Ch.626Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

Signs of fractures within the Smirnov Imperial Family were being detected through various intelligence networks. But no one had anticipated that a royal would reach out so blatantly.

The prevailing opinion was that they would make cautious contact through proxies or move according to long-term plans.

Princess Anastasia acted as if mocking all those expectations.

She neither concealed her identity nor attempted to hide her intentions.

To be honest, I was curious.

Why had she personally stepped to the forefront?

But with time running short, my curiosity remained an unsolved puzzle.

After concluding with hopes for a positive response, the princess gracefully excused herself, and the carriage departed from the isolated castle, heading toward central Petrograd.

“…”

I had two days.

To meet the deadline, I needed to start moving immediately.

I called the embassy right away, identified myself, and asked them to confirm the whereabouts of the diplomats by stating their titles and names.

Fortunately, all three were waiting for me at the diplomatic mission.

Episode 23 – A Spy Returned from the Cold Country

Everything seemed to hold its breath in silence.

Indicator lights dotted along the corridor barely illuminated the outlines of the space, while the magical streetlamps cast a languid glow across the main road.

The voices and busy footsteps that had filled the day were nowhere to be found.

Shadows pooled at every tightly closed doorway, wavering without a breeze.

Even the streets outside seemed to have retreated into the distance, as thick silence settled over this place.

Three people sat together.

“So the youngest princess has come demanding political involvement. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Rather than involvement, ‘interference in internal affairs’ would be a more appropriate description.”

“It’s all the same in the end, isn’t it?”

Perhaps because they were seasoned veterans, the parties gathered in the conference room sat shoulder to shoulder, calmly discussing the matter.

The ambassador, who had postponed his departure after receiving the urgent telegram, was carefully listening to my statement. The consul and military attaché sat on either side, and I explained everything I knew to them.

“Princess Anastasia is aiming for the imperial succession and is requesting direct or indirect support from our government. Since the princess herself hasn’t secured a solid support base like the crown prince or the other princesses, my interpretation is that she intends to narrow the gap by receiving support from external forces.”

“Are you certain?”

“At least assuming she wasn’t lying to me, yes, that’s correct.”

The ambassador was clearly perplexed.

“I’ve been handling the Kiyen Empire at the Foreign Ministry for a good 20 years, but… I never dreamed such a day would come. To think that a royal would emerge demanding succession when Crown Prince Valery clearly exists. Hmph.”

This wasn’t just his personal lament.

Fundamentally, diplomacy is a strategy that governments establish with an eye toward the distant future. And today’s sudden shifts in the political landscape would inevitably impact international relations and policy directions.

It’s not complicated.

Haven’t South Korea’s Foreign Ministry and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs constantly adjusted their policies based on who wins the U.S. presidential election? Especially regarding the SMA (Special Measures Agreement for defense cost-sharing) or trade matters.

So it’s only natural that diplomats would get headaches considering diplomatic relations with the Kiyen Empire as a “regime change” approaches.

Of course, being an intelligence officer didn’t make it any different.

“And that’s not all. While it’s understandable that someone might demand the throne given Emperor Nicholas VI’s illness, our government’s involvement in imperial succession is an extremely concerning matter.”

The consul frowned and spoke in a rather serious tone.

“Princess Anastasia’s request was for our government’s public support, or to highlight the princess through state-run media outlets. But both approaches carry significant risks for us.”

“When foreign media releases favorable coverage about a country’s politician, it can create a friendly public opinion. It’s a method our intelligence agency used in the past to promote revolutionaries in the Mauritania continent.”

“Yes, and thanks to that, every single one of those so-called revolutionaries who won elections subsequently turned into dictators.”

The ambassador’s method essentially meant “subversion operations.”

In the past, Abbas intelligence agencies had interfered in elections across the Mauritania continent to “create” what they called “compliant regimes.”

The method was surprisingly simple.

The Abbas government would publicly criticize the dictatorial regime through diplomatic statements or parliamentary resolutions, and media outlets would prominently highlight the exploits of revolutionary forces fighting against the dictatorship.

There were cases where they provided campaign funds or assassinated political rivals, but the basic framework operated within the structure of official government criticism and unofficial favorable public opinion formation through the media.

After all, whether it’s a coup or a revolution, the side that secures “justification” can seize power.

Intelligence agencies that had been instigating coups since the Cold War had all done this sort of thing at least once.

The problem was that, as with all such operations, the success rate was practically abysmal.

Secret operations are already the most difficult among intelligence operations. And among secret operations, subversion is comparable to a comprehensive art form or the Olympics—it would be strange if the success rate were high.

That’s why even during the Cold War, only the United States, Soviet Union, Britain, and France had the capacity to subvert other countries. And even they could count their successful subversion operations on their fingers.

In other words, there were more failed operations that earned them plenty of criticism than successful ones.

Even when they succeeded, as in Iran, South America, or West Africa, anti-Western regimes eventually came to power and have been causing trouble for decades.

Even if it’s hindsight, the assessment that “it would have been better not to do it at all” didn’t come from nowhere.

We don’t need to look far.

As the ambassador and consul mentioned, the Abbas Kingdom itself had failed when attempting “regime change” in the Mauritania continent.

If operations failed decades ago across the ocean in the desert, should we try again now, and in the Kiyen Empire of all places?

It wouldn’t be strange if Kissinger burst out of his grave to slap us senseless.

“If we release even the slightest coverage about the princess through the media, the imperial high officials will immediately notice something unusual. At the very least, it won’t be difficult to reveal that favorable public opinion is forming domestically for Princess Anastasia, and that Abbas media reports are the starting point.”

“Hmm…”

“The Imperial Guard will begin to suspect a connection between our government and the princess. Naturally, Major Frederick, who handled the preliminary contact, would be in danger.”

“The military also agrees with the consul’s opinion. Ambassador, if this gets exposed, we absolutely cannot handle the aftermath.”

The military attaché stepped forward to oppose Abbas’s involvement in this matter.

Incidentally, the consul was the one who opposed it most strongly. As the Royal Intelligence Agency station chief, he continued his measured criticism without pause.

“From the start, isn’t it nonsensical to demand imperial succession when Valery exists as the recognized heir? Have all the succession claimants in this country gone mad with power lust?”

“Princess Elizabeth is deeply entangled with the central bureaucracy, so she’s likely to be replaced by the crown prince’s line after a regime change, and Princess Margarita is likely to be hindered by allegations of embezzlement… but Princess Anastasia honestly confuses me. Why has she suddenly revealed ambitions for the throne…”

“If our people get caught lurking around the royals and have their tails stepped on, the Imperial Guard will be determined to crush them. Intelligence gathering on royal matters is completely different from general intelligence collection.”

“I know, Consul. The security services will scrutinize more closely.”

“As you know, Ambassador, this is an operation whose success cannot be guaranteed even with our support. Just look at the competitor, Princess Margarita. When she briefly attended a charity fundraiser led by influential western figures recently, what was the caliber of attendees who gathered to see the princess?”

Regional party office directors, the CEO of the Myshleniye Media Group, regional defense force commanders, social organization executives, and so many other highly recognized and influential figures.

The consul paused and snorted.

“I honestly don’t know if Princess Anastasia can even begin to match her half-sister’s connections. I joked that Margarita’s maternal grandfather acts like a king in the western region, but it’s excessive, isn’t it?”

“She’s been notorious as a troublemaker since her youth. She knows the crown prince can’t control her, so she acts even more brazenly.”

“When the crown prince himself can’t even step forward to be active, what makes Margarita think she can push ahead? Seeing her drinking champagne while her father can’t even walk—that person’s face, really…”

“You know how it is. The imperial family—they’re reptiles, not humans.”

The consul’s voice softened at the military attaché’s casual joke.

It was a joke mocking the Smirnov Imperial Family’s constant propaganda about having “dragon’s blood” or something similar.

Anyway, the consul and military attaché opposed for various reasons.

Though he didn’t show it outwardly, the ambassador’s thoughts didn’t seem much different from the other two.

“…”

After being lost in serious contemplation, he rubbed his hands together as if trying to hide his anxiety and directed a question at me.

“Did Princess Anastasia happen to leave any additional comments? Even something trivial would help.”

“She expressed regret about the trouble caused by the Northern Grand Duke in the past and mentioned the development of bilateral relations. She also mentioned contributions regarding the Kiyen-Demon Border conflict.”

“The northern border issue happened over a year ago… She privately mentioned achievements that the imperial family had already concluded by awarding the Order of Knighthood.”

“It seemed suspicious, so I drew the line according to protocol.”

“Well, that’s fortunate…”

Hmm.

As if finding it difficult to guess the princess’s intentions, the ambassador frowned and slowly began to muse.

“The ‘frozen land’ holds significant presence in the empire in many ways. In terms of security, it’s a front line where traditional threats like demons and monsters lurk; economically, it’s an underdeveloped region with unlimited potential where new cities encompassing both residential and industrial areas could emerge if development takes place.”

“…”

“A harsh land where battles occur daily and biting cold descends, making one doubt whether humans can settle there. Yet too precious to pass up—a treasure trove. The Smirnov Imperial Family has reportedly long recognized the value of that land. As a prime example, a city named after the emperor we know well was established as the northern capital.”

“Do you mean Novo-Nikolayevsk? Where the fortress of Nochin—I mean, Alexandra Petrovna, the Grand Duchess, is located…”

For a moment, I almost referred to the Grand Duchess by her usual nickname but hastily swallowed my words. Fortunately, it seemed no one properly heard my slip.

“That’s right. The name given when Nicholas VI intensified the development of the magical stone mining district below the northern mountain range, first discovered during the regency period.”

“I had thought it was just a common achievement project.”

“While it certainly had the character of an achievement project, what’s more important is the symbolism.”

The ambassador continued.

“How great are the expectations and interest that the Smirnov Imperial Family—the emperor himself—has placed on the north? This expectation and interest probably remain unchanged even after more than 50 years.”

“…”

The consul, who had been listening attentively, quietly spoke up.

“Are you suggesting that Princess Anastasia might try to draw the Northern Army Group, which led the Kiyen-Demon Border conflict, to her side? That area should currently be under the crown prince’s sphere of influence.”

“Partially, yes. But separate from Valery’s control over the entire military in Petrograd, hasn’t he failed to completely control the northern military? Is there anything incorrect in what I’m saying, Military Attaché?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“I want everyone to remember that everything is just a hypothesis in the current situation. Still, we cannot afford not to consider all possibilities. We must anticipate even the worst-case scenarios.”

The ambassador, with his hands neatly folded, moistened his lips with a glass of water before continuing his opinion.

“Princess Anastasia may have contacted the northern military. To prevent more people from siding with the crown prince, or to gain the northern military’s support by using the image of a hero.”

“…”

“There must have been a reason for mentioning past military achievements from a year ago during today’s unofficial reception. Moreover, considering that she specifically summoned Major Frederick, who was staying in Abbas despite the presence of an ambassador and consul in the imperial capital, and who was one of the parties involved in the northern conflict…”

“You’re saying her intentions are quite clear.”

The ambassador nodded silently at the military attaché’s words.

“Whatever the case, Princess Anastasia’s proposal doesn’t sound particularly appealing to those gathered here.”

“So what should we do? We need to report to our home country…”

“First, we need to clearly understand what we can do.”

Will Abbas support the princess and interfere in Kiyen’s internal affairs, or not?

This isn’t a matter the ambassador can decide.

It far exceeds the authority that a mere embassy can determine.

However, even so.

“Has Princess Anastasia actually contacted the northern military? What movements are the other royals showing? And how is the crown prince responding? These are issues we can address with our own capabilities, aren’t they?”

There was work to be done.

*

Among the three meeting participants, all three expressed negative opinions. The ambassador, consul, and military attaché unanimously shared the same view.

Please reject Princess Anastasia’s proposal.

A triple strike.

Even though the decision would ultimately come from higher up, this situation was too significant to ignore. After all, diplomats aren’t anyone’s lapdogs. Three high-ranking officials simultaneously voiced their opposition.

Anyway, the ball was now in the government’s court.

I wasn’t sure exactly when the policy would be decided, but a conclusion was definitely expected within two days.

Whether the Abbas government would help Princess Anastasia, whether they would interfere in the Kiyen Empire’s internal affairs.

“…”

After the emergency meeting, I pondered about Princess Anastasia as a person.

As an intelligence officer, I didn’t know exactly what kind of person she was.

At most, I knew she had lost her birth mother in childhood and had left the palace early to travel abroad.

However, excluding my knowledge as an intelligence officer and about Princess Anastasia as a “princess.”

I did have some background knowledge about Anastasia as a “character.”

The first thing that came to mind was “Guardian Knight, Anastasia.”

A character who sets Petrograd ablaze, starting by taking the lives of royals and nobles plotting treason.

More precisely, I remembered a scenario where, after defeating her half-sisters, she becomes obsessed with power and turns her blade of rebellion against the crown prince as well.

But the problem was…

“…Hiss. Wasn’t Princess Anastasia a mage?”

In the scenario I remembered, the defining characteristic of “Guardian Knight, Anastasia” was none other than “overwhelming magic.”

According to the wiki description, even the military failed to suppress her, and they retreated to the outskirts of Petrograd, leaving the crown prince isolated in the palace.

For reference, part of the scenario I knew involved the user going to rescue Crown Prince Valery.

Whether to help the military install the crown prince or side with the “Guardian Knight” and install her as emperor was a secondary issue.

The point is this.

While I personally think the scenario is hardly worth referencing at this point, there was one aspect I couldn’t easily dismiss.

If Princess Anastasia and “Guardian Knight, Anastasia” are indeed the same person.

Is she truly a mage with innate talent, or is she an ordinary person?

“Hmm…”

For now, there was almost no way for me to find out information about a royal’s health. To determine whether Princess Anastasia had magical talent, I would absolutely need to obtain her medical information.

Still, I had harbored a faint hope that she might be able to use magic.

But what’s this?

The Grand Duchess scolded the princess, saying she “couldn’t even take care of herself”?

Surely a “grand mage” who has Camilla as a disciple wouldn’t fail to recognize whether her niece had magical talent… If that’s the case, it means the princess currently doesn’t have even a speck of talent as a mage.

“…Does this make any sense?”

I sat at an empty desk, trying to organize my complicated thoughts. But no matter how hard I tried, a conclusion wouldn’t come.

Nothing I could do.

No matter how many questions I had, time wouldn’t wait for me. What else could I do but revisit these concerns later when checking the materials?

In the end, I hastily crossed out my unfinished notes with a pen, quickly packed my things, and left the embassy.

*

The time promised with the princess was two days. Though the schedule was quite tight, I decided to briefly return to Abbas via the warp gate.

It was for reporting purposes.

Normally I would have used the communication network, but this time there were instructions to minimize the use of communication channels. Most information could be reported through the ambassador, consul, or military attaché. But sensitive information had to be delivered verbally by visiting Leoni directly.

It’s a bit troublesome but certainly a method that ensures safety.

For reference, it meant that information was more secure than me. Because information is more precious than people.

Well, information is more valuable than labor costs. I should work hard even if it means reducing sleep. Of course.

“…Damn it.”

I returned to the Kiyen Empire four hours later, around dawn.

Considering the time needed for immigration procedures and traveling between destinations, I had made a relatively quick round trip.

As I dragged my suitcase along, hiding my exhausted eyes behind sunglasses.

“Yo-“

As soon as I passed the immigration checkpoint, some red-haired beast blocked my view.

“Is this a warp gate or a wildlife sanctuary?”

“What did you just say?”

“I said I’m very pleased to meet you.”

Between her slightly disheveled bangs, narrowed eyes pierce me like daggers. Camilla approached languidly, closing her outstretched arms and legs as if deflated.

Though she seemed a bit less energetic than usual.

At first glance, she appeared to be the same impulsive Camilla I knew.

But this is baffling.

Why on earth is she here?

“I’m glad to see you, Camilla, right after arriving in the empire, but you weren’t waiting for me, were you?”

“Actually, I was.”

“…?”

“How could I be here without knowing your schedule? The sun hasn’t even fully risen yet. I’m a mage, not a fortune teller.”

I was so bewildered that I couldn’t help but scratch my head repeatedly.

Who on earth told her about my movements?

Could it be the Grand Duchess? No, that can’t be right. Someone who breaks windows instead of using visitor passes to enter diplomatic compounds wouldn’t bother checking immigration records.

Just as I was about to ask Camilla where she had heard about this.

She beat me to it.

“Well, being Kremlin-like is my secret charm.”

“…”

Kremlin-like.

That’s a familiar expression.

Long ago, in the Cold War era when the “Iron Curtain” was not just a concept in textbooks but a reality.

The decision-making process at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, a symbol of the Soviet Union, was always conducted in secrecy.

As a result, in people’s perception, the Kremlin became a word symbolizing secrecy, iron walls, and barriers. The expression “Kremlin-like person” was commonly used to mean “a person whose inner thoughts are impossible to guess.”

Of course, this expression was only used in the Western world.

This story itself was told to me by my uncle, who was dispatched to the embassy in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s.

“…”

I briefly exchanged glances with Camilla.

Her blue eyes subtly pointed behind us, and my gaze followed to a nearby reflective surface.

“The folks here seem more diligent than Scotland Yard, don’t they?”

“More like lobsters than Bobby and Peeler, wouldn’t you say? They’ve been boiled red for so long already.”

Camilla delivered a smooth but pointed joke.

Though they wear blue uniforms, they’re no different from red uniforms. It’s an old-fashioned joke showing the anti-police sentiment that dominated 1800s British society.

The blue uniforms symbolized the militarized British police of the time.

The red uniforms symbolized the British Army’s Red Coats, which were expanding into colonies.

In other words, those hiding and watching were all imperial plainclothes police.

“…”

I waved dismissively at Camilla, who smiled apologetically. And without much difficulty, I deduced the identity of the person who had assigned these plainclothes officers to me.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, which commands the imperial police.

And the royal who has deep ties with that ministry.

…Princess Elizabeth.

“You truly are a Kremlin-like person.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Camilla and I looked at each other and simultaneously burst into peculiar laughter.

It wasn’t really laughter at all.