A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The girl looked up at the sky.

The weather was gloomy, and the overcast sky loomed overhead. The streets, blending quaint old architecture with modern design, bore witness to the morning’s drizzle that had shrouded the city in mist.

As I gazed at the foggy city, it naturally reminded me of my last visit to London, a year ago.

Feeling the mysterious excitement and tension that surged through me as I crossed the equator towards the dark continent, with the vast ocean beneath my feet.

Strolling through dense grasslands, crossed by trees dimly illuminated by moonlight, I felt a sense of tranquility and dreaminess.

Though distant from such feelings, this place had a different charm that beckoned.

“……”

So the girl stared silently at the sky above the Magic Tower for a long time.

“What are you thinking about?”

“…Ah, Lucia, you’re back?”

Turning my head, there was Lucia greeting me with her bright smile.

“Were you watching something fun?”

“Um… I was just sightseeing in the city.”

“The Magic Tower is a fascinating place, isn’t it?”

Lucia nodded lightly in agreement as we exchanged greetings, hanging her pure white robe neatly on a hook.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

As she surveyed the room, Lucia’s gaze landed on an unfamiliar object, prompting her question.

“Why is there tape on a plastic bottle? You could just toss it if it gets crushed.”

“Huh? Ah… it’s nothing special.”

The girl trailed off for a moment, awkwardly smiling as she hid the bottle she had placed on the table.

Lucia stared at the girl for a while, then shook her head lightly, brushing off her fatigue and deep thoughts.

“So, what were you thinking about?”

“…What?”

“I just don’t think you were only sightseeing. Do you have some worries?”

“…Not really. It’s just—”

The girl smiled faintly and looked up once more at the sky.

In that gray sky reminiscent of London’s, she murmured, “It seems like it’s going to rain.”

A storm was approaching.

—

Episode 6 – Omniscient Spy Perspective

The components that make up a state can be broadly divided into three elements.

Territory.
Citizens.
Sovereignty.

Land where people can live.
The people living on that land.
The sovereignty that protects the rights of those people.

We call a collective encompassing these three elements a “state,” and the group that represents the state and manages its affairs is known as the “government.”

Though the titles for heads of state and government officials differ depending on the system, there’s no dispute that the government is a community operated by many people working together, not just under the direction of a single individual.

Whether the leader of the government is a president, a chancellor, or a prime minister, the practical work is handled not by politicians, but by civil servants.

In this context, the group controlling the Magic Tower was the Secretariat.

A bridge connecting the Oracle and government institutions. The command center directing all government institutions within the Magic Tower.

The primary target of the operation was the Secretariat.

There were various methods.

“130,000 dinars. It seems your debt is greater than expected. How much do you earn a month?”

“…Yes, about 5,500 dinars.”

“Let’s see… If your salary is 5,500, that’s 66,000 dinars a year. Assuming no interest starts piling up from now on, if you work your fingers to the bone for a year without spending a penny, you’ll only be able to pay back half of it?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“Here’s 50,000 dinars. If you do my favors a few times, you can keep all this money.”

Bribery.

“I heard your son loves sports? But can he run if he loses his legs?”

“Y-You son of a—!”

“Listen closely if you don’t want to see your son become a cripple. Got it?”

Intimidation.

“Long time no see, Deputy Director.”

“Ah, Administrator. What brings you here so suddenly—”

-Gak!

“Cough…!!”

Assassination.

“Is that really okay? It doesn’t look sufficient for killing someone.”

“Have you ever tried strangling a person with iron wire?”

“No.”

“If you haven’t, don’t speak. And we’ll just disguise it as a suicide anyway.”

The targets affected were civil servants from the Secretariat.

Some cooperated willingly for money, others were forced to comply through intimidation, and those who resisted were quietly eliminated.

What I had done was not my doing.

I didn’t commit it, nor did I plan for it. No mere operative like myself could dare to decide and execute such a huge act.

From a common sense perspective, it was unthinkable for a solitary operative to decide to attack a foreign government institution.

So,

-‘The Prime Minister approved it.’

This meant that the planning and approval were done by someone else. Through a communication device, Clevenz calmly recounted the events to me.

-‘The Prime Minister approved it, and the parliament allocated the budget. Of course, it received the royal seal of final approval as well. Though it’s a mere formality.’

The operation had been approved by the Government of Abas.

More precisely, it was approved by the Prime Minister. The members of the Intelligence Committee organized the budget, and while formally, the king put down his final signature.

Of course, the plan to physically attack the Magic Tower wasn’t devised by the government or the Military Intelligence Agency.

“Who came up with this plan?”

-‘The Royal Intelligence Department.’

The group that came up with the plan was the Royal Intelligence Department. Though the plan was established by an intelligence agency, it could only be approved by elected officials.

-‘Sorry for not being able to inform you in advance, Frederick. Surprised, aren’t you?’

“To be honest, yes. I’m very confused.”

-‘Originally, this was a competitor’s project, but we only learned about it recently, so I couldn’t inform you earlier.’

I had no idea why the Prime Minister approved such an operation. I had no knowledge of the operation’s existence, so how could I possibly know?

The important point was that the Government of Abas had approved a secret operation.

And that I became a participant in that operation.

-‘Have you read the plan?’

“…Yes. But is this even a feasible operation?”

-‘Are you worried?’

“…Isn’t this essentially a plan to overthrow the government? If it fails, the consequences will be catastrophic.”

This operation was a project to overthrow the government. In other words, a subversive operation.

Secretly undermining foreign governments through fomenting coups or wrecking approval ratings to create an advantageous political environment for one’s own country.

It was a tactic frequently employed by CIA and Soviet agents in South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

And now the Government of Abas was attempting to do just that.

Right here, at the Magic Tower.

-‘Frederick.’

“…Yes.”

-‘You don’t know the whole story. There are some dirty undercurrents involved. I’d love to explain it all to you, but unfortunately, I can’t go into details under the current pressing circumstances. Just one thing to keep in mind: this operation is not aimed at overthrowing the government. Rather, it’s more about shaking the tree to stir up some confusion. So that we can carry out our work more easily from the Magic Tower in the future.’

“……”

-‘And you know well that this type of clandestine operation will not be attempted unless we believe we will succeed. So don’t worry.’

“……”

-‘We’ve done this multiple times before.’

The Government of Abas had freed its intelligence agencies with just a single stamp. The unleashed hounds began to run wild.

The Royal Intelligence Department and Military Intelligence Agency immediately tasked all operatives and agents deployed to the Magic Tower with missions.

Of course, ordinary agents or operatives could not engage in tasks such as bribery, intimidation, or assassination. Their missions were espionage, not clandestine operations.

However, within intelligence agencies, there were specialists who handled such tasks.

Those familiar with the dirty and despicable ways of fighting.

“Thank you all for coming. I’m sure the journey by ship was quite taxing, wasn’t it?”

“The seasickness was bearable, but the smell of fish was overwhelming. Although it wasn’t terrible, it seems it really was severe, considering how my sensitive friend kept dry-heaving.”

“That’s because it was a deep-sea fishing vessel.”

“Anyway, glad to meet you. Here, these ladies are from the Royal Intelligence Department, and these gentlemen are from the Military Intelligence Agency.”

“Welcome to the Magic Tower, operation officers. I’ll be your guide during this trip; I am Frederick.”

Officially titled as the Quasi-Military Operative in charge of special operations, the informal title used on-site was Operation Officer or Special Operative.

As the name implies, they were professionals dealing with specific tasks. Assassinations, kidnappings, destruction, guerrilla tactics, terrorism…

Experts carrying out all the dirty operations the intelligence agencies could not openly undertake.

The Royal Intelligence Department and Military Intelligence Agency dispatched quasi-military operatives to the Magic Tower. I assisted in smuggling them into the Tower.

To be precise, I used the timing when the international deep-sea fishing vessel docked at the Kien Empire’s port to quietly smuggle personnel and supplies into the Tower while evading customs surveillance.

Smuggling was not particularly difficult; I had done it frequently back in Russia.

Of course, I wasn’t here just to help people smuggle; they were not here for sightseeing at the Magic Tower either.

“Initially, our Royal Intelligence Department will make contact with political figures and civic organizations in this area. We decided to prioritize contacting the group leading the protests and the political party supporting them.”

“Here’s the list. However, since the group leading the protests has extremist tendencies, it would be easier to buy them off with money rather than ideologies or beliefs.”

“Totalitarianism, communism, anarchism. Currently, I believe the protests are led by these three factions; which one is suitable?”

“The anarchist group is likely to be the most accessible.”

Political operation.

“I’ve read the plans. However, considering current circumstances at the Magic Tower, targeting critical facilities seems challenging. The police force has been bolstered around each facility.”

“What should we do then?”

“We need to revise the plan. How about changing the target to utility tunnels instead? That would likely be far easier than sabotaging each facility one by one.”

Terrorist operation.

“I reviewed the list of Secretariat members and found several names that need to be erased. Do you have any weapons?”

“We have firearms. However, due to the recent incident with the reconnaissance command’s operatives, assassination via gunfire might be difficult.”

“Then let’s disguise it as a suicide or an accident.”

Quasi-military operation.

The quasi-military operatives infiltrated the Magic Tower and quickly dispersed to carry out their assigned missions.

Some carried bags of cash to meet political parties, academic groups, civic organizations, and labor unions. Others brought funds to engage with armed groups. In more refined terms, this was political operation.

More accurately, this qualified as a support operation—a subset of political operations. This tactic was frequently employed by the CIA to financially back friendly politicians or to crush communist guerrillas when targeting pro-Western right-wing groups in Latin America.

While I was unaware of their true intentions, it seemed the Royal Intelligence Department’s quasi-military operatives had started inciting anti-government protests based on their activities.

Yet, whatever actions they took were of no concern to me.

“Manager, the operations team is ready to deploy. They need a guide to the utility tunnels; who should we assign?”

“I’ll go myself. You all support from the representative office.”

I traversed the sewers of the Magic Tower alongside the quasi-military operatives from the Military Intelligence Agency.

It was no normal sight to see slithering fog or bursting corpses walking with arms outstretched, but there was a reason I was navigating these sewers.

The Military Intelligence Agency’s quasi-military operatives were sowing chaos throughout the layers of the Magic Tower’s infrastructures. To be precise, they systematically destroyed the utility tunnels.

Water supply. Sewage. Electricity. Magic. Gas. Communications, etc.

Facilities designed to sustain social infrastructure and urban functions, easily penetrated compared to storming power plants or communication relay facilities secured by armed police.

As the utility tunnels were compromised, urban functions began to collapse one by one within the Magic Tower. The water was cut off, the lights went out. Cooking food became unimaginable, and indoor light switches were unresponsive. Communication was out of the question.

Amidst the already unstable conditions at the Magic Tower, this disaster caused chaos to escalate uncontrollably.

While crimes like looting, arson, and robbery didn’t surge out of control, many wizards began causing trouble all over due to police and administrative breakdown.

Normally, the government departments would take action first and report to the Oracle through the Secretariat, or the Secretariat would lead efforts to resolve the crisis based on cumulative reports from various departments.

“What’s the situation?”

“We’ve taken care of all names on the list.”

Only those capable of doing so had long been under the control of the Royal Intelligence Department or the Military Intelligence Agency, or they’d been eliminated.

The precarious state of the Magic Tower was broadcasted to the world through foreign media. Although the violence erupting in Mauritania garnered little attention, as the situation worsened, the stock market for the Magic Tower began to fluctuate wildly.

As the stock market engaged in a rollercoaster of peaks and valleys, speculative capital flooded in taking advantage of the instability. As speculations heated, the economy was disrupted, and private enterprises faced challenges in management. Simultaneously, opinions from the magical society towards the Magic Tower government and Oracle began to sour.

However, this alone couldn’t dismantle the Magic Tower government or its economy. The Tower was not an incompetent entity.

What was needed was a powerful follow-up blow.

At that moment, the Ministry of Finance of Abas plunged its dagger into the Magic Tower’s economy.

[Today, the Central Bank of Abas announced in a regular briefing that it is considering a raise in interest rates. Experts suggest that a sudden tightening decision could lead to an economic recession.]

[Meanwhile, alongside the anticipated interest rate hikes from other nations due to the Central Bank’s considerations, fears of an economic recession are spreading. The continental stock markets have been experiencing wild fluctuations… .]

[During a meeting at the Ministry of Finance of Abas, a mass sale of copper and nickel was decided upon. Amidst concerns of a crash in international raw material prices, the manufacturing business community expressed strong opposition against the government’s decision, fearing an economic downturn… .]

On the surface, the government justified raising interest rates to stabilize the overheated real estate market and sell off metals to stabilize raw material prices. However, considering that the Magic Tower stock market, along with the world economy, was affected by Abas’s economic policies, and given that the Tower lacked primary industries due to its geographical characteristics—making the manufacturing sector a significant portion of its economic structure—this was clearly an attack aimed at the Tower.

Yet, no one linked this action by the Ministry of Finance to the operations of the intelligence agency.

Selling off raw materials seemed on the surface to have no connection to the intelligence agencies. Yet, this was clearly a covert operation disguised as economic sabotage, and I understood all too well how effective an economic operation like this could be.

During the Cold War, the CIA had sold off huge quantities of copper, a primary income source for the Chilean economy, causing its complete collapse. Though they didn’t stop Allende’s presidency, protests erupted throughout Chile, and the military used the devastated economy as a pretext for a coup. The effectiveness of such operations was undeniable.

As I’d expected, the impact was indeed substantial.

-‘I reviewed the report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding international trade that came in yesterday. The manufacturing sector’s concerns regarding economic downturn due to the plummeting raw material prices, as well as the expected increase in corporate debt and procurement costs with consecutive interest rate hikes, have created a notable impact on the Magic Tower’s economy. Did you read the report?’

“Yes.”

The Magic Tower’s economy had crumbled in an instant.

With unstable domestic affairs and actions from the Ministry of Finance of Abas leading to declines in major stocks, investors rushed to sell off their shares. The stock prices plummeted, and the enterprises in the Magic Tower suffered critical blows.

[Industry insiders suggest that if the stock plummet continues without significant measures implemented, a major restructuring will be unavoidable… .]

[A construction company official stated that due to the drop in stock value, various countries are now questioning the creditworthiness of domestic construction companies… .]

[With the drop in stock value, the collateral value of securities held by companies decreases, leading financial institutions to demand additional collateral or consider recalling loans. Amidst signs of liquidity crises arising in domestic companies, some organizations are restructuring and selling off their own shares to secure funds… .]

The stock market crash heightened corporate debt ratios. With previously painstakingly reduced debt levels skyrocketing, the credit ratings of businesses in the Tower began to falter. As credit ratings declined, it became difficult to secure funding necessary to maintain operations.

With corporations unable to receive funding on time and suffering from liquidity issues, the media dependent on advertising revenue began to cry out in distress. Notable figures appeared on talk shows, passionately critiquing the government’s incompetence, while anchors and reporters called for countermeasures from the Tower’s government.

Of course, this was merely a temporary phenomenon.

-‘Yesterday, representatives from the Tower met with the Deputy Minister using the ambassadorial corridor. I’ve heard rumors that they have scheduled dinner appointments with the economic committee’s working group within the week and are reaching out to corporate executives.’

“So they’re working hurriedly. But, wait a moment. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for international trade and commerce, right?”

“Yes, it’s a committee of both the House and Senate, in charge of the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Typically, the Foreign Affairs Committee handles it, but the Deputy Minister also attends inquiries related to trade and commerce.”

The Magic Tower was not an incompetent entity, and there was no way it would not try to help the economy when it was in turmoil. Additionally, companies were certainly not foolish, and they would mobilize all possible means to defend stock values.

Thus it was appropriate to view the Tower’s economy as experiencing temporary setbacks.

In fact, it could even be seen as an opportunity.

-‘The national economy doesn’t collapse as easily as you might think. Just because stocks shrink doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all negative. Companies can use the drop to buy back shares and increase their shareholdings. Currently, the stock market’s downturn is more linked to protests than to failures of the Tower’s economic policies. As domestic order destabilizes, foreign investors withdraw their assets. Ultimately, once the situation stabilizes, the stock will return to normal levels.’

Economic bureaucrat Nostrim’s eldest son, working in the Ministry of Finance, succinctly summarized the financial situation of the Magic Tower. Perhaps because it was around lunchtime, his voice seemed somewhat weary as he spoke over the phone.

-‘For companies, now is a good time to buy back shares. Furthermore, they can take the opportunity to restructure and remove troublesome executives. By reducing workforce, costs will diminish from labor costs to various expenditures, thus increasing the likelihood of survival for the company.’

“What kind of nonsense is that? Speak in a way I can understand.”

-‘Ah, you ignorant fool of economy! What did you learn at the Academy?’

“History.”

-‘If you don’t want to starve to death, I’ll suggest you choose a major in economics.’

“Fine, fine! I’ll call more often!”

While the introduction was lengthy, it was generally agreed that the Magic Tower economy would not plummet. At least, that was the opinion of the external and financial departments of Abas.

But that was from a diplomatic and economic perspective. From an intelligence standpoint, the story differed slightly.

Essentially, the Royal Intelligence Department and the Military Intelligence Agency desired not the economic collapse of the Magic Tower, but chaos. The kind that would make people nervous enough to flood into the streets.

In that sense, news of the massive restructuring in the Tower’s companies was indeed valuable intelligence.

“Hey? What’s going on here, Merlo? Did you come to check out the drug-related articles? The neighborhood has been dangerous lately, so I’d rather not show anything while the investigations are ongoing.”

“No, that’s not it. About Dmitri. Aren’t you still close with the reporters from the Ministry of Economy?”

“Well, why all of a sudden?”

“I have some intel to share.”

I leaked it to the press. Of course, careful to conceal the source.

The effects were evident.

[Currently, the Magic Tower is engulfed in chaos! Bloodshed spills across the streets as clashes continue between the protesters and the police…!]

[The Oracle’s performance evaluations have shown a consecutive decline for four weeks. Support ratings for the government have hit an all-time low, and distrust among minor factions in the legislature is spreading… .]

[The situation in the Tower is best described as the greatest political crisis since the signing of the Nastassiya Treaty… .]

[It’s a dire situation! The most significant political crisis since the founding! This country is falling apart! In such a critical time, where is the Oracle, and what is the Tower lord doing?]

[Today, negotiations concerning the import and export of natural resources and magical power between the Tower and the Empire were conducted at the Empire’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. The Magic Tower representative in the Kien Empire visited the Foreign Affairs Ministry. However, some speculate that due to the emergency situation declared because of disputes surrounding magical rights, exporting strategic resources has become nearly impossible… .]

[The negotiations between the Tower’s manufacturing association and the union collapsed. With raw material prices plummeting and electrical supply issues, factory operations are facing challenges; the union declared that they will go on a general strike if dialogue is impeded… .]

[The police authorities are making every effort to suppress the protests. The spokesman stated at a regular briefing that ‘we cannot tolerate any illegal acts that threaten the government’s existence and public order.’]

[Yesterday around 9 PM, a couple running a business was found dead at their residence. Their suicide notes expressed apologies to their family and employees left behind… .]

[Public Prosecutors apprehended union leaders and leaders from anarchist-leaning groups. They face seven accusations, including arson of industrial facilities, destruction of public property, and inciting violent protests… .]

[Next news: This morning, the State-Owned Enterprise of Aethernus Lux officially requested an increase in magical supply from the Kien Empire. A representative from the Magical Department of the Kien Empire stated that they are evaluating increasing the magical supply, but the Defense Department publicly opposes the Ministry of Magic’s decision, creating significant uproar… .]

[Cardinal Raphael expressed concerns about the Tower’s situation during his Mass. Meanwhile, voices of concern for Saint Lucia, who continues relief activities in the Tower’s vicinity, are coming from the Lushan Empire’s military diocesan area….]

[Citizens are requested to be informed that there is a blood shortage in Ward 17. Blood donation campaigns are currently underway by the Ministry of Health and hospitals; please participate….]

[Amidst the fierce clashes between protesters and police, it is analyzed that mercenaries composed of former knights have been deployed to dismantle illegal structures set up by the protesters….]

[Seventeen nations, including Abas, Patalia, and the Lushan Federation, have advised their citizens residing in the Tower to evacuate. The Tower’s embassy has activated emergency contact lines and is prioritizing securing the safety of its citizens.]

With each passing moment, the situation for the Magic Tower grew more dire.

Rumbles of discord erupted from all sectors of society, and the order and administration of the Tower edged dangerously close to total collapse.

As expected, the Tower wasn’t a passive group willing to let this happen. Conventionally, when foreign intelligence agencies create disturbances, it is standard to apprehend spies and lodge a strong protest through unofficial channels. Otherwise, a comprehensive retaliation would be expected.

Yet the Magic Tower was unable to take any action.

They lacked the ability to respond.

Even managing to disperse the protestors gathered at government institutions and embassies had proven overwhelming, so how could they possibly go hunting for spies? Moreover, the Royal Intelligence Department and Military Intelligence Agency were not so careless as to be caught by the Tower’s counterintelligence bodies.

The police and public security personnel were exhausted from the prolonged protests, suffering a serious shortage of manpower. They tried rehiring retired police officers and even enlisted washed-up knights barely scraping by, but it was still insufficient for quelling demonstrations occurring nationwide.

Some astute individuals sensed that the situation was not mere coincidence, advocating for a pause in fighting and a move to negotiate. However—

“The operation team has incurred casualties. During an assassination mission, there was an engagement with private security.”

-‘Private security? I doubt a private firm could best an operation team.’

“It was hired adventurers. There were far more of them than our agents anticipated, resistance was fierce, and there was a mage on their side; injuries occurred. It appears we may need to escort them to the rear for treatment.”

-‘More numbers, huh… Find out the activities of local firms that recently contracted high-value targets and compile a list.’

“Understood. I’ll gather information from our informant.”

-‘Also, we’re expecting additional personnel to be dispatched, including escorting troops; ensure you’re prepared, Frederick.’

“I’ll ensure the designated informant meets with the guide and leads them straight to us.”

…The person saying those things would soon after quietly vanish.

Confusion swept over the Magic Tower like a tsunami.

Society flailed in a quagmire of conflict and division, with politicians caught in heated debates over responsibility. The wave engulfed everyone, regardless of surface or depth.

None could escape.

With the Tower leading the magical society now fractured, the government also found itself in a state of chaos. Rumors began to circulate that not only the hoped-for three schools enjoyed reverence built over a century of influence but that even the Oracle must share in the blame.

Yet the Magic Tower would not disintegrate, nor would its government collapse.

Why?

—

“Magic Tower is not merely a state or organization. Rather… it’s closer to a religion.”

Francesca Ranieri muttered with a slightly slurred pronunciation.

“The Magic Tower is the birthplace of all magic. Elemental magic, sorcery, astrology, alchemy, illusion, necromancy, and so on… Of course, the Tower is not the true birthplace of magic. It’s nearly impossible to find the true origins of magic given how the Inquisition relentlessly pursued witch hunts… .”

Her eyes evoked violets, half-lidded.

Something about her face seemed a bit off.

“So all magicians are obsessed with the Tower. It’s like a kind of spiritual homeland. It’s the place where modern magic was established, where magicians came to be recognized and settled… Even expelled magicians long to return to the Tower… .”

This was the complete opposite of what I knew about Francesca Ranieri.

A calm and composed public servant from a prestigious family.

Not the elite type but rather an impulsive, scattered alchemist of the Tower.

Two opposing faces twisted and disarrayed.

“So, the Tower cannot fall. It’s not just a state; it symbolizes the birth of the magical society… Rather, the regime may change, but… .”

I had no idea what her true self was.

But now, sitting quietly in this tranquil room opposite Francesca Ranieri, gazing into her eyes, I could feel something.

“Even if the Tower were to disappear for some reason or no longer resemble its former self, then another Tower would surely arise… be it the Ivory Tower or something else….”

Francesca Ranieri was neither calm to the level nor chaotic to such extremities.

Also, she was overly political to fit the role of an administrator, and she was too worldly yet excessive for a scholar.

The most bizarre person I had ever met.

I had no idea what she was all about.

“If a new tower were to arise, the power dynamics would shift, making it more difficult for everyone to control magicians as they do now. Whether it be the Empire, Abas, or Patalia… .”

“……”

“And that’s not a result anyone wishes for, right…?”

For she had murmured that magicians are certainly not ordinary folks, Francesca Ranieri continued with a wretched smile, her tone now gentle.

“The Oracle is a system where nine members take turns governing the Tower. Of course, excessive power is concentrated in the Tower lord… but every member of the Oracle holds two weapons.”

Francesca Ranieri raised two fingers.

“Voting rights, and veto powers. The right to vote at meetings of the Oracle and the right to reject any proposed bills or agendas… as for the veto power, if a third of the members agree, it will take effect immediately….”

The veto power.

The Oracle’s veto power differs slightly from the powers exercised by permanent members in the UN Security Council, given that if one of the permanent members uses their veto right, the resolutions cannot be passed. In contrast, in the Oracle, a third opposition from the total assembly means the agenda cannot even be discussed.

That is a very dangerous authority.

“Initially, the veto power took effect if just one person rejected it.”

“Yes, and thus there was internal discord within the Oracle for a time. After the problem arose, the conditions for its effectiveness were raised….”

At this point, I posed a question to Francesca Ranieri.

“But what does that mean for us?”

In a daze, she chuckled casually.

“Deputy Admiral, do you know how many members from the Kien Empire are currently in the Oracle…?”

“There are three. Including the Tower lord.”

For context, the term of the Tower lord is three years. Each member of the Oracle holds the position of Tower lord in turn, and once their term ends, they typically fade into obscurity, becoming merely a backroom elder in the Tower’s political scene.

Given that the current Tower lord is from the Empire and has long been an infamous pro-Empire member, if this lord were to leave, then only two from the Empire would remain in the Oracle.

However.

“There’s another Kien national in the selection pool of candidates for the next Oracle member.”

It’s quite likely this individual will fill that vacant position. As mentioned earlier, since the Oracle can exercise veto rights with just a third of the member’s support, this means that while they can’t dictate decisions, they could still impede them. Especially if the two members from the Empire band together.

And from my experience, this faction that diligently leads such antics would be the Imperial Guard HQ. It’s a known fact; whenever trouble brews connected to the Empire, it’s likely these guys are the culprits. They assassinate cardinals and propel saints, after all.

As I clutched my untouched punch, drifting in thought.

-Clunk.

Francesca Ranieri placed her hand over my own.

My ruminations were interrupted, and I stared blankly at the woman seated across from me.

She began to speak.

“Just a moment.”

“……”

“Would you like me to take a guess at what you’re thinking…?”

The administrator, already tipsy, started to slur her words.

She wasn’t particularly eloquent.

“I mean, on the way back to the hotel… some crazy gal suddenly hires a bunch of knife-wielders and kidnaps you… Then… she plops down drinks and rambles about the Oracle, and I’d wager you got a rough estimate of the situation, right? Ah, she likely wants a seat in the Oracle… .”

Her impulsive behavior and scattered demeanor, her speech slightly losing clarity, undulating sideways even while seated.

Throughout our exchanges, her violet-like eyes seemed unfaltering.

“How stupid do I look?”

Not once did those eyes waver.

This girl is sober.

“Am I correct?”

“……”

Francesca Ranieri smiled brightly.

“I have no interest in a position like the Oracle. I wouldn’t want it even if beckoned; I’m delighted handling the Secretariat right now.”

“What do you want?”

“Revolution.”

Between the softly folded eyelids lay at the deepest, darkest chasm.

“The Secretariat isn’t just a link connecting government departments with the Oracle. It holds authority to engage deeply in administrative matters. The Economic Management Department establishes the Tower’s economic policies and oversees international trade. In a word, it’s the department that wields financial power.”

In that profound abyss, the violet-colored eyes gazed up at me.

“The Tower is the leading collective of the magical society, with the capacity to exert influence anywhere where magical societies exist. Relationships, capital, public opinion… If I can mobilize those easily—”

Eyes gleaming with greed.

“Then there’d be far fewer days where you feel at the mercy of the cult, wouldn’t there?”

“What do you mean—.”

“The Inquisition. Why pretend you don’t know?”

“……”

“The Inquisition is out and about, spreading its nets of information in all directions, ensuring the saint’s safety. The one they’ve been itching to kill is sticking right next to her, but even if they tried, they can’t kill her, due to some divine admonition. It would certainly not go unnoticed by the fundamentalists if they did so. The Inquisition wouldn’t have any other options.”

“Are you intending to clash with Lucia?”

“Do I need to argue with the saint? She clearly doesn’t seem to care much about what the Inquisition is doing.”

“Will you only mark the Inquisition?”

“That would certainly be more fitting.”

“……”

“There won’t be any fighting with the saint or the hero. In fact, if I could help them, I would.”

“That was the close friend Veronica introduced you to.”

Francesca Ranieri beamed and fell silent. Her silence was affirmation.

A collaboration with someone a bit unpredictable but extraordinarily valuable. If she pans out, she would be the most potent informant available to me in the Tower’s realm.

“Did Veronica send you over to me?”

“No, I desired it myself.”

She even voluntarily approached me.

Being taken hostage was nothing compared to this.

However, there was a caveat.

“Administrator.”

“Yes?”

This wasn’t a connection through Veronica in the first place.

“Who informed you of my clock-out time?”