The USSR.

It was often known that the Soviet Union had collapsed in 1991 after years of internal problems that could no longer be contained. The dissolution was inevitable. The republics demanded independence, the economy was unsustainable, and the political system could not withstand the pressures of the modernizing world.

For decades afterward, the territory that once belonged to the USSR was divided and reorganized into new nations, which sought to reclaim their identities.

However, the return of the Soviet bloc started in the late twenty-first century when several Eastern European and Central Asian states fell into deep economic crises triggered by the collapse of their energy sectors.

The political instability that followed created opportunities for external powers. When the European Federation failed to intervene effectively during the Second Baltic Crisis and later broke apart during the Scandinavian Debt Collapse, a hole opened.

Moscow moved to fill the void, first through economic programs marketed as stabilization efforts, then through political influence disguised as regional cooperation, and finally through military alliances masquerading as collective defense.

By 2098, the emerging coalition had already begun to resemble the early structure of the Soviet Union.

By 2115, enough states had been absorbed through referendums and emergency treaties that analysts began referring to it unofficially as the New Soviet Coalition.

By 2127, the government formally announced the reestablishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, claiming it was necessary to preserve stability in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

And by 2149, the USSR had long regained control over much of the region, stretching from Belarus and Ukraine to Kazakhstan and parts of the Caucasus.

It was the largest political force east of Germany, and although both governments maintained a diplomatic posture of neutrality, everyone knew that the SSR existed largely out of fear of German expansion. In turn, Germany strengthened its defenses, realizing that the USSR remained its greatest rival in Europe.

On paper, the relationship between the two giants was neutral. In practice, it was a war waiting for a spark.

And Julius knew this all too well.

A Glassheart who had committed an act that would one day trigger the worst terrorist attack in Germany’s modern history had somehow found refuge in the one place that would benefit most from harboring an enemy of the German state.

If Emil’s claim was true, then the man behind Joachim’s escape possessed influence strong enough to maneuver through the USSR’s layers of internal security.

That kind of access was unprecedented. It meant someone was playing both sides and operating without allegiance or identity. And if it were truly Nameless, then Julius finally understood the scope of who he was really chasing.

——Are you sure it’s really him?

Gabriel’s voice flowed through the other end.

"More or less."

——What are you going to do, then? Your presence in the SSR... would complicate things.

"...You’re right."

For the first time in his life, the Schneider name was a hindrance to him. Being the son of the future Chancellor of the German Republic placed him under impossible scrutiny.

Every movement he made outside German borders would be monitored by foreign intelligence agencies. Stepping foot into the USSR meant stepping onto a stage where every eye would be on him and every political faction would dissect his intentions.

The USSR, after all, existed precisely because of the shadow Germany cast over Europe, whether no one would admit it or not. Every Schneider was viewed as a potential threat.

If Julius crossed into Soviet territory as Julius Sebastian Schneider, it could be perceived as espionage or even a prelude to conflict.

——Then are you considering withdrawing?

"No."

Julius looked at the case file still open on his screen. The name Joachim Pascal Beißwenger stared back at him.

The Triplet Tower disaster was still years away, yet the ashes of that tragedy were something he could never forget. Preventing it meant everything to Julius.

There was only one choice.

A disguise.

* * *

——No. Deny Officer Schneider the mission at all cost.

Things did not move as smoothly as Julius hoped. Behind the scenes, Sabine had already moved first. From the Directorate’s upper floor, her voice echoed through the encrypted line straight into the Director’s earpiece.

——Director, understand the implications. Hypothetically, and hopefully it will never be the case, but if Julius were to be killed in the USSR...

Her voice trailed off, but Gerhardt Bärwald immediately understood. The scenario did not require a detailed description. The consequences wrote themselves.

If the son of Germany’s future Chancellor were found dead within Soviet territory, and if the USSR could not provide a transparent explanation, the political shockwave would be immense.

The already fragile neutrality between Germany and the USSR would shatter. Eastern Europe would be forced to take sides. NATO would be dragged in. The Eurasian bloc would retaliate. Every border would transform into a fault line.

It would be the catalyst. The undeniable justification for a full-scale war.

And with the nuclear capabilities both nations possessed, it would no longer be a cold war.

It would be World War Three.

Gerhardt placed his hand against his forehead. He understood exactly why Sabine was fighting so hard. As a Directorate Commissioner, she could justify blocking Julius from cross-border missions.

"Commissioner Schneider," Gerhardt said, "are you requesting a formal block on Officer Schneider’s clearance for all operations within Soviet territory?"

——I am. And I am invoking emergency protocol on grounds of national security.

Gerhardt frowned. "That is a heavy measure. Once the emergency block is filed, Julius will be locked out of the case until the Chancellor himself overturns it."

——It’s alright. The Chancellor will never overturn it. I am not one to speak ill of my own father-in-law, but he is much more of a coward than you think. He will never risk Julius.

Just as the discussion was heating up, a knock echoed through the office. The door opened without waiting for permission.

"Officer Klaus?" Director Gerhardt acknowledged, irritation creasing his brow. "This is a closed meeting."

"Apologies for intruding," Klaus said. "But I’m afraid I need to apologize a second time."

Gerhardt’s expression darkened. "Out with it."

"Officer Schneider... Julius Sebastian Schneider has—"

Sabine felt the air choke around her.

——Don’t tell me...

"He is en route to the USSR," Klaus finished. "I only discovered it minutes ago through my contacts in the Revenant Knights."

The entire room froze in silence.