Ch.26Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

An assassination attempt occurred during an important church event. Using a neurotoxin, the attempt failed, but its impact was tremendous.

The Church and the Inquisition began to clash. Unofficial letters demanding the resignation of Commissioner Peter piled up on the Pope’s desk. Incidentally, Cardinal Raphael’s political foundation began to shake.

The Kiyen Empire expanded the state of emergency nationwide. While partly to block the fierce offensive of the demon race, looking at the political scandals surfacing, purges seem to be the main purpose.

However, thanks to immediate response, there were no fatalities, and since there was only one victim, the incident wasn’t reported negatively. Rather, articles praising the quick response occasionally appeared.

I suspect the Inquisition is censoring the media, and there might be political agreements between foreign countries and the Church.

Of course, an assassination attempt wasn’t something to be quietly overlooked.

The Kingdom expelled several Church personnel, and the Military Intelligence Bureau handed over several spies arrested within the Kingdom to trial. The Church sent envoys to appease the Kingdom, and the Empire attempted contact through unofficial routes.

How to put it… it’s a situation difficult to explain in words.

I feel like powers are moving regardless of us.

And I say:

“An unfamiliar ceiling.”

Where on earth am I?

Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

When I came to my senses, I was lying in bed.

It wasn’t a hospital room. Rather, it was a room more fitting to be called a hotel.

Beside me was Camilla Lowell, shedding tears. She was holding my hand tightly and crying sorrowfully.

Priest Lucia returned to the room leading people. White priestly robes. Doctor’s gowns. They were healing priests and doctors.

Led by their hands, I was examined thoroughly. When white light touched the areas the doctor pointed to, the pain subsided. Amazing. I’ve seen it a few times in field hospitals, but it’s truly a fascinating treatment method.

As the pain disappeared, the doctor brought a needle. A painkiller, he said. I grabbed the doctor’s wrist with enough force to break it and pushed him away.

If I get drugged, I don’t know what I might say. Security must be maintained. It was a kind of compulsion and occupational disease.

At my strong objection, the doctor nodded while rubbing his wrist, and left the room with the others, telling me to get absolute rest.

As the pain disappeared and tension eased, my body became languid.

Drowsiness washed over me.

And so I slowly closed my eyes.

*

Intelligence agents moved me to the embassy.

They called in a discreet doctor, and after examination, I was diagnosed with no health issues.

They told me to rest a bit and return to work when my condition improved, but that was impossible. I just got a bottle of painkillers prescribed and returned to duty.

I returned to work after about three days. And I had to clear the backlog of work accumulated during those three days.

I received reports on the assassination investigation, distributed wanted posters with composite sketches, read Yekaterina’s psychological analysis report, ordered an investigation into the deceased duke’s office, and sent reports to the Intelligence Bureau.

During that time, many people came to see me.

Camilla Lowell, the ambassador, the information analysis secretary, Priest Lucia, Raul, Raphael, and so on. Among them were diplomats offering condolences, journalists seeking interviews, and Inquisition officials bringing investigation materials and prostrating themselves in apology.

When they actually tried to bow their heads to the floor, I was startled and made them stand up. This should be kept as a debt to be used later. I shouldn’t accept their apology yet.

Although the Imperial Guard Bureau’s 2nd Division delivered a bomb and shot a poison needle, it was a Church person who received the bomb. We don’t know who detonated the bomb. So I’ll keep this well stored in the cabinet, to be taken out along with the tools when needed.

I don’t know where Pippin and Jake went. When I asked, they said they headed to the Church headquarters, and I could only hope nothing bad would happen.

While filling my stomach with tasteless hospital food and gathering information through the news, I received a phone call.

“Yes, Major Frederick speaking.”

-‘Are you alive?’

“I nearly died but survived.”

It was the Colonel.

-‘When I heard you were hit with a neurotoxin, I thought you were dead, but heaven helped you.’

“I’m sorry…”

-‘It’s fine. As long as you’re alive.’

People dying in intelligence agencies is commonplace. Especially in an era where human life is worth less than a fly’s.

-‘It’s similar to when the bomb went off in Mauritania.’

“Ah… the bomb delivered to the embassy…”

-‘More precisely, terrorists who killed the guards and infiltrated detonated the bomb.’

The world is topsy-turvy.

For reference, Mauritania is located in the southern part of the continent, an isekai version of the Middle East. According to the game setting, it’s modeled after the Middle East.

A dark fantasy Middle East. Just imagining it is horrifying.

“By the way, why are you calling now? Has something happened?”

-‘Hmm… something like that. It would be appropriate to say I’m late because of a meeting.’

“Isn’t there communication equipment in the Intelligence Bureau’s meeting room?”

-‘It was a parliamentary intelligence committee meeting.’

“…The Intelligence Committee meeting?”

The Kingdom’s Parliamentary Intelligence Committee.

In reality, it would be similar to South Korea’s National Assembly Intelligence Committee or the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee.

What is a standing committee? It’s a permanent body composed of members with specialized knowledge in the relevant field.

A discussion body that reviews matters based on knowledge and law before submitting them to the plenary session. While the king and cabinet are responsible for operating and handling state organizations, it’s the parliament’s role to check and support them.

There is separation of powers here too. The problem is that the country is a mess.

Anyway, if the members have convened a meeting, the matter must be quite serious.

I adjusted my posture and listened carefully to the Colonel’s words.

-‘I heard quite interesting news from the parliament.’

“What is it?”

-‘The head of the Imperial Guard Bureau’s 2nd Division has died.’

*

The head of the Imperial Guard Bureau’s foreign operations department has died.

The official cause of death is heart attack. They say it was natural death due to old age.

Of course, no one knows if it was really natural death, suicide, or forced suicide. Only the Imperial Guard Bureau and the Emperor would know.

Anyway, the head of the Imperial Guard Bureau’s 2nd Division has died.

And the Empire has spoken.

-‘The Empire’s position was conveyed through unofficial diplomatic channels. They say the Imperial family has nothing to do with this terror attack.’

“…”

-‘Officially, the 2nd Division head died of a heart attack, but considering the timing, it’s right to assume he was purged.’

This is familiar.

Even in modern society, when incidents occur, someone takes the blame and gets thrown under the bus as a matter of course.

Here, that’s everyday life.

We don’t know the internal situation of the Imperial Guard Bureau. The Intelligence Bureau has made numerous efforts to find out, but only people died.

So there’s no way to know if he died of a heart attack or if he took the blame and died.

One thing is certain: officially, a claim has been made that the Imperial family has nothing to do with the assassination attempt. Both counterintelligence agents and unofficial diplomatic channels claim this.

The Emperor has nothing to do with the terror attack.

The Imperial Guard Bureau and the Empire’s Foreign Ministry wouldn’t mention the Imperial family carelessly. This is clearly a claim reflecting the Emperor’s intentions. I don’t know what the Emperor in that far-off country is thinking. I can only accept it as it is.

Of course, the Empire wasn’t just making empty claims.

-‘The Empire’s Foreign Ministry has proposed tariff reductions and debt forgiveness. They say they’ll ease export restrictions and supply large quantities of necessities.’

The Empire sent gifts. Essentially hush money.

It means take this and don’t make any more issues.

-‘Our Treasury Department has stated that if we accept the gifts sent by the Empire, the Kingdom’s economy will recover. The Foreign Ministry also says it can open pathways for our companies to enter the Empire.’

Among the duties of intelligence agencies is supporting domestic companies’ overseas activities.

I’ve been studying economics, which I wasn’t interested in, and running around like crazy because of that lately.

-‘The Church also offered various benefits, but let’s talk about that later.’

“…”

-‘Major.’

“…Yes.”

-‘Are you disappointed?’

“…No, sir.”

No.

I was someone who understood the nature of intelligence agencies well, and had experienced it acutely through two lives.

To pursue national interests by any means necessary.

If we cover up the bomb terror and assassination attempt, it will certainly create national benefits.

Food will enter the country, companies will expand overseas, national debt will decrease, and trade will be revitalized.

The job market will become vibrant. Many jobs will be created, and when employment stabilizes, people will be happy. That’s how the country’s economy recovers.

Even as I’m talking with the Colonel, people are starving to death. We can save those people.

As a diplomat and a soldier, I must always put the country first.

Why does the Kingdom want to use the hero? Why did the Intelligence Bureau appoint me as a duke’s officer?

It’s all to save the country.

Clearly, if we accept this proposal, the country will grow a bit more.

It’s a good thing.

Although it’s not an honorable thing, isn’t being an agent all the same anyway?

If this matter is well concluded, I could receive a medal and special promotion in recognition of my contributions.

It’s a good thing. It’s good news.

In the end, all of this is for the country, for the homeland and the people.

Patriotism is a good thing. That’s what Camilla Lowell said.

-‘Frederick.’

“Yes…”

-‘What do you think?’

My thoughts?

Ideally, we should accept.

Although I may not have patriotism, I do have a minimum of conscience.

I’m not a utilitarian, but saving people comes first.

However, there’s something that bothers me.

Camilla Lowell suffering from the terror attack.

Pippin and Jake working with reduced sleep.

Agents running around even at this moment.

The people and duties I’m responsible for.

63 civilian casualties.

The filthy secret I’ve covered up.

My meager self-respect and conscience.

I have to give up all of this.

So I fell into contemplation.

Is it right to offer 63 civilian casualties and a filthy secret as a price for patriotism?

Is it just to ignore the suffering of civilians affected by terrorism and the efforts of soldiers obeying orders?

Having come this far, when we’re about to catch the terrorists, should we back down?

People are emotional animals by nature.

I struggled between my meager self-respect and conscience.

I lost my way.

So I asked my superior.

“…What do you think, Colonel?”

-‘Haa.’

The Colonel let out a deep sigh.

He seems frustrated by this situation too-

-‘The Intelligence Committee has decided to continue the operation.’

“…Pardon?”

-‘Didn’t you hear? Continue the operation.’

“Ah, no! But then…”

The Colonel spoke as if it were no big deal.

-‘It’s a matter decided by the parliament and cabinet.’

It was an order.

It means the legislative and executive branches have joined forces. Of course, they would have received the king’s approval as well.

“Then, the economy…?”

-‘My good man, why are you concerned about the economy? You’re a soldier.’

“Ah…”

I heard a snickering laugh through the phone.

-‘I’ve told you repeatedly, your problem is that you think too much.’

“…Are we really proceeding as planned?”

-‘Yes. Do you remember the order I gave you?’

The words the Colonel had spoken flowed from my mouth.

“To stop the terror and find those behind it…”

-‘Without fail.’

“Without fail…”

-‘Yes. You remember well.’

The Colonel said.

-‘Is the Kingdom a country that will collapse without the Empire’s help? No.’

“…”

-‘If I didn’t trust you, would I have appointed you as a duke’s officer? Why do you lack confidence, tsk tsk…’

That’s right.

They could have just made me a figurehead and appointed any duke’s officer.

It was Clevins who promoted a captain to major and appointed me as a duke’s officer.

-‘I gave you the authority to conduct black operations so you could chew up the Imperial Guard Bureau and whatever else.’

He permitted even somewhat illegal activities.

The Colonel said.

-‘I will do what I need to do. So, right now, go catch those who planted the bomb and shot the poison needle.’

Don’t worry about anything else, just kill the terrorists.

Clevins Hendrick.

The next director of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

An elite soldier from a loyal family.

A slightly eccentric man.

When he’s setting the stage for me like this, I’d be a fool not to take advantage.

“…Yes, understood.”

I should dance with the blade as desired.

*

‘Breaking news! The Kingdom of Abbas has indicted the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador on espionage charges. A spokesperson for the Military Intelligence Bureau stated that the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador was involved with anti-state organizations…’

The gunshot of Sarajevo echoed through the world of espionage.