A Dangerous Proposition
“Did you check? My friend said he threw in a little extra as thanks.”
“Yes, sir. I'm already getting more than enough—truly grateful.”
Over the past week, I'd helped out with three jobs in total.
Each one had grown a bit larger in scale, bringing my total earnings to 2,100 gold.
Of course, half of that had gone up in smoke at the casino the day before yesterday.
Spending money like this is just insane.
After all this, I deserved at least one day off to blow some cash, but somehow I always ended up in the red.
“But isn't that still not enough to cover everything you've lost so far?”
“It is, sir. I'm starting to get a feel for it now, but the seed money's the problem. Sigh.”
A sigh heavy with worldly regret, followed by flawless facial acting.
Completely immersed in character, I left no openings.
“Hmm.”
The battalion commander pondered for a moment, then opened a desk drawer.
“Take a look at this. I was going to say no on my end originally, but the amount's just too big.”
He handed over a single sheet of paper cautiously, and its contents were something I hadn't anticipated at all.
Departure Point: Western Borderline (exact location to be provided by trading company contact)
Destination: Alverum
Reward: 7,000G
Requirements: 2 wagons, reliable escort with tight lips
“This… this is.”
“Smuggling. Magical artifacts, at that.”
“Why take on something this dangerous?”
“Wartime shortages have everyday magic tools fetching premium prices right now.”
“Ah….”
The Lycan Empire had banned all non-combat magic tool production to prioritize military output.
That had sent prices for civilian tools skyrocketing.
The Aditz Empire hadn't issued such a ban yet, so the price gap could be as much as double.
The money's tempting, but getting caught means summary execution.
Smuggling carried a minimum ten-year sentence regardless of the goods, and magical artifacts meant death without exception.
Just reporting it could net a massive bounty.
Does this mean he really trusts me now?
There was no missing it.
The previous three jobs had been tests leading to this.
Snatching it up too eagerly would look suspicious.
True acting meant portraying conflict and hesitation naturally.
“It's a heavy proposal, isn't it?”
“Honestly… yeah, it is.”
“I didn't expect that friend of mine to suggest something like this either. Still, it's a shame to pass up. Seven thousand gold is a fortune no one could save in a lifetime of work.”
The battalion commander stared down at the request form.
After a moment's thought, he spoke.
“How about partnering with me instead?”
“Partnering, sir?”
“Take a look at this.”
I shifted my gaze to the map of the western border he pointed at.
“Hitting a safe gap might seem secure, but the patrols are too tight—the risk of detection is high.”
“Agreed.”
Anywhere else might have holes, but the western borderline had none big enough for smuggling.
“So why not use our own leverage where it's safest? Like here.”
He indicated the sector where his infantry battalion was on duty.
“You'd clear it out for us?”
“I'll swap shifts at dawn to give you a window. Can't make it long—about thirty minutes tops.”
“Hmm.”
With his authority, carving out that much time was feasible.
The real issue came after the pickup.
“From there, the route leads straight through the division checkpoint. We'll get caught for sure.”
“That's why we need you, Lieutenant.”
“Me, sir?”
I couldn't fathom which part required my involvement.
“You know Oclo Trading Company's wagons come through by the dozens every day, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Load it on one of those, and the guards either skip inspection or half-ass it. Too much traffic—they trust the regulars.”
It was a gamble, plain and simple.
Basically, play the high-roller meta.
“You seem uneasy.”
“Even if they inspect, a word from me complaining should smooth it over, no?”
He tapped his rank insignia, and I had no choice but to nod.
Oclo Trading—verified credentials—plus a pushy major? Instant free pass.
There were still a few shaky spots, but this seemed passable.
“What do you say? If it works, I'll take just a thousand gold.”
A modest cut compared to what he offered.
Who could resist bait this meticulously laid?
“I'm scared, but… I'll do it.”
“Good thinking. And just in case, we'll both head to the site this time.”
“Pardon? The site itself…?”
This was a first—no prior request had demanded that.
Why would I, recon command's plant, show up where no one's supposed to know?
Even a clean hit might leave traces.
“If something goes wrong, your noble status handles the initial fallout. A major looks high-ranking but gets stuck in the middle.”
No logical holes this time.
Should I just bail?
Backing out now would look too weird.
Besides, this is a chance that might never come again.
I hadn't chosen this path, but after months of grinding, I craved real results.
“No need to worry—I'll be there too.”
His reassuring tone only heightened my unease.
Damn it. No good options.
In the end, I nodded reluctantly.
“If you're going that far, then… alright.”
“Smart choice. I trust you, Lieutenant.”
Pat-pat!
The battalion commander clapped my shoulder with a benevolent smile.
Imagining the real face behind it sent chills down my spine.
“Just as I thought.”
Lieutenant Alpen nodded knowingly after seeing the request.
What? Spill it—don't hog the insight, man.
I was a wreck, but his expression remained utterly calm.
“What purpose, sir?”
“Don't you get it? You don't seriously think they're smuggling civilian magic tools, do you?”
“No… of course not.”
I wasn't that clueless, even without expertise.
“So what are they moving?”
“Combat magic tools, obviously.”
“More specific.”
“Uh….”
I hadn't drilled that deep, so the words didn't come.
“You're still green. They're transporting mass quantities of adhesive magic bullets.”
“Adhesive magic bullets?”
There were various types of magic bullets.
The training camp ones were thrown grenades.
Adhesives detonated via signal switch within range, activatable on demand.
Extra circuit jacks up the price twofold, but worth every coin.
Mass adhesive magic bullets meant….
“They're planning to blow the 3rd Division?”
“More likely targeting the Avril defensive line for maximum impact.”
His words snapped the puzzle together—my eyes widened.
These bastards… terrifying.
The Avril line dragged on with endless skirmishes and attrition.
I'd pegged them as cowards, but this was their big swing.
Chills prickled my skin.
“Nailing them in the act would rack up even bigger merits for you.”
“Ha… haha, can't we just arrest them now?”
His eyes sharpened the instant I finished.
“Still not thinking it through, Lieutenant. Forgot our month's grind?”
“I get that, but….”
“A haul this big means all the rats in hiding will swarm.”
The predator's gaze fixed on prey.
This guy was half-unhinged right now.
“Raid then, and we bag the ones we missed. Thrilling, right?”
Lieutenant Alpen painted the grand vision.
Success would mean massive merits, as he said.
But.
“I'll be at the site.”
If Intelligence Agency ties leaked, the commander wouldn't hesitate.
His signature assassination—me first, in seconds.
“Chaos from our raid gives you an out—no issues.”
Shit, what kind of nonsense is that?
Issues? Too many to count.
“You serious…?”
“They'll suspect without you. No choice.”
“This op's too risky for me.”
“Lieutenant.”
Lieutenant Alpen locked eyes with a murderous glare.
“Know how many Agency agents have died since the war started?”
The pressure coiled around me—I couldn't speak.
“Exactly seventeen. Learned yesterday one was my only comrade from training.”
“Th….”
“Not for pity. Their intel saved tens of thousands—that's sacrifice beyond measure.”
He shoved the request into my chest.
“Arrest now? Think nabbing one ends the op?”
I knew the answer but couldn't voice it.
“Bet on it—the roaches rebuild the board in a day, stealthier than ever.”
I pictured it clearly.
And where it led was singular.
“If their plan succeeds and the line crumbles—your responsibility?”
Impossible, obviously.
“Willing or not, you're Agency now. Remember that.”
No rebuttal possible.
Every word rang true; I felt pathetically small.
“We worry for your safety too—we'll protect you.”
Of course, but trust was thin.
I save my own skin—no one's babysitting.
Life on the line sharpened my mind like never before.
“One request, then.”
“Speak.”
“If it goes down, treat me like the enemy to the end. Fool them.”
The deadliest moment: commander spotting my cover.
Delay that, and survival odds skyrocketed.
“Hmm. I'll consider positively.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Time short—positive review meant approval.