Spies in the evil organization (2)

"Then No.17."

"Yes."

Slightly different from the normal routine, where I could lose my life at any time.

And the beautiful woman in charge of that daily routine is none other than one of the core departments of the organization, the Intelligence Agency's vice-director.

"I shall begin the questioning."

Just what will happen if it's discovered that I'm the daughter of the Nermia family?

I could become a tool for the organization using brainwashing magic, a hostage or even outright executed as an example.

And so. Using everything I have, I need to pass this test.

The moment I made my resolve, the gentle smile immediately turned to a frigid gaze, and a truly unexpected question drove in.

"Is your preference an older man, or younger."

"Eh?"

My mind blanked out for a moment but I immediately snapped to attention. Just what on earth would an evil organization need to ask this question for?

Wait, this question is designed to make the opponent let their guard down!

They'd probably get the information out of me while I hesitate and waffle. In that case I should answer normally.

"I prefer older men."

Chill.

I felt bloodthirst all of a sudden. Was it something I said?

But, younger than fourteen is a literal child. Although my age is one where it wouldn't be odd for me to be treated as a child, but even younger than that, that's an age where you have to wonder if they even understand the concept of dating.

"Really now. Minus marks."

"Wait! On what grounds?!"

She's writing something down with a serious expression. Is this also to bait us?!

"Very well. I shall ask you additional questions on the previous. How much older do you feel is acceptable to you?"

But even as she moved onto the next question her eyes were still dead serious.

"If it's older… Around five years or so?"

That should be alright. If it's too much then it's weird. She nodded as if my answer this time was satisfactory, and undid my minus marks.

It's surely just my imagination that I thought I heard "thank goodness I don't have to kill you," in a small voice right? Right?

"Now then, tell me why."

"Mmm… To be honest, younger than me at my age is too young, and too old is a bit awkward, or a poor match…"

Even as I wonder why I'm being asked these questions I keep answering.

I have no idea what's in her mind.

As expected of the Empire's worst evil organization, is it still too difficult to handle with my skills!

"Is that so. Very good. Excellent."

As I diligently explained my preferences for slightly older men, the woman in front of me nodded with a very satisfied expression.

To be honest, I seriously wondered whether I'd been overthinking this way too much and she actually was just questioning me on my preferences.

"And, it's a bit meh if you're talking about middle-aged men."

"And what's wrong with middle-aged men?"

Why the heck am I feeling bloodthirst from this?! What the heck did I do wrong this time?!

It's scary! Too scary!

"Eh? Th, that, the age difference…"

What was it? Where did I go wrong?

This is normal, isn't it?

Liking middle aged men at the age of fourteen is something only for abnormal kids with a father complex or something, right?

"The passion of twenties' is bravado. That is, men's bravado to risk their lives for even a slightly cuter girl. They are creatures that believe that women will flock to them if they show off looking a little bit better. Compared to that, middle age is different.

"They have seen the world and experienced many things and trained themselves. Of course, there are trash that have never moved on and are still lusting after women, but will aged. Yes, that's a good expression. Aged. You don't called a cheap wine aged simply because you leave it alone for a long time. Fine wine, and its process of being made better. That is aging."

This woman, she's monologuing and answering herself.

As if she liked the aging metaphor, her nodding head and satisfied expression made me unable to believe that this woman was the supposed genius who took the seat of the vice-director of the Intelligence Agency, one of the cornerstones of the organization, at such a young age.

"A handsome middle-aged man's wrinkles are like a the rings of a tree that leaves marks on the body with age, and a handsome middle-aged man's white hairs, are a sign of years of overcoming difficulties and struggles."

At her words which were veering more to simple praising of middle-aged men, I can't tell whether this is simply her personal preference or an actual ruse to let my guard down.

My instinct is screaming it's the former, while my head is saying it's the latter.

"Now that you put it like that, I think middle-aged men have their own charms."

An affirmative response that I tossed out without thinking from my complicated head. But it was a poor choice.

"Do you want to die?"

"Eh?"

"Is this a declaration of war? Just what are you implying by saying that you are feeling the charm of middle age right to my face?"

"Eh? That's not… I was just saying that middle aged men have their own charms after listening to vice-director…"

"Yes, that goes without saying. But, you should not approach feeling those charms."

What does she want from me?!

And even to not approach even if I feel the charms of middle aged men, all my training is done internally so the only one around me is… Eh…? Surely?

"By any chance, do you like the instructor?"

At that moment, I said the hypothesis that struck my head hard.

"Yes. I do?"

She answered immediately?!

This woman, she's serious! Then does that mean that it wasn't just my imagination that she said she'd kill me?! Then!

"On the gods and my soul, even if I ever aim for middle-aged men, the person of my affections will never be the instructor."

"Then sign here."

As I finished speaking the words that instinctively came out of my mouth to preserve my life, she pushed something over as if she was waiting for it.

It's a piece of paper, but it's shining. Plus in the same colour of the stone plate that the instructor used to scam the archdevil… That's can't be a-

"A Geass Roll?"

"Didn't you say you could swear by the gods?"

Her smiling face as she pushed the contract in front of me, seemed like death awaited me if I didn't.

Seriously, although I respect him as a magician, but as a romance target, the instructor is an out.

"Where do I sign?"

The moment I signed with a smile marked the end of my questioning.

Mm. This organization. Even if the Empire doesn't take a crack at it it'll probably fall soon enough.