Chapter 566
There is a common culture shared among intelligence officers, and it would probably be chess.
It’s a board game played by two players that demands high-level strategy—an intense mind sport.
Some may view chess as a simple game that ends when the king is captured, but that’s not the case at all. The essence of chess lies in moving various pieces according to the given rules.
With 64 squares and 32 pieces, each with different openings.
The number of possible scenarios converges to infinity based on player choices, and both players are constantly deliberating and grappling to find the keys to victory among their options.
Thus, chess is a game that requires logical reasoning.
“Ever heard of a gambit?”
“Of course, it’s a chess strategy, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Sacrificing a lower-value piece to gain positional advantage. That’s the gambit.”
I pondered while holding a cigarette.
“You know, Zigmund, intelligence agents really love chess. Regardless of the era or nationality. Back in the day, when I met up with foreign friends, we would constantly exchange information while playing chess.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
Zigmund pressed for me to get to the point.
“Tsk—”
I rubbed my eyelids while still holding the cigarette. A bitter taste lingered in my dry mouth.
A gambit is a gamble that involves offering a lower-value piece to gain a more favorable position.
If I were to use a Chinese idiom to describe this strategy, it would relate to the idea of sacrificing flesh to sever bone (肉斬骨斷).
First, the opponent can either accept the gambit, refuse it, or suggest a counter-gambit.
Second, the side proposing the gambit gains a corresponding temporary attack advantage in exchange for the piece sacrificed.
Third, if the opponent accepts the gambit and successfully defends against all attacks, the initiative shifts to the one who acquiesced to the gambit.
Will the positional advantage gained from sacrificing a piece in the early game lead to victory? Or will one stumble in defense, losing pieces and navigating an unfavorable game?
The gambit is not a strategy that benefits one side exclusively and is often likened to a gamble that can lead to ruin if misapplied.
In other words…
“You’re beginning to see why that old man offered you up, aren’t you?”
—
Episode 20 – Who Brandished a Knife to Threaten?
Everything is like a game of chess.
To capture a bigger piece and get closer to crucial secrets, one must sacrifice their own flesh to seize the opponent’s bone.
Someone threw a tempting bait at me. And Zigmund is merely a piece tossed by that someone.
Frederick claimed.
“Am I a pawn?”
“Yeah.”
“Hah….”
Zigmund scoffed as if my words were ridiculous.
“Neither the Royal Intelligence Department nor the Military Intelligence Agency knew. Only the higher-ups in the Imperial Guard HQ knew my identity.”
“……”
“Who leaked this information to you, a lone spy among the intelligence agencies in a power struggle?”
It’s not the intelligence division.
The Royal Intelligence Department realized Zigmund’s betrayal only after their contact, William, was captured. Their response was swift and precise, but it did not support Frederick’s claim.
Zigmund continued his inference.
“Could it be the Inquisition? That’s possible. There’s a history of friction between the Imperial Guard and the Inquisition due to matters concerning Saint Veronica, and the intelligence of Lateran is faith-based. If someone within the Imperial Guard disclosed my identity for religious reasons, that wouldn’t be impossible.”
Though, in reality, the chances of that are near zero.
The Imperial Guard’s greatest rival is the Abas Intelligence Agency, but at the same time, the Inquisition is also a significant threat to the Empire.
The fact that traitors obsessed with religion are leaking secrets to the Inquisition is something that all intelligence agencies have noticed. The Imperial Guard has managed information regarding Zigmund strictly, ensuring that no information about him is accessible, regardless of one’s faith or status.
This was something Zigmund knew, and it was also something Frederick had suspected.
“I know. If information leaked to Lateran, then the Royal Intelligence Department would have caught on. They’re competent enough for that.”
“That’s true. Yet I wonder why you would make such an obvious false claim…”
“But Zigmund, there’s one misunderstanding on your part.”
A thin wisp of smoke curled upward.
Frederick dropped his cigarette for a moment and leaned forward.
“I never said I heard you were a spy from anyone. Moreover, I’ve never mentioned that the source is an intelligence agency.”
Zigmund furrowed his brow and tilted his head.
“…Then?”
“The source is Ashtistan. Not the Inquisition or any other intelligence agency.”
Zigmund’s eyes widened as he looked at Frederick.
His eyelids raised, and deep wrinkles formed above his brow.
“That man said, ‘Canicula Holdings, Wali Al-Dadoun, Timarshak Park at 1 PM.’ Just three pieces of information, dropped on a note, and I thought it was some sort of prank.”
At that moment, while Zigmund remained seated, Frederick gasped softly and stood up.
He was incredulous but also amused, strolling around as if taking a walk.
“They want to eliminate Commander Darius. Ah, so that’s what this meant? I thought I was supposed to lose my head or something!”
“…Who? Who told you about the meeting place and time?”
Frederick looked at Zigmund.
“Is it important?”
“……”
“The important thing is that this man acquired information about what you and the Imperial Guard agreed upon. That he passed it on to me too.”
Neither Frederick nor Zigmund knew the specifics of how that information was obtained.
“Your agreement with the Imperial Guard. Specifically, the meeting place and time have leaked. I don’t know where it came from, but what’s crucial is that it reached my ears and was transmitted to those Royal Intelligence Department employees trailing you.”
What matters is solely that.
Nothing else mattered at all.
“Don’t beat yourself up too much. It’s not like this happened because you or the Imperial Guard were incompetent. It’s more like…”
“……”
“Just a bit of bad luck, I’d say.”
—
As footsteps wandered inside the hall, they passed by Zigmund.
Not even a glance sideways, he stared blankly into the void.
Before long, Frederick reached the window, casually clasping his hands behind his back, gazing at the azure city below.
In the distance, there stood a palace against the backdrop of white-capped mountains.
“Our subordinates have engaged in espionage, providing confidential information to the enemy for financial gain, and the commander has been generating illegal profits overseas through immoral practices.”
“……”
“Of course, the reality is that you, Zigmund, have been a double agent cooperating with the Imperial Guard for 16 years, while your ‘friends’ in the Law Enforcement Corps and police are, strictly speaking, assisting the Empire… but who cares about that?”
After all, on the paperwork, you’re listed as the head of intelligence for the Royal Intelligence Department.
And that’s as an intelligence agent active here since the days of the ‘Kingdom’ of Ashtistan.
“No one will care. Especially not the Imperial Guard.”
The incident just a week ago when Alexandra Petrovna was wiretapped by the Ashtistan Republic’s Security Commission is still fresh in everyone’s memory.
The elder from the Smirnoff royal family, the duke of the northern regions, and a powerful archmage revered by wizards worldwide endured an unfortunate occurrence.
If Zigmund’s double agent status were revealed, it would give the Ashtistan Republic a pretext.
A diplomatic justification to pressure the Kien Empire in a legitimate and lawful manner.
“This must be a headache for the Imperial Guard. While they’ll try their best to protect you, the intelligence agents you’ve been working with have absolutely no reason to concern themselves.”
“……”
“What about the Ashtistan Republic? What of the Law Enforcement Corps? Now that the Abas Government has reared its ugly head in international society by digging into their shady arms dealings, how do you think they’ll react upon learning that a senior intelligence agent from the Royal Intelligence Department has planted informants all over Shizuya?”
Zigmund remained silent.
There was no need to voice his predictions; the future was all too predictable.
The reality of public officials compromised by Abas intelligence agents would be laid bare.
Zigmund’s informants were embedded throughout the military, law enforcement, and intelligence sectors of Shizuya.
This would indicate that the security of the Ashtistan Republic had essentially been compromised to a foreign power.
While a fair investigation and trial might not spare them from severe punishment, it could at least save their lives.
Yet the current state of affairs was rather distant from what one might consider ‘fair’.
The investigative authorities would likely view the funds received from the ‘enemy’ as ‘operation funds,’ and the communications exchanged between them would be recorded in charges as part of a plot to ‘overthrow the Republic.’
Even if the Imperial Guard were to uncover the truth, the situation couldn’t be resolved smoothly.
The Kien Ministry of Foreign Affairs would soon face harsh protests from the Ashtistan Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Empire, aiming to pressure the Republic due to the wiretap incident, would likely blame the Imperial Guard for the fallout.
Thus, the Imperial Guard wouldn’t intervene under any circumstances.
They’d likely extract Zigmund in silence and wait for all the truths to be buried.
And the Royal Intelligence Department would…
“…It’s going to be a mess.”
Zigmund spoke in a calm voice.
“There’s no one to take responsibility since it was done by a double agent. If the truth emerges, it’ll be the Imperial Guard’s position that gets complicated, so they probably won’t try to hide it.”
“While they will lose face over the fact that they were blind for 16 years, I’m sure the Imperial Guard personnel in Shizuya will be given a piece of the pie.”
“The picture looks fine. Everyone knows that both the Empire’s intelligence agency and the Republic’s intelligence agency have been working against each other.”
“It’s a well-known secret. So those in this district will suspect the Imperial Guard without a second thought.”
Of course, suspicions of black propaganda might arise even in Shizuya.
But regardless of whether Zigmund was a double agent, the fact that his informants leaked classified information from the Ashtistan Republic would not change.
Nationality didn’t matter at all. What mattered was that public officials leaked confidential information to foreign intelligence agents at the behest of foreign intelligence agencies.
That reality is called espionage.
“What’s the punishment for espionage? I’m not really sure about the laws of the Ashtistan Republic.”
“…Death penalty.”
“Oh, right. It’s probably hanging? The Law Enforcement Corps is said to execute it directly, which is quite the peculiar thing. For the Law Enforcement Corps to execute its own personnel…”
Frederick continued speaking as he leaned against the window.
It was a discussion both men could resonate with regarding the future.
“The Law Enforcement Corps has informants too, so Darius Ismailzahi won’t be able to avoid responsibility. As the commander of the Law Enforcement Corps, he will be held accountable for his subordinates’ espionage activities. If he’s lucky, he might return to civilian life, but if luck runs out, he could lose everything he’s amassed.”
“……”
“Of course, if he engages in crafty politics to shift the blame elsewhere, he’ll still find himself out of a job. You know the reasons behind that too.”
“…Bribery, embezzlements, and misappropriations are not honorable deeds. And dishonor in this land equates to social death.”
“In a way, you could call it social execution, right? That’s the kind of neighborhood where the mayor got impeached for watching girls dance and perform. If there’s a crime more dishonorable than attending a performance, he might as well live out the rest of his life with his arms and legs severed, just breathing.”
Those informants who assisted Zigmund would be facing physical execution.
Darius Ismailzahi, commander of the Law Enforcement Corps, would endure a social execution due to command responsibilities and misappropriation.
The number two in the Ashtistan Republic?
That’s utterly meaningless.
For there were others who wanted Darius Ismailzahi’s head.
“A commander who was blissfully unaware that his subordinates had been bribed by the enemy, living lavishly with the illegal profits he earned… what a delightful piece of news to bring!”
As Frederick muttered, Zigmund fell into deep contemplation.
“……”
Who could it be? Where did the information leak from?
Who informed the Military Intelligence personnel?
Someone from Shizuya. Someone who wants to eliminate Darius Ismailzahi, the political heir of Menbashi.
…Who could it be?
Frederick’s voice rang in Zigmund’s ears.
“This is getting interesting.”
“……”
“The Imperial Guard, caught off guard, will hesitate to act as the Duke, who is close to a priest, will question, ‘Why are you stirring up trouble?’ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be in uproar, claiming the intelligence agency has made a mess of things, and the military will likely seize this opportunity to clamp down on the Imperial Guard.”
“Seems like many will be troubled.”
“That’s how family feuds generally go, isn’t it? Well, the Imperial Guard won’t be able to worry about whatever incident unfolds in Shizuya at that point. Meanwhile, the Royal Intelligence Department will finish up and quickly withdraw.”
Zigmund subtly shifted his gaze over Frederick’s shoulder.
He was obscured by light filtering through the window, but that glint was discernible.
“…You said Darius Ismailzahi wants him gone? The person who told you my meeting place and time.”
“Right.”
“Do you really think that’s possible? That guy’s got to be out of his mind.”
“If you’re confident, feel free to wager against me.”
A laugh that might belong to someone echoed through the air.
Frederick lit a cigarette while Zigmund chuckled in reply.
“Listen, it’s clear you don’t understand, but the Law Enforcement Corps is one of the highest power institutions in this country. Almost on par with the Imperial Guard and military might.”
“I know.”
“I guess you kind of know who Darius Ismailzahi is too. Do you know he’s the political heir of Menbashi?”
Zigmund explained that Commander Darius Ismailzahi was the successor of Menbashi, leading the Ashtistan Republic.
The title of the chief of the highest power institution, along with being the political successor of Menbashi, underscored that notion.
And Frederick said,
“…Oh, is the king here ‘Menbashi’? Well, that’s news to me!”
He burst out laughing, roiling with laughter against the window before finally drying his tears.
“That’s why! I wondered why that old man cooped up in the Citadel wanted to oust the head of the Law Enforcement Corps. Ah, so there’s someone he’d like to get rid of? What a mess you’ve gotten into.”
“…Citadel?”
Zigmund muttered in shock quietly turning his head.
“Jainav Eskanter? Al-Yabd’s priest?”
“Oh, that old man.”
“…Why is my information in the priest’s hands?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
In fact, I couldn’t care less.
As Frederick rose from his spot by the window, he added,
“The thing is, whatever the Abas government says, the locals wouldn’t care much either. Even if evidence surfaces that the Law Enforcement Corps was illegally generating funds, they’d think it’s mere propaganda spun by an enemy.”
“……”
“But should the priest himself take action, that changes everything, right?”
Honestly, I’m a bit curious myself.
Just how brilliantly will the only two archmages in existence orchestrate their gamble?
As Frederick withdrew his hand from his pocket, he spoke in a composed tone.
“Thanks a lot, Zigmund. Because of you, I get to wipe out all the troublesome pests.”
“……”
“Anyway, the Office of the Prime Minister had been clamoring for Darius’s head since some time ago. Now, it looks like I can deal with the others too.”
I felt my eyelids grow heavy.
Zigmund became acutely aware of the weight bearing down on his eyelids.
“…The remaining information I’ve hidden will likely remain lost forever. Including anything about you.”
“Don’t need it. If I can’t find it, they probably can’t either. If the ownerless items buried in the desert are forgotten by all, that’s good enough, isn’t it?”
“……”
A chill ran down my spine.
“You must have known in some way. You knew this day would come.”
The cold wind brushed against the nape of my neck while fingers slipped from the firmly-held doorknob.
“An artistic choice, was it?”
The information officer remarked.
“I think so.”
“……”
“But that doesn’t justify stabbing your trustful comrades in the back.”
“Yeah, betrayal is betrayal.”
“You are well aware of that.”
“……Are you sure this is alright? They will definitely raise concerns in the company.”
“I couldn’t care less. I’ll say I handled this double agent before he could start blabbering. If it bothers me so much, I can just submit my resignation.”
The information officer burst into laughter.
“And don’t worry about me. I’ve done the same thing before.”
“……”
“But the headquarters didn’t say much.”
It was now time.
Morning light penetrated the city, drenched in dew.
The intelligence officer pulled out the last of his glue-stuffed cigarettes and released a deep sigh tinged red.
“I’m tired.”
As he was observing, the information officer spoke in a low voice.
The officer held the cigarette close to his mouth and smiled.
And then.
A bright light momentarily illuminated the darkness.
—
The intelligence officers who had been waiting in the corridor gathered supplies—chemicals, cleaning tools, and plastic—and moved inside.
Upon reaching the entrance, Matt appeared. He leaned against the threshold, smoking a cigarette.
Frederick opened the paper box handed to him, checked the neatly stacked confidential documents of the Royal Intelligence Department, and carried them toward the back alley.
-Hwaruk~!
The fire, made from discarded scrap, lit up a little brighter as someone added fuel. Frederick, with a sense of relief, rummaged through his pockets and muttered in a small voice.
“The police might show up soon, though the report could be delayed since it’s daytime.”
“Five minutes to wrap things up and get out.”
“The body needs to be discovered. Even if it would be a bit troublesome to serve it on a spoon, it’s better than things getting messy at the last moment.”
While stuffing clothes into a black bag and changing into new ones, Matt began to speak softly after observing quietly.
“What did you say to Zigmund? What was the last thing you talked about?”
“……”
Frederick turned his head slightly while putting on his clothes.
Morning had already come.
It was a bit chilly, as if rain had fallen overnight.
Not what one would expect from a land of deserts.
“…Nothing in particular.”
“What then?”
Frederick paused momentarily, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and brought it to his lips.
He then suddenly added,
“I’m just not as philosophical as that fellow… Just spoke candidly as thoughts crossed my mind.”