Ch.612Episode 22 – The Kazinsky Test

# Heavy rain lashed the road. Raindrops on the car window streamed down, distorting the afterimages of magical lights. The wipers moved busily, but visibility remained obscured by murky darkness, impossible to see even an inch ahead.

The headlights cut through the downpour as the tires glided across the asphalt.

I silently gripped the steering wheel.

“……”

The red light from the dashboard illuminated my face, and my fingers resting on the steering wheel seemed to slowly stiffen. I could clearly feel the temperature of my skin cooling noticeably, despite not being touched by rainwater.

The place where the engine sound ceased was some secluded farmhouse.

There, I met Camilla and Veronica.

“Just look at this dust… Why are you hiding here?”

“We didn’t come here because we wanted to.”

The two of them looked somewhat presentable despite the past few days. Their clothes were slightly worn as if they’d been roughed up somewhere, and unmistakable fatigue was evident on their faces.

Veronica, who appeared not to have washed her face for about three days, let out what might have been a lament as soon as she saw me. Meanwhile, Camilla scratched the back of her head with an awkward smile, looking quite disheveled.

What on earth had they experienced over the past few days to appear in such a state?

Looking back and forth between the two with an uneasy feeling, I couldn’t help but ask this question.

“…I have many questions, but shall we put out the most urgent fire first?”

“We should.”

Camilla nodded slightly and spoke in a low voice.

“Since we might be tracked, let’s relocate first, and I’ll explain everything step by step on the way.”

# Episode 22 – The Kasiski Test

The incident began with a conversation in a beer hall.

Camilla, who had visited “Blaze’s Beer Hall” in time for the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Federation meeting, suddenly received this question from Veronica who was following behind her.

“Hero.”

“Did you call me?”

“I noticed earlier that you and the Major seem to get along very well. You two must be close?”

Camilla fell into brief contemplation as she passed through the musty entrance of the beer hall.

While she couldn’t say she hadn’t known Veronica for long, their relationship wasn’t particularly deep. Nevertheless, Camilla thought there was something suspicious about Veronica’s reaction just now.

It might have been a doubtful speculation about her relationship with Frederick.

Her thoughts were quickly organized as they passed through the entrance. Camilla crossed the busy corridor and, while ordering two drinks, naturally began to open up.

“We’re colleagues. Since we’ve spent a lot of time together, we’ve had many conversations. Thanks to that, I’ve learned that Frederick and I have a lot in common.”

“Hmm, I see. Such as?”

“Well, my father is also serving in the cavalry regiment as a major. He participated in the Iraq and Afghan wars, and the unit itself has a deep history. They’ve been involved in every major conflict from the World Wars to the Crimean War and the War of the Spanish Succession!”

“You have an impressive father. You must be proud.”

Veronica nodded calmly in agreement. However, Camilla could easily notice that a trace of suspicion still remained.

Their ordered drinks arrived. Camilla turned her gaze elsewhere, and Veronica began to casually savor her beer. But her inner feelings remained slightly uncomfortable.

She couldn’t understand. The word ‘why?’ kept circling in her mind.

She held countless puzzle pieces in her hand. Yet none of them seemed to fit together, and it felt like an hourglass was helplessly scattering away.

If only there were a definite answer. If it was wrong, say it’s wrong; if it was right, say it’s right. If only she could reach a clear conclusion.

No. Perhaps she didn’t want to understand.

Veronica couldn’t even gauge when she had lost her way in the conversation between the two who were chattering away as they pleased.

Yes. To be honest.

Why on earth were they talking about things only they understood? It wasn’t as if they were speaking a foreign language. They weren’t trying to exclude her either.

“……”

With a sullen expression, Veronica took a sip of beer and posed a question to Camilla.

Regardless of her personal feelings, work was work.

It might be vexing, but shouldn’t one separate personal matters from professional ones?

“What’s the specific plan? I’d like to go over it properly before we proceed.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Camilla, who had been observing Veronica through the glass while pretending to look elsewhere, hastily put down her beer mug.

After wiping the foam from her lips, she lowered her voice dramatically while scanning the surroundings.

“As I mentioned earlier… the plan is simple.”

Instigate distrust and division to dismantle the terrorists.

Elegantly expressed, it’s “Divide and Rule,” and in plain terms, it’s internal strife, splitting, and disruption.

Camilla likened this to the “Kasiski Test.”

“Hmm.”

Veronica was familiar with the concept of divide and rule. Empires didn’t exist only on Earth.

In a world where the concept of species was more encompassing than that of ethnicity, divide and rule was a policy that all empires had knowingly or unknowingly employed. The same was true in today’s modern society.

However, she couldn’t understand what the Kasiski Test was at all.

“I understand the rest, but what exactly is that?”

“It’s a technique for deciphering polyalphabetic substitution ciphers. To be precise, it’s an analytical method devised by a Prussian general to break the ‘Vigenère cipher.'”

The Vigenère cipher, born in 1586, is a cipher system that is a variant of the “Caesar cipher,” which encrypts by shifting alphabets at regular intervals. It was developed by a French diplomat, for reference.

Since it originated from the Caesar cipher, the mechanism of the Vigenère cipher somewhat resembles the original.

However, while the Caesar cipher applies a common rule across the entire ciphertext, the Vigenère cipher has the characteristic of being able to split character strings and apply different encryption rules to each.

A cipher that cannot be decrypted without a pre-arranged key known only to the sender and receiver.

A cipher system so secure that even frequency analysis techniques don’t work.

Because of these characteristics, the Vigenère cipher was known as the “impregnable cipher” at the time.

“When the Vigenère cipher first appeared, it was known as an incredibly innovative cipher. No one dared to touch the ciphertext without a pre-arranged key known only to the sender and receiver.”

“Was it that sophisticated?”

“How could anyone solve it when a different encryption rule is applied to each character? Maybe now, but it was difficult in 1586.”

But then came a revolution that put an end to the myth of the Vigenère cipher.

It was 1863. The notorious impregnable Vigenère cipher was finally broken by the hand of one of Prussia’s generals.

That general’s name was Friedrich Kasiski.

He is the creator of the ‘Kasiski Test.’

Of course, a few years before Friedrich Kasiski, in 1854, the British mathematician Charles Babbage had devised a method to decipher the Vigenère cipher for fun. Thanks to this, the British army was able to thoroughly eavesdrop on the cipher messages of the Imperial Russian army throughout the Crimean War, and they also deciphered countless other enemy cipher systems.

However, since the British government classified Babbage’s achievements as a military secret, his contributions were buried in the sands of history without recognition.

Anyway.

Camilla scratched the table with her fingernail and then brought up this topic.

“…I mentioned that the unit my father serves in participated in something called the Crimean War? That was centuries ago.”

What was the Crimean War?

The Great Game between the British Empire and the Russian Empire. The ultimate tug-of-war between two empires vying for hegemony.

It was also a war where statistics and cryptography began to truly flourish.

“There were many reasons why the British army was able to win against their opponents in that war. And among them was certainly the contribution of a mathematician named Babbage, who succeeded in deciphering the Vigenère cipher, which was rumored to be an impregnable fortress, allowing them to examine the communications of the Russian Imperial army in detail.”

“……”

“The interesting fact is that such cryptanalysis has many similarities to counter-terrorism.”

Camilla took a sip of beer.

“Do you know what the problem with methods like the Vigenère cipher is? The longer the content, the more repeated characters there are, the more advantageous it becomes for the attacker targeting the cipher.”

Because the attacker can too easily predict characters or words that are likely to appear.

Not to mention if you continue to use the cipher without realizing it’s been broken.

“So when attacking encryption, psychological warfare was often used to deliberately induce the enemy to transmit more ciphertext, sending modified cipher messages using internal spies, and methods to instigate distrust and division within the organization using false information. The ‘World War,’ where all the great powers participated, was the peak of this.”

“Your university… seems to teach such content.”

“If you go to the school library, there are many history books.”

“Wow, history study is what I hate the most…”

Veronica pretended to retch as if bile was rising in her throat. Seeing this, Camilla smiled inwardly with relief.

It seems there was value in circling around the topic for over 20 minutes.

There was no way to know for sure if the saint had truly set aside her suspicions. But they couldn’t delay any longer because of watchful eyes.

Now it was time to get to the ‘real’ main point.

With a tap, Camilla put down her glass, neatly folded her hands, and began to speak. Veronica noticed the changed atmosphere and subtly shifted her gaze.

“What Veronica and I need to do from now on doesn’t deviate much from what I’ve mentioned.”

Just as spies are planted within enemy ranks to induce them to send more ciphertext, we’ll send infiltrators among the confused werewolves.

Just as psychological warfare and false information are appropriately utilized to instigate division and distrust within an organization, we’ll remove the fundamental reasons for participating in terrorism and create reasons for self-preservation, thereby reducing the internal strife and cohesion of the terrorist organization.

Just as vulnerabilities in unprotected communications are exploited, we’ll exploit the gaps in the wavering werewolf pack and the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Federation to gather intelligence and understand their movements.

And just as the characteristics and patterns of accumulated ciphertext are analyzed to mathematically analyze its principles, we’ll analyze the movements of the divided terrorists and predict their expected behavior patterns.

“If done properly, as Commissioner Peter said, we can end this with minimal bloodshed.”

“Is that possible?”

“We’ll have to try to find out.”

“……”

“But I believe it’s 100 percent possible.”

Can it be done?

The answer Camilla could always provide to this question was affirmative.

Because she had studied countless times, made countless efforts, and tried countless times.

The tower of paper she had built up from her internship days at her desk would be the most clear answer she could provide.

Therefore,

The incident, as always, came quietly and inevitably.

“Customer? Haven’t I seen you on the street today? You seem somehow familiar…”

Camilla, who was sipping her beer, greeted the therianthrope with a smile as he cautiously approached.

This therianthrope. He had been following them since outside the beer hall, and now he finally approached.

“Oh my. We meet here? It’s nice to see you again!”

Camilla grabbed the therianthrope’s fluffy hand and shook it vigorously up and down.

Then, lowering her other hand under the table.

She quietly signaled to Veronica.

“It’s truly, tearfully nice to meet you.”

It was their first contact with the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Federation.

The two were able to enter this therianthrope-centered community without much effort. This was because Camilla had volunteered as a material sponsor, leveraging her immense wealth.

Thanks to this, they didn’t just enter; they went quite deep into the inner circle.

What followed was, well, quite easy for Camilla, who was accustomed to socializing in social gatherings, and Veronica, who was used to sweet-talking people.

They identified the power structure among the different species in the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Federation and the subtle hierarchy between groups.

They distinguished between species likely to participate in terrorism and those less likely to do so.

They found insiders who could cooperate with them in a friendly manner.

And finally.

They investigated whether there was anyone who might know about ‘werewolves,’ or anyone who could provide clues that would help track ‘werewolves.’

In the end, the two succeeded in achieving satisfactory results.

*

While relocating to avoid possible surveillance, I quietly focused on Camilla’s chattering voice from the back seat.

“…The two of us met many therianthropes in the federation and successfully made contact with those who had participated in terrorism and then left. Through their testimonies, we were able to hear all the circumstances.”

“I don’t know how you met them, but that’s fortunate.”

Since she said they secured testimonies, that’s good for now.

I’m not sure if they’ll be legally admissible as evidence, but referring to testimonies obtained from terrorism participants will be helpful in various ways for tracking terrorist organizations.

“What about the werewolves? What are the details?”

“They’re from the Mauritanian continent. They have no history of activities, officially or unofficially, in any organization or group. Being werewolves, they have no education or occupation, but Veronica says this is normal.”

Whether human or therianthrope, having no education or occupation is abnormal. Realistically, unless born in a no-man’s land, everyone receives compulsory education at least once.

But for werewolves, that’s correct. They’re demons, so they can hardly attend schools even if they want to.

I tapped the steering wheel, pondering the briefing content.

“Do they have any dependents?”

“There’s one dependent… but this one isn’t a werewolf but a therianthrope. A minor at that. There are no others, they say.”

“Having a family to support, and not a werewolf but a therianthrope. That’s peculiar.”

Listening to the explanation, several promising negotiation cards came to mind.

For instance, we don’t deport the child to the Mauritanian continent in exchange for the other party returning to the werewolves and cooperating…

Or making a suitable judicial deal with the federal court that operates the witness protection program to cleanly wash the child’s identity and guarantee a decent pension support.

Naturally, we need to keep the child with us until the werewolf successfully completes the operation.

That way, this person won’t run away in the middle, and even if the situation gets complicated and their identity is exposed to the werewolves, they won’t reveal that we are behind it, even if it means death.

In other words, they’ll behave properly if they don’t want a tearful family reunion underground.

Of course, this isn’t something to do in one’s right mind.

To be precise, it’s not something a human being would do.

But by my standards, terrorists can’t be seen as human beings, and the problem is that intelligence agencies are dens that gather individuals more terrible than most terrorists.

In that sense,

I didn’t make the mistake of carelessly voicing the thoughts that came to mind.

“…Canine-Feline Symbiosis Alliance? Federation? Anyway, how was it there?”

Camilla continued her explanation, bouncing up and down on the bumpy seat with “Whoa, whoa!”

“If the facts we’ve discovered are accurate, the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Federation itself is an external organization unrelated to terrorism. It can’t be said to be completely unrelated, but at least it’s not a conspirator – whoa! It’s more like a kind of stepping stone or crossing!”

Did she bite her tongue? Maybe she tripped over a stone, as her pronunciation slipped in the middle.

When I asked her to say it properly once more, she replied, “We’ll be arriving soon, so you can hear it directly there!”

Through the rearview mirror, I could see Camilla’s face, sticking out her tongue in pain. She definitely bit her tongue.

I carefully drove the car across the unpaved road. Meanwhile, feeling a strange gaze from the side, I glanced at the passenger seat and met Veronica’s eyes.

“Why are you looking at me with such a sullen face?”

“No, just thinking you might need a scolding.”

“…?”

Why are you suddenly like this?

It feels quite unfair and chilling, and seeing that look of resentment, I had an ominous feeling that I might get seriously hurt if I said something wrong.

So I just shut my mouth and drove.

As if representing the increasingly harsh world, rain poured down like spears. Through the raindrops diagonally streaking across the car window, neon signs from the other side were chaotically projected.

The silent road trip ended after about 14 more minutes had passed.

*

It was my first time meeting a demon this close.

Even though I’ve encountered countless different species living in a fantasy neighborhood for just under 30 years, who in the world could casually meet demons? That would be an experience even most inquisitors wouldn’t easily have.

Perhaps that’s why. It seems I had unknowingly harbored expectations about being able to meet a werewolf.

Judging by the disappointment already washing over me, that is.

“……”

“Why do you look like that, Major?”

“…No. Just. The appearance is a bit- no, very different from what I expected.”

Under Veronica’s pouting gaze, I began to describe the appearance of the werewolf I had imagined, earnestly scanning my jaw and cheeks with my hands.

“I thought there would be wolf ears perked up on the head like a therianthrope. Gray fur. I thought they’d look like they could rob a bank wearing a mask, but they don’t…”

“What nonsense about bank robbery.”

The ‘werewolf’ we met at the contact point was literally a wolf ‘human.’

The kind of human you’d pass by on the street thinking they might be of mixed heritage.

Damn. No wonder they could cross over on refugee ships for years without anyone knowing.

After all, if animal ears were sticking up 24/7, would that be a ‘werewolf’? It would just be a therianthrope or a furry.

I briefly wiped my embarrassed face, then calmly composed myself and began to examine the werewolf before me.

Interestingly, the werewolf was female.

According to Camilla and Veronica, she was an immigrant who had come from the Mauritanian continent about 3 years and 8 months ago.

Of course, she was an illegal immigrant since she had entered illegally, and being a werewolf, she risked being shot by the military, police, or wizards if caught, rather than just being deported.

“……”

I wasn’t particularly surprised to hear that an illegal immigrant woman was involved in terrorism.

I pretended to be surprised by opening my eyes wide, but having experienced so many similar cases, it honestly wasn’t shocking.

How many female terrorists are active in the global village right now? There was even an incident in Sri Lanka where a pregnant woman carried out a suicide bombing.

When the police special forces raided the residence, the terrorist’s wife detonated a bomb vest, killing her own children and police officers. I believe it was an incident in 2019 or 2018.

A colleague who had transferred to the National Intelligence Service and was dispatched to a KOTRA trade office was in charge of South Asia at that time. While exchanging work cooperation with me, who was stationed in the Middle East, we briefly dealt with that incident.

Even as I watched the werewolf woman anxiously holding a small therianthrope child in her arms, I felt no particular emotion.

Honestly, I didn’t care about their circumstances.

But.

This was,

A story interesting even to me.

“…You just said you were at the scene where a family died. Who did you say was one of the victims found as a dead body there?”

*

The lingering scent of formaldehyde hung in the air.

Though the knife wounds on the belly had been stitched up, there was no way to deal with the old stench trapped inside. The corpses, lying like mannequins, looked more like well-crafted dolls than dead bodies.

The old fluorescent light flickered precariously, emitting a dim light as if it would go out at any moment, and the old man silently turned the pages of the document.

Relying on the flickering fluorescent light, he quietly pushed up one page after another, brushing the edge of the paper with old, wrinkled fingers.

Quick footsteps crossed the corridor.

Just before the door opened. A momentary silence followed, and someone beyond took a rough breath, coughing slightly as if squeezing their lungs.

“Commissioner Peter! Saint Veronica—”

The old man answered in a low but firm voice.

“Quiet.”

He still kept his gaze on the documents, slowly turning to the next page as if undisturbed by the interruption. The inquisitor, breathing heavily, looked at his wristwatch and closed his lips that he was about to part.

A few seconds of silence.

Peter’s hand, which had been scanning the last page, stopped there.

He slowly raised his head. And heavily closed the file.

“Contact the cathedral.”

The file hit the desk with a thud. The edge of a document that had been pressed down slipped out from the gap and protruded.

Under the dim fluorescent light, shadows fell over the writing at the end of the autopsy report.

“…⑥ As the werewolf mutation factor was detected in the deceased’s postmortem blood exceeding normal levels. While this level could have been contaminated during the attack, considering that genetic testing confirmed no blood relationship with other deceased individuals, the possibility that the deceased was a werewolf from the beginning should also be considered.”

“It seems I’ll have many things to discuss with the Pope tonight.”

=

(The Vigenère cipher substitution table, 26×26, just looking at it makes my eye sockets ache, already feeling like my vision is deteriorating.)