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I explained Barbara’s identity to Giselle.
Barbara is a spy that the Empire has been preparing for over a decade. A talent prepared to look into the inside of Nemesis. Antisocial but conforming to the Empire, she is a being with a madness but a shining sense of reason.
“… … That’s Barbara. That’s why even Nemesis couldn’t guess that Barbara was a spy for the Empire. Anyone can see that she’s a crazy witch who fits the description of a terrorist.”
I’m done talking.
Even Giselle, who had made up her mind, changed her expression several times. Anxiety, nervousness, anger… … and betrayal. I could clearly see her emotions.
“My father knew about the Academy’s work from long ago. Even though he knew that I was suffering so much… … .”
“I had no choice but to watch. Barbara was a spy that the Empire had carefully prepared. If the Empire’s upper echelons were hovering around Barbara, Nemesis wouldn’t have taken her.”
Giselle will understand this in her head.
“It was because the Empire was watching that Barbara was able to play with the Kratzia Academy. Now I understand. Barbara was a ‘Trojan Horse’.”
Giselle’s fingers were restless, as if expressing her anxiety. The more she listened to the story, the more her dissatisfaction and curiosity grew.
“The more you dig and look into the bottom, the more questions you will have, and the more anxious and fearful you will be, the more you will not be able to dispel. I cannot give you a clear answer either.”
I spoke as if I was reading Giselle’s mind. If it was something that could be explained, I would have said it long ago.
“And why is Barbara so obsessed with me?”
“You have to figure that out, Giselle. There must be a reason for your past actions. Or maybe Barbara is just crazy. There is no rational reason for a madman’s actions.”
Giselle reached for the glass of water on the table. She moistened her dry lips and quietly closed her eyes.
“I’m scared of Barbara, Luca. I can’t even understand her. I don’t even know if she likes me or hates me.”
I don’t think it’s hate. I know it because I’m a twisted human being. Barbara expresses kindness and affection in a twisted way. Hmm, I guess I don’t have to say what I think.
Giselle opened her eyes and took out her terminal. The holographic screen showed the network ID input.
“Do you think you can negotiate with Barbara?”
Giselle said, typing with her pupils’ gaze.
“Barbara is crazy, but in the end, she always acts rationally. That’s what makes it even more bizarre. If she thinks it’s profitable, she’ll take my deal.”
“Is this deal really beneficial to your father and your family?”
Giselle, who had finished entering her ID, hesitated to log in and asked.
“Let me put it simply. Father and the Custoria family are in danger right now. Father, Heilas may not return to us alive.”
“It seems that it was true that you were in conflict with the royal family… … .”
Giselle must have heard it somewhere too.
I nodded and looked at the holographic screen. Giselle nodded softly and connected to the network.
* * *
Networks and electronic warfare are not my specialty or interest, but I do know the classification and organization of the Imperial Network.
Lower-level networks that even the lower class can access. Free networks operated by private companies. And most of the data was polluted and low-quality information.
The lower network is cheap because it is shared by the Empire and is used by the lower class, but there is virtually no concept of security. Terminals with low security levels are infested with viruses just by connecting.
The general upper class of the empire uses private networks managed independently by institutions, companies, and families, such as the internal network of the Royal Guard. They are used by members of each group and are safe and reliable as they contain carefully selected information and data.
‘Instead, it is always under the censorship and surveillance of a higher authority.’
And there is a top-level network managed by the Imperial Family. Only high-ranking officials and the highest echelons have access and access. The network I access as the Emperor’s Watcher is also a top-level network.
‘Lower, inner, upper.’
The general public divides them into three categories, but I heard that electronic warfare experts like hackers divide them more complexly. In the first place, those electrical men also bypassed the servers of alien races and accessed the servers and networks of Korra and Bellato. Well, I have no interest in that world and it is difficult for me to understand it.
“Giselle will always be tracking you on the network.”
I spoke as I stood next to Giselle. Giselle sat manipulating the holographic screen.
“I know. That’s why I’ve never logged into the network with my ID.”
We looked at the holographic screen.
As soon as I connected to the public subnetwork, the firewall kicked in. The terminal’s security firewall was removing hundreds of viruses and illegal programs. It was literally burning them.
Beep, beep! Beep beep beep beep!
As soon as I logged on, a ton of alarms started ringing.
-If there is any misunderstanding, please tell me.
-We’re friends.
-I protected you! Why don’t you understand that?
-Connect, connect, connect, connect, connect, connect… … .
The sender of the messages was different each time, but anyone could tell that they were all from Barbara.
At first glance, hundreds of messages were overlapping and filling up the screen. No matter what trick they used, it was impossible to remove them all at once.
I had to press each message one by one to remove them all. This meant that I had to close my eyes to see them.
-Don’t trust Lucas Custoria.
I flinched. And the message that followed was a sight to behold.
-Luka is a pervert who rolls around with guys in the back alleys! I saw it. This is proof!
A composite image of the doctored image came to mind. It was a horrible scene. Someone with my face was doing something I didn’t want to explain.
“… … It’s fake?”
Giselle asked, looking back and forth between the photo and me. I hoped the strange blush on her cheeks was my imagination.
“Of course. Are you kidding me?”
I answered with a frown.
-Hehehe, Giselle. It was nice to see your face after so long. You’re still lovely.
The message has become closer recently.
-Ilay Kartika? Are you in your right mind? Marrying that piece of trash? Are you lying?
-Giselle? Giselle? Giselle? Giselle? Giselle? Giselle? Giselle? Giselle?
-Why can’t I see you? What have you done?
There was an angry message. It seemed that stalking had become difficult thanks to Heilas’s actions. Heilas also continued to protect Giselle in his own way.
-I suddenly felt scared, and even thought that I might hate you. So call me, Giselle. Right now!
Even if the higher-ups censored him, he was just seen as a common, malicious stalker. In reality, he was indeed a stalker.
-The season of storms is coming, take care. Don’t worry, I’m fine too.
——————
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After this message, there was no contact for a long time.
‘Barbara must be quite busy, since she’s inside Nemesis too.’
If the Empire’s intentions are to be followed, Barbara will also be holding important positions on Nemesis.
Beep.
And a new message emerged.
-Giselle! Please, answer me. I’m having a hard time these days. Talk to me like you used to. Please, please, please! Don’t run away. I won’t treat you badly.
I thought I heard a voice. I bent down and placed my hands on the table.
“I’ll speak for you.”
I pulled the holographic interface towards me.
-long time no see.
Send a message. And get a reply right away.
-Who are you? Who are you to use Giselle’s ID? I will find you and kill you. You are not in the same bed, are you? No, Giselle. You are my goddess! Goddesses must be pure!
-Don’t worry about that, I’m a pervert who sleeps around with men. I guarantee Giselle’s chastity.
Giselle glanced at me after seeing the message and pinched my side. Hmm, I think I got a bruise.
Beep.
The message contained no text. Instead, it contained a strange code. The terminal interpreted the code as an external network gateway.
We brought an old, unused terminal and entered the code. This was also a bit unsettling. Contacting Barbara on the network was extremely dangerous. The other world was Barbara’s battlefield.
In reality, it would take me less than a second to snap Barbara’s neck. But on the network, it’s the opposite. If I have even a small security vulnerability, Barbara will wipe out our terminal in a second.
Wheeing!
The old terminal was interpreting the code. Although it was old, it was a high-end model and the firewall was quite strong. Since no viruses were detected, I was able to feel safe for the time being.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen these letters.”
I muttered as I looked at the screen. Strange letters that I had never seen before continued for a long time. The letters, connected by dots and lines, were extremely strange.
“It’s Tajirun’s text. It looks like they borrowed Tajirun’s server to bypass it. They’re so rich that they probably wouldn’t give it to me for just a few pennies… … ”
Giselle, who recognized the letters before me, said.
… … Tajirun, honestly, it was an unfamiliar word. I racked my brain to remember learning. It felt like taking out a dusty book from the corner of an old warehouse.
‘The Tajirun of commerce.’
I finally remembered.
There is a race called the Tajirun. They look like snakes, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire race is engaged in trade and commerce.
If the Equusians were a mercenary race, the Tajirun were a merchant race. As a soldier, information is of little importance to me. As a merchant race, all I know is that they are cunning and cowardly.
-This network only lasts five minutes even if I spend all my personal money on it. If you have something to say, tell me quickly, Luca. If you call me for something unimportant, you’ll regret it.
-I want to trade.
– Haha, the situation is different from last time. Back then, I was captured by you, so I just cooperated. Here, I am stronger than you. I am in a superior position. There is no reason to deal. So hurry up and seduce me.
I quickly moved my fingers to put the words together. I didn’t know when Barbara would disappear.
-I have Noel Mulizka’s records in the form of virtual simulation data. If you convert them to a modern format, I’ll give them to you. It’ll definitely be helpful.
Barbara didn’t respond right away to Noel Mulizka’s words.
“Noel?”
Giselle tilted her head and asked in return.
The Empire does not teach Noel Mulizka intentionally. It was natural for him to be unfamiliar.
Even if you search for Noel separately, only brief information about him being the leader of the rebellion comes up.
-This is interesting. Who are you? Are you one of my kind?
-That’s none of your business. I’ll tell you in person.
-There’s a condition. Giselle must come too.
I glanced at Giselle. She nodded, placing her palm on the back of my hand.
We’ve set a time and place. Barbara will show up in an unexpected way. She’s now a full-body prosthesis.
The call with Barbara ended. Barbara grumbled that she had spent half of her savings.
“Luka, can you promise me one thing?”
“I can’t make any promises until I know the details.”
“When this storm passes, tell me everything you’ve been through. I’m ready to take it, whatever it may be.”
I can’t say. My silence is denial.
Ssuk.
Giselle released her hand from my grasp. I flinched at my finger and clenched it into a fist.
“I will be faithful to my role, but know this. I am not an obedient mother. I cannot love someone who does not open up to me until the end.”
I still don’t know Noel’s choices and struggles. But I think I know Heilas’ struggles.
It’s hard to play two roles at the same time, whether you’re a head of household and a father, or a watcher and a lover. If you’re faithful to one, you’re bound to neglect the other.
I will understand Heila’s feelings clearly.
… … If you want to protect something, you have to be hated.
