A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The Kien Empire’s mages have a phrase they use to mock their own magical society.

It’s a jab at the imperial magic community centered around the Duke. If Emperor Nikolai VI rules the empire, then the emperor of the empire’s magic realm is none other than Duke Alexandra Petrovna.

Of course, there was no intention to belittle Alexandra Petrovna by likening her to a dictator.

It was merely the lament of some intellectuals (reserved for public security) who were concerned about a society maintained by a single archmage.

However, just as the sun sets and the moon rises, and the season comes when vegetation is stripped bare yet soon sprouts anew…

…it happens with the appearance of a newcomer like a comet.

Recently, the magical society of the Kien Empire hasn’t had a single quiet day.

—

Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

—

If you were to seize a passing mage in Petrogard and ask, “Who is the greatest mage in the world?” everyone would chorus back with:

“Of course, it’s Duke!”

“It’s Her Grace, Alexandra Petrovna!”

The greatest mage in the world, the oldest mage in the empire, the mother of the Magic Tower’s founding, the founder of the Elemental School, the emperor’s aunt, honorary dean of the Imperial University’s magic department, Duke of the North, and so on.

Though there were many titles to describe her, what lingered in people’s minds was always “Archmage.”

They didn’t shorten it to “Archmage” because they were tired of listing her cumbersome titles, but because none could ever rival the status of “Archmage,” no matter how many titles were piled on.

So what does Alexandra Petrovna, the empire’s only Archmage, usually do?

“Um… What is the Duke doing? Well, I guess…”

“Probably researching…? After all, she’s an Archmage…”

“She might be pondering profound subjects. Perhaps she’s busy solving the 13 conundrums of the magical world. …Has there been any success? No, there’s been nothing from her for about 35 years now.”

“Back in the day, Archmage Alexandra Petrovna used to teach in person. She was right there, and I attended her lecture in the front row. That was already 52 years ago. Huh… I wonder where she is now. If I got just a little news, I’d want to send a letter.”

When people asked passing mages this question in Petrogard, those who fervently praised the Duke would tilt their heads. Then, they started spouting off rumors.

“They’re exploring the No Man’s Land, hunting demons in frozen lands, conducting world-shaking research in their workshop, and so on.”

It makes sense.

No one knows where the Duke is or what she’s doing.

“I haven’t heard anything about the Duke from the Magic Tower either. She might not be in the empire right now?”

“According to professors, she was dazzling when she was lecturing. Hmm, well… it’s been over 50 years since she cut off her visits, even if she is an honorary dean… It seems even professors who were her disciples can’t contact her.”

Alexandra Petrovna had hardly ever appeared except for official events organized by the royal family and government, and since the outbreak of the Empire-Magic conflict, she vanished completely.

Though,

“The Archmage is in Mauritania and the East. I caught a glimpse of her while she was adventuring… Seriously, I saw it clearly!”

Occasionally, a few adventurers would boast about having seen the Duke in another continent, but no one took them seriously. Believing a drunk aristocrat’s words at a tavern would be foolish.

Moreover, those claiming to have seen the Duke would often disappear for several days after their outburst, and everyone assumed they were embarrassed by the nonsense spoken in drunkenness.

Regardless, it was clear that Alexandra Petrovna was a fascinating and intriguing person.

A noble bloodline, the hero who commanded the war against the Cult’s oppression.

The academician who led the Renaissance known as magic after ending the era of knights and theology.

The righteous one who helped the crown prince overthrown by the regent take rightful revenge.

The shield that kept demons at bay in the windswept North.

Bloodline, wisdom, morality, war-hero. They picked all the elements people adore, so how could she not be captivating? The Duke has made countless admirers since her youth, and that hasn’t changed even now at over a hundred years old.

In short, she is the superstar of the magical realm. A superstar that drives both fans and haters wild.

In the empire, those who slander the Duke might find themselves lynched while walking or have rocks thrown at their homes, so it’s safe to say that only a fiercely dedicated fanbase exists in the Kien Empire.

However, unlike her rowdy and passionate supporters, Alexandra Petrovna herself was a very quiet person.

She has many accomplishments but neither boasts nor flaunts them. Whenever she does make an official appearance, she only occupies her seat, disappearing before any awkward situations arise.

That doesn’t mean she causes problems in private. Given her inherently reclusive nature, even those who consider themselves acquaintances see her once in a blue moon. There were never any of the common slip-ups that high-ranking officials of magical society typically made.

She’s there and not there.

Her achievements are astounding, yet her presence is negligible.

As the situation unfolded like this, the already enigmatic Alexandra Petrovna began to be seen as an even more mysterious figure.

It was also the reason strange followers began to appear. They would speculate amongst themselves without her doing anything.

There were even some who resorted to madness, claiming to visit her residence to absorb her aura. Naturally, the police and Imperial Guard stationed there wouldn’t allow them entry, but they were permitted to stroll around the mansion or fortress.

I was well aware of this fact. During my time working undercover in the Kien Empire, I witnessed the scene of the empire’s mages hovering around the Duke’s mansion in the capital many times.

From academy students wishing for success in exams to university students praying fervently for military exemptions, and fans waiting anxiously in case the Duke might appear.

Honestly speaking, it was quite an impressive sight. It felt like I had stepped into a famous European tourist spot.

In fact, the stronghold of Novo-Nikolayevsk and the mansion in Petrogard are recognized attractions by the Empire’s Tourism Office, so I couldn’t say it was incorrect.

—

But the situation changed a bit.

Recently, after the Duke broke her seclusion and was known to have aided in the capture of a demon, many people began gathering around her.

To be precise, around the stronghold in the North and the mansion in the capital.

Up to this point, things were still alright. The places had been considered tourist spots since long before the Duke had withdrawn, so it was inevitable that she would attract fame once more.

The problem was that Camila was staying there.

While spending time with Veronica and Lucia in Lateran, I received a message from the Information Officer at the Petrogard branch.

It was a request for me to come to the empire for a while.

Specifically—

“Please stay close to the Hero.”

“Near Camila? Is there some kind of problem?”

“It’s not that there’s a problem… It’s just that with the massive crowds gathering, there’s concern for safety.”

It meant I was to go check up on Camila, as it seemed she might be at risk from the sea of tourists.

Since I was already planning to meet Camila, I agreed, but initially thought they were overreacting. How many people could cause trouble after all?

This is the Duke’s mansion, protected by the Imperial Guard and police. Would a few tourists really spell danger? Besides, the owner of the mansion is none other than Alexandra Petrovna, an individual who even takes down demons. What could she possibly fear?

These thoughts raced through my mind as I headed to the Duke’s mansion where Camila was staying.

“…”

Yeah, I certainly remembered it as a place that felt like a tourist attraction.

But now.

Something felt…

“Oh, oh no! Fire! There’s a fire! Someone used magic!”

“Who? Who did it?”

“It was red! It was red!”

“It’s insane! How’s it producing that kind of fire so soon after the rain? That’s magic!”

“Hey! Look at the window!”

“The Duke has appeared!!!”

Cheers erupted from all around, and flames soared to the heavens.

“… uh, um.”

I felt dizzy, suffocated by the crowd.

—

After five years, returning to the Duke’s mansion in Petrogard, I found countless people gathered around.

The crowd almost completely surrounded the massive mansion, spilling over with eager admirers coming from every direction to see the Duke.

Planning to meet Camila, I was caught in a sea of people, unable to move.

“Ugh!”

Situated in a part of the Northern Hemisphere where the latitude is relatively high, the empire experiences even chilly weather in July. It would be comparable to early autumn back in Korea.

Because I tend to feel the cold, I couldn’t get away with wearing just a short-sleeved shirt even in summer, so I always wore a light cardigan or coat to ward off the chill while working in the empire.

But right now, it was hot.

“Let me through, just a moment…”

The heat emanating from the immense crowd gathered in front of the mansion was beyond imagination.

Screaming and shaking their bodies, the crowd of mages were all over each other like bees in a hive, apparently thrilled by the blaze in the garden.

If the Emperor of Music, Michael Jackson, were to come back to life, this must be what the atmosphere would be like.

The area surrounding the Duke Alexandra Petrovna’s mansion was like a concert filled with passion and energy, but the reality was that it was far from enjoyable, except for the few mages who cheered at her appearance while randomly unleashing magic into the air.

-Wooahh!!

I found myself rubbing my forehead at the piercing cheers that made my head throb.

With the return of Alexandra Petrovna and the news of Camila still residing in the capital’s mansion, magicians from all over the empire flocked like clouds.

And now, the people I was standing among were those mages.

“…ugh.”

They just wouldn’t stop making noise and casting spells. Were they not aware of how loud they were? Amidst all this, they began singing something, whether it was a cheer or a song.

Some individuals yelled loudly, some launched themselves into the air with magic imaging equipment dangling in their outstretched arms. As fire erupted, many shouted with all they had as if their life depended on it, with some even bursting into tears out of sheer emotion.

I was trapped, struggling against the crowd as I listened to the sobs of fully grown adult men echoing against my back.

-Bleep! Bleep!

-Amidst all the commotion, police in blue uniforms were dispatched. Armed with batons, the riot police struggled through the throng of mages.

“Get away from the fence!”

“Disperse the crowd right now!”

The riot police swung their batons at those approaching the mansion. Though the batons whizzed by, the people remained unfazed, deploying a shimmering shield of blue energy to block the attacks. It was something that only mages could manage.

As these barriers formed near the fence, police mages began to spring into action. One flew in on a broomstick, swiftly dispelling protective spells, while another threw off their cloak to apprehend suspects.

As the mages crowded into the mansion were driven away, police armored vehicles emerged from nearby buildings, delivering their trailers to the road.

“Set up the equipment, hurry!”

It was a massive device that looked like a beehive.

At the command of the officer, the troops began bustling to carry out orders. They connected wires, manipulated controls, and finally pressed a button.

At that moment, the device split open, and its components began to levitate slightly above the ground.

-Woooom…!!

The rising apparatus circled around the trailer moored in the center. Shadows and ominous green lights flickered ominously.

As the lights and shadows began to wildly shake the surroundings, the faces of the mages instantly turned pale. Many staggered as if struck by intense vertigo, with a few even vomiting or having nosebleeds.

Among those moaning in discomfort, very few stood upright. I was one of the small number.

“There!”

An officer from the Imperial Guard shouted, pointing a finger at me.

Moments later, riot police and internal security soldiers rushed into the fray where they managed to pull me from the clutches of the crowd.

“Are you Frederick Nostrim?”

“Ah, yes… Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m really sorry for being late to assist you. Are you alright?”

Are you really asking if I’m okay?

The words threatened to spill from my lips, but I restrained myself since it wasn’t the time for that.

“I’m fine. It was my decision to refuse being escorted…”

When I stated my reason for visiting the empire to see Camila, the Imperial Foreign Affairs Department had offered to assign police officers to guide me to the Duke’s mansion.

I had heard the rumors. Ever since the Duke retracted her seclusion, crowds had begun to gather around her mansion.

While some came to catch a glimpse of the legendary Archmage and the hero, others approached with ill intentions. Rumor had circulated that a young mage had entered the Duke’s service, leading many to foolishly think, “Maybe I can too…?”

Aside from all that, quite a number of social villains gathered too.

Of course, I didn’t care.

Just how many people could truly pose a threat?

Even if dozens of the Duke’s fans were present, surely they wouldn’t block the road.

So I rejected the police escort offered by the Foreign Affairs Department, telling them I would just take a taxi, and only requested they let the Imperial Guard know.

And this is the result.

“Ugh…!”

Before I even reached the mansion, the road was completely barred by carriages and luxury sedans. After finally getting out, I began to walk, only to be ensnared in the throng before I could take any significant steps.

Later, I learned from a police officer that the road being blocked was due to the people clamoring to meet the Duke.

With the help of the empire’s internal security forces, I finally managed to slip out from the mass of people. Thanks to their formidable magical instruments, they suppressed the magicians.

The riot police swung their batons at encroaching mages, while the Imperial Guard’s protective spells staunchly denied entry to those mages. Having survived near that chaos, I finally made my way toward the front gate.

But then…

-Whooosh!

At the center of the garden, magic began to spark.

In an instant, it felt like the sun was overshadowed, and then a beam of light sprang forth from a small point.

Flickering light and deepening shadow.

In that fleeting moment, the intensity gradually grew, matching the shadows thickening around.

And with a blinding flash, the point suddenly expanded.

It erupted into an explosion.

-KABOOM!!!

The sight of an immense pillar of fire ascending from merely a marble-sized point was truly overwhelming. It instilled a sense of awe in those who beheld it.

Therefore, no one dared utter a single word.

But…

“What the hell is that?”

Shattering windows, the blackened marble walls of the mansion.

Half of the meticulously cultivated garden, tended by an expert, lay charred, with the remaining half rapidly ablaze in multiple spots.

But humans are creatures that only see what they wish to see.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Wow!”

The crowd that had been standing in stunned silence erupted into cheers once more. Those who were revived from the thrall of the internal security’s crowd-dispersion equipment found their voices again.

As the magicians regained their spirit amidst the situation, the riot police and internal security hurried to vacate the area, leading to a massive swell of people streaming along the mansion’s protective barrier.

While mages rushed to reinforce the barrier, the troops struggled to disperse the crowd.

“…”

I took off my sunglasses and bit my lip, stepping inside the mansion.

—

If humans feel the most intense fear at a height of 11 meters, then the moment of jumping from an 11-meter high model tower must surely instill the greatest horror.

However, the most crushing moment of fear for Camila was right now.

“~♪”

It was a sunny summer day in the Kien Empire. This was after she had caused a small “accident” that burned down half the garden.

While practicing magic, one sometimes ends up igniting objects and even trees. However, Duke Alexandra Petrovna did not hold her disciple accountable for such minor “mistakes.”

But there was only one exception.

“Camila—!!”

Startled by the furious voice from behind, Camila jumping on her broom dropped to the ground.

Though it was a mistake, it was still true that she had committed an error. Whenever she made accidents like this, Camila always cleaned up the remnants with the broom she was practicing flying magic on.

It wasn’t an expensive magical tool, but rather the cheapest broom hastily acquired for a clandestine operation last December. Given that it was an older item, it had never been something reliable from the start.

Yet she had grown fond of that broom, so discarding it would be a shame. Thus, she was using it for practice and putting out small flames that arose.

“…Ugh!”

Startled, Camila jumped back, letting go of the beloved broom.

Of course, she picked it back up right after it fell to the ground. Under usual circumstances, she would have worried if it might be damaged, but unfortunately, that wasn’t her concern for now.

“Camila!”

The man dressed in a black suit, entering through the main gate, shouted her name in a booming voice.

His voice was so loud that it even drew the attention of some of the empire’s officials trying to disperse the crowd.

“What new trouble have you caused now?!”

Frederick charged in, striding boldly and yelling. Camila lowered her head hastily, hiding among the garden’s bushes and crawling on her hands and knees.

“Hey! I’m human too, okay? I trusted you this time! And now you’ve caused another accident after just a few weeks!”

His heels thudded heavily against the charred marble as he stomped around, shaking the surrounding bushes.

“I kept my mouth shut, you know that? I didn’t say anything! You not only caused chaos abroad but now also turned the heart of the capital into a sea of flames!”

“…”

Camila secretly acknowledged within herself that yeah, this time she went a bit too far.

Although the Duke had forgiven her, she didn’t believe Frederick would let it slide. After all, he harbored a strong disdain for dangerous actions. And practicing magic to the point of incinerating half a garden was indeed a perilous mistake in her own eyes.

It wasn’t much. Just a little.

Really, just a smidge.

“…”

Though she hadn’t been discovered yet, it seemed urgent to leave before things escalated. He seemed quite furious, after all.

Picking up her broom, Camila carefully got back on her feet. There he was, standing by the distant fountain, breathing heavily with his hands on his hips.

Cautiously, she set off towards him, preparing the flying spell. She’d ride the broom like a bike, clenching it between her thighs and readying her magic for takeoff.

“What are you doing over there?!”

“Ugh…?!”

Caught!

The thunderous voice filled with anger came with a gaze that met sharply with hers. The two of them, their eyes locked in a heavy glare, leapt into the air.

Frederick charged at Camila, while she scrambled to prepare her flight to avoid getting caught.

However,

“Eek…! Why won’t it fly?!”

For some strange reason, her flying magic wouldn’t engage.

If the Duke had witnessed this, she would have heard a stern remark: “Well, if you mishandle an old magical tool without proper maintenance, would it not be natural it would break?” Unfortunately, the Duke was not present at that moment.

In a state of desperation, Camila made a decision. She finally tossed away the broom (the “darling” broom she cherished so much).

-Whoosh!

Throwing her broom aside, Camila started running at full speed. Behind her, Frederick crunched his shoe-clad feet in a wild chase.

“Camila! Stop!”

“I think you have the wrong person!”

“Stop! Just stop!”

“Why would I stop just because you said to?! First, you stop and explain!”

“If I get caught, I’ll really die!”

Thus began a wild chase, spiraling around the half-burned and half-green garden. Officials dispersing the crowd and curious mages peered in to witness the event.

Whether others watched or not, Camila and Frederick remained wholly invested in their pursuit game. It was a comically classic chase reminiscent of the legendary mouse and cat slapstick comedy.

“Yikes?!”

Camila glanced back while running ahead, suppressing a scream.

How could he run so fast while wearing dress shoes?!

Despite wearing sneakers herself, she was struggling to shake him off. He wasn’t hindered by the penalty of his formal attire.

Step by step, the distance between them began to decrease. Frederick was now close enough to reach out and snag her clothing.

“Ugh…!”

Clenching his teeth, Frederick outstretched his hand toward the sleeve of her outfit.

Pushing off the ground with his legs and leaning forward, he finally grasped the fabric.

Fine threads caught between his fingers. With his joints bending just so, the fabric wrapped around his skin. Frederick smiled, now confident he had captured her.

“Got you—!”

But then…

-Fwoosh~!

Suddenly, a burst of flames erupted before him. Frederick quickly jumped back, shielding his face with his arms. It was magic. The caster was probably Camila.

“Even if I don’t want to get caught, using magic out of nowhere is just… uh?”

She disappeared.

Camila stood just seconds away from him, and now, it was as though she had completely vanished.

Gone without a trace.

“…Phew!”

As Frederick spun around looking for Camila, a familiar voice reached his ears. When he turned his body fully, the person he’d been seeking stood right there.

“Wait, you…”

Just as the flustered Frederick began to stride forward,

“Eek!”

Camila, believing he was still angry, leaped in surprise.

And then,

-Fwoosh~!

Once again, she scattered before his eyes.

This time, she vanished into a handful of sparks.