A Dark Fantasy Spy

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In a fantasy game, there are various races in this world.

Of course, familiar and even somewhat comforting races like orcs, elves, and dwarves exist, not to mention furry beastmen that furries would adore, and the animal-eared, tail-endowed beastmen that otaku seem to enjoy, along with the demon races.

Truly, there is a vast array of races coexisting in this world.

Occasionally, these biological peculiarities, along with social, cultural, and religious backgrounds, lead to several societal issues.

For example, goblins or orcs face constant scrutiny, treated as suspicious individuals simply for existing, subjected to police probing, while some beastmen can get away with mischief since they’re considered cute as long as they don’t commit open crimes.

Some are subject to oppression and scorn for their fearsome appearances, while others, despite being polarizing, are endearingly cute. Even elves face varying treatment based on skin color, generally preferring those with darker hues. Light-skinned elves hidden in the vast forest often engage in terror, but dark elves, who have been trading across continents for centuries, tend to be well-acquainted with many races.

In any case, this world is indeed home to a diverse range of races. Sure, there are incidents like dropping herbicides in forests, goblins being shot over drug distribution, or an orc beating a human boss to death after being shorted on wages, but everyone seems to get by reasonably well. Probably.

By the way, I’ve met a few other races before, and they felt quite similar to overseas compatriots.

They have their own communities where they elect leaders and receive help from notable figures in government and business for social activities. I’ve even seen them living closely together, much like Koreatowns or Chinatowns. I know this from frequent interactions during overseas assignments.

So, I thought I had a decent understanding of the races in this area.

But.

“Who are you?”

“Y-you dare speak to me this way!? You are currently under internal audit, how dare you use informal language…! This is a challenge to the authority of the Inspection Office…!”

What is this?

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Episode 8 – Say Hello To My Little Friend

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While waiting for the auditor in the meeting room, I encountered a peculiar creature. I felt like a conquistador meeting a native from a new continent for the first time.

With frizzy, wool-like hair that looked more reddish than orange, standing just slightly below my chest level. Its bright eyes and porcelain-like white skin drew my attention. The most striking feature? Its ears. Pointed and triangular, peeking through the hair.

At first glance, it looked like an elf, but a closer inspection revealed it wasn’t. Pointy ears are a biological trait shared by creatures of the fairy family, not exclusive to just elves.

Though I prided myself on having met many races in my life, I had never encountered something like this.

The small creature introduced itself.

“I am Charnoy, nymph of the stream working in the Inspection Office…!”

A first-time encounter indeed. Did such a race exist here?

“…Nymph?”

“Surely you must know what a nymph is…?”

As I muttered, tilting my head in confusion, Charnoy, introducing itself as an inspector, expressed shock.

“To not know nymphs… How did such an ignorant person become a military information officer? I am gravely concerned about the future of the Military Intelligence Agency…!”

Charnoy seemed genuinely taken aback.

How remarkable it was to make someone uncomfortable without harboring ill intentions. What a peculiar talent it possesses.

“Yes, nice to meet you. But when will the auditor arrive?”

“What nonsense is this…? Do I not look like an auditor…?”

“No, are you really claiming to be the auditor?”

I slowly scanned the nymph claiming to be an auditor.

It wore the drab khaki uniform issued to Military Intelligence Agency employees. An identification badge was attached to its chest, and something bulged from the upper pocket.

“W-what are you staring at…? Such nymph-fearing looks…! No matter how much you stare, an exclusive limited-edition honey candy won’t be handed over…!”

Charnoy exclaimed nonsensically while covering something in its pocket.

I watched the scene unfold before storming out of the meeting room in search of the Inspection Office. I felt certain that there was a mistake somewhere.

But the answer from the Inspection Office was rather simple.

“Yes, how can I help you?”

“Uh… it seems my auditor hasn’t arrived yet. Please tell them to hurry and get that nymph back from the meeting room.”

“Nymph? Ah, Charnoy? It went out a while ago to conduct interviews with the internal audit subjects.”

“What?”

“Are you perhaps Colonel Frederick Nostrim, who recently worked at the Magic Tower? Then Charnoy is indeed your auditor.”

In that moment, I felt as if I had been struck by a hammer.

I gazed blankly into the void as Charnoy, the nymph, rushed in from the end of the hall, shouting something.

“Where do you think you’re going without permission!? This is clearly nymph-fearing behavior…! I will hold Charnoy responsible and refer you to the Disciplinary Committee…!”

Is this nymph really my auditor?

I stared at the chattering nymph with blank eyes.

“…….”

I want to go home.

—

It’s been around three days since I first met my assigned auditor. It was the third day since the bizarre encounter with Charnoy, the nymph.

Was Charnoy truly my internal auditor? The strange meetings continued.

During this time, I learned several new facts, mainly about nymphs.

First, nymphs are an extremely rare race. Belonging to the fairy family, nymphs live as long as long-lived beings like elves or dragons, and their populations are exceptionally scarce. According to the official data from the Abas Biological Society, nymphs, or similar species, rank among the lowest population levels of all races across the continent.

Second, nymphs have a penchant for sweets. This isn’t just true for Charnoy; it’s a common trait among nymphs. Yet due to the lack of samples, research on nymphs progresses slowly, and no one understands why they love sweets. There aren’t even any papers on it.

Third, nymphs are legally protected from capture and hunting by governments across nations. They’re endangered species.

While I wondered why one would want to hunt nymphs, I didn’t bother seeking the answer. I simply didn’t want to know.

In any case, my knowledge had expanded.

Of course, aside from nymphs, I learned a few additional things, including the fabricated (essentially stitched together) charges against me.

“Look! It’s clearly written here, so open your eyes wide and take a good look…!”

Charnoy presented a paper with a proud demeanor.

It was the expense report I had submitted a few weeks ago to headquarters.

“Do you know what this is…?”

“Um, yes. It’s a receipt. The expenditure record for an information agent.”

“Here’s a handwritten signature…! Do you see the amount written here? A whopping 8,000 dinars were spent on a single meal! That’s 5,000 more than the specified amount of 3,000 dinars set by Military Intelligence Agency regulations…!”

“And so?”

“This is clearly indicative of embezzlement…! Used public funds under the guise of a meal with an information agent…!”

Charnoy’s claims included three charges. The first charge was embezzlement.

Specifically, I had exceeded the regulated 3,000 dinars (about 30,000 won) set by the Military Intelligence Agency, and the difference was alleged to have been pocketed.

Since the intelligence agency’s budget is classified, spending records are not disclosed to the public or even during parliamentary audits. The reason being national security. Once specific expenditure records are revealed, estimates of the equipment and intelligence network the intelligence agency invested in become available.

However, the agency does know how information officers spend their special operating funds. They are required to report the amounts and purposes of their expenditures as per internal regulations, and the agency has its own verification procedures.

Granted, there are slush funds that can be accessed quickly in emergencies without questioning the purpose, and there are indeed employees who pilfer operating expenses through various routes, yet the agency is aware of all that as well. They’re just turning a blind eye since they are merely civil servants earning salaries and working hard.

In that context, Charnoy’s claims were technically a bit of a mislabeling of embezzlement. After all, it turns out I really did spend 8,000 dinars on that meal.

“Auditor, how do you manage to calculate the amount every single time on the spot? If an informant wants something pricey today, I can’t just say no, can I? Getting on their bad side might ruin the operation….”

Of course, my charges didn’t stop at embezzlement.

“Well, how do you explain this…! The act of accessing a Level 2 classified document from the Royal Intelligence Department…!”

“……”

“Explain yourself…!”

The second charge was a violation of security regulations.

Charnoy took issue with me accessing a Level 2 classified document (related to La Cardinal) produced by the Royal Intelligence Department without permission.

While Leoni, the head of the Royal Intelligence Department, and the representative of the Abas embassy at the Magic Tower had authorized the document access, I had indeed breached internal regulations by failing to obtain approval from the designated confidentiality officer and the agency head before accessing it.

I really had no excuse for that.

As I remained silent, Charnoy placed its hands on its hips with a smug demeanor.

“A violation is a violation…! Make your excuses in front of the Disciplinary Committee…!”

I didn’t particularly mind going to the Disciplinary Committee. If that’s what it wanted, I decided to just keep quiet.

From there, the internal evaluation by Charnoy continued.

Every morning, I had an inquiry right after clocking in at work, and post-lunch, I’d sign a handwritten statement.

According to the regulations of Military Intelligence Agency, when an inquiry by the Inspection Office is underway, I’m removed from duty and must solely attend to the Inspection Office’s investigation. After work, I must remain on standby at the official residence or home. Consequently, I traveled back and forth between the Inspection Office and my residence without meeting anyone.

Considering this internal audit was being conducted rather loosely, it felt almost like paid leave, but unfortunately, Charnoy seemed blissfully unaware, as it zealously questioned me.

“Why is the content of yesterday’s statement identical to today’s with not a single error? You must write your handwritten statement properly…!”

“Record the amounts of embezzlement in detail…! But what are you planning to do with such money? If you had a military savings plan like me, you wouldn’t be struggling for funds, isn’t that right? Now that you mention it, it seems I understand why you embezzled….”

Well, for me, I was slated to face only a formal disciplinary action, so I didn’t care too much, but I was merely curious as to why it was investigating with such enthusiasm.

When I asked that question, Charnoy replied.

“I, once in my childhood, was caught stealing from the church because I was so hungry…! The nun who caught me told me that crime is bad while giving me the silver candlestick I tried to steal…! Since then, I’ve been living diligently, more sincerely than anyone else….”

“Oh, so you joined the Inspection Office for promotion opportunities?”

“The Inspection Office is said to provide excellent chances for advancement…! If I handle one proper case, that guarantees swift promotion…! By the time I become a nymph, I’ll have my retirement benefits all set with severance pay and pension…! Even if I eat a jar of honey candies a day, I’d still have excess money left in my account…! It’ll be a truly nymph-friendly retirement life…!”

“……”

Something felt off, but it seemed Charnoy was genuinely trying to do its best in military life, so I decided to let it be.

Thus, I spent my days alongside the chattering nymph. Although I couldn’t go anywhere or communicate with anyone from outside like Jake, Pippin, Camila, or family, my life wasn’t too bad.

However, just one thing.

If it weren’t for the last charge. That one charge alone, things would be different.