A Dark Fantasy Spy

---

An unusual aura began to swirl around the Cathedral of Tranquille.

The Knight, with lips tightly sealed, fidgeted nervously while a Nun whispered something into a Priest’s ear before dashing off elsewhere. A Young Inquisitor, looking around cautiously, sensed the tension.

Though no one spoke it aloud, everyone could feel that something was happening.

Except for one person.

Just one person continued as if nothing were amiss.

Lucia.

Amidst the bustling atmosphere, Lucia stood composed. Her expression, seemingly indifferent yet tinged with determination, allowed her to stride through the crowd with purpose.

At that moment, a Priest appeared before her.

“Saint…!”

Two Knights accompanying the suddenly arrived man attempted to restrain him, but upon confirming he was a Priest of the Cathedral, they promptly stepped back.

The Priest, who had been gasping for breath up to his chin, finally managed to speak.

“Outside, right now…”

“I know.”

At the reply, the Priest’s lips sealed shut.

Unlike the agitated man, Lucia continued with her calm voice, as if it were just another day.

“I will go. Let’s move.”

Lucia took deliberate steps forward.

The Priest and Knights who followed her exchanged worried glances as they looked at her departing figure.

—

Episode 14 – One Religion, One Faith, Two Saints

The Duke intends to take Camila as his disciple.

At first glance, it might seem absurd, but it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

“By the way, Wizards have a tradition of apprenticeships, just like the Dwarves.”

“That’s correct.”

The apprenticeship culture, where one revered a master from childhood to inherit knowledge and skills, is one of the legacies that symbolizes a Wizard’s identity, alongside Cape.

Historically, magic was knowledge handed down from master to disciple. It could be likened to the secret arts often found in martial arts stories.

Wizards have always faced oppression from the Inquisition, and to evade Inquisition Officers, stealth is required. Consequently, Wizards prior to the founding of the Magic Tower, known as the “Age of Barbarians,” taught magic only to trusted individuals in exchange for a certain fee, as a means of survival.

This apprenticeship culture among Wizards frequently appears in medieval and early modern literature, as well as in local folklore, with historians utilizing it to study how education for Wizards was conducted at that time.

“Today, the apprenticeship culture in the magical community is, in fact, waning, but it’s still preserved among certain schools and Wizards. The Alchemical school is a prime example.”

Francesca, an Alchemist from the Elemental School of the Magic Tower, began to delve into the traditions of the magical society.

“Aside from a handful of spells, most magic has a central school of thought. However, in some studies like Alchemy, even basic courses are only taught at schools or academies, requiring the Alchemist to conduct detailed research to achieve success.”

For instance, consider an Alchemist developing a new potion.

The Alchemist would utilize their learned knowledge to create this potion, relying on verified formulas and the approved ratios of components by their school.

But exploring new realms is akin to sailing across an endless ocean without a map. An ambitious Alchemist who braves the challenge soon finds themselves confronted by limits.

At this point, Alchemists seek guidance from experienced mentors, often bearing gifts like luxury items or rare ingredients.

Francesca likened it to a scientist’s research.

“When faced with a problem, scientists start by looking up related papers. They may go further by using their connections to consult the authors of those papers or even collaborate with research institutions. From that perspective, Wizards behave similarly to scientists, but upon closer inspection, the magical crowd is a bit messier and more complex.”

“Messy? Why do you think that?”

“The competition among scientists focuses on objective inquiry and the advancement of science, whereas Wizards tend to concentrate on elevating their own status above revealing the truth.”

To a Wizard, knowledge represents their property, akin to a legacy handed down by their forebears.

In other words,

“For a Wizard, knowledge is a legacy that must be protected, preserved, and developed, not a public good to be shared with others.”

Magic can be likened to a family-run business, with many families, not just noble houses like Ranieri or Risidique, producing Wizards across generations. In such families, magic often equates to the family’s wealth.

How could one share their family wealth with others? To give away personal property would make one a philanthropist, not a businessman.

“Most apprentices seek their masters first, but a few able ones often find their masters seeking them out. Particularly someone distinguished like a Hero is a coveted prize among Wizards.”

“I don’t understand why such a culture exists.”

“Tradition, I suppose. Customs don’t change easily.”

Francesca viewed this culture of the magical society as an extension of the apprentice tradition that has passed on visions to successors while evading the eyes of the Inquisition.

“There are countless cases like this even outside noble families. For instance, graduates from specific academies or universities forming cliques within their schools, trading valuable information amongst themselves. This is why the apprenticeship culture persists.”

“Isn’t that a cartel?”

“If a few Wizards form a clique, it gets criticized as a cartel, but if a powerful majority of Wizards band together, that becomes a faction—a faction everyone wishes to belong to.”

Francesca peeled back the layers of the magical society’s underbelly.

Unpleasant truths that the Magic Tower wishes to eliminate but cannot, such as discrimination based on lineage within schools, connections that vary depending on a mentor’s reputation, persecution of those who have fallen out of their groups or never had a chance to join, and Wizards who hoard their knowledge away, accepting only apprentices.

Even more alarmingly.

“Oh, did I mention the pitfalls of the apprenticeship culture?”

“What’s that?”

“Some Wizards demand excessive fees from their disciples. They might charge exorbitant tuition or practice fees that are hard for students to bear. Consequently, some students may resort to illegal activities to fund their education.”

“For example?”

“I’m not privy to all the inner workings of every school, but the Alchemical school is notorious for producing illegal substances. From copying company potions to crafting awakening or calming agents like Demon‘s Kiss or Spirit’s Whisper. Quite a variety.”

Demon’s Kiss, Spirit’s Whisper. I’ve heard of those too. Specifically, during my involvement in drug smuggling interception operations under Colonel Clevenz near the border.

So, that means they’re dealing drugs.

“What the hell….”

Students manufacturing drugs to make money? What is this, Breaking Bad or Narcos?

Amidst this dizzying reality, Francesca smiled softly as if to say there’s nothing surprising about it.

“I have a friend who was actually caught selling cocaine. He dropped out of university and became an apprentice to an Alchemist. He was supposed to be studying abroad, but turns out he was in the jungle making drugs. Pretty funny, right?”

“Sounds like Suriname.”

“Excuse me?”

“Just talking to myself.”

As the elite of the Magic Tower unraveled the tangled sagas of the magical society, my mind spun faster.

The more I uncovered, the more unsettling rumors surfaced, and I ultimately halted the conversation, steering it back to the main topic.

“Anyway, I see now that the apprenticeship culture is a long-standing and beautiful tradition among Wizards. And yes, I heard the Duke wants to take Camila as his disciple.”

“Correct.”

“But what’s in it for the Duke to have a disciple?”

Now that Francesca had finished her explanation, one question echoed in my mind.

Why does the Duke want Camila as his disciple?

“The Duke isn’t getting any younger. On top of that, he’s already achieved the rank of Archmage and receives reverential treatment from the royal family—does he really need the trouble of taking on a disciple?”

“Hmm….”

The lineage of an Archmage stroked their chin, pondering.

Even she, a scion of the Ranieri family, found it difficult to fathom the Archmage’s intentions. Even as the flame of her pipe dwindled, the smoke lingering around her showed no sign of clearing.

Then abruptly, lost in thought, Francesca took a puff of faint smoke.

“Well, who knows?”

She then smiled softly and replied.

“Perhaps he fears that the achievements he’s built will end with his generation and simply wishes to pass on his knowledge to someone.”

“…Do you really think that makes sense?”

“I can’t say for sure. But you know, Colonel, for some individuals, there are values more important than their very lives that an ordinary person’s mind cannot comprehend.”

“……”

“My answer ends here.”

*

Right after the reception concluded.

I returned to the Embassy to report to the Military Intelligence Agency. It was a brief report stating that the Duke would make contact with Camila.

Naturally, the Military Intelligence Agency issued me new orders.

Leoni promised to spare no support, instructing me to use any means necessary to uncover the Duke’s schemes.

And not long after that,

I received a report that the Pope was visiting the Cathedral of Tranquille where Lucia was staying.

It was the day before the Canonization Ceremony, with less than two days left to prepare.