Chapter 5: An Offer You Can’t Refuse Part 2

“Why? No, why?! Why is the Saintess joining the pilgrimage? She should be praying at the cathedral, not this!”

“Chief Officer, calm down. That last remark could be considered blasphemy.”

“It doesn’t make sense! Since when does the living symbol of the Holy Order just decide to waltz up north with a massive entourage?”

“The official reason is to visit the northern branch of the Holy Order for encouragement.”

“Then send an archbishop! Or at least a cardinal! Why the Saintess herself? Ugh!”

“Alright, let’s break this down simply.”

“The Saintess is currently in the southern part of the continent.”

“Naturally—the Holy Order’s headquarters are there.”

“But now, she plans to travel north with a pilgrimage of nearly 1,000 people.”

“And to do that, there’s one place they absolutely must pass through. Where?”

“Where else? Our very own Crossroad Kingdom.”

“And to enter Crossroad Kingdom, who’s the first person they’ll meet?”

“Who else? Us—the immigration officers.”

“What does this mean?”

“It means we’ll have to screen the living embodiment of the Holy Order herself.”

“And do you think someone like her would just show up alone? Not a chance.”

“She’ll have the Holy Knights for protection, priests and monks as extras, commoners flocking to witness her miracles, and merchants smelling profit trailing behind…”

I’m racking my brain harder than ever before.

“Factor in the food supply for a massive group, the logistics for weapons and equipment, and the medical personnel…”

A rough estimate puts it at no less than 1,500. No—2,000.

In short, that bastard director is dumping a 2,000-person screening bomb—plus the Saintess herself—onto our peaceful, quiet immigration office.

Right now, there are only five of us at the southern border: me and the Five Senses Officers.

Five people handling a crowd of that size is beyond absurd.

“What about the Foreign Ministry and Intelligence? Isn’t this their job? At the very least, they should be coordinating—”

“Intelligence is tied up with a covert op in the north, and Foreign is all-hands-on-deck negotiating with the eastern nomads. That leaves only your Immigration Bureau.”

“God damn it.”

‘Why is it that every time a disaster like this happens, those bastards are suddenly ‘too busy’?’

***

The director sighed, seeing my expression.

“Look on the bright side. When else in your life will you get to screen the Saintess herself?”

“Having a superior visit my workstation is annoying enough. How do you think I’ll feel about the Saintess? Sir, if His Majesty showed up at your office, could you greet him with open arms?”

“I’d rather resign.”

He wore the same expression I did.

“Do they really have to pass through our kingdom? Really?”

“We can’t tell them to scale the mountains. You know why we’re called Crossroad Kingdom. This is the only safe, fast route.”

He’s right.

‘Why are we Crossroad Kingdom?’

Because we’re nestled in the safest passage through the continent’s most treacherous mountain range.

Bypassing us makes crossing the continent nearly impossible.

In other words, the Saintess passing through our kingdom is an unavoidable fate.

“This is a job only we can handle, Chief Officer.”

The director stared at me, exhaustion plain on his face.

He’s already running himself ragged dealing with this on top of the eastern nomad crisis.

Looking at the stacks of teacups and documents beside him, I felt suffocated.

‘Damn it. I can’t refuse when my superior’s like this.’

I can complain, but I can’t say no.

Besides, the Saintess and her pilgrimage are already on their way.

Like it or not, we’ll have to face them.

A situation we can’t avoid—a job only we can do.

And with Foreign and Intelligence already stretched thin, we can’t afford to slack off either.

I let out a deep sigh and spoke in a resigned voice.

“So it’s our job whether we like it or not.”

“That’s how it is. Do your best.”

“And you’ll make sure the compensation is handled properly?”

“Of course. If you pull this off, I’ll guarantee your safety bonus and performance pay.”

He nodded matter-of-factly, then added:

“And I’ll throw in an extra 100 days.”

‘Wait. What?’

“…What? 100 days?”

“Yes. Total of 197. If the Saintess crosses the border without incident, another 100—making it 297.”

“So that means…”

The director held up three fingers.

Three more days, and I’ll hit 300 days without incident.

Wow. This guy’s generosity is unreal.

“How’s that? Feeling motivated now?”

I immediately straightened my posture and saluted.

“I’ll drag the Saintess by the scruff of her neck and deliver her to the north in a single day.”

“—That’s blasphemy. Maybe tone down the enthusiasm.”

Like I care.

I don’t believe in gods.

I believe in safety bonuses.

’97 days? No—197, 297. That’s my god.’

“I’ll carry out any order. Just give the command.”

“Your job is simple: ensure nothing happens at the southern border. Good or bad. Once the Saintess passes through the south, I’ll count it as a success.”

“Seriously? Just the southern border?”

“Leave the north to those Officers. Their job is just exit control—less pressure.”

An incredibly lenient success condition—with triple the reward.

‘Where else would you find a boss like this? Where else would you find such a sweet deal?’

There’s not a single reason to refuse.

Not that I could, but still.

“I’ll give it my all. You can count on me.”

“Bring me the best outcome. You know what happens if an immigration officer screws up, right?”

“Should I start drafting the performance bonus and budget proposal first?”

Instead of answering, the director stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

Whoops.

That slipped out.

“Don’t get cocky. One mistake, and even I won’t be able to save you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Then I’ll expect your report once the pilgrimage arrives. Nathan Kell, Immigration Officer. Dismissed.”

“Take care, Director.”

With that brief farewell, the communication crystal dimmed.

“300 days without an incident…”

After about four seconds of silence, I sprinted out of the office and shouted at the top of my lungs:
“All Five Senses Unit, assemble! This is a special mission!”

And just like that, my plans to go home were dashed again.

***

As the light from the crystal sphere faded, Katon Grayson leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment.

A heavy sigh escaped him during this rare break after hours of work.

“Ugh, this workload shows no sign of letting up.”

“Minister, would you like another cup of tea?”

He didn’t answer his secretary’s question.

She had already placed the 25th teacup in front of him.

With a slight nod of gratitude, he picked it up and took a sip.

As he set the empty cup down, he muttered under his breath without realizing it:

“Nathan Kell…”

The moment that name left his lips, he recalled what Nathan had said to him earlier:

—”I’ll grab the Saintess by the back of her neck and send her to the northern border in a single day.”

“Tch, that lunatic.”

For the first time in a while, laughter erupted in the minister’s office.

What kind of madman would dare say something like that in front of him? And during an official report, no less—mentioning “the Saintess’s neck” so casually?

It was so absurd that Katon hadn’t even bothered to reprimand him.

‘Even if it was just talk, I never expected him to be this fearless.’

No, honestly, for a second, Katon had broken out in a cold sweat, wondering if Nathan might actually do it.

There wasn’t a hint of deceit in those crazed, gleaming eyes.

If Katon had so much as nodded, he probably would’ve received a report a week later saying, “The Holy Knight Order has placed a bounty on my head.”

Hearing the minister laugh for the first time in nearly a month, his secretary approached with deep concern.

“Um… Minister? Should I call for a doctor?”

“Ah, no need. I think I’ll live. Just pour me another cup of tea.”

Suppressing his chuckles, Katon sipped his 26th cup of tea and sank back into thought.

‘Nathan Kell. If it’s him, I can trust him with this.’

***

Nathan Kell.

The second-in-command of the Immigration Control Bureau and the overseer of the southern border.

He still remembered it clearly—the sight of that greenhorn, awkwardly saluting in his pristine white uniform.

—”Ah, hello! I, no, this officer is Nathan Kell!”

Just four years ago, he’d been nothing more than an unremarkable boy who’d barely reached adulthood.

Average physical ability.

Average looks.

The son of a commoner merchant.

A top student at the Merchant Academy.

There was nothing else noteworthy about him.

Just another face in the crowd, one of countless citizens who barely registered as more than a number.

Katon hadn’t even known he existed until the Intelligence Division’s investigation.

But then, an unimaginable miracle happened to him.

—”Minister, urgent news! A Talent Awakener has appeared!”

A Talent Awakening—an absurd, once-in-a-lifetime miracle.

And his Talent? “Linguistic Omnipotence”—the ability to speak and understand every language in the world.

‘How many races existed in this world? How many languages?’

‘Being able to comprehend and speak all of them means he has immeasurable potential.’

‘If he joined the Intelligence Division, code-breaking would become trivial. If he joined the Diplomatic Corps, he’d be the perfect envoy, capable of bridging all races.’

Upon hearing this news, both departments had scrambled to recruit him.

‘The salary was triple what Immigration Control offered, and working in the royal palace was an opportunity no commoner could ever dream of.’

The Diplomatic Corps had even sent an envoy to Nathan’s family home.

The Intelligence Division had outright offered him a baronetcy—even arranging a marriage into a noble house if he desired.

Unprecedented, extravagant terms.

The most lavish offers ever extended to a commoner in the kingdom’s history.

But his response stunned everyone.

—”I want to join the Immigration Inspection Office.”

“…What?”

Even Katon couldn’t make sense of it.

‘At first, I tried to dissuade him. A Talent Awakener in Immigration Control? It was like hanging a pearl necklace on a pig.’

The Immigration Control Bureau’s role wasn’t less important than the Diplomatic Corps or Intelligence Division.

But it was utterly mismatched for his Talent.

What use was linguistic omnipotence in a job that revolved around enforcing regulations and inspecting goods and people?

There was a common tongue, professional interpreters, even pictorial guide signs—so why?

Naturally, Katon himself had summoned Nathan multiple times to persuade him to transfer.

—”That Talent shouldn’t be wasted. I’ll give you a position befitting your abilities.”

He’d dangled larger, more rational rewards dozens of times—offering him a place where he could serve the nation more meaningfully.

But every time, Nathan’s answer remained the same.

—”I apologize, Minister. My decision is final.”

The son of a merchant, yet he rejected wealth and titles.

He only wanted to serve the nation as an immigration Officer.

An incomprehensible choice.

‘Why? Why choose such a backwater post and suffer?’

As far as Katon could see, Nathan had no reason to make this decision.

Except for one anomaly.

“Hailyn Metaharasin…”

The current head of the Immigration Control Bureau.

A woman infamous for being the most eccentric chief Officer in history.

Katon still remembered that day.

While the Diplomatic Corps and Intelligence Division bombarded Nathan with offers and incentives, she had only said one thing:

—”I’m curious about that boy’s dream. Let me speak with him alone for a moment.”

That was it.

That one brief conversation was all it took for Nathan to make up his mind.

“Chief of Immigration Control… just how did you win him over?”

Did she plant affection in him? Seduce him? Or did she dig up some leverage?

Whatever the reason, that audacious brat had ultimately chosen his own path.

And then, four years later, at the age of 23—

That same brat pulled off the unprecedented feat of becoming the youngest-ever overseer of the southern border, filling the position left vacant after its previous disgraced holder was executed.

And he did so by unanimous vote from the Officers under his command.

In the year that followed, he busted over 1,500 cases of illegal immigration and smuggling, single-handedly dismantling half the underground organizations that specialized in it.

He even exposed high-ranking Immigration Control officials who’d been secretly taking bribes to cover for those groups, stripping them of immunity and ensuring their punishment.

At the same time, he personally intervened to formalize the previously lax immigration procedures for spirits and fairies, using his translation skills to establish official protocols.

All of this, accomplished by a single young man after joining the bureau.

Achievements so staggering they were hard to believe came from a 23-year-old rookie.

‘Linguistic Omnipotence wasn’t his only Talent.’

‘Was it because his father was the head of a continental trade empire? Or had he awakened another innate ability?’

Katon couldn’t be sure.

But whatever the case, the chaotic southern border was now enjoying its second golden age.

And perhaps that was why, even with the Saintess’s impending visit—a major incident—Katon felt less urgency than before.

Whatever happened next, Nathan would handle it.

After all, anyone crossing the continent had to pass through the Crossroads Kingdom.

And the first obstacle they’d face was an immigration Officer.

As long as that bastard was at the border, Katon was confident things wouldn’t spiral into disaster.

Except for one concern.

Katon’s gaze shifted to the continental map hanging on the wall.

Dozens of arrows pointed toward the northern region—all originating from the continent’s arms manufacturing zones.

It hadn’t even been ten days since he’d heard reports of war supplies gathering in the north.

And now, the Saintess was embarking on a pilgrimage there?

“This coincidence is too perfect to be accidental.”

Just before receiving Nathan’s regular report, a rushed missive from the Intelligence Division had arrived.

[Signs of the Evil God Cult’s revival. Further investigation required.]

A short, hastily written cipher.

The moment he read it, Katon’s brow furrowed again.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

The Saintess’s pilgrimage, war preparations in the north, and now the Evil God Cult’s resurgence.

An ominous combination of words.

As he picked up his fountain pen to draft orders for the Intelligence Division to investigate further, he couldn’t help but hope—

This time, let the intelligence be nothing more than a coincidence.

But with nearly two decades of experience in state affairs, he knew better.

There was no such thing as coincidence in this world.

Absolutely none.

***

“Send me home! Homehomehomehomehome!”

“Down with exploitative bosses! No more overtime!”

“Down with overtime! Down with it!”

“Wooooooah!”

Meanwhile, the Five Senses Unit’s reaction to the special mission was… passionate.

“How many times do I have to say I’m not going home?!”

Amid the chaotic shouting, my adjutant was the only one quietly weeping as he wrote a letter to his wife:

“Let’s postpone our plans for a second child.”