Ch.11Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

The old man sat down with a faint smile.

The priest who had guided me until just now stood behind the old man. He seemed to be his secretary.

I tapped the armrest gently, lost in thought, while the old man merely tilted his teacup without saying a word.

By the time the tea in front of me had grown cold, the old man finally spoke.

“I’ve gone to the trouble of serving you tea. Why aren’t you touching it?”

“…”

I deliberately chose not to answer. As the head of a counterintelligence agency, he probably already knew everything, and I didn’t want to speak carelessly in front of someone like that.

The old man tilted his head and continued with a shameless attitude.

“Is black tea not to your taste, Major? Rebecca, could you perhaps prepare a different tea?”

“Black tea, green tea, coffee, milk tea, and iced tea are all available.”

The priest who had been silent answered, and the Inquisitor General raised both hands as if inviting me to choose.

“I don’t need tea. Let’s just get to the point, Inquisitor General.”

“Oh, you’re more impatient than you look, Major.”

He spoke as if he was experiencing something amusing for the first time in a long while. The old man set down his teacup and began a predictable self-introduction.

“I am Inquisitor General Pedro. Pleased to meet you, Major.”

Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

The Inquisition.

An institution established by the 101st Pope in 897.

Its primary duties were originally to identify and punish heretics, and to make judgments on marriage and divorce.

In times when state administrative power did not reach remote areas, inquisitors would travel to those regions to handle criminal and civil trials. This tradition continues today, with priests who specialized in law sometimes observing proceedings in courtrooms.

Current duties include maintaining security within church territories and counterintelligence activities. Security maintenance duties are scheduled to be transferred to a newly established agency. Going forward, they plan to focus on counterintelligence activities.

…or so the Inquisitor General said.

“What do you think, Major? We’re an agency that catches both heretics and spies.”

“…”

“No reaction. Rebecca, was my explanation too boring?”

“Not at all, Director Pedro.”

What was the point of all this?

I stared at the steam rising from the teacup, lost in thought.

I had clearly visited the Inquisition to provide information about yesterday’s bombing. The Security Director of the Inquisition came out to greet me. I caused a scene because they seemed to be handling things terribly, then left. When I got in the elevator, some priest directed me to the top floor.

There, the Inquisitor General was waiting for me.

For me.

“Are you curious why I called for you?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm.”

At first glance, the old man seemed mischievous. He appeared playful. Looking at him, he seemed like a grandfather who lived for teasing his grandchildren.

“If you came to file a report, shouldn’t you share the information before leaving?”

The problem was that this man was the head of a counterintelligence agency that hunted down spies. In other words, he was state security.

Inquisitor General Pedro.

“I’d like to report, but I’m not feeling particularly confident in this institution.”

“My goodness! It seems Bernard played his joke too harshly. I regret that, Major Frederick.”

It was too light to be an apology, and his expression was too playful to express genuine regret. I gently touched the teacup, sinking into thought, while Pedro pointed at me and spoke.

“Still not planning to drink the tea?”

“…”

“Perhaps the reason you’re not drinking the tea is because you didn’t witness its preparation with your own eyes?”

The fact that he asked while already knowing the answer showed that Pedro was a nasty old man.

“Intelligence agents are always like that. Suspicious, cautious, and quick-witted.”

“Is that so?”

“Weren’t you trained that way? Unless in special circumstances, always confirm the preparation process with your own eyes before consuming food.”

Pedro rambled on about how intelligence agencies around the world trained their agents this way, as if everyone knew it. He seemed quite excited about it.

“Isn’t it fascinating that agents receive similar training regardless of nationality, Major?”

I deliberately chose not to answer. There might be listening devices somewhere, or recorders running. As I’ve repeatedly emphasized, security is a matter of life and death for an agent. One should never reveal one’s affiliation with one’s own mouth.

Pedro continued with a smirk.

“From my perspective, you seem to be from the Military Intelligence Bureau of the Abas Kingdom.”

“I’m just an ordinary army major, Director.”

“Oh! There’s no need for such lies. There are no listening devices or recorders here.”

I didn’t believe him. Colonel Clavins always said to doubt everything.

Observing my attitude, Director Pedro leaned back in his chair without erasing his smile.

“Do you know why I suspect you’re from the Military Intelligence Bureau?”

“Well… I suppose such assumptions are natural since I came from the Kingdom—”

“It’s because of your behavior.”

Director Pedro began his explanation with an amused smile.

“You were about to draw the thin blade hidden in your sleeve to attack Rebecca.”

That’s right.

I was suspicious of her, and I had the ability to escape even if I killed her.

It was a method my instructor had personally taught me during agent training. I remember it wasn’t even in the manual, and I learned it through painful practice until I mastered it. Pedro boldly revealed that he knew about it.

“The Kingdom has been training its soldiers that way for a long time. Not just agents, but special forces also hide knives in their sleeves. They might use larger blades, but agents like you use thin blades that won’t be detected in body searches, don’t you?”

“Since I’m not from special forces, I wouldn’t know.”

“Oh, I know that too, Major. Your story has been in the newspapers quite a bit!”

The priest handed a newspaper to the Director, who showed it to me. The old man pointed with his finger and read slowly, like a grandfather reading a book to his grandchild.

“Commissioned as an Army Second Lieutenant on the northern front. Received a medal for military achievements and promoted one rank. Subsequently continued to serve on the front lines and was promoted to Captain.”

“That’s true, though I’m embarrassed by it.”

“I know that you fought against the elite soldiers of the Kiyen Empire on the northern front.”

“I see.”

So what?

“A newly commissioned second lieutenant leading a platoon and earning military honors. Wouldn’t the Military Intelligence Bureau be interested in such a person?”

The old man chuckled and gently scratched his cheek.

The Military Intelligence Bureau did approach me when I received the medal.

The soldier who came to meet me then was Colonel Clavins, and I became an intelligence agent at his suggestion. For reference, I earned my captain’s rank not on the front lines but in the intelligence bureau.

So that newspaper contained a mix of truth and lies—disinformation.

Of course, Pedro probably knew this too, but he was putting on a ridiculous act as if it didn’t matter.

“Honestly, I envy you. Smart, good-looking, and young. As I get older, my teeth become uncomfortable—”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Despite my sharp response, Director Pedro continued to smile as if something amused him.

“Right. Let’s get back to the point. The reason I thought you were a Military Intelligence Bureau agent was because of the knife. There were also several other circumstances.”

“Such as?”

“Your subordinates are capable, but unfortunately, they lack caution. When meeting with informants, one should always be aware of the surroundings.”

Damn it.

It seemed that Pipin and Jake had been caught in the Inquisition’s intelligence net while I was unconscious.

But it’s fine. The fact that they met with a local informant isn’t problematic in itself.

If the inquisitors had caught them exchanging confidential documents, Pipin and Jake would have immediately lost their diplomatic status and been deported back home.

Why is he being so blatant about this?

“…Did you call me here to warn me?”

“I had suspected you were an agent from the beginning. Just a guess, of course.”

Where did I slip up?

“You reacted too quickly for an ordinary army major. When the bomb exploded right in front of you, you instinctively shouted to protect the Hero first, didn’t you?”

“…”

“Of course, I don’t know exactly what you shouted, but seeing your subordinate run toward the Hero, I can guess that you gave such an order.”

“I see the Inquisition agents monitor even church events.”

The knife in my sleeve. Pipin and Jake’s activities. And my response during the terror attack. Every single action was being read by the Inquisition.

‘We’re watching your every move, so don’t try anything stupid and leave quietly.’

Though Pedro didn’t say it directly, that’s how I interpreted it. It was essentially unspoken pressure.

The old man smiled broadly and clapped his hands, cutting off the flow of conversation.

“Well! Let’s end the introduction here and listen to the information you’ve brought.”

I placed the paper documents I had brought on the desk. Pedro took them and examined them for a while, then suddenly began to smile.

“A report on the movements of subversive groups after the terror attack. Will you not answer if I ask about the source of this information?”

“…I was only ordered to deliver it, so I’m not sure.”

“Then I won’t pry. The materials you’ve provided will be useful in investigating the terror attack. I’d appreciate if you could convey our thanks.”

Pedro summoned Rebecca with a small gesture. Rebecca handed me a small document envelope.

“…What is this?”

“It’s the analysis results of the bomb used in the terror attack.”

One good turn deserves another, doesn’t it?

The old man leaned back in his chair, saying things he didn’t mean, while I maintained an expressionless face and stared at him. After observing me for a moment, Pedro sighed and spoke with a smile.

“Ah! If you’re worried about leaking confidential information, there’s no need to worry!”

Confidential information leak. Internal documents. Security Director Bernard.

It seems they had been monitoring me from the moment I entered the Inquisition. Or perhaps the room where I stayed was itself an interrogation room.

It’s blood-chilling.

What would have happened if I had read the documents Bernard handed over? Would I have been charged with espionage and deported? Or dragged to a torture chamber?

Quite frightening.

“…Well, if the Director says so.”

I put the envelope inside my coat.

Suddenly, I became curious about why he was doing all this. I was about to open my mouth to ask, but Pedro was faster.

“By the way, you drank the tea when you met with Director Bernard earlier, but now you won’t even touch it.”

Pedro brought up the tea again.

“Why did you drink the tea provided in that room?”

“I was thirsty.”

“Then is the reason you’re not drinking now because you’re not thirsty?”

“That’s right.”

Pedro shook his head in denial.

“No. You’re suspicious now. Your senses have returned after suddenly meeting the Inquisitor General.”

His words cut deep. I could predict what this old man was about to say.

From the moment I set foot in the church building until now, as I sat across from him.

The old man had been testing me. And now he was warning me.

Meddle in his territory, and I’d end up dead.

“The reason you’re not drinking the tea now is because you’ve encountered Rebecca and me, isn’t it?”

“Then why did I drink the tea initially?”

“Carelessness.”

The old man smiled.

“You were reassured by the guard you met at the entrance. After seeing his attitude and appearance, you underestimated the Inquisition.”

Pedro laughed.

“When you used the secret passage, you felt secure. In fact, you probably felt good. How was the small room? Quite cozy, wasn’t it?”

The Inquisitor General laughed. He laughed heartily.

“Don’t let your guard down, Major. The moment you relax your vigilance, you die. What if I had drugged all the tea in that room?”

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. It was too accurate to dismiss as an old man’s delusion. He was the head of a counterintelligence agency.

I cleanly acknowledged my mistake. Counterintelligence agencies are obsessed with catching spies by any means necessary, and I knew they could set such traps. I was the one who had forgotten that and let my guard down.

“I’m ashamed.”

“Haha! Don’t be too hard on yourself. People make mistakes!”

Pedro concluded as if it truly didn’t matter.

“But there are no second chances in life, Major. Remember that.”

*

After hours of conversation, Pedro let me go. I thought he might throw me into an interrogation room, but instead, he sent me back with information about the bomb used in the terror attack.

Feeling uneasy, I asked why he had called me in the first place, and he said he was curious about what kind of person was accompanying the Hero. He seems quite eccentric.

The priest escorted me out of the Inquisition building. Since we had used a secret passage, there was no evidence of my visit.

Rebecca, I think that was her name. I’m not sure if it’s her real name or a pseudonym.

“…Thank you.”

“Take care, Major Frederick.”

She escorted me to near the embassy and then disappeared in the direction of the Inquisition. After watching her retreating figure for a moment, I turned and entered the embassy.

I sent a communication to my country reporting my return to the embassy. It would be good to report verbally to the Colonel, but I didn’t think I’d have time to call today with so much to do.

After completing my return report, I met with Pipin and Jake to caution them.

When they heard that the Inquisition had been monitoring them, both turned pale. State security is frightening no matter where you go.

Afterward, I briefly greeted embassy staff like the ambassador and secretary.

I then passed the information provided by Director Pedro to agents disguised as foreign ministry officials. There was no need to analyze the information separately. Colonel Clavins would organize and inform us well. One agent told me that the psychological analysis results would be available in a few days.

Now all that remained was the Hero.

“Miss Camilla Rowell.”

“Major?”

Camilla Rowell was sitting on the terrace, drinking a cold beverage. I sat down in the seat across from her at her gesture.

“How was your day today?”

“I thought it would end quickly, but the conversation dragged on.”

“You must have met someone important.”

The head of a counterintelligence agency is certainly an important person.

However, I couldn’t tell a civilian that I was an intelligence agent who had been in cahoots with the head of a counterintelligence agency, so I packaged my day with a plausible lie.

“I met with some police officers.”

“Ah…”

Her expression darkened, probably reminded of the terror attack. To change the subject, I asked an appropriate question.

“What did you do today, Miss Camilla Rowell?”

“I had a meal with the ambassador, talked with embassy staff, and did some kind of test with the lieutenants.”

In other words, she had dinner with the ambassador, was monitored all day by intelligence officers who stuck to her, and was tested by psychological warfare agents.

Of course, she had no idea that the staff who spoke with her were agents. She probably never will know. She shouldn’t know, and there’s no need for her to know.

I asked her questions about her day for a while. She answered without hesitation and smiled during the conversation. Perhaps due to her optimistic nature, her mental recovery seemed faster than expected.

“I didn’t know there were crayfish bigger than lobsters! They added butter and spices, so the aroma was amazing…”

Her tone of voice clearly changed, especially when talking about food. Her most definite happiness seemed to be in gastronomy.

“Sounds like you had quite an enjoyable day.”

“Hmm—honestly, yes! I ate a lot of delicious food and had many fun experiences. Yes, that’s right.”

That was at least good news.

“How was your day, Major?”

“I was fine too.”

“You look extremely tired though.”

“Well, if a civil servant isn’t tired, that’s when the country is falling apart.”

I dismissed it casually. I couldn’t mention that I’d been cornered by a grumpy old man for hours. Honestly, it was more about embarrassment than being unable to speak due to confidentiality.

As our conversation was wrapping up, she asked me a question.

“Oh, right. Major, when can we go outside the embassy?”

“You can go out after your safety is secured. We’re in discussions with the relevant authorities, so there should be good news soon.”

“Will you be going out to work tomorrow too?”

“Of course. I’m a civil servant after all.”

“What kind of work will you be doing tomorrow?”

Probably spying.

“Um… why do you ask?”

At my question, Camilla Rowell chuckled. Her attitude suggested I was asking something obvious.

“Because we’re comrades.”

Ah. That’s right. I was her comrade. I had forgotten for a moment.

“So are you not going to tell me what you’ll be doing?”

She pouted her lips in disappointment.

Come to think of it, I can’t engage in intelligence activities for a while. Having already been marked as a surveillance target by the Inquisition, it’s impossible to openly conduct espionage activities now.

In other words, I can do anything as long as it’s not illegal.

It happens to be election season.

I stroked my chin, considering what to say, and finally spoke.

“I think I’ll be meeting Miss Camilla Rowell’s new comrades.”

Time to stir up some election opinions.