A Dark Fantasy Spy

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“Any form is fine. I just want to have a quiet conversation with the Red-haired Child.”

The Duke stated.

“If I, a complete stranger, suddenly approach and request a conversation, the child and everyone else would be quite bewildered. I also wish to avoid causing any misunderstandings, so I’d appreciate it if you, my colleague, could arrange the meeting.”

The Archmage said.

“Is that possible?”

—

Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

—

I remained silent for quite a while.

“…….”

I had no way of knowing why the Duke was interested in Camila, but I could guess when he had started to take notice.

A long time ago. When I first set foot on Kien Empire’s land as a Defense Attaché.

In the back alley behind the Imperial Ministry of Defense, Camila and I encountered a cat.

With fur white and glossy like a marten, dainty lips and nose, whiskers that spoke of feline perfection, and deep blue eyes.

The cat precariously perched on a branch, while passing-by Camila decided to rescue it, and the cat gazed back at her intently.

Then, the moment Camila used her powers to ignite a flame.

The cat spoke to us.

“That’s not how you use fire.”

It seemed that cat was none other than the Duke. I had no concrete proof, but I was filled with strong suspicions.

Francesca once said, “Only mages from the war era can practically handle transformation spells,” and the Duke was one of the founders of the elemental school, a wizard who wielded Azure Flame, and crucially,

“Is that child doing well?”

The Duke mentioned Camila as if he knew her well.

As if they had met multiple times.

“She’s had a bit of trouble due to a fur allergy, but she’s doing fine.”

“She had that condition?”

“She didn’t even know about it until someone pointed it out. There was so much fur flying around inside.”

The Duke acknowledged it without even flinching.

“You noticed.”

When asked in a roundabout way, the Duke neither confirmed nor denied that he had transformed into a cat.

And that was her answer.

I pondered where I had encountered the cat with snowy fur and blue eyes, aside from the Ministry of Defense.

The first place that came to mind was the Palm Tree Trade Guild.

The guild of the Dark Elf Hormoz, who had crossed over from the Mauritania Continent. Hormoz was gradually taking over the northern black market using his substantial financial resources and connections.

I went there with Francesca, Camila, and Knight Commander Pereyti to investigate the dark magic terrorist incident which occurred in a department store.

And it was right there that I encountered the cat.

Thinking back, there were many puzzling aspects beyond that.

For instance, the teacups.

Hormoz always welcomed us alone in an empty room. Depending on the occasion, there would often be two teacups placed before him, almost as if suggesting a guest had been present, along with seating prepared for visitors.

In either his office or tent, Hormoz was the only “person” present, yet there was always a cat circling around him.

A cat with glossy white fur and blue eyes.

Somehow, that Dark Elf, who had no ties to the Empire, was causing a ruckus in the emergency zone. It seemed that the Duke was backing Hormoz.

I already had a rough idea that one of the high-ranking officials was his backer. But I never expected that backer would be the Duke.

“…….”

The Duke offered me a teacup. It was the same fragrant tea I had been served before by Hormoz, claiming to be from the East.

I lifted the teacup to quench my thirst.

There was no need to speak. There was no need to provoke a fight either.

However high-ranking the Duke might be as the Emperor’s aunt and a powerful figure in the magical society, I was still a diplomat representing the Government of Abas. Diplomatic immunity would cover my blunders, without exception, even if I had engaged in smuggling.

So even if the Duke reported me to the Empire’s government, as someone under the protection of the Government of Abas, I wouldn’t bear any responsibility. At worst, even if I were charged, it would probably just result in being banned from entry rather than facing actual punishment. Likewise, even if I prattled on about the relationship between Hormoz and the Duke, the Duke would face no repercussions.

The question was, why was this being said to me….

The reason was obvious.

“So, did you find an answer to my question?”

Would you facilitate a meeting for me with the Red-haired Child? Alexandra tossed an ambiguous question that was either a request or a threat. I racked my brain for several potential responses to that query, but there was only one answer I could give.

“I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

—

“Is it impossible then?”

“To be precise, I meant it would be difficult for me to arrange a meeting between Your Grace the Duke and Lady Camila.”

“Why is that?”

When asked for a reason, I extended my index and middle fingers.

The first reason was status.

“I am a diplomat. As a representative of the Government of Abas, it would be inappropriate for me to arrange a meeting between foreign dignitaries and Lady Camila.”

The second reason was her desire.

“I must also consider Lady Camila’s wishes. As Your Grace well knows, the Duke and Lady Camila are strangers to one another. So if I were to suddenly suggest a meeting with the Duke, how awkward would that be for Lady Camila?”

With two reasons in hand, I politely rejected the Duke’s proposal.

However, it seemed my explanations hadn’t sufficed to convince the Duke. She gazed at me with an expression that suggested she couldn’t comprehend.

“Do you believe you truly represent the Government of Abas?”

“That’s what diplomats do.”

Diplomats reside in the host country as agents of their home country, working to advance their nation’s interests. From small-scale civilian exchanges to larger matters like trade, military cooperation, and foreign policy.

The duties of a diplomat are diverse, carrying a significant burden. Therefore, a misstep can turn a diplomat’s error into an international incident, escalating beyond personal problems.

If I were to arrange a bridge between the Duke and Camila, the other diplomats stationed at the cult would look at me with suspicion. ‘Is the Government of Abas attempting to seize the opportunity to improve its diplomatic relations with the Kien Empire through Camila?’ would be a likely speculation.

Looking back, even when the northern parts of the Empire were marked as Camila’s first activity zone, similar rumors circulated in diplomatic circles.

It was only a while ago when my older sister Adela was an active diplomat, and I, as a defense attaché, had many opportunities to attend events held at the embassy, allowing me to naturally encounter rumors floating among diplomats.

Of course, there was no need for me or the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Abas to refute those rumors. After all, they were nothing but baseless gossip without any clear evidence.

But what if I were caught trying to act as a link between the Duke and Camila while being an active officer? It would not end with speculation. There was a high possibility that Foreign Minister Yamaga might get called in for a stern talk.

Therefore, arranging this meeting was realistically difficult.

That was my argument.

The Duke then said.

“If that is how you think, then it may also seem suspicious to others that someone representing the Government of Abas is with the Red-haired Child.”

But why are you, a diplomat, sticking so closely to the hero?

was the question that came out of the Duke’s mouth. It was quite a straightforward way of speaking.

I smiled and retorted.

“No issues here.”

“What makes you think that’s no problem?”

“Well, I’m responsible for ensuring smooth operations for my companions, negotiating and cooperating with the local government.”

Officially, I am a colleague designated by the Oracle, but unofficially, I am an information officer receiving orders from the Abas Information Agency.

The problem is that there aren’t many ways I can maintain these two identities without hassle.

The tasks I need to handle as Camila’s companion and those required of me as an information officer. The goals that Camila and her group are aiming for and those the Abas Information Authority are pursuing.

The two statuses sometimes intertwined but often had conflicting elements, much like someone who runs a business by day and dons a bat mask to bash villains by night.

For now, I’ve been managing to maintain both roles for myself, but someday that could lead to complications. Leoni and Clevenz were already concerned about that aspect.

However, there is always a way out. Over the past few months, I learned methods to balance both identities while navigating various regions including the cult, magic tower, and the Empire.

“I am serving to assist Lady Camila, Lady Lucia, and Lady Francesca as a companion selected by the Oracle. However, to foster closer cooperation with the local government, it is essential for me to maintain my status as a diplomat.”

Camila and her group visit many countries. Until now, they have only dealt with states like the cult, magic tower, and Empire, which were easy to negotiate with, but no one knows where they might go next.

The next destination could be a country where the government exerts influence solely over its capital while warlords occupy local areas, or a territory divided into various tribes and factions engaged in civil wars, or perhaps a state at a standstill where a warlord era similar to the Three Kingdoms emerges.

Unfortunately, that’s the reality.

Whether in relief efforts, war, or ‘business,’ to achieve anything in such chaos, cooperation from the government or organizations is essential. Regrettably, none among my group can conduct negotiations or cooperation.

Lucia has lived solely as a priest, and while Francesca claims she can negotiate, she remains lurking in the shadows due to her involvement with slush funds, leaving her without any real power. Moreover, Camila came from an entirely different world.

The only one in a position to do something is me, with the title of a diplomat. I can engage in dialogue with government officials or negotiate with local warlords. After all, diplomats are meant for such tasks, and coordinating schedules between my group and local governments naturally falls upon me.

However, this doesn’t mean there haven’t been any suspicions. There are indeed those who question my position, considering I’m a diplomat representing the government, raising concerns that the Government of Abas might be looking to interfere in foreign affairs under the guise of the coup d’état. I hear such rumors frequently. But there is a stark difference between my role as a public figure helping my companions and arranging private meetings with the Duke and Lady Camila.

While I can utilize my diplomatic status to conduct negotiations, it doesn’t equate to arranging private encounters. It might sound like contradictory logic, but there’s no issue here.

Diplomats often take the credit, while the burdens fall on others.

For instance, launching bombs over civilians’ heads in pursuit of a terrorist only to later apologize, or backing local politicians in order to economically exploit former colonies until a coup triggers a rebellion.

Double standards apply not only to personal relationships but also to diplomats.

I presented a plausible reason against a meeting between Camila and the Duke. However, as expected from an elder, the Duke was relentless.

“Are you truly certain you always act without bias and manage all matters impartially?”

“I am not. But at the very least, I strive to be.”

“I have never known a person who claimed to truly treat everyone fairly. What do you think about that?”

“How can a person be perfect all the time? Where there is light, there’s shadow, and when the sun rises, there’s the moon somewhere. Even a coin has two sides; do people solely possess good or bad traits?”

The conversation spiraled endlessly.

I continuously diverted the topics to stall for time, hoping the Duke would exhaust her persistence and leave.

But as an elder should, the Duke showed no signs of relenting in her desire to meet Camila. She held on fiercely and stubbornly.

Then, suddenly, she proposed something.

“Then, could it be possible for you to facilitate a meeting, not as a personal favor but as your colleague’s official representative, bringing the Red-haired Child and me together?”

With no words to spare, I instinctively realized this was the Duke’s last offer. At that moment, I quickly whipped out my mental calculator, weighing the pros and cons of accepting this proposal.

Accepting it could be neither good nor bad. Ideally, I wanted to refuse, but when I considered it further, it wasn’t such a terrible offer.

After all, the Duke was also representing the Empire at Lucia’s canonization ceremony. In an official setting, the Duke wouldn’t be able to act recklessly, allowing me to arrange the meeting naturally. At the very least, the other diplomats wouldn’t cast suspicious eyes at Camila and me.

So while I feigned reluctance and sighed, I began nodding my head, appearing to reluctantly agree after careful contemplation.

Of course, I didn’t forget to attach a condition.

I evaded giving a firm answer.

“…First, I need to consult with Lady Camila and will let you know.”

—

Having exhausted the discussion, I no longer had a reason to linger here.

I immediately turned and headed toward the door. I had left my bag in the lobby, so all I needed to do was get out.

Just as I grasped the doorknob and was about to exit the room.

“Tell her this.”

The Duke, standing by the window, spoke to me.

“Consider it carefully but decide quickly.”

The door closed.

As I crossed the corridor, I stepped into the elevator and ascended to the top floor.

—

“There’s your bag, Colonel.”

As soon as I arrived at the hotel lobby, an officer politely handed me my bag.

Receiving the document bag I had stowed away, I exchanged greetings and began moving forward, while the suit-clad men with earpieces looked my way and whispered among themselves.

“Are you heading to your lodging? Should I call for a taxi?”

“Oh, no that’s alright. The embassy has a car dispatched for me. Just the thought is enough.”

I quietly brushed past the imperial diplomats and climbed into a car discreetly parked at the back.

As soon as the vehicle with the Abas diplomatic license plate took me onboard, it set off immediately. The driver gently pressed the accelerator, and the car glided out of the hotel onto the road.

The windows were unusually tinted dark. Staring at the panoramic view of Lateran’s nightscape reflected in the black glass, I casually tossed my bag between the passenger and driver’s seat.

The man seated in the passenger began quietly tucking it away onto his lap.

Then, he produced an oddly shaped device from his pocket, gripping the wire in his hand, he pushed the loop attached to the bag’s handle left twice, right five times, and twisted a dial to open it.

Inside the thick document bag was a large electronic device.

The man connected the wire to the device. Momentarily, green text scrolled across the display of the strange apparatus.

The second secretary stationed in the Abas Kingdom embassy at the cult nodded as he organized the wire.

“Yes, confirmed. Signals caught from the inside.”

“Anything good in there?”

“Well, only the authorities can tell us for sure, but judging by its weight, it seems we might have a decent harvest.”

“That’s a relief.”

I leaned back against my seat and addressed the information officer in the front.

“Let’s call it a day.”

The engine revved, and the speed increased. The cascade of yellow lights streamed by outside the window.

The black diplomatic vehicle disappeared among the illuminated city.