Ch.620Episode 22 – The Kazinsky Test

-“The Federal Department of Internal Security announced today at around 6 AM that they have completely suppressed hostile forces threatening public safety and the continuation of the royal family.”

The terrorist attack had been successfully contained.

-“This incident has been classified as an attack by anti-royal forces who exploited the multi-life form coexistence principle advocated by the royal family and federal government. In response, the Supreme Council invoked Defense Decree Article 39, deciding on resolute intervention. Following His Majesty the King’s orders, the operation was carried out meticulously and swiftly.”

The spokesperson’s voice, broadcast through speakers since morning, had heated up the entire nation and world.

The bespectacled bureaucrat recited sentences in a high, flat tone, as if merely reporting that the rain had stopped. It made the previous night’s commotion seem almost meaningless.

-“According to police reports, the incident occurred near Bahar, an area long classified as an unauthorized multi-life form settlement. Contrary to initial media reports, civilian casualties were extremely limited…”

-“The Rushan Federal Office has emphasized that most information being circulated about the investigation and counter-terrorism operation is unfounded. They also warned of severe responses to baseless rumors and inflammatory false information…”

-“Ah, yes. Just a moment. It seems the embassies of Abas, Kiyen, and Ashtistan, parties to the quadrilateral talks, have just issued official statements. An urgent notice confirms that officials participating in the talks are safe. Contrary to concerns, it appears there will be no issues with completing the remaining official schedule. So, Professor? Do you think this terrorist attack will have any impact on the talks…?”

The federal government’s response was wrapped up in an exceedingly sensible and conventional manner.

Although many suspicions and questions remained, fortunately, the feared reactions did not materialize.

People living in this land knew how to remain silent.

In a place where not asking questions was considered the only courtesy and virtue, excessive imagination was harmful in many ways.

-“Minister! Reports continue to come in about unidentified assailants and strange magical phenomena witnessed in the outskirts of the capital where the incident occurred at dawn. Do you have any comment on the safety of His Highness the Grand Duke and the High Priest…?”

-“Amid allegations that Rushan Federation’s oppressive policies toward other species may be linked to this terrorist attack, the Federal Ministry of Land has dismissed these claims as groundless…”

“High Priest Jeynab Eskander Al Yabd has decided to offer prayers this morning at the temple located in downtown Bahar to honor the victims of the terrorist attack. The Federal Capital Police Department is controlling movement around the temple for security reasons and blocking access to unauthorized journalists and citizens.”

I turned down the radio volume, temporarily silencing the flowing voices.

Police officers armed with rifles examined the diplomatic license plate on the vehicle and the official passport I handed them. Shortly after, they raised the barricade, granting me passage.

I settled into the black sedan and followed the road where the early morning fog had not yet lifted.

Until the shadow of the temple, trapped in the fog in the distance, became clear.

Episode 22 – The Kazishki Test

The temple, untouched by light, floated silently as if separated from the fog.

Crossing the stone wall still holding the dawn’s moisture, I stepped into the temple immersed in silence.

Inside was even quieter than outside. At first glance, it was almost mystical.

A ray of sunlight slanted through onto the old carpet covering the floor, and under the central dome, a woman knelt neatly. A white veil covered her shoulders, and her fingertips met at a precise angle.

She faced only inward, seeming to have forgotten everything else.

“……”

Following Al Yabd custom, I removed my shoes and crossed the threshold with silent steps. Then I waited wordlessly for her prayer to end.

It would be disrespectful to speak to someone in worship.

Invading the space she was using, especially stepping on the carpet, was also taboo.

So I stood by a pillar slightly away from the entrance.

It seemed a long time had passed. As my breathing quietly settled to match hers.

The woman suddenly lifted her head and slowly turned her gaze toward me.

“Do you plan to keep standing there?”

Her voice was calm.

As if she already knew I had entered, her attitude suggested she had been aware of my visit.

“I thought you were in prayer.”

“That ended earlier.”

Jeynab Eskander, the High Priest of Al Yabd, began with a benevolent smile.

“You must have worked hard. Thanks to you, my concerns were eased. To be honest, I was quite worried about how the children of the Federal Royal Family would react.”

“For someone concerned about diplomatic conflict, you deployed a barrier in the middle of a foreign capital that far exceeded Class 8 high-risk military magic.”

Class 8 military magic referred to weapons that even generals commanding frontline troops couldn’t use freely.

Up to Class 7, division and corps commanders could decide on their use. But from the next level up, approval required at least a meeting of the military staff headquarters.

The barrier the High Priest deployed was that powerful. It was also an extremely dangerous action.

To put it bluntly, it was equivalent to firing a ballistic missile in the middle of a foreign capital.

No matter that she was the High Priest of Al Yabd, even though the Rushan Federation was a secular state that treated Al Yabd as almost a state religion, it was an action that could only be seen as insane.

But the High Priest simply sat quietly with a smiling face.

No excuses, no admissions.

A truly brazen attitude.

“……”

I sighed briefly and leaned my shoulder against the pillar.

“Anyway, the Federation seems to be trying to smooth things over as much as possible. They haven’t yet announced that it was the work of werewolves, but they plan to hold a public briefing once the situation is under control.”

“Is that all?”

“The federal government will also try to conceal information about the High Priest, His Highness the Grand Duke, and others involved in the incident. The Ashtistan ambassador met with the Federation’s Foreign Minister at dawn and received confirmation, so you’ll be able to hear the details of the agreement when you return.”

“……”

I calmly explained the various episodes from the previous dawn.

The Rushan Federation Kingdom’s response to the terrorist news, emergency meetings convened at each embassy, and the implicit agreements between the four governments.

For now, the Rushan Federation wanted to conceal this terrorist attack as much as possible.

News of a terrorist attack in Bahar during the quadrilateral talks, especially at a venue soon to host the World Union conference, was clearly bad news from any perspective.

The best approach would have been to completely cover up the incident, and this was actually close to the Rushan Federation’s plan. However, with the capital now in complete disarray, this was no longer an option.

So what else could they do? At least until the quadrilateral talks concluded, they hoped to downplay and diminish the terrorist attack to make it appear as if it wasn’t a problem.

In the same context, the opinions of the Kiyen Empire, Ashtistan Kingdom, and Abas Kingdom aligned with the Rushan Federation.

It was clear that the talks would conclude successfully if they could just hold out a little longer, but if everything were overturned by a last-minute terrorist attack, it would be a complete disaster.

Moreover, now that it was confirmed that the “Grand Duke” and “High Priest” were the ones who forcibly suppressed the terrorism, both Kiyen and Ashtistan were in a rather troublesome position.

Therefore, the four governments agreed not to delve deeply into the question of responsibility for this incident.

The three countries overlooked the fact that the Rushan Federation had essentially failed to suppress the terrorism, and in return, the Rushan Federation turned a blind eye to the Grand Duke and High Priest’s unilateral use of force.

“The background is complicated, but I think that’s all you need to know for now.”

The High Priest, who had been listening quietly, slightly raised her head and cast a glance over her shoulder.

“Do you think it’s fortunate?”

“Of course. At least the Foreign Ministry managed to prevent people who were laughing and chatting just yesterday from storming out of the conference room.”

“Then what do you think of that child’s plan? Should it be considered a success or a failure?”

“……”

It was a somewhat disjointed question.

But I could easily guess the High Priest’s intentions behind the question.

“If you’re referring to Kamila’s plan, we’ll have to wait and see. Business in this field isn’t like hard science or mathematical formulas that fit together perfectly. To judge success or failure, we’ll need to evaluate over time.”

Unconsciously reaching for a cigarette, I paused, remembering this was a temple. I sighed quietly and thrust my hands into my pants pockets.

“Still, the main objectives were achieved. Ultimately, the terrorism was prevented, the organization was dismantled, and those who could be saved were saved.”

“……”

Isn’t that enough?

I ended with a tone that carried such a question.

To this, the High Priest gave a subtle smile. As if asking if I really thought so.

Despite being blind, she sent me a gaze with a gentle smile, and I stared at her in silence for a while.

“A bureaucrat might think that way. But what do you think as a colleague?”

“……”

“Is there really no problem at all?”

I didn’t answer.

More precisely, I didn’t give the High Priest the answer she wanted.

“My opinion doesn’t matter. I’m someone who predicts and responds, not someone who decides.”

“I see.”

The response was as plain as my answer.

The High Priest, still with a smiling face, moved her lips calmly. Her gaze swept over me.

“You look curious about how I discovered the werewolves’ secret. Would you like to know?”

“Rather than that, I’d appreciate if you could tell me what kind of crazy incident will happen next. Preferably early enough for me to respond.”

“If that’s your wish, it will come true. I promise, in the name of Jeynab Eskander.”

I meant don’t tell me. I’m already busy enough without bringing in another incident.

As I shook my head with a sour expression, the High Priest’s smile deepened. As if amused.

“Your worries are mountainous. Yet you have so many people helping you. Like yesterday.”

“……”

“But whether your resoluteness can accompany that child’s mercy… unfortunately, even I cannot be certain.”

*

The final agreement of the four countries’ foreign ministers was finally announced.

The talks, resumed after many years, bore fruit after a long period of exploration, and the dramatic agreement inspired many.

Reactivation of diplomatic lines for tension reduction in the Mauritani continent,

Resumption of military dialogue between the sides that had been suspended,

Resolution of frozen trade payments under the 11th economic sanctions against Ashtistan,

Formation of a multilateral consultative body for continued commitment and discussion of additional talks, and more.

Many achievements were truly made. Enough to make all the hard work worthwhile.

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

Until the very end of the talks, no one could accurately predict the outcome. It was literally a razor-thin negotiation, a diplomatic achievement concluded with dramatic agreement.

Therefore, the sight of the Ashtistan Kingdom’s Foreign Minister running into the conference hall, ignoring the umbrella offered by a security guard, was arguably the defining moment of the talks’ finale.

The quadrilateral talks provided tension that kept observers on the edge of their seats,

with an outcome unknown until the very last item on the agenda.

To the point where the previous night’s disturbance was completely forgotten.

“……”

Late at night, on my way back to my lodgings after a reception hosted by the Rushan Federation’s Foreign Ministry.

Hearing a ringtone from inside my pocket, I took out my mobile phone and silently pressed the call button.

“Hello.”

-“…It’s me, Kamila.”

Through the secure phone. A subdued voice came across the line.

Slightly muffled, yet sharp.

With a voice imbued with emotions difficult to readily judge, the girl spoke to me.

-“Let’s meet briefly.”

I turned the steering wheel without hesitation.

*

On the rooftop of a building where a cool breeze blew, arriving at the meeting place, I couldn’t help but think:

She must have watched too many movies.

Anyone seeing the girl’s back figure leaning against the railing, pathetically facing the wind, would think the same.

With my hands in my pockets, I walked steadily toward the girl. Despite the clear sound of footsteps cutting through the night air, her gaze remained fixed elsewhere.

“Have you gotten any sleep? You probably haven’t slept properly for a while. Why don’t you go inside and rest?”

The girl said nothing. Beyond her hair fluttering in the wind, her blue eyes remained fixed on the distant, dark city lights.

I quietly approached her side and silently rested my arms on the railing.

“…I’m not sure.”

After brief contemplation, Kamila offered her answer. Then she slowly turned her head to look at me.

There were no words, but something special was contained in her eyes. A careful and subtle tremor that only someone who had realized something could display.

Her expression wavered as much as her gaze.

As if hoping her suspicion was wrong, desperately wanting it not to be true. It was a face permeated with earnestness, wanting to deliberately ignore something.

Her lips moved and stopped repeatedly, as if about to part. Before uttering a single word, she seemed to write and erase countless sentences in her mind.

After hesitating for a long time, Kamila carefully opened her mouth.

“…There’s something I want to ask. If possible, I’d like you to be honest.”

Her voice was filled with desperation.

It showed a desire for hope rather than truth, a wish for denial rather than confirmation.

“Ask away.”

“Mylo. You remember him, right? That mole beastman from the Canine-Feline Symbiosis Alliance.”

“Yes. I remember him, of course, since I interrogated him directly.”

“During the infiltration, there was a problem… Veronica shot Mylo. But what I’m curious about is…”

Kamila closed her mouth again. She tried to avert her eyes while trailing off, but soon seemed to gather her resolve and looked at me again.

“Was shooting Mylo—”

“Something I ordered Veronica to do? Is that what you want to ask now?”

“……”

No answer came. She neither confirmed nor denied. But her eyes spoke more clearly than ever.

I turned my gaze away from her blue eyes and looked toward the distant city lights.

And,

After a moment of silence,

“Yes.”

I spoke in a voice more indifferent than ever.

“I ordered her to shoot him.”