Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 36
The Master of Soltem rose and addressed the family spies at the Townhouse.
“Before we open the vault, I’d like to know what you’ve learned about Nina Bones.”
They had considered three methods for opening the vault.
The first was to obtain Nina’s cooperation, open the vault, and transfer everything inside in the name of the Allied Victorious Nations. This was deemed impossible for now, since they didn’t know what kind of person Nina was.
The second was to steal the vault after Nina opened it and make it look like a theft. This too couldn’t be attempted recklessly, since they didn’t know what organization she might be connected to.
The third was to secretly obtain Nina’s blood and use it to open the vault. It was the safest method, and it was also Joel Smiler’s assigned role to attempt it.
The Master of Holitch exchanged glances with Natalisha before rising from his seat to speak.
“I reviewed Soltem’s regular report. It says there was an opportunity to obtain her blood while assessing Nina Bones’ physical abilities, but you didn’t take it.”
The Holitch Master clicked his tongue and turned his gaze toward Joel.
“According to the report, there was a moment when Nina Bones briefly lost consciousness. Shouldn’t you have drawn blood then? What is it—did you suddenly develop sympathy?”
“Nina Bones is the most important research subject to me. Sympathy while studying Magical Artifacts? You might as well call me a fool.”
As Joel displayed his displeasure, the Holitch Master cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem. I was merely concerned because I heard rumors that someone has already developed personal sympathy for the target.”
Eyes briefly settled on the Master of Ilite and Cheyson before drifting away.
…….
Cheyson stared at a vanishing point in empty space as if he didn’t understand what was being said.
Joel surveyed those gathered in the conference room with a look of disdain and continued.
“I did attempt to draw blood when she lost consciousness. I simply failed.”
He recalled Nina’s hand deftly striking away whenever he brought the syringe close, even while unconscious.
It was a level of movement that left him uncertain whether three spies combined could even succeed in obtaining her blood.
“But there is something I’d like to request.”
Joel rose from his seat and pulled a pen cap free with his teeth.
“I requested materials about the places where Nina stayed before she became a maid, but I haven’t received them yet. To understand Nina properly, I need access to that information first.”
There was general consensus that they needed to know precisely whether Nina belonged to any organization, what she wanted, and what kind of life she’d lived—only then could they determine how to open the vault.
All of them, that is, except the Master of Ilite.
“Wait. Didn’t we already finish investigating that part? What materials are you talking about?”
“Objective materials were what I needed.”
At Joel’s blunt response, the Master of Ilite and Cheyson shot glares at the Master of Soltem.
“Objective materials? How refreshingly candid of you.”
It was obvious what had happened. Soltem’s Intelligence Agency must have sent spies to investigate without informing Ilite.
“How much longer are you going to be so brazen—”
“We all know each other well enough not to do this. Has Ilite never sent an informant to another nation?”
But when the Master of Soltem shot back, the Master of Ilite’s mouth snapped shut.
Simultaneously, the sharp gaze of the Master of Rujein pierced toward the Master of Ilite.
“You’re quite right. I dislike how Soltem proceeds without warning time and again, but Ilite has nothing to say this time, do they?”
“Wha—what do you mean?”
The Master of Ilite averted his eyes, but the Master of Rujein’s tone grew even colder.
“Why did Ilite’s spies go snooping around the newly discovered Mana Stone mines in Rujein?”
“Well, that is to say…”
The Master of Ilite cast a pleading glance toward the Master of Holitch.
‘You said that once Ilite goes spying, Holitch will follow to do the same!’
…
But the Master of Holitch silently averted his gaze.
There were those who subtly looked down on Rujein as a nation of merchants.
The truth was that people envied Rujein’s wealth, for it was a rich country that gathered the continent’s coin.
That a new Mana Stone mine had been discovered in Rujein was certainly galling for Ilite and Holitch, who lagged somewhat in Magical Engineering advancement.
“Enough. That’s enough. What kind of shameful sight is this with an important task before us? Let’s proceed with what needs to be done.”
The Master of Kibon calmed the restless hall.
Eyes turned one by one toward Joel, who had remained standing all this while.
His previously bored gaze now burned with renewed intensity.
“Then let’s return to the matter of Nina.”
His voice carried a subtle edge of vitality.
“Can we see the objective materials right now?”
“Of course. I think it best if we all review them together here.”
The Master of Soltem gestured to a spy standing in the corner, and a large white screen descended across the wall with a sharp swoosh.
Standing before it was Ryan, a spy of Soltem. He smiled neatly and began to speak.
“As you can see, the Orphanage was an ordinary place. The director’s identity and background were legitimate, and the other aspects were—well, there was nothing different from our initial investigation.”
As Ryan displayed the two investigation records side by side on the screen, the Master of Ilite struck the table with a sharp bang.
“See? I told you we didn’t conduct our investigation carelessly.”
“However, there was something odd about the streets near the Orphanage.”
As a map of the neighborhood where the Orphanage stood appeared on the Screen, the Ilite Master’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Wait, why would the streets…….”
“The area isn’t large, but the entire vicinity connects to the Underworld.”
Ryan tapped a section of the map with his pointer, and it darkened as red arrows materialized across it.
The connections between the shops on the street and the Underworld were displayed in meticulous detail.
“The Underworld? That’s never been mentioned.”
The Holitch Master’s brow furrowed as he turned to face the Ilite Master.
“Well. Why are we all being coy with each other?”
At the Ilite Master’s awkward rejoinder, the others clicked their tongues knowingly.
There was such a thing as fashion in the weapons and intelligence tools developed by Intelligence Agencies.
It wasn’t uncommon for outdated weapons and Magical Artifacts to be sold to the Underworld for disposal.
The Underworld, after all, saw an endless flow of weapons and Magical Artifacts circulating through it.
Knowing which weapons and Magical Artifacts were in use actually made surveillance easier.
Not to mention it was an ancillary source of revenue for the Intelligence Agencies.
“Regardless, if it involved Nina Bones, you should have shared it with us!”
“Why pick on me? Soltem does whatever it pleases all the time!”
“Soltem is sharing information with us right now!”
“You’re sharing information about another country’s affairs!”
The Ilite Master could bear it no longer and shot to his feet with a sharp cry.
“……!”
He then immediately felt his blood run cold, and spun to look at Joel.
Joel shook his head with a dry expression. It meant no mechanism had been attached to the chair today.
Released from the fear that the floor might suddenly open beneath him, the Ilite Master exhaled in relief.
“I hope you’ll exercise appropriate restraint. If you want to sit in an ordinary chair at the next meeting.”
“…….”
Joel’s warning hung in the air, and the Masters’ expressions darkened.
The Soltem Master gestured to Ryan to continue.
“So, was Nina Bones connected to the Underworld after all?”
“She did live as an errand runner on the streets from her time at the Orphanage until she became a servant, but it’s difficult to say she had direct ties to the Underworld.”
Ryan advanced to the next data screen and continued.
“According to our investigation, Nina Bones primarily performed cleaning and delivery errands. The deliveries were sometimes mail, sometimes food, but the locations were rather unusual.”
“Unusual?”
“Yes. Railings, rope ends tied to window frames, rooftops, basements of abandoned houses, the interiors of locked carriages. And…….”
Ryan scratched his head and let out a hollow laugh before adding:
“The counter of a burning gun shop.”
“……Is the gun shop’s name ‘The Burning’?”
When the Kibon Master asked doubtfully, Ryan shook his head firmly and produced photographic evidence.
“No. It was a gun shop that was actively on fire.”
The shop in the photograph was so engulfed in flames that it was nearly impossible to tell what kind of establishment it had been.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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