Ch.543Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?

Lightning flashes across the gray sky.

The dark clouds that have obscured the blazing midday sun have turned even the red desert to ash. The echoes of the azan’s prayer drift through the window, as raindrops from the hazy sky begin to streak across Shizya’s heavens.

After the meeting ended.

We unpacked our bags at the hotel provided by the Ashtistan government.

Though we weren’t told exactly how much longer we’d need to stay here, looking at the local situation, it was clear we wouldn’t be heading home anytime soon.

“……”

I stand silently by the window, looking down at the city.

Smoke rises against the backdrop of Shizya, clinging to the ceiling, and the ash that had been precariously suspended now gently settles beside my shoes.

The light drizzle gradually turns into heavier raindrops.

As I gaze at Ashtistan’s capital being soaked by the rain, I bite down on a cigarette with the hand holding the secure phone.

Then I close my eyes gently and drift into memories.

Episode 20 – Who Threatened You With a Knife?

When the word “operative” left her lips.

I wasn’t surprised in the least.

Why? Because in the intelligence world, there’s a clear hierarchy.

“An operative, huh…”

I trailed off, raising an eyebrow. It was a gesture of feigned confusion.

“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”

Just as you can’t compare a national champion who brings home gold medals from international competitions with an amateur from a neighborhood gym.

There’s an insurmountable wall between companies from developed nations and those from developing ones.

Simply put, it’s a gap—or to put it less kindly, a disparity that could be called a hierarchy.

In that sense, the assessment of Ashtistan’s intelligence agency was utterly dismal.

Though they’re involved in conflicts across the Moritani continent, they have almost no capability to conduct high-level intelligence operations on other continents.

Whether it’s espionage, intelligence analysis, or covert operations.

When compared to agencies like the Inquisition, which obtains classified information from other companies, or Abas’s intelligence agencies, which plant disguised spies in foreign intelligence organizations, the gap becomes glaringly obvious.

They’re relatively good at counterintelligence, but even that feels like a small dog wagging its tail on top of a large one when compared to the Imperial Guard.

In summary, they’re players who only know how to operate within the Moritani continent. That’s the general consensus about Ashtistan’s intelligence agency among other companies.

Compared to Iranian intelligence agencies that grapple with Sunni Middle Eastern countries, pro-American foreign nations, and even operate within American and Israeli territories, Ashtistan’s intelligence agency is like a crumbling restaurant with only a “Business as Usual” sign hanging outside.

(Of course, whenever the Iranian friends try to do something, it’s routine for their Israeli counterparts to fly in from Tel Aviv and wreck their plans. For reference, Israeli intelligence has been famous for anti-Iranian sabotage operations since the Cold War era.)

To put it bluntly.

They simply don’t have the capability to surpass Abas’s intelligence agencies.

“…You don’t understand my intention?”

“Was it perhaps a joke?”

I deflected with a friendly smile.

“If so, I apologize for being too flat-minded to catch the High Priestess’s humor.”

I maintain a smile on my face while my mind races. What could this old woman be plotting?

My personnel records managed by the Military Intelligence Service wouldn’t have leaked to Shizya. If my identity had been exposed to the public, the first to get their hands on it would have been the Petrograd faction.

And the Kiyen Imperial companies I knew were definitely not the type to share information with friends, allies, or partners.

“Perhaps the Empire told us?”

The leader of Ashtistan asked, puffing on her pipe.

“I doubt that.”

I denied it without much thought.

“In ’75, a cruiser undergoing overhaul at the Herab Shipyard sank.”

Seven critical drive systems supporting the Goliath crane.

The magic-detecting explosives installed there detected the magic emitted by the crane. When the industrial-grade earth magic spell detonated, the crane collapsed, and its debris rained down on the cruiser.

“The cruiser, which had been the pride of the Ashtistan Navy since the kingdom era, was crushed like gum stuck to the sole of a shoe. I still remember the news article. A professor at the academy accidentally showed uncensored images of bodies crushed under the crane and had to apologize after parents complained.”

“……”

“From what I understand, the Kiyen Empire knew the crane was going to collapse.”

It was far more than just “knowing.”

The Kiyen Military Reconnaissance Command had already bribed a general in the local Defense Ministry two months earlier to obtain the operation plan.

A listening post established on the Moritani continent intercepted communications between the Defense Ministry and the intelligence agency in real-time, thoroughly understanding the progress, and reports from all channels were transmitted to the Imperial Guard and the Foreign Ministry.

In other words,

“When the neighboring country destroyed the Herab Shipyard, did the Imperial Foreign Ministry give any hint to the Ashtistan government?”

The Imperial government monitored the entire military operation from across the sea but deliberately chose not to inform the Ashtistan government.

The reason was simple.

The moment they passed that information to the Republic of Ashtistan, one of their overseas signals intelligence assets would certainly be exposed.

It was indeed an appropriate decision.

In the 1970s, the numerous fleets passing through the Red Desert Strait were unaware that their communications were being intercepted.

A Kiyen military listening post established in the 1960s had been intercepting naval communications for over 15 years, but the naval intelligence agencies of 20 countries, including Abas and Fatalia, remained completely oblivious to this fact.

Until one soft-hearted intelligence officer from the Reconnaissance Command decided to inform the Ashtistan intelligence agency that “the Lushan Federation’s fleet will soon reach the vicinity of Ashtistan’s territorial waters.”

That report was detected by the Royal Intelligence Agency monitoring Shizya.

The Military Intelligence Service and numerous other military intelligence agencies began thoroughly investigating the Imperial Defense Ministry, and after a year-long investigation, the listening posts that the Reconnaissance Command had installed throughout the Moritani continent were exposed to the public.

After that incident, Imperial intelligence agencies no longer trusted the Ashtistan intelligence agency.

This happened less than 20 years ago.

While newcomers might treat it as “something that happened in the past,” the high-ranking intelligence officers who were active at the time would still remember the incident. After all, an intelligence network cultivated with hundreds of billions in annual budget collapsed in just one year due to the lax security of the Ashtistan intelligence agency.

What thoughts must have gone through their minds as they watched the heads of their respected seniors roll in real-time?

If nothing else, it was quite well-known that high-ranking Imperial intelligence officers treated the Ashtistan intelligence agency like parasites or bedbugs.

“That’s right.”

Zeinab Eskandar responded in a disinterested tone.

“It’s true that the Empire and we are close, but we’re not allies intimate enough to share each other’s secrets.”

It was a refreshingly honest admission.

Even she, who was closer to the Imperial Archduke than anyone, didn’t deny the subtle discord between the two countries. It would be impossible to deny, given how deep the conflict ran.

Thus, the head of state of Ashtistan continued in a nonchalant tone.

“It was a joke. Didn’t you find it amusing?”

“I thought the Security Committee was coming to arrest me. I expected to be imprisoned for about a year and a half.”

“Not very funny, I see. I’m sorry. Even Sasha sometimes tells me not to joke around. Says I have no talent for it.”

Well, she’s got quite the discernment.

Watching the High Priestess tap her pipe, I was certain. The Security Committee official’s unexpected behavior toward me had nothing to do with her.

Even when I mentioned the Security Committee to test her reaction, the High Priestess showed no subtle response. She didn’t ask why I brought up that name or show any sign of suspicion.

Was she hiding her emotions well? Or did she truly know nothing?

“…Cough!”

The High Priestess, who had been smoking, suddenly burst into a fit of coughing. She hastily removed the pipe from her lips and, with her composed expression now contorted, she shook her shoulders violently as she coughed.

Her appearance reminded one of a patient with tuberculosis. It wasn’t like a simple cold, but more like a cough that seemed to wring out her lungs.

“Cough, cough…!”

“Are you alright?”

Both the Archduke, who had been wiping his disciple, and Kamila, who had been fleeing from her master, approached with concerned faces.

But she merely gestured to stop them, repeatedly insisting she was fine.

“Huff- I’m fine. It’s nothing, *cough*… It’s nothing.”

“…It doesn’t look like nothing.”

“No, Sasha, I’m fine. It’s over now.”

“Is this what happens when you spend all your time cooped up indoors?”

The Archduke grumbled at his old friend, suggesting she should go out more, and the High Priestess reluctantly nodded.

“It’s getting late, so let’s wrap this up. Since you’ll be staying for a while, we can catch up more later.”

“Yes, Sasha. But could you wait a moment? I still have something to discuss.”

Judging by his expression, he seemed about to say, “Wouldn’t it be better for you to rest right now?” but the first to yield was none other than the Archduke.

“As you wish. Just don’t overdo it.”

“Thank you.”

Alexandra Petrova reluctantly granted her friend’s request. The Archmage departed in a blue flame, then reappeared with a “whoosh” from thin air and snatched Kamila.

“Come with me, you rotten disciple.”

“Gyaaak…! It’s unfair to use teleport to catch me!”

“If you saw magic, you should have thought to run first. Who told you to react slower than your master?”

As she carried her disciple like a sack and left the room.

The High Priestess silently picked up the pipe she had dropped.

She ignited a spell to light the flame, and as the rekindled tobacco burned down, she remained silent.

It was only when the reddened ash was about to fly away with her breath that her sealed lips opened.

“…What I’m about to say is just my own joke, so feel free to ignore it.”

I’m just joking, and this is a soliloquy, not a conversation. The High Priestess set the tone and continued in a flowing voice.

“If you’re not an Abas operative, you’d have no reason to look for two ships that might depart from some port on some day at some time.”

“……”

“Even if those ships sail without flying a flag and concealing their destination. Even if, perhaps, they carry a few weapons painted in sand color.”

A stateless cargo ship. Weapons camouflaged in desert color.

Taken separately, they’re just common elements. Smuggling ships and desert-colored weapons can be seen throughout the Moritani continent.

However, when the two words are combined, the story changes completely.

Stateless cargo ships are typically used for smuggling. Disguising nationality is like the first button of maritime smuggling. And the desert camouflage pattern has been adopted by many regular armies across the Moritani continent due to its geographical characteristics.

What’s important is which country uses that desert camouflage pattern the most, and through which routes the desert-camouflaged weapons used by local regular armies are exported.

For reference, Ashtistan possesses the most smuggling ships in the Moritani continent.

Also, the Republic of Ashtistan is the only country that officially mass-produces weapons with desert patterns. To be precise, a Kiyen Imperial defense industry built a factory in this land, and the weapons produced there have been exported throughout the Moritani continent since the monarchy era.

And coincidentally, the place where this conversation was taking place was Shizya, the capital of Ashtistan.

Quite the coincidence, indeed.

“……”

I smiled.

“It seems my sense of humor is quite lacking.”

*

While the vehicle was heading to the hotel, a report was delivered to one of the many front companies owned by the Military Intelligence Service.

After reviewing the memo, headquarters issued directives to various departments.

A woman solving a crossword puzzle in a coffee shop in Shizya checked her mobile phone, a man who had been napping with his chair tilted back put on a headset, and sailors bouncing around in a rocking cabin gathered around a PDA.

[ Two third-country flagged Geared (crane, derrick-equipped port loading/unloading equipment) MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vessels) identified at Port Asalughi. Assessed as smuggling vessels operated by the Law Guardian Corps. *Details attached. ]

[ Based on intercepted communications between Nizwa and Beshe, the final destination was confirmed in a conversation between an Ashtistan construction company executive and a port manager. The cargo is expected to arrive at a third-country industrial port approximately 160 miles from Port Asalughi in three days. ]

[ Current position North — / East —. This vessel is currently 14 miles from the MPV and approaching the MPV’s port side at a current speed of 21 knots. Expected contact in ○○ minutes. Boarding inspection team Captain □□□□□ and ○○ personnel boarding high-speed boat. ○○ personnel for high-speed boat deployment positioned on starboard. ]

[ Engine stop order not complied with. Three radio communications attempted but no response from MPV. Attempted again with light signals but no response. Warning shots fired followed by VBSS. Approximately 2,900 automatic weapons, portable anti-tank weapons, Oqāb reconnaissance aerial magic device parts, and numerous other illegal weapons seized. *Weapon and magic device serial numbers attached. ]

Literally overnight, the country was turned upside down.

The local government of the area where the smuggling ships were supposed to arrive was furious, claiming that external forces were trying to supply weapons to rebels, and as soon as they realized Ashtistan was behind it, they issued an official protest statement at the government level.

The Kiyen Empire was equally troubled. While the weapons were produced in the Republic of Ashtistan, it was they who had established the weapons factory in that country.

The Imperial Foreign Ministry drew a line, stating that “both nominally and substantially, this arms deal has nothing to do with the Empire,” but when suspicions arose that “the Empire might be intervening in the civil war on the Moritani continent through the Republic of Ashtistan,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson even lost his temper with reporters during a briefing.

As arrows of criticism began to fly, the Republic of Ashtistan government denied any involvement in arms dealing.

They also evaded responsibility by claiming that “the vessel was a foreign-flagged smuggling ship” and that “none of the crew members on board were Ashtistan nationals.”

However, they made no comment on the Ashtistan language found on the seized illegal weapons and magic devices.

Finally, the Abas government.

Abas, which had inspected Ashtistan’s smuggling ship, issued a protest statement like other governments. However, the high-level criticism everyone expected did not materialize, and only perfunctory protests followed.

This led to numerous speculations.

Mainly that the Abas government might be gradually withdrawing from the political situation on the Moritani continent, or that they were moderating their tone to avoid friction with the Kiyen Empire.

The Abas Foreign Ministry merely repeated that “the government’s basic policy is that peace on the Moritani continent must be maintained under any circumstances.”

They made no statement regarding such suspicions.

Strictly speaking,

They didn’t have the luxury to respond to such suspicions.

-‘…What the hell is going on?’

*

When I received Leoni’s phone call asking incredulously, I had just spent the entire night awake.

I’d been up thinking about what had happened to the cargo ship that departed from Ashtistan yesterday, and what the High Priestess’s intentions were when she tipped me off just before the ship’s departure.

Leoni’s questions were similar.

-‘Zeinab Eskandar provided you with information? Even knowing you’re an employee of our company?’

“It seems that way.”

I heard a deflated sound over the phone. With a sigh, Leoni muttered as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying.

-‘Has she gone senile after living past 120? Why would the High Priestess do something so crazy?’

“I don’t know either. Whether she’s crazy or suffering from dementia…”

No one could guess why the High Priestess had done this.

Not only the analysts summoned by the Royal Intelligence Agency and the Military Intelligence Service, but even high-ranking intelligence officers like Leoni and Clebins, and even the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, were seriously suspecting that the High Priestess might be suffering from a mental illness.

Of course, I was the one most actively pushing the “High Priestess dementia theory.”

Rubbing my throbbing forehead, I continued speaking into the phone.

“What if she deliberately leaked the information to confirm my identity? Assuming the High Priestess suspects me of being a spy.”

-‘Are you going crazy too? After seeing the cargo on those ships, you still say that?’

“Yes, I know. I’ve seen it…”

The MPV equipped with cargo loading cranes was revealed to be a smuggling ship owned by a paramilitary organization of the Republic of Ashtistan. The Law Guardian Corps, a kind of IRGC (Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) knockoff.

The problem was one of the weapons they were presumably trying to supply to rebels overseas.

“The parts stored in the green container. Is that really an Oqāb?”

-‘Yes. It’s a reverse-engineered version of our Griffin that the Republic of Ashtistan shot down four years ago. The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute confirmed it.’

“Damn…”

I muttered a small curse.

The “Oqāb,” meaning eagle, is similar to a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in Earth terms. Of course, it’s not exactly like the MQ-1 that the US military deploys in movies; it’s a military weapon system that utilizes magical flying creatures, but still.

For reference, they used to train actual living animals for reconnaissance or attack purposes in the past. It was a kind of “animal version of kamikaze,” which was used until about five years ago, if I remember correctly.

Since the cost of training animals and the time required to raise them were considerable, and the control methods were quite unstable, they now create taxidermy from creatures and install components and devices inside before deploying them.

A few years ago, one of the old models (equipment attached to the body of a living bird) Griffin was shot down in Ashtistan territory.

“So they took it apart and copied it?”

-‘Just the components, to be precise. It was an old model.’

These crazy bastards chewed, tore, tasted, and enjoyed it, and now they’re even selling it to rebel groups for money.

The Oqāb parts we seized today were the evidence.

-‘There have been rumors since the end of last year. That a Griffin reverse-engineered in Shizya had fallen into the hands of rebels. There was speculation about whether the explosives used to attack a hospital were from rebel artillery or an Oqāb from the Republic of Ashtistan’s army. Now we finally have confirmation.’

“The key question is why the High Priestess leaked information about a ship carrying such important cargo to me.”

To be honest, I found it difficult to guess her intentions.

If she deliberately leaked information to confirm whether I was an Abas intelligence officer or not, it would make sense. But an Oqāb was absolutely not something to bet on in such a gamble.

Just how much trouble has the Ashtistan government gotten into now that the existence of the Oqāb has been revealed?

The fact that they supplied their newly developed weapon system, first unveiled at last year’s military parade, to rebels could be interpreted as an intention to overthrow a foreign government.

In fact, the affected government has already threatened that “they will not let this slide,” so in the worst case, Ashtistan might have to prepare for all-out war.

The fact that the new weapon system called Oqāb had fallen into enemy hands was also problematic.

Military equipment with applied magic and spells serves as evidence of how far a country’s military technology has advanced. But the ship was raided by the Abas Navy, and now the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is dissecting the Oqāb.

How sensitive is this issue for the Ashtistan government?

That could be easily understood just by watching the news.

[ “Our Republic of Ashtistan is always prepared for war, but we have no intention of going to war with any country.” ]

[ …The commander of the Ashtistan Law Guardian Corps made this statement at a press conference today. Regarding the arms deal intercepted on the high seas, Commander Darius criticized it as a plot by foreign forces to defame Ashtistan. ]

[ However, an unnamed Abas government official revealed that a message had been conveyed from the Republic of Ashtistan government saying, “We would like the seized Oqāb to be returned as soon as possible”… ]

Asking for stolen goods back? Fuck. I’m speechless.

I couldn’t help but ask Leoni incredulously.

“Is that for real?”

-‘Does it sound like a lie?’

“……”

-‘They contacted us through the Imperial embassy. Demanding the immediate return of their property. The Kiyen Foreign Ministry received the request and passed on the message, but judging by the consul’s expression, they seem to be in quite a predicament as well.’

The world had gone topsy-turvy.

Anyway.

There was no need to further investigate how monumentally the Ashtistan government had screwed up in this incident. The important point was that the person who had screwed over the Ashtistan government was none other than the head of state of Ashtistan.

If the High Priestess truly had doubts about my identity, there was no need to use such a method. Finding spies is the job of intelligence and investigative agencies, not something a head of state would personally handle.

It would also be possible to find out by leaking appropriate false information rather than critical intelligence.

The remaining conclusion, then, is that the High Priestess deliberately leaked information to sabotage the arms deal from the beginning.

But why?

“Director, is it possible for the person who overthrew the monarchy to then destroy the government they established with their own hands?”

-‘The High Priestess is keeping the Law Guardian Corps in check?’

“…Just speculation. Personal speculation.”

Well, who knows.

Leoni began to trail off, as if this was a headache-inducing Zen riddle.

-‘In a normal situation, it would be impossible without being insane. A dictator has no reason to check their praetorian guard, right? They’re personal soldiers who are completely loyal.’

“Right. And even less reason to eliminate them.”

-‘If there was a need to check their dominance, she would have empowered the military or intelligence agency or other organizations. Wasn’t that the reason the Guardian Corps was established in the first place? The Corps’ mission is to suppress if the Republican Army rebels.’

I also had suspicions that, by some one-in-a-million chance, there might have been an objective to eliminate me.

But Leoni dismissed it as a question not worth entertaining.

-‘She caused all this trouble just to arrest you? Is the High Priestess so senile she can’t even do basic arithmetic?’

With that level of intelligence, she should have been in a nursing home or mental hospital, he implied.

Of course, this wasn’t just based on speculation.

“If she suspected me, there would have been an arrest team at my door when the ship was inspected, right?”

-‘Were you caught?’

“No. Only the room service I ordered arrived.”

-‘I see you can still eat in the midst of all this. You’ve got guts.’

No, if I need to make a run for it, I should eat beforehand, right?

Actually, I ordered room service because of Kamila, and she ate all the food, but anyway.

To summarize, the conclusion was this:

First, the High Priestess deliberately leaked classified information to me.

Second, she could fully anticipate that I would report to Abas regardless of whether I was a spy or not, and she also knew that if the information leaked, the Ashtistan government would be in trouble.

Third, despite this, Zeinab Eskandar leaked the information. Even though she knew exactly what would happen.

Whatever her purpose was, she achieved what she wanted in this chaotic whirlwind.

Perhaps, defying everyone’s expectations, she was willing to accept enormous losses to catch a single spy, but if the source of the information were to be revealed, the High Priestess’s authority would be significantly shaken.

Historically, leaders who conspired with foreign powers tended to lose their heads.

Having ruined state affairs with such terrible judgment, someone in Ashtistan might soon make a “grand decision.”

“……”

If so, this is the best outcome from Abas’s perspective.

We don’t yet know who will be Ashtistan’s next leader, but while a new government is being formed, wouldn’t it be great if someone “who communicates well” takes power? Abas could just give that person a little push from behind.

Of course, I’d be cursed out since my identity was exposed, but that wouldn’t be a bad outcome either.

If worst comes to worst, I could just hide behind Veronica or Lucia. What madman would come to stab someone protected by a saint?

…Except for Francesca.

-‘Anyway, we need to find out what that old woman was thinking when she pulled this stunt. But don’t dig too deep. We have a branch in Shizya too.’

What is she trying to use a seemingly naive foreigner for? While we can’t guess the old dictator’s schemes, Leoni and I agreed that we needed to play along for now.

So I decided to put on a little act.

“I’ll probe a bit more. She said we’d meet again on the third day. I’ll report back as soon as I leave the Azadi Palace tomorrow.”

-‘We have eyes on the ground, so handle things first and report later for the time being.’

He’s telling me to handle most matters on my own.

-‘By the way, you visited the Azadi Palace when you first arrived yesterday, and you’re going again tomorrow?’

“It’s not a scheduled visit, but I received a summons through the Archduke. The High Priestess wants to see me.”

-‘Just you separately?’

“No. I’m going with the Archduke. All three of us were summoned, so we’re going together.”

-‘Be careful. And if you end up in prison, at least show your face to the media.’

I responded with a slightly surprised tone.

“Will you come to rescue me?”

-‘No.’

Damn.

That took a turn.

The overseas director of the Military Intelligence Service casually remarked:

-‘If you get caught, we’ll have to arrest a few of their people too for a prisoner exchange. We’ve had our eyes on some candidates.’

*

A day after Ashtistan Republic’s smuggling ship was intercepted on the high seas, and on our third day in Shizya.

The Azadi Palace, which we visited again, exuded the same serene atmosphere as during our first visit.

However, the gazes directed at me were anything but ordinary.

“The atmosphere is quite something.”

“It feels like lasers might shoot from their eyes…”

Perhaps because the smuggling ship issue had stirred up the local media? Some officials couldn’t manage their expressions when they saw me.

How should I put it? Rationally, they know it’s a diplomatic issue unrelated to me, but because my nationality happens to be the Kingdom of Abas, they feel a subtle antipathy?

Noticing those gazes, Kamila carried a subtle worry in her eyes.

“Are you sure you’re okay? It seems like it might be better to lay low right now…”

“I’m fi-ne. This was everyday life in Africa. Being looked at with contempt was nothing new.”

“In Africa, as an Asian? For what reason?”

Nothing special.

“I happened to be carrying a Chinese passport at the time…”

“……”

“When they tell you to go back to your country, what can you say? I wasn’t even really Chinese. Honestly, there were moments when it was convenient to look Chinese.”

“…Ah, were you on a business trip to a pro-China country? Like Myanmar?”

“No, it’s that whenever I made a mistake abroad, I’d pretend to be Chinese. Especially when I accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road, not knowing it was left-hand traffic.”

“……”

Kamila, who had been looking at me with concerned eyes, suddenly tilted her head like someone who had been hit on the head with a hammer.

“What?”

“…I don’t know about anything else, but even Chinese people would fall over in shock at your way of thinking.”

It was a strangely unpleasant remark, but I took it as a compliment. It had to be a compliment. If not, Kamila would be split in half from the crown of her head.

Anyway.

Leaving behind the officials who seemed displeased, I made my way to the deeper part of the Azadi Palace, the “Citadel.”

What intentions did this 100-year-old woman have when approaching me?

It was time to find out.

*

And exactly 18 minutes and 28 seconds later.

“I’d like you to take care of someone.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

“…Who did you say?”

“Dariush Ismaelzahi (داریوش اسماعیل‌زهی).”

Dariush. It’s a very common name in Persian culture, sometimes pronounced slightly differently as Daris, Dariush, Darwush, etc.

When English speakers read this name, they pronounce it as “Darius.”

And in Ashtistan, there was only one person famous with the name “Darius.”

“That Dariush, the Commander-in-Chief of the Law Guardian Corps?”

The High Priestess nodded with a slight smile.

It was undoubtedly an affirmation.

“Yes.”

“Holy shit!”