At Ahmad’s sudden visit, I sprang up from my seat and walked toward the entrance.
“What brings you all the way here, General?”
“Let’s talk inside first.”
“Please, co in.”
Ahmad turned ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) to the rcenaries who had accompanied him for protection and gave them an order.
“You all wait out here.”
Ahmad stepped forward, and the rcenaries closed the door behind him.
He looked around the room as he entered and said,
“They said this was the best hotel in Kabul, but it doesn’t look too impressive.”
“Haha, this is more than enough for .”
“I’m glad you’re not a picky man, Mr. Kim. Anyway, I’d like to speak with you alone...”
He glanced at Igor and Manager Ma.
If he wanted even my bodyguards sent out, it must be sothing serious.
“Hmm... is it an important matter?”
“Yes.”
“These two are people I trust completely. Even if we speak alone, I’ll be sharing everything with them afterward.”
A brief flash of emotion passed through Ahmad’s eyes but disappeared just as quickly. After a short mont of thought, he nodded.
“Very well.”
“Please wait just a mont, then.”
I turned around.
Manager Ma and Igor waited calmly for my command, showing no reaction even as Ahmad ntioned them.
“Manager Ma, please make two cups of coffee. Igor, turn on the anti-eavesdropping signal.”
“Anti-eavesdropping signal? You have sothing like that?”
Ahmad looked surprised. I smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
Igor pulled a tal case out from under the bed and opened it.
Inside was a full set of anti-surveillance equipnt. He flipped a switch with practiced ease.
“That switch blocks all external listening devices.”
“Oh! I didn’t know such machines existed... I envy you.”
Ahmad glanced at the device with open interest.
Right, I’d heard the Aricans were monitoring him.
“Take it with you when you leave. You’ll find it far more useful than I will.”
“Are you sure?”
“I can always get another.”
Looking satisfied, Ahmad shifted his gaze away from the device.
“Let’s sit.”
We sat facing each other at the table.
“So, what brings you all the way here? If you’d called, I would’ve co to you.”
“There’s sothing I needed to discuss privately. I believe...”
He trailed off, but it was clear he knew he was being watched.
“Nothing said here will leak anywhere. Please, go on.”
“Our conversation yesterday has already reached the Aricans and the British.”
“The CIA ca to see just now. They already knew what we discussed.”
“As expected.”
Ahmad didn’t look pleased in the least.
“Mr. Kim, I’ve already made up my mind. No matter what the U.S. or U.K. try, I’ll keep my promise to you. Can you do the sa?”
“Yes. I’m a businessman, General. Trust is what matters most to . Whatever pressure may co, I’ll keep my word to you.”
“Good to hear.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I ca to discuss my son’s study abroad, the topic we talked about yesterday.”
“Have you decided?”
Ahmad nodded firmly.
“I’ll be sending my eldest son, Ahmad, and also my daughter, Fatima.”
“Your daughter as well?”
I asked, surprised.
“I believe won should learn, too. I’m not saying n and won must be treated the sa, but education should never be denied.”
In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, won couldn’t receive proper education, much less hold jobs.
The Taliban’s hardline religious policies had been even more oppressive than those of other Islamic nations.
At least under Ahmad’s new governnt, it seed education would not be restricted by gender.
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangents.”
“And... I’d like to send the sons of several Northern Alliance commanders as well.”
I imdiately caught his intent.
He planned to hold those families as hostages in exchange for loyalty.
“I’ll prepare it.”
Seeing that I agreed without protest, Ahmad’s lips curved slightly.
“I like that I don’t have to explain everything to you.”
“The stronger your foundation, General, the more I profit.”
If the Ahmad I knew took power, he could truly end Afghanistan’s civil war.
And if he held the families of potential rivals under his control, he could push reforms more freely.
A stable Ahmad regi benefited as well.
“Then give three days. I’ll have everything ready for you to take them.”
“Three days?”
“It’s best to act quickly once you’ve decided. From now on, Kabul will beco a battlefield without gunfire.”
A cold glint flickered in his eyes. So the purge was about to begin.
“General, even for , finishing everything within three days will be difficult.”
“Just move them sowhere safe first. The rest can follow.”
“You trust that much? What if I take your children hostage instead?”
Ahmad burst out laughing.
“If you were that sort of man, you wouldn’t have warned about the terrorist attack. You want to unify and stabilize Afghanistan, don’t you?”
“That’s right. You’re the best vessel for my profit.”
“I know Arica is backing Hamid. But that man’s a politician with a snake’s tongue. He’ll never help this country’s future.”
“Still, he’s supported by the West. Afghanistan can’t ignore their influence right now.”
If the U.S. and U.K. withdrew their troops, the country would plunge back into bloody war.
The Taliban had retreated, but once the Aricans left, Pakistan’s Taliban forces would pour into Afghanistan overnight.
“I’ll handle that.”
Ahmad’s voice brimd with confidence. I could only nod.
“Understood.”
“I’ll contact you once everything’s ready.”
As he rose, I stopped him.
“General, I’ve identified the ones who attacked .”
He sat back down, eyes sharp.
“How did you find out? No — that doesn’t matter. Who were they?”
“The ard group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.”
“Ha... that lunatic.”
A curse escaped Ahmad’s lips. Startled by his reaction, I asked,
“You know him well?”
“I t him back when we were both in the Islamic Youth Organization. He’s tried to assassinate multiple tis since then. One of the most extre radicals alive — he’s carried out massacres more than once. If he targeted you, it’s dangerous.”
“I see.”
I replied evenly, and he continued,
“His influence has waned, but he’s regaining ground by joining forces with the Taliban. He’s not to be underestimated.”
“I understand. General, Black Bear will be withdrawing from your security detail.”
“...”
“I plan to bring in additional rcenaries and combine them with the ones already here. I intend to kill Gulbuddin.”
“You’re bringing in more rcenaries?”
I nodded. Ahmad sighed quietly.
His worried look told exactly what he was thinking.
“I know what concerns you, General. But I’ll only give back what I received. The Black Bear rcenaries in Afghanistan are your allies. You don’t need to worry.”
rcenaries rarely ca out unscathed when they got involved in civil wars, so his hesitation was understandable.
“Even for mining operations, more rcenaries will have to be deployed here anyway — both to develop the mines and protect them from the Taliban. You can’t exactly assign regular soldiers to guard them.”
I gestured toward Igor.
“Igor will command the rcenaries entering Afghanistan. You’ve seen him in action — you know what kind of man he is. He lost five n in the recent attack. He’s the right man for the job.”
Ahmad studied Igor for a long mont, then nodded.
He must have recognized the resolve in Igor’s eyes.
“Very well. But don’t harm civilians.”
“Understood.”
“How many will you bring in?”
“About a hundred more. All forr Soviet special forces. That should be sufficient.”
“Let’s do it, then.”
With Ahmad’s approval, I could now bring in n and equipnt freely.
“Anything else?”
“When I return to Korea, I’ll send food and dical supplies — about two million dollars’ worth.”
“I can’t pay for that imdiately.”
“This isn’t a trade, General. It’s a gift.”
“...Thank you.”
It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
dical supplies and food were what he lacked most right now.
“As soon as Kabul Airport reopens to civilians, I’ll send a construction company to build schools and hospitals, along with specialists for mineral exploration. But you’ll have to ensure their safety. I’ll be using local workers.”
“I won’t forget this debt. But you’re really withdrawing from my personal security?”
“Yes. There’s friction between your soldiers and the rcenaries. If you want to build a proper governnt, it’s only right that your soldiers handle your protection.”
Ahmad nodded, already aware of the issue.
“I’ll leave one liaison who can contact Igor directly.”
“Good. My n have been insisting they take over my protection anyway.”
“Perfect timing, then. I’ll make the transfer accordingly.”
After talking a bit longer, Ahmad left the hotel.
“Whew... we’ll have to delay our schedule. Three days should be enough.”
“I’ll arrange it. But where will you go next?”
I thought for a mont. Where would be best?
Then I rembered — Han Kyungyeong was in England.
“We’ll head to England, where President Han is. Contact the British governnt and secure permission.”
“Understood.”
“With Ahmad’s children and the Northern Alliance commanders’ sons, the British won’t refuse. Have Black Bear HQ handle their protection directly.”
For the U.K., it was like finding gold in a pumpkin patch — a blessing out of nowhere.
Hosting the children of the man likely to beco Afghanistan’s president and his key ministers was a massive political boon.
After instructing Manager Ma, I turned to Igor.
“Igor, bring in the rcenaries from Russia. Keep only the team needed for my personal security when I visit Russia.”
“Yes, boss.”
“You’re more comfortable with Soviet weapons, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll contact the Russian governnt and arrange weapon purchases. Don’t worry about cost — just prepare a list of what you need.”
Most of Igor’s n were ex–Soviet soldiers.
They’d be far more accustod to Soviet arms than Arican ones.
“Most of them are veterans of the Afghan War.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They left after the Soviet Union collapsed, but they know Afghanistan’s terrain and guerrilla warfare better than anyone. They’ll be a great help.”
I smiled faintly.
Soldiers who once invaded Afghanistan were now returning as rcenaries to fight again.
Life really is unpredictable.
Ti passed quickly, and the promised three days were up.
I contacted Han Kyungyeong and instructed him to prepare housing. Manager Ma coordinated with the British governnt and secured entry approval.
I also notified the Aricans of their departure. Fortunately, they didn’t object to the move to England.
At last, a private jet carrying Ahmad’s children and the other commanders’ families lifted off from Kabul Airport.
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