Everyone but Me Is a Spy - Chapter 37
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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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Chapter 37
Holitsch’s Master was astonished to learn that Nina had been merely fourteen years old at the time.
“So she picked the lock on a sealed carriage door, pushed through the flames of a gun shop fire, and made deliveries—all as a child?”
“The reviews praising her delivery skills suggest that was indeed the case.”
Ryan nodded as he answered, then glanced toward Joel as if inviting him to add his thoughts.
Joel distributed materials to the assembled spies as he spoke.
“I’ve analyzed Nina’s Physical Ability, and…… it does seem possible for her to have accomplished such feats.”
With each page Joel handed out, the spies fell silent in shock.
Her frame appeared ordinary and slender at first glance—yet how could such measurements of muscular strength and elasticity be possible?
And her Dynamic Visual Acuity, Quick Reflexes, and Reflex Nerves were equally extraordinary.
Even the finest spy couldn’t have produced such records. Not even Rikita Bonz herself.
But there were no signs of human experimentation.
Joel, reading the confusion in their faces, continued.
“We’ve learned something of the environment in which Nina grew up, but there are aspects that cannot be explained by that alone. We’ve reached the point where we must dig into something more fundamental.”
“More fundamental in what sense?”
Joel answered Rujane’s Master with a grave tone.
“Where Nina was born, and who her biological mother was.”
…….
An awkward silence settled over the conference room.
“Hasn’t every nation already conducted a thorough investigation? They found nothing.”
Kibon’s Master spoke those words, yet his expression betrayed doubt as he studied the other Masters’ faces.
The others wore similar discomfort.
Joel sighed and slapped his documents down on the table.
“Is it not suspicious that five nations’ Intelligence Agencies have launched investigations with no results to show for it? I thought we were trained to dig precisely into such anomalies.”
“Well, that much is true, but……”
The Masters didn’t deny his words, but they averted their eyes as though an unwelcome topic had been exposed.
In truth, Nina Bonz’s true identity no longer mattered to them.
Count Sezak’s faction, likely remnants of a defeated nation, was concerning, but in the broader view it was an internal matter of the Ilite Kingdom.
Suppressing the remnants was important, so they’d maintain the coalition—but couldn’t that be resolved in one stroke with the hidden information Rikita possessed?
At some point, the Masters of the Intelligence Agencies had come to view Rikita’s information as a panacea.
The contents of the safe felt both as tantalizing as they were dangerous, fueling equal measures of curiosity and anticipation.
Yet now that Joel had raised the issue directly, they couldn’t ignore it.
In the end, they decided to conduct another investigation into Nina’s exact origins and biological mother.
After further discussion regarding the operation itself, the meeting finally concluded.
No sooner had the full session ended than individual national meetings began.
“Well then, I’ll be off. As for Cheyson’s treatment, Ilite will handle what needs handling—no need for the rest of you to concern yourselves.”
The Ilite Master departed the conference room first, taking Cheyson with him.
Though the Ilite spies appeared to disperse by carriage, they gathered in secret on the outskirts of Soltem.
“So, what did you find out?”
At the Ilite Master’s question, Cheyson produced a report from his pocket and handed it over.
“Small items from the Townhouse have gone missing, and we cannot determine their whereabouts.”
“Nina seemed to have destroyed items within the house at will.”
“I instructed the servants not to discard a single shard, yet some things have vanished.”
The Master’s expression visibly hardened.
“Are you saying someone has laid hands on Rikita’s Inheritance?”
“If even a single jewel from the Chandelier counts as part of Rikita’s Inheritance, then yes.”
“Who do you suspect?”
Cheyson handed the Master a grainy photograph.
“Late at night, I saw someone slip out through a window alone—it was Natalisha from Holitsch.”
The photograph showed Natalisha descending a rope knotted to the window frame.
Looking more closely, a single pigeon hung from the opposite railing, watching her descent.
Both men shuddered and frowned simultaneously.
“Those Soltem operatives. They’ve already caught wind of Natalisha’s suspicious activity.”
The Master clicked his tongue, then continued his questioning.
“Was she acting alone?”
“By all accounts, yes.”
“We’ll hold off for now. Keep close watch.”
“Understood.”
“And I must also address that chronic problem of yours.”
…….
Cheyson’s eyes flickered with the thought that what was coming had arrived.
While he was being thoroughly berated by the Master to the point of bleeding from his ears, several other clandestine meetings were unfolding not far away, each in their own corner.
Spies from Holitsch, Rujane, Kibon, and Soltem.
Though they were all cooperating to gather intelligence on Rikita, they remained rival nations nonetheless.
Even if there were moments when they had to yield to Nina and Jugger Number Four, they were all professional spies.
They were methodically carrying out their assignments to surveil one another, knowingly or not. They were all prepared to shed blood if circumstances demanded it.
Since they weren’t a real family, there was no reason to expect that a quarrel followed by reconciliation would make them any closer.
Besides, it wasn’t a “real” reconciliation to begin with.
Nina’s fake family members sat in their separate locations, each steeling themselves.
‘Just wait and see. I’ll strip information not just from Nina, but from every other spy as well.’
* * *
The next day.
After much deliberation over the shocking sum of wealth that had come into her possession, Nina finally hit upon a brilliant idea.
‘Since they said I’m free to do as I please with the inheritance, I suppose it’d be best to entrust this fortune to an elder of the family, after all?’
Nina lifted her head, pleased with herself and grinning broadly.
But first, there was something she needed to do.
“Have we arrived?”
“Yes, we have.”
At the Coachman’s reply, Nina opened the carriage door and stepped out.
She’d set out early in the morning by carriage for one purpose: to visit the bank.
Unlike the bright street lined with dessert shops, the view before her was a square of solid, imposing buildings.
Nina swallowed nervously and stepped into the bank.
“Wow…….”
The enormous chandelier hanging from the high ceiling shimmered with a blue glow—surely a magical artifact concealing a surveillance camera.
The marble floor beneath her feet also had blue circuitry woven through it, which appeared to be for security as well.
With guards stationed throughout, it was a building that inspired such trust that one dare not attempt anything improper for fear of immediate apprehension.
‘Soltem’s banks are impressively large and sturdy. It’s no wonder other nations keep their important funds here.’
As Nina wandered about with wide eyes, a bank employee approached her with a smile.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
“Oh, hello! I’d like to open an account and make a transfer.”
“Please, this way.”
Nina followed the employee into a small office.
Surveillance cameras and recording devices were openly installed there.
Unfamiliar with such an environment, Nina felt somewhat intimidated and opened her mouth cautiously.
“I’ve inherited an inheritance.”
“Ah, Miss Bonz?”
Miss Bonz.
Since that form of address was new to her, Nina didn’t immediately realize they were referring to her and stumbled over her words.
“Nina Bonz, is it not?”
“Oh! Yes, that’s right. I’m Nina Bonz.”
Nina laughed sheepishly as understanding dawned on her.
“When you open my account, could you transfer equal portions into these accounts under these names?”
She then produced the notarized documents from Phloven, the will executor, along with her family members’ names.
The employee examined them carefully, then spoke with a professional smile.
“Miss Bonz, I’m afraid I’m unable to assist you with any of the services you’ve requested.”
“What? Why……?”
The employee placed the documents she’d given him back in front of her and continued.
“We can only process transfers if we have the exact account number.”
“Ah, I see.”
Nina accepted this and nodded, but immediately grew puzzled again.
“Then why can’t I open my own account? I’ve heard that Soltem Bank allows account creation even for those from foreign nations?”
The employee folded his hands neatly on the desk and replied.
“It is our policy that we cannot open multiple accounts under the same name.”
“Multiple accounts?”
“An account under the name Nina Bonz already exists at our bank.”
“……?”
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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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