Ch.548Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?

The public perception of wizards is extremely complex.

To the elderly, wizards are freedom fighters, independence activists, or revolutionaries. Having witnessed the Church-Magic Tower War in their youth or heard about it from their parents’ generation, they share a positive perception.

The middle-aged and older generations feel the same way. Over the past century, society has achieved remarkable progress through science and magic.

The middle-aged generation experienced this era firsthand and benefited from economic development. Naturally, they hold favorable views toward wizards.

In contrast, young adults in their 20s and 30s view wizards, or magic itself, somewhat negatively.

Doomers, Tang Ping (lying flat), N-po generation.

Or illegal immigrants from South America crossing the Mexican border and Darien Gap, Indian STEM graduates who settled in Canada on work visas, and so on.

Today’s perception of wizards falls somewhere between “talented but idle loafers” and “job thieves who secretly immigrate to exploit wage gaps between developed and developing countries.”

This was genuinely true, not an exaggeration.

Even Francesca, a member of the Ranieri family and a high-ranking official of the Magic Tower, suffered all kinds of slander (which the company presumes is propaganda created by defense contractors) during numerous contract negotiations with the Department of Defense, being labeled a “foreign businessperson threatening national security.”

Above all, wizards caused so much trouble that their image as “eccentric oddballs” became firmly established.

However, there was one exception.

One figure who received overwhelmingly positive evaluations across generations and nationalities:

The eternal idol of the magical world, the “Archmage.”

Why was the Archmage exempt from the increasingly negative perception of wizards? This was entirely because the Archmages themselves were simply that exceptional.

It takes two hands to clap. How could one compare the legends who had maintained their thrones for a century with ordinary people?

They were beyond comparison, so there was nothing to slander about them.

But people had one misconception.

-“Yes, this is the Kiyen Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. How may I help you?”

“Put the Vice Minister on the line.”

That misconception was thinking that a 120-year-old elderly woman wouldn’t be stubborn and had a pleasant personality!

Episode 20 – Who Threatened You With a Knife?

The “Embassy of the Kiyen Empire to the Republic of Ashtistan,” located in the heart of Shizya, Ashtistan’s capital, is a well-known bargain.

With an overwhelmingly cheaper cost of living compared to Petrograd, it costs much less than other foreign embassies that require over 300 million won (Korean currency) annually in maintenance costs.

Just look at the expenses for hosting receptions or replacing aging facilities.

While imperial diplomatic missions in other countries spend over 60 million won on budget for regular events, renting hotels, or hiring dozens of chefs, in Ashtistan, even the most expensive five-star hotels and chefs can be secured for half the price—around 30 million won.

The rental costs for buildings and premises, which are essential for maintaining the mission, were also surprisingly cheap. Despite having a newly constructed eight-story building with nearly 150 staff commuting from external accommodations, the budget remained as inexhaustible as a never-ending spring.

Was it just the budget? Expenses for food, lodging, and daily necessities were the same.

Even after enrolling all four children in private schools for foreign businesspeople, expatriates, and Ashtistan’s wealthy, and enjoying family time at upscale restaurants every Sunday, one’s bank deposits remained intact. No, they actually increased compared to when working as a minister in the Kingdom of Abbas.

Moreover, the Republic of Ashtistan was an allied nation, almost a blood ally.

While busy, it was practically a paradise compared to countries with subtle hostile relationships, allowing for peace of mind while working.

Among Kiyen Foreign Ministry staff, Shizya was known as a “great posting for relaxation and good food.”

“…Huh.”

The ambassador running this honeypot of a mission, this land flowing with milk and honey, could only blink repeatedly.

He had been enjoying each day feeling rewarded for his past hard work, but now this. What was happening?

With his legs propped up on the desk and the receiver tucked against his neck, the ambassador stared silently into space.

Though he looked slightly foolish, there was a reason for his behavior.

“I’m sorry. I’m sleepy right now… I think I misheard you. Could you repeat that?”

Over the receiver, a first secretary of the Kiyen Empire’s Embassy to Ashtistan let out a scream-like exclamation.

-“I’m telling you! They installed bugs in the hotel! Bugs!”

For reference, he wasn’t a Foreign Ministry employee. He was an intelligence officer disguised as a first secretary from the Imperial Guard.

Of course, this was an open secret known to heaven and earth, the Foreign Ministry, the Guard, and both the ambassador and consul. After all, the ambassador was the head of the mission, and the consul was the head of the Imperial Guard’s Shizya branch.

The problem was that this Guard employee had just blurted out something bizarre.

The ambassador, who had returned to the mission around 1:10 AM after finishing an event hosted by neighboring embassies, had no choice but to jump out of his chair.

“Where?”

-“Where else? Those ‘Rabdari’ bastards.”

“…The Security Committee?”

The ambassador sighed with a dejected expression. Oh, this is going to be troublesome.

So the Ashtistan guys got caught installing bugs to monitor Abbas officials. What should I do about this?

Quickly inferring the situation, the imperial ambassador prepared to manage the situation.

“I’ll try to explain it well to His Highness the Grand Duke. As for the friction with the Abbas military attaché, I’ll have the Rabdari friends clear up any misunderstandings…”

The first secretary cut off the ambassador’s words.

With an irritated voice that was almost tearful:

-“Not in the military attaché’s room, but in His Highness’s room! Those bastards…!”

“The bugs were found not in the attaché’s room but in the Grand Duke’s room? The Security Committee bugged the Grand Duke, and His Highness found it himself?”

-“Yes!”

“……”

Blink. Blink, blink.

The Kiyen Empire’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ashtistan.

Also former Kiyen Empire’s Ambassador to the Zamria Federation.

The diplomat who had barely escaped from Zamria after suffering all kinds of slander, now staring blankly into space, suddenly muttered:

“…Could this be a dream?”

It was denial of reality.

*

Rewinding time to before the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador received the “this is too fucking much!” call from the first secretary and denied reality.

In the capital of Ashtistan, Shizya, a small and minor commotion broke out at a five-star hotel.

It began like this:

“I don’t know how many years it’s been since I last visited this place. This was certainly a barren field, but the world has changed so much.”

“Professor, exactly how many years ago are you talking about? According to news reports from Ashtistan’s National Development Committee, this street was created 45 years ago.”

“Until 45 years ago, it was a slum. During the monarchy, persecuted Ashtistani shamans gathered here and built huts. These gradually expanded and were developed into a city after the republic was established.”

“Ah!”

Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova took us to visit the “Shamans’ Street” in Shizya.

The Moritani continent is known as the homeland of shamanism and astrology. Among its cities, Shizya, which served as a trade route between east and west, was both a corridor for merchants and a mecca for shamanism.

For the Grand Duchess, a wizard, the “Shamans’ Street” was a must-visit location.

Of course, we weren’t just there for sightseeing.

“Since I bought you nice crafts, here’s my gift in return. Buy whatever you want, be it carpets or jewels.”

“Wow! Professor, you’re the best!”

The Grand Duchess generously spent her private funds to buy us gifts.

Considering that carpets and jewels from the Moritani continent are considered premium items even in the Ivory Tower, and that taxes on top-grade magical tools can reach a 1:1 ratio, this was truly extravagant.

Of course, such taxes were no issue for the Grand Duchess, so Camilla and I were able to acquire rare items to our hearts’ content.

But when we returned to the hotel.

A small problem arose.

“Hmm?”

As the Grand Duchess opened the door and magically sent her coat flying as usual, she detected an unusual flow in the corridor.

The hotel seemed normal, but she sensed strange magical power from somewhere.

The Grand Duchess set aside her coat and followed the faint magical trail. And shortly after.

When she reached out her hand, a piece of clothing that had fluttered up vigorously became entangled with a snap!

“Isn’t this your clothes?”

“Hmm?”

Camilla, who was munching on bread, looked with puzzled eyes at her own clothes that the Grand Duchess showed her.

The clothes, still in their plastic packaging, were items she had sent for cleaning before going out.

Gulp, after swallowing a mouthful of bread, the disciple nodded, and the mentor examined the clothes with suspicious eyes. The Archmage’s hand pulled out a small mechanical device from inside.

The Archmage’s keen senses penetrated the identity of the mechanical device.

“Oh my.”

Alexandra Petrova began to laugh as if she had witnessed something very amusing.

“Look at these…”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked what was happening.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you later. I need to step out for a moment.”

“…?”

Camilla and I looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

Regardless, the Grand Duchess left us behind and disappeared somewhere with a whoosh.

Shortly after.

“Arghhhh!! Masoud! Nasim! Team Leader Garji! Molhodaya!”

“???”

She returned with a public official whose arm was twisted.

*

To put it simply, the mechanical device found in Camilla’s clothes was a bug.

The entity that installed the bug was the Security Committee of the Republic of Ashtistan. Specifically, employees from the Inspection Division.

Why did they install a bug in Camilla’s clothes? To answer this question, we need to turn the clock hands a bit further forward.

“Since they’ve started bugging inside the hotel, they’ll soon begin full-scale surveillance.”

On the day the bug was discovered in the suit, I sat down with Frederick and Camilla to explain the precautions.

“The phones have probably been tapped since we entered the country. From now on, they’ll monitor my movements 24/7 both inside and outside the hotel. Of course, the Security Committee will try to monitor you too, Camilla.”

“I expected that. I’m also one of the witnesses involved in this case.”

“Don’t use the landline phones or magical crystals in the hotel. Even during verbal conversations, don’t disclose important information. Remember that you’re always being bugged.”

“And?”

“When physically separated from me, use secure communication devices to contact me. They’re equipped with AES-256 level encryption technology, frequency hopping, and wireless communication waterproofing, so there shouldn’t be any major issues using them in this neighborhood.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll teach you how to use them gradually… When talking with your companions or conversing with me as usual, just speak comfortably. While caution is necessary, being too conscious of surveillance might make them suspicious.”

The two had a simple plan.

Distinguish between dangerous areas where they were being bugged and safe areas where they weren’t. Deliberately leak information in dangerous areas where bugging occurs, and conduct analysis and discussions in places safe from eavesdropping.

“I’ve contacted the company and prepared bait. Depending on how the Ashtistan intelligence reacts to which bait, our options will increase. We might be able to hide the information that I’m a spy. Depending on the circumstances, we could even deceive them about the start date or content of intelligence operations or military operations. We might even find a pipe hidden in the company.”

“Pipe?”

“A double agent.”

“Ah, like the Cambridge Five? That sounds exciting already.”

“It’s just a hypothesis. A hypothesis. Double agents aren’t that common…”

“Anyway, let’s go fishing now!”

Frederick and Camilla entered the pre-identified danger zone and leaked information.

They mentioned that the Grand Duchess, impressed by her disciple’s thoughtfulness in giving her handicraft gifts, would personally take her to the Shamans’ Street.

Their conversation flowed into a bug installed in the hotel’s lighting fixture and was transmitted directly to a surveillance van parked near the hotel.

“…They plan to tour the ‘Shamans’ Street’ on Yerushkom 8th Avenue from 10 AM to 2 PM tomorrow.”

“All three of them?”

“Including the Grand Duchess. Both surveillance targets will accompany her.”

“Good. Very good.”

Mustafa Garji, the team leader of the Security Committee’s Inspection Division, nodded while stroking his beard. This was good news.

The room reserved by the Kiyen Empire’s Foreign Ministry was the Royal Suite at the Yurodiviy Hotel in Shizya. This regular accommodation for state guests visiting Ashtistan was originally a dedicated room for royalty.

Long ago, an imperial company that dominated the hotel industry installed separate dedicated rooms around the world for the emperor and plenipotentiaries on foreign tours. While they now separate executive floors or buildings to accommodate foreign crown princes, prime ministers, presidents, and CEOs, even after hundreds of years, the “Royal” rooms of Kiyen-affiliated hotels still prioritize reservations for the imperial family.

“……”

Team Leader Mustafa Garji, unfolding the floor plan, gauged the locations with sharp eyes.

Where should bugs be installed to hear all sounds inside the room, where should filming equipment be placed to maximize the viewing angle, and so on.

“We need to install it without the imperial Grand Duchess noticing. This could escalate to the Foreign Ministry, so we need to resolve it as quietly as possible.”

“I’ll replace the magical recording devices with optical surveillance equipment. If we place bugs here, here, and here, and install surveillance equipment here…”

They were well aware that an Archmage’s magical perception was keen. Therefore, they mobilized expensive equipment that minimized the use of magic for the surveillance devices to be installed in the room.

They took advantage of the moment when the three left the room, bribed a hotel employee for a key, infiltrated the suite, installed bugs and optical equipment, and quickly withdrew.

Although the scene of suspicious individuals moving through corridors and lobbies was captured by the hotel’s security magical recording devices, the security employee who viewed the footage secretly deleted the records while a colleague was in the bathroom. Both the footage of them entering and leaving.

“What about the hotel’s internal footage?”

“Our mole in the security team deleted it.”

Just as the Security Committee employees who installed the surveillance equipment were about to withdraw from the scene, one of their informants planted in the hotel contacted them. A guest had left laundry just before going out.

“Got a text from the laundry worker. Laundry came out from the room.”

“Men’s clothes?”

“No, women’s clothes. Red hair, so it must be the hero. What should we do?”

“Tell them to plant a bug if there are any left.”

The pre-bribed hotel laundry worker had received dozens of bugs from the Security Committee employees. Of course, the employee didn’t know they were from a counterintelligence agency, probably thinking they were just photographers from a magazine.

The Security Committee employee used a phone registered under a false name to compose a text to the hotel laundry worker. If there were any devices left, put them in the clothes. He would give a bonus of ⅓ of the promised payment.

“But Team Leader, this bug runs on magical power. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine if it’s sent to the hero’s separate room, not the Royal Suite. The imperial Grand Duchess has never visited the hero’s room.”

Following the team leader’s instructions, the subordinate nodded and pressed the “send” button.

At the same time, the hotel laundry worker, checking the message from the “magazine paparazzi,” planted a bug inside the fabric.

Though unsure why a photographer had money to burn, the hotel employee was happy to earn two months’ salary just by placing a device in a guest’s clothes.

“♪~”

Excited about the extra money, the hotel laundry worker cheerfully went to the room.

Passing by Camilla’s executive room, heading toward the “Royal Suite.”

After hanging the clothes in a visible spot, the laundry worker dusted off the plastic packaging with a handkerchief and left the room humming a merry tune.

And several hours later.

“So this is where you were hiding.”

“Arghhhh!! Masoud! Nasim! Team Leader Garji! Molhodaya!”

The Archmage’s merciless reverse-law enforcement (obstruction of official duties) began to descend upon the Security Committee employees hiding two blocks away!

*

Following the suspicious magical power and using unauthorized teleportation (legally termed “unauthorized flight in urban areas by magic”), the Grand Duchess reached the van hidden two blocks away in an instant and thoroughly twisted the arm of a Security Committee employee who was checking the sound quality.

“How outrageous. Daring to hide bugs in a lady’s clothing.”

“Urghhhh…”

“Who ordered you to do this?”

The Grand Duchess literally shook down this suspicious character who was clearly up to no good.

At that time, one of the subordinates who went to check on a colleague whose communication had been cut off reported to the team leader. Mustafa Garji, who was directing the surveillance operation, couldn’t utter a word in this absurd situation.

Of course, the person who was even more dumbfounded than the Security Committee team leader was the Kiyen Empire’s diplomat who had recently been appointed as ambassador to the Republic of Ashtistan.

-“Are you out of your mind?! How is it possible that the ambassador didn’t know the host country’s intelligence agency was bugging the Grand Duke’s room?!”

“I apologize, Vice Minister. I have no excuse…”

The ambassador, who had rushed back from a party (disguised as overtime work) at a nearby embassy, was in agony. Not because he was sleepy, but because he was being cursed at by the Vice Minister.

The Foreign Ministry senior who called the embassy around 2 AM was pouring harsh words on him. While this was partly because it was evening in the Kiyen Empire due to the time difference, giving the Vice Minister abundant energy, there was a more decisive reason.

-“Do you know how embarrassed I was in front of the Minister?! Huh?!”

“……”

Indeed. The Vice Minister of the Kiyen Empire’s Foreign Ministry had just been summoned to the Minister’s office and reprimanded.

Of course, it was a secret that the Minister himself had been summoned to Prime Minister Stolypin’s residence about an hour earlier and thoroughly scolded.

Why was the Foreign Minister reprimanded by the Prime Minister? This could be easily guessed by examining the diligent call records of Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova.

“Yes, Your Highness. What brings you to call?”

-“Bugs were found in my room. It was the work of ‘Rabdari.'”

“…Are you still in Shizya?”

-“Yes.”

“I’ll summon the Foreign Minister to assess the situation and hold him accountable. I’ll report back to you within 30 minutes.”

-“Act swiftly, but prudently.”

Thus, a lightning-like cascade of reprimands that began with Nikolai VI, the second-in-command of the Kiyen Empire, struck the Foreign Ministry.

A series of thunderbolts (literally) from Minister to Vice Minister to Ambassador began to explode!

Of course, while the diplomatic line was being collectively reprimanded, the intelligence line wasn’t sitting idle either.

-“I apologize for contacting you during your rest, Director of the 2nd Bureau. The Commissioner is looking for you.”

“Now?”

-“He has summoned all bureau directors, including you and the Director of the 1st Bureau, to headquarters. It’s an urgent matter.”

The Commissioner’s summons fell upon high-ranking officials of the Imperial Guard who were enjoying dinner with their families after work. Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the directors switched to secure phones and quickly began screening the situation.

At the same time, one of the team leaders who rushed to headquarters after receiving a call from the Director of the 2nd Bureau slammed the conference room door shut and threw off his coat.

“How do you usually operate that the higher-ups are making noise?”

“……”

“Bring all available materials related to the Ashtistan intelligence agency. It’s for the Commissioner, so don’t miss anything.”

“…Yes.”

“Where’s the branch chief now?”

In a shaking vehicle, the protagonist the team leader was desperately looking for was right there.

“Yes, Ambassador! I’m actually on my way back from vacation right now…!”

The Ashtistan branch chief was shouting into the phone from the passenger seat while his aide maneuvered the steering wheel with dazzling movements. He had been enjoying a vacation with his girlfriend at a resort when he received a call from the company and was now returning. For reference, he left his girlfriend at the resort.

True to the Kiyen Empire’s reputation as the ultimate in military-style, totalitarian, authoritarian regimes, the Imperial Guard’s chain of reprimands was swift and precise. The scolding that descended from Commissioner to Bureau Director to Team Leader to Branch Chief took less than two hours to achieve a return to duty.

The Kiyen Empire’s Foreign Ministry and Imperial Guard, turned upside down over the safety of an imperial family member, didn’t even touch the brake pedal.

The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately summoned the Ashtistan ambassador assigned to Petrograd and strongly protested with “What the hell are you doing, you crazy bastards!” Similarly, the Imperial Guard also conveyed its position through a liaison office, questioning “What did you eat wrong?” regarding the Security Committee’s bugging activities.

Of course, the most nervous person in this situation was neither the field employees caught bugging nor the branch chief who was receiving about 20 scolding messages from his girlfriend (who was abandoned in a foreign country after coming on vacation with her boyfriend).

“Is this not a dream…?”

“Get a grip, Ambassador! Please!”

For the Ambassador to the Republic of Ashtistan, former Ambassador to the Zamria Federation, this was the greatest crisis of his life.

Last time, the Grand Duchess had stormed the Abbas Kingdom’s embassy, leading to protests and withdrawal. Now, the host country’s intelligence agency had been caught planting bugs in the Grand Duchess’s hotel room, resulting in a reprimand from the Vice Minister.

While there was no direct responsibility, this was the second incident involving an imperial family member after already experiencing one accident. Moreover, this incident was undeniably his own fault.

“сука блять-!”

The Kiyen Empire’s ambassador, attempting to escape reality, immediately rushed to the Ashtistan Republic government. It was well past 3 AM as he assessed the situation, but this was no time to worry about such things.

He had to prevent the enraged Archmage from attacking another government office “again.”

That’s why the ambassador stormed into the Ashtistan Republic’s Foreign Ministry as if he would break down the door.

“This is an unacceptable matter! How can blood allies bug each other?!”

“Ambassador, I swear our Ashtistan government knew nothing about this… Please believe me.”

“The Security Committee isn’t some third-rate detective agency. Your country’s intelligence agency planted bugs like a mafia investigating adultery, and the Foreign Ministry didn’t know? Are you joking with me?”

Similarly, the Imperial Guard branch chief also called the Security Committee and hurled every possible curse.

“Dismiss the person in charge immediately and issue a public apology! What? What investigation? Your employees who were bugging have already been caught! If we cut off aid, you won’t be able to refine a single magic stone or even turn on lights!”

The anger of people whose heads were about to roll was truly terrifying.

While it honestly wasn’t his business how relations between the Kiyen Empire and the Republic of Ashtistan turned out, the most bewildered and surprised person was the Abbas Kingdom’s official, Frederick.

“…Huh? Where did the bugs go?”

Dreaming of being a master fisherman catching enemy intelligence agencies, Santiago, he couldn’t hide his astonishment. Having left the room for nearly 4 hours, he had expected bugs to be planted everywhere. He was as excited as a child checking Christmas presents.

But upon returning, there was no sign of any bugs!

Frederick, searching every corner of the room for bugs, could only be puzzled.

“Camilla. There are no bugs.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“I don’t know either. You didn’t eat them, did you?”

“……”

“It’s a joke, so please don’t look at me like that.”

The curiosity of the two, whispering in a bug-free safe zone, was soon completely resolved.

Imperial Guard employees dispatched from the Kiyen Empire Embassy arrived with bug detectors and optical detection equipment and began searching every corner of the room.

“So… The Ashtistan intelligence agency installed a bug in Ms. Camilla’s clothes, and the Grand Duchess noticed it and responded? Is that what you’re saying, Ambassador?”

“Yes. That’s correct. You understand perfectly, Attaché…”

The Kiyen Empire Ambassador that Frederick faced looked about 20 years older. In other words, he had a thoroughly miserable expression.

Wondering where he had seen this person before, Frederick suddenly recalled the imperial ambassador he had seen in the Zamria Federation. He hadn’t recognized him when his face was bright, but now that he looked so aged, it wasn’t difficult to identify him.

“Um, Ambassador, weren’t you in the Zamria Federation…?”

“…It was my previous post. I came to Shizya after finishing my service there.”

“Ah, I see…”

As if he finally understood, Frederick let out a soft sigh.

The two diplomats, both removed from their positions due to unforeseen incidents, wiped their moist eyes and shared a moment of reconciliation. In fact, one was removed entirely due to his own fault, so he had nothing to feel wronged about. But aren’t humans creatures who seek commonalities before differences?

“Sniff. Excuse me while I make a call…”

“Yes…”

Frederick dialed a contact from his imperial days, specifically someone he had connected with while working in the northern region, a Defense Ministry official.

Actually, he did have contacts in the Foreign Ministry, but among Frederick’s contacts, the highest-ranking person was not from the diplomatic line but from the defense line.

“Hello? Ah, General Mikhail, is that you? This is Frederick Nostrum. I apologize for the intrusion, but I was wondering if you might know someone in the Foreign Ministry…”

General Mikhail, one of the few generals in the Kiyen Defense Ministry and the second-to-none war hero in the empire.

Receiving Frederick’s call, he used his connections dating back to academy days to convey a message to the Foreign Ministry. The ambassador had just been appointed and must be overwhelmed, so let’s cut him some slack.

Of course, this was easy to help with because the ambassador and General Mikhail himself were connected through academic and regional ties (senior-junior classmates from the same academy’s high school division + neighbors from the same neighborhood, as it turned out).

When Camilla questioned Frederick’s decision to help the ambassador with a puzzled expression, Frederick responded with a calm face.

“Why did you help him? You didn’t really have a reason to.”

“Somehow, it felt like my conscience would bother me if I just ignored it. Even though I did nothing wrong…”

“The genre has changed. From ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ to ‘Saving Private Ryan.'”

Just as Camilla smiled, the Imperial Guard employees tasked with searching the room came out carrying piles of bugs and cameras.

“Did you look around?”

“We searched everywhere, but no surveillance equipment was found except in the common area and the hero’s room.”

“Are you sure?”

“His Highness’s room is clean. We’ve checked everything.”

“Good. Another team is checking security footage and questioning staff, so let’s withdraw once the results come in. Good work.”

The Imperial Guard senior ordered with a sleepy expression, rubbing his eyelids.

“Hmm…”

Watching this scene, a good idea suddenly flashed through her mind.

“Wait. Frederick, do you still have those bugs we found earlier?”

“Yes. I do have them. Why?”

“Give them to me.”

Taking the bugs, Camilla dashed into the room.

Shortly after.

“Here’s more!”

The heads of the Imperial Guard employees, diplomats, and hotel staff gathered outside the room all turned simultaneously. And Camilla peeked out from the suite, waving her hand.

With bugs prominently displayed in her hand.

“I found these in the professor’s room!”

“……”

“There are several more inside.”

Frederick slapped his forehead upon seeing Camilla’s smile.

“They said they checked everywhere.”

“……”

“Let’s go in and see.”

While the Imperial Guard employees, who witnessed bugs that seemed to have sprouted from the ground or fallen from the sky with dumbfounded expressions, received a lightning-like reprimand.

But what did it matter?

Although the plan had gone awry, they had thoroughly fooled the Security Committee, which was good for both Camilla and Frederick.

“…Yes, Communications Security. This is Frederick Nostrum. Actually, um… the operation- the bait has already been completed… If I tell you we can’t use it anymore, will you curse at me? Oh. The entire department worked overnight and I’m talking nonsense? Let me explain what happened…”

Or maybe not.