A Dark Fantasy Spy

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“Are you seriously telling me to get discharged now?”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh, as it felt ridiculous even after saying it myself.

“Hey, Saint! This is the Intensive Care Unit. I have to wheel my IV stand just to use the bathroom over there. Without it, I can’t even step outside!”

Sure, my condition had improved, but that was only compared to when I was wheeled in. I’m still getting IV fluids every day. I can move around, but I still have to use the IV stand as a makeshift cane whenever possible.

What on earth do you mean by getting discharged?

But Veronica, unfazed, was digging at her ear with her pinky while munching on my words.

“At this rate, you’re more than ready to go. Who told you to walk to the hotel, Colonel? You’re getting out of here, so hurry up.”

“No, no way! Not in this state….”

I trailed off, my gaze dropping. At the end of my line of sight was the unmistakable hospital gown that screamed, ‘I’m a patient!’

It’s standard to wear a hospital gown while being admitted. My suit, which I wore to the department store, had long been tossed into the clothing bin, reduced to nothing more than rags.

Of course, if I contacted my unit or family, they’d bring me some clothes, but it’s the crack of dawn right now. Can you imagine calling from the ICU at dawn asking someone to bring my discharge clothes? Nine out of ten times, they’d think, “Ah, this guy has finally lost it.”

“Once the sun’s up, I’ll ask for some decent clothes. You should just go ahead….”

“I brought your clothes.”

“What?”

“I brought a suit for you, Colonel.”

In a priest’s robe, Veronica opened a large bag she’d somehow procured and pulled out a full suit.

With a confident smile, she held out the suit as if it were a trophy.

“I asked my sister to get it. I had her buy one that fits your usual size. The shoes are here too.”

“…Your sister? Who?”

“Francesca.”

“Ah.”

I was utterly speechless, like I had just been struck on the head.

Without caring about my feelings, Veronica placed the suit and shoes on my bed and urged me.

“Hurry up and put it on. We have to get out of here before people start coming to work.”

—

The discharge happened in the blink of an eye.

Usually, you need the doctor’s permission to leave, but I got lucky since my attending physician was on duty.

The doctor and military chaplain, having heard the news via the intercom, jumped up from the duty room sofa and rushed down to the first floor.

And they fell flat on their faces.

The doctor staggered in shock upon seeing me standing there fine, and the military chaplain fainted at the sight of my intact right hand.

I was puzzled by their reactions, but Veronica was poking my side and dragging my arm, insisting we leave.

“This is absurd….”

“You’ve been saying weird things since earlier. Stop rambling and let’s go inside; it’s cold.”

Bypassing complicated procedures, we completed the discharge process and headed straight to the hotel.

—

Welcoming foreign guests is traditionally a significant event in diplomacy.

And every time there’s a visit, a trivial debate always crops up: “Which hotel will the guests stay at?”

There’s the “Hyatt Hotel,” a local enterprise close to the Yongsan U.S. Army base, favored by past American presidents; the “Lotte Hotel,” which caters to both Korea and Japan and is where the Japanese Prime Minister always stays; and the “Shilla Hotel,” known for its historical importance and trust with Chinese leaders.

So, when leaders from the U.S., Japan, and China visit South Korea, those are typically the hotels they frequent.

All of them are five-star establishments equipped with special spaces to welcome state guests, each carrying its own political and historical significance.

The hotel provided by the Abas government was no different.

“It’s really spacious,” I remarked.

The hotel was vast and grand.

Boasting a long history, it had hosted countless heads of state and government officials, starting with President Patalia, and had once housed the Emperor of the Kien Empire decades ago. It had been operated by the Abas government for state guests.

Moreover, it was popular among foreign dignitaries and renowned figures visiting Abas, making its historical and symbolic significance hard to put into words.

But the people currently staying at the hotel weren’t just simple dignitaries or celebrities.

“…Huh?”

Camila, who was passing by the hallway, jumped back and shouted when our eyes met.

“Uh… what are you doing here—no, when did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

Camila opened her arms naturally for a hug, and I understood it as a friendly greeting and opened mine in return.

…It’s quite grand.

After a brief hug, we pulled away.

Camila still looked shocked, her expression clearly indicating her astonishment.

“You weren’t seriously injured, were you? What on earth happened? I heard you were in the hospital, and I couldn’t get in touch with you….”

“Oh, it was a place where communication was tricky. I couldn’t even call my family.”

“Were you badly hurt?”

“Not anymore. Can’t you see how well I’m doing now?”

“What a relief. I was really worried.”

After greeting each other happily, Camila laughed softly, her expression finally relaxing.

While chatting with Camila, I suddenly felt a piercing gaze from beside me.

At the end of that gaze was Veronica, shooting me a suspicious look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“When did you two become so close…?”

“…Huh?”

Camila responded, bewildered by the question, while Veronica narrowed her eyes and shot me a strange look.

I puzzled over why she was acting weird; then it hit me—she’s a noble from the Empire.

In some cultures, hugs are accepted as greetings, but here, meaningful hugs aren’t common unless you’re extremely close, like family or good friends. Especially for nobles, who value etiquette.

Sure, nowadays, some people do hug as a casual greeting. But Veronica was nothing like that. What kind of lunatic would dare to ask a saint for a hug? Not even the Pope would do that.

So, her reaction was only natural.

“Ah, I guess you don’t know, Saint. It was just a greeting.”

“…Isn’t hugging between a man and a woman a bit much?”

“Uh… it is in England, though?”

“…Do foreigners count as civil servants now?”

Lady, you’re from Abas, not England.

Veronica skillfully rephrased what I thought about saying. If we were being picky, it’s actually Korea, not England.

I shrugged my shoulders in response and moved on.

From then on, it was pretty predictable who I’d run into next.

“Welcome. I received word you’ve left, but I’m sorry I didn’t come out to greet you.”

“Not at all. It’s been a while. Administrator.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Colonel.”

Francesca greeted me with a warm smile.

With a kind demeanor, she held out her hand and lightly brushed off my suit jacket.

“I’m glad it fits well. Since it was a rush job, I was worried it wouldn’t be accurate, but… it seems that was unnecessary.”

“Thanks to your excellent taste, it fits perfectly.”

After a casual handshake with Francesca, I turned my attention to others.

“Saint Lucia, how nice to see you too. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been fine. Have your wounds healed? You aren’t overexerting yourself, are you…?”

“Oh, I’m alright. Can’t you see I’m perfectly fine and discharged?”

With Lucia’s worried inquiry, I awkwardly smiled.

The doctor didn’t even say I was allowed to leave, and to be honest, it felt more like Veronica dragged me out against my will, but I was standing here in one piece, so it didn’t seem to be a problem.

And with two saints around, what could I possibly worry about? Lucia wouldn’t just sit back and watch a patient in distress, not when she could help him.

Lucia told me to come to her if there were any issues, and I promised to get a check-up someday as I grasped her outstretched hand.

“Huh? Your finger….”

“Huh?”

While we were shaking hands, Lucia suddenly muttered, feeling something was off.

Only then did I raise my right hand to show the group.

“Oh, this? Thanks to Saint Veronica’s treatment, it’s all healed.”

“I see, that explains the divine aura I sensed….”

“You certainly picked up on it.”

I exchanged greetings and discussed what had happened with Camila, Lucia, and Francesca.

Ah, it feels good to be out!

“I was so gloomy just lying in that hospital bed all day. Honestly, why did it take you all so long to come visit me?”

“Blame the Ministry of Defense. Or maybe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

She suggested I badmouth my workplace. Sure, presidents might take insults, but I think it’s a bit risky to complain about my employer, who could be eavesdropping.

So I just laughed.

“Alright!”

With a clap of her hands, Veronica gathered everyone’s attention and shifted the mood.

“Come on, everyone, stop just standing there and come inside. The Colonel is here, so let’s have a party!”

“You could just say you want to drink….”

“Who says it that plainly? Just get the hints and roll with it, okay?”

“Uh, sure…?”

I whispered to Veronica before entering the room with the four of them.