With the establishment of ‘Seoul Security Services,’ most of the Secret Guards’ field agents transferred to Seoul Security Services.

It wasn’t just a change of position.

The relationship with the gisaeng houses where field agents had primarily been stationed also completely transformed.

Where previously they had been ‘living off the gisaeng houses,’ after the service’s launch it became ‘business contracts between the service and gisaeng houses.’

This change had the effect of dramatically expanding the Secret Guards agents’ range of activities.

Until then, they had to remain almost permanently attached to the gisaeng houses, and when leaving for undercover operations, they needed all sorts of excuses and lies. Even so, they had to endure suspicious glances from gisaeng and customers who didn’t know the Secret Guards’ true identity.

However, this problem was solved when the arrangement changed to a contract format.

“He’s gone to another location on contract business.”

“He’s on a business trip for an important commission.”

When explained this way, everyone would nod and let it pass.

While this resolved the agents’ psychological burdens, it wasn’t a complete solution.

“After all that effort to enter the military, you should at least have become a general! How could you join a band of wastrels! Tsk! You’re a disgrace to the family! I’ll strike you from the genealogy, so know that!”

Agents from prestigious noble families were expelled from their families, regardless of whether they were legitimate or illegitimate children.

They weren’t just cast out from their families.

“Look here! Have you forgotten the lofty ambitions we shared while studying together at the military academy and suffering together in the service? How could you become a wastrel!”

“I’m sorry. It seems I couldn’t overcome my wanderlust.”

“Wanderlust my foot! From now on, you’re no longer my friend!”

They were also abandoned by colleagues who had shared hardships at the military academy or in the army.

Each time they experienced such incidents, the Secret Guards agents drowned their sorrows in drink and threw themselves even more diligently into their missions.

Due to their shared suffering, Secret Guards agents bonded more tightly than anyone and showed loyalty to the Emperor.

“Only His Majesty recognizes us! Isn’t receiving recognition from one’s sovereign the dream of every gentleman!”

***

When ‘Seoul Security Services’ was launched, Hyang granted one special privilege.

He permitted them to carry pistols and rifles. Of course, there were conditions.

“Possession and use within the Empire is prohibited.”

Despite this precondition, there was considerable opposition to permitting firearm possession.

To this, Hyang explained why the permit should be granted.

“It’s already well known that public safety in nations other than the Empire is unstable.”

“Furthermore, reports continue to come in that bandits armed with firearms are common.”

“Having Imperial forces accompany merchants traveling to such places every time creates both diplomatic and financial problems.”

“Therefore, it’s reasonable to permit those charged with their protection to carry and use firearms.”

“However, we cannot allow indiscriminate arming with firearms, so it’s appropriate to grant this privilege only to those with security service permits.”

Since Hyang’s reasoning was sound, the ministers withdrew their opposition.

Thanks to this, firearm management became much easier for the Secret Guards.

While they couldn’t reveal secret weapons like silenced pistols, they could openly receive other weapons, and ammunition supply in particular became more convenient.

***

As Hyang had anticipated, as soon as the security service launched, merchants traveling overseas, especially to Europe, hired them as bodyguards.

Most merchant groups already employed their own martial guards, but firearms were the problem.

Though they were only matchlock guns, guards armed with swords were useless against bandits armed with guns.

Yet they couldn’t receive Imperial Army escorts every time.

In this situation, hiring guards armed with guns solved everything.

Even countries where Imperial soldiers couldn’t set foot would permit entry to security guards who weren’t military personnel.

As merchants attempting overseas trade, especially to Europe, rushed to contract with Seoul Security Services, unintended casualties emerged.

The existing martial guards.

While contracting with the service, merchant groups fired their martial guards. As the martial guards suddenly became unemployed and stood in bewilderment, the Secret Guards approached.

It was ‘Songdo Security Services,’ another front company of the Secret Guards.

And Hyang granted them the same privileges as Seoul Security Services.

***

Moving alongside merchants this way, the Secret Guards advanced into Europe.

The merchants who employed them established bases beyond traditional trading posts like Alexandria and Suez, in places like Florence, Paris, London, and Vienna.

French lace becoming genuinely popular in the Empire was also a result achieved by these merchants.

These adventurous Imperial merchants soon built relationships with European upper classes.

This was because the amounts they traded were enormous.

Naturally, banquets where nobles invited Imperial merchants or merchants invited nobles became frequent.

And Secret Guards agents responsible for security at these banquets swept up the information that flowed out.

What was interesting was that these banquets were held at Imperial-style gisaeng houses.

***

Many foreigners stayed in the Empire for trade or to study.

Unlike those from Ming, Japan, or other Asian countries, gisaeng houses were very impressive places for Europeans.

Europeans deeply impressed by gisaeng houses and gisaeng, especially merchants, returned home and created similar establishments, but those who had experienced gisaeng houses in the Empire all shook their heads.

“This isn’t it!”

“You call those gisaeng? They’re just prostitutes wearing Imperial clothes!”

Here, Imperial merchants and Secret Guards agents seized an opportunity.

“If we use this well, we can establish eyes and ears in Europe!”

The Secret Guards’ undercover merchants, who already had experience running gisaeng houses in the northern territories, moved quickly.

They immediately obtained permits from Imperial offices and rushed to Europe, securing establishment permits in Paris, London, Vienna, and Florence.

The gisaeng houses thus established soon became beloved by nobles and wealthy merchants.

The biggest reason for the popularity of gisaeng houses established in Europe was the gisaeng themselves.

They weren’t prostitutes wearing Imperial clothes but properly educated blue-eyed beauties.

***

The slave girls Kim Jong-seo had brought back in the past had become renowned gisaeng in the Empire over time.

Seeing girls who had become famous enough to perform music and dance at banquets hosted by the Emperor, quite a few people traveled to Alexandria to acquire promising young girls and raised them as gisaeng.

Since the gisaeng houses operated by the Secret Guards were the same, they had many European-born gisaeng, and these were brought back to Europe.

And these blue-eyed gisaeng soon became regulars in European high society.

The Secret Guards didn’t stop there.

They began touring orphanages scattered across Europe, acquiring promising girls and raising them as future gisaeng.

Of course, the clergy running orphanages were horrified, and Secret Guards agents worked hard to persuade them.

“It’s fortunate if they grow up and live well, but don’t eight or nine out of ten girls become prostitutes, and eight or nine out of ten boys become mercenaries or bandits? Gisaeng aren’t prostitutes, I tell you!”

And the gisaeng raised this way unknowingly became the ears of the Secret Guards.

***

At the Imperial-style gisaeng house ‘Red Moon (Lune Rouge)’ established in Montmartre, Paris.

Various banquets were being held in the rooms and annexes of the gisaeng house.

Servants bustled about carrying alcohol and food, while entertainer gisaeng moved between rooms and annexes performing dances and songs or sitting beside guests pouring drinks and raising spirits.

“It’s unusually busy today… Really now, there’s no time to rest. No time at all.”

The head gisaeng managing the establishment grumbled constantly but her face was full of smiles.

“Room B is asking for more alcohol and appetizers. They’re asking for a completely new table setting.”

“Again?”

“Yes.”

At the servant’s answer, the head gisaeng frowned.

There were currently four guests in Room B.

One was a merchant who had already come two or three times, and the other three appeared to be the merchant’s guests.

The problem was the alcohol bill. ‘Red Moon’s’ prices were famously expensive. Yet this was the third table setting going in.

Though the merchant had never had outstanding debts before, he wasn’t wealthy enough to pay such a large alcohol bill.

The three who came with him were worse. Their appearance full of provincial airs showed at first glance they weren’t people who should be at such a gisaeng house.

“Haah~. We don’t accept credit… Haah~.”

After sighing, the head gisaeng ordered the servant.

“Go fetch Manager Kim.”

“Yes.”

***

Shortly after, the head gisaeng entered Room B with Manager Kim sent from the service.

Entering Room B, the head gisaeng spoke to the merchant with a bright smile.

“Oh my! Monsieur Martin! I heard you asked for another table setting? You already seem quite drunk, wouldn’t it be better to stop here?”

At the head gisaeng’s words, the merchant waved his hand.

“It’s fine! It’s fine! Bring a new table! And more alcohol too!”

“The girls are also quite drunk… And the bill has already gotten quite high…”

“Then bring in new gisaeng too! Don’t worry about the money!”

“Still…”

As the head gisaeng trailed off, the merchant pointed to the three seated with him and raised his voice.

“I said don’t worry about money! Do you know who these people are! They’re alchemists! What’s even more amazing is that these gentlemen have created explosive silver!”

“Explosive silver?”

At the words ‘explosive silver,’ the head gisaeng tilted her head while Manager Kim’s face subtly hardened.

Whether he knew it or not, the merchant continued enthusiastically.

“Yes, explosive silver! They’ve already received a patent! They’ve even finished a contract to work with me! Now all that’s left is to make money!”

“Is that so… Haah… I understand.”

***

The problematic group continued drinking after that and were loaded drunk onto carriages to return home.

Fortunately there was no outstanding debt, so the head gisaeng was satisfied, but Manager Kim’s face had become serious.

Returning to his room, Manager Kim let out a sigh.

“Phew~. Explosive silver…”

With a serious face, Manager Kim counted on his fingers.

“The alcohol wagon comes in two days, right? Then I’ll need to investigate further…”

***

Manager Kim’s report reached Seoul through the fastest route.

“France has completed development of substance similar to explosive silver.”

“Estimated to have similar level of stability and explosive power as explosive silver used by Empire.”

“Estimated to be capable of mass production.”

Checking the urgent report through the Imperial Guards Commander, Wan let out a long sigh.

“Phew~. Explosive silver… Explosive silver…”

After mulling over the words ‘explosive silver’ several times, Wan recalled Hyang’s words.

“If Europeans create explosive silver, from that point on Europeans will chase after the Empire like madmen.”

“From then on, the Empire and the Emperor must keep their wits about them.”

“But why does it have to be now of all times! This is infuriating…”

Wan grumbled that this had to happen while he was Emperor.