A Dark Fantasy Spy

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“The battle between the Asen Warlord and the Sanya Warlord has entered a lull.”

“After an eight-week skirmish, peace has returned for the first time in sixty days as a ceasefire has been declared. However, gunfire continues in cities near the border. There is uncertainty as to whether this lull will lead to lasting peace….”

“The international organization Al-Yabd Alliance, comprising countries from around the world, issued a statement urging the cessation of the civil war on the 17th local time. They also directed a raw criticism and warning message at the shamanic groups operating around the port of Dead Whale, stating, ‘Those who sacrifice innocent lives for their own benefit will be punished in the name of God.’….”

“The Magic Tower’s school of sorcery declared that it has no involvement in the war waged by the shamans on the Mauritania Continent. This statement comes as they are participating in a competitive election for Oracle Committee seats against Francesca Ranieri, a candidate from the elemental school, suggesting a desire to avoid entanglement in political strife.”

“Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the cult’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Magic Tower for its silence on civilian deaths as hypocritical.”

“…Terrorists who murder innocent lives are a global threat. The cult will not remain silent in the face of such violence.”

“We must not be afraid of violence.”

“Fear will only instill confidence in those who seek to gain through violence.”

“It is time for action. We must demonstrate our resolve to prevent the cycle of tragedy.”

“Even if it means shedding blood.”

—

Episode 17 – The Tree That Drinks Blood

—

Two months had passed since the operation began, and as summer approached, media outlets around the world erupted with excitement.

Reports indicated that the hero, having vanquished the demon and driven the threat of the demon tribe from the north, was finally preparing to move to a new region.

Those in need welcomed this news.

This sense of anticipation was particularly pronounced in the Mauritania continent and in the eastern territories.

Especially in Mauritania, the war between warlords, the encroaching monsters from the border, and the mysterious occurrences erupting across the continent were threatening lives.

“Well. Come to think of it, solving just one issue won’t do much to improve the neighborhood.”

“Sure, the notion of a ‘solution’ sounds grand, but it’s easier said than done. These countries have problems tangled like a spider’s web. Even with an army deployed, what will sending a hero or a saint or an alchemist change?”

“That may be, but isn’t it times like these when hope is all the more necessary?”

Of course, skepticism was prevalent.

Everyone knew that heroes were a one-man army, walking strategic weapons. Countless heroes had left their mark on history only to vanish abruptly, each making their mark in their respective fields.

Thus, some people could only remain wary of foreign invasions led by Camila. Some even worried it was too heavy a burden to place on just one person.

However, the world was an intersection of various fields, and the opposition of a few couldn’t overturn the consensus of many.

Today, I too was working hard to alleviate the worries of those in higher positions.

“In that sense, please approve this.”

“What? You come here right at quitting time?”

“I’ve investigated the status of armed groups in the operational areas. It focuses on regions where heroes and their companions are expected to visit in the future.”

An analysis report was placed on the table.

A large red lettering saying ‘SCI’ adorned the document. Leoni perused the paper with a disinterested expression.

“Militias, terrorist organizations, criminal syndicates… It gets complicated even when focusing on human-centric groups.”

Leoni, head of the Military Intelligence Agency overseeing overseas information and operations, read on with a stoic gaze like a lawyer would.

“Is this the entire report?”

“No. There’s more information available regarding the active interspecies armed groups in the region, such as the Beastmen Alliance, the wandering Orcs, and Goblins and Dwarves who have gone to join the rebels.”

“…….”

“If we also include the ivory tower and the shaman community, indigenous religious entities, and Al-Yabd, it will take at least three to four days just to review the materials.”

Taking three to four days just for a material review meant that both Leoni and I would need to be in the office for practically two weeks.

No wonder Leoni appeared fatigued already. I started smiling while sipping cheap coffee mix.

“I’ll wrap this up as soon as possible.”

No matter how much of a one-person legion Camila was, or how the Inquisition was supporting Lucia, and Francesca’s connections reached the Ivory Tower, deploying wouldn’t be decided like a quick day trip.

We needed personnel to support the party, gather a volunteer group to accompany them, and provide security forces. Furthermore, with discussions of deployment also arising, both civilian and military authorities from all nations had to discuss together.

Additionally, it wasn’t just limited to one country like in the north, meaning diplomatic, defense, and interior departments from Mauritania would have to coordinate opinions with authorities from countries holding varying political and religious stances, making the paperwork a battle before any deployment.

In a situation where governments, civil organizations, and international bodies of different continents mingle, how could the information agencies remain absent?

Thanks to this, the Military Intelligence Agency found itself in an unprecedented boom (work overload).

The director in charge of overseas operations remarked,

“You are certainly having a tough time.”

“It’s just the usual.”

I shrugged off his concern while nibbling on my paper cup.

“Basically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will handle negotiations with civilian, public, and international organizations. After all, diplomacy is their domain. We just have to keep doing what we usually do.”

“I understand.”

“What about contacting the armed groups?”

“It’s proceeding well. I’ve met with key personnel, and we’ve also scheduled an appointment to meet with the top leaders. Nasir has been a great help.”

Sheikh Nasir Al Hassan. The chief of the Hassan tribe and leader of the Group 3 warlords.

With his assistance, I was in contact with the organizations stationed in all the regions the party would visit in the future.

“That man is quite reliable.”

Leoni nodded in agreement.

“When he was a sniper under me, he was just as sharp. His shooting results were excellent, and his performance stood out.”

“Ah, are you referring to the government army generals?”

“Right. Those people who preferred to sway to the Emperor’s orders over their own president.”

As the director recalled, her gaze drifted toward the window, reminiscent of where Nasir’s sniper rifle was placed, which now held a semi-charred imperial flag from the empire.

Staring intently at the flag recovered from the battlefield across the sea, she absentmindedly wiped her forehead.

“Anyway, prepare well. Whether it’s managing information agents or business. While Sanya is currently cornered, you never know when they might start aligning with the empire again. Make sure it’s wrapped up securely. That’s why the senators and committees have given you such a hard time.”

“Understood.”

“In any case, responding to this….”

—

The operation to dismantle Groups 1 and 2 with the help of the Group 3 warlords has come to a conclusion.

While it was anticipated that it would take at least four months or more for disputes to calm, Asen and Sanya defied the estimates of the Abas Information Agency, entering a ceasefire mood in just two months.

The two warlords did not formally promise a ceasefire.

It was merely that ammunition and funding had dried up too quickly to continue fighting.

“The supplies and funds stockpiled by the warlords have exhausted faster than anticipated.”

“Given how much was dumped in at the start, that’s only expected.”

Colonel Clevenz, head of domestic affairs focusing on counterintelligence, security, investigations, domestic information, and counter-terrorism, analyzed the heated conflicts between the warlords in a monotone.

“Sanya has gathered many more shamans than they can handle. They’ve hired mercenaries seven times more than before, so there’s no way they could have any capital left.”

Sanya had run out of funds to pay mercenary shamans. This was a consequence of promising pay that exceeded what the three warlords guaranteed.

Upon being drawn in by the money, shamans rushed to Sanya, and with so many shamans recruited, Sanya found it too unwieldy to manage its bloated army.

“So they borrowed money urgently. They received advance payment from their dealer and accepted imperial weaponry to reduce funds for consumables. But wasn’t it all used up on the drugs and weapons they had promised to provide?”

“It burned well. It was quite a spectacle.”

“Hmm. Is that so? I found it lacking. The smell when smoking marijuana surely should have been wretched….”

In efforts to cut spending and gather military funds to prepare for war, the Group 2 warlord swiftly lost the drugs and received weaponry they had been provided.

The dealer, the Orc Mafia, quickly cut off Sanya. Even shamans who had stepped in with high hopes got tangled up as well.

With the situation unfolding this way, the only support left for Sanya seemed to be the Reconnaissance Command, and now that had also fallen apart.

“We lost two informants, and the supplies sent to the warlords have vanished. They must have been in a bind.”

“What does the Reconnaissance Command say?”

“They’ve swiftly vacated the project and pulled out.”

The overseas team from the Reconnaissance Command withdrew, leaving the Group 2 warlords behind.

Although new weapons and ammunition were sent, comprehensive large-scale aid similar to what they had sent before, like mortars, did not occur.

What was termed ‘support’ was, in reality, merely a large quantity of leftover items that were hard to process. It was akin to the scammers who ship junk instead of the items when trading second-hand goods.

I understood the intent of the Reconnaissance Command with a calm tone.

“In the end, the empire has abandoned the warlords.”

“Once Sanya’s situation improves, they might turn the tide again, but for now, we should consider our support concluded. They’ve pulled the team right off the field.”

Notably, that team was among those searching for Camila in the capital. They suffered casualties and failed their auxiliary mission, but in the process, the main unit had achieved their objectives and safely returned to the empire.

I wondered what Camila might be doing by now.

Last time we were in contact, she had been feeling down after being nagged by a duke. Perhaps I should call her later.

As trivial thoughts lingered, Clevenz spoke up, casting a smile in my direction.

“Good job out there.”

“Don’t mention it. After all, the mission hasn’t even ended yet.”

“Still, isn’t it almost wrapped up? The shaman have ultimately left broke Sanya and Asen is now in a position where they’ve exhausted their shells and cannot do anything. Only Hassan has benefited.”

Of course, Abas had also profited.

The relationship between Group 2 and the empire had effectively shattered. While they managed to hold out for the first month, the shamans would soon find it hard to receive the wages promised by the warlords, so they quickly pulled out.

Meanwhile, Group 1 was now lost in filling their depleted ammunition and recruiting lacking forces.

With Sanya’s financial lifeline dried up and Asen having lost their army, both sides eyed each other, merely continuing their propaganda without displaying the might they once did.

In the meantime, Group 3 absorbed Sanya’s dealers to replenish their capital and took in the soldiers who had defected from Asen.

According to Nasir, there were enough recruits to establish a new brigade. They were armed with modernized weapons and were currently training at Hassan’s facilities.

Hassan’s coffers were sufficient to feed and clothe the increased number of soldiers. And it was wealthy enough to welcome back the shamans who had shifted to Sanya. Amid the cooling fervor of conflict, Hassan was experiencing an unprecedented zenith.

“…….”

I chuckled lightly as I looked at Clevenz. Having clocked out, he ordered me to drive toward the residence.

“Your handling of warlords and living in the Mauritania continent seem to fit your temperament. What do you think? How about transitioning to domestic affairs?”

“Are you telling me to work domestically?”

“There are openings in counter-terrorism. Both at headquarters and in the field, we lack personnel.”

Well, counter-terrorism was generally a niche area, so I understood.

I nodded with an understanding demeanor.

“In counter-terrorism, I wouldn’t have to bear the burden of being the hero’s companion. Terrorism knows no borders. The area we’re heading to has its own troubles with terrorism, after all.”

“That’s true.”

“I think you’ll do well there too. Don’t you? Considering the empire’s current status.”

Clevenz was well aware of the unrest that had erupted in the Kien Empire, which had tightly held the Mauritania continent. While he refrained from mentioning the specifics, I knew the details.

Very few within the Abas government had knowledge of the Emperor’s condition.

Of course, I was in on that knowledge too.

“It’s clear that unruly armed factions rampaging is a blatant future sight. The Ministry of Defense has been closely monitoring the movements of foreign terrorist organizations.”

“Are you planning to send me to the field?”

“It doesn’t have to be strictly in the field. If you’re okay, I can arrange a position at headquarters. My office right next door is vacant.”

Clevenz casually offered me the position, joking perhaps, as if to tease me with a tempting offer.

In response, I turned to him just before closing the door and said:

“I will never go into counter-terrorism.”

“No sale, no sale.”