”

“It means it’s in the testing phase. Project 73 is going through procedures to verify its political, diplomatic, and military effectiveness.”

“Wasn’t that test already completed long ago? It seems the effectiveness has been sufficiently proven.”

“Prime Minister, evaluations don’t end after just one or two assessments.”

“…Is that so?”

The Prime Minister paused, briefly looked at his watch, then gathered his coffee cup and sandwich plate as he stood up. The clock was approaching 9 o’clock.

“It’s time to go to work. Let’s discuss this matter again later, everyone please return to your posts.”

“Understood, Prime Minister.”

“…Ah. And.”

The Prime Minister, dragging his indoor slippers that poked out from under his pajama pants, said:

“Who was the person in charge of overseeing this operation again?”

*

“……”

“Why are you here again, Director?”

Leoni sat in the chair across from me, looking at me with an impassive face.

I couldn’t tell if she was just expressionless or not focusing on the conversation. It was difficult to read the face of a seasoned intelligence officer.

“You must have something to say since you came here? Please speak quickly.”

“Have you been causing trouble lately?”