A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Heroes of the Dark World. In a game developed by a small studio in Eastern Europe, numerous races appear.

Goblin. Elf, Beastman, Dwarf, Human, Magician… and even demons exist within this world.

And among them, the race that appears most frequently after humans is orcs.

“I never thought there would be a suit that fits an orc. Don’t you always complain that your military uniform is too small?”

“Maybe because you’re just a country bumpkin, you don’t know how many orcs are in the Imperial Army?”

A safe house set up near the slums of the Magic Tower.

The orc I met after several years held a tiny matchstick, looking incredibly cute compared to his size, and spoke in fluent Kienan.

“If it’s a standard suit that’s not tailored, then size shouldn’t be an issue. A skilled tailor could probably make clothes even for a dragon.”

“That makes sense. It suits you well, Victor.”

“You’re no different.”

In the dim-lit room.

The orc, relying on the tiny matchstick, bared his fangs in a grin as he smiled into the pitch-black darkness.

“It’s been a while, Freddy.”

—

Episode 12 – The Strongest Magician Ever

Jammer-Victor, who appeared in the safe house, has a status that lives up to his unique name.

As the name ‘Victor’ suggests, he’s not from Abas or the Magic Tower but hails from the Kien Empire.

The ‘Jammer’ prefix comes from the name of his hometown, meaning ‘Victor from Jammer’.

Considering that the naming conventions in the Kien Empire resemble those of the Slavic culture—comprising a name, the father’s name, and a surname—’Jammer-Victor’ is indeed a rather unusual name.

But neither I, nor his former comrades, nor even Francesca, who met him for the first time, found that name to be strange.

Because Victor is not human; he is an orc.

“You’re a bit late, aren’t you?”

“I’m not late; you are, Freddy.”

“Sit down. Don’t just stand there; your legs will hurt.”

Victor occupied the one-seater chair arranged in the room.

With a physique that easily surpassed 2 meters, the frail chair couldn’t withstand Victor’s hefty weight.

Creak! Creak! As he sat down, the chair screamed in protest, and Victor hid his embarrassment with an awkward smile.

“Oh dear.”

“You should lose some weight, Victor. That chair might just collapse.”

At the playful jab, the orc let out a hearty laugh.

“It’s better than some who look like they would break if you just poked them. And among orcs, I’m on the leaner side.”

Yeah, of course, you are.

I shook my head at Victor, who teased me for being scrawny. His laughter grew even louder at my reaction.

“Ah… excuse me for a moment.”

After laughing for a while, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears from his eyes.

“I haven’t laughed like this in ages. I guess I’ve become more laid-back since retiring.”

“It seems like you’re doing well. It’s nice to see you again after so long.”

“I feel the same, Freddy.”

Victor casually used my nickname and acted friendly toward me.

“It’s nice to meet after such a long time. I’m doubly pleased to see you in one piece.”

“Please save those jokes for orcs only. Anyway, I’m happy to see you too.”

“You surprised me by reaching out first. I’ll take your advice to heart. By the way… who is this lady with you?”

The orc gestured politely towards Francesca. Then, he turned his gaze to me and asked.

“Is she someone who knows me?”

That was a question about whether she was in the industry, specifically if she was a Military Intelligence Agency officer.

I shook my head.

“She’s not a Ministry of Defense employee. She’s from Patalia, not Abas. She belongs to the Magic Tower.”

“Oh, a magician, huh?”

Victor extended his hand courteously, giving due regard. Regardless of whether they are commoners or nobles, magicians receive treatment equivalent to that of nobility.

Pretending to kiss the back of Francesca’s hand while offering a polite greeting, Victor subtly glanced at me.

Understanding the meaning behind his gaze, I clarified his question.

“She’s someone who speaks Kienan.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Victor. I am Francesca of the Raniere family.”

“…Raniere?”

Victor’s eyes widened.

“Is it ‘that’ Raniere family that I know?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Oh dear, I must apologize for not recognizing you. Jammer’s Victor meets the esteemed descendant of the Raniere family.”

Getting up from his chair, Victor straightened the buttons on his jacket and bowed respectfully toward Francesca.

Victor didn’t bother to ask what relationship Francesca and I had. No matter how out of touch he might be, he couldn’t possibly be unaware of her, a headline on the front page of every newspaper and in the prime-time news.

For a moment, I thought I saw Francesca’s gaze towards Victor grow slightly cold but quickly regained her composure and accepted his greeting.

“There’s no need for such formality, Mr. Victor. You are my guest, not that of the Colonel.”

“If that’s the case…”

Having paid his respects to Francesca, Victor rose back to his seat, and Francesca’s gaze returned to me.

What is your relationship with him?

Her eyes seemed to ask that question directly.

I shrugged, trying to convey that it’s nothing serious.

“Francesca, this is Jammer-Victor. He’s a former Sergeant Major of the Kien Empire Army and, as you can see, an orc.”

“Sergeant Major?”

“It means he’s a soldier. He’s now in the reserves.”

After my introduction, Victor wore a gentle smile, more akin to a businessman.

“That’s correct. I served in the military until two years ago.”

“What kind of relationship do you have with the Colonel?”

“Oh, we are long-time friends. We met on official business and have since developed a personal relationship.”

Victor, who introduced himself as a friend, went on to explain that he was “now conducting business abroad.”

With an amusing grin that didn’t quite fit an orc, Victor narrowed his eyes and scrutinized my expression between his green skin.

“…….”

I nodded slightly in response to him. Perhaps calmed by that, the orc shifted his gaze back to Francesca and smiled brightly.

“I’m curious about how the two of you met.”

“It’s not exactly a story I can’t share with others.”

As Victor explained to Francesca how we met, I closed my eyes quietly, leaning back on the sofa and releasing a soft sigh.

Blocked from my view, my hearing sharpened beyond the sounds around me.

The conversations of ‘information agents’ pierced through the silence.