Ch.36Episode 3 – Fantastic Vacation

It’s a well-known fact that research institutes are prime targets for intelligence agencies.

Whether they’re government-managed or established by private companies, no research institute is beyond the reach of intelligence agencies.

Korea’s Agency for Defense Development. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. France’s Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defense. Russia’s Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. North Korea’s Academy of Defense Science, and so on.

Countries with military power above a certain level generally tend to invest in “national defense,” and defense-related research institutes that handle national and military secrets are beloved by all intelligence agencies.

National Intelligence Service, External Liaison Department, Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, State Security Department, Mossad, MI-6, SVR, GRU, CIA, DGSE, and so on.

Intelligence agencies recruit researchers as informants, steal confidential documents, and kidnap or assassinate key figures to obtain defense-related materials.

Notable examples include hundreds of hacking attempts against the Agency for Defense Development each year, and the case of particle physics professor Masoud Ali Mohammadi who was assassinated by a bomb in downtown Tehran, Iran in 2012.

No one knows who was behind these operations, but considering inter-Korean relations and the relationship between Iran and Israel, one can reasonably suspect that North Korean and Israeli intelligence agencies were behind these operations, respectively.

As such, intelligence agencies are departments that don’t hesitate to engage in illegal activities for the sake of national security.

And the same applies to intelligence agencies in this world.

“I think we have an industrial spy in our research institute.”

It wasn’t particularly surprising. The Military Intelligence Agency had been sending industrial spies to foreign countries whenever they felt like it.

In a quasi-Cold War situation, what’s the big deal about having a spy?

Following protocol, they’d start an investigation, interrogate employees for a few months, and catch the culprit soon enough.

But…

“Where did you say?”

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

Now the situation is a bit serious.

“That’s the institute scheduled to examine the Hero’s condition in two days.”

Episode 3 – A Fantastic Vacation

At a high-end restaurant in the center of the kingdom’s capital.

Clebins spoke while deboning a fish.

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute. I’m sure you’ve at least heard of it.”

“Yes.”

The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is this world’s version of the Agency for Defense Development.

The only difference is that instead of producing missiles, aircraft, ships, or tanks, they deal with magic.

Over a decade ago, as the era of pure magic began to wane and science and technology advanced, new disciplines like magitech emerged, leading to the institute’s expansion and reorganization.

In other words, this institute can be considered a hybrid defense research organization that deals with both magic and science.

“Countries like the Empire and Fatalia each have one of these research institutions. However, it seems our institute’s security has been breached.”

Clebins furrowed his brow as he moved his knife.

While most defense-related research institutes are under military jurisdiction, security issues fall under the purview of intelligence agencies.

That’s why when the Agency for Defense Development gets compromised, the Defense Security Command and the National Intelligence Service conduct a joint investigation.

For reference, details such as the facility’s scale, exact location, researchers’ personal information, and research materials are all classified as at least level 3 or level 2 secrets.

And since the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is this world’s equivalent of the Agency for Defense Development, the Military Intelligence Agency is responsible for its security.

But it seems information has been leaked from there.

“A recently recruited informant has provided us with intelligence about a potential leak of employee information, and a few days ago, unauthorized communication occurred at the institute.”

It seems that as soon as the informant suggested the possibility of a personal information leak, someone attempted to contact the outside world without permission.

Regardless of his explanation, I instinctively sensed that this situation wasn’t simply a case of an institute employee going rogue, but rather the activity of an industrial spy.

“So there’s an industrial spy at the institute?”

“We’re still investigating. There’s no physical evidence, and above all, it hasn’t even been a week since the incident occurred, so we haven’t properly assessed the situation yet.”

Leaning back against the chair, I asked the obvious question.

“Is it impossible to postpone the examination schedule or change the location or personnel?”

“Considering the Hero’s condition, we can’t postpone the examination. And there’s no other place in the kingdom with better equipment and research staff than the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

Camilla Rowell faints while using her abilities.

Lucia suspected it was magical exhaustion, but no one knows the exact cause. So it’s right to conduct an examination right away.

The problem is that an industrial spy might be active at the country’s largest and best research institute that’s in charge of the examination.

“…So we need to conduct an examination of the Hero’s health and abilities at an institute that may or may not have an industrial spy.”

“That’s right.”

It’s a frustrating situation.

I was an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency and a companion of the Hero.

In other words, if something happens to Camilla Rowell at the institute, I’m screwed.

She’ll arrive at the institute in two days, and there’s no time to hesitate anymore.

“Then what’s my job there?”

“I’ve put out the immediate fire, so go there and listen to the situation report on my behalf.”

Whatever it is, I need to go and check it out. I nodded and stood up.

“Don’t take it too seriously, just go with a light heart.”

“Yes, sir.”

*

The modes of transportation in this fantasy world aren’t much different from the modern world.

But since magic exists here, there are a few fantastical means of transportation.

Prime examples are broomsticks controlled by wizards and warp gate technology using teleportation magic.

Public institutions, wealthy corporations, and expensive hotels usually have at least one or two warp gates.

However, warp gates don’t exist in important national facilities or military-controlled areas. If you surround a facility with barbed wire and station armed forces, but then have a high-speed entry point, there would inevitably be security issues.

Therefore, to reach the research institute, one must travel by broomstick.

“We’re almost there, Major.”

“What did you say?”

“We’ll arrive soon-!”

The wizard shouted something, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying because of the wind.

The fierce wind echoed in my ears, and long tree branches nearly grazed my boots.

While crossing the massive mountain range, the wizard and I attempted to converse, but after exchanging only mumbles, we eventually gave up.

“…”

The scenery illuminated by the soft moonlight flows by like a panorama.

Tree leaves timidly coloring amidst the dawn mist come into view.

Occasionally, the sound of gunfire can be heard from far away.

Following the steep slope, I turned my head to see a mountain range soaring high into the sky right beside us.

Below the slightly tilted broomstick, an upside-down moon ripples in the river.

Judging by the water droplets shattering against the rocks, the current seems quite fast.

“We’ve arrived!”

“…Arrived?!”

“Yes-!”

I barely understood what the wizard said and looked ahead.

A valley surrounded by rugged mountains.

Steep slopes and dense vegetation, a river with fast currents and deep waters encircling the place.

An island on land created by nature.

In the darkness that had settled there, small lights were emanating.

*

Without the tiresome process of identity verification at the checkpoint or filling out entry forms, I was guided into the research institute as soon as I got off the broomstick.

Surprisingly, the research institute was located beneath the mountain.

I heard that for security and safety reasons, the research institute was buried underground, while employee dormitories and amenities were built above ground.

After hearing the details of the incident, I learned that the unauthorized communication didn’t occur in the underground research institute but in the dormitories above ground.

Anyway, after looking around the facility a bit, I came back to the surface to listen to the investigation progress and report back to Clebins.

-‘How’s the investigation going?’

“It seems to be going well.”

-‘Good, start your report.’

Since the purpose of coming here was more like a field inspection to assess the situation on behalf of Clebins.

As ordered, I opened my hastily scribbled notes and began the official report.

“Five days ago at dawn, the military interception unit detected magical wavelengths being transmitted from the researchers’ dormitory. The institute’s internal affairs department confirmed it was unauthorized communication and sealed off the institute.”

The details of the incident were as follows:

Five days ago at 3 AM, a military interception unit near the institute detected a communication attempt from the mountain.

When they pinpointed the location, they found magical wavelengths being transmitted from the researchers’ dormitory above ground. The duty officer called the institute to report this.

The internal affairs department checked the records, confirmed that unauthorized communication was taking place, reported to the military, and with the cooperation of nearby units, sealed off the entire institute.

As soon as the institute was sealed, the Military Intelligence Agency urgently dispatched an investigation team, and they’ve just begun their investigation.

“Currently, the institute’s internal affairs department and the intelligence agency’s dispatch team are conducting a joint investigation. They’re investigating all researchers who are under suspicion, and they’ll start searching the dormitories tomorrow.”

-‘Have they found any leaked materials?’

“No, they haven’t found anything yet.”

Hmm. Clebins’ contemplative voice came through the call.

-‘Those guys are a bit unreliable…’

“Come on, don’t worry too much. Everyone’s working hard.”

-‘Alright, if you say so. Is that the end of your report?’

“Yes.”

It’s only the third day since the investigation began, so there’s no way they’d have information about the industrial spy yet.

They’re a bit busy and somewhat disorganized, but they’re experienced people, so they’ll handle it well.

It seems my job is done now.

“Should I return now?”

-‘Hmm?’

“Aren’t I going on vacation?”

-‘Why would you return now?’

What?

-‘The Hero will be examined there the day after tomorrow. How can you not be there?’

“…”

-‘Stay there until the examination is over, then return with the Hero.’

“…”

-‘I’ll give you vacation time later, just keep her company for now.’

“…”

-‘Are you listening to me?’

“…Yes, I understand.”

If I’m that annoyed, I should just leave the service.