Ch.549Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?
by fnovelpia
Shizhya, the capital of Ashtistan, is a city steeped in history and tradition.
It houses one of Al-Yabd’s revered holy sites, and traces of dynasties that have ruled this land since ancient times remain throughout the city.
Some compare it to a sandcastle built on fear and lies.
But to the residents of the Republic of Ashtistan, Shizhya is both a religious sanctuary and the essence of their heritage, unsullied by foreign powers for thousands of years.
To the inhabitants who live in happiness and kindness rather than fear and deceit, Shizhya has always been known as the “sanctuary of the soul.”
That is…
Until the waves of revolution swept through.
Episode 20 – Who Threatened You with a Knife?
The striking combination of a red background with white lettering on the sign stopped the man in his tracks.
Bonheur sans mélange. (Pure happiness.)
The elegant cursive script of the store name captured his gaze.
With his jacket draped over his forearm, the man couldn’t take his eyes off the sign for a while.
As if he were entranced by something.
“……”
The elegance of the font was enough to draw attention, but not enough to captivate one’s soul. Similarly, the splendor of the accessories displayed in the store was the same.
The necklaces, bracelets, and rings were clearly items for women at a glance. No matter how dazzling they might be, they weren’t quite enough to attract a man’s interest on their own.
Nevertheless, the man waited.
Was he captivated by the brilliant sign? No.
Was he curious about the meaning of the foreign language? Not that either.
Then why couldn’t he leave this jewelry store that catered to female customers?
The answer to this question was very simple.
“What do you think, honey?”
Because his wife was showing interest.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
The middle-aged woman smiled, her gentle eyes crinkling. She was a woman with light makeup and modest attire.
With subtle makeup and a rusari worn to prevent it from slipping down. Despite her rusari being slightly puffed up with the back of her head protruding, her beauty was dazzling.
Her hands were neatly placed on the counter, and the bracelet with its dreamlike engravings showed off its elegance from inside the display case.
However, the man’s gaze couldn’t leave the woman’s smile.
“You’re more beautiful to my eyes.”
“Oh my… there you go again. How can you say such things in public?”
Despite her gentle reproach, the man couldn’t help but smile.
Anyone would smile if the person they truly loved was by their side.
That’s why the man had stopped in front of the store, and why his gaze couldn’t leave his beloved wife’s face.
“It’s the truth.”
The husband, who had been lingering in front of the store, approached his wife’s side.
Although there was no physical contact, the affection emanating from their gestures and gazes was easy to recognize.
The wife looked at the accessories with a smile, and the husband gazed at her lovingly.
“How much is this?”
“Yes, ma’am. The one you’re looking at is…”
As the employee wearing a rusari responded in a gentle voice, the wife listened attentively.
However, when she heard a price far higher than expected, a subtle worry crossed the woman’s face.
“Oh… I see.”
The employee, who had been adding kind explanations, didn’t seem to notice the subtle change in the customer.
But the man watching from the side was different.
In that fleeting moment, he caught a different light passing across his wife’s face.
And he understood what that emotion meant.
That’s why.
The man interjected in the conversation between the two women.
“Do you like it?”
“…Hmm.”
The answer didn’t come easily. The middle-aged woman tried to hide her feelings—whether embarrassment or awkwardness—with a smile, but soon had to acknowledge it.
It wasn’t easy to deceive a man with whom she had shared her heart for decades, through academy and university. Especially considering her husband’s profession.
“I do want it. But honey, will we really be alright?”
“Nothing is too expensive for my beloved wife. If you want it, we can buy everything.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but…”
“Don’t worry. It’s our vacation today.”
The wife wore a troubled smile. While it was true that she had enjoyed a happy marriage thanks to her husband, there were times when this aspect of him caused difficulties.
Whether or not he knew his wife’s inner thoughts, the husband simply smiled contentedly.
“Look around.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to get something to drink.”
The man gave his wife a smile before leaving the store with light steps.
As he walked toward the fountain in the department store, he naturally took out the mobile phone from his inner pocket.
“…Hmm.”
The screen showed a familiar number.
It was a call from work.
Ahem, after clearing his throat briefly, the man answered the phone.
“Speak.”
-“It’s Ashraf. I apologize for contacting you during your vacation.”
“It’s fine. Tell me what’s happening.”
Ashraf answered.
-“There’s been an incident at Rabdari.”
For a moment, the man’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Those damn fools caused trouble again. What happened?”
-“An employee was found dead. About 60km from the northeastern outskirts of Shizhya, by the riverbank. The local police station received the report.”
An accidental fall? Probably not.
The man let out a small sigh as he ran his finger along the edge of his mustache. Ashraf’s voice continued.
-“Based on gunpowder residue, burns from muzzle flash, and other evidence, it appears a pistol was pressed against the back of the head before being fired. The estimated time of death is no later than two days ago.”
“The ammunition? Did you check that?”
-“The forensics team sent results indicating the rifling marks on the bullet are from our weapons.”
The man who had been listening to the explanation fell silent for a while, deep in thought.
An employee of Ashtistan Republic’s counterintelligence agency was shot. And the bullet recovered from the back of the head belonged to the Ashtistan Republic.
“Tell me about the dead security committee employee.”
Rustle, rustle… After the brief sound of pages turning.
With the sound of adjusting the receiver, the explanation resumed.
-“Hmm… Before entering Rabdari, he worked as a civil servant in a provincial area, nothing too remarkable. While working as a security committee member in the outer court of Azadi Palace, there are traces of a report filed with the inspection committee for collecting bribes from officials.”
“He did something foolish.”
It seems his greed led him to meddle with high-ranking officials.
If he had taken moderate amounts and covered his tracks, the inspection committee wouldn’t have received a report. In the end, he brought trouble upon himself.
“Find out who killed him. And who ordered it. Put what you’ve investigated on my desk.”
-“I’ve already done that, but the problem is…”
Ashraf mumbled, trailing off before adding more explanation.
-“The inspection committee chairman of Rabdari, who is suspected of giving the order, was dismissed today. There are also rumors that all the inspection committee members from that side will be transferred here for investigation.”
“Why so suddenly?”
-“I don’t know the cause. But the Imperial government lodged a protest early this morning, and Ambassador Kiyen urgently visited the hotel where the Grand Duchess is staying. Leading Imperial Guardian Office staff personally.”
The dismissal of the inspection committee chairman. The Imperial ambassador’s hotel visit. The movements of Kiyen intelligence agents stationed at the embassy. The purged security committee member. And Azadi Palace.
“……”
There’s a sense of distance that feels just within reach. Like watching a pointillist painting gradually taking shape.
-“Should we look into it?”
“No. No, don’t do that.”
Ashraf acknowledged with understanding. The man immediately continued.
“Send a vehicle here. I’ll go to the hotel. You go to the security committee.”
-“You’re going personally? What about your vacation? Your wife…”
“I know, Ashraf. But I need to go clean up the mess they’ve made.”
-“If that’s the case… I’ll prepare a vehicle right away.”
With a faint sigh, he pressed the end button.
Just before the call disconnected.
A brief comment from his subordinate came through the mana wave.
-“Good luck, Deputy Commander Kasem.”
*
Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova’s vehement complaint brought a massive storm.
“Why do you always pick on meeeee…!”
Despite the entire department suffering through an all-night shift, Frederick—who received all manner of curses from military intelligence staff after the client declared a no-show, causing their anger to rise to the top of their heads.
This black-haired beast, who was the very embodiment of brazen shamelessness and inhuman behavior, having run dozens of people ragged only to boldly raise her voice, finally revealed her ferocious nature to the world and crawled on all fours through the hotel corridor barking like a dog for a while. (*This is completely untrue)
“Are there any more bugs?”
Kamila, who had secretly planted listening devices in her godlike master’s hotel room.
This fire-attribute (factually accurate) disciple, who frequently set her master’s nerves ablaze, proved the adage “old habits die hard” by committing yet another act of filial impiety, who knows how many times now.
In front of witnesses including the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador, consul (head of the Imperial Guardian Office branch), and civilian hotel staff, she emerged holding a bundle of listening devices, shaking them vigorously like the guest of honor at a first birthday celebration.
“…We’re screwed.”
The government officials who fled to the hotel emergency stairwell could only chain-smoke with trembling hands, feeling like criminals sentenced to death (a very similar situation).
The smoke that gathered one by one transformed the entire emergency staircase into a giant chimney.
This created a beautiful scene reminiscent of the chimney smoke from Northern European homes during the December Christmas season!
“Who searched the room earlier? I-it wasn’t us.”
“Does the order matter? This isn’t going to end with just a written explanation—even the branch director’s head is on the chopping block now.”
“Ah—I haven’t even paid back half my student loans, what am I going to do…”
Kamila, who had decimated dozens of intelligence officers with a bundle of listening devices, was truly the living embodiment of chaos, a proud British citizen, and the finest talent produced by the SIS student internship program.
The interesting fact was that the Grand Duchess didn’t reprimand Kamila. More precisely, she knew but chose to overlook it.
In any case, wasn’t it crystal clear that the Ashtistan government had bugged them? What did it matter whether the target was the Grand Duchess herself or her disciple Kamila? (Of course, the Imperial Guardian Office staff who would have to face the inspector might think differently)
And finding the bugs was enough. Why keep those unpleasant objects in the corner of the room? There was no benefit to that.
“No, all the plans I prepared…!”
“Frederick! Stop shouting and please just go to sleep!”
Anyway.
One phone call from the archmage had created such a massive aftershock. From the Kiyen Empire’s mainland to the Ashtistan Republic’s government, it was hard to find a place that hadn’t been turned upside down.
However, Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova had no desire to drag this issue out.
She had come with her companions to see an old friend after a long time, and if they continued to be embroiled in disturbances, their pleasant journey would surely be ruined.
“Your Highness, I regret to inform you… listening devices were found in your room.”
“Is that so?”
Upon hearing the branch director’s report, the Grand Duchess let out a hollow laugh.
As it happened, her worthy disciple had caused trouble on her own initiative.
“…Ambassador.”
Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrova murmured suddenly while looking out the window.
“If I said I wanted to leave right now, would you try to stop me?”
“Well… it’s late, but if you tell me your destination, I can prepare…”
On a night with stars pouring down. Beyond the city center where the moon and stars descended, towering spires stood tall.
After gazing out the window for a while, as if taking her time, the archmage quietly added:
“Azadi Palace.”
To where her old friend awaited.
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