NOVEL WEB Chapter 415
My relationship with Camila is more complicated than I initially thought. It can’t merely be categorized as colleague or ally.
We share more commonalities and secrets than others realize.
I revealed a lot to her: my identity, profession, workplace, and even my past.
Camila wasn’t an exception either. As with any relationship, ours was based on mutual understanding and communication rather than being a one-sided exchange.
Thus, when I uncharacteristically requested a conversation, her reaction was one of mild unease.
“Why the sudden seriousness? You look like you’re in a crisis.”
“Just sit down for a moment.”
I gestured for her to take a seat. Camila, who was glancing back and forth between the sofa and me, removed her apron and exited the kitchen.
A brief silence fell between us, stemming from my pondering where to start explaining the current situation.
While observing the fidgeting Camila, I let out a faint sigh. I had anticipated this moment; I just didn’t expect to bring it up so soon.
“…Camila.”
“Yes?”
“We’re going back to the Empire.”
Episode 16 – The Six-Million Dollar Man
The incident began with the sudden arrival of an uninvited guest.
Officers from the Kien Empire’s military intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance Command, appeared on the scene. They were a two-man team detached from a unit that had entered the country weeks prior.
They were called here following a request for assistance from the Sanya Tribe. The two groups of warlords, who initiated a war with Asud, demanded troops, intelligence, funds, and weapons from their backers in the Empire’s intelligence agency.
However, the Reconnaissance Command’s actual purpose for visiting this country stemmed from a command by the Crown Prince. More precisely, it was a search for the whereabouts of a missing disciple, instigated by the Duke, who is the Crown Prince’s aunt and a senior member of the royal family.
Despite being the next in line for the throne and receiving military command from the Emperor, the Crown Prince found it difficult to decline a request from Alexandra Petrovna.
Having maintained a close relationship with the military, the Crown Prince ordered the Reconnaissance Command to locate Camila, and the region’s assigned officers flew to the Mauritania Continent.
Thus,
“The true purpose of the Empire’s intelligence team being dispatched here is not to support Sanya but to find you.”
Having consolidated the information collected from agents and the Military Intelligence Agency, I summarized the current situation succinctly.
The overseas unit of the Reconnaissance Command came to this country to find Camila.
Except for her magical abilities, Camila was practically a civilian, so the Reconnaissance Command presumed she wouldn’t have ventured far from the capital.
Since the capital region is under the local government’s control, the Reconnaissance Command requested cooperation from government officials. The government had received aid from the Kien Empire for decades, so it was only natural for them to comply.
The Abas Information Agency also agreed with this. What distance could a civilian cover?
However, Camila broke all expectations and moved to an area occupied by warlords.
The issue lay with the fact that the overseas unit of the Reconnaissance Command had already arrived here.
I finished explaining calmly.
“Now that the Reconnaissance Command’s detachment is here, it’s only a matter of time before they locate you. Their mission is to support the two groups of warlords, which will inherently include intelligence support.”
“…….”
The capacity for information collection at the Empire’s intelligence agency exceeds imagination.
The Military Intelligence Agency has only laid down the groundwork for its information network in this country, but the Reconnaissance Command has been cultivating relations with warlords and deploying agents for over ten years.
“Of course, it will take time for the Reconnaissance Command to properly assess the situation. The Military Intelligence Agency has invested quite a bit into this project, after all. In terms of information and security.”
“…….”
“But finding one civilian in the desert shouldn’t be a hard task.”
The situation is serious, yet it’s not entirely hopeless.
The goal of the two-man unit from the Reconnaissance Command is to support Sanya. Since the warlords have started their conflict with legitimate justifications, there’s no reason to suspect the involvement of a foreign intelligence agency at this point.
That means there’s still time.
I spoke to Camila.
“Right now, you need to head to the capital. Stay at the hotel for a few days and drop by the Empire’s embassy. Then, the overseas team of the Reconnaissance Command will escort you out once they achieve their operational objectives.”
The suggestion meant, “Go back to the Empire.”
“I don’t want to.”
“What did you say?”
“I said I don’t want to.”
Camila, who had been seated on the sofa listening to the situation, responded in a firm voice.
I looked at her, bewildered.
“No, what did you gather from everything I’ve said? Do you not understand the gravity of the situation?”
“I do understand, and I’ve comprehended it thoroughly.”
Camila adjusted her seating posture while locking her gaze on me.
“I recognize that the situation isn’t ideal. But the idea of going back is something I can’t accept.”
I stared at her with mixed emotions.
She understood the situation and wasn’t foolish—why is she suddenly saying all this?
Why on earth?
As she met my gaze in silence, Camila slowly rose to her feet and spoke confidently.
“Where would I go if not with you?”