"And... and how big does this XXX have to be, Sir?"
A few hints
One does not actually see the character that says this in
any book.
This quote is in fact within a reminiscence of the character called "Sir", told to a third party, a question that one of his subordinates asked him, a precision about the task that "Sir" had assigned to him.
The question is now
Book where this reminiscence is told ?
Who is "Sir" ?
XXX ?
To whom is this reminiscence told ?
You still don't have to specify the subordinate whose question is mentioned here, he is a very minor, unnamed character (only his job is mentioned, and the fact that he was very good at it).
Each bonus for 1/2 point
Bonus #1: Where exactly are "Sir" and the third party when "Sir" reminisces, and what are they trying to do at this time?
Bonus #2: They were not successful at reaching their aim in the "orthodox" way. What rather unorthodox way do they use a bit later, and do they succeed at that later time ?