Ch.547Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?
by fnovelpia
# The Cleanup
The cleanup was swift and clean.
The driver carrying the corpse turned the steering wheel toward the dark ruins. His demeanor was calm and composed.
The men in suits, as if they had no further business, split up into the parked van and sedan, then disappeared, leaving only the heavy sound of engines behind.
A Security Committee employee had been purged, but such matters were of little importance.
What truly mattered was something else entirely.
“…”
I passed through the door held open by the driver and settled into the back seat of the sedan.
The car cut through the darkness of Shizya. From ruins to downtown. To the center of the capital.
Toward several buildings in the distance.
# Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?
Interior design is more than just decorating a space; it’s a transformation that reflects function and personality.
The aesthetics of minimalism, vintage charm, cleanliness of lines, and the coziness of wooden furniture. The interior, modern yet reflecting tradition, could truly be described as bold.
Except for one thing.
The portraits of that woman and old man hanging on the wall.
“…”
The photographs of the two figures were displayed in a corner of the small office, which was about five pyeong (approximately 16.5 square meters).
A woman with a remarkable expression—too cold to be human, too sad to be steel. An elderly man smiling gently with an infinitely loving and compassionate smile.
The woman in the photograph, Zeinab Eskandar, High Priestess of Al-Yabd, was staring at a diagonal line with an expressionless face.
And right beside her, Mehrafshan “Menbashi” Al-Wardi, Prime Minister of the Ashtistan Republic, was smiling with Buddha-like kindness, his gaze directed elsewhere from the priestess.
“…”
The Prime Minister’s portrait looked much younger than the photo I had seen around this time last year. It was probably taken about ten years ago.
I slowly looked around the office.
As evident from the portraits of the two politicians representing the nation, the small office of about five pyeong was part of a government building.
The office, decorated with modern sophistication, created an atmosphere quite different from the Azadi Palace with its preserved traditions. The female secretary wearing a rusari (headscarf) gave off a strange sense of unfamiliarity, somehow different from the typical civil servants of Ashtistan.
-Scratch, scratch…
The writing instrument created quiet noise as it brushed against the document.
The female secretary glanced at the paper while typing on the keyboard. While she entered the contents of the document into the terminal, I waited, gazing at the darkness that had settled deeply over Shizya.
Click, a man emerged from the firmly closed door as it opened. He looked more suited to be an accountant than a civil servant.
He held the door he had just exited and said:
“Let’s go in.”
Only after receiving permission could I finally leave the cramped five-pyeong office. I moved silently into the adjacent room, and Camilla followed hesitantly after giving the accountant a quick glance.
The inner office was much larger and cozier than the small five-pyeong office.
The room, situated in the southeast direction, had two sides filled with glass, giving it an immediately apparent sense of openness. The hardwood furniture, along with the modern interior, made the space even more luxurious.
“I’ve brought them.”
As the accountant spoke, the owner of the office shifted his gaze. He was sitting at his desk and glanced at us.
A Persian-style shirt without a collar. Metal-framed glasses. Neatly trimmed white beard…
Just as I was scanning him…
The middle-aged man gently removed his glasses and greeted us.
“Welcome, everyone. I am Jahandar, Chief Inspector of the Security Committee.”
He placed his left hand between his collarbones, near his neck, and slightly lowered his chin.
It didn’t take long to realize that this was the traditional greeting of the Ashtistan Republic. In Persian regions, when a man meets a woman who is not a relative, it is customary to replace a handshake with a slight bow.
I placed my hand on my chest and returned the greeting.
“Peace be upon you (وعليكم السلام : wa-ʿalaykumu s-salāmu), I am Frederick Nostrum, working at the Ministry of Defense of the Abbas Kingdom.”
According to Iranian and Ashtistani etiquette, greeting protocols are strictly observed. Usually, the younger person greets the elder, the standing person greets the seated person, and the guest greets the host.
However, Chairman Jahandar ignored etiquette and greeted me first. And to someone so young at that.
Viewed positively, he was being considerate to a foreigner unfamiliar with etiquette; viewed negatively, he was showing leniency to a foreigner ignorant of proper manners.
But whatever the case, from the perspective of locals unaware of the circumstances, I would be seen as “an ignorant commoner who doesn’t respect elders.”
Therefore, I responded with the most courteous greeting possible, stating my surname, Nostrum, and my position. Revealing one’s surname and position was also an important etiquette in Ashtistan.
That’s why.
Jahandar, who introduced himself as the Chief Inspector of the Security Committee, wore a faint smile.
“I’m pleased to meet you too, Mr. Frederick Nostrum.”
He continued with a slightly surprised tone while maintaining a serene smile.
“You seem to know Ashtistani culture. Most foreign guests aren’t familiar with our greeting customs.”
“I’ve served as a military officer. And I have someone strict about etiquette around me.”
“The Grand Duke’s strictness is widely known to be comparable to the impartial scales of the Earth Mother Goddess.”
According to the military intelligence database, the Inspection Committee, known as an “inspection body” in the Security Committee’s organization, is a department that boasts considerable power even within the Security Committee.
As is typically the case with inspection departments in all intelligence agencies.
However, no matter how serious the crime, a typical inspection department would summon an employee for investigation, not arbitrarily put a bullet in the back of their head.
“…”
I became extremely curious about why the head of this crazy organization’s inspection department had summoned me.
But he was one step ahead.
“Would you like some tea?”
Chairman Jahandar pointed to a magical kettle placed in a corner of the office. As the host, he was offering to serve tea to us, his guests.
“No, thank you.”
When I flatly refused his hospitality, Jahandar’s face subtly hardened. It was a reaction indicating that he was quite displeased at having his hospitality rejected.
He pointed to various types of tea leaves with a proud expression and once again offered me tea.
“Please, do try some. This is Chai, a specialty of our country.”
“…Alright.”
Perhaps because it’s a region with deeply rooted customs of hospitality. The Chief Inspector of the Security Committee treated us generously despite the late hour.
Three cups of reddish black tea. Sugar cubes, cinnamon, saffron, lemon, lime, and more to accompany according to taste.
It was an abundant setup that could only be seen in a teahouse in Lahijan (a region in Iran famous for tea cultivation). Even in Ashtistan, where tea is beloved, it was uncommon for an individual to have so many preparations.
At this point, I could easily notice that Jahandar was extremely fond of tea.
Camilla, who had taken a snack from a plate with arabesque designs, took a bite and began nodding. It was a reaction suggesting it was unexpectedly delicious.
I brewed the tea leaves Jahandar had selected and took just enough of a sip to wet my lips.
“How is it?”
He asked.
“A magnificent aroma, as its reputation suggests.”
“You have an impressive eye for good tea leaves. Thank you (شكرا).”
Subtle intimidation followed by praise. The feeling was unusual from the start.
Chairman Jahandar’s offer of tea was partly to entertain guests who had arrived at a late hour, but that was merely a surface reason.
He used the custom of hospitality as a weapon to gently pressure me, and as a result, I accepted his goodwill and acquiesced to his pressure.
In a way, it was a kind of psychological warfare.
Subtle intimidation is a common tactic to subdue the other party and take control of the conversation. An ordinary person would have their spirit crushed and be dragged along.
An ordinary person, that is.
“Let’s get this over with quickly.”
Jahandar’s eyes twitched slightly. As if he hadn’t expected me to directly suggest getting straight to the point.
He smiled faintly and responded in a calm voice, putting an end to the exploration disguised as a battle of wills.
“Let’s do that. It is getting late.”
Seeing this, I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Grown adults engaging in a battle of wills. I wonder if this is why they joined intelligence agencies. It must be hard living as tax thieves.
“I arranged this meeting to discuss the matter you reported. It’s too significant an issue to simply overlook.”
“Discussion?”
“If there are any misunderstandings, shouldn’t we clear them up?”
Chief Inspector Jahandar subtly suggested that we have a little talk. He didn’t specify the exact purpose, but from his strangely friendly demeanor, I picked up on several characteristics.
“Of course we should.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement.”
I looked at Chairman Jahandar with an interested gaze. He put down his teacup, propped his elbow with one hand, and began to speak.
“What brings you to the Ashtistan Republic?”
“I came at the Grand Duke’s suggestion. A kind of trip, you might say.”
“Hmm, that’s delightful. There are few attractions as beautiful as Shizya even in the Kiyen Empire or the Fatalia Republic. But I’m pained to hear that an ‘unfortunate disturbance’ nearly ruined your pleasant journey.”
An unfortunate disturbance. What a curious choice of words.
The Chief Inspector drew a clear line. The demand for a bribe was unrelated to the Security Committee, he implied. He knew it wasn’t honorable to say it outright, but he meant that it wasn’t something they had intended.
This meant that the bribe demand was an individual employee’s misconduct, and simultaneously, that they couldn’t offer any compensation.
It might seem like overinterpretation, but this was the correct answer. Euphemisms aren’t exclusive to the diplomatic corps.
Intelligence officers who have risen to high positions often have such long and smooth tongues.
Chief Inspector Jahandar sighed, pretending to be dismayed.
“In fact, that civil servant had already been disciplined and demoted. Yet he went to find Mr. Frederick again and demanded your departure. It makes my face burn with shame.”
“Hmm…”
I let out a sigh, giving the impression that I found it hard to accept. Of course, that was just my expression.
I hadn’t expected any compensation anyway. There was no compensation I could demand from them, and likewise, there was nothing the Security Committee could do for me.
With a bullet in the back of the head of the man who tried to take a bribe, the bad blood between me and the Security Committee was already as good as settled.
Everyone present understood this fact. Even Camilla, who was nibbling on a date beside me.
The question was why the Security Committee’s inspection department had summoned me here when they clearly knew this.
“I’m glad you sympathize with our pain. But what misunderstanding are you referring to?”
“This letter. Did you write it yourself, Mr. Frederick?”
Chief Inspector Jahandar showed me a neatly folded envelope. It was the letter I had submitted to the Security Committee.
As soon as I saw that letter, I could guess what the Security Committee was worried about.
“No, I didn’t write it myself. If I knew Ashtistani, I would have, but unfortunately, I only know simple greetings.”
“Then?”
“Camilla wrote it for me.”
“…Huh?”
Camilla, who had been eagerly eating the snacks, looked at us with round eyes, as if to say, “Did you call me?”
Chief Inspector Jahandar gave her a glance and asked a question in Ashtistani, not Kiyen.
“Was it you, Miss Rowell, who wrote this letter?”
“Yes. I wrote it.”
“Ah, I thought the handwriting looked feminine.”
He smiled brightly with a subtle expression. It seemed like he was forcing himself to smile.
It was just a fleeting moment, but I could read that emotion on Jahandar’s face. And I realized.
The fact that Camilla had recognized the Security Committee employee’s “individual misconduct” was not a good thing from the perspective of the Security Committee’s Inspection Committee. It meant there was a witness.
If an ordinary Ashtistani resident had witnessed the incident, the Inspection Committee could have easily silenced them. The authority of the Security Committee was so powerful that even those working in the outer palace of Azadi trembled before it.
But if the subject was a foreigner, and moreover, Camilla, who was Alexandra Petrova’s protégé and one of the most notable figures in the world, the story changed completely.
She was someone beyond the authority of the Security Committee. She was a person who could have an audience with the Grand Duke and the High Priestess, so even the Security Committee couldn’t arbitrarily control a foreign guest who could directly meet with the High Priestess of Al-Yabd.
I looked at her with a subtle gaze. Whether she read something in that look, Camilla gulped down the tea and snacks in one go and slightly raised her hand.
“Should I leave the room?”
“If you wish.”
Jahandar smiled brightly as if he had been waiting for those words. He even assigned his own secretary to escort Camilla out of the office.
After Camilla left the room.
I was able to continue the conversation with Chairman Jahandar in a much more relaxed atmosphere.
“The Security Committee’s refreshment budget might run out today.”
“Ah. A guest’s enjoyment is the greatest happiness.”
He accepted the joke with a relaxed voice.
In the room where there were no other listeners, we began to clear up the misunderstandings in earnest.
“I believe you must be greatly distressed by our civil servant’s misconduct. While we can’t do more than hold the employee accountable for his individual misconduct, I would personally like to offer some compensation to you and Miss Rowell, if that’s acceptable?”
“There’s no need for that, but…”
I responded in a tone suggesting I wouldn’t refuse goodwill.
Jahandar was greatly pleased, as if this was what he had been hoping to hear.
The Chief Inspector of the Security Committee carefully made a proposal with a respectful attitude, and I humbly considered his suggestion. As he said, his proposal was a very minor and trivial gesture.
“I’ve heard that other foreign guests will be visiting Shizya in a few days. During your stay in Ashtistan, we will specially ‘caution’ our civil servants to ensure that such unfortunate disturbances do not occur again for you and the other guests.”
He was saying he would take care of things so that no flies would bother us.
This meant that the Security Committee would preemptively eliminate potential problems in the protocol and stay process.
“I’m truly grateful to hear that.”
Jahandar smiled brightly, as if to say there was no need to be grateful.
“It’s just a small token of appreciation. You extended a hand first to someone in a difficult situation. It’s only natural that the merciful God looks after the righteous.”
I chuckled and replied:
“I just didn’t want to ruin a peaceful trip.”
The Chief Inspector nodded as if he understood and responded:
“There are no bad people in the world who love peace.”
He put the letter envelope into a shredder. And then, with a bright smile and a peaceful voice, he said to me:
“May God accompany you on your pleasant journey.”
*
The conversation with Chief Inspector Jahandar lasted until dawn.
On my way back to the hotel, I slowly ran the translation in my head.
At first, Jahandar drew a clear line:
‘This unfortunate incident was an individual employee’s misconduct, and he had already been disciplined and demoted. But then he approached you and caused trouble again.’
→ Anyway, we knew nothing about this. Haha;; Sorry!
Then he promised personal compensation:
‘You must be distressed by the employee’s misconduct. Soon other guests will be arriving, and we’ll be careful not to let such problems occur.’
→ You must have been shocked. Your companions will be arriving soon, and it would be a big problem if such issues arise again, so we’ll take care of everything. So please overlook this incident.
I answered that I understood:
‘I’m truly grateful to hear that.’
→ Do as you say.
Jahandar was greatly pleased:
‘It’s just a small token of appreciation.’
→ We almost had a headache because of one idiot, but thanks to you, we could handle it quietly. Thank you for reporting it, and we’ll take good care of you, so please be careful not to cause any gossip.
To which I replied, mentioning my trip:
‘I just didn’t want to ruin a peaceful trip.’
→ Don’t worry about that. Just take care of things properly.
And he responded by wishing me a pleasant journey:
‘May God accompany you on your pleasant journey.’
→ I swear in God’s name that I’ll handle this without any problems.
I lay on the hotel bed, staring intently at the name “Jahandar” on the business card given by the Security Committee’s Chief Inspector.
And I concluded:
“…Well. This is absolutely—”
A bumper crop of bullshit.
*
“It was all lies?”
“Yes.”
There were reasonable grounds for judging Jahandar’s claims as nonsense.
Roughly three reasons.
“Why do you think so?”
“There are several reasons, but the biggest is that he belongs to the Security Committee.”
The Chief Inspector who introduced himself as “Jahandar” was an intelligence officer of the Ashtistan Republic. He belonged to the Security Committee.
“The Security Committee is an intelligence agency responsible for security and counterintelligence. In other words, it’s a counterespionage agency. Conversely, I am a civil servant of a hostile country. A senior counterespionage agency official showing goodwill to a foreign official from a hostile country? Even by common sense, there’s no bigger nonsense than this.”
Basically, deception is routine between intelligence and counterintelligence agencies.
Companies might not backstab their employees, but swindling foreigners is quite an everyday occurrence.
But a high-ranking official of a hostile country’s counterespionage agency would look after my convenience just because I helped cover up a troublesome incident?
I’d sooner believe Joaquin’s (the marijuana-smoking hippie from Necropolis) declaration “I’m quitting marijuana from today!” or Veronica’s news “I’ve quit smoking~” a thousand times over.
“A drug addict might quit drugs, but there’s not even a 0.01% chance that counterespionage officials would show goodwill or ensure convenience for me.”
Camilla, sitting on the sofa, turned with a puzzled expression.
“So they deceived you? Is this active counterintelligence?”
“Probably.”
I began listing the reasons why Jahandar’s claims were nonsense.
“Counterespionage agencies basically target everyone, whether allies or not. Just look at how the FBI or SS (MI5’s official name) follow and eavesdrop on allied intelligence officers operating in Washington or London.”
“I heard from a senior colleague at MI5 that they’re very wary of French and Israeli intelligence agencies. He added that it was from the Cold War era, but still.”
“The Tel Aviv guys still get monitored today. The US, UK, France, Germany, Norway… They swindle all allies without exception.”
And Abbas-Ashtistan are hostile countries on par with the US-Iran relationship.
“Even allied countries often have friction, so what about hostile countries? Have you ever heard of the Revolutionary Guards being lenient to CIA or Mossad employees?”
Camilla shook her head, resting her cheek on the sofa backrest.
“I’ve seen news about Mossad operatives being executed in Isfahan, but never such stories.”
“The Security Committee is the same. They have no reason to look after an Abbas defense attaché.”
But of course, that wasn’t all.
There was another rational basis.
“Camilla, do you remember what we heard from the Chief Inspector?”
“The conversation? Yes, I haven’t forgotten yet.”
“Did anything seem strange to you during his talk?”
“Strange… Ah!”
Camilla, who had been recalling the memory, let out a soft exclamation.
“Come to think of it, that person at the Azadi Palace… He said the employee who demanded a bribe had already been disciplined. That he was in a demoted state…”
Exactly.
The Security Committee’s Chief Inspector explained that the shameless loan shark had already been disciplined.
He claimed that even when the man was shot by the inspection department employee, he had already been in a demoted state when he came to me demanding my departure.
What does this mean?
“It means the inspection department was already aware. That the guy had demanded a bribe from me.”
“Did you know?”
“Roughly. I had a vague suspicion.”
“Since when?”
“Since that guy started talking about departure. I wondered if the inspection had gotten involved, and if that’s why he was being aggressive with me.”
When he barked at me to get out of Ashtistan, I first suspected the Security Committee’s counterintelligence activities and an individual employee’s misconduct.
But demanding departure outright seemed too clumsy for a Security Committee counterintelligence operation. Above all, his aggressive and hostile attitude was suspicious.
So I wondered if he had been disciplined for some reason and was taking it out on me.
And when a bullet hit the back of his head, and the Chief Inspector provided an explanation, I was convinced twice over.
My prediction was correct.
“Severe punishments like demotion can’t be imposed by a mere department head or division commander. It’s only possible after serious corruption is revealed by the inspection department, decided by a disciplinary committee, or ordered by the agency head.”
“…So the inspection was already over. Since the discipline had already been carried out.”
“Yes. The investigation would have been completed long before we met that person again.”
“Hmm…!”
At this point, Camilla began to look serious.
The Inspection Committee knew about the employee’s corruption. Even before the employee caused trouble again and a report was submitted.
“They were aware even before the report. That’s why they demoted him, and when he caused more problems, they purged him. When did the inspection body become aware of this?”
Well, I’m not sure of the exact timing, but I estimated it was the day I entered Ashtistan.
When the Security Committee guy threatened me, there were quite a few people watching nearby.
If any of them tipped off the inspection body, then the bribe-demanding culprit, his lackeys who followed him around, and the outer palace officials who witnessed it would all have been investigated by the Security Committee.
“It’s surprising that the investigation was completed and discipline was imposed in just a day or two. But I guess the guy who got heated up over this issue came to vent his anger on me. More investigation is needed, but… for now, this hypothesis seems most plausible to me.”
After reviewing the hypothesis, Camilla presented a new argument.
“What if the Security Committee set a trap as part of active counterintelligence?”
I shook my head firmly in denial.
“There are no people who would blow the back of an employee’s head off for a foreigner who might not even be a spy. Even the North Koreans don’t do that.”
“I think I’ve watched too many movies. Then how about this? The employee’s corruption was his own initiative, but they used this to their advantage as an opportunity to monitor you.”
“That makes more sense.”
They just got rid of the employee who couldn’t get his act together and caused trouble again, and incidentally used this as a pretext to investigate me.
It was a very plausible argument.
Especially since it was similar to what I was thinking.
I pulled the terminal slightly and began to speak.
“The Security Committee, the Law Guardians Corps, and other Ashtistani counterespionage agencies are not very good at active counterintelligence. That’s more the domain of imperial counterespionage agencies like the Imperial Guard. They can’t even dream of it in Shizya.”
“What do you mean?”
“Activities like planting moles in hostile intelligence agencies, investigators using convincing bait to catch spies, or spreading misinformation to lead them astray—the Security Committee or the Guardians can’t do that.”
To be precise, it’s closer to “cannot do.”
Active counterintelligence requires excellent intelligence, agency-level strategy, and the know-how of veteran investigators.
It’s typically conducted by advanced counterespionage agencies like the Imperial Guard or the Inquisition.
Instead,
“But Ashtistani counterespionage agencies are good at traditional counterespionage activities. They might not go abroad to play cat and mouse with intelligence agencies, but they’re good at catching spies who crawl in from foreign countries.”
“Passive counterintelligence?”
“Yes. Passive counterintelligence.”
Exactly this.
I displayed a document I found in the database on the screen.
“Look at this.”
“What is it?”
“‘Jahandar’s’ personnel record card.”
Camilla, who was looking intently at the data, tilted her head in confusion and said:
“The face is the same, but… it’s a different name?”
“Because it’s an alias. His real name isn’t Jahandar but ‘Ali Rashid.'”
I pointed to the Chief Inspector in the screen, “Jahandar,” whose real name was “Ali Rashid.”
As I scrolled down, countless faces appeared, starting with “Jahandar.” From the “accountant” caught on the hotel’s security camera to the “driver” and so on.
After examining the identification data, Camilla gave me a rather serious look.
“His introduction was full of lies from the start.”
“Well, even domestic departments often use cover identities.”
I flicked the fake business card with “Jahandar” engraved on it.
The spinning piece of paper soon fell helplessly. Leaving the messy business card on the floor, I put my feet up on the desk and supported the back of my head with my hand.
“These guys, I guarantee, will start monitoring me today or tomorrow.”
So far, there hadn’t been any problems.
Whether it was because of my status as the Grand Duke’s companion, I hadn’t detected any surveillance, tailing, or wiretapping. The anti-bugging and anti-surveillance equipment I had packed before departure seemed almost unnecessary.
But that’s now a thing of the past.
“We’ll have to see whether their ‘compensation’ turns out to be protection or surveillance.”
“…You gave permission knowing this?”
I shrugged my shoulders once.
Camilla shook her head and sighed deeply.
“You’re really like a pervert.”
“That’s slander.”
“Mentally ill people usually think they’re normal.”
“At least I’m better than someone who eats like an elephant while firmly believing they’re at a normal weight.”
“Shut up, Frederick.”
At that sharp response, I chuckled and muttered:
“Mr. Nam… By the way, I’m curious about something.”
“What?”
“The people who will monitor me.”
I stared intently at the identification data compiled by the military intelligence agency and added:
“Will the Security Committee mark me? Or…”
Name:
– Ali Rashid.
Gender:
– Male.
Age:
– 48.
Affiliation and Position:
– Chief Inspector, Inspection Body of the Security Committee, Ashtistan Republic.
Family Relations:
– Single.
Work Experience:
– After 11 years of service in the Law Guardians Corps, retired as a lieutenant colonel (Head of Investigation Unit in the Information Security Organization / Team Leader of Special Operations Forces Indra इन्द्र / Company Commander of the 41st Tariq Division, etc.)
Special Notes:
– Awarded 2 military medals while serving as a company commander in the Zurvan region.
– Commanded pro-Ashtistan militias abroad during his time as a team leader in the Law Guardians Corps Special Operations Forces.
– Planned and promoted SVBIED (suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attacks, shooting attacks, and magical attacks on Western diplomatic missions in Abbas, Fatalia, Rushan, etc.
– Transferred to the Security Committee after serving as the head of the investigation unit in the Information Security Organization due to his experience in suppressing riots and demonstrations.
“…Will the Law Guardians Corps mark me?”
*
As expected, the surveillance by the Ashtistani counterespionage agency began immediately.
After going out briefly and returning, I found bugs planted throughout the hotel room, a suspicious bearded man stationed in the lobby, and even bugs discovered in the suit I had sent for cleaning.
“Ah, these guys, really. Do they know how much this jacket cost? They’ve torn apart even the lining.”
The vicious desert civil servants began merciless surveillance as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Of course, from my perspective, having experienced China and Russia in succession, this level was just a cute tantrum. But seeing all my favorite suits (custom-made, no less) torn apart made my blood boil.
It was the same for Camilla.
Watching me mournfully caress the suit, she muttered in disbelief:
“Is the damaged suit what matters? The bugs are the bigger issue.”
“No, if they’re going to plant them, do it properly! The stitching on the left sleeve is different from the right sleeve—how am I supposed to wear this?”
“…This is driving me crazy.”
Aaaagh! I hugged the damaged suit, flopped down on the bed, and began to wail.
Look at what these bastards did to my clothes. They even made the seams mismatched!
This was a very serious war crime. I swear to heaven, I had never seen such an atrocious criminal act in my life.
“I should have known when they sold their god. Damn it…”
“Stop with the nonsense! Please think about how to deal with this now!”
Camilla snatched away the damaged suit and screamed.
I sat down with an even more depressed expression and answered:
“What can we do about it? Even if we remove the bugs, they’ll just plant them again.”
“Are you saying you’ll just live like this? Seriously?”
“Pretending not to know is also a method.”
If I start countering the surveillance, the counterespionage agency will definitely notice. If the bugs suddenly disappear one day, they’ll know “this guy has noticed the bugging.”
Therefore, it was important to understand how closely the counterespionage agency was monitoring me and how much I was being monitored, and then respond accordingly.
In other words,
“Within their surveillance range, I could leak false information or deliberately leak nutritionless information. This might allow me to lead them in the direction I want.”
It means becoming bait myself to trick the Ashtistani intelligence department.
So, I agreed with Camilla:
“For the time being, it’s best for us to be careful. We should only talk in places with anti-bugging measures like now, and refrain from speaking as much as possible in unsafe places.”
“Okay. Should I find other safe places?”
“If you can, please do. But avoid actions that are too conspicuous.”
“Yes.”
And so we became anglers fishing for Ashtistan.
However, what we hadn’t anticipated was:
“…Oh my.”
That the elderly gentleman who came for recuperation with his friend,
Had a much keener sense than we expected.
“These fellows have played an interesting prank on the hotel.”
Day 5 of our stay in Ashtistan.
Events began to unfold in a direction that neither we nor the Ashtistan Republic’s intelligence department had anticipated.
0 Comments