Ch.136Episode 8 – Say Hello To My Little Friend

# In truth, this scheduled return wasn’t simply for debriefing.

It was because I had vacation time included.

I planned to visit the hospital to have my makeshift-treated gunshot wound examined, run some personal errands in town, do some shopping. Also purchase items needed for Camilla’s training, gather information about my next deployment location, and track down my other two colleagues. Or perhaps visit my family home after three years to see their faces, among other things.

I wasn’t sure how much vacation time I’d get, but I was planning to take a break from embassy work for a while.

I’m human too, after all. I can’t just work all the time, can I?

So I was packing my bags with a somewhat excited mood when…

A problem arose.

-“The Inspection Office is investigating you, Major. Did you know? No, more importantly, what are we going to do now?”

“……”

-“Major?”

And it was a very big problem.

## Episode 8 – Say Hello To My Little Friend

When asked to name the most powerful departments in an intelligence agency, certain ones always come up.

Planning, Personnel, General Affairs, Finance, Legal Affairs, and Inspection.

Among these, the Inspection Office (監察) stands as a uniquely powerful department with formidable authority. Due to the sensitive nature of information handled by intelligence agencies, external oversight is difficult, so every intelligence agency maintains its own internal audit department. That’s the Inspection Office.

The duties of the Inspection department include counterintelligence and internal audits.

They investigate everything from minor violations of internal regulations to major security breaches, and they root out and punish employee corruption, unauthorized economic activities, and even behavior that violates dignity, like extramarital affairs. Their oversight extends to every employee in the intelligence agency—not just entry-level staff but even senior officials who’ve served for decades.

The important thing is that the Inspection department holds disciplinary authority.

At this point, I had an immediate sense that I was screwed.

I didn’t know why I’d been targeted, but just being investigated by Inspection negatively impacts one’s personnel evaluation.

Even receiving a “warning” or “caution” leaves a mark on your personnel record, and receiving even the lightest disciplinary action, a “reprimand,” means losing your performance bonus for a year. If you receive “probation” or “salary reduction,” you can’t advance to the next pay grade.

And if you receive one of the severe disciplinary actions like “dismissal,” “removal,” “demotion,” or “suspension”? That’s the end of your military career. Most people who receive severe disciplinary actions are deemed unfit for active duty and discharged. The so-called “fitness review” is essentially a recommendation to retire if you want to collect your pension.

And now this all-powerful Inspection Office was investigating me just as I was returning for debriefing… I wasn’t sure if this was coincidence or fate.

First, I needed to assess the situation.

Although there was still time before my official return date, I needed to go to the Intelligence Bureau to find out what was happening. Clebins used to work in the Inspection Office before becoming the Counterintelligence Director, so he might know something.

So, with the mindset of a death row inmate on execution day, I boarded the warp gate bound for Abas as soon as dawn broke.

“……”

And as soon as I exited the gate arrival hall, I encountered unfamiliar men in suits.

“Frederick Nostrim?”

“Yes, that’s me. Who are…?”

“We’re from the company. Let’s go together.”

*

At first, I thought they were from the Inspection Office coming to apprehend me.

After all, no one else would come to meet me when I’d returned several days earlier than scheduled.

I was wrong.

“Ah, so you’ve arrived?”

Led by the company employees, I arrived at an office where I met Clebins.

He wore a very welcoming expression as we met for the first time in months.

“It’s good to see your face after so long. Ho ho.”

“…Director?”

“Sit down first. You must be jet-lagged after coming straight to the office. Have some tea and catch your breath.”

Clebins, who had been working at his desk, stood up and offered me a seat. He instructed his newly appointed aide to bring tea.

While I was glad to see Clebins after several months, I was still flustered after rushing back upon hearing that the Inspection Office was investigating me. So I could only sit on the sofa with a bewildered feeling.

By the time the aide who had replaced me during my overseas assignment brought refreshments, Clebins, seated in the place of honor, spoke in a gentle voice.

“So, how was it going abroad for the first time in three years? Was life at the magic tower manageable?”

“Ah, yes. It was manageable.”

“I’m glad you adapted well. More importantly, how’s your injury? I heard you were shot.”

I touched the gunshot wound I’d almost forgotten about and replied that it was fine.

Clebins let out a thoughtful hum before nodding.

“It might not be a serious injury, but you should visit a hospital. Go to the General Affairs Office and explain the situation, and they’ll cover your medical expenses. Since it’s an injury sustained during official duties, you should receive ample compensation. You can even get a discount if you go to a military hospital.”

“No matter what, a military hospital is a bit…”

“Indeed. Military doctors aren’t very reliable, are they? Unless they’re priests.”

Military hospitals in this area weren’t particularly trustworthy, unlike those in South Korea.

Clebins chuckled in agreement, dropping several sugar cubes into his teacup.

“So, why did you return so early? Is there a problem? I sent staff when I heard you’d left the magic tower.”

“Ah, about that…”

With mixed feelings, I shared my concerns.

It felt like a child hiding a switch after misbehaving, but Clebins was the only one who could help me right now.

“I got a call from Jake saying the Inspection Office is investigating me. What’s going on? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Clebins, who had been chuckling, muttered with a puzzled expression.

“Investigating you?”

“Yes, they’re conducting a background investigation on me.”

“I see. Try not to use slang. I don’t understand these terms young people use these days…”

Clebins rambled about feeling old when hearing such language and feeling out of touch with the times.

This is actually common terminology even among executives at headquarters.

Anyway, since the Inspection Office was probably actively investigating me at this very moment, I rapidly explained everything to Clebins.

“…Hmm.”

After listening for a while, Clebins opened his mouth with a nonchalant expression.

“Well, I understand what you’re saying. You seem flustered, so let’s talk while getting some fresh air.”

*

The view of the capital from the Military Intelligence Bureau’s rooftop was truly beautiful. It reminded me of the night view of Banpo-dong from the top of the headquarters building, with the Han River bridges and Yongsan beyond.

We had a quiet conversation against the backdrop of the Abas capital’s scenery.

Of course, while the scenery was nice, the content of our conversation wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“The Inspection Office is investigating you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Clebins, gazing at the capital, nodded slowly.

“Remember what I told you? That there were some behind-the-scenes matters you weren’t aware of?”

“I remember.”

“The Inspection Office’s investigation of you is related to that. It would be better if you didn’t know the details. But I can tell you that the inspection won’t disadvantage you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Ah, why are young people so curious? Sometimes it’s better not to know.”

Clebins responded with a somewhat dubious expression. Seeing the old man beating around the bush, he was clearly hiding something.

“I’m asking because it’s frustrating. Because it’s frustrating.”

“I’m telling you, it’s better not to know.”

“Come on, how can I sleep easy when the Inspection Office is digging into my background?”

My voice rose as the normally straightforward person kept being evasive.

However, Clebins didn’t reprimand me.

He just clicked his tongue while looking up at the unusually clear Abas sky.

“Do you really need to know to be satisfied?”

“Yes.”

“Good grief… You’re stubborn too.”

The 20-year intelligence agency veteran groaned and settled into his seat after my not-quite-rebuke about just giving me the information.

Sitting down heavily in a corner of the Military Intelligence Bureau rooftop, Clebins began his story with an old tale.

“You were followed when you were at the Church, weren’t you?”

“The Church? Ah, you mean when I went to the Inquisition?”

It wasn’t that long ago.

When I was first dispatched to the Church as a hero’s companion, right after the bomb attack, I visited the Inquisition.

Whether it was a terrorist attack by extremists or an assassination attempt by an intelligence agency, the local counterintelligence agency would know something. That judgment turned out to be correct.

However,

On my way from the embassy to the Inquisition, I was followed. I managed to shake them off and filed an official report, but I still don’t know who was behind it.

Clebins referred to that situation.

“Our agents stationed at the embassy identified the people who followed you then. They were intelligence officers from the Lushan Federal Kingdom’s embassy, working as administrative staff.”

“The General Intelligence Bureau?”

The General Intelligence Bureau is the national intelligence agency of the Lushan Federal Kingdom in the southern part of the continent, adjacent to Moritania.

While geographically attached to northern regions like Abas, the Kiyen Empire, the Church, and Fatalia, culturally and historically, the Lushan Federal Kingdom has deep ties with the Moritania continent. It’s similar to how Turkey is attached to the Balkans and Europe but is closely connected to the Middle East.

Moreover, like Turkey being influenced by Islam versus Europe being influenced by Christianity (including Protestantism and Catholicism), the Lushan Federal Kingdom has a different mainstream religion and constantly clashes with the Church. Crazy religious fanatics.

But they were following me?

“Isn’t Lushan an ally?”

“They’re allies, but not as solid as Fatalia is to Abas. They differ in diplomatic stance, culture, political system, ideology, and even religion.”

“That’s true, but…”

I trailed off, processing the information Clebins had shared.

The Lushan Federal Kingdom, like Turkey balancing between the First World (free bloc) and Second World (communist-socialist bloc), isn’t a firm ally of Abas.

Nominally a presidential system, it’s actually an absolute monarchy where the king of the most powerful state in the federation of principalities rules hereditarily. As such, it benefits from both democratic Abas and the autocratic-dictatorial Kiyen Empire.

Due to this political and diplomatic environment, just as Istanbul once served as a hub for Western intelligence operations against communist countries and Eastern intelligence operations against the West, the Lushan Federal Kingdom is a hotbed for espionage activities.

So it makes sense that an intelligence officer disguised as an embassy administrative staff would follow me.

Wait.

Embassy administrative staff?

Something seems off.

“……”

When intelligence agencies conduct foreign intelligence gathering and operations, they typically use their country’s diplomatic missions. Even with strict surveillance, diplomatic missions are the easiest points of infiltration.

That’s why North Korean communists used embassies and consulates in Eastern Europe and Africa for anti-American operations in the 70s and 80s, and even conducted operations against South Korea from the East German embassy in East Berlin.

However, this type of infiltration is burdensome even for intelligence agencies.

The core of all intelligence activities is plausible deniability—hiding the source of operations. But if a diplomat from an embassy is caught spying, it leads to an unavoidable diplomatic disaster with no room for denial.

That’s why intelligence officers infiltrating diplomatic missions always disguise themselves as diplomats protected by the Vienna Convention. Diplomats handling diplomatic affairs have immunity from arrest. Intelligence agencies call these people “white” or official cover intelligence officers.

But infiltrating as an official cover creates problems. Any competent counterintelligence agency would mark someone obviously suspected of being a spy. So those infiltrating under official cover usually manage local intelligence networks and officers from their desks rather than working in the field. Unless it’s a resource-strapped third-world country, there’s no benefit to having diplomats risk exposure in the field.

For these restricted official cover officers, there are “black” or unofficial cover officers who move freely.

These are intelligence officers who don’t receive protection under diplomatic conventions but have freedom of movement. However, they must be prepared to be arrested, tortured, or killed.

These unofficial covers often pose as civilians like businesspeople or journalists, but when direct infiltration isn’t possible, they might infiltrate as low-level administrative or labor staff at their country’s diplomatic mission.

Administrative and labor staff aren’t protected by the Vienna Convention, making background checks difficult. Plus, infiltrating one’s own embassy has a high success rate. The CIA often used this method for anti-Soviet operations in the heart of the Soviet Union. That’s how I know.

“The Lushan Federal Kingdom, having tense relations with the Church, primarily uses diplomatic missions for anti-Church operations.”

“I didn’t realize unofficial cover agents were involved. I thought it was the Empire.”

“Did you think they’d go easy on you because they’re allies? This field doesn’t have a culture of giving discounts for friendship…”

The Military Intelligence Bureau’s Counterintelligence Director made a frivolous joke.

“Actually, many others were investigating you besides them. The Empire, of course, and also the Inquisition and the National Security Bureau were monitoring you. But somehow you managed to slip through.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Do you want to be scolded instead?”

“No. After all that trouble, being scolded would be a bit…”

“Anyway, you ignored my suggestion to become an investigator, and now you’re suffering needlessly…”

Clebins grumbled, bringing up how I had rejected his offer to become a Military Intelligence Bureau investigator and applied to be a foreign operations officer instead.

That was six years ago, and I thought he’d forgotten. I don’t know why his memory is so good. He’s a peculiar old man with an inexplicable grudge.

Clebins continued to reveal bits of behind-the-scenes information related to my overseas assignment.

Like how they arrested a certain country’s intelligence agency that was wiretapping me with the help of local counterintelligence, or how they tracked down a following intelligence officer’s identity and destroyed the information network he managed through counter-operations. These were all facts I hadn’t known.

And they were things I didn’t need to know, nor should I have known.

“Why are you telling me all this? According to regulations, you shouldn’t disclose information to someone without proper security clearance. I’m even under inspection right now.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to know?”

He retorted that I was the one who had demanded the information.

What I wanted to know was why I was being inspected, not all this. Did he give me the wrong information?

While I was pondering this, Clebins clicked his tongue and continued.

“You’ve been monitored by multiple intelligence agencies abroad over the past few months, regardless of whether they’re allies or hostile. That’s why the Inspection Office is investigating you.”

“If it’s a security clearance issue, the Inspection Office wouldn’t need to get involved. Being monitored overseas is the same for other staff—”

“Do you think agencies like the Imperial Guard can’t monitor you just because you’ve returned home?”

I was momentarily speechless.

Clebins spoke with his usual expression.

“About a month ago, Imperial intelligence agencies approached people around you. And they did it within Abas.”

“…Who did they approach?”

“Everyone—family, relatives, military academy classmates, field service seniors and juniors, school teachers, and even classmates from the academy whose names you barely remember. The Inspection Office is conducting a comprehensive investigation with the cooperation of relevant agencies.”

“……”

“I told you, didn’t I?”

That it would be better not to know.

*

‘Remember that informant I mentioned before? The defected Imperial embassy’s counterintelligence section chief.’

‘Yes. I remember you bought him.’

‘He has two children and was facing dismissal from his job, so I persuaded him with money. A few months ago, before he returned to his country, the last piece of information he provided was that the Empire was investigating you.’

‘Who’s behind it? The Imperial Guard?’

‘After the Imperial Guard’s foreign intelligence network partially collapsed due to a major spy purge, other intelligence agencies filled the void. The company currently suspects it’s the military. Probably the Reconnaissance Command. Of course, we have circumstantial evidence but no concrete proof.’

‘I saw the Reconnaissance Command at the magic tower too. If they’re approaching my family, they’ve infiltrated quite deeply. How was that possible?’

‘The Imperial bastards can do anything. You’ve spent more time abroad than I have, so you should know better. Anyway, with the help of a double agent, we tried to arrest the spies who were digging into your background. Although we failed.’

‘Failed? Did they escape?’

‘We had surveillance on them, but those weaklings ran away. We successfully tracked the fleeing spies to the port with the help of headquarters personnel and local counterintelligence units mobilizing military police, but we couldn’t arrest them either.’

‘What happened?’

‘The spies fired first, resulting in an engagement. All fleeing spies were killed, and the suspected escape vessel fled to international waters. We’re currently tracking which port the spy ship docked at through overseas channels.’

‘…How much information was leaked?’

‘Since we struck before the spy network could take root, we should assume no information was leaked. Your cover identity is still valid. However, if other countries investigate you, or if Imperial intelligence agencies become more cautious and move more carefully in the future, then even I can’t guarantee anything.’

‘…Is my family safe?’

‘Fortunately, they’re unharmed. The police are providing protection, so don’t worry.’

‘Are the other staff members okay? Pippin or Jake? Or anyone else connected to me?’

‘The staff members are fine. However, we can’t protect everyone connected to you.’

‘Why not?’

‘There are too many.’

‘……’

‘We can’t protect everyone you’ve been connected with over 28 years. We don’t have the manpower or funds. Even if we could protect all those people, can you guarantee there wouldn’t be gaps? You’re the operations expert, so you should know better than I do.’

‘…No, I can’t.’

‘What can we do when that’s the reality? All resources are limited, and we need to use them appropriately. In that context, your inspection isn’t much different.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘We can’t maintain your cover indefinitely. There will eventually be a limit. The Intelligence Bureau is preparing for when that limit comes.’

‘…You’re talking about if my identity is exposed.’

‘Yes. If your identity is exposed, according to international conventions, you, as a diplomat, will face diplomatic expulsion. But that alone won’t fully protect you from intelligence agencies or third-party forces. Bluntly speaking, if someone decides you’re a threat and tries to eliminate you, can we detect and prevent that in advance?’

‘If news of my inspection spreads, intelligence agencies could use it as a means of recruitment.’

‘Employees who’ve been disadvantaged by the company have often defected and become double agents. You know that, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I do.’

‘Then we can move quickly. From now on, you’ll be investigated by the Inspection Office and referred to the disciplinary committee. Once an appropriate level of discipline is imposed, the Intelligence Bureau is required to announce the disciplinary action—internally, of course. If that information leaks, foreign intelligence agencies might try to contact you first instead of simply expelling you.’

‘And we’d also find out if there’s a mole inside the company.’

‘Exactly. Do you understand now why you’re being inspected?’

‘It was a formality. But couldn’t you have told me this in advance? Why do you always have to surprise people…’

‘Wouldn’t it be strange if someone could eat normally after receiving a call from the Inspection Office?’

‘Now that you mention it, that’s true.’

‘Anyway, if you understand, wait at the official residence. The Inspection Office knows the situation, so they won’t treat you harshly.’

‘Yes, I understand… But what’s my charge? I don’t mind most things, but something like sexual harassment or embezzlement would be embarrassing.’

‘You’ll find out when you get there. Isn’t it more fun not knowing about these things?’

“…If it’s fun twice, I’ll kill someone.”

I chuckled, recalling Clebins’ joke. That old man really has a nasty disposition.

Anyway, the Military Intelligence Bureau’s plan that Clebins revealed was simple.

I would be subjected to an internal audit by the Inspection Office and disciplined by the disciplinary committee for an appropriate reason. Then, the Military Intelligence Bureau would announce the disciplinary action within the intelligence agency as required by law. If this information leaked, it would indicate a mole within the company. The Military Intelligence Bureau would then hunt for the double agent, and I would pretend to defect to whichever intelligence agency discovered the information.

Whether they approached me first after learning about the disciplinary action or changed their minds after picking up deliberately leaked information, the order didn’t matter.

This was the Military Intelligence Bureau’s plan.

I leaned back against the chair and lamented.

“This is why I should have taken an office job instead of field work…”

Anyway.

I’m currently at the Military Intelligence Bureau’s Inspection Office. As Jake and Clebins explained, I’m here to be inspected.

I thought the Inspection Office would look like an interrogation room, but it was structured like a typical conference room. There was a long table in the center of the room with chairs surrounding it.

“Please wait here, and someone will come soon. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yes, thank you for your help.”

The inspector who guided me here closed the conference room door and left. I sat alone in the spacious conference room, blankly staring at the ceiling.

I had been terrified when I heard the Inspection Office was investigating me. But it turned out to be nothing special. Just common groundwork that intelligence agencies do for information officers going on overseas assignments.

Well, not exactly common groundwork, but one of the methods intelligence agencies use when they’re serious about infiltration. Roughly disciplining someone or temporarily assigning them to a dead-end position, then waiting for naive spies to approach. It’s a counter-operation.

Of course, being disciplined or relegated to a dead-end position this way is purely for the mission. Since there’s no real problem warranting discipline, everything will be nullified once the operation ends. Those in dead-end positions will move to key positions, and those who were demoted will return to their original rank. That would likely happen to me too.

So I waited for the Inspection Office’s internal audit with a calm mind. I figured I’d just nod along to whatever the inspector said, then stamp and sign the documents.

But.

No matter how I thought about it, this wasn’t right.

“…Kid, who are you?”

“How dare you speak so disrespectfully to an inspector when you’re under inspection… Such an irreverent attitude!”