A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Mikhail, the Commander, had a very simple assertion.

“The cause for the current influx of patients has not been clearly identified.”

He stated this in a matter-of-fact tone.

“I’m aware that the tainted energy has contaminated the area, but even the Imperial Ministry of Magic cannot determine what specific effects this energy has on the human body, nor why additional patients are still arising. Even the Magic Tower or the Cult has yet to propose any treatment methods.”

Commander Mikhail fixed me with a dull stare.

“There’s no treatment available, and we have no idea how patients are emerging. Perhaps, contrary to the Inquisition’s expectations, it might even be contagious. Above all, we don’t know when this situation will end.”

You think so too, don’t you?

I could sense that unuttered line in his words. After a brief moment of silence, he continued in a businesslike manner.

“Fortunately, we have previously experienced a similar bacteriological warfare incident. An epidemic broke out in cities attacked by the demon race. We will respond to the current situation based on the guidelines drafted back then. In fact, we are already doing so.”

“So, you plan to continue the lockdown?”

“We can’t just sit and pray, can we?”

He added nonchalantly.

“The residents of the sealed city are important, but I also have a duty to ensure the safety of the residents in other cities.”

“…”

“The currently sealed city is connected by roads to two adjacent cities. Those two cities have a massive river and railway that traverse the northern regions. If the reason for the additional patients in the area is due to some infectious source, then it would only take a moment for the illness to spread across the north.”

A city reporting patients with an unidentified ailment, two adjacent cities, and countless cities beyond.

It’s not a difficult calculation.

“There’s no need to gamble with the lives of millions.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right?”

—

Episode 12 – The Strongest Magician in History

—

The judgments made by the Military Government Headquarters were extremely rational. The standards of rationality may vary from person to person, but in some respects, Commander Mikhail’s decision could be seen as utilitarian.

However, just because a decision aligns with theory and logic does not mean it is always the right one, nor can it satisfy everyone.

“This is madness.”

Camila was a prime example of this.

“To isolate a city with a population of 330,000 based purely on an uncertain contagion? Just that?”

She raged against the decision made by the Military Government Headquarters.

It was rare for her to lose her temper like this, so I was somewhat taken aback.

“There were 330,000 residents in the city five years ago, but who knows how many are actually living there now? It could be more than 330,000 or it could be less.”

“The population census was halted after the conflict erupted.”

“The issue is that the city next to a 330,000 population has cities with 430,000 and 590,000 residents, and those cities have railways and rivers the size of the Thames flowing through them.”

Supposing that the data from five years ago still holds true.

I tapped the statistical data mounted on a hardboard. The dingy brown board was covered in a hodgepodge of statistics, newspaper articles, maps, and notes collected by Camila herself.

Veronica, Lucia, and Francesca were carefully attending to ensure that all information related to demons wouldn’t reach Camila’s ears, but unfortunately, she was already well aware of the situation in the north.

I had informed her, after all.

“If it’s contagious, then the epidemic will spread across the northern regions anyway, and even if it isn’t, the situation cannot be controlled. There’s no city that can accommodate 330,000 people.”

Pointing at the railways and rivers that run through the city and the saturated nearby cities for refuge, I noticed Camila’s brow furrowed in a frown.

“I don’t think that’s a good enough reason to keep the city sealed and isolate 330,000 people in need.”

“The biggest reason for the city’s lockdown is that no treatment method has been revealed yet. Honestly, neither the priests nor the doctors have done anything but wait, right?”

Of course, they weren’t completely idle. But due to the lack of a known treatment method, all they did was provide supportive care to those who were vomiting blood.

“I hope the Inquisition finds out something soon… Francesca mentioned she was looking for documents from the Magic Tower, I hope she finds something useful.”

“How about figuring out how to lift the lockdown first? We can search for a treatment later; for now, we need to let those who are alive live, right? How can patients survive in a sealed city? Even healthy people are freezing to death.”

“Speaking of sealed cities, it reminds me of the lockdown in Shanghai. Have you ever played Battlefield? Back when I stayed at Bagram Base, we often played with the Americans.”

“Don’t joke around. This is hardly the time for that.”

Camila, clearly displeased, chewed on the corners of her lips.

“This is seriously insane. It’s going to kill everyone.”

“That’s a bit of an extreme expression, but I agree. About half of it.”

To save 1.13 million citizens, they block off a city with 330,000 residents. All transportation routes are controlled, allowing no one to enter except for military personnel.

The decision of the Military Government Headquarters is rational yet simultaneously irrational.

But rational judgments are not always correct, and utilitarianism has long faced criticism for justifying immoral decisions.

“When will medical volunteers be allowed to pass through? Both Lucia and Francesca are ready with numerous supplies, yet they can’t move an inch.”

“We are continually making requests on our end.”

Since Commander Mikhail’s thoughts were unyielding, I had to give up on persuading him directly. Instead, I opted for a method of exerting pressure directly on the Imperial Ministry of Defense.

“I plan to use the Foreign Affairs Ministry to mobilize the ambassadors to pressure the military.”

“Is that even possible?”

“The discussions with the Abas Ministry of Defense are already concluded. All formal communications have been sent out, and we’ve also gathered intelligence on the internal movements of the Kien Empire’s military through our information agents.”

“How long will it take?”

“At least a week, I suppose. It might take longer since we need substantial grounds to persuade the military.”

“Sigh…”

Camila clasped her head in her hands.

“With 330,000 people trapped in the city, we have no idea what is happening inside. Are the patients getting treatment?”

“I listened in on the communications passing through and heard that the Military Government Headquarters has ordered the rear corps and divisions to redeploy medical units. They pulled personnel from fire departments and hospitals, too. It seems they’re not completely idle.”

“So what then? Everyone is stuck here.”

Frustrated, I vented, but nothing would change right away.

Camila, with her fiery red hair tousled, sighed and murmured with a gloomy expression.

“…Will we be able to persuade the Ministry of Defense?”

“Who knows?”

That was uncertain.

“We’ll have to start trying now.”

—

I said I’d try, but in reality, there was nothing I could do. I had already tried everything possible.

As soon as the Military Intelligence Agency received my expertise, they reported to the higher authority, the Ministry of Defense. The Minister of Defense personally took the documents to the residence and reported to the Prime Minister. A document issued under the Office of the Prime Minister was delivered to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Abas in the Kien Empire after about two hours of direct reporting.

The ambassador, acting on the Prime Minister’s orders, sent a letter to the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which held the authority to meet Chancellor Stollipin, avoided the issue by stating, “Military operations are the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense, not the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” advising that the letter should be forwarded to the Ministry of Defense. However, according to the intelligence gathered by the ambassador’s consul (head of the Royal Intelligence Department), it appeared the contents of the letter did reach the Ministry of Defense.

Under ordinary circumstances, the Abas people would have spit furious retorts at the audacity of commenting on Imperial military operations, but surprisingly, the Imperial Ministry of Defense did not express any stance at all.

The Abas ambassador was not the only one who sent a letter.

“Ambassadors from various countries involved in the conflict have also sent letters. Well, some countries are keeping silent, wary of the Empire. They are simply asking for humanitarian assistance to allow medical personnel to enter the city.”

“That’s quite a fundamental stance.”

Pro-Empire countries conveyed their fundamental stance through their ambassadors.

Given that they have already waded into the conflict and are seeking the Emperor’s favor, they wouldn’t want to be singled out by causing a stir, but it’s not just because they want to avoid looking bad.

“They’d want to avoid having their elite forces evaporate during the conflict with the demons. It would be a waste of valuable troops to lose them to non-combat losses in a foreign land, right?”

Whether they are dictators or military leaders, they wouldn’t want to see their troops suffering and dying.

As the Imperial Army fighting in the forefront bore the losses, there was little that could be done from afar in their homeland. Thankfully, however, there was a country that stepped up to take the lead in resolving the issue.

The Cult.

“Since they volunteered to send priests to treat patients, everyone else took a similar fundamental stance. They were struggling with how to send medical personnel themselves, but they jumped at the chance to let the healing priests go first.”

“So they’re cheering just because someone else is willing to take responsibility?”

“There’s no reason to stop someone who offers to buy a meal when you have no money in your pocket, right?”

“Damn it. This is how you get played….”

Veronica, sitting in the office and smoking a cigarette, chuckled.

“I wonder if we’re doing all this for someone else’s benefit.”

“Who told them to send an open protest letter?”

I pouted as if to say, “Look at that.”

Shortly after the Abas ambassador’s letter was delivered, the ambassador from the Cult, stationed in the Kien Empire, sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter contained a request to lift the city lockdown urgently, citing the need to treat patients and capture demons.

Inevitably, this would be nonsense that wouldn’t hold much weight with the Imperial Ministry of Defense, but the combined protests from the Cult and Abas compelled even the dictatorships involved in the conflict to timidly join in support of the lockdown lifting.

“The Abas Foreign Affairs Ministry has made attempts to persuade them, but honestly, it hasn’t been smooth. Thanks to that, things have become a bit easier. Thank you, Veronica.”

“Colonel, you’re not just grateful for that, are you?”

“Oh, of course, I’m also grateful for the insights you shared regarding the opinions of the military leaders.”

For some time, Veronica had been filling me in on the discussions within the military. Specifically, she was keeping tabs on the trends of the Ministry of Defense in my stead.

Generals who viewed the lockdown positively, generals who opposed it, who was envious of Commander Mikhail, who supported him, etc.

Thanks to her, planning became much easier.

“I’m always grateful, Veronica.”

As I raised the glass, Veronica began to wear a mischievous smile.

“Just with words?”

“Shut up, Saint.”

“Can’t I even make jokes?”

“Honestly, when you keep your mouth shut, you’re the most beautiful. So please….”

“Okay, okay. I get it, so you can repay your debt later. Got it?”

“Yes.”

Of course, she wasn’t the only one working hard.

Lucia had also sent letters in an attempt to persuade Commander Mikhail, and Francesca was in contact with acquaintances in the Imperial Ministry of Magic and the Oracle to find ways to assist the residents and patients trapped in the city.

Similarly, Camila helped to gather information about the internal situation from Imperial military officers she had known over time.

Veronica sat at her desk, filling her fountain pen with ink as she began.

“The Inquisition sent copies of ancient manuscripts. Looking at the preservation magic, they seem quite old, but the respondents believe that they might hold clues to resolving this situation.”

“Where are those manuscripts?”

“They’re currently being interpreted by the Inquisition folks. The results should come out by early tomorrow morning.”

I’ve tried every possible approach.

All that remains now is to wait for the results.

I plopped down on the sofa and stared blankly out the window.

It was merely two days to the New Year.

—

Time passed and the next day dawned.

This morning, Senior Lyudmila, the interpreting officer who came from the Military Government Headquarters, brought me news that travel permits had been granted.

Perhaps moved by the earnest efforts of the various Foreign Affairs Ministries and Lucia and Francesca, Commander Mikhail had exceptionally allowed entry.

Camila, stepping out of the car, stretched her whole body in the sunlight.

“Ah…! Finally entering the city. It feels like such a long wait.”

“It’s only been a day or two.”

“It felt long because I was worried. Time just dragged on.”

Behind the car provided by the embassy, there was another vehicle. Lucia and Francesca disembarked, escorted by an Inquisition Officer and a Combat Magician.

A long line of vehicles behind the two extended endlessly. All were medical personnel dispatched by the Cult, the Magic Tower, and several foreign contingents, coming to resolve this crisis.

While I checked the condition of those who got out of the vehicles and coordinated the final checks with the Cult and Magic Tower representatives, Senior Lyudmila, having finished speaking with the soldiers guarding the checkpoint, walked through the snow to relay news to me.

“Colonel, they’ll soon be removing the barricades. If you’re ready, you can go in.”

“Understood.”

I shifted my gaze toward those around me.

“Let’s get ready.”

The representatives from the Cult and Magic Tower scattered, returning to their vehicles. Heavy crates were being continuously unloaded from the truck at the back, and some of those boxes were placed in front of the vehicles they had arrived in.

When I opened the trunk of the vehicle I arrived in, luggage stacked neatly welcomed me.

As I slowly organized my belongings and prepared to enter the city, Camila approached me with a worried look.

“Are you okay?”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Of course, I’m worried. Originally, I was supposed to be the one going in….”

“Go ahead and feel concerned. There’s no way I’m dying here.”

As I exchanged words with Camila, Lucia and Francesca came over to me. The two had just been hearing reports from the Cult and Magic Tower representatives.

The first to speak was Lucia.

Just like Camila, her face was filled with concern.

“Although there shouldn’t be any problems, please come back safely.”

“Take care of yourself, Colonel.”

A long explanation was unnecessary. The personnel from the Cult and Magic Tower finished their preparations and moved forward. Responsible soldiers from the Empire shouted out safety protocols.

Crossing over the barricades and arriving at the destination, a tall checkpoint stood before us. The view of the gray city unfolded through a slightly open iron gate.

At that moment, a joke from Camila, aiming to ease the tension, rang out from behind.

“If anything happens, just scream! I’ll come flying to rescue you in no time!”

Instead of answering, I waved my hand.

Then I turned my body and slowly made my way towards the sealed city.