A Dark Fantasy Spy

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There are three categories of senior clergy within the cult.

First, there are bishops who oversee dioceses established by the Holy See.

Second, there are cardinals who assist the Pope and play a pivotal role within the cult.

Lastly, there are clergy members belonging to the National Affairs Council, who attend to government matters under the Pope’s orders.

These individuals are classified as key figures within the cult.

Bishops and cardinals have the legal authority to elect the Pope. Thus, both groups receive special treatment internationally, which also applies to the clergy from the National Affairs Council.

However, even these powerful individuals cannot treat the Pope or saints disrespectfully.

The Pope is regarded as God’s representative, while saints are seen as cherished individuals by God who perform miracles.

Therefore, unless in ‘special circumstances’, clergy dare not belittle them.

No matter how well they are decorated, clergy are ultimately but human. A fight can only occur if levels match.

Basically,

“Who ordered Lucia to go into seclusion?”

“That would be me.”

Currently, the only one capable of punishing Lucia, a saint in the empire, is Veronica.

Episode 12 – The Strongest Magician in History

The news of Lucia entering seclusion came as a bit of a shock.

“Seclusion…?”

“What’s wrong, Colonel?”

“Doesn’t it seem odd for Lucia to be put in seclusion?”

Even setting aside her status as the saint of the cult, Lucia isn’t the type to be reprimanded or punished.

Her character is upright and innocent; it’s hard to believe that such a Lucia got herself into trouble and voluntarily entered seclusion.

Veronica coolly added, “If someone did wrong, they should be punished.”

“You don’t seem like someone to say that.”

“Colonel, will you keep provoking me? It’s not a good habit to tease people.”

“I’m not teasing; it’s just the truth….”

“Ugh…!”

Although I merely stated the facts, the response was underwhelming.

I shrugged my shoulders, wondering where I went wrong, but Veronica simply grinned shamelessly.

“If only the old geezers were half as likeable, the cult wouldn’t be in this condition. Understand?”

“So, you sold the relics of Saint Sophia Cathedral as stolen goods, huh, Saint?”

Veronica, who had been sipping wine, slammed her hands on the table. The cigar on the ashtray jumped up as she yelled.

“That wasn’t sold! I merely pawned it!”

“What then?”

“I needed some quick cash, so I entrusted it to a pawnbroker, but they fleeced me of everything!”

“……”

Quick cash? A pawnbroker? Fleeced of everything?

This sounds suspiciously like a gambling situation. I narrowed my eyes.

“Veronica, did you lose money while gambling and pawn the cult’s relics for betting money?”

“Ugh….”

The furious demeanor vanished, and Veronica averted her gaze, speaking in a meek voice.

“It just happened like that….”

“……”

“I didn’t lose it because I wanted to lose, you know?”

Having seen plenty of people ruin their lives with gambling—from the Arab official who died in debt to a Jew to the Korean Resident Executive cut down by the yakuza, and the London office colleague who got beaten up for squandering his salary on EPL bets…

Yet, Veronica was a different breed.

How could anyone think of pawning not their property, but the Holy See’s relics? And from a saint, no less.

Whoever ends up marrying Veronica must have racked up quite a bit of good karma in their past life. Otherwise, there’s no way they could handle a person like this.

As the saint, who had been shifty and uncertain, reshuffled her thoughts, she attempted to justify herself.

“Don’t worry, I got the relic back later.”

“How did you manage that? You lost all your money.”

“There was this dishonest pawnbroker running without any licenses, so I reported him to the papal guards. I got the relic back along with all the stolen goods and hidden cash.”

“……”

So, you scammed a loan shark.

Is this woman out of her mind?

“…I’m not even surprised anymore.”

I barely managed to maintain my composure as Veronica’s conversational energy drained me.

Speaking to her always leaves me feeling breathless.

Wouldn’t it have been better if she was in seclusion, not Lucia? Suddenly, Camila, who set fire to cornfields, and Francesca, who made money smuggling, looked like angels.

Clutching my pounding head, I decided to change the subject.

“So, why did Lucia enter this seclusion?”

“Don’t you already know, Colonel?”

With her suggestive inquiry, I nodded slowly.

“She went to capture a demon without permission, right?”

“Yes. She conducted a grand exorcism without prior approval, even involving civilians.”

Veronica pointed at me.

Even though I’m not well-versed in church law, it was undoubtedly odd for me to get involved in a grand exorcism. But I had something to say, so with a sigh, I defended Lucia.

“I never meant to get involved in the grand exorcism. Lucia asked me to hide in a safe place before the ceremony began. But caught by the demon mid-way led to this mess.”

“I know.”

Veronica said, her voice tinged with reflection.

“I’ve known Lucia for almost ten years now. Do you think I’m unaware of her personality? She’s the type to carry all the risks to keep you safe, Colonel, as you were the least connected to this incident.”

“I see….”

“But ultimately, the Colonel got drawn into the grand exorcism. It wasn’t intentional, yet it happened. You knew it put you in a very dangerous position.”

I do know.

Had Veronica and the Inquisition not arrived on time with their forces, had Lucia not called for help, we might have perished there. Ultimately, everything turned out fine, but that’s only considering the aftermath.

Getting ensnared and dragging civilians into danger were clearly Lucia’s missteps.

Veronica mentioned just that part.

“Still, if Lucia hadn’t been an officially recognized blessed one just in the process of canonization, she would’ve faced severe penalties in a typical situation. She acknowledged her wrongdoings and decided to enter seclusion.”

“Did Lucia choose to enter seclusion on her own?”

“Yes. Formally, I imposed the punishment, but she personally requested it. To be precise, she asked for punishment from me.”

Clang.

The sound of the glass being set down echoed through the quiet restaurant.

After putting down the cutlery, Veronica took a final puff from her nearly burned-out cigar and exhaled deeply, whether a sigh or something bottled-up—it was an expression of deep emotion.

Gray smoke swirled up. The thick haze masked her facial expression, but the bitter smile lingering on her lips couldn’t be hidden.

“Colonel, can I ask you something? Just one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m curious why Lucia involved you in this matter.”

Veronica exhaled a puff of smoke and candidly asked, her tone imbued with a sense of heaviness.

“If it’s a question regarding the grand exorcism, surely Lucia knows more than I do? She is the one who has been studying this stuff for years. I’m puzzled why she would take you along, who has no prior knowledge.”

“…….”

I sat quietly, holding my tongue. Then I pondered whether it would be alright to share this.

The contemplation didn’t take long.

My judgment was cautious, but my resolution was prompt.

After taking a sip of water from the table, I wiped my mouth and slowly began to speak.

“Here’s the thing….”

*

“That’s how it ended up.”

As I was about to wrap up after a meal, I managed to unfold the entire story of the incident.

“Mm….”

Veronica sat on an elegant sofa, nodding repeatedly.

“So, it turns out you moved along with Lucia.”

She silently nodded, carefully opening a cigar box placed on the table.

It was a three-tier cigar box of unknown origin.

When she released the latch and opened the lid, talismans maintaining the temperature and humidity were revealed. The cedar-made cigar box was filled to the brim, easily over a hundred sticks.

As Veronica picked out a light brown cigar, she used a cutter to snip off the cap. Then, she lit it using a specialized cigar match tucked within the box.

From cold draw to toasting to lighting—it was a seamless process.

As she drew in the smoke, the ember glowed at the front of the cigar. As I opened my mouth, a wisp of smoke puffed out the back. After savoring a mild spiciness for a moment, Veronica continued speaking.

“I’ve heard about the terrorist incidents during the council meeting at the National Affairs Council. It seems to involve demons or monsters?”

“That’s right.”

“The Colonel tracked the terrorist’s roots in the north, and gathered intel on possessed individuals, then provided this to the joint investigation team through the diocesan clerics. Lucia coincidentally came across that intel and sought your assistance.”

“Exactly.”

The glowing embers filled the moment.

“What did you pass on to the Archbishop of the northern diocese, Theodosius?”

“Theodosius? You handed the information to that old geezer?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Ah.”

A small sigh escaped Veronica’s lips.

She ruffled her hair and murmured a curse.

“Of all people, it had to be that old coot….”

“Do you know him?”

“Kind of. I used to be a theology professor. Even without that, we’ve crossed paths officially several times.”

Veronica bluntly criticized Archbishop Theodosius.

It didn’t surprise me in the least that she referred to the church officials as old geezers, but it was slightly refreshing to hear that she had grievances due to their grading system.

“Just thinking back on that time irritates me. I can’t remember how many retakes I had to do just because he gave me a half-hearted grade for not scoring well. I almost extended my theology degree for a year because of it.”

“Isn’t that just because you didn’t study hard enough?”

“I didn’t slack; it’s just that I couldn’t perform due to a hangover from partying too hard the night before.”

“…Is that something to boast about?”

Theology schools enforce strict sobriety. Moderation is regarded as a virtue of the clergy, which is why such doctrines are established.

However, proudly speaking of drinking before exams while being in seminary raises serious questions about Veronica’s character.

Regardless, I had to momentarily shelve the discussion about Veronica’s demeanor. It wasn’t the main point at hand.

“I passed along the information to Archbishop Theodosius, and Lucia read it. She sensed that I was providing information to the archbishop and asked for help in pursuing the possessed individuals.”

“That makes sense. It seems like Lucia isn’t the kind to stir up trouble, yet she dragged you into this mess.”

Veronica covered her eyes with her hand and sighed heavily.

“You mentioned you’ve fought against Inquisitor Agato, who was possessed by a demon?”

I nodded in acknowledgment.

“In that case, you’re not entirely uninvolved in this matter.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a complex tale that I can’t delve into, but to put it simply, you’re no longer an ordinary person. You’ve encountered a demon and sustained injuries; sooner or later, you would’ve gotten involved in this mess.”

Veronica explained that it was only a matter of time before I encountered demons. As she took a drag from her cigar, her tone transformed, becoming serious as she began her probing questions.

“Have you experienced anything peculiar lately? Such as swarms of rats suddenly crossing your path or finding that the insects that filled a room fled to hide behind walls or furniture when you opened the door?”

“I haven’t heard of anything like that… although crows do tend to show up near me often.”

“Ah. Then there’s no need to worry.”

I glanced nervously at Veronica.

“Is something wrong?”

“Of course there is. Did you really think it wouldn’t be a problem after reaching that extent?”

“…….”

To be honest, I had an inkling. I sensed that significant issues stirred after encountering a demon.

In that moment, the saint of the cult, who seemingly had vanquished two demons, spoke calmly.

“As long as it’s just crows, it isn’t that serious. But it’s best to exercise caution. Could you extend your hand for a moment?”

“My hand? Sure, why not.”

As I held out my hand, Veronica set down her cigar and took it.

With her eyes closed, maintaining silence as if focusing her senses, she remained quiet for a long time before she released my hand and opened her eyes.

“Although it’s weak, there’s a protective prayer surrounding you.”

“A protective prayer?”

“It’s a prayer that shields you from evil. It’s derived from the biblical account of a great archangel blessing a knight going into battle. It’s a common prayer among exorcists, and it appears quite robust from the surface. I’d hazard a guess that our Lucia cast it on you in secret.”

Lucia had placed a prayer upon me without my knowledge.

I had merely assumed the daily prayers she recited were habitual, but when exactly did she invoke this on me?

As I stared at my hand quizzically, Veronica leaned against the armrest and resumed speaking.

“Given its robustness, it seems its effects were felt. With crows merely circling around, it could have been much worse.”

“Had there been no such prayer, what would have happened to me?”

“Honestly, I can’t say for sure. I’m not an exorcist, but if you were particularly unlucky, you might have lived the rest of your life mute and confined to a mental hospital. In fact, many civilians who wrongly crossed paths with demons have been long-term patients in mental institutions.”

“…….”

I gazed down at my hand, temporarily breaking my focus. To think I could have ended up enduring a lifetime of insanity was chilling.

In an attempt to soothe me, it seemed like Veronica sought to reassure me by saying there was nothing to worry about, and everything seemed fine for now.

I withdrew a cigarette from my pocket and silently lit it.

“Wait?”

When she saw me, Veronica tilted her head. Her expression resembled surprise.

“Colonel smokes?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t know that.”

I tossed the cigarette pack and lighter carelessly on the table. The harsh taste of the Empire’s tobacco stuck to my palate as I exhaled smoke and scratched my forehead.

“How does Lucia know of this prayer? She prepared everything required for the grand exorcism, it appears.”

“That? Oh, she always had a knack for this area. She attended many classes on exorcism and totemism in seminary, and she’s learned from what she’s witnessed since childhood. Probably, she knows much more about grand exorcism than I do.”

“More than you?”

“Sure. She’s incredibly gifted; if she hadn’t become a saint, she would probably be an exorcist by now.”

“Ha.”

I recalled seeing Veronica battle in the cavern.

Blowing monsters’ heads away with a double-barrel shotgun, grabbing a stark white orb, and raining down attacks on the ground all flashed quickly through my mind.

“I can’t help but think that seems off….”

“Don’t talk if you don’t know. Lucia lacks experience, not skill. Give her a few years, and she might be tearing demons apart with her bare hands.”

Veronica held Lucia’s skills in high esteem. A hint of her usual playful demeanor lingered, but even allowing for that, her serious aura was evident.

On any other day, I might brush such statements aside as jest, given Veronica’s evident prowess. I listened attentively, and Veronica gradually shared more about Lucia, whom I was unaware of.

“If things had gone as planned, I would’ve been taking on the role of exorcist while Lucia would assist. Had things not gone awry, the two of us would have sent the demon residing in Inquisitor Agato back to hell.”

Veronica had ventured to the north, intending to carry out the grand exorcism alongside Lucia. She mentioned that they had already received the Pope’s approval and consulted the National Affairs Council to address the legal matters surrounding the grand exorcism.

However, due to the web of agencies involved, the events were delayed, and contacting Lucia in a timely manner led to their paths crossing poorly.

“If I had just called Lucia before leaving, none of this would have happened. This is, in some ways, my fault.”

“That’s all in the past now.”

While Veronica spoke to herself with self-mockery, the outcomes had ultimately turned out well.

There were injuries, but most were minor, with no fatalities reported. Both Lucia and I had emerged alive, the necromancer who aided the demon had perished, the monsters from hell fell to the Inquisition’s blades, and the demon was buried in rubble.

Whether the demon was truly dead or barely hanging on, if it had managed to escape, it wouldn’t have gotten far, as it had been killed by its own necromancer.

“Please don’t worry. In the end, everything turned out alright.”

I reassured Veronica, who sought peace amidst all the concerns she voiced.

She remarked that instead of placing Lucia, who was a saint destined for canonization, in a precarious situation, we should rather focus on the necessary support.

This brought forth further revelations about Lucia’s past and her circumstances, which were all hidden beneath a shroud of mystery.

I instinctively felt that there was more to Lucia’s history than mere surface-level knowledge.

Most of all, the words spoken by the demon echoed in my mind.

‘So quit your futile efforts, little daughter. Just like your mother and father once did.’

I didn’t comprehend the full meaning, yet considering Lucia’s reaction, it was clear something significant existed concerning her lineage. Perhaps it was tied to the identity of her parents and even the cause behind her orphaned upbringing.

“Veronica.”

“Yes, Colonel.”

“Do you know who Lucia’s parents were?”

“…….”

For a fleeting moment, her hand with the cigar came to a halt.

After a brief pause in motion, she smoothly brought the cigar to her lips and inhaled again, but I didn’t miss how her expression shifted when she recoiled from my question.

Veronica, letting out a dense cloud of smoke, solemnly refocused her gaze on me.

“I’m not quite sure.”

“Is that so?”

I nodded and took a drag from my cigarette.

Then in a low tone replied, “Let’s leave it at that.”

*

After finishing our meal, our conversation unexpectedly stretched longer than intended.

Veronica and I deliberated how to manage and respond to the events that had transpired yesterday in the underground waterways.

“The joint investigation team’s forces must have been deployed, so both the investigation team and the military government headquarters will likely be informed shortly. By this evening, the reports will have reached the top.”

“Think it will escalate into a diplomatic issue?”

“Not likely. The duke has sanctioned it.”

Fortunately, the events from last night were legally sound.

To be precise, foreign nationals engaging in battle within a martial law area were undeniably a significant issue legally and diplomatically. However, due to the backing of the Duke, an integral member of the Kien Empire’s royal family governing the north for a century, there was a large possibility that this would be brushed under the rug.

The Kien Empire wasn’t a nation governed by rule of law but rather a dictatorship.

Who could oppose the Emperor’s aunt? Who in their right mind would defy the authority of the Duke and the royal family?

In the Empire’s lands, no one would dare challenge the authority of the Duke or the royal family.

Though naturally, there were exceptions to this notion.

“I can’t wrap my head around what that old hag is thinking. I mean, how can she live with a monster residing in her territory and not be able to deal with it?”

“Veronica, please be careful with your words….”

“Why should I? I’m not in the mood to play nice with that old bat.”

Once Veronica upended the royal family’s decree, her behavior turned slightly erratic, much like a loose horse.

Still, it seemed she would attach the title “Your Grace” when referencing the Emperor but had ascribed all figures of authority—Emperor, Duke, and others—to merely the “old geezer” category.

However, given that she had no qualms calling a prelate, cardinal, or even the Pope “old geezers,” it was hardly surprising she would hold the Emperor in equally low regard.

“Why should I bow to a mere Emperor? If I were to curse him in front of the palace, the Empire’s police and palace guards would turn a blind eye to me.”

“Does being a saint exempt you from this? Are you holding some position?”

“Absolutely! This is my status; what else could it be? If you have a problem with that, you should have treated me better when you had the chance.”

Having been prompted, Veronica began to ponder the sensibility of yelling at the Emperor’s front doors, and I began to lose composure.

I tried to cover her mouth to shout nonsense, finally had to light her cigar for her.

With a slight peace returning, Veronica grinned and started her absurd claims once again.

“Anyway, once the military receives the report, a command from the royal family will follow soon. They’ll dig up the collapsed underground waterway this evening or tomorrow at the latest to verify the demon’s death.”

Veronica boldly asserted that the military government headquarters would retrieve the demon lying within the underground waterways soon.

She spoke with the buoyancy of someone delighted, swinging her intricately woven legs as she conducted her speeches.

“The corpses of the Muspels will suffice as evidence. Once the wizards from the Magic Tower see the bodies, they’ll have no choice but to remain silent.”

Since the initiation of the joint investigation, the wizards from the Magic Tower had been expressing discontent.

This discontent stemmed from the very nature of the Inquisition’s open investigation against them for being deemed dark magicians, paired with the fact that the grand mage, the Duke of the north, had given the approve for this inquiry.

“The wizards’ perspective is somewhat understandable. The Inquisition, having excessively hunted down dark magicians, would view our actions as attempts to evade responsibility on our part too. But if the bodies of the Muspels were to surface from the north, they would have no grounds for argument then.”

“Since no priest can call forth a demon from hell, even the clergy must stay within their limits.”

“To be precise, only necromancers and demons can summon monsters from hell. Furthermore, necromancers can only arise among magicians.”

Veronica anticipated the events that lay ahead.

It was hard to tell if she was merely delivering a prophecy or if she was adamant about creating such an outcome herself, but it seemed that she leaned toward the second option.

“How many wizards from the Magic Tower are rebelling now?”

“I don’t know the precise number, but I hear it’s quite a few. Evangelos Rysidike, commander of the Magic Battalion, and Francesca from the Secretariat are attempting to pacify the situation at present. The Secretariat is currently gauging the sentiments among the wizards.”

“Hmmm. It seems our younger siblings are having a real tough time. Are you aware of where I could catch them?”

“Will the wizards’ sentiments flip if Muspel bodies are found in the underground waterways?”

“Yes. It’s the most concrete proof. Oh, and remember, the corpse of the possessed necromancer is down there too. That could serve as evidence as well.”

Veronica assessed that recovering the monsters and the necromancer from the underground fittingly would shift public sentiment.

With this proof secured, they could suppress the wizards’ dissent and bolster the Inquisition’s authority in their investigations.

“However, we can’t end it there.”

“What do you mean?”

“You want me to give support to the administrator?”

“Exactly. You’ve got it right.”

Veronica requested that I lend my support to Francesca. This way, they could punish the wizards who spread rumors in opposition, affording her more influence over the wizards dispatched to the north.

In simpler terms, Veronica was entrusting me with the political machinations of the moment. She was effectively asking me to aid her intercession with foreign intelligence agencies toward the Magic Tower.

Hesitating, I took a drag from my cigarette and voiced my concerns.

“Veronica, if this comes to light, it would spell disaster for both of us!”

“But if it succeeds, it will support my sister!”

“The Patalia Intelligence Agency won’t take kindly to this. The Imperial Intelligence Agency will likely feel the same way.”

Francesca is one of the public security criminals. The entire Ranieri family has effectively been marked as public security offenders.

The reason she managed to study at the Magic Tower is due to her vow not to incite division within the nation—this despite the talent she possesses yet forever being sidelined from politics within the Magic Tower.

I’d heard this firsthand from a contact within the National Security Agency. An information officer named Sophia had kept an eye on Francesca.

The happenings in the Empire also weren’t much different. Francesca’s sudden emergence as a powerful magician within the martial law area would be an event the Holy Guard wouldn’t overlook.

The insane executioners capable of dismemberment in a flash despise behavior that might disrupt their authority. Naturally, the Empire feels likewise.

The saint regarded me with her chin resting on her hand.

“I’m not sure what’s worrying you. Aren’t you the one interested in adventure all this time?”

“Stepping out of line and adventure are two entirely different things.”

“Is that so?”

With a casual posture, evident amusement lay on Veronica’s beaming face.

“Isn’t it amusing how someone who despises dangerous situations darted off with me to evade the Holy Guard?”

“…….”

“Come on, do me a favor and help my sister out just this once! It won’t be disadvantageous for you, will it? Surely not for Patalia, either.”

I focused on Veronica’s smile as she sat across from me.

Stepping away from the thumb ground of filtering my options, I let the smoke playfully drift and finally extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray, leaning back into the sofa.

“Well, it’s not a particularly difficult thing. But what about your worries?”

“What worries do you speak of?”

“The demon. We still don’t know for certain if it’s alive or dead.”

“Well, what’s that worth worrying over?”

Veronica maintained her cheerful expression, smiling as smoke left her mouth.

Amidst the haze that hung like drapery, she radiated an irresistibly beguiling smile.

“Regardless, it’s bound to die by either my hands or Lucia’s hands anyways.”