[No Title Provided]
“Water knows the answer. So, tell me—what reason brought you to this distant land?”
“Kuhuhu. I came to fu... Aaaagh!”
“I'll ask again. May I inquire what circumstances led you to this country?”
“...You think I'm gonna... Guuuuh...”
“Feeling like talking now?”
“...”
“Not quite ready yet, I see. Allow me to help.”
“Uhuuuugh...”
“...”
“...”
“Mind control magic...”
“...!...”
With the aid of her secretary's magic and an assistant's support, the Research Director extracted several pieces of information from him.
“I'm sorry, but magic won't work much further.”
“That's fine. We've got the essentials. Handle the rest, please.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
The secretary standing behind her spoke up.
“Shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
As the Research Director left the building, she reviewed the information she'd obtained.
One: The captured spy belonged to the Heyrn Kingdom.
Two: He'd infiltrated the Empire to steal new weapons and technologies.
Three: Plans were in place to kidnap or bribe personnel from the Weapons Research Lab.
Finally, there was more than one spy dispatched from the Heyrn Kingdom—and other kingdoms might have sent their own as well.
Matchlocks and cannons were in such high demand that production wasn't limited to the Empire's arsenals; forges across the land were churning them out. Steam engines were even being released to the private sector. Precautions would be taken, of course, but completely safeguarding the information would prove difficult.
I expected as much...
Climbing into her carriage, she began formulating a plan. At the very least, protective measures for the lab's personnel seemed necessary.
Especially for John Brown. His creativity exceeded all imagination—a fact she'd confirmed time and again while reviewing his research.
If only the technology could keep up.
***
“Hm. She's gone.”
The man watching the spy muttered after the Research Director departed.
“Now then...”
Another spoke up.
“Time to finish the job.”
They gazed at the spy with indifferent eyes.
“A spy, huh. In the old days, you wouldn't have even set foot in the Empire.”
“Still, with budgets rising and more manpower coming in, it might not be all bad.”
Exchanging casual banter, they began retrieving their hidden tools.
“Ah, couldn't exactly wield these in front of her. Such a shame.”
“Now we can work comfortably.”
“...Uu... Uuuu...”
The spy's pupils began trembling in terror once more.
“A heads-up: None of us know magic.”
“True. Mages are rare as it is.”
“It'll be the old-school method. You okay with that?”
“It's just a process. The end will be peaceful—I promise.”
They tried to reassure him, but it didn't seem very effective.
“I... I've already told you everything...”
The spy mumbled desperately, but they didn't stop.
“Sure, I believe you. But this guy's full of doubts.”
One ran his fingers along a tool as he spoke.
“No personal grudges here—just doing our duty. Don't misunderstand.”
“A... Aaah... Mercy...”
“Shh. Can we skip that word?”
“Yeah, no advance payment.”
“W-Wait... There's something I haven't said yet!”
“What? Can't hear you. Let me help you speak freely.”
“Hey, if you're thinking of biting your tongue, I'll hold it for you.”
“Uhhuu...”
“You know that phrase passed down in Intelligence?”
“Ah, I was just thinking of it myself.”
“Mmph..!”
“Water knows the answer?”
“Yeah, I love that one.”
“Very humane. No hard feelings on either side.”
“Shall we verify if it's true?”
“Uuuuuh..!”
“...”
“...!”
Splash.
“...”
“...”
“So, ready to talk now?”
“...W-War...”
“Hm. Starting to cooperate. Give us more details.”
“Empire... Kingdom... Re... venge...”
“Thanks for the kind explanation. Next: How many spies from the Heyrn Kingdom?”
“...I... d-don't... kn...”
“Needs more correction, I think.”
“...!”
***
“I see.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good work.”
“...I'll be going, then.”
After the door closed, the Intelligence Director stared out the window. The sun had long set. Nothing was visible outside, only snowflakes tapping the glass before vanishing.
“Things are about to get busy.”
Heyrn Kingdom spies. Only one in custody now, but there would be more.
Just like 42 years ago, during the war with the kingdom.
Time had silvered his hair, but his eyes remained sharp.
***
Brown stepped out for his usual commute, but today felt different.
Not just the fresh snow blanketing the ground...
“I'm Serena Arwin, assigned as your escort.”
A woman in armor, sword at her side, stood before his house.
“Escort... for me?”
“Yes. Your safety is guaranteed.”
“Ah... Understood. Looking forward to working with you.”
Why do I need an escort...?
“But why me specifically?”
“You're a key figure in the Empire. It's only natural.”
“Ah, right.”
Am I really that important?
Brown felt a surge of confidence. He took a proper look at her.
She seems familiar, though.
Dark blue hair, strong features. Her height came up to about his nose.
Where have I seen her?
Brown pondered for a while.
“Uh.”
“Any instructions? Feel free to speak.”
“No, nothing. Let's go.”
Why is the protagonist here...?
He'd met the original story's protagonist—as his own escort, no less.
Calm down. Same face and name don't mean it's her.
Taking a deep breath, Brown asked her a question.
“Um... What did you do before becoming an escort?”
“Mercenary work.”
Ah.
The odds she'd turn out to be the protagonist just ticked up a notch.
***
“Hehe. You approached me first...”
“Oh...”
“You said you needed me...”
“Must've felt great.”
“Of course! It was the first time you acknowledged me... Hehe.”
“Wow...”
Crunch. Crunch.
Luna Karen and her escort chatted as they headed to the lab.
“Ah! Mr. Brown! Fancy seeing you h...”
Karen spotted him and greeted cheerfully—then froze. She'd noticed the woman escort at his side.
She's pretty... And confident...
Karen's confidence dipped a bit.
“Oh, Ms. Karen. Good morning.”
“Y-Yes... Good... morning...”
Her sudden gloom puzzled Brown.
***
The lab interior was secure, guarded as always. But today felt off—guards had doubled, it seemed.
“Something going on?”
“Yeah. Escorts, extra guards... Makes you wonder if trouble's brewing.”
The escorts waited in a nearby building while the researchers entered the office and chatted.
“Hmph. About time they treat us core staff right. Not bad.”
“Uh. Sure.”
Brown cringed at McCallson's words. Karen felt the same but masked it well—skills honed as a teaching assistant, perhaps.
“Hah. Just stating facts.”
“Yeah, you're right.”
“Ahaha...”
“Speaking of, that steam-powered vehicle you mentioned...”
“Steam locomotive.”
“Right. I've got a design draft ready.”
“Oh? Let me see.”
“Me too.”
“Allow me to introduce my masterpiece, poured heart and soul into it.”
McCallson pulled out papers with his trademark smug grin.
“Hm.”
Brown still couldn't make much of it, but it looked plausible enough.
“Based on your theory. I've got a small model testing now, but full-scale... it'll take time.”
“Yeah, figured.”
“Frustrating, isn't it? Theory's perfect, but reality lags.”
“Tell me about it.”
The gap between tech and ideas—Brown felt it too.
Right, bolt-action's too much for now. So, what can we do...?
Brown pondered.
Maybe percussion caps?
Instead of filling matchlock pans with powder, striking a primer with a hammer. Far more feasible than bolt-actions.
We could develop primers too.
Trials and errors ahead, but a step up from matchlocks. Then rifling, Minié balls for better accuracy via expansion in the barrel.
Steam engines are spreading, though. Maybe mechanize bolt-actions?
Regret lingered, but Brown settled on a plan. Meanwhile, the spy's spilled secrets had reached the palace and military.