A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The act of having an affair with a woman, especially “infidelity,” has long been considered a tremendous sin.

Some might argue that ancient Greek and Roman mythology’s original blonde brat, “Zeus,” and the tales of heroes demonstrate that “infidelity among men was socially accepted in ancient times!” But that’s a narrow perspective that overlooks the forest for the trees.

What kind of scorn did the archer prince of Troy receive when he cowardly fled from a sacred one-on-one duel and absconded with a married woman?

While it might be admirable to steal the original queen of the original “pantless love association” (Sparta), touching a woman already taken is something even the PC advocates of ancient Greece, who tolerated homosexuality, could not condone. Consequently, the furious village chiefs of Achaea gathered hundreds of fishing boats and launched an assault on Troy.

Those who prefer modern tales over ancient ones might faintly claim, “Isn’t it fine in regions where polygamy persists, like the Middle East? As long as it’s not infidelity.”

However, if local Middle Eastern men were to hear this, they would likely scoff with remarks like “Give it a try yourself.”

It is a blatant fact that the Quran allows a man to have up to four wives, and it is also a reality that many husbands have multiple wives.

Yet, the one true God of Islam, Allah, admonished that if a man cannot treat multiple wives fairly, he should just shut up and stick to one wife for a century of harmony.

In an Arab society where men lack the ability to treat money, affection, and spousal relationships equitably (and working four mandatory defense days is impossible), husbands have long sought the light of monogamy.

(Keep in mind, aside from all religious laws, having four wives means having four times the nagging.)

Of course, even the past presidents of France, who are rumored to have engaged in numerous affairs, wouldn’t care if they had multiple wives.

The former U.S. president who famously declared that oral sex isn’t sex might view this as a trivial escapade.

In any case, according to universal social norms, acts such as infidelity, having a side affair, or polygamy are unforgivable sins.

Therefore!

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

“I get it, I understand, so could you back off a bit, brother?”

“I’m telling you, it’s really a misunderstanding…!”

Frederick brought along two daughters-in-law simultaneously.

What a scoundrel, confirmed.

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Side Episode – Beset by All Kinds of Malice

The master and mistress of the Nostrim family, Charles and Grace Nostrim, were on the verge of tears.

“…Oh my God.”

Charles squeezed his face with his palm. He had suspected since their son stopped coming home because he was seeing a woman. But he never imagined such a major disaster would unfold.

While the head of the Nostrim family wept silently, the mistress called for their second son and quietly pressed him for the truth.

“What kind of confidence do you have to pull off such an act?”

“What did I do?!”

“Do you still not realize how wrong you are?”

Frederick appeared somewhat (actually, very) wronged, but as far as Grace was concerned, there couldn’t be a worse scoundrel than this.

It wasn’t just because their son secretly brought home two daughters-in-law (real ones).

“What on earth were you thinking… Ugh, let’s not even talk about it.”

“It’s not like that!”

In the class-conscious Kingdom of Abas, dating two women at once was justifiably condemned.

First of all, the law dictated so. Marrying multiple women was legally impossible in a society that recognized only monogamy.

In the same vein, “dating multiple partners” was nothing less than adultery, infidelity, or betrayal.

Of course, nobles, especially spirited young men, often could not control themselves and caused all sorts of incidents, yet still returned to society unscathed.

In fact, among the friends of Charles and Grace from their academy days, there were plenty who had secretly been caught by their girlfriends/boyfriends meeting a secret lover and went home for a brief period only to return again.

But this kind of behavior was tolerated purely because they were young.

Academy students might have their infidelity dismissed with a laugh, but if a college student or adult pulled such a stunt, they’d likely end up being scolded with a remark like, “Did you learn your home education from a fantasy?”

And Frederick had long left his minor years behind; he was a respectable adult, also a civil servant living on a salary.

Where simply having an affair could end up on the 9 PM news with interrogation, this reckless child had managed to juggle a saint and a high-ranking official from the Magic Tower simultaneously. From close up, it was tragic; from afar, still tragic.

“…….”

Charles and Grace limply slouched into the sofa, watching their son’s live show quietly.

“All of this is a big fat lie. A complete and utter lie, you hear?”

“Well, if you say so, then I guess that’s how it is…”

“I’ve told you several times it’s slander!”

Frederick passionately asserted his innocence, but it was a futile effort. What good was it to rant and rave, when no one would believe him? No matter how much he spoke the truth, if trust was lost, it was in vain.

Just think about it rationally; would a saint and a high-ranking official from the Magic Tower really gain anything by fabricating a tale about being their son’s girlfriend?

And when Frederick announced his delayed return, he claimed he was “going to meet a woman.” Indeed, ladies who claimed to be his girlfriends had come to the residence, and by the time their son returned with his third lady, it was hard to argue it was all just slander.

It was more realistic (and closer to the truth) to consider that their son had been juggling affairs.

“Jerry, Adela. Where are you?”

In his desperate attempt to convince his parents, Frederick suddenly rushed off to find his siblings.

“Help convince them, quickly!”

The Ministry of Defense official called for his brother and sister, but unfortunately, no rescue was forthcoming. Being sharp-witted, Jerry and Adela had already fled to the second floor of the residence.

Ultimately, Frederick, left alone to fend for himself, needed to clear up the misunderstandings on his own.

Could it be that his earnest pleading was getting through? Charles and Grace seemed to gradually be swayed by their son’s appeal.

Love them or hate them, they were still their children, and seeing him so wronged suggested there might be some misunderstanding.

“Pardon me, but what is your relationship with him?”

“Are you talking about me? I’m Camila Lowell. I’m Frederick’s colleague! Sorry for the late introduction.”

“Oh…. I see.”

The red-haired lady was just a common colleague, not some extraordinary figure after all! The parents had wondered why their son had brought home a lady, thinking perhaps she was the third daughter-in-law (real). But it turned out they were just colleagues.

Camila politely smiled at the elders and kindly explained why Frederick was late. She mentioned various activities from the past month in the Jamria Federation, hinting it had been work-related.

Though they might not have grasped the specific circumstances (to be honest, Jamria itself was unfamiliar), it seemed it was indeed a meeting related to work.

“I see that was the case.”

“We weren’t aware of that.”

The royal court maid and the high-ranking official from the Ministry of Finance uttered a small gasp as reality dawned on them.

Then came Frederick’s shy interjection of “I told you it was slander!” However, irrespective of his grievances, these events were also part of the consequences.

Why did he have to say he was going to meet a woman, exposing himself to misunderstandings?

Every bit of this disaster was self-inflicted, so he had to swallow it, sweet or bitter, as it came.

“Even when I tried to explain, nobody seemed to understand… What on earth are all of you thinking?”

Anyhow, the tearful explanation finally began to see the light of day. After suffering through all sorts of slander, Frederick could finally shake off the false accusations (sort of).

“Well then, if it’s all over, you should start heading back. I’ll be contacting the embassy soon.”

Frederick, feeling a decade older, took control of the chaos. He desperately wanted to tidy up this mess and finally get some rest.

He planned to swiftly send his company and the duke off to a hotel or wherever, suggesting Ayla bring back some snacks along the way.

Frederick hastily dialed his sister, asking her to pick up some delicious food, though he didn’t offer any money. More accurately, he said “I’ll give it to you when you get here,” but everyone knew that was a blatant lie.

In any case.

The two daughters-in-law (who might be or might not be) gloating over him, and their parents mentally exhausted from the emotional roller-coaster ride.

The disgruntled mentor side-eyeing his disciple, the housemate who had abandoned his sibling, and finally, an awkwardly dressed nomad in Mauritanian traditional clothing, among others.

As he rushed around, managing to report to the company and contact the embassy during all this hubbub. Then, a pleasantly clear and ringing doorbell echoed in Frederick’s ears.

-Ding dong.

Ayla must have arrived.

Frederick’s lips curled up in glee at the thought of finally sending off the uninvited guests (his own colleagues), and without looking back, he flung open the door. He swiftly turned his back, shouting “Get out of my house!”

To be precise, he was about to shout.

*

Just as he was about to yell for everyone to head home, his vision suddenly went dark.

A warm sensation wrapped around his eyelids, blocking out the light.

“Boo?”

The voice from behind was all too familiar.

After opening the door and leaning out towards his family and guests, I froze right there.

A chilling silence engulfed the residence; even the sound of hair falling could be distinctly heard in the hushed atmosphere.

No one spoke. The suffocating stillness had a power that made even a whisper impossible.

Moments ticked by.

After standing there in silence for what felt like ages, I finally opened my mouth to make an explanation.

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Side Episode – Beset by All Kinds of Malice – END –