A Dark Fantasy Spy

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I couldn’t believe my ears for a moment.

I thought my Kien language skills had declined during my time at the headquarters, leading to a misunderstanding.

But no, it wasn’t that.

“Hey, did I mishear that? Did you just say conscription?”

“No, you heard correctly. But I believe your daughter hasn’t graduated from the Academy yet.”

With whispers buzzing among the information agents, I managed to pull up the documents and uncover the family relations of the agent.

Name: Vasiliy Vladimirovich Karachev
Gender: Male
Family: One spouse (female, homemaker), one child (female, attending Royal Academy of Magic)
Residence: Petrogard, Ulica Street Apartment 3-25
Occupation: Legislative Policy Advisor (Third-term MP of the Imperial Central Party, Defense Committee Secretary)
Classification: Local Agent

Like the officers peering into the interrogation room, the chief officer couldn’t hide his confusion either.

“I believe your child is currently enrolled in the Academy, Mr. Vasiliy, right?”

“Yes, she’s in her third year at the Royal Academy of Magic.”

“I’ve heard that there are cases where magical abilities manifest later, allowing adults to enter the Academy. Is your daughter one such case?”

“No, my daughter has become of age according to Imperial law this year.”

“I see. Still, it’s absurd that someone with a heart condition qualifies for conscription. This just doesn’t make sense.”

It seemed even he couldn’t believe it himself, his words stumbling as he spoke. The policy advisor nodded as if such a thing could indeed happen, contrasting the incredulous look on the chief officer’s face.

Suddenly, he sighed heavily and lowered his head.

“I know it sounds ridiculous. But what can we do about the reality we face…”

“Could you explain what happened?”

The agent began to recall the past.

“It wasn’t all that long ago.”

Episode 10 – Turn Northwest

It had been a humiliating time.

The conflict with the Magic Realm had stretched into its fourth year, rapidly turning into a fifth.

Under the martial law imposed, with curfews and information controls, the general public remained unaware of what was happening in the North, and even soldiers were only able to gather bits of news from their peers dispatched there.

A command came down from the Imperial family.

“The military must swiftly formulate plans concerning the Northern border situation.”

This order had come in the name of the Crown Prince.

As the military power of the Kien Empire rested with the Emperor, the Crown Prince issuing commands to the military was certainly overstepping his authority, yet there wasn’t a soul in the Empire bold enough to casually discuss the internal affairs of the Imperial family.

Thus, the operatives believed the Crown Prince had taken the reins of military authority under the silent consent of the Emperor.

The Crown Prince’s directive was immediately conveyed to the military.

Senior officers of the military scrambled to devise plans to resolve the Empire-Magic Realm conflict.

“In order to gain the upper hand in the battles unfolding in the North and stabilize occupied areas, we will likely need to deploy additional standing divisions from the southern, eastern, and western military sectors.”

“We must send equipment, materials, and manpower to restore the damaged transportation networks due to the actions of the demon race and certain reactionary factions.”

“Also, for effective execution of stabilization operations, a cooperative system involving the military, government, and civilians needs to be established.”

“However, realistically speaking, there are voices arguing for a unified command and control system under the Military Government Headquarters. It is indeed regrettable to have to mention this, but the Duke, who has dedicated the last century to the Empire and the North…”

However, as with all plans, unexpected issues arose.

The Ministry of Finance expressed its opposition, fearing that the country’s treasury would deplete if this continued, and it was proving difficult to scout businesses and civilians to send to the North for road and rail repairs.

Above all, troops stationed in the southern, eastern, and western sectors needed to prepare for foreign invasions, leading to many dissenting voices even within the military itself.

“What about a massive conscription? We could create a bill through the standing committee to provide benefits for those who serve for a specified period in the conflict areas.”

“The Ministry of Finance would certainly love that suggestion. In this ongoing debate about pension cuts, where would we find the funds to provide any benefits?”

“How about additional enlistments?”

“Isn’t the military already recruiting from minority groups within the Empire? If we initiate a nationwide conscription, backlash is highly likely. I believe it would be best to maintain the current situation of voluntary enlistment.”

At that moment, an officer presented a rather outrageous suggestion.

“Why not mobilize the magicians instead?”

“Magicians? The military’s magicians have all headed to the North by now. What’s left are only those who have already resigned, so why would they feel the need to head back?”

“No, I’m referring to those magicians—ones who have not yet enlisted.”

The suggestion was to send magicians attending the Academy or university to the North.

To put it more bluntly, it was a suggestion to send newly turned adults and high school students to the battlefield.

Naturally, there were immediate objections against such a preposterous idea, but as the war situation began to worsen, the military found itself growing desperate.

The military combined this absurd proposal with other issues and sent them up to the Imperial family, which ordered the Defense Committee—its corresponding standing committee—to examine what laws could be applied.

After thoroughly digging through the provisions of the military service law, they managed to find a legal basis for summoning students from the Academy and magic departments.

“Under the Empire’s military service law, magicians are always subject to summons. The laws of Abas or Patalia include magicians in draft provisions during wartime.”

The Secretary to the Defense Committee’s policy advisor stated.

“No matter how aggressive the hardliners in the military may be, conscripting minors is legally impossible. But those over the age of 18—meaning students from the third year at the Academy—are draftable.”

“Is that feasible? There’s bound to be an ethical controversy.”

“I have been involved in national defense policy for over a decade while working in the Ministry of Defense.”

The advisor elaborated on the Empire’s military system.

“Magicians are a highly valuable human asset for the nation. In particular, our military has recognized the military applications of magic for over a century, and for the past few decades, we have been focused on training combat magicians. One result of that effort is the on-site practice evaluation process at the Academy’s magic department.”

On-site practice evaluation.

This is a system for assessing magicians attending the Academy, where students deal with lower-risk monsters, create potions for patients at treatment centers, and more. Students provide necessary assistance while the Academy evaluates their performance.

In this process, points necessary for university admission can be earned, and scholarships can be awarded to those with outstanding results.

Since they receive a small fee from the hiring parties, it becomes a viable option for students from households with financial difficulties or those wishing to attend university.

Of course, the hiring parties also benefit by being able to call upon magicians at a “cheap price.”

As a side note, the Defense Ministry is the organization that utilizes on-site practice assessments the most.

“While variations exist across nations, military training for minor magicians is a standard part of the curriculum within the Empire. Cases where the Academy forms sister relationships with military bases to consistently send students are quite common.”

“I know. Abas has similar circumstances.”

The chief officer pinpointed the crux of the matter.

“So, the Empire’s Ministry of Defense intends to legally draft third-year students from the Academy, correct?”

The advisor nodded, a bitter expression on his face.

“Military bases are the easiest places to secure points in the on-site practice evaluations. A few hours of training and a couple of drills will earn plenty of points quickly. Furthermore, they generally pay the requested compensation on time and offer scholarships to students with exemplary grades.”

“So what do you mean by draft targets?”

“The military plans to establish a quota proportional to the number of personnel. Even if they don’t want to go, they can be forcibly conscripted.”

As mentioned earlier, students desperately needing the on-site practice evaluations were those without money or eager to go to university.

The Empire’s Ministry of Defense could utilize an existing system to send students to the North or could separately contract with students to encourage them to enlist.

But the notion of forcibly drafting recruits if numbers fell short was something I deemed outright ridiculous.

Consequently, a serving officer, the chief officer, asked the advisor.

“But isn’t the North a place where bullets are flying? No matter how legal it might be, sending students there, even if they are magicians…”

“Clearly inefficient and ethically a huge issue. I know. The military is no fool either.”

Despite how insane the Empire’s military might seem, there are indeed sound-minded individuals among them.

Even the hardliners are not so out of touch as to throw newly-minted adults into the front lines, regardless of their intentions to drive out the demon race.

“The students sent to the North will be stationed in the rear. They will assist engineers in repairing railroads and roads, create potions at field hospitals, and occasionally confront monsters that manage to breach the defense lines.”

“…”

“It means they will be supporting roles rather than the main players in the war.”

What a pathetic excuse.

Pushing nineteen and twenty-year-old students onto the battlefield, while claiming it was fine because they’d be in safe rear positions.

Even I, who pride myself on having seen my fair share of absurdities in life, found myself momentarily speechless.

The chief officer, along with the other information agents, shared my disbelief.

“We understand that training minors is part of our job as well…”

“Hey, is that even training? It’s basically just putting on a magic projector and letting the students sleep. I used to be in charge of training back in the day, so I know.”

“Damn it, now we’re even dragging kids into this. What kind of country are we asking them to save…”

“Yet here we are, bringing plans for an offensive next spring. Is anyone in their right mind?”

While the voices of the agents would likely not reach the interrogation room, the advisor lowered his head as if in shame.

It seemed a profound moment of realization had struck him.
The advisor spoke in a weary voice, revealing the confession of a disillusioned individual.

“Nothing has been finalized yet. Up until a few months ago, there were plenty of opposing opinions within the military. There were strong arguments suggesting that border defense should be left to the Border Guard while retaining only a small force, concentrating all troops in the North.”

“Why wasn’t that proposal adopted? It sounds more effective, considering what you mentioned about sending forces North or mobilizing reserve troops.”

“It nearly went to mobilization. Yet, as the threat of war increased, the mobilization order was rescinded.”

The advisor recalled events from a few months back.

“When the military was reviewing mobilization orders in consultation with the Imperial family, there was an unfortunate incident involving the Cult.”

I was well aware of the incident since I had been personally affected.

“After the bombing and assassination events, our intelligence agency received news that the defense posture of the Knights Order of the Cult and the Ministry of Defense of Abas had heightened dramatically.”

“…”

“Those within the military advocating for moderation believed that if troops were mobilized, the Abas military might interpret it as preparation for war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed with this moderate view, worried that unintended signals could be sent. Ultimately, the Imperial family dismissed the mobilization order.”

The advisor forced a laugh.

“Honestly, I never expected to see you here. It’s astonishing you’ve survived twice under life-threatening circumstances, but I never imagined you’d come to the Empire.”

The advisor briefly interrupted his narrative, then returned to the main topic.

He began to elaborate on what he knew about the North.

“If it were merely a lack of manpower, this situation wouldn’t have arisen. What the North desperately needs is not soldiers with guns but magicians.”

“Are you referring to combat magicians?”

“It doesn’t matter what kind of magician. Whether they are the magicians fighting on the frontlines or those mending damages in the rear, every single one is urgently needed.”

The Empire’s Ministry of Defense was in dire need of magicians to send North.

Be it capturing monsters, slaying demon-race, healing people, or repairing structures, they didn’t care.

“From that perspective, your companions could be seen as the best option. They include skilled magicians, alchemists, and healing priests.”

The Ministry of Defense needed the help of Camila, Lucia, and Francesca. Most importantly, if they could leverage their social standings and notoriety to gather more personnel, that would be a clear boon.

The advisor laid out all the knowledge he possessed regarding the situation in the North.

Much of it was gleaned by word of mouth from acquaintances frequenting the Ministry of Defense, but even that was valuable information for Abas.

Rumors of casualties exceeding the previously disclosed numbers,

reports of protests stemming from distribution issues, subdued through the use of the internal army and military police,

intelligence that command centers were attacked by infiltrating demon ranks, resulting in the deaths of senior officers,

civilians captured while attempting unauthorized escapes from the North only to be returned or killed,

and rumors of organizations formed around the Academy and University magic departments engaging in self-defense activities.

“The last one seems to have been stored separately in military intelligence. That information might have influenced the proposal to send students from the Academy and magic department to the North.”

“Is that mere rumor?”

“The existence of a self-defense organization in the North influencing military decisions is my personal opinion, but it’s indeed true that such organizations are operating and that military intelligence is aware of their movements. I vaguely recall having seen documents on the matter.”

Ah, the advisor suddenly seemed to remember something.

“And there are stories that the political situation in the Magic Tower has affected military decisions.”

“…The Magic Tower’s situation? What does that mean?”

The advisor recounted what he had heard from a junior officer he had befriended during his time as a civilian worker at the Ministry of Defense.

“Hasn’t the political climate in the Magic Tower become increasingly unstable? Protests are breaking out, and looting has become frequent. Casualties have also occurred.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Before that incident, news seeped out from the intelligence unit about the political factions within the Magic Tower conspiring toward secession.”

In the Empire, the intelligence unit refers specifically to the Reconnaissance Command. Although the military intelligence of Abas has merged into a military intelligence agency, the Empire retains the division of roles between intelligence units and counterintelligence operations.

The ones responsible for collecting overseas intelligence are the Reconnaissance Command’s operatives.

As a note, the ones who attacked when I met Fabio Verati at the hotel were special forces from the Reconnaissance Command.

“If secession is being discussed, then what is the connection to drafting minors?”

“While I don’t know specific details on the situation in the North, I have heard that both military and civilian magicians have suffered considerable losses, especially those responsible for recovery efforts in the rear.”

The advisor asked pointedly, as if testing the chief officer.

“What do you think would happen if the Magic Tower’s magic battalion, dispatched to the North, were to retreat from the frontlines due to the political instability in the tower?”

The result was glaringly obvious.

If law enforcement from the Magic Tower couldn’t maintain order, the magic battalion would surely pack up and return. If the police couldn’t handle security, the magic battalion would have to step in to fill that gap.

Considering the Magic Tower police were already in dire straits at that time.

To suppress the protests, they had drawn on police from various regions, thereby devastating the order in those areas too. Given that both the protestors and the criminals were also magicians, arrests weren’t easily made.

I was partly responsible for orchestrating the chaos, having executed the plans as a newly-promoted Captain, so I felt a twinge of conscience.

Perhaps I should order a large plate of pig’s trotters and a large portion of bossam for dinner. My mood has taken a downturn.

“Of course, as I mentioned earlier, the plan to send Academy and magic department students to the North has not yet been confirmed. There are opposing opinions within the military, and we still await the Emperor’s consent.”

“What has the Imperial family’s reaction been?”

“I cannot say for sure about that. Honestly, I don’t know how many truly understand the Emperor’s will.”

At that moment, an information officer operating recording and video gear signaled to the chief officer.

Noticing the time on my wristwatch, I saw only 30 minutes remained.

Nevertheless, the chief officer resolutely listened to the advisor’s concluding remarks.

“I have many sins.”

The advisor confessed.

“I was preoccupied with hiding the facts. I silenced other advisors and soldiers who tried to reveal the truth. If word ever reached the police, military, or the Inquisition, it could endanger the people around me.”

“…”

“I ceased the mouths of those wanting to reveal the truth and, even when I could have reported directly to the press, I didn’t.”

It was a common situation. An ordinary person—capable enough to hold a decent job, conscientious enough to feel obligated—might experience these phenomena.

That’s why most citizens in dictatorial states turn a blind eye and pretend to be ignorant.

There are no eternal secrets in this world. They have at least an inkling of what’s happening.

They’re merely terrified to speak of the truths.

“But I cannot raise my child in such a country. At the very least, my child is innocent. That’s why I chose to seek asylum.”

Even while the advisor prepared to conclude his thoughts, I was piloting the lie detector, wary that the agent might be lying about seeking asylum or, in the worst case, that the asylum itself could be an investigation by counterintelligence.

Yet, the lie detector confirmed that he was indeed speaking the truth.

“Did you discuss this with your wife?”

“Yes.”

“And your daughter?”

“…She does not know yet.”

As the advisor spoke weakly, the chief officer closed his lips tight.

He stared at the advisor in silence for a considerable time, and after what felt like an eternity, he took off his glasses and placed them on the desk.

“Mr. Vasiliy.”

“Yes.”

“To be honest, pursuing asylum could have a detrimental impact on your child’s life.”

The diplomat stated.

“I have worked as a diplomat for over 20 years, roaming across various nations, and I’ve met countless individuals who took the path of asylum. Among them were cases like yours where entire families sought asylum.”

“…”

“Your family has lived here in the Kien Empire for anywhere between 18 to 40 years. And I want to make it explicitly clear that asylum is never the same as immigration or travel abroad.”

The intelligence officer continued.

“Once you go abroad, the first challenge lies in maintaining a basic livelihood. If you come to Abas, we can support you and your family for a few years, but you or your daughter will eventually have to step out of that assistance and live in a new society.”

“…”

“Many asylum seekers struggle to adapt to new societies. They are always reminded of their loved ones—family, friends, lovers—left behind, often yearning for their old favorite eateries, their alma mater, or their hometown. But once on the path of asylum, there is no turning back to their homeland. The moment the doors open, rather than being greeted by family, they may be met by the investigators of counterintelligence.”

“…”

“I know of several people who, despite their companies’ warnings, secretly returned to their homelands only to be captured. Most ended up executed, whether swiftly or eventually.”

“…”

“Of course, there is a possibility that you and your wife could successfully adjust to Abas society. Some manage to lead new lives, making new acquaintances and second careers. But that’s where the story deviates for your daughter.”

The officer explained as an empathetic father.

“I understand just how sensitive a time it is for an 18-year-old child. For children, schools and universities act as familial units, being closer than workplaces or societies. Clearly, having spent half their lives in educational institutions, that makes sense.”

“…”

“Your daughter is highly likely to struggle adapting to this second life. Living alone in a foreign land without her friends or classmates is bound to be tremendously difficult. There’s a chance she may blame you both for taking her away, questioning why she had to leave her past life behind.”

“…”

“Yet still, if you are genuinely resolved to seek asylum abroad for your daughter, at the very least, I urge you to discuss it with her beforehand. This isn’t merely a diplomatic recommendation I’m offering but a sincere word from one father to another.”

The chief officer handed a sealed envelope containing three Warp Gate tickets to the advisor.

“These are tickets for the use of the Warp Gate. They permit visa-free entry into a nation welcoming Kien Empire citizens and are one of our allies.”

Once you arrive at that country, someone from the embassy will ensure your safety and that of your family.”

“…”

“Departure is scheduled for 03:40 tomorrow. If you fail to arrive at the departure hall by then, we will consider it a withdrawal from your asylum request.”

I hope you make a wise decision.

*

Although I urged him to discuss it with his family, the outcome was obvious.

The advisor had already discussed it with his wife, and given that this was a matter of life and death, his daughter wouldn’t throw a tantrum about staying in the Empire.

The advisor secretly reported that the conversation with his daughter went well. He hung a purple towel on his apartment balcony as a signal, and an agent confirmed it, leading to a report to the embassy.

Accompanying the advisor in his quest for asylum, military intelligence provided him with an emergency contact network. He was instructed that if anything went wrong, he had to use this network while ensuring he did not get caught by counterintelligence.

I asked the embassy to look into doctors and hospitals capable of treating the daughter’s heart condition, and I included measures to support her adaptation to Abas society in my recommendations.

Whether that would be accepted or rejected rested with military intelligence. They returned a positive reply, but with a note that it could take some time.

Meanwhile, I diligently attended to my duties as the Defense Attaché.

With the North deployment only two days away, a tsunami of tasks crashed over me.

The Empire’s Ministry of Defense held late meetings, constantly summoning me, and as soon as adjournments were declared, requests for official documentation followed in rapid succession. On top of that, multiple events I had to attend as a diplomat continued until dawn.

It was perhaps lucky that the asylum operation was nearing completion; otherwise, I would have surely collapsed from overwork by now.

“Ugh….”

Returning to the diplomatic residence, I collapsed onto the sofa. The luxurious one provided with the funds from the Abas Ministry of Foreign Affairs was incredibly comfortable.

“I’m utterly exhausted.”

“Feeling pretty tired?”

Camila, wrapped up in a blanket, poked her head out like a cutie, peering at me.

With no strength to respond, I merely nodded weakly.

“Being a diplomat isn’t as easy as it seems. Working until the dawn.”

“There really isn’t any such thing as an easy profession in this world. Public service isn’t a walk in the park; only your longevity is guaranteed.”

Five days had passed since arriving in the Kien Empire. In just two more, I would be preparing to cross over to the North next week.

Camila, Lucia, and Francesca had completed their preparations long ago. However, the personnel accompanying Lucia and Francesca took longer to mobilize, causing a delay.

Notably, one of the support personnel from the Church included Priest Rebecca—Petrus’s secretary, who had been compromised as a double agent working for military intelligence.

It seemed Rebecca had stepped down from her position as secretary to assist Lucia. Or perhaps Petrus had rearranged his personnel.

Pippin and Jake were set to arrive on Sunday.

-Thunk thunk.

While lying there, my eyes closed, like a corpse, Camila nudged me lightly with her legs, waking me up.

“…What’s going on?”

“I finished the assignment you gave me.”

I took the paper Camila extended and began to read. It was a report she had prepared as a temporary assignment to train her in espionage-capturing and intelligence analysis.

Analysis of the situation in the North, the political structure and power dynamics of the Kien Empire, and the correlation between political/military elites and tribalism in the Mauritania Continent.

The last topic intrigued me; it gave off an appealing vibe right from its title.

“What’s this? Politics and Military Elites’ Relationship with Tribalism in the Mauritania Continent?”

“Exactly that. The report investigates how deeply embedded tribalism is in the political and military elite segments.”

Camila’s report illustrated how significantly tribalism had entrenched itself in the minds of the citizens on the Mauritania Continent.

For millennia, the Continent had survived as tribal units, and Camila’s investigation focused on how elite councils, like tribal elders, influenced the government and military.

I flipped through the pages with interest, letting out a thoughtful sound.

“Hmm… how did you know about this? Aren’t you finding it difficult to gather materials?”

“I asked employees from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they lent me the resources.”

“What?”

“They inquired upon hearing I majored in international politics at university. Then they started telling me about similar academic fields back on Earth.”

It was hard to believe. What on earth had she accomplished in just five days to strike up a friendship with the Empire’s diplomats?

Suspecting she might be boasting, I posed a few questions, but Camila effortlessly provided answers, showcasing her keen intellect.

From what I’d gathered, I had already anticipated that Camila was exceptionally bright.

After a barrage of questions, she smiled cheerfully.

“You remembered well, didn’t you? For a crash course, it looks like you did really well.”

“It does appear so.”

Camila, who had been smiling widely, suddenly tilted her head in curiosity.

“But you seem quite knowledgeable about tribalism. Have you perhaps worked in the Mauritania Continent before?”

“I studied hard when I worked in the Middle East and North Africa back in the day.”

“Oh, the Middle East and North Africa? That does make sense. It’s famously known for its deep-rooted tribalism.”

Both the Africa and Middle East regions, along with the Mauritania Continent, share tribalistic tendencies.

Thus, diplomats operating in those areas often communicate with local governments as well as regional tribes. There’s no need to mention the information agent’s role.

I set the paper aside, momentarily lost in memory.

“When I compare it to China or Russia, those were truly the easy days. It wasn’t too cold, the food suited my palate surprisingly well, and there wasn’t much monitoring at a national level… I could cross borders in a van through the desert without any issues.”

“What on earth were you doing out there?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Just company-related tasks.”

While I read through the other reports, there wasn’t a single flaw in her work.

Typically, I would have to visit her hotel for such training; however…

“Why did you ask me to come here today, though?”

“I got intercepted the last time I was here. I think someone was following me.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“My accommodations are safe. At least safer than a hotel.”

The chances of being intercepted were high. Hotels aren’t entirely secure either.

Thankfully, we could converse comfortably due to the anti-eavesdropping equipment activated.

Camila showcased what she had practiced over time, and I inspected the results diligently.

While she excelled in most areas, her analytical skills were on par with fresh recruits who had undergone several months of training. I wondered if the British intelligence agency massively evaluates their interns.

“Well done. It’d be even better if you trimmed down the annotations a bit.”

“Got it. But why aren’t you asleep? Is it because of me?”

“That’s not the case. There’s an important call I need to take. It’s something related to the company, so I have to stay awake.”

“…Working until dawn?”

What more could I do? If asked, I had to oblige.

Fortunately, Camila didn’t probe about the specifics. The asylum operation was something she might find intriguing, but until an official announcement occurs, I couldn’t say a word.

Once the advisor and his family had departed for Abas, news about asylum could potentially yield articles next week. Perhaps keeping the situation secret for my family remaining in the Empire would be a necessary precaution.

I could, however, lightly hint about it after the operation was concluded. I trusted Camila not to gossip unnecessarily.

In any case, while perusing the analysis report and evaluating the areas for improvement, I was suddenly interrupted.

-♪

“What was that sound?”

“Oh, sorry, must be a call from the company.”

The security call came in. I excused myself and took the call in the kitchen.

Checking the screen, the number displayed was not from the embassy but from military intelligence. Glancing at the clock, it was exactly 4:10 AM. The advisor and his family should have successfully crossed over by now.

Having confirmed the time, I answered the call.

“Communications Security. Colonel Frederick Nostrim of the Kien Empire—how can I assist?”

“Colonel Nostrim, we have a situation.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“The asylum attempt has failed.”