Ch.186Episode 10 – Turn Your Course to the North-Northwest

At first, I was dumbfounded.

I couldn’t understand why they’d assign an interpreter officer to someone like me who didn’t need interpretation. It made me a bit suspicious.

But the diplomats seemed to have different ideas.

“An interpreter? Oh, that’s nothing special.”

Episode 10 – Change Course to North-Northwest

“It’s nothing special.”

A passing Abas diplomat stationed in the Kiyen Empire smiled awkwardly.

“When a foreign military attaché is newly appointed, the Ministry of Defense assigns someone fluent in foreign languages as both interpreter and guide. It’s easier to understand if you think of it more as a guide than an interpreter.”

“A guide?”

“Yes. After all, military attachés visiting the Empire for the first time tend to be unfamiliar with local circumstances. Even with training, it takes some time to adjust, doesn’t it?”

Now that I heard it, the explanation made sense.

This was indeed my first official entry into the Empire. Previously, I had been using third-country passports while operating under unofficial cover.

“The military attaché office staff will be attending military meetings starting this week, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“The person you’ve been introduced to will probably guide you through various things. They’ll also answer any questions you might have.”

The counselor added:

“Of course, they won’t just be handling interpretation and guidance… but well, let’s just say you should exercise some caution.”

“I see. Understood.”

It meant they weren’t openly monitoring me, but I should be careful about what I say and do.

While my suspicions weren’t completely gone, I nodded in agreement. Intelligence agencies monitoring diplomats wasn’t exactly a new concept.

“…Well. This much is tolerable.”

That interpreter-cum-guide officer would probably just keep a moderate level of surveillance.

Surely they wouldn’t openly mess with me?

*

Or so I had thought.

My expectations were completely off the mark.

“No matter how I look at it, this isn’t right.”

“Excuse me? I didn’t catch that.”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Senior Officer Lyudmila, assigned as my interpreter and guide, was making my life miserable. Whenever I made contact with Empire’s Defense Ministry staff or government officials, she would approach and volunteer to interpret.

Fine. I understand this part. When conversing with people from the Empire, a Kiyen language interpreter might be necessary.

But this person insisted on joining even when interpretation was clearly unnecessary.

Like when I was talking with diplomats or attachés from third countries, or when meeting with high-ranking officials who already had their own interpreters.

I could somehow understand double interpretation when the other side already had an interpreter, but…

I couldn’t comprehend why she would follow me to meetings where Kiyen language wasn’t even being used.

“Our Lushan Federation has always valued cooperation with Abas. However, we cannot help but express concern about the recent series of unfortunate incidents centered around the Moritani region, especially the provocative actions between the parties involved.”

“It’s a delicate matter that I’m not in a position to comment on.”

“I understand, Military Attaché. Your Earam language skills are quite impressive. By the way, who is this person beside you…?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer the Lushan Federation attaché’s question.

We were discussing military activities of Abas and Lushan Federation forces stationed in the Moritani region, and I couldn’t see why a Kiyen language interpreter was necessary.

Moreover, this woman…

“……”

She couldn’t even understand foreign languages except Abas.

I couldn’t comprehend why someone who couldn’t understand our conversation would be present. I wasn’t the only one confused—foreign attachés felt the same way. We often parted after briefly discussing business matters, without any chance to build rapport in the uncomfortable atmosphere.

The only saving grace was that she didn’t interrupt conversations, and she clearly knew which meetings she shouldn’t attend.

Having barely shaken off the interpreter, I trudged wearily toward my colleagues.

“You’re here? Sit down and take a rest.”

“Thanks. I’m exhausted after talking for a whole hour.”

As I loosened my tie slightly to breathe easier, Camilla, noticing the interpreter officer sitting in the corner of the party venue, murmured with a smiling face:

“Is she a monitor?”

“I’m not sure yet. She seems to be just an interpreter and guide, but…”

At least she appeared to be capable of interpretation. She could understand and translate rapid speech into Kiyen, and fluently interpret complex Kiyen expressions that only nobles would typically use.

But.

How should I put it…

“She’s a bit… odd?”

“Pfft!”

“Hey, don’t spray your drink. Move away.”

Camilla dabbed her mouth with a napkin, trying to suppress her laughter as she spoke:

“So what do you think? Does she seem dangerous or not?”

“I wouldn’t say dangerous… but we should definitely be cautious.”

“So don’t get friendly with her?”

“If possible, yes.”

The interpreter officer was sitting still, pen in hand, staring blankly into space and blinking while scribbling something in her notebook.

I shook my head with a displeased expression.

“What a way to start the first day…”

*

After keeping my place at the banquet, making acquaintances with officials and diplomats, touring the embassy to be introduced to facilities and staff, I finally completed my schedule upon reaching my lodgings.

That’s how the first day passed.

For reference, my accommodation was exclusively for diplomats. Unlike Camilla, Lucia, or Francesca, I was assigned separate quarters due to my diplomatic status. Still, it wasn’t an extravagant facility.

Typically, diplomats are housed in specific areas—either close to the embassy and local government offices, or in neighborhoods where many third-country diplomats reside.

The embassy vehicle brought me to a two-story detached house.

“We’ve arrived. This will be your residence during your stay, Military Attaché.”

The Second Secretary kindly explained the accommodations.

If I exit the main gate and go left, I can access certain areas; if I go right, I’ll reach the embassy. There’s no regular gardener, but they can send someone employed by the embassy upon request. He also explained how to sort garbage, and where to find decent restaurants and markets nearby…

Having visited the Empire after three years, I listened carefully for any changes, but there wasn’t anything particularly new.

“You can use the dedicated vehicle assigned to you.”

“A vehicle? Don’t I need to request one?”

“Ah, normally that would be the regulation, but given your special status and the recent situation at the mission…”

He was implying that with so many diplomats being expelled, using a vehicle wouldn’t be an issue.

“Anyway, if you experience any inconvenience during your stay, please inform the embassy. There’s a meeting with the Defense Ministry tomorrow around 10 AM, so please arrive on time. You should also get some rest to adjust to the time difference. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Thank you for your help. Take care.”

After thanking the diplomats who had helped me despite their busy schedules, I entered my lodgings.

The diplomatic residence was more spacious than I expected, with decent interior and furniture. I opened the refrigerator to find unopened food. I took out all the food from both the refrigerator and pantry and dumped it in the trash.

I wondered if it was appropriate for me to have a two-story detached house all to myself without any staff, but figuring it would cost less than staying at a five-star hotel, I decided to live there without complaint.

As soon as I found a suitable room, I began setting up the equipment I had brought from Abas.

If this were Earth, I would have connected an INMARSAT satellite phone with encryption equipment, or established a communication network by capturing signals through a satellite antenna, or communicated indirectly with the company through the embassy’s computers. But this wasn’t Earth.

Therefore, I had to establish a secure communication network in a very complicated and annoying way.

Actually, assembling the equipment and capturing signals was relatively easy, but organizing the wires alone took nearly an hour.

What followed was predictable. Turn on the encryption materials, establish communication, recite numbers for identity verification, receive access codes for the communication network, and wait for approval.

Finally, the communication network installation was completed by exchanging data to check the connection status.

“Ah, right. The bug detector.”

I activated the anti-surveillance equipment. If any kind of communication occurred near my lodgings, the equipment would collect those signals. Analyzing them would reveal what communications had taken place.

However, since I needed to sleep, I decided to delegate the analysis to the Military Intelligence Agency’s communications department.

Considering the time difference between Kiyen and Abas, it would be morning office hours there, and the officers would have to work as soon as they arrived at the office,

But that wasn’t my problem.

After setting up the communication network and trying to get some sleep,

-♪!

The terminal suddenly started ringing.

I quickly jumped out of bed and sat in the chair.

“Secure communications. Frederick Nostrum, Military Attaché to the Kiyen Empire speaking.”

-‘It’s me.’

Leonida.

I checked the figures on the screen and the connection status.

“Reception is clear. What can I do for you?”

-‘Have you arrived at your lodgings?’

“Yes. Two hours ago—”

-‘Any unusual circumstances?’

Her irritable voice cut me off. Ah, this old lady is starting again. I don’t understand how Leonida hasn’t changed a bit in three years. I’d rather have Clavins as my superior.

-‘Are you not answering?’

What a temper.

I clicked my tongue quietly and selected only the most essential information.

“I made contact with Defense Ministry personnel, local officials, third-country diplomats, and senior members of the religious order and quasi-military magic tower organizations operating in the north at today’s banquet. For now, I just introduced myself and exchanged greetings. I plan to have more detailed conversations during meetings scheduled throughout the week. The nearest meeting is a military exchange conference tomorrow at 10:20.”

-‘What else.’

“I have information about the northern front. The large influx of refugees to the rear areas is causing disruptions in medical supplies and essential goods distribution, and the administrative capacity in the north seems unable to handle it. The source is knights from the ‘Order of St. Andrea’ mentioned in the previous intelligence report.”

-‘The ones who crucify people. What about the wizards?’

“Some of the Magic Tower’s magic battalions are reportedly engaging with demons and monsters in the northern rear areas.”

-‘In the rear?’

“Yes. I heard that demons and monsters are coming down along the mountain ranges and rivers.”

The northern part of the Kiyen Empire, close to the ‘Frozen Land,’ is notorious.

Rugged mountains and sharp rocks. Dense evergreen coniferous forests. Constant blizzards.

Visibility is extremely poor, and aerial reconnaissance is difficult due to the coniferous forests. Professional detection equipment can be neutralized by shadow zones created by the terrain.

Leonida wasn’t unaware of this. She had been the head of the Kiyen Empire branch.

-‘The northern mountains make sense. With dense coniferous forests and rugged terrain, tracking would be difficult even with mountain troops. Find out more details.’

“Yes. I’ll investigate further since senior members from the Holy Knight Order and Magic Battalion will attend tomorrow’s military meeting.”

-‘And?’

“Yes, and what else. I’ve met everyone I needed to meet. I think I can finish before heading north.”

-‘I hear the Empire assigned a woman to you.’

Leonida suddenly struck with a sharp question. Despite her seemingly indifferent manner, she had a way of catching people off guard, like an interrogator.

Perhaps other attachés had reported it. Or it could be a Royal Intelligence Bureau agent. Leonida had worked as the director of the Royal Intelligence Bureau for several years before recently returning to the Intelligence Agency.

I blinked once and responded:

“I was about to mention that.”

There wasn’t much to say. The Empire said they assigned her as an interpreter and guide, so I just accepted it.

“Lyudmila Smirnova. Female, early 30s. Rank is Senior Officer, affiliation unknown. She reportedly studied linguistics at university, appears to be an Abas language major. Her interpretation skills are quite good.”

-‘A background check will probably reveal something. She seems like a monitor, so don’t get caught doing anything suspicious.’

“Yes.”

-‘Don’t be late for tomorrow morning’s meeting. Submit an interim project report by tomorrow.’

The communication ended before I could respond. Leonida had said what she wanted to say and cut the connection.

I stared at the terminal with an incredulous expression, then chuckled in disbelief.

“That old lady and her temper…”

Looking at the clock, it was already 2 AM.

Just as I was shutting down the terminal and preparing for bed.

-Beep!

The anti-surveillance equipment in the corner by the window lit up.

The equipment with its signal collection antenna pointed out the window started flashing an ominous red light and emitting a loud beeping sound.

I approached the window and looked outside.

A few meters from my lodgings, under a streetlight.

A heavily tinted vehicle was parked there.