How to Be Mistaken for a Villain in a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 12

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Zaped
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At the same time Johan was walking through the Transmission Tower Forest, inside the office of the 8th National Gendarmerie Special Task Force Commander…

Intelligence Officer Leticia stood at attention.

It felt like she was back in officer training, but she couldn’t afford to appear unprofessional in front of the new Special Task Force Commander.

Moreover, the new Commander, despite having pulled two all-nighters to get up to speed, claiming, “We need to get a handle on things quickly to settle this chaotic atmosphere,” looked as impeccable and composed as she did upon arrival.

And Leticia?

Even after leaving work early and getting a full night’s sleep, her face was flushed.

She had just finished turning the intelligence department upside down after hearing about last night’s incident from the duty officer.

‘’Someone stole Hoot’s bag? Why wasn’t this reported!’’

‘’B-but, the new Commander told me not to report it! She glared at me like ‘this’…!’’

The new Commander, having barely slept in two days, was calmly reviewing the report.

Yesterday, she had even sent Leticia home, saying, “You must be exhausted from all the hard work. Go home and rest. Don’t answer anyone’s calls.” She was kind, for a Römer, but still a ‘Römer’ nonetheless.

‘Right. This is how she asserts her authority over her subordinates, isn’t it?’

Leticia was from the Elza Autonomous Territory.

Autonomous in name only, it was actually the eastern half of the divided Elza Republic, under Römer control.

Caught between being called “Römer trash” by the Elza people and “second-class citizens” by the Römer people, the only way for her to survive was through her studies.

So she studied relentlessly, built her physical strength, and entered the Elza Eastern Military Academy.

She got into the elite training program, graduated with honors, and was commissioned as an intelligence officer.

Reaching this position through her own merit was her pride and the driving force that allowed her to endure incompetent superiors.

When the war broke out, she became a soldier of Römer, as expected.

And now, she was an occupier and ruler of her own homeland.

At least she wasn’t called “Römer trash” to her face anymore.

There used to be graffiti on the door and windows of her apartment, but even that stopped after the zombie outbreak.

‘Well, I am Elza after all. What did they expect?’

She faced discrimination every day, even when doing the same work.

Her Römer superiors constantly took credit for her achievements.

‘What are you going to do, quit?’

Leticia did what most Elza people would do.

She doubled her workload.

It was the only way to ensure she got what she deserved while letting them take what they wanted.

And she was proven right.

The old geezers were quickly disappearing, but she kept getting promoted.

Now, she was a full-fledged Intelligence Officer.

Such a promotion, especially in peacetime, was truly exceptional.

That’s why Leticia wasn’t angry when she heard about the new Commander.

Although she was a bit annoyed that the new Commander was from a prestigious noble family in Römer, younger than her yet higher in rank, and had a military record shrouded in secrecy, she had learned that life was unfair.

And as expected, after a few uneventful days, the new Commander was finally asserting her authority.

‘’A soldier leaving before completing their mission, how noble. I’ve been up for two days straight, but I guess you slept well? And now you’ve lost the briefcase. This is why Elza people…’’

That was the kind of nagging she had expected.

‘Whether they’re old or young, they’re all the same, these parachuted elites. Prestigious noble family? What good is that? Trash is trash, no matter how you look at it.’

Leticia decided that, since things had come to this, she wouldn’t let her guard down. Standing at attention like a new recruit was part of that.

She couldn’t risk being subjected to petty power plays like, ‘Is that how you report to your superior?’

‘…The Hoot operation was going so well.’

Leticia sighed inwardly.

The Hoot operation was her brainchild.

Target a weak link among the terrorists to bring down the entire organization. But even that plan had gone awry. The briefcase had vanished into thin air.

‘How could my luck be this bad…’

Leticia wanted to give up. Just nod and pretend to listen, then go back to working diligently, drinking her sorrows away, and sleeping.

That was her plan.

Finally, Virginia Helford put down the documents.

“So, Intelligence Officer. What are your thoughts?”

It was, of course, about the briefcase seller.

“Their skills are impressive, their methods cunning and insidious. However, I’ve concluded that they are not affiliated with the Elza Liberation Front.”

“Explain.”

Leticia was indignant at the curt response.

She wanted to scream, “It’s all in the report, you imbecile!” But as an elite officer, she kept her composure.

“Objectively speaking, the capabilities of the briefcase courier, ‘Hoot,’ are exceptional.

Mini Bell Village is the deepest, most insignificant human unprotected zone.

Yet, Hoot managed to traverse the human unprotected zone for an entire week and reach the destination without getting infected.

It’s true that Hoot has recently shown signs of instability.

That’s why even the Elza Liberation Front was keeping an eye on him.

However, it was merely ‘concern’ for a long-time comrade, not ‘surveillance’ due to doubts about his mission capabilities or the possibility of betrayal.

Therefore, the likelihood of them assigning a watcher or tracker is low.”

“Go on.”

“If they truly doubted Hoot’s capabilities, they would have sent someone else.

But Hans, the leader of the branch, didn’t.

He simply entrusted Hoot with the task.

Considering these factors, the possibility of the briefcase seller, V, being ‘an operative dispatched by Hans as a contingency in case Hoot betrayed them’ is slim.”

A brief silence followed.

Virginia sighed.

“…If that’s all, then I’m deeply disappointed.”

For someone who claimed to be disappointed, her expression remained unchanged.

It was as if she was talking about something completely unrelated. Leticia’s blood boiled, but she remained composed.

“If there’s anything lacking in my report, I’ll immediately supplement it…!”

The fact that she didn’t bite her tongue proved she was truly elite.

Even when Virginia Helford tilted her head slightly and glared at her with those eyes, she held on.

Flowing silver-blonde hair.

Pale skin.

Violet eyes that seemed to draw you in.

A golden smile framed by the shadowed window.

Her sharp snake eyes were further accentuated by the black lipstick she wore.

She truly resembled a venomous snake.

‘’Who? Virginia Helford? Ah, the White Viper? Her reputation precedes her. Calmly insane, they say. They say you won’t find a woman as ruthless, even in the capital.’’

‘’Have you heard the rumors? They say that when she was little, she was bitten by a viper released by an assassin. But instead of panicking, she bit the viper’s head off and chewed it to pieces. And then she overcame the deadly venom. They say her white hair, pale skin, and violet eyes are a result of that.’’

Leticia had assumed she was just another ill-tempered noblewoman.

But she was wrong.

The person before her was a true ‘viper.’

A predator raised from birth to rule.

A noble who had clawed her way to the top, devouring her own kind.

Virginia finally released her grip on the conversation.

Leticia gasped for air, grateful for the oxygen.

“Intelligence Officer. Time is our greatest asset. Even more so now, with the epidemic spreading.

So, I’d prefer it if you didn’t waste it by reciting your meticulously crafted report. I haven’t aged so much that I’ve forgotten what I just read. I am younger than you, am I not?”

“My apologies. I’ll correct that.”

“However, this time, I’ll let it slide, considering you’ve likely developed bad habits from working under incompetent superiors who can’t even read. And when I asked for your ‘thoughts,’ I meant the thoughts not explicitly stated in this report.”

“…?”

Leticia looked at Virginia with a puzzled expression.

Fortunately, the new Special Task Force Commander elaborated.

“New information might have come to light since you wrote it. You might have had ideas that didn’t occur to you at the time. Or perhaps there are things you couldn’t include because of potential repercussions.

These are things you can’t put in an official document, but I want you to tell me the analysis you’ve accumulated through your experience.

Even if it’s just a hunch with flimsy evidence, I don’t mind.

Tell me every possible scenario, every prediction, every possibility. Even if it’s a stretch, as long as it’s plausible.”

Leticia was taken aback.

It was true, there were things… but voicing them out loud would be grounds for execution.

‘But can I really say it? To someone who has been indoctrinated since childhood with familial piety, national loyalty, and obedience to the military?’

Leticia hesitated.

Anyone could see the conflicted expression on her face as she struggled to hold back her words.

She would never have dared to speak up before, but Virginia was looking at her ‘like that,’ and she couldn’t maintain her composure any longer.

Fortunately, Virginia didn’t stare at her struggling subordinate. Instead, she scoffed.

“…Intelligence Officer Leticia. Have you become complacent from working under incompetent superiors? I heard you were a graduate of the Elza Eastern Military Academy’s elite officer program, carefully nurtured by Römer. Am I mistaken?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Then what’s with the hesitation? Are you trying to come up with an excuse because you were caught off guard? Or are you holding back because you think I’m no different from your previous superiors?”

Leticia’s blood boiled again.

She clenched her jaw and made up her mind.

“I believe there’s a possibility of an information leak from our higher-ups.”

Virginia stared at Leticia with a frown.

Leticia waited.

“And?”

This time, feeling her emotions about to spill over, Leticia paused.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“Of course you don’t. Because you’re lying.”

“Commander. I request you retract that statement.”

Leticia’s face hardened.

She could endure being called incompetent.

It was something she had heard constantly from her previous superiors.

She had even grown accustomed to being called a “stupid Elza bitch.”

But a liar?

“I admit there were times when I submitted flawed reports due to my lack of capabilities. There were also times when I made incorrect deductions based on insufficient information. However, I can confidently say that I have served faithfully in all situations. I have never once submitted a report knowing it to be false.”

“Is that so?”

For some reason, Virginia’s smirk only widened.

Indignation welled up in her throat, but Leticia fought to remain steady.

“If you believe I’m unfit for the position of Intelligence Officer, then please relieve me of my duties. I will serve loyally wherever I’m placed. However, that does not mean I will admit to a crime I did not commit. I did not lie.”

Virginia snorted.

She even started tapping her fingers on the desk impatiently.

“Of course you’d say that. You’re deceiving yourself right now. The lie has become so ingrained that you don’t even realize you’re lying. I can see it plain as day, but I suppose it’s invisible to you?”

Bang!

Virginia slammed her palm down on the stack of documents.

“I’ve spent the entire night reviewing your entire service record, every operation you’ve participated in, every report you’ve submitted, every analysis, every plan. I can see why you excelled in the next-generation elite officer training program.

Even in our homeland, it’s rare to find someone who can devise such proactive, bold, and feasible operations. It’s just strange that none of them were ever implemented. I suppose it’s because you were stuck with incompetent old fools as your superiors?”

“Even the approval of your ‘Weak Link Strategy,’ the proposal to psychologically target and neutralize ‘Hoot,’ a high-ranking member of the Elza Liberation Front who was emotionally vulnerable, was nothing short of a miracle.

It was just one of the many proposals your predecessor blindly approved because he was facing an audit for dereliction of duty and sexual misconduct. He was a worthless fool, but he was lucky to have you as a subordinate. In the end, you prevented a terrorist attack.”

Leticia was confused.

She couldn’t tell if Virginia was trying to praise her or if she was dangling her over a cliff before pushing her off.

Virginia continued in an icy voice.

“The military’s principles haven’t changed much since the war. ‘Move according to plan, but never miss an opportunity to gain ground. Act decisively, make courageous decisions, and think strategically.’’

Your Weak Link Strategy proposal embodied all of these principles. If your superiors were even slightly more competent, no, even if they were just average commanders, you would have achieved far greater results. I’m not trying to downplay your accomplishments. That would be unfair. You deserve to be recognized for your work.”

‘What’s the problem then?’

She wanted to grab Virginia by the collar and demand an explanation.

Virginia picked up her cigarette case, then tossed it back on the desk.

She brushed aside her bangs, her violet eyes glinting dangerously in the shadows.

“But you’re missing something. Something crucial, something decisive, something you absolutely need. That’s why I concluded that you’re lying to yourself and to me. What do you think it is?”

“I only achieved half the desired outcome.”

“No, not that. What else?”

It felt like she was being tutored.

As if Virginia was saying, ‘You’re old enough, start using your brain!’

“…I apologize. I don’t know.”

“Intelligence Officer.”

Now she was speaking in a tone one would use to soothe a child.

“Intelligence Officer Leticia. You know I’m not asking to hear that. The ‘Weak Link Strategy’ wasn’t just another assignment for you.

It was a plan you meticulously crafted, considering every aspect, from analysis to feasibility, based on your own judgment. Just like all those other brilliant proposals that were ignored.

But someone with your capabilities, someone who should possess this essential quality… I can’t understand how you can’t see it. You really don’t know? Do I have to spell it out for you?”

“I failed to anticipate unforeseen circumstances. I never imagined someone would intercept the briefcase.”

Leticia faltered as she finished her sentence.

A strange glint flickered in Virginia’s eyes.

Leticia felt a chill run down her spine, but she couldn’t look away.

It was like hypnosis.

A beautiful, swirling serpent seemed to dance within those violet depths.

But this was far more dangerous.

Virginia leaned forward, her voice a low hiss, like a snake tasting the air.

“Aren’t you angry?”

“…Angry, ma’am?”

The eyes are the window to the soul.

A strange color flickered in Virginia’s gaze.

Courage?

Wisdom?

Greed?

No.

Madness.

Leticia realized.

Those were the eyes of a madwoman.

Eyes she should have recognized and avoided the moment she saw them.

“You’re not angry? You need me to teach you about anger, about rage? I was so furious last night that I couldn’t sleep a wink.

I kept imagining how devastated you must be, how utterly enraged you must be that some bastard dared to steal what was rightfully yours. Even I, reading the report, could feel my blood boil!”

Virginia slammed her fists on the desk.

The sound of thunder ripped through the room as the desk buckled under the force.

It was a steel desk, yet it caved under her fists.

Blood trickled down her hand from the torn skin, but her expression remained unchanged.

“A-are you alright, Commander? Y-your hand… we need to get that treated…”

“‘Angry, ma’am?’ Is that what you said? You don’t even know what it means? And yet you dare to ask if you can be ‘honest’? Don’t be ridiculous!

You, who acts so indifferent, so resigned, like it’s someone else’s problem when something you built is stolen, you dare talk about honesty? And you expect me to believe you?

You should be fuming! You should be spitting fire! You should be ready to tear down the heavens themselves to get back what was taken from you! But instead, you stand there, acting like a clueless fool who just learned about this travesty this morning, and you’re worried about my ‘hand’? I’m talking about your work, Leticia! Your achievements!

Do you enjoy being robbed blind? Is this what you learned as an Elza slave? To bow down and offer everything you’ve worked for to your betters? To live a life devoid of ambition and desire?”

“No, ma’am!”

Leticia’s ample bosom heaved.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

A wave of delayed resentment, suppressed for so long she hadn’t even realized it was there, washed over her.

She bit her lip, afraid she might break down if she let go.

“Intelligence Officer Leticia. Are you an Elza, or are you a Römer!”

“I-I…!”

“Speak up! Don’t mumble!”

“I am a Römer!”

“And are Römer masters, or are they slaves!”

“Masters!”

“Then act like it!”

Virginia shot to her feet, slamming her fists down on the desk once more.

This time, the legs buckled, sending the mangled metal top crashing to the floor.

There was a commotion outside.

It seemed the noise had attracted an audience.

But no one dared to open the door and enter.

“I don’t care where you were born, what kind of education you received, or who your parents are! It doesn’t matter if you were once a master or a slave! Act like a master, and even a slave can rise to the top. Act like a slave, and you’ll never be worthy of being a master!

Leticia, Intelligence Officer Leticia! Find them. Find the bastards who dared to steal from you and tear them apart. I don’t care if they’re from another government agency, foreign spies, information brokers, or even from some high-and-mighty senator’s family.

Never let anyone take what’s yours ever again, Leticia! Not even me! Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Then go find them! Find them, report back to me, and bring them to me. I’ll tear them apart with my bare hands and toss their remains to the zombies! Now get out of my sight! Every second counts!”

Leticia stormed out of the office, practically kicking the door down.

The soldiers and officers crowding the hallway parted like the Red Sea.

But none of them dared to speak to her, nor did anyone move to clean up the wreckage of the desk.

“How dare they…”

Virginia lit a cigarette with her bloodied hand, her gaze fixed on the window.

‘The briefcase seller.’

She already knew who it was.

This was the work of someone within the government.

Anyone who dared to touch the Gendarmerie, anyone who dared to interfere with the sacred duty bestowed upon them by the Parliament, would be eradicated.

Someone from another government agency within the Römer Republic.

Someone trying to steal the Gendarmerie’s thunder.

It had to be them.

There was no one else it could be.

How else could they have intercepted the briefcase based on information that was only reported internally?

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