Ch.14Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

## Second Floor of the Annex Overlooking the Party Venue

A spy met another spy in a secluded area controlled by suspicious men in suits.

The security officer and I sat facing each other across a small table.

“Before we begin our conversation in earnest, I want to inform you that the Kiyen Imperial Family has no connection to the recent bombing incident.”

“Is that so?”

“His Imperial Majesty has personally expressed his regret over the situation.”

The Emperor expressed regret. And the Imperial Family claims no involvement in this incident.

Whether those words are true or not, I have no way of knowing. Politicians are the type to deny everything whenever an accident occurs.

So I interpreted it as the Emperor taking an interest in this matter.

“I’d like to express my regret regarding the terrorist attack. Are you unharmed?”

“Fortunately, there were no injuries.”

“That’s good news.”

The man in the suit brought his glass to his lips and took a deliberately large sip.

After smoothly swallowing his drink, he wiped his fingerprints from the glass with a napkin and began speaking.

“In diplomatic circles, there’s a certain etiquette about not rushing into important matters, but given our circumstances, I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Please do.”

“According to our intelligence sources, a second terrorist attack is expected to occur.”

## Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

A bomb exploded on the first day of arrival at the Order. An improvised explosive device using industrial explosives with a timed detonator went off.

There were 62 civilian casualties in total. The most likely targets were either Camilla Lowell or Cardinal Raphael.

Rumors spread wildly—it was the work of dark wizards, religious reformists, or an attack orchestrated by the Empire—but they were suppressed under the Inquisition’s media control.

Initially, I suspected the Kiyen Empire, or more specifically, the Imperial Guard as the mastermind. It seemed suspicious. They’re traditional enemies of the Kingdom, and they began intelligence activities without making any statements after the bombing.

Perhaps it wasn’t the Empire but someone within the Order. Former Inquisition Chief Raphael had many enemies. There was a possibility that someone harboring resentment over indiscriminate inquisitions had sponsored the attack.

There was no concrete information.

The investigation proceeded based on mere hunches. Then, in the midst of it all, an agent from the previously silent Imperial Guard approached me.

With information that another attack was imminent.

“…Thank you for this valuable information. May I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

The security officer readily agreed.

“You said you’re from the Foreign Counterintelligence Department assigned to the embassy. What exactly do you do that allowed you to obtain intelligence about a terrorist attack?”

I wasn’t asking because I didn’t know what the Counterintelligence Department did.

The duties of an embassy counterintelligence officer included preventing information leaks, disrupting espionage activities, and approving contacts with foreign intelligence agencies.

What I wanted to know was how a “counterintelligence” officer obtained information related to terrorism.

“If you’re asking about my sources, I cannot answer that.”

The man in the suit seemed to catch on and slipped away like a loach.

“As you know, I have an obligation to protect my informants’ identities. You understand the regulations, don’t you?”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

He says he can’t reveal his sources.

Right. The source isn’t what’s important right now.

“…Do you know where and how the attack will be carried out?”

“We don’t know that either. However, we suspect it won’t be a bombing like last time, but rather using different means.”

The identity of the terrorists remains unknown.

Usually when terrorist attacks occur, there are groups that issue statements claiming responsibility, but so far, the perpetrators haven’t delivered any statements or demands.

This means the purpose of the bombing wasn’t to spread ideology or enforce demands. It focused solely on assassination itself.

The man in the suit opened a new bottle and filled his glass.

“Do you have any idea who the target might be?”

“…We suspect either Miss Camilla Lowell or Cardinal Raphael.”

“Indeed. Then wouldn’t the suspects be those who would benefit from the death of the Hero or the Cardinal? Of course, the target might be someone else entirely.”

Someone else entirely.

Is he referring to me?

“When you say someone else, do you mean me?”

“As the Hero’s companion, couldn’t you also be a potential target?”

“…No, let’s set that aside for now.”

I paused briefly. As silence lingered, the puzzled man in the suit tilted his head.

“…Why are you giving me this information?”

To obtain intelligence of this caliber, the Imperial Guard must have some connection to the terrorists.

This suggests they gathered and analyzed intelligence about an impending attack through some local collaborator or previously planted agent.

“Are you curious about why our Imperial Guard would have information about terrorists, and why we’re sharing it with you?”

“Yes.”

“It’s simple—we are not the terrorists.”

The man in the suit smiled slyly.

“His Imperial Majesty has been eagerly awaiting the Hero’s arrival. But since the terrorist attack, her schedule has been delayed.”

To summarize his words in one sentence: ‘We are not the terrorists.’

Thinking about it carefully, there’s no reason for Imperial Guard agents to set off bombs and delay the schedule when the Emperor is waiting for Camilla Lowell.

“Then who do you think is behind the attacks?”

“This is my personal opinion, not the official stance of the Imperial Guard, but perhaps it’s a faction within the Order…”

“That’s enough.”

I abruptly stood up and went downstairs to the first floor.

The conversation that began with shocking news ended after just over 30 minutes. I immediately canceled all my appointments and returned to the embassy.

*

I rushed back to the embassy after delivering the news, but it had already turned into pandemonium.

“What’s the current situation?!”

“What did the Inquisition say? What? Why is someone who doesn’t know a damn thing sitting there! Connect me immediately!”

“I’ll dictate the content, so send a telegram to the Foreign Ministry. Hurry!”

It was chaos.

There was no focus, no preparation.

The ambassador stood dazed with a lost expression, while the secretaries fidgeted anxiously. Fortunately, agents who had regained their composure cleared a path, allowing me to reach the conference room.

I locked the conference room door, drew the curtains, then strode to the center of the room and operated the communication device.

“Thank you for your hard work during this busy time. According to information I’ve obtained, a second terrorist attack targeting the Hero has been forewarned. Colonel, can you hear me?”

-“Yes, yes, I’m listening. You say a terrorist attack has been forewarned?”

“Yes. Information directly provided by someone I just met.”

I delivered the information I had heard as concisely as possible. The colonel remained silent, concentrating, while the agents were busy transcribing my words.

-“Frederick, thank you for the briefing. I have a few questions—can you tell me the source of this information?”

“It was provided by an agent from the Imperial Guard’s Foreign Counterintelligence Department. He said he was assigned to the Kiyen Empire’s embassy.”

-“An embassy counterintelligence officer, then. Let’s summarize what you’ve learned.”

“Currently, a second terrorist attack has been forewarned. The means and methods are unknown, and we don’t have a definite date. They seemed not to know the specific details either.”

The colonel and I exchanged a few questions, while the agents frantically transcribed the meeting contents onto paper.

In the midst of this, the ambassador abruptly interjected.

“Um, so, does this mean another bomb will go off targeting the Hero? Did I hear that correctly?”

“I don’t know if it will be a bomb or bullets. What’s certain is that another terrorist attack will occur.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Major Frederick. There are a few things I’d like to know. Can you analyze who the perpetrators might be and where the attack might occur?”

“…You want me to do that right now, in this meeting?”

“Yes.”

What is this bald idiot saying?

He wants me to analyze intelligence when we don’t even have any cross-verification data? Not even the CIA grandfathers could do that.

As I contemplated whether to spit in his octopus-head face, Colonel Clevins intervened.

-“Ambassador, turning raw intelligence into actionable information takes time. It’s not something that can be produced instantly like stamping out pastries.”

“I understand that. But with the Hero’s official schedule resumption right around the corner, we don’t have the luxury of waiting. We need to coordinate with the Order as soon as tomorrow dawns.”

He’s saying there’s no time.

The ambassador, finally seeming to have come to his senses, straightened his posture and continued his explanation.

“There are dozens of scheduled events at the Order. Ambassadors from every nation are eagerly awaiting the Hero’s appearance at official functions. What happens if we postpone the schedule again?”

-“The Foreign Ministry wouldn’t like that. What damages would occur if the schedule were delayed?”

“Most of our overseas ventures would be affected. Companies with foreign branches would have to close shop, and the kingdom’s economy would be shaken as all nationally-sponsored projects take a hit.”

In short, we’d be fucked.

It seems incredible that one Hero’s seclusion could cause all this, but this was the stark reality. Just then, an agent who had entered the conference room with papers spoke up.

“The Inquisition says they have no information about a second terrorist attack.”

“As I mentioned earlier, this information came from the Imperial Guard. Naturally, the Inquisition wouldn’t know about it.”

While I skimmed through the document the agent handed me, the ambassador tactlessly flapped his lips again.

“Then how about sharing this information with the Inquisition? Since terrorist investigations fall under their jurisdiction, wouldn’t it be good to share information and establish countermeasures?”

Is he an idiot?

Share information obtained through Imperial espionage with a counterintelligence agency?

-“The moment we pass that information to the Inquisition, Imperial Guard agents will start dying. Do you think the Imperial Guard would sit idly by?”

“Ah, I see! I, I made a mistake.”

Perhaps imagining a future where he gets a lead bullet lodged in his head on his way home, the ambassador retracted his statement. As the exchange between the two ended, the ambassador’s aide raised his hand as if on cue.

“How about officially announcing that a terrorist attack is expected?”

What the fuck is this nonsense now?

My expression soured, but the oblivious spokesperson continued running his mouth.

“If we publicly announce that we’re aware of the impending attack, wouldn’t the frightened terrorists hesitate?”

“What a fucking id—”

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, nothing. Mr. Aide? I, uh, appreciate your insight. However, terrorists who detonated bombs in the heart of the Order are unlikely to halt their plans because of an official embassy announcement.”

Logically, people who commit acts of terrorism aren’t exactly normal.

The fact that they haven’t released any statements or demands despite the passage of time since the attack suggests they have no intention of negotiating.

In other words, they’re uncompromising bastards focused solely on assassination.

So they won’t back down even if intimidated. If they had such timidity, they wouldn’t have set off bombs in the first place.

He seemed to understand, nodding and closing his mouth. Next, a stern-looking staff member with glasses posed a question. I wasn’t sure of his department.

“Let’s clarify one thing first. Is the embassy safe from terrorist attacks?”

A terrorist attack targeting the embassy.

That’s certainly a possibility.

I quickly recalled the embassy building’s structure and the positions of the holy knights in my mind.

“Considering the security forces stationed around the embassy and the building’s structure, I believe we would be safe for a certain period even if an attack occurred.”

“Are you saying a terrorist attack might target a diplomatic mission?”

How the fuck would I know, you bastard? If I knew, I’d be running a fortune-telling shop.

“It’s not entirely impossible, but the probability is very low.”

The bespectacled man seemed terrified, wiping his face with his thick hands, while the ambassador dabbed the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

I placed both hands on the table and lowered my voice.

“After the bombing, the terrorists didn’t release any statements. This means they have no intention of gaining anything through negotiation. If their goal is assassination itself…”

As my voice trailed off, everyone’s attention focused on me.

“…Please reconsider resuming the Hero’s public activities.”

I gulped down water to soothe my parched throat. Suddenly, scenes from a movie I’d watched in my previous life flashed through my mind. It was a film about gunfire at an embassy—what was it called? 13 Hours, perhaps?

I remembered special forces operatives running across rooftops with rifles, resisting. If things go wrong, I might end up like them, running around the embassy rooftop with just a pistol.

By now, the atmosphere in the conference room had become subdued, with only an empty silence lingering. After what seemed like an eternity, a weak murmur broke through the silence.

It was the ambassador’s voice.

“…Let’s take a break for now.”

And so, the futile three-hour meeting ended.

*

Several days passed.

All embassy staff were running around preparing for the official schedule. Since no directives had come from the kingdom, they continued with the preparations as planned.

And finally, this morning, a communication arrived from home.

On the second-floor terrace of the embassy, with one hand in my pocket, I fidgeted with my leg like a madman as I received the communication.

“What’s the decision, Colonel?”

-“I’m sorry, Frederick, but it’s been decided to proceed with the schedule as planned.”

I was speechless at this absurd decision.

“Just continue as scheduled?”

-“…That’s what the higher-ups decided.”

It’s an order. For someone to directly order the Intelligence Bureau, it must be at least the military leadership or the King himself.

It’s a decision that makes me sigh, but what can I do? A soldier’s duty is to obey orders. I just trembled my legs and opened my mouth.

“What should we do?”

-“As the Hero’s companion, you’ll be in charge of her security from the closest position. And your subordinates, Pippin and Jake, was it? I have separate tasks for those two.”

“May I ask what those tasks are?”

-“Information gathering and security checks. They’ll just support the security operations from the rear.”

Hero protection has been added to my duties.

From being a manager supporting the Hero to becoming a meat shield that blocks bullets and takes knife stabs in emergencies.

The good news is that Pippin and Jake are exempt from dangerous duties.

It’s fortunate they won’t become bullet catchers in case of emergency. Colonel Clevins probably arranged this consideration for the two of them.

“Thank you, Colonel.”

-“…Just take care of yourself.”

After this brief advice, the colonel explained the mission and authority given to me.

-“Since terrorism can happen anywhere, anytime, you’re authorized to control the scene in coordination with relevant authorities if necessary, or even cancel events. Avoid dangerous situations as much as possible.”

I’ve been granted the authority to negotiate with the Order and adjust schedules. This is quite an exceptional authority for someone with quasi-diplomatic status.

-“We plan to dispatch several Intelligence Bureau agents operating within the Order as security personnel for the Hero. You may command them as needed.”

I’ve also been given the authority to ignore rank and procedure.

This is clearly an overreach that invades the Foreign Ministry’s domain and disregards rank, but all of this is happening with the tacit approval of the higher-ups.

By this point, I was starting to get scared.

-“And you’ve been granted the most important authority, though it’s somewhat illegal.”

My restlessly shaking leg suddenly stopped.

The Military Intelligence Bureau routinely engages in “illegal activities.”

Considering that a colonel working in such a place mentioned “somewhat illegal activities,” I couldn’t even begin to imagine how terrifying his next words would be.

So I gathered all my uncontrollable curiosity and fear to barely open my mouth.

And then,

“What… do you mean by that…?”

-“The higher-ups have granted you the authority to command black operations.”

The knife handle has been placed in my hand.