Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Trends

Russian Empire, Okhrana.

[ 3rd Class Confidential - Observation Report on Major Figures of the British Empire ]

Report Number: ENG-1901-031

Date: November 8, 1901

Author: London Dispatch Officer Mikhail Petrovich Verkhov / Signature: M.P.V.

————

◼︎ Target Information

Name: Jean-Paul Durand (Jean-Paul Durand)

Birthplace: London (confirmed)

Age: Early 20s (estimated)

Occupation: Chef, entrepreneur, politician (estimated)

Status: Commoner ▶︎ Knight (quasi noble)

————

◼︎ Observation Summary

1. Jean-Paul Durand is a figure who stood out in London in half a year, starting from an ordinary chef and currently widely involved even in the food culture and social movements of the British Empire. Especially in a position close to the government, and frequent exchanges with government high officials and nobles confirmed.

2. The target provides advice on technology and food culture innovation as an honorary member of the Royal Society, and started gaining public favor through wounded soldiers welfare activities. His dishes are gaining great fame to the point of being called 'essential' among the British upper class.

3. Superficially seems avoiding political activities, but grasped as deeply intervening in food innovation policies and public welfare related matters. His activities are gaining public trust, and due to this high possibility of affecting domestic public opinion of the British Empire.

4. Despite the occupational characteristic of chef, a figure rapidly expanding influence within the British Empire so caution needed. His statements and social reputation may sway public opinion, and if strengthening political stance in the future may indirectly affect the Russian Empire.

5. Also, if a figure who succeeded with the occupation of chef in the British Empire is highlighted on the political forefront, a revolutionary trying to incite the people in the same way may appear in the Russian Empire so caution requested.

Risk Assessment: C

Recommendation: Maintain surveillance

* This report is a confidential document of the Russian Empire Okhrana, subject to punishment if exposed to third parties.

————

Mikhail briefly fell into worries whether to discard this report or not.

The reason was simple.

He didn't want to send this report.

Although witnessing countless social changes acting as a spy in Britain for over ten years, such radical change was also the first for him.

Honestly speaking, this change was one of the most satisfying experiences in Mikhail's life.

"Ahem."

He deeply dipped the crispy grilled eel bought at the stall in Durand sauce and pushed into one mouth, and briefly enjoyed the savoriness ringing in the mouth.

And after letting the tongue briefly fall into gourmet, cleanly washed all that aftertaste with strong rum.

"Kkeu... Hiyaa!"

This satisfaction sweeping the whole body!

Luxury absolutely unable to enjoy in Moscow! That eating is such a joyful matter!

"Shall I just erase only item 5? Seems no one will notice."

What he was most dissatisfied living in Britain was as expected cooking. Tasteless British stall dishes, changed deliciously to the point he buys and eats every day in just half a year.

By any chance if leaving to follow Durand in Russia, who knows if someone might change Russian cooking twice as delicious.

British cooking also became delicious let alone Russia?

The Russian Empire was exactly the country needing a cooking revolution!

Suddenly his grandmother's tasteless borscht briefly passed in his head.

"Uwek. Can't eat that again."

He boldly tore the report, and sat in front of the typewriter and started writing a new report.

And ironically, at this moment from another viewpoint others were also writing reports about Jean-Paul Durand.

* * *

German Empire, Military Intelligence Department 3 (Abteilung III b)

[ Secret Document - Tracking Report on Cautionary Figures of the British Empire ]

Report Date: November 9, 1901

Writing Officer: Lieutenant Karl von Haimburg

Command Order: Maintain report confidentiality, restrict distribution

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Target: Jean-Paul Durand

Birthplace: France estimated, parents French origin

Age: 18-19 years old (estimated)

Occupation: Inventor, entrepreneur

Social Status: Commoner origin, currently quasi noble (acquired knighthood)

————

◼︎ Daily Tracking Record

- As specified in existing reports, attempted to track the target daily but failed every time. Main records are as follows

October 9: Tracking failure (target noticed)

October 10: Tracking failure (interference personnel around target discovered)

October 11: Tracking failure (target fled by carriage)

((omitted))

November 1: Tracking failure (target didn't go out)

November 2: Tracking failure (received warning from surrounding citizens)

- After that despite continuous tracking attempts difficulty arising in information acquisition.

————

◼︎ Summary and Analysis

1. Surveillance target Jean-Paul Durand although looking good and harmless on the surface, considering his activity history and contact figures traces linked with numerous secret organizations in London confirmed.

2. The target often detects tracking and shows appearance of avoiding it. Estimated the target operates a certain scale of own information organization and thoroughly defends.

3. Numerous foreign spies discovered around the target.

4. Considering exchanges and influence not matching age, activity patterns etc., low possibility the target is an ordinary general person. Need to consider the possibility he is a figure secretly nurtured under the protection of the British Empire intelligence agency.

◼︎ Request

- Bavarian Kingdom Prince Regent seems to have contacted the target (confirmed)

- Request additional investigation on the relationship between the Prince Regent and the target

- Request increase of surveillance personnel (★most important)

————

Lieutenant Karl while writing the report, hesitated whether to really send this.

Anyone sees it's strange, right.

If a person knowing no circumstances reads this report content, obviously would believe oneself has mental illness or paranoia.

Tracking a young guy not even twenty years old, oneself thick with bones in the intelligence agency failing for a month, absurd.

Clearly there were bizarre points. If only trying to approach closely, don't know what sense, the target notices at once and disappears in an instant.

Whether alley, street, even near the public residence Lombard Street!

Using a superpower of body becoming transparent? Of course Lieutenant Karl didn't consider such irrational speculation.

What he noted was another part.

The Bavarian Prince Regent who suddenly appeared near the target.

Implicitly 2nd in the German Empire's protocol order, but he who never left the Bavarian royal palace came to London for no reason.

Travel? Don't know. No reply from the embassy either.

He also circled around that vicinity for nearly two weeks and disappeared as if when was that.

Certain. The Prince Regent came to meet the target. But actually met wouldn't be.

Target and Bavarian Prince Regent, on earth what relationship?

Might say what nonsense, but even Lieutenant Karl when knowing the fact that the Prince Regent secretly entered Britain and loitered around the youth he was tracking, couldn't close his mouth in surprise.

Of course for safety but the dozens of agents the Prince Regent brought monitored and stirred around the target without gaps, to the point holes formed in the small information network in an instant.

No matter how looking it's the Prince Regent. That boiling fierce gaze was a specialty only the Prince Regent has even in Germany.

A hidden grandson?

No, that also doesn't make sense. First not resembling each other at all.

Moreover never heard the sound that the Prince Regent has a hidden child.

The Prince Regent appearing on the political front was quite an old matter, and German royals if having scandals just blindly covering was daily so information an ordinary junker origin like oneself might not know.

Of course all delusions.

“Yes, let's not send this report. Anyway seems no one will believe."

Lieutenant Karl mercilessly tore the document, and decided to write a new report with more ordinary content.

Anyone sees the content is strange. Then that arrow would obviously head toward oneself the writer.

Then... would be summoned to the homeland abandoning this position barely stabilized in Britain.

Even overseas spies personnel evaluation is important.

Lieutenant Karl largely bit one mouth of Edward Sandwich.

* * *

November 10. French Republic, Staff Department 2nd Bureau (Deuxième Bureau).

Even the French intelligence noted this unique French name youth who recently appeared as a celebrity in British society.

Knowing the youth was after noticing a strange wind blowing in London.

Britain and France not only the Hundred Years' War, but for a period exceeding hundreds of years thorough rivals.

Even if a cousin buys land the stomach hurts, but Britain and France if buying land were also a relationship twisting the body wanting to kill each other.

So becoming sensitive to each other's movements was natural. Even after France overthrew the monarchy and reborn as a republic that tension didn't change a bit.

In Britain also equally checked France. That the British Empire intelligence agency is supporting funds and manpower in various ways for French monarchy restoration was already grasped state.

Anyway such social change of Britain, was a part France couldn't endure.

Britain doing cooking? Guys who used to tear grotesque jellied eels?

Staff Department 2nd Bureau Director, André Santini called his loyal subordinate.

"Special Agent Rénée Maurice."

"Yes, Director."

"There's a matter for you to urgently investigate... I'll write a cooperation letter so request the Ministry of Interior to investigate one person's human relations."

"Yes. Who?"

"This youth."

Santini threw a thick document bundle to her. There various newspapers sent from London were inserted as reference materials.

Special Agent Rénée, briefly stared at the blurry photo inserted on the front page of the document.

“Jean-Paul Durand... Quite a handsome youth. Is a honey trap needed?”

Santini shook his head.

"No, don't touch that side. According to information there might be marriage talks with the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family. If unnecessarily stirring a hornet's nest it'll become troublesome."

"Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family? Living in Britain? A French person?"

"Continue reading. If reading you'll know."

Special Agent Rénée's eyes quickly scanned the document. And her eyes sparkled with interest.

"Oh..."

"Now you know, right?"

"Yes. A dangerous figure."

“Looking at parents also using French style names, might be connected with France somewhere. Might be an immigrant, might be an exiled noble. Although one can't judge a person by appearance alone but at that age having such impressive appearance and status as commoner origin something suspicious, right? My intuition is also warning something strange. Understand?”

"Yes. If a past monarchy noble family, and that expelled high noble origin..."

"Would harbor resentment toward our republic. At such a young age, possessing the power to manipulate people's hearts and gain popularity in a short period. That can't be obtained by learning, has to be born with bloodline. For example like royals. If continuing like this in 10 years ahead all Europe might note him. Then it'll be late. What I want to guarantee is whether it becomes an obstacle to France's future or not. If by any chance a risk factor, want to catch even a weakness before that and step on the sprout."

"Understood."

Special Agent Rénée packed the documents.

And disappeared in an instant leaving no traces.

In the meantime Santini pondered the realization possibility of the words he just spat. If really a hidden royal? So borrowing the power of Britain and Germany and waging war saying hand over even part of French land?

Sufficient as a reason for declaring war. And with current France, no power to block surrounding pressure.

Britain is still coveting Normandy, Aquitaine, Anjou etc. northwest French land taken in the Hundred Years' War.

"Surely, no way."

Director Santini tried to smoke pipe tobacco, realized the tobacco leaves are damp and fire doesn't catch and spat curses from the mouth.

* * *

Japanese Empire Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Embassy in Britain.

1st Class Counselor Takahashi Yoshiro.

[ Forwarded to the Cabinet of the Empire of Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs ]

Ambassador Hayashi Tadasu again failed to receive invitation to the knighthood investiture of Jean-Paul Durand who rose as a celebrity in London.

This event is a major diplomatic event expected to have major political figures of both parties of the British upper and lower houses including His Majesty Edward VII the king of the British Empire attend in large numbers.

If the ambassador can't attend here the status of the Empire of Japan in Europe will be damaged, and the ambassador is concerned that there is worry of setbacks in the Asian grand plan of occupying the Korean Peninsula and advancing to Manchurian land.

For the successful conclusion of the 1st Anglo-Japanese Alliance scheduled next year at the current point one has to solidly strengthen friendly relations with major politicians of the British Empire that is the ambassador's opinion.

The ambassador inquired whether by any chance the invitation failed because there is a problem in diplomatic relations with Britain in the home country.

Request urgent reply after confirmation.

* * *

United States Department of State, Diplomatic Service.

British Embassy 2nd Class Secretary: Edwin Prescott

[ Telegram received by the White House Secretariat ]

The whereabouts of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla who fled from New York holding the most important special technology, 'ultra-small refrigeration device and design drawing' first confirmed in London on November 10.

According to witnesses the two people grasped as being together with a chef named ‘Jean-Paul Durand’. Jean-Paul Durand is a major figure in London ahead of the knighthood investiture tomorrow, and the American ambassador to Britain is also invited to this investiture and related social events.

Currently inquiring the British government to confirm the relationship between the two people and Jean-Paul Durand, and if no relationship confirmed, according to J.P. Morgan's request planning to prepare emergency summons procedures for the two people on charges of national secret theft and breach of trust.

End.