A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Among the magicians of the Magic Tower Secretariat, four have records of operating on the same continent.

Mauritania Continent.

“The Mauritania Continent holds a significant historical meaning in the magical society. It’s the birthplace of curses and sorcery, represented by voodoo rituals.”

“The birthplace of curses and sorcery, you say?”

“To be precise, it’s the region where primitive forms of curses and sorcery originated.”

Francesca continued her explanation.

“The Mauritania Continent is where the most artifacts in that field are excavated, and politically, sorcerers linked to local beliefs have made significant inroads into politics, making the influence of the sorcery and astrology factions quite strong there.”

“You’re talking about priests.”

“Yes. Priests, including the High Priestess, are deeply involved in the politics of the Mauritania Continent. Based on their political connections, they also support the astrology faction of the Magic Tower.”

Francesca explained that it wasn’t unusual for magicians of the Magic Tower to visit the Mauritania Continent. After all, it is the birthplace of curses and sorcery, and a region where major patrons of the astrology faction reside, containing the Ivory Tower, a competing entity to the Magic Tower.

At first glance, Francesca’s words sounded somewhat reasonable.

However, it couldn’t be easily overlooked, as it was Leonie who had instructed the investigation of the Secretariat magicians.

In that moment, a remark by Clevenz suddenly came to mind.

“Leonie has been in charge of that for a long time. I can’t tell you too much due to circumstances, but do you remember what I said before? Before heading north.”

I briefly recalled the positions Leonie had held.

Former Head of the Military Intelligence Agency’s Kien Empire Branch.
Former Director of the Military Intelligence Agency’s Lushan Federal Kingdom Branch.
Former Director of the Royal Intelligence Department’s National Operation Division.
Current Head of Overseas Operations at the Military Intelligence Agency.

Lushan Federal Kingdom.

A nation located at the southernmost tip of the continent. A federation of local rulers. Together with Patalia, it is a traditional maritime power that controls and divides a vast sea reminiscent of the Mediterranean.

The continent existing across that sea is,
“…Mauritania.”

It is the very Mauritania Continent.

Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Magician of All Time

After giving Francesca some appropriate instructions, I took a moment to catch my breath while wandering along the roadside.

Heavily armed military police and internal forces patrol the downtown area, watching over the citizens. A soldier with a rifle slung over his shoulder surveys the street while a high-ranking officer stops a passing citizen, gesturing for them to open their trash bag.

A citizen, wearing an awkward coat that seemed hastily thrown on, coughed, causing those around to frown and hurriedly step away, as if afraid of catching a disease. The long line for rations, faced with the biting cold wind, showed no signs of disappearing.

Familiar yet strange sights flowed through like a panorama.

“…Senior Lyudmila.”

“Ah, yes. Colonel.”

“I want to go back to the hotel. Which way should I go?”

Following Senior Lyudmila’s guidance, I arrived at the hotel.

Once a five-star hotel catering to citizens visiting for leisure from across the Empire, it has now been commandeered by the Military Government Headquarters for four years. The pride of Novo Nikolayevsk, the administrative capital of the north, sits abandoned.

It appears to be maintained, yet poorly so.

The exterior looks fine, but the expiration date on an unopened tube of toothpaste is alarming, and there’s mold growing in the closet’s corner.

In many ways, it’s lacking, but as there’s no issue in living here, I use it without complaint. It’s certainly more comfortable than the time I was homeless in the rebel-controlled area.

– Creak.

I quietly opened the balcony door and stepped out onto the terrace.

December’s winter. The cold sky is filled with gloomy dark clouds.

Taking a cigarette pack from my pocket, I let out a deep sigh.

“Ah… it’s already all gone.”

Inside the square cigarette box, only five or six cigarettes rolled around. I had just bought them around lunchtime, and they were gone in half a day.

I should have quit when my classmates advised me to stop smoking. Yet, here I am, still unable to quit.

Fzzzt. The sound of flint striking creates a spark.

The familiar scent of tobacco mixed with oil tickled my nose briefly before the harsh smoke disappeared down my throat.

“…….”

Leaning against the terrace railing, I silently gazed at the scenery of Novo Nikolayevsk.

The sunset over the snowy expanse spread beyond the towering buildings, showcasing the Duke’s fortress and the Military Government Headquarters in one sweeping view.

The sun hanging on the horizon began to slip away into the night sky. Like fleeing the night, it dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in rosy hues that foreshadowed the coming long darkness.

“…Sigh.”

Dreamlike rosy skies blended with gray clouds.

The deep inhale filled my lungs, and exhaling, I watched the fading sunlight vanish into the night sky.

As the darkness thickened, so did the weight of the worries I bore in one corner of my heart. Against the backdrop of Novo Nikolayevsk’s twilight, I expelled another sigh mixed with smoke.

“Hah….”

The company had issued me two commands.

One was to assist agents in conducting intelligence operations, presumed to be assassinations, to enter the north.

The other was to investigate the magicians affiliated with the Magic Tower Secretariat operating in the north and report back to headquarters.

While it seemed difficult to find the connection at first glance, I instinctively sensed that the two commands weren’t separate matters.

“…Somehow, I’ve felt like things have been too easy lately.”

Both orders came from the overseas division. Specifically, the head of overseas operations, Leonie, was behind the commands.

I wasn’t certain of Leonie’s exact reason for wanting to assassinate the Secretariat magicians, but considering their workplaces and Leonie’s past positions, I could roughly guess that the Mauritania Continent was involved.

That makes sense, given that Leonie had previously served as the director of the Lushan Federal Kingdom branch.

Typically, overseas branches of intelligence agencies specialize in particular countries or regions. The Washington branch handles the U.S., the London branch manages the U.K., and the Tokyo branch oversees operations within Japan.

However, when circumstances are challenging, a single branch may oversee multiple countries at once. This usually happens when conducting operations in nations without diplomatic relations; an adjacent branch provides backup for intelligence networks and operational teams.

Take, for example, my time working in Syria.

Since South Korea and Syria do not have diplomatic ties, the branch adjacent to Syria had supported our team’s operations. From funding to information resources and supplies, the branch provided us with all its assets.

In that context, it’s possible that Leonie, who directed the Lushan Federal Kingdom branch adjacent to the Mauritania Continent, has some reason to aim for the assassination of magicians operating there.

However, it’s too delicate to be treated simply, considering the situation in the north.

“…….”

The swarm of dead spiders and the giant spider that attacked the rift has been identified as coming from the Mauritania Continent.

The suspected killer of four Inquisition Officers and the disappearance of residents from four villages, Romain Shayre, was a combat priest who vanished twenty years ago while assisting an exorcist in the Mauritania Continent.

Furthermore, Hormoz, who provided intelligence for the investigation, was also a dark elf from the Mauritania Continent. Specifically, his tribe inhabits the region of the Mauritania Continent.

Moreover, the sorcery known to Romain Shayre, which he taught to the kid, is rooted in everything that Francesca described about curses and sorcery, originating from the Mauritania Continent.

Considering the magicians who worked in the Mauritania Continent and Leonie, who served as a branch director in a neighboring country, several independent elements connect back to the Mauritania Continent.

In the current situation, what could this conjecture possibly mean?

It’s not a question that can be easily answered. While I know intellectually that I should avoid hasty conjectures, I couldn’t help but let my thoughts lean towards one side.

Amidst the clutter of unfounded suspicions and chaotic thoughts swirling in my mind, one question surfaced, both late and clearer than the others.

In a situation where nothing can be certain, can I really guarantee the safety of Camila and her companions?

“…….”

I gazed out over the northern city, lost in thought.

The sun had finally disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving enveloping darkness in its wake. The weight of my worries intensified with the growing shadow.

Suddenly, my eyes fell upon my hand resting on the railing. The last cigarette burned down to its filter. There wasn’t much time left to part with that last cigarette butt.

With the filter nearly gone, I took a deep drag off the last cigarette, thinking back on when I had first started smoking.

“…….”

Was it after Dad died, when I lived alone with Mom?

No, it was when I held my father’s urn, feeling my mother’s burden of raising a child by herself.

Back then, we didn’t even have money to send me to the academy where everyone was going home. What right did I have to buy cigarettes?

Perhaps it was when I entered college and worked my first part-time job?

No, that wasn’t it either. I scrabbled to gather tuition fees and barely made it into the military academy without wasting a single won, too busy saving.

It was the same when I was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Every night, coming back to the dormitory and staring at the pictures my college friends sent from France, I poured all my money into savings, dreaming of one day going to France after I served my time.

I never did get to serve that time, nor go to France.

There was a time I stubbornly resisted when my uncle offered me a cigarette at the company, determined to stick to the pictures posted on my wall. And now, here I was—how had I changed so much?

By now, I was sharing expensive Cohiba cigars with my classmates, claiming to be on a quitting spree while smoking a whole pack daily like a veteran.

In hindsight, I guess that was probably the start.

Around the time the long-term examination was approved, when I first entered the company with my uncle in Seocho-gu.

Yes, that was when it all began.

“…….”

As I flicked the last cigarette into the ashtray on the railing, I sniffled and inhaled sharply. The night air was cold.

While I was smoking and facing the wind, it seemed I accidentally caught a cold without realizing it. I emptied the ashtray into the trash can and started to pack my wallet, intending to go buy another pack of cigarettes.

At that moment,

Knock. Knock.

Someone was knocking on the door.

Since the hotel had no peephole, I opened the door directly to see who had come. Upon seeing the visitor’s face peeking through the crack, I opened the door wide without a moment’s hesitation.

“Camila.”

“Oh, you were inside? But what is that smell?”

“Ah… it’s nothing. By the way, what brings you here?”

“Just came to see your face.”

The one who had come to the hotel room was none other than Camila.

She appeared suddenly without any prelude, smiling brightly as she replied.