Ch.407Episode 16 – The Six Million Dollar Man

The sudden appearance of government troops brought the situation to a close.

We had escaped the threat to our lives, but the real problem was just beginning.

“W-what should we do…?”

Exchanging glances with Camilla, who asked in a trembling voice, I got up from the ditch and raised both hands. The armed soldiers began to take us back along the road we had been brought in by car.

With my hands bound, I pondered how to overcome this crisis. I thought and thought, but no clever solution came to mind.

How could we shake off the government troops’ pursuit and escape without weapons? I was injured, and Camilla was already exhausted.

“……”

Moving along the westward road, I quietly closed my eyes. And I prepared for the future that lay ahead.

However.

At the city where we were led by government troops, the person we encountered was neither a government military officer nor a counterintelligence investigator.

“…What are you doing here?”

“Asud. Very pleased to see you.”

Episode 16 – The Six Million Dollar Man

When people are truly shocked, they can’t say a word.

Faced with unexpected figures, we couldn’t even open our mouths. That was true for both me and Camilla.

“……”

“……”

As an awkward silence fell, the man and woman smiled brightly and waved their hands.

The people who had come to meet us were the warlord duo who had left for the city around noon yesterday.

The two greeted us with welcoming expressions.

“Long journey. Very difficult. Soldiers. Were they kind?”

“Your face looks quite injured. You’ve been through a lot.”

We met the warlord duo at an unexpected place and moment. I exchanged awkward glances with Camilla.

What on earth was going on?

“Excuse me, but what exactly happened…?”

In response to Camilla’s question as she stood awkwardly, the woman from Hassan’s faction answered. Following the tradition of the tribe she represented, she addressed our concerns in place of the man.

“Hassan heard the news too. There was a major incident in the village. We thought you might need help, so we quickly sent reinforcements.”

“Reinforcements…?”

Camilla and I stared blankly at each other.

“Then the soldiers who brought us here…”

“They’re the government troops in charge of this region.”

“What?”

The English girl looked with surprise at the warlord woman who was smiling gently. And at this moment, I sensed how things had unfolded.

The local government troops are in cahoots with the Hassan warlord!

Sure enough, when the male warlord gestured, government soldiers approached and untied our bonds.

An officer-looking person approached the warlord duo, who commanded the soldiers like their own limbs. After conversing with the male warlord in the local dialect, the officer received a bundle of cash and departed with his soldiers, wearing a satisfied smile.

I stared blankly at the government troops who had brazenly accepted bribes. They didn’t seem to realize anything was wrong.

Meanwhile, the warlord duo, having completed their transaction, began explaining in broken Kiyen.

“Local government troops. Very friendly. Will do anything for money. Commander. Loves it.”

“…I figured as much.”

He was saying that the government troops stationed in the province were taking bribes from the warlords. What a messed-up place—even the government forces are corrupt.

It was a crazy situation where the army that should be eliminating warlords was colluding with them instead, but I just dusted off my clothes as if I was used to it.

It’s nothing new for government forces in civil war zones to be in bed with warlords. I had suspected something was off from the moment we encountered government troops in warlord territory.

Camilla blinked her eyes repeatedly and looked at me. She wanted me to explain the situation to her, and I gladly satisfied her curiosity.

“Most officials in warlord-controlled territories are corrupt bureaucrats. Decent people usually retreat to government-controlled areas.”

“But aren’t those people soldiers?”

“Military and police are the same. They just take bribes from warlords and barely maintain their positions.”

Camilla made a dumbfounded expression at this culture of civil war zones that would be unimaginable in developed countries. When I told her similar things happen in Africa and the Middle East, she sighed deeply.

Anyway, this works in my favor. Corrupt societies are the best places for intelligence officers to operate. With money, anything is possible.

“Both of you are injured. Let’s get you treated first.”

The warlord woman called for a doctor as soon as she saw our wounds.

After a brief wait, a local man in his 50s appeared, dragging his slippers.

According to the warlord duo, he was one of the few doctors who remained in the city after the civil war broke out, a veteran medical professional who had treated many gunshot victims from both military and warlord factions.

While the female of the duo spoke reassuringly to Camilla in a gentle voice, the male assigned to me proudly explained how he had come to bribe the doctor and soldiers.

“Police. Refused money. Village festival. More important than money.”

“…So at first you tried to call the police, but they refused to respond because they had to attend a village festival?”

“Correct. Instead brought army. Doctor. Also called by soldiers. Relative of officer.”

So to summarize:

The warlord duo had planned to send police to the village as intended. However, because an elder’s 60th birthday celebration was scheduled (in a tribal area, village festivals are major events for locals), the police refused to respond.

When the police refused, the warlord duo bribed the military base in the city to respond instead. As it happened, the doctor they were bringing to treat food poisoning had relatives in the military unit, so they used that connection for the bribe.

Understanding the situation, I couldn’t help but exclaim.

Those corrupt police bastards. If they had left on time, we wouldn’t have had to fight those bandits in the first place!

“Bribing the army. Not easy. But I know many people. Doctor? Police? Soldiers? All my friends.”

“Yeah, good for you…”

“Overwhelming gratitude.”

Though I wasn’t particularly interested in his story, I politely listened to the warlord duo’s boasting until the end. After all, if they hadn’t bribed the army, we would have been captured by the bandits.

The elderly doctor brought by the warlord provided first aid with skilled hands. His expertise was truly impressive—it was over in the blink of an eye.

The warlord duo, who had been watching the treatment process, explained that they had paid the doctor generously when they called him, so I didn’t need to spend any money.

Wait, didn’t you pay him with the money I gave you? Why are you acting like you did me a favor, you bastard?

As the tension dissipated, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“This is a perfect country for business. Unlike the central army, the relationship between local military, police, and residents isn’t bad, so if you recruit locals and utilize their connections, you can even bribe the army.”

“…You’re thinking about work after nearly dying?”

Camilla, with ointment thickly applied, glared at me with a pouty expression.

I shrugged.

“Occupational hazard.”

“Sigh…”

Leaving Camilla shaking her head with a disapproving look, I got into the vehicle prepared by the warlord. The warlord duo, who had already fastened their seatbelts, urged us to hurry.

“Quickly get in. Safe house. We take you.”

*

By the time Camilla and I entered the safe zone of the Al Bas tribe,

News of our attack near the border village had already spread widely.

“…I’ve received the report.”

Nayan Al Bas greeted me with a somber expression.

“It was my negligence.”

He admitted without argument that the series of incidents were his fault. He acknowledged that as a host, he had failed to properly respond when his guests’ lives were in danger.

I received his apology in the same office where I had sat across from him a few days ago.

“I will take full responsibility for this incident on the honor of the tribe.”

There was no need to ask how he would take responsibility. The honor of a tribal leader is not taken lightly, and in a region where honor is valued more than life, pledging one’s honor is equivalent to pledging one’s life.

I gladly accepted Nayan’s apology.

“It must have been a difficult decision, so thank you for saying that.”

“There’s no need to gild my face. It’s simply what must be done.”

Nayan waved his hand with an embarrassed expression.

Since he had promised to take responsibility, there was no need to push further and risk offending him. I decided to calmly wait for Nayan’s decision.

Hassan’s accountant and the Al Bas tribal leader did his utmost to comfort his guests. After personally serving refreshments, he offered a carrot, saying if there was anything I needed, I shouldn’t hesitate to ask.

I sensed this was part of the compensation for the incident.

“Ask for anything. If it’s a request I can fulfill, I will gladly do so.”

“Hmm…”

I carefully calculated and estimated. What would be the best request to make here?

“I think I’ll need medicine.”

“Medicine?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, that’s right, you were shot. Do you need a doctor? I can send my personal physician.”

“That would be appreciated, but there are specific medications I need.”

I requested several medical supplies from him: painkillers, antibiotics, bandages, gauze, suture thread, and so on. I already had these items, but considering the absolute scarcity of supplies in the area, it was necessary to conserve medical supplies as much as possible.

When I mentioned specific medication names and components, Nayan, who had been listening silently, nodded. It was a signal that he could easily provide such items.

Nayan seemed curious about how a journalist would know the names of medications that typically only doctors or pharmacists would know, but fortunately, he didn’t pry into my circumstances.

“I’ll send them along with a doctor as soon as the items are ready. What else?”

Moistening his lips with tea, Nayan asked if I needed anything more.

It seemed that providing a doctor and a few medications wasn’t enough to save Nayan’s face. Indeed, when a warlord officer promises compensation, settling for just this much would invite ridicule from others.

“In that case…”

I conveyed several additional requests. Most were information I judged necessary for developing an operational plan.

If an ordinary civilian from an aid organization had requested such information, it might easily arouse the warlord’s suspicion, but my identity was that of a war correspondent. My cover identity served as a reliable shield, disguising my intentions even when requesting sensitive information.

As the atmosphere mellowed, Nayan glanced at the clock on the wall. From his behavior, I could tell he wanted to wrap up the meeting soon.

After moistening my throat with a sip from the teacup, I made my final request.

“I would like to meet Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan.”

Nayan Al Bas’s eyes, which had been looking at the clock, began to roll. Meeting my gaze, he spoke in a heavy voice.

“You wish to meet the leader of Hassan?”

“Yes.”

“……”

At my firm answer, Nayan covered his lower face with his hand and lowered his gaze.

He closed his eyes and folded his arms, seemingly deep in thought. I maintained silence so as not to disturb his contemplation.

“That’s a request that’s difficult to answer easily.”

Emerging from his thoughts, Nayan didn’t give a definitive answer.

“It’s a decision I cannot make alone. After sufficient time for consultation, I will give Asud an answer. Is that acceptable?”

Although he didn’t give a definitive answer, his response was positive. At least he left the possibility open.

I told him to do as he saw fit.

*

“…He seems like a difficult person to deal with.”

Sitting on a second-floor terrace of a café overlooking a bustling street, I spoke into the phone.

“Judging by his reserved manner, I assess him to be a very cautious character. He’s decisive too.”

-“Do you think you can make contact with Hassan’s leader?”

“I can’t be certain of that yet… but my assessment is that it’s better to wait for Nayan’s decision rather than pushing too hard right now.”

-“Understood. Take care of yourself. I’m hanging up now.”

Click. I heard the sound of the receiver being put down on the other end. I removed the battery and SIM card from the disconnected mobile phone.

It had been a week since the operation began. Many events had unfolded during that time.

I reported all the intelligence I had gathered over the past two days. I also informed the company about the firefight with the bandits the previous night.

After forwarding the intelligence to the analysis team, Leonie checked on the status of the field operative. Learning that although I had been shot, there were no major issues with my activities, she issued orders to focus on making contact with Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan.

Having handed over the materials to the analysts, I immediately went to rest.

Perhaps due to delayed fatigue, I collapsed as soon as I entered my quarters. After sleeping like the dead for about 14 hours, I washed my face to shake off the drowsiness and immediately opened my mobile phone.

Intelligence officers deployed overseas are not allowed to maintain private contact with relatives, but occasionally some employees communicate through back channels. When I opened my personal mobile phone acquired locally, unread messages began to appear on the screen.

The first to catch my eye was a text message from Lucia.

[Today I co-celebrated with the bishops. Many believers visited Laterano to commemorate the feast day. My mentor, the Archbishop of Northern Kiyen Empire, also visited the holy site this time. He was curious about your recent activities; if you find the time, please come visit.]

[I received a message from the healing priest at the ward. The inquisitors from the north who were wounded by demons have recovered safely. It seems the Lord has helped. Priestess Rebecca is currently undergoing rehabilitation therapy, and according to the monks, she should be able to leave the hospital before autumn arrives. It seems my prayers were not in vain.]

How typical of Lucia. Religious phrases were scattered throughout her messages.

It seems the inquisitors who were attacked by the demon possessing the exorcist priest have finally completed their treatment. Priestess Rebecca, whose bones had begun to rot, had been unable to leave the intensive care unit for a while, but since she’s undergoing rehabilitation therapy, it seems even her deep wounds have mostly healed.

Let’s visit her together sometime. I pressed the keys firmly and hit send.

After checking Lucia’s message, the next text I opened was from Francesca in Fatalia.

[Summer brings quite a bit of vitality to the villa. When you feel the warm sunshine on your skin, the wind from the distant sea cools the heat. I’ve been so busy managing the business that I didn’t even notice the seasons changing. I’ve refurbished the workshop and also renovated the walking path on the coastal cliff, so please come visit the villa sometime, Officer.]

[Mr. Hormoz from the Palm Tree Trading Company sent some alcohol. It’s a traditional liquor from the Mauritanian continent called Arak. Arak means “tears of god” in the Mauritanian language, and it tastes as good as its name suggests. Would you like me to send you some if you’re interested?]

[Oracle has attempted to contact the Ivory Tower. Unofficially. It seems they’re seeking cooperation from the Ivory Tower regarding matters related to black magicians. The cooperation doesn’t seem to be going smoothly. I’ll tell you the details when we meet later.]

There were quite a few messages from Francesca. While Lucia seemed to prefer letters over texts or calls, making her news infrequent, Francesca had no reservations about sending updates.

It was just like her to include business-related content while conveying personal greetings. By the way, the Magic Tower and Ivory Tower making unofficial contact? What’s that all about?

After sending a message suggesting we meet in two months for information exchange, I checked other messages. Following Lucia and Francesca’s messages, the screen was filled with texts from family members.

Among them, one familiar message caught my eye.

[I’m bored.]

[The old fogies are being difficult again, and it’s so annoying. I can’t just shoot them, so what should I do?]

[I made a killing at the horse races today, want to place bets together later?]

I didn’t even need to check the sender. A saint gambling of all things. What a lunatic.

After throwing Veronica’s messages in the trash, I deleted all the text messages on my mobile phone.

Having checked up on everyone’s recent activities, I felt slightly relieved. It was like finally putting down a heavy burden.

With urgent matters taken care of, I had some free time. Thanks to that, I could visit Camilla with a lighter heart.

“Camilla? Is it okay to come in?”

“Oh, you’re here?”

Camilla, sprawled on the bed, waved her hand. Stretching her body fully while limply waving her arms, she looked like a sloth.

I sat on the edge of the bed and gently touched her IV bag.

“You suffered from food poisoning too. Seems like you’re much better now.”

“Heh. Of course.”

Camilla flexed both arms, making a show of strength. Of course, no muscles were visible. She had nothing but soft flesh.

Due to the combination of battle fatigue and food poisoning, Camilla had been groaning for a while. She was still confined to bed, but judging by her recovery speed, she would likely be bouncing around by tomorrow.

With her vitality returning, Camilla stretched to wake up her stiff body. After squirming around, she looked up at me with a refreshed expression.

“We’re going back to field activities tomorrow, right?”

“That’s right.”

To make contact with Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan, we need to move diligently.

After the bandit attack, Nayan Al Bas had received my request and was arranging a meeting with the Hassan warlord leader, but it would be foolish to just wait under a tree with my mouth open for fruit to fall.

“Do you have a plan?”

“First, we need to establish an intelligence network.”

I decided to build an intelligence network in three key areas.

I’ll recruit informants from public institutions like the military, police, and civil service, as well as from civilian organizations. While recruiting informants within the warlord faction is important, it wouldn’t hurt to plant intelligence networks throughout the region, in areas beyond their sight.

Camilla tapped her stomach with her finger, deep in thought.

“But do we need to rush? Your wounds haven’t healed yet, so maybe rest a bit. There’s a saying that haste makes waste.”

“I’m going to scout for informants, but I have another purpose too.”

“What’s that?”

“We need to get equipment.”

“Ah.”

Thanks to the warlord duo’s quick response, we recovered the SUV, but not our equipment. The rifles and pistols were abandoned in the reed field, along with night vision goggles, bulletproof vests, and other gear.

We need equipment in case we have to engage in combat with warlords or government forces. At the very least, we should acquire a pistol for Camilla’s and my safety.

“Let’s investigate the military and police first, using reporting as an excuse. I’ll find the operational funds, and we’ll get firearms from there.”

“It would be even better if we could recruit informants.”

“I found out where the doctor the warlord duo brought lives. Let’s use his connections.”

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. A quote perfectly suited to our current situation.”

“Stop saying such nerdy things.”

We went out the next day to look for informants.

It was four days later when we received contact from Nayan Al Bas.