Ch.629Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

# My Uncle, the Russian Expert

My uncle, who tended to his orchids whenever he had a spare moment, was a renowned Russia expert within the Defense Intelligence Command.

The 1990 establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Soviet Union was made possible by Gorbachev’s “New Thinking” foreign policy and President Roh Tae-woo’s Northern Policy.

Since the first military attaché offices were established in Seoul and Moscow embassies in September and October of 1991, my uncle had spent most of his overseas career in Russia and Eastern Europe.

The Soviet Union, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, and so on.

He said he had spent overwhelmingly more time as a “white” than a “black.” Having spent much of his 30-plus years of military service at embassies, this was only natural.

This uncle occasionally escaped from my aunt to my quarters, where he would share stories over cheap soju.

Whether in official negotiations or private drinking sessions, he said that diplomats and intelligence officers must always tap on calculators while wagging their tongues.

That way, when things go wrong later, they can shift the blame to the other party.

## Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

Before beginning formal negotiations, I presented a condition.

I asked her to provide reasons why the Abbas government should support the Imperial Princess.

To be precise—

“This matter involves risks for us as well, doesn’t it?”

“It sounds like you’re asking why we should support you while taking on the risk of directly confronting the Kiyen Empire.”

“That’s correct.”

I calmly affirmed Imperial Princess Elizaveta’s words.

“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m simply concerned that relations between our two countries, which have carefully avoided full-scale military confrontation, might rapidly deteriorate.”

Abbas and Kiyen had traditionally been adversaries.

However, there had never been a moment when full-scale war broke out between them.

The reason was simple.

War could be started whenever one wished, but it couldn’t be ended just because one wanted it to.

Therefore, both countries had focused on avoiding direct combat and controlling the level of conflict.

At this point, both had too much to lose by jumping into the mud wearing expensive clothes to fight like dogs.

Rather than provocations using military power, they competed through economic systems,

built comprehensive encirclements through international sanctions and diplomatic warfare,

and fought for technological hegemony represented by science and magic…

They competed in every imaginable field.

Just as the United States and the Soviet Union once did.

“Without needing to bring up dusty history, Abbas and Kiyen are still getting along well as neighbors. That’s because both countries have shown consideration for each other’s core interests under the values of mutual respect and trust.”

“And yet?”

“If our government accepts Your Highness’s proposal… Excuse me for a moment.”

I asked for permission and took out a cigarette.

Then, leaning back into the sofa, I exhaled smoke along with my words.

“Wouldn’t the Empire no longer have reason to abide by this unwritten rule?”

“……”

Whitish smoke dispersed into the air.

Through the smoke, Imperial Princess Elizaveta, who had been staring at me, slowly raised her teacup.

“Are you suggesting that Crown Prince Valery might preemptively mobilize his army and declare war on Abbas?”

A rather direct question.

So direct that I thought it might be dangerous.

I felt I needed to soften my approach.

After a brief two-second deliberation, I offered my answer.

“International relations, domestic politics, the unique nature of the Kiyen military—various political variables and considerations are intertwined, making it extremely difficult to give you a straightforward answer, but I cannot say there is absolutely no possibility of that happening.”

(Somewhat liberal translation: So you’re asking if Valery might declare war on Abbas? He might, or he might not. The issue is so complex that I can’t give you a definitive yes or no answer.)

Elizaveta’s expression momentarily became complicated.

This was essentially telling her to interpret it however she pleased.

“……”

Of course, Abbas intelligence agencies had long since completed their assessment of the situation.

We anticipated that as soon as the connection between the imperial family and Abbas became public, the Crown Prince or the Kiyen military would likely declare all-out war.

Isn’t that common sense?

If it became known that Abbas had intervened in the imperial succession from behind the scenes, it would be strange if the Empire just sat back and watched.

However, to reach this conclusion, the Abbas government had to mobilize considerable diplomatic and intelligence resources.

Based on personnel records collected over decades, we analyzed the political tendencies of high-ranking Kiyen military officers, classified which government officials were hostile or friendly to Abbas.

We thoroughly examined which of them were cooperating with Crown Prince Valery and what policy recommendations they would make to the Crown Prince in case of emergency.

If anything, it was Imperial Princess Elizaveta who lacked certainty.

It would be difficult for her to know in real-time or predict what the Crown Prince or the military were thinking, or how the Crown Prince she was “actually” confronting would move.

Even with the Public Security Police as allies, gathering intelligence on Kiyen military movements was not as easy for the Princess as it might sound.

The moment the military leadership heard that the Interior Ministry’s security forces were monitoring them, Elizaveta would find it difficult to maintain absolute support from the military.

I suspected that her motivation for approaching the Abbas government likely included obtaining such intelligence.

At least, that’s what the ambassador believed.

“While establishing close friendly relations with the Empire would be welcome news for us, we cannot put our heads on the chopping block no matter how tempting the fruit before us, Your Highness.”

However, I had neither the authority nor the position to officially make such statements.

I was no longer the Defense Attaché, after all.

And even as Defense Attaché, one shouldn’t carelessly say such things just anywhere.

Diplomatic rhetoric exists for a reason.

I tapped my cigarette into the ashtray, then switched it to my other hand.

“Why should we risk full-scale war with a military power that maintains millions of standing troops, and why should we interfere in another country’s internal affairs while facing international condemnation for threatening the throne of a legitimate Crown Prince with proper legal standing?”

“……”

“I believe there is not yet sufficient reason to do so.”

Imperial Princess Elizaveta rested her weight on the armrest and slowly caressed her cheek.

A strand of curly blonde hair swayed, and beyond it, her red eyes gleamed distinctively.

A beautiful yet eerie light.

“Hmm.”

As her hand fell away and she turned her gaze, a melodious voice flowed from Elizaveta’s lips.

She easily grasped the core meaning behind my words.

“…Whether I can compete with and defeat the Crown Prince. It seems your government is not curious about that.”

I refrained from answering.

There was no reason to respond.

To this, Elizaveta smiled with confidence.

“Very well. Then let us now share proposals that will satisfy the Abbas government.”

“As you wish.”

*

The closed-door negotiations with Imperial Princess Elizaveta proceeded swiftly.

I indirectly conveyed the Abbas government’s concerns and demands, and upon receiving them, the Princess candidly revealed her cards.

Since we had sufficiently shared our positions.

There was no need to waste more time, so we got straight to the point.

“I heard you returned to Abbas after meeting with Anastasia. Did you receive any directives from your government?”

I answered honestly.

I saw no reason to lie at this point.

“Yes.”

“What were those directives? If your government has specific conditions, please don’t hesitate to share them.”

“Our position doesn’t deviate significantly from the stance we’ve maintained so far. We simply hope that the Kiyen Empire will demonstrate more responsible decisions as a member of the international community.”

“Such as?”

I explained briefly.

The military, diplomatic, economic, technological, and ideological confrontations between our two countries over the past decades had produced counterproductive effects contrary to the values of mutual development and benefit.

Enormous costs were incurred, and while we all strived to defeat each other in systemic competition, we had to endure more pain and damage than anticipated.

Yet neither country had gained anything worthwhile.

Now, Kiyen and Abbas, Abbas and Kiyen, were no longer in a relationship where they should compete while bleeding each other dry. That era had already passed and must pass. This was the Abbas government’s position.

In a word: détente.

It was like suggesting that we try the deep kiss (though they never actually did it) between Reagan and Gorbachev that brought down the Iron Curtain.

I said:

“Are you aware of what the Empire’s Foreign Ministry and the Kingdom’s Foreign Office agreed upon at the last quadrilateral talks?”

“Hmm… I know about that.”

“We request the prompt implementation of what was agreed upon then.”

Support for reactivating the military dialogue channel between the Republic of Ashtistan and the Kingdom of Abbas, which had been suspended.

Follow-up working-level negotiations between the Kiyen Empire and the Kingdom of Abbas.

Furthermore, summit-level diplomatic meetings and the complete opening of economic gates that had been firmly closed by Nicholas VI’s trade protection policies.

Finally, gradual disarmament by both sides to ease military tensions and prevent the projection of military force on the Moritani continent.

Imperial Princess Elizaveta listened attentively to my words with a deeply contemplative expression. She had no choice but to do so, and the content demanded such attention.

Because this was—

“…The Kingdom still seems to view our Empire’s foreign policy with concern.”

“To be precise, it could be called an aggressive expansionist policy through military intervention and economic interference.”

It was essentially telling them to withdraw from the hegemonic competition.

Abbas claimed, “If you disarm, we’ll disarm too. We’ll get along with Ashtistan and focus on economic cooperation, so gradually stop acting like thugs.”

But would that ever be perfectly observed?

If great powers had gotten along smoothly even after the Cold War ended, why would wars have broken out in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and West Asia, and why would trade conflicts have arisen?

But that’s the story of governments around the world.

Kiyen and Abbas were in a slightly different situation.

“It’s been less than a year since the conflict in the northern border region ended. The Abbas government hopes that the Kiyen Empire will quickly stabilize, and is actually providing public aid to help northern citizens recover their daily lives.”

“……”

“If the Empire maintains its previous aggressive foreign policy, our government will inevitably face political backlash at home.”

For reference, Abbas was currently in election season.

The opposition was beating the ruling party with the common election-time repertoire of “The people are being thrown out onto the streets while the government is pouring money into foreign countries!” Since it was a parliamentary system, if the ruling party was replaced, the prime minister and others would all have to leave.

Imperial Princess Elizaveta couldn’t have been unaware of this.

“……”

Of course,

Even if the government changed, the opposition prime minister wouldn’t cut aid to the Empire.

That’s because the bill’s passage in the lower house was already the result of an understanding between the prime minister and the opposition leader (the likely prime ministerial candidate).

I heard this story from my father.

An acquaintance who was the chief aide to the opposition leader had called, saying he’d unexpectedly seen the prime minister whispering with the opposition leader in the parliamentary tennis club locker room, which the prime minister hadn’t visited since his days as a member of parliament. He asked if I knew anything about it.

The mystery was solved shortly afterward when the government made a surprise announcement about sending aid to the Empire.

But that was a secret shared by only a few, including the prime minister and the opposition leader’s inner circle.

The private conversation that took place at the House tennis club was behind-the-scenes information that Imperial Princess Elizaveta could never know.

So she had no choice but to respond as she did.

“Very well. I should show my sincerity at this point.”

Placing her teacup and saucer on the table.

Imperial Princess Elizaveta, sitting with perfect posture, began with a calm smile.

“I will accept all the proposals your government has presented. To be more specific…”

The plan that came from the Princess’s lips was quite detailed.

It was sufficient to convince others that she was the future leader who would lead the Empire, and attractive enough to appeal to the Abbas government as a negotiating partner.

“First, I will open the maritime ports that were firmly closed during Nicholas VI’s reign. Starting with Tokhka, Priyabelse, and Mayanvinsk, where foreign companies were previously allowed limited activity, I will open additional western ports as well as southeastern regional ports.”

“I will also resolve the policy uncertainties that concern the Abbas business community. The innocent should no longer suffer in prison. From the perspective of Abbas businesspeople, they wouldn’t want to hear that industry figures with whom they were discussing promising futures yesterday have suddenly disappeared overnight.”

“Of course, I too no longer wish for such unfortunate incidents to occur within the Empire.”

Tokhka, Priyabelse, Mayanvinsk.

The “three major port cities” representing the “West,” the center of the Kiyen Empire’s economic activities.

The fact that only three western ports had been opened had been a major disappointment for business figures from various countries.

The opening of these gates would be a policy welcomed with open arms not only by Abbas but also by other countries like Fatalia and Frangia.

And the southeastern region’s ports.

Traditionally, the “East” of the Kiyen Empire was an agricultural region.

Where does agricultural productivity come from?

Population.

But currently, the Kiyen Empire’s agriculture was losing its competitive edge compared to other countries. No matter how large the population, cheap labor was available across the sea on the continent.

This was why unemployment rates were a major concern in the eastern part of the Empire.

If the southeastern ports were opened in this situation.

Where would the idle workforce from the eastern rural areas move to?

And how would the emerging forces who seized opportunities through the southeastern economic revival under Elizaveta’s support view the western economic forces that had united around Margarita’s maternal grandfather?

“I plan to restore the Empire’s collapsed prestige and dignity. As a first step, I will guarantee the rightful powers and negotiation activities that the Imperial Parliament should have had.”

“Drastically reducing the size of the Imperial Army through disarmament is a proposal that is realistically difficult to accept in our security situation. Even if the northern border situation has temporarily stabilized, the threat of the demons from the frozen land has not completely disappeared.”

“Instead, I can adjust the military budget to cut unnecessary expenditures. The Imperial Army currently maintains an excessively large standing force, and waste of resources inevitably leads to inefficient operations. For the next issue, let’s conclude by focusing on participating in formal consultations to find common ground and achieve goals.”

Restoration of the Imperial Parliament’s rights and guaranteed negotiation activities. And cuts to the Kiyen military’s defense budget.

While these might seem like separate issues at first glance, they weren’t so simple.

After all, hadn’t Princess Anastasia told me before?

That the Imperial Parliament’s Finance Committee was confronting the military.

At this point, I formed a hypothesis. Perhaps Imperial Princess Elizaveta was checking the military from behind the scenes through the Imperial Parliament.

The restoration of the Imperial Parliament’s rights and guaranteed negotiation activities, and presenting budget cuts as an alternative while citing practical difficulties, were actually just pretty packaging to show the Abbas government. In reality, it might be a move to eliminate forces within the military loyal to Crown Prince Valery.

Of course, even taking that into account, it was undeniably an attractive proposal.

The revival of the Imperial Parliament, which had fallen into a near-corpse state, to more actively check the imperial family, and the easing of the arms race with the Kiyen Empire, was the picture the Abbas government had long desired.

Not just the Abbas government, but other countries wanted this picture too.

They had been pouring an insane amount of GDP into defense spending.

Using the Abbas proposal as justification to oust the Crown Prince’s forces was an interesting idea, but the most intriguing part was elsewhere.

“But this might not be enough to attract your government’s interest. Disarmament is too abstract a plan.”

“I hadn’t thought that way, but since Your Highness mentions it, I’m quite curious about what plan you have in mind.”

“I plan to gradually withdraw troops stationed overseas, which are one of the core elements increasing the financial burden on the Kiyen military—more specifically, the military units stationed on the Moritani continent.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t even consider bringing it up if it were just empty talk.”

The gradual withdrawal of troops stationed on the Moritani continent.

This was a concept we hadn’t anticipated at all.

Why? Because one of the main driving forces behind the Kiyen Empire’s support for its allies on the Moritani continent was precisely these overseas deployment units.

Naturally, the Abbas government hadn’t even thought of suggesting their removal.

Such a proposal would be difficult to hear even among the United States, Russia, and China, who frequently exchange verbal abuse. They only pressure each other to withdraw troops during the Syrian civil war.

So I couldn’t help but be puzzled.

“If that happens, significant backlash is expected from allied countries on the Moritani continent, isn’t it? The Empire’s Foreign Ministry would also express concerns.”

The moment Kiyen troops withdraw from the Moritani continent, allied countries that had benefited domestically and internationally from the Kiyen military presence would all fall into crisis.

Naturally, the Kiyen Empire’s diplomatic influence would diminish.

What government would listen when an ally says it will no longer fulfill its role?

Of course, that doesn’t mean the Abbas government could perfectly fill the void left by the Kiyen Empire and absorb its influence.

The region also had strong anti-Abbas sentiment. Above all, the moment “military intervention” was attempted, domestic public opinion would shatter first, and the Abbas Prime Minister’s head would fly off.

I conveyed these concerns to the Princess in a brief sentence.

And the Princess dispelled my worries with a very clear answer.

“Didn’t we agree to reactivate the military dialogue channel with the Republic of Ashtistan? I am willing to help your government enhance friendly relations with the Empire’s blood allies at any time.”

“…A traditional power on the Moritani continent would be a reliable dialogue partner.”

“Exactly. Wasn’t the implementation of the quadrilateral talks what your government wanted above all?”

She’s saying she’ll hand over hegemony of the Moritani continent to Ashtistan.

With the Republic’s army and the Law Guardian Corps, which maintain powerful military strength despite economic sanctions, they would have no problem exerting deterrence against neighboring countries’ armies in the absence of Kiyen forces.

I briefly gazed into my teacup, lost in thought.

Then I raised my head and began looking at Imperial Princess Elizaveta’s face.

“I heard the High Priest of Al Yabd is staying at the Grand Duchy. Have you met him?”

“Ah, he’s not an easy person to meet. I haven’t had the opportunity to see the High Priest either.”

Imperial Princess Elizaveta brushed off the question with an innocent smile. It was a very skillful lie.

This was an absurd situation.

Of all places, the hegemony of the Moritani continent might pass into the hands of the Republic of Ashtistan.

What’s more absurd is that the Abbas government had no grounds to object to Imperial Princess Elizaveta’s plan.

After all, it was Abbas that had loosened Ashtistan’s shackles through the quadrilateral talks.

When the Kiyen Empire and the Republic of Ashtistan agree to reach an understanding through “legitimate diplomatic activities,” and with the four governments having diplomatically agreed to hold follow-up talks soon, it would be ridiculous to oppose it now.

Moreover, the Princess’s justification was “withdrawing overseas Kiyen troops as part of military budget cuts.”

Ending the arms race, implementing the quadrilateral talks, saving face for the Abbas government going forward, and handing over complicated foreign issues to Ashtistan to confront Abbas.

Meanwhile, she would focus on internal consolidation after ascending to the imperial throne.

There couldn’t be a more perfect justification.

“Shall we continue our conversation? Time is short.”

“Let’s do that.”

As I looked at Imperial Princess Elizaveta smiling with a brazen expression, I slowly began to organize my thoughts.

The more I heard about her blueprint, the more I had to change my opinion of her.

I had thought she was just a person consumed by ambition for power. But now I saw she wasn’t just ambitious but also a skilled politician with sharp instincts.

She read the international situation, penetrated the policies of foreign governments, and tried to use them by intertwining them with domestic affairs.

She had a hazy but real understanding of not only the currents within foreign governments and bureaucratic organizations but also parliaments, business circles, and even social public opinion.

This level of insight was sufficient to hold conversations with most university professors of foreign studies.

Considering that those professors devote most of their time to scholarship and thoroughly understand the political situations of specific regions, making them outstanding experts whom even decent diplomats seek advice from, this was quite an unexpected phenomenon.

“I’ve heard you well.”

After organizing the blueprint in my mind, I continued a simple conversation with Imperial Princess Elizaveta over tea.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

The negotiations were already heading toward their conclusion.

“I believe the proposals Your Highness has provided deserve serious positive consideration. However, I should first mention that for our government to provide generous support, there are preparations that need to be made and resources that need to be secured, all of which will take some time.”

“Patience is necessary in realizing great causes. I certainly understand that much.”

“Yes, I’m glad you understand.”

Slurp.

After swallowing a bit of tea, I paused briefly.

“By the way, this is my personal advice.”

“……”

“If Your Highness is thinking of involving Camilla, Lucia, Francesca, and Akande in domestic politics, I would urge you in advance to make a wise decision.”

Imperial Princess Elizaveta asked.

“Why is that?”

Clatter, the cup on the saucer made an unpleasant sound.

Her red gaze followed its trail before turning toward me.

“There are many people who would not tolerate that, Your Imperial Highness.”

“I’m curious why you think so.”

“It’s simple. The Church, with its strong conservative tendencies, will not rashly intervene in the Empire’s rapidly changing domestic political situation.”

The Church is an extremely conservative group.

It is also a highly cautious group.

Although Pope Raphael and the Inquisition have consistently shown extreme reactions to the issue of Magic Towers, that’s only because Magic Towers—or more precisely, mages themselves—are symbolic entities that contradict the doctrines the Church advocates.

As a conservative institution, the Church simply cannot bear to see mages strutting about freely, so they try to suppress them, not because mages are mortal enemies who sold divine beings for silver coins.

That’s why their basic diplomatic policy tends to be quite cautious.

While the Inquisition, being an intelligence agency, inevitably engages in exclusive activities, the Church’s State Department aims to maintain smooth relations with most countries. Some might even find it frustratingly slow-moving.

So how would the State Department react if imperial family members engaged in a bloody fight over the throne?

At best, priests from the Petrograd diocese might step in to prevent bloodshed, or the State Department might issue a statement in the name of the Archbishop saying “Please don’t fight!” before stepping back to observe.

The problem arises if Imperial Princess Elizaveta tries to involve Lucia.

Whether she uses her as propaganda to boost approval ratings or sends minions to her claiming to share her cause.

In whatever form, from the moment she approaches Lucia, the Church can no longer maintain its cautious stance.

The Inquisition wouldn’t just stand by and watch the instigator who dragged a “Saint” into domestic political issues, especially one that could develop into a civil war.

Even Pope Raphael, despite his poor relationship with her, would have no choice but to declare intervention on this issue.

Not to mention that reformists within the Church who advocate friendly relations with Magic Towers would rise up and pressure the Pope…

And the “black-haired beast” who made even the former Pope shudder would certainly be the first to rush to the cathedral and cause all sorts of havoc.

Of course, Lucia wasn’t the only problem.

“The same goes for Francesca. Everyone knows she’s a high-ranking official of the Magic Tower, but her registered nationality is still the Republic of Fatalia. If the Ranieri family becomes directly entangled with the imperial family, that government would inevitably express displeasure.”

Francesca is the biggest problem.

While they currently tolerate Francesca building her personal influence either in the Magic Tower or abroad, it’s clear that they are conscious of her growth.

Until now, I’ve defended her, arguing that whether she meets with the Grand Duke or contacts foreign government officials, these are all independent activities unrelated to the Ranieri family.

The National Security Bureau has also overlooked the situation since they haven’t found any special connection between Francesca and the Ranieri family.

But what if the Smirnov imperial family openly involves her in political issues?

The Republic of Fatalia has a history of being overturned by a military coup.

Moreover, the Ranieri family supported the coup, and Francesca is under surveillance for crimes from an era before she was even born, implicated by guilt by association.

What would happen if news reached Fatalia that imperial rebel forces had approached Francesca or used her?

The Fatalian naval fleet might surround the western ports and conduct a massive show of force. In the worst case, an operational team dispatched by the National Security Bureau might come looking for Francesca.

Neither outcome would benefit Imperial Princess Elizaveta. Both scenarios.

“I see that I hadn’t considered the Saint and the Alchemist. But what about the Desert Warrior…?”

“Akande is likely to seek immediate revenge once he realizes he’s being used. You’ve heard what happened in the Zamria Federation, haven’t you?”

“Ah, yes.”

That one doesn’t use words. He just goes and resolves things with force.

Frankly speaking, who knows if he might grab the Princess by the collar and shove her into the river bottom?

Even Captain Kasim, who tried to escape by car, never dreamed he would be caught by that giant’s grip and end up hanging upside down from the flagpole of the Music Hall Presidential Palace. For reference, that scene is still legendary footage discussed on public broadcasts.

Anyway.

By presenting rational arguments, I successfully prevented Imperial Princess Elizaveta from trying to use my colleagues.

Whether she will actually implement the agreements made with the Abbas government remains to be seen, but if she has any sense, she won’t do anything that would earn her curses from the Church and Fatalia.

And most likely, to stabilize her precarious political foundation after ousting the Crown Prince and taking power, she will try to implement most of today’s agreements.

At least during the early days of her rule.

“Let’s leave it at this for today.”

“Very well.”

I rose from my seat and greeted the Princess. I bowed according to protocol, and the Princess responded by slightly bending her knees.

Thus, the negotiations were concluded.

*

As I was about to leave the reception room.

Imperial Princess Elizaveta addressed me as I was turning the doorknob.

“I hope today’s meeting will lead to permanent dialogue between our two countries.”

I did not answer.

More precisely, I no longer felt the need to do so.

But the Princess never spared her words until the very end.

Elizaveta offered me some advice and counsel as I was leaving.

“However, I hope there won’t be any unfortunate leaks of today’s conversation. I’m not doubting you or your government. But please keep in mind that the Empire’s eyes and ears exist everywhere.”

“May I leave now if you’ve finished speaking?”

“One more thing.”

“……”

“Margarita will seek you out soon.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Imperial Princess Elizaveta.

She was still sitting in the same place, but her expression looked very serious.

“What do you plan to do with the imperial family members?”

I asked.

What she planned to do with Crown Prince Valery and the other princesses when she ascended to the imperial throne.

To this, Imperial Princess Elizaveta answered without much deliberation.

“I have no intention whatsoever of following the precedent set by my predecessors.”

Her answer continued.

In a monotonous voice, leisurely and at length.

“The same goes for figures in political and business circles. Today, the imperial family and they exist in a symbiotic relationship rather than a competitive one. Like crocodiles and plover birds.”

“……”

“Does that answer your question?”

“That would be most excellent.”

I left the reception room without looking back.

*

To report on the conversation that took place in the closed room, I had to return to Abbas once again.

Repeatedly traveling to one’s home country in a short period is something an intelligence officer should avoid, but in this case, I had no choice.

After returning to Abbas, I went to Leoni for an oral briefing.

“How was it?”

“She wasn’t an easy opponent.”

Perhaps it was because she was the head of the Overseas Department. Or maybe because the situation had deteriorated to this point. Leoni sat in her office looking ten years older than she had in the morning.

In front of her were stacks of reports on Kiyen military movements submitted by the Petrograd outpost.

As she flipped through the thick papers almost throwing them, Leoni placed her interlocked hands neatly on top of the document files.

“Among Imperial Princess Elizaveta, Imperial Princess Anastasia, and Imperial Princess Margarita who might contact us in the future, who is the most likely viable competitor to the Crown Prince?”

“The closest candidate is definitely Elizaveta.”

I stroked my face with a calm expression. I was a bit tired from running around since morning.

“She has high control over state affairs with relatives widely positioned in various central administrative agencies, making it easier to check the Crown Prince. As a member of the imperial family, she’s already in contact with high nobles in the Imperial Parliament to keep forces within the military in check, and above all, she has secured control of the Public Security Police, one of the five major security agencies.”

“So she has strong central control through blood ties. What about Margarita?”

“She also has a blood-centered network similar to Elizaveta’s, but essentially, Imperial Princess Margarita’s competitiveness is based on two things: her maternal grandfather’s backing and the enormous financial power from the West.”

If the first princess wielded tight connections with central bureaucrats and politicians through blood ties as her weapon,

The second princess used the backing of western capitalists and her maternal grandfather, a high noble, as her weapon.

That was the difference between Elizaveta and Margarita, and also the reason why Imperial Princess Margarita was at a relative disadvantage compared to Imperial Princess Elizaveta.

“For ascending to the imperial throne and quickly stabilizing the governance foundation, an imperial family member close to the center is more advantageous than anyone else. As you know, the Empire’s bureaucratic organizations and political circles are mostly concentrated in the Petrograd area, whether through blood, regional, or academic ties.”

“That closeness is a fortress more difficult to penetrate than the northern defense line.”

“All of Imperial Princess Margarita’s human and material assets are supplied from the West, far from the center. Even if the Princess herself has been active in Petrograd for a long time, her maternal grandfather’s home base is ultimately in the West.”

In other words, her supply base is in the rear.

While Imperial Princess Elizaveta was born into a central noble family in the capital, Imperial Princess Margarita is a descendant of a western noble family.

In Petrograd, where the fierce battle takes place, Elizaveta can easily obtain supplies, but Imperial Princess Margarita has to wait for support from the West to arrive for substantial supplies.

If this were just a dispute between the two princesses, Margarita might have the upper hand in some situations…

“The Crown Prince would be the obstacle.”

The problem is that she has to check both Crown Prince Valery and Imperial Princess Elizaveta simultaneously.

Naturally, the Crown Prince, who holds some real power in Petrograd, wouldn’t be inferior to Margarita.

Leoni frowned as she flipped through papers with a disinterested look.

“What’s the possibility of Margarita joining Crown Prince Valery’s side to suppress the rebel forces?”

“We’re still confirming that.”

“Check quickly. The higher-ups are pressuring me like crazy.”

“Yes.”

“Good, from the next briefing, you can use the communication network. Whether it’s about Imperial Princess Elizaveta or Imperial Princess Margarita… However, all information about Imperial Princess Anastasia should be reported directly to me upon your return, like last time. I’ve spoken separately to the Prime Minister’s residence, so for the time being, you can report immediately if anything unusual occurs.”

*

Taking too much time might arouse suspicion. Leoni instructed me to skip all procedures and return quickly.

With all the running around, I had completely forgotten.

Come to think of it, the last time I had a proper night’s sleep was two days ago. That is, when calculated by date.

Wow, no wonder I kept nodding off at the warp gate departure lounge.

I was repeating the same routine I used to do when I was active in the intelligence service. I had sworn not to do this again just the other day. Damn it.

“Oh my goodness…”

As soon as I returned to the Kiyen Empire, I set out to find a comfortable place to sleep.

Whatever I did, I needed to get some rest first. I was starting to think I might really die at this rate.

As I was trudging through the streets, about to contact the embassy to arrange decent accommodations,

Flash, flash. The LCD screen lit up brightly, and a ringtone hit my ears.

It was Camilla.

“Hello?”

-“Since the call is going through, I guess you’re still in the Empire. What are you doing?”

“I was looking for accommodations…”

I briefly explained the situation.

Then Camilla, after listening thoughtfully, suddenly made this suggestion.

-“Ah, that works out well then. Come to the Grand Duke’s residence.”

“Is that okay?”

-“The professor was looking for you anyway. He said it’s fine for you to stay here, so come and rest.”

This was welcome news.

Fortunately, the Grand Duke’s residence wasn’t far away, and Camilla was a mage capable of teleportation.

Thanks to that, I was able to fly to the Grand Duke’s residence in the blink of an eye with her, who had come to meet me. This is why people should learn magic.

With the owner’s permission granted.

Now I could rest comfortably before attending to business.

But…

What is this…

“I wondered where you’d gone, and here you are.”

It was the Grand Duke.

She was looking at me with quite a displeased expression as I appeared at the mansion with her disciple.

“Uh, hello…?”

“Tsk tsk. How on earth were you taught etiquette?”

“Pardon?”

“How can there exist in this world someone who visits a mansion but leaves without greeting the host?”

Ah.

I had a bad feeling about this. I instinctively turned my head to look at Camilla.

“You said she was looking for me.”

“Oh? She seemed fine until she started looking for you?”

But why is she acting like this?

That question was answered elsewhere.

Through the mouth of the Grand Duke herself.

“I was looking for you, yes. I just didn’t tell her why I was looking. Shouldn’t she have asked me so I could answer?”

That’s when I realized.

Ah.

She called me because she was annoyed with me and wanted to give me a hard time.

“Let’s go somewhere private to talk.”

“…I was taught to refuse when strangers ask me to follow them.”

“Shut up.”

Seeing Alexandra Petrova rolling up her sleeves as she approached and Camilla jumping in alarm, I felt my head spinning.

This was a nightmare.