Ch.58Episode 4 – Why Are You Only Picking On Me

Veronica came to visit.

This visit was an official one, not an unofficial schedule, so there had already been agreements between governments about who would visit, how many people would come, and what schedule they would follow.

And when looking at the list of 81 visitors, Veronica’s name was nowhere to be found.

But she came anyway.

“Why are you here?”

“Am I not allowed to come?”

“……”

This is fucking insane.

Episode 4 – Why Are You Only Picking On Me

“Why wouldn’t I be allowed to come?”

“Yes.”

“…This is truly maddening. Are you seriously asking because you don’t know?”

I led Veronica away, hiding among the crowd. Though a foreigner was arbitrarily grabbing and pulling a nun-dressed saint, the nuns in the entourage didn’t even spare us a glance.

I had a hunch. These nuns were all inquisitors, or perhaps holy knights. Both belonged to the Inquisition, so probably Senior Pedro…

Ah, shit. That’s not what’s important right now.

“…Haah.”

There are too many problems at once.

I pressed my throbbing temples firmly and lowered my voice, trying to stay calm.

“How could someone of your stature as a saint come without any notice? Hm?”

First of all, it was problematic that two saints had left the Order.

With the entire continent already on edge due to a large-scale espionage case, we now had a situation where two saints had emerged for the first time in history. No one could even begin to gauge how the political landscape within the Order and international politics would change.

Why else would the Order impose an embargo?

Prestigious newspapers would analyze the Order’s future moves and the interests of various governments regarding the two saints to enhance their reputation, while tabloids would spew all sorts of conspiracy theories and scandals to increase sales. And it was obvious that politicians and figures from all sectors of society would appear in the media as “well-informed sources,” “high-ranking officials,” or “authorities,” spouting their brain-based opinions.

I know this well. I’ve used it myself.

To save Lucia from black propaganda (or more precisely, following orders from above), I deliberately walked with her for dozens of minutes in front of paparazzi. The tabloids that featured those images on their front pages spread embarrassing rumors, making a fuss about whether we were dating.

The tabloids sold newspapers like hotcakes using this, and even reputable papers that distanced themselves from conspiracy theories misinterpreted it as a close signal between governments, speculating whether Abas was backing Lucia.

…Yes. I’ll honestly admit it. I manipulated public opinion.

In our terminology, it was propaganda and political operation; in plain language, it was literally manipulation of public opinion. I somewhat succeeded in defending Lucia by manipulating public opinion, but even after everything was over, rumors continued to circulate, making it difficult to handle. That’s how dangerous the power of the media was, like a double-edged sword.

So this time we controlled the press and went to great lengths, but suddenly both saints came here? Together in one place?

I won’t need to read newspapers for a while.

I could easily predict what kind of nonsense would come out.

But the “real” problem wasn’t that.

“Are you in your right mind? The Guardian Office is burning with rage trying to find you, and you just show up here of all places!”

In the past, the Imperial Guardian Office had tried desperately to cover up the scandal that they couldn’t control their agents. Initially, they sent counter-espionage and counterintelligence departments to quietly resolve the situation, and when that failed, they were beaten like dogs by various intelligence agencies before crawling to the negotiating table to admit their disgrace.

As a result, the Imperial Guardian Office lost numerous companies they had placed in the Order and a significant portion of their intelligence network planted throughout the continent, including in Abas.

Issues that arose during this process were resolved by showing a small gesture of goodwill (exchanging spies), but the loss of their intelligence network was so enormous that it would hinder all of the Imperial Guardian Office’s external activities for the next 10 years.

Ten years is a generous estimate—it could be 20 or even 30 years. Even the Military Intelligence Bureau analysts hadn’t provided an accurate analysis yet, so no one could predict how far the repercussions would extend. No one except the Imperial Guardian Office itself.

And the person who had most deliciously stabbed the Imperial Guardian Office in the back wasn’t Clevins or Pedro, but Veronica herself.

Because she had informed me about the Imperial Guardian Office’s overseas operations. Clevins used that information as a weapon.

That’s the problem.

“Saint, are you truly insane? If you are, just tell me so I can look for a mental hospital.”

Intelligence agencies never leave traitors alone. They might dismiss failed agents, but they will hunt down agents who betray their country to the ends of the earth for revenge. That’s why the Guardian Office purged rogue agents who had escaped their control with the help of the Inquisition and Military Intelligence Bureau.

Unless the Guardian Office had gone mad, they couldn’t harm Veronica right now, but human affairs were unpredictable.

Even if they forgave and released her, it would have been courteous to stay quiet for at least half a year. Even celebrities who caused scandals practiced self-restraint for about a year.

So in my view, she was either half out of her mind or an unbelievably insane person.

I always thought she was crazy, but I never imagined she was actually this crazy.

But strangely, her response was too calm.

“So what?”

She smiled and asked me back.

“What are they going to do? They’re about to become crippled.”

“Excuse me…?”

I looked at her wondering what she meant, but she just smiled sweetly without offering any further information.

“Don’t worry about it! And it looks like Lucia and the Hero are finishing their conversation over there, so let’s go quickly. It’s better to go now. Someone might find it suspicious.”

The saint waved her hand.

“See you later.”

*

Who was going to become crippled? Could she be referring to the Imperial Guardian Office, or perhaps the nobles backing the Second Bureau?

No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t find an answer.

The information Veronica had dropped seemed quite valuable. But I wasn’t yet convinced I should buy it.

To be precise, I wasn’t certain. Typically, the first thing informants do to raise their value is manipulate, falsify, or exaggerate information. Of course, I’d never seen someone of Veronica’s “caliber” resort to such tactics, but still, before making a deal, I needed to verify whether the goods were genuine or fake.

Well, I could think about that later.

First, I needed to fulfill my scheduled duties.

Since this visit was equivalent to a state visit, there were more than five official events planned.

From the welcoming ceremony with high-ranking government and royal officials, to laying wreaths at the Patriotic Martyrs Memorial, visiting the Order’s church in the capital, cultural performances showcasing the cultural industry to foreign guests and press, official banquets, and so on.

Saint Lucia (genuine) and her entourage smoothly carried out all these schedules. While I wasn’t surprised about Security Director Bernard, Lucia was somewhat unexpected—she completed all official events without showing any discomfort.

To be honest, Camilla Rowell and Lucia didn’t have much to do. Many journalists and politicians wanted to approach them, but the accompanying security guards pushed them all away. At least they didn’t have to suffer from political animals floating around cable news or reporters hunting for scoops.

The same went for me. Since neither journalists nor politicians were interested in me, relatively few people bothered to talk to me. I also deliberately avoided being caught on camera.

Of course, there were some annoying people, but most were blocked by security guards (disguised as intelligence police).

As we completed one schedule after another, the final event soon began.

“…I am deeply honored to be able to discuss the enhancement of friendly relations with Saint Lucia from the Order in today’s meeting. I also feel profound emotions as we sign a memorandum of understanding between the Order’s State Council and our government here today.”

“I would like to propose a toast for the harmony between our countries and the future of our heroes. Saint Lucia, Ms. Camilla Rowell, Cardinal Bernard, and all distinguished guests present here! To the continued peace and prosperity of our era, and to the success that lies ahead!”

The Prime Minister announced the start of the banquet with a boisterous voice as he raised his glass for a toast.

The King and Queen, the Prime Minister, Camilla Rowell and Lucia, cabinet ministers, the Order’s entourage, ambassadors from various countries, politicians, business leaders, and more—all were present at the banquet hall.

Literally everyone who could be called the social elite raised their glasses and enjoyed the banquet. People were seated at numerous tables, each laden with sumptuous feasts.

Considering that just over 100 people were attending, this was quite a waste of money. But since being stingy at diplomatic occasions would look too shabby and poor, the government splurged on the banquet.

Foreign journalists were present, after all. And it’s not like the national treasury would be emptied just because they spent some money here.

But I found this occasion very, very uncomfortable.

“…I’m not sure if our Hero and Saint will find the banquet to their taste. Especially you, Hero!”

“It’s fine. The banquet is more than excellent, Prime Minister.”

“Haha! Thank you for saying so. I’m glad it suits the palate of someone from another world.”

The Prime Minister offered wine to Camilla and Lucia sitting next to me.

“Would you like a glass too, Major? Even though you’re on duty, I think it’s acceptable to have a drink at an occasion like this. Don’t you agree, Minister of Defense?”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“There you have it!”

“…It’s an honor.”

I’ll skip the reason.

It was uncomfortable enough eating with the Prime Minister, saints, heroes, and cardinals, but it was truly excruciating with security guards stationed throughout the venue staring at me.

And for some reason, the Minister of Defense sitting across from me had been glancing at me from time to time.

“……”

I just wanted to leave this banquet as quickly as possible.

However, there was still over an hour left, and I couldn’t leave arbitrarily due to security concerns.

Looking around, no one else seemed uncomfortable with this setting. Even Camilla and Lucia appeared at ease.

In the end, after being stuck in this uncomfortable situation with people I never thought I’d meet in my life, I finally gained freedom when all the official events ended and I escorted Lucia and her entourage back to their hotel.

“……”

“Are you okay?”

“…Yes. Go in and rest, Camilla.”

“Aren’t you coming in? Lucia is here too.”

“You two enjoy yourselves….”

“Hmm, alright. Call if you need anything!”

Camilla entered the hotel room with Lucia. This was possible thanks to the government booking them a room together.

After confirming they had entered the room, I was finally able to complete all my official duties after conveying all necessary information to Inquisition Security Director Bernard, our security personnel, and the hotel manager.

Today’s assigned mission was thus completed.

“…Phew.”

A sigh escaped involuntarily. It definitely wasn’t because I thought today had passed safely.

Because the work wasn’t over yet.

I made a phone call.

-“Hello?”

“Let’s meet for a moment, Saint.”

*

There were exactly three things I was most curious about.

First, why did Veronica come here?

Second, why did she visit unofficially rather than officially?

Third, what did she mean by what she said earlier?

“I need to know the answers to the first and second questions now, at least.”

“Oh come on, why does a man have to pry so much? It’s not attractive.”

“Cut the crap, Saint.”

I absolutely needed answers. Veronica was my valuable informant, so if she had any problems, whatever they might be, I needed to understand them.

“Well, I appreciate your concern, but I’m not so inadequate that I need to rely on others.”

“Is that why you came to meet with a bug on you?”

“Okay. That’s enough.”

Veronica touched her forehead as if recalling an embarrassing memory, waving her hand dismissively.

“Honey, let’s not talk about that anymore. We’re not just seeing each other for a day or two…”

“Don’t use such creepy terms of endearment. So why did you come here?”

“Wait a minute. Before we talk business, let me ask you something.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Major, do you have no sense of mood?”

What nonsense is this?

As I gave her a cold look for her brazen behavior after pulling such an impulsive stunt, Veronica pointed around and grumbled.

“Seriously! Why do we always meet in hallways instead of getting a room?!”

She pointed at the corridor where we were standing and shouted. I shrugged my shoulders as if wondering what the problem was.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“What kind of man calls a woman to a corridor instead of a room?”

“This one.”

“……”

Veronica looked dejected, as if she had met a lunatic.

I sighed deeply and explained the reason in a calm tone.

“Mood or whatever, honestly, it’s safer here. At least the corridor is safer than a room that might have bugs.”

“The Inquisition and the kingdom’s intelligence agencies would have searched everything—where would there be bugs?”

“Who knows.”

Bugs can be installed easily enough if someone is determined.

They could bribe hotel staff to plant them, bribe cleaners to put them in clothes or furniture. If all else fails, an agent could enter directly, install them, and leave.

Honestly, planting bugs isn’t difficult at all. What’s more challenging is assigning surveillance personnel to continuously monitor. Unlike installation, surveillance can’t be solved with money—it requires investing manpower and time.

That’s why bugs are typically installed in rooms but not in corridors. Because there are no people there.

After explaining this background, Veronica, a former Imperial Guardian Office intelligence agent, offered this sentiment:

“Major.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a mental illness? I’m asking seriously. No, how can a person live like that? That level of paranoia is…”

“I know because I’ve experienced it. Anyway, hurry up and tell me why you’re here.”

I gestured to her with my arms crossed, urging her to speak, and Veronica, seemingly drained, began to talk with a helpless smile.

“I came to deliver information. Remember last time? When I said something would happen at the Magic Tower?”

“Yes, I remember.”

I nodded.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to have any problems. At least I wouldn’t have to part ways with her here, which was a relief.

So I listened comfortably to the information Veronica was conveying.

“Let’s see what our magicians are up to—”

“They’re declaring independence.”

“Excuse me? Who is?”

“The Magic Tower.”

“The Magic Tower? Independence?”

“Yes.”

“…Fuck.”

This is completely fucked.