A Dark Fantasy Spy

---

In fact, this upcoming return was not simply for debriefing.

It was because of a vacation.

I thought I’d visit the hospital to check up on my gunshot wounds, handle some personal affairs, do some shopping, and maybe buy things needed for Camila’s training, or gather information about the next deployment area and the whereabouts of my two colleagues. Or perhaps I would head back home for the first time in three years to see my family.

I didn’t know how much vacation time I would get, but I planned to take a break from my duties as an operative for a while.

I’m a person too; I can’t just work all the time, can I?

So with a somewhat excited heart, I was packing my things when…

Trouble arose.

“—The inspection office is doing a background check on the Colonel. Did you know? More importantly, what do we do now?”

“….”

“Colonel?”

That, on its own, was a very big problem.

Episode 8 – Say Hello To My Little Friend

If I had to pick the most powerful department in the Information Agency, there are certain departments that come to mind.

Planning, Personnel, General Affairs, Finance, Legal Affairs, and Inspection.

Among them, the Inspection Department possesses unique and formidable powers. Due to the sensitive nature of the information handled by intelligence agencies, external inspections are challenging, so every intelligence agency has its own internal audit department. That’s the Inspection Office.

The main duties of the Inspection Department are counterintelligence and internal audits.

From minor violations of internal regulations to serious cases like leakage of confidential information, they investigate and punish misconduct such as employee corruption, unauthorized economic activities, and unbecoming behaviors like affairs. The targets of inspection are all employees working for the intelligence agency, from low-ranking officers to those with decades of service.

The crucial point is that the Inspection Department holds disciplinary power.

At this point, I instinctively sensed that I was in deep trouble.

No matter the reason their focus was on me, merely being inspected would adversely affect my personnel evaluations.

Receiving even a ‘warning’ or ‘caution’ would result in a record on my personnel evaluation sheet, and if I were to get a ‘reprimand,’ the lowest level of minor disciplinary action, I wouldn’t be able to receive any performance bonuses for a whole year. If I received ‘suspension’ or ‘pay cut,’ I would lose my chance for a promotion.

And if I faced serious penalties like ‘dismissal,’ ‘termination,’ ‘demotion,’ or ‘suspension’? That would mean my military career is over. Most people who receive such severe penalties fail the suitability assessment for continued active service and end up being discharged, which is essentially a recommendation to leave if you want to at least get your retirement pay.

For the Inspection Office, wielding such unchecked power, to be conducting a background check on me just as I’m returning for debriefing… I can’t tell if this is a coincidence or fate.

First, I needed to assess the situation.

Though I still had time before my return, I had to go to the Information Agency to find out what was happening. Since Clevenz had been in the Inspection Office before becoming the Counterintelligence Chief, he might know something.

So, the moment the day broke, I hurried to the Warp Gate leading to Abas, feeling like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution.

“….”

And as soon as I exited the gate entrance, I found myself face to face with unfamiliar suit men.

“Colonel Frederick Nostrim?”

“Yes, that’s me, but who…?”

“We came from the company. Let’s go together.”

At first, I thought they were here to take me to the Inspection Office.

There wouldn’t be anyone else to greet a returnee who came back a few days earlier than expected.

But that wasn’t the case.

“Oh, you’re here!”

Led by the company employees, I found myself in an office where I met Clevenz.

He looked genuinely happy to see me after several months.

“It’s been a while; I’m glad to see your face. Hehe.”

“…Chief?”

“Take a seat for now. You just got back and haven’t adjusted to the time difference yet, so let’s have some tea while you catch your breath.”

Clevenz, who had been busy at his desk, stood up and offered me a seat. He then had his newly appointed advisor bring in some tea.

Despite my joy at reuniting with Clevenz after several months, the news of the Inspection Office tracking me down weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me feeling flustered. Thus, I could only sit dumbfounded on the sofa.

When the advisor brought in refreshments, Clevenz, seated in the main chair, spoke in a soft voice.

“So, how was it? What’s it like being abroad for three years? Did you manage well in the Magic Tower?”

“Oh, yes. It was manageable.”

“I’m glad you adjusted well. But how’s the injury? I heard you got shot.”

I absentmindedly touched the previously ignored gunshot wound and replied that it was fine.

Clevenz seemed to ponder something for a moment, then nodded.

“Though it might not be a serious injury, you should still get it checked at the hospital. If you explain the situation at the General Affairs Office, they’ll cover the medical expenses. Since it’s an injury sustained during duty, you should receive ample compensation. You might even get a discount if you go to a military hospital.”

“Still, it feels a bit off to go to a military hospital….”

“I agree. Trusting military doctors isn’t easy, but if it’s a priest, maybe that’s different.”

In this area, at least, I couldn’t put my faith in the military hospital.

Clevenz chuckled, seemingly finding this a valid point, and dropped a few sugar cubes into his tea.

“So, why did you return so early? Did something happen? We sent staff as soon as we heard you were leaving the Magic Tower.”

“Ah, well….”

I found myself sharing my complicated feelings and worries with him.

It felt uncomfortable, like a mischievous child trying to hide a discipline stick, but Clevenz was the only one I could rely on right now.

“I heard from Jake that the Inspection Office is investigating me. What in the world is going on? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Clevenz, who had been chuckling gleefully, muttered in confusion.

“Investigating?”

“Doing a background check. The Inspection Office is looking into me.”

“I see…”

He released some rambling about how jargon sneaks into daily conversations with various phrases.

Still, Clevenz looked befuddled.

At this moment, I knew the Inspection Office was likely diving into my past, leaving me with an unsettling feeling.

“Well, I know what you’re talking about. Since you’re clearly agitated, let’s step outside and discuss this.”

The view from the military intelligence agency’s rooftop of the capital was genuinely beautiful. It reminded me of the nighttime view of Banpo-dong seen from the top of the HQ and the Hideout across the Han River.

We quietly conversed against the backdrop of Abbas’s capital scenery.

Of course, while the scenery was nice, the conversation was somewhat disquieting.

“The Inspection Office is doing a background check on you?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Clevenz nodded quietly while gazing at the capital.

“Do you remember what I told you? There are a few things you’re unaware of.”

“I do.”

“The Inspection Office’s inquiry into you is related to that. It’s probably best not to know the intricate details. I can assure you that you won’t face any consequences from this inspection.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why are you so keen to know? There are times when not knowing is bliss.”

Clevenz responded with a somewhat enigmatic look on his face. Watching him meander around the topic only confirmed my instincts that there was something he was hiding.

“It’s frustrating, you know.”

“Well, ignorance is bliss.”

“How can I just sit back and not care when the Inspection Office is snooping around?”

It was unconventional for someone who hardly ever acted this way, and, annoyingly, my tone had risen.

However, Clevenz didn’t reprimand me.

He only gazed at the unusually clear skies of Abbas and clicked his tongue.

“Is knowing really necessary for your peace of mind?”

“Yes.”

“Sigh… Anyway, you really are stubborn.”

If you say that you should just hand over some medicine instead, I can’t help but think you have a point in this too.

Aged circumstances gripping me while discussing matters, Clevenz began to share tales from the past.

“Back when you were in the Cult, did you ever get followed?”

“The Cult? Oh, you mean when I went to the Inquisition?”

That wasn’t a long time ago.

I was dispatched to the Cult when I was selected as a hero. Shortly after a bombing incident, I had gone to the Inquisition.

They’d likely known something concerning local counterintelligence regarding radical activists or assassination attempts by foreign intelligence. In the end, I was right to deduce that.

However, on my way to the Inquisition after leaving the embassy, I was indeed followed. Though I managed to shake them off and filed a proper report, I never learned who was behind it.

Clevenz mentioned the situation.

“Our agents dispatched to the embassy identified the ones who were tailing you. They were an intelligence officer from the Total Intelligence Agency working as an administrative officer at the Lushan Federal Kingdom embassy.”

“The Total Intelligence Agency?”

The Total Intelligence Agency is the national intelligence agency of the southern Lushan Federal Kingdom, which shares a border with the Mauritania Continent.

Though geographically the Lushan Federal Kingdom lies near Abbas or the Kien Empire, on the cultural and historical front, it’s deeply intertwined with the Mauritania Continent. This is similar to how Turkey is attached to the Balkans and Europe yet is closely related to the Middle East.

In fact, the Lushan Federal Kingdom’s dominant religion is different, leading to a conflict between the Cult and them—those crazy religious folks.

But did they just follow me?

“Aren’t Lushan Federal Kingdom’s allies?”

“They are allies but not quite the same stable alliance as Abbas and Patalia. Their diplomatic stance differs, along with their culture, political systems, ideologies, and even religions.”

“That may be so….”

I trailed off, gathering information from what Clevenz had imparted.

The Lushan Federal Kingdom doesn’t serve as a firm ally to Abbas, balancing between the First World (the Free Alliance) and the Second World (the Communist-Socialist Alliance) like Turkey. They officially present a presidential system, yet it’s essentially a monarchy that’s passed down from the most powerful feudal lord among the regional confederations, receiving significant benefits from democratic Abbas and authoritarian Kien Empire.

Due to this political and diplomatic backdrop, the Lushan Federal Kingdom is also a place where espionage activities are prevalently lively, just as Istanbul once operated as a hub for Western intelligence agencies when spying on communism years back.

Hence, it was plausible that an intelligence officer disguised as a low-ranking administrative worker from the embassy was tailing me.

Wait.

An administrative officer, you say?

Something seems off.

“….”

Typically, intelligence agencies utilize their diplomatic missions for foreign intelligence collection and operations by disguising themselves as diplomats.

Even with tight surveillance, embassies are the easiest routes of infiltration.

In the past, North Korean operatives used embassies and consulates across Eastern Europe and Africa in their US operations; even the East German embassy in East Berlin engaged in operations against the South.

However, this method poses burdens for intelligence agencies.

The core of all intelligence activities is plausible deniability, i.e., hiding the backer of an operation. But if an intelligence officer were caught committing espionage under the guise of a diplomat, it would turn into a diplomatic disaster, beyond just denial.

Thus, intelligence officers who infiltrate diplomatic missions must disguise themselves as diplomats backed by the Vienna Convention. Since these diplomats carry the privilege of immunity, intelligence agencies refer to them as “whites” or “officially disguised intelligence officers.”

But infiltration as an official agent comes with trouble. Counterintelligence agencies aren’t fools; they would have every reason to suspect individuals who seem suspicious. Thus, those stationed as official intelligence officers usually operate desks and manage local information and their agents instead of being active in the field.

In third-world nations where personnel are scarce, it might be okay for a diplomat to walk around with suspicion, but there’s not much benefit to getting caught.

The ones who take on a freer role for official agents are the “blacks,” unofficially disguised intelligence officers.

While they lack the protections of diplomatic conventions, these officers work on precarious missions. To complete a successful infiltration, they often disguise themselves as civilians like businesspeople or journalists, or they infiltrate their own diplomatic mission as low-level administrative workers or laborers.

Administrative/labor staff aren’t protected under the Vienna Convention, making it hard to verify their identities or backgrounds. On top of that, because they work in their country’s embassy, their odds of succeeding in infiltration are high. The CIA, right in the middle of the Soviet Union at times, frequently employed this tactic. So I know.

“Lushan Federal Kingdom uses embassies for major operations against the Cult.”

“I didn’t realize it was an unofficial disguise. I assumed it was the Empire.”

“Did you think they’d play nice because they are allies? This field is no place for favoritism or leniency….”

Mumbling some trivialities, the head of the military intelligence agency chimed in.

“Actually, there were many other individuals tracking you. The Empire is self-explanatory, but the Inquisition and National Security Agency were also monitoring you. But somehow, you dodged all that.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Are you inviting me to insult you instead?”

“No, it just seems odd to be insulted after all I’ve gone through….”

“Honestly, I suggested you take the investigator role, but it seems you heard me just as background noise and ended up in this mess….”

Clevenz was once again bringing up the topic of me refusing his offer to become a military intelligence investigator six years ago. I thought he would forget about it by now, but his memory was unexpectedly sharp. Old men can be so unpredictable.

From that moment on, Clevenz began to reveal the strange truth about my overseas missions.

Like how they arrested an intelligence agency that was surveilling me with the local counterintelligence, or how they bungled the person tailing me, destroying their network. All those stories were things I had never known.

And it was indeed something I neither needed to know nor should have known.

“Why are you telling me all this? Shouldn’t this be kept confidential since I’m not authorized for it? I’m being investigated by the Inspection Office right now, you know.”

“Weren’t you the one who said you wanted to know?”

He retorted, countering my question by talking about how I wasn’t the one demanding this.

What I cared about was the reason for my investigation, not this.

While I pondered over that, Clevenz clicked his tongue and continued,

“You’ve been under surveillance from various intelligence agencies, regardless of being an ally or enemy, during your time abroad for the last several months. The Inspection Office’s investigation falls under that as well.”

“If it’s an identity security issue, the Inspection Office doesn’t need to get involved. Other staff members experienced similar monitoring abroad—”

“You really think those guys with the Imperial Guard would hold off on their surveillance just because you’ve returned?”

I was momentarily speechless.

Clevenz spoke nonchalantly while retaining his usual calm demeanor.

“About a month ago, the Empire’s intelligence agency approached people close to you. And this was within Abbas.”

“…Who did they approach?”

“Family, relatives, military academy peers, seniors and juniors from service, and even teachers from your school days, plus classmates you barely recall from the academy. All were surveyed in collaboration with relevant agencies.”

“…….”

“Didn’t I mention earlier?”

He had told me it’d be better not to know.

—

“Do you remember the intelligence officer who recently defected from the Empire’s embassy?”

“Yes, I recall.”

“I bribed him with money as he was about to be dismissed from his job due to having two dependent children. The last intel he relayed before returning was that the Empire was conducting a background check on you.”

“Who’s behind this? The Imperial Guard?”

“They’ve been on a significant witch hunt to root out spies from the Imperial Guard’s foreign intel network, which has left considerable gaps. It’s believed that other agencies have filled that void. Currently, our agency suspects it’s the Reconnaissance Command. Although there’s no concrete evidence yet, just impressions.”

“The Reconnaissance Command? They’ve infiltrated to the extent of approaching my family, which suggests a deep penetration. How did that happen?”

“The Empire can manage such things without much difficulty. Given that you’ve been overseas longer than I have, you should understand it better, right? Anyway, we were trying to capture the spies trailing you, thanks to the help of a double agent. Although we failed.”

“Failed? Did they slip away?”

“We had eyes on them, but those sly devils managed to escape. With the assistance of our main office and local counterintelligence, we did manage to track down suspects attempting to flee by sea, but nonetheless, we couldn’t apprehend them.”

“What exactly happened?”

“The spies opened fire first, leading to a skirmish. All fleeing spies were killed, while the vessel believed to have been a means of escape escaped into international waters. Currently, we’re trying to determine which port the vessel docked at through overseas channels.”

“…What information has leaked so far?”

“Our preemptive strike came before the espionage network fully established itself, so we believe little information has leaked. Your covert identity still appears valid. However, if intel from agencies unrelated to the Empire were to conduct background checks or if the Imperial intelligence agencies tighten their security, I can’t make any guarantees.”

“…My family’s safety shouldn’t be an issue, right?”

“Fortunately, they’re safe. The police are currently providing protection, so you need not worry.”

“What about the other staff? How is Pippin? How about Jake, or anyone else connected to me?”

“The employees are fine. However, we can’t possibly protect everyone connected to you.”

“Why not?”

“There are just too many of them.”

“……”

“I can’t cover every single person you’ve interacted with in 28 years. We lack the personnel or resources to do so. Even if we could protect everyone, there’s no assurance that gaps wouldn’t develop. You’re the operative, you know better than I do.”

“…No, I don’t.”

“What can we do when the situation is what it is? All resources are limited, and we have to allocate them wisely within relevant contexts. In that light, your current situation with the Inspection Office isn’t much different.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We can’t keep your cover forever. Eventually, the limit will come. The intelligence agency is preparing for when that limit arrives.”

“…You mean if my identity gets exposed?”

“Exactly. Should your true identity get revealed, you’ll soon face diplomatic expulsion according to international treaties. But that alone doesn’t mean we can guarantee protection from intelligence agencies or third parties. Frankly speaking, if someone identifies you as a threat and determines to eliminate you, can we really detect and stop that?”

“If it became known that I underwent an inspection, they could exploit that as a means to recruit me.”

“Employees who have received penalties from the agency often turn double agents, you know.”

“I know, yes.”

“Then we can skip the small talk. You will undergo an inspection from the Inspection Office and will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee after that. When suitable disciplinary action is rendered, the intelligence agency must announce the disciplinary action as per regulations. At least internally, of course. But if this information leaks? Foreign intelligence agencies won’t just banish you; they’d reach out to you first.”

“Additionally, they’d discover the mole within the agency.”

“Correct. Now do you understand why you’re being inspected?”

“So it was just a formality. Why not inform me ahead of time? Why the constant surprise…”

“Isn’t it really odd if a person continues to eat mindlessly after receiving contact from the Inspection Office?”

“Thinking back, you have a point.”

“Anyway, if you understood, remain at your residence. The Inspection Office will handle you appropriately and should treat you gently, considering your situation.”

“Well, I understand… But what exactly are my charges? There has to be something more embarrassing than just a mere sexual harassment charge or public fund embezzlement.”

“You’ll find out when you arrive. Isn’t it more entertaining not to know beforehand?”

“…Two times for fun, and one might end up in trouble.”

Remembering the joke Clevenz made, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Honestly, he was one difficult old man.

Nevertheless, the plan of the military intelligence agency laid out by Clevenz was straightforward.

Using an appropriate excuse, I would face the Inspection Office’s internal audit and corresponding disciplinary actions from the Disciplinary Committee. The military intelligence agency would follow the rules and publicly disclose this information within the intelligence organization. Should the information leak, we would determine that a mole exists within the agency and set about hunting down the double agents while I would feign defection to the other intelligence agency.

It didn’t matter whether they were the ones who approached me after learning of the penalties or if they inadvertently picked up on information we leaked while attempting to expel me—the order would just shift around a little.

That was the military intelligence agency’s plan.

Leaning back into my chair, I sighed.

“This is why I should’ve taken a desk job instead of a fieldwork one…”

In any case, I now found myself in the Inspection Office. Just as Jake and Clevenz had explained, I had come to be subjected to their scrutiny.

When I imagined an inspection office, I thought it would look like an interrogation room, but the military intelligence agency’s inspection office turned out to be a standard meeting room. A long table was set in the center of the room, surrounded by chairs.

“Please wait here; someone will be with you soon. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you for your help.”

The officer responsible for escorting me closed the meeting room door behind him as he left. I sat alone in the spacious meeting room, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The jitters I had about being investigated by the Inspection Office weighed a bit heavily on me. But as it turned out, it wasn’t that serious. It was merely a routine setup for the intelligence officers being dispatched overseas.

Well, it wasn’t exactly a common occurrence, but it was one of the tactics employed when an intelligence agency particularly focuses on infiltration. They’d catch hold of something to impose a penalty or temporarily sideline me somewhere, then wait for intelligence scouts to roll in.

Of course, these penalties or placements were merely for missions. I wasn’t genuinely receiving discipline, so when the operation concluded, everything would reset back. If placed somewhere minor, they would move me back to a key role; if demoted, I’d return to my original rank. I suspected the same would happen to me later.

Thus, I awaited the internal audit from the Inspection Office with a relaxed mindset. I’d just nod along to whatever the officer said, slap my signature and stamp on the paper, and it would be over.

However.

The thought kept nagging me—it just didn’t seem right.

“…Who are you, kid?”

“How dare you speak like that to an inspector! That’s quite an irreverent attitude you have…”