A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Ruins. A collapsed building.

The rubble spills in like rainwater, gathering as it flows. The piled stones resemble a solitary castle.

The sun, which illuminates all things, hides beyond the western horizon. The faint moonlight is also obscured by clouds. The ash-gray sky seems to carry an ominous aura.

Tap. A sound echoed in the ruins where the chill air had settled. A figure in a worn, tattered monk’s robe crouched down, groaning softly as he settled in the ruins.

“They are coming.”

The hem of the monk’s robe brushed against the ground as his gaze shifted toward the direction of the sound. Kneeling there was someone, their back turned.

The figure kneeling at the altar was barely distinguishable.

It was difficult to determine if they were male or female, and even the tone that trickled from their lips was too faint to define them.

But one thing was certain.

What concealed their face was indeed a robe.

The monk, resting both hands on his staff, asked in a low voice.

“Who is coming?”

“Those who follow false beliefs.”

“….”

The monk leaned on his staff and stood up from the rubble.

“…I must prepare.”

With a sound that resonated deep within the hollow ruins, a faint metallic clink escaped from the staff.

Clink. Clink. The sound of the staff gradually faded. The man who had been kneeling lifted his head to gaze at the frescoes etched on the walls of the ruins.

He murmured in a faint voice while looking at the grand frescoes, which rivaled those in the great temple.

“Worship.”

The seeds left by the greatest shall flourish.

Soon, the time of glory will arrive.

Episode 12 – The Strongest Magician in History

The weather in the north is remarkably capricious, which is a stark contrast to the barren environment.

Its whims are so profound that there are countless folklores in the northern regions centered around beings that control the weather.

“What are you doing, little one?”

“Me?”

A chubby child, bundled in thick clothes, looked up with a face full of suspicion.

The child asked the man standing before them.

“But who are you, mister? Are you a priest by any chance?”

“Close enough.”

“Wow.”

The priest crouched next to the child. Ignoring his dirty shoes and torn robes, he lowered his gaze.

The child, observing the priest with curiosity, turned his head to look at the ground.

Proving that dandelions grow between asphalt and flowers bloom even in the mud, the child’s little hands busily moved, creating something.

It seems the flames of war haven’t snatched away the child’s innocence.

While watching the child, the priest suddenly pointed at what the child was making.

“What are you making, little one?”

His finger pointed to a small stone.

Not quite a stone, it was broad and flat, with a bit of height, perhaps better called a small rock.

Several leaves lay atop this small rock.

Because it was midwinter, the leaves were not only a brownish hue but had turned a grimy black, crumbling at the slightest touch, yet the child carefully lifted them with both hands and laid them on the rock.

Now that he looked closely, tiny fruits were gradually accumulating on the leaves.

These fruits were as small as pebbles mixed in sand, their edibility questionable. Nonetheless, the child diligently maneuvered his tiny fingers to transfer them to the leaves.

The child beamed with a bright smile.

“I’m going to offer a prayer!”

“A prayer? Who are you praying to?”

“To the goddess of willow trees!”

The willow goddess is a deity in northern Kien Empire folklore.

She traverses the boundary between the heavens and the underworld, ceaselessly cycling through the seasons, akin to the goddess Demeter in Greco-Roman mythology.

Of course, folklore scholars generally accept that the willow goddess is more of a spirit than a true deity, but that seems far too complex for the child to comprehend.

“Why are you offering a prayer?”

“I’m going to pray for the snow to stop quickly.”

What a truly innocent response.

The child, whose baby fat had not yet faded, spoke with a bright yet slightly wistful smile.

Seeing that smile, it was hard not to smile back. The priest gently patted the child’s head.

As he quietly observed the child preparing to pray to the willow goddess, his mouth opened. At that moment, the rosary wrapped around his hand emitted a peculiar sound.

“Little one.”

“Yes, priest uncle?”

The priest smiled softly.

He opened his mouth slowly and gently.

“Are you a heretic?”

*

“Today, a battle broke out near National Route 81 in the southwestern direction of the Naroda Mountains. A troop transportation team was overrun by a flock of white-tailed feather monkeys. Additionally, scattered skirmishes occurred along National Route 81 as monsters were disturbed by the sound of gunfire.”

I signed the report Pippin handed me.

As I set the file down, Pippin took the report and left, and shortly after, Jake came in and placed another document on my desk.

“Manager. The Military Government Headquarters has requested the Hero to be moved.”

“Where are we going this time?”

It’s been nearly a month since I came to the north.

It has already been a month since we got involved with the Kien Empire, the cult, the magic tower, and various pro-empire riffraff.

In this short yet sufficiently long month, all operations occurring in the north have been progressing quite smoothly.

“It’s a valley in the eastern mountain range. It’s an area where artillery can’t reach, and they need to deploy troops directly, requiring the Hero’s assistance.”

“A valley? That’s tough terrain for fighting. Given the north’s notoriously unpredictable weather, you want to face monsters in a valley?”

“Don’t even mention it. I briefly saw some photos of the valley that Pippin took; wow, it was no joke.”

“Why are they sending Camila there? I just don’t understand….”

From an overarching perspective, the situation in the north appears to be incredibly stable.

The formidable Naroda Mountains act as a natural barrier, holding back the demon and monsters coming from the north. The Imperial Army has pounded them with artillery from afar, blocking their approach, while who knows what happens to those who crawl down to the defense line.

Despite the accumulated damage, the Imperial Army remains the Imperial Army. Over the past month, there have been ‘almost’ no reports of monsters or demons emerging from beneath the Naroda Mountains.

Of course, it is true that the Imperial Army played a pivotal role in blocking the advances of the demons and monsters. However, the person who took on the core role is none other than Camila.

“Isn’t it just because you’re the Hero, and they want to stop by for a visit? They must be pinning their hopes on what you’ve shown so far.”

“Just a bunch of robbers.”

Camila, who participated in the Naroda Mountains wasteland operation, is literally turning the mountains into wastelands. She has reportedly burned about a quarter of the vast mountains.

Having been the only magician capable of burning down coniferous forests from the beginning of her northern expedition, Camila had attracted the attention of high-ranking military officials. However, now, she’s been breaking records every day like a runaway pony.

Her accomplishments during the rift were the reason.

“Ever since you helped out that one time, they’re asking for favors left and right. It’s like pulling someone out of water and then demanding they hand over their bundles.”

“What do you mean ‘one strike’….”

“Why so grumpy? Are you jealous, Manager? Oh, right, you were there during the rift.”

She hunted that spider, which took hits from the legion and division artillery and somehow came back alive. While it’s true that Camila didn’t take it down alone, she was the one who dealt the final blow.

Thanks to that, outside of the Military Government Headquarters, even the front-line units are showing interest in Camila. I confirmed this by obtaining conversations shared among soldiers on leave, stationed with units that had retreated for rearrangements.

I closed the report stamped with the Military Government Headquarters emblem. Jake was chatting away happily.

“She’s like a complete idol.”

“Shut it. Anyway, go tell her that the proposal has been rejected. Use more elegant wording. Say she appeared to be troubled because she has more work left and won’t be able to visit the valley.”

“Huh? Is that okay?”

“I’ll explain the circumstances, so you just have to deliver the message. I’ll have a separate chat with Camila, so don’t worry.”

“Yes? Understood, Manager.”

Anyway, all types of operations unfolding in the north are progressing successfully.

Although the rift was attacked, in a broader view, casualties remained minimal. More than a hundred people lost their lives, yet the number of troops deployed in the north is more than enough to fill those gaps.

I’m also taking good care of Camila. Since she’s been operating in the farthest isolated locations, I’ve been investing a bit more time into her care. Being a bright and energetic person, she seems to be making snowmen all by herself in the snowy mountains, wanting to escape the cold.

What was it she said? If she handled ice instead of flames, she’d make an ice palace grander than any Disney movie or something….

In any case, Camila is safe today too.

However, Lucia and Francesca are a bit concerning. To be precise, I should say I’m worried. Still, for now, as long as nothing major happens to the two, that’s a silver lining.

The operation ordered by the Military Intelligence Agency is… well, it’s going okay.

“Hey, Pippin!”

As I called out to Pippin, who was seated, he peeked his head out.

“Did you call me?”

“Is there a meeting today… No, any news from the embassy or headquarters?”

“Neither the embassy nor headquarters has contacted us separately.”

“…Sigh. Alright. Keep working.”

Leoni, the head of the overseas division at the Military Intelligence Agency, has ordered us to gather intelligence as quietly as possible.

The task is to ascertain all events happening in the north and the movements of key officials from the Empire, the cult, and the magic tower currently operating there.

However, he didn’t specify which individuals we should focus on or what the operation’s goals were. Normally, I would have had no suspicions, but since this operation was ordered by ‘that’ Leoni, it left a slight feeling of unease.

Nonetheless, commands are commands, and as the saying goes, no news is good news. So, I’ve just been gathering materials quietly to send through the embassy to the headquarters of the Military Intelligence Agency.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was already time to get off work.

“Working hours are over.”

*

Pippin and Jake twisted their stiff bodies, groaning.

“Ugh…!”

“My neck hurts. It cracked.”

“At least this is better. Better than working late until dawn.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

“Are you not going home, Manager?”

I organized my desk and waved them off.

“Yeah, I’ll be staying late today.”

“Where are you going this time? To see the Saint? The Administrator?”

“Both.”

“Oh dear.”

Jake clicked his tongue, seemingly exasperated. As Pippin stepped out the door, he backstepped and peered into the office.

“Have a cozy time!”

“Hey, you—”

“Beat it!”

“Tehjaah!!”

Pippin and Jake bolted out like their heels were on fire, leaving behind strange nonsense.

I watched them dash out the door, clicked my tongue lightly, and finished organizing my office.

“Sigh….”

I really wonder when they will grow up.

Thinking that, I busily moved my hands and glanced at the clock before picking up the phone.

A brief dial tone played, and then the other party picked up, likely already holding the receiver.

I greeted Francesca warmly, her voice reaching over the line.

“Administrator. It’s Colonel Frederick.”

-‘Ah, it’s you, Colonel.’

“I heard you’re heading to a new city today. Have you arrived yet?”

-‘Well, somewhat… It’s good timing actually. I was just about to contact you.’

“Why? Did you encounter any problems?”

-‘That’s right.’

“Oh dear. If the Administrator is in trouble, I suppose I have to help again—”

-‘It’s not me. It seems the Saint is in a predicament. There was an incident involving a civilian victim.’

“Please send me the address. I’m heading out now.”