Free Web NovelAt 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, come in.”
Ahmad turned ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) to the mercenaries who had accompanied him for protection and gave them an order.
“You all wait out here.”
Ahmad stepped forward, and the mercenaries 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 me.”
“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 something 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 moment of thought, he nodded.
“Very well.”
“Please wait just a moment, then.”
I turned around.
Manager Ma and Igor waited calmly for my command, showing no reaction even as Ahmad mentioned them.
“Manager Ma, please make two cups of coffee. Igor, turn on the anti-eavesdropping signal.”
“Anti-eavesdropping signal? You have something like that?”
Ahmad looked surprised. I smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
Igor pulled a metal case out from under the bed and opened it.
Inside was a full set of anti-surveillance equipment. 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 Americans 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 come to you.”
“There’s something 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 Americans and the British.”
“The CIA came to see me 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 same?”
“Yes. I’m a businessman, General. Trust is what matters most to me. Whatever pressure may come, I’ll keep my word to you.”
“Good to hear.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I came 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 women should learn, too. I’m not saying men and women must be treated the same, but education should never be denied.”
In Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, women 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 government, it seemed education would not be restricted by gender.
“Understood. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“And... I’d like to send the sons of several Northern Alliance commanders as well.”
I immediately caught his intent.
He planned to hold those families as hostages in exchange for loyalty. freewebnσvel.cøm
“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 regime benefited me as well.
“Then give me 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 become a battlefield without gunfire.”
A cold glint flickered in his eyes. So the purge was about to begin.
“General, even for me, finishing everything within three days will be difficult.”
“Just move them somewhere safe first. The rest can follow.”
“You trust me 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 me about the terrorist attack. You want me to unify and stabilize Afghanistan, don’t you?”
“That’s right. You’re the best vessel for my profit.”
“I know America 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 Americans left, Pakistan’s Taliban forces would pour into Afghanistan overnight.
“I’ll handle that.”
Ahmad’s voice brimmed 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 me.”
He sat back down, eyes sharp.
“How did you find out? No — that doesn’t matter. Who were they?”
“The armed 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 met him back when we were both in the Islamic Youth Organization. He’s tried to assassinate me multiple times since then. One of the most extreme 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 mercenaries and combine them with the ones already here. I intend to kill Gulbuddin.”
“You’re bringing in more mercenaries?”
I nodded. Ahmad sighed quietly.
His worried look told me exactly what he was thinking.
“I know what concerns you, General. But I’ll only give back what I received. The Black Bear mercenaries in Afghanistan are your allies. You don’t need to worry.”
Mercenaries rarely came out unscathed when they got involved in civil wars, so his hesitation was understandable.
“Even for mining operations, more mercenaries 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 mercenaries entering Afghanistan. You’ve seen him in action — you know what kind of man he is. He lost five men in the recent attack. He’s the right man for the job.”
Ahmad studied Igor for a long moment, 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 former Soviet special forces. That should be sufficient.”
“Let’s do it, then.”
With Ahmad’s approval, I could now bring in men and equipment freely.
“Anything else?”
“When I return to Korea, I’ll send food and medical supplies — about two million dollars’ worth.”
“I can’t pay for that immediately.”
“This isn’t a trade, General. It’s a gift.”
“...Thank you.”
It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Medical 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 mercenaries. If you want to build a proper government, 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 men 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 moment. Where would be best?
Then I remembered — Han Kyungyeong was in England.
“We’ll head to England, where President Han is. Contact the British government 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 become Afghanistan’s president and his key ministers was a massive political boon.
After instructing Manager Ma, I turned to Igor.
“Igor, bring in the mercenaries 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 government and arrange weapon purchases. Don’t worry about cost — just prepare a list of what you need.”
Most of Igor’s men were ex–Soviet soldiers.
They’d be far more accustomed to Soviet arms than American 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 mercenaries to fight again.
Life really is unpredictable.
Time 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 government and secured entry approval.
I also notified the Americans 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.
