A Dark Fantasy Spy

---

The cleanup was swift and tidy.

The driver, accompanied by the corpse, turned the wheel into the dark ruins. Calmly and composedly, he did so.

The suit men seemed to regard their business as concluded and divided into parked vans and sedans, vanishing with only the heavy sound of engines left behind.

One Security Committee employee was purged, but such matters didn’t bear much importance.

What truly mattered was something else altogether.

“……”

I passed through the door opened by the driver and settled into the back seat of the sedan.

The car drove across the darkness of Shizuya. From the ruins into the city center. Toward the heart of the capital.

Towards the distant buildings.

Episode 20 – Who threatened with a knife?

The interior design went beyond mere decoration of space to reflect functionality and personality.

The aesthetics of minimalism, vintage charm, neatness from lines, and the warmth of wooden furniture made the modern yet traditionally reflective decor audaciously bold.

Just one thing.

If it weren’t for the portrait of that woman and old man hanging on the wall.

“……”

The two figures’ photos were displayed in a corner of the small office, barely 5 pyeong in size.

The woman, with an unyielding expression resembling cold steel yet bearing a sorrowful air, and the elderly man, smiling with an endlessly benevolent grin.

In the photo, the Priest of Al-Yabd, Jeynab Eskander, was staring blankly into space.

And right next to her, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ashtistan, Mehrabshan ‘Menbashi’ Al-Wardi, cast his gaze in a different direction with a Buddha-like gentle smile.

“……”

The portrait of the Prime Minister looked much younger than the photo I had seen about a year ago. It seemed to be taken around ten years prior.

I slowly surveyed the office.

As indicated by the portraits of two politicians representing a nation, the small 5 pyeong office was part of a government office.

The modern and sophisticated atmosphere of the office created a stark contrast to the traditionally immersive Azadi Palace, evoking a peculiar sense of alienation from the typical Ashtistani civil servants, especially visible in the secretary draped in a lussar.

-Crackling…

The writing utensils brushed against the documents, creating a soft noise.

The secretary scribbled notes while glancing at the paper, tapping on the device. As she entered the document’s contents into the terminal, I watched the densely shadowed Shizuya in wait.

With a click, the firmly shut door swung open, and a man exited the office. He seemed more fitting as an accountant than a civil servant.

He held the door he came through and said, “Please, come in.”

Only after receiving permission could I finally step out of the cramped 5 pyeong office. I moved silently to the adjacent room, and Camila glanced at the accountant before shyly following behind.

The inner office was much larger and cozier than the 5 pyeong office.

The room, arranged to face southeast, was filled with glass on two sides, providing a generous sense of openness, and the hardwood furnishings further enhanced the sophistication of the interior.

“I’ve brought our guest.”

The moment the accountant spoke, the owner of the office shifted his gaze. He turned to look at us over the desk.

His Persian-style shirt without a collar, metal-framed glasses, and a neatly trimmed white beard…

Just as I was scanning him briefly, the middle-aged man gently removed his glasses and greeted us.

“Nice to meet you, everyone. I am Jandhar, Chairman of the Oversight Committee of the Security Committee.”

He raised his left hand between his collarbone, near his neck, bowing his head slightly.

It didn’t take long to realize that this was the traditional greeting of the Republic of Ashtistan. When a foreign man meets a woman who is not a relative, it’s customary in the Persian region to substitute a light nod for a handshake.

I placed my hand over my chest and replied, “Peace be upon you as well (وعليكم السلام: wa-ʿalaykumu s-salāmu), I am Colonel Frederick Nostrim, working in the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Abas.”

In both Iran and Ashtistan, etiquette regarding greetings is strictly followed. Generally, a younger person greets an elder, a standing person greets someone seated, and a guest greets the host first.

However, Chairman Jandhar disregarded these customs and greeted me first, addressing someone significantly younger.

In a positive view, it could be seen as a consideration for a foreigner unfamiliar with local etiquette, while negatively, it signified generosity towards a foreign fool who knew nothing about such customs.

Regardless of interpretation, from the perspective of locals unaware of the situation, I must have appeared as an “ignorant peasant who disrespects elders.”

Thus, I introduced myself as politely as I could, revealing my surname, Nostrim, and my title, as it was an important propriety in Ashtistan.

That’s why.

The faint smile on Jandhar’s face when introducing himself as the Chairman of the Oversight Committee from the Security Committee was…

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Mr. Frederick Nostrim.”

He continued speaking with a calm smile, seemingly pleasantly surprised.

“It appears you are familiar with Ashtistan’s customs. This is often a confusing greeting for foreign visitors.”

“I worked as a military attaché. Besides, I have a strict person around me.”

“The Duke’s strictness is well-known, often likened to the just scales of the Earth God.”

The Oversight Committee, recognized as the “Oversight Organization” within the Security Committee, boasts substantial power even among all information agencies, as is the case with the inspection divisions of all intelligence organizations.

However, unlike most oversight departments, no matter how serious the crime, normal protocol involves calling the staff for investigation rather than shooting them in the back of the head.

“……”

I was quite curious why the head of this crazy agency had summoned me.

But the other side was a step ahead.

“Would you care for some tea?”

Chairman Jandhar pointed to the magic pot placed in the corner of the office. He intended to offer us tea as the host ought to.

“No, thank you.”

Upon sharply declining his offer, Jandhar’s expression subtly hardened, revealing displeasure at being refused hospitality.

With pride, he pointed out several varieties of tea leaves and insisted once more, “Why not give it a try? Our country’s specialty, chai (black tea).”

“…Alright.”

Perhaps due to the deeply rooted customs of hospitality in the region, the Chairman of the Oversight Committee graciously offered us service despite the late hour.

Three cups of red-tinged black tea. Accompanied by an assortment for personal preference including sugar cubes, cinnamon, saffron, lemon, and lime.

Such a lavish selection was usually seen only in the tea houses of Lahijan, renowned for tea cultivation in Iran. In tea-loving Ashtistan, it is rare for an individual to have such an extensive array.

At this point, I could easily infer that Jandhar had a great fondness for tea.

As Camila, who was pulling pastries from a plate adorned with arabesque patterns, took a bite and nodded, it wasn’t a surprisingly pleasant reaction.

I took a sip of the tea made from the leaves he selected, just wetting my lips.

“How is it?”

He asked.

“It has a marvelous aroma, as per its reputation.”

“You have a refined taste for good tea leaves. Thank you (شكرا).”

A mix of subtle intimidation followed by applause. The atmosphere didn’t feel ordinary from the start.

Jandhar proposing tea might have been to treat a guest at this late hour, but that was merely for appearances.

He skillfully employed the courtesy of hospitality as a means to subtly pressure me, and as a result, I accepted the favor, resigning to his advancing influence.

In a way, it was a kind of psychological warfare.

That gentle pressure served to deflate the other’s spirit to seize the lead in the conversation, a common tactic. An ordinary person would find themselves exhausted and dragged along by the atmosphere.

An ordinary person, however.

“Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

The corners of Jandhar’s eyes twitched slightly. It seemed he didn’t expect me to suggest getting straight to the point.

He smiled broadly and resumed with a calm voice, effectively ending this round of probing disguised as a standoff.

“Very well. It is getting late.”

I couldn’t help but silently sigh at that.

The petty squabble amongst aging adults seemed so futile. Is this what I joined an intelligence agency for? It’s quite exhausting to live as a tax thief.

“We have convened to discuss the matters you reported. It’s too significant an issue to overlook.”

“The matter you refer to?”

“If there are misunderstandings, shouldn’t we resolve them together?”

Chairman Jandhar offered me a subtle invitation to chat. Though he didn’t disclose the explicit matters, I picked up on a friendly demeanor and began to discern some characteristics.

“Naturally.”

“The mutual understanding is delightful.”

I observed Chairman Jandhar with interest. After placing his teacup down, he propped up his elbow with one hand and began to speak.

“What brings you to the Republic of Ashtistan?”

“I came at the Duke’s invitation. One could say it’s a kind of trip.”

“Hmm, I’m glad to hear that. There are few places as beautiful as Shizuya, even in the Kien Empire or the Republic of Patalia. It pains me to hear your enjoyable trip almost marred by an ‘unfortunate incident’.”

An ‘unfortunate incident’? What an oddly peculiar choice of words.

Chairman Jandhar drew a clear line. The bribery demand had nothing to do with the Security Committee. He was aware it was improper to speak so openly but meant to indicate that it wasn’t their intention.

This effectively meant that the demand for a bribe was a personal transgression of the employee, while simultaneously suggesting that they wouldn’t be able to offer any recompense.

Even if it seemed an exaggeration, this was the truth. Euphemistical speech wasn’t reserved for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone.

The tongues of high-positioned information officers are known for their length and smoothness.

Chairman Jandhar feigned being disheartened and sighed dramatically.

“In fact, the public official in question has already been disciplined and demoted. Yet, he still dared to approach you, demanding an exit. It’s enough to make my face flush with shame.”

“Umm….”

I let out a hum in disbelief, but my expression held firm.

Of course, I had no intentions of seeking any form of compensation. There was nothing I could demand from them, nor did the Security Committee have anything significant to offer me.

After the officer who attempted bribery was shot in the back of the head, my ill fate with the Security Committee already felt settled.

This fact was something all present in the room acknowledged. Even Camila, munching on dates beside me.

The problem lain in why the oversight branch of the Security Committee would summon me here knowing fully well the situation.

“I’m glad to hear you empathize with the pain. But what do you mean by misunderstanding?”

“This letter. Did you perhaps write it yourself, Mr. Frederick?”

Chairman Jandhar unfolded a neatly folded envelope. It was the report I had submitted to the Security Committee.

The moment I caught sight of it, I could grasp what the Security Committee found troubling.

“No, I did not write it myself. Had I known Ashtistani, I would have, but unfortunately, I only know enough for simple greetings.”

“And?”

“Camila wrote it for me.”

“…Huh?”

As Camila, who had been eagerly indulging in pastries, turned her round eyes towards us, Chairman Jandhar glanced at her and posed his question in Ashtistani, not Kienian.

“Was this letter authored by Lowell?”

“Yes, I wrote it.”

“Ah, that explains it; I thought the handwriting belonged to a woman.”

He wore a faint smile, which seemed somewhat forced.

In that fleeting moment, I could read that emotion from Chairman Jandhar’s face. And I realized.

Since Camila had perceived the employee’s ‘personal misconduct’, it meant trouble for the oversight of the Security Committee. It implied there was now a witness.

Had an ordinary Ashtistani citizen witnessed the incident, the oversight committee could easily sweep matters under the rug. The authority of the Security Committee was so imposing that even employees from the outer palace shivered at their prowess.

But should that witness be a foreigner, particularly Camila, the most notable apprentice of Alexandra Petrovna, everything would change.

She was someone whom the authority of the Security Committee could not simply control. An individual who couldn’t be silenced without as much as a thought.

I regarded her with expectant eyes. Perhaps reading something from my gaze, Camila gulped down her tea and pastries and lifted her hand slightly.

“Should I excuse myself?”

“If you wish to do so.”

Chairman Jandhar appeared to have anticipated that statement, smiling brightly. He even attached his secretary to usher Camila out of the office.

The moment Camila exited the room, I could now converse with Chairman Jandhar in a much more relaxed atmosphere.

“I fear the Security Committee’s pantry may run out of supplies today.”

“Ah, the joy of hosting guests is unsurpassed.”

He accepted the jest in a leisurely tone.

With no one else listening, we began to genuinely clear the misunderstandings.

“I believe you must be deeply saddened by the misdeeds of our official. Though personal misconduct, there is only so much I can do to hold this employee accountable. Still, if it pleases Mr. Frederick and Ms. Lowell, I would like to make a personal promise of compensation. Is that agreeable?”

“You needn’t go through the trouble…”

I replied with the intention of not rejecting the favor.

At that, Jandhar replied joyfully, reflecting what I had said.

“It’s nothing but a minor return for your kindness in aiding someone in distress. It’s only natural for a benevolent deity to watch over the righteous.”

I smirked at that response.

“I simply didn’t wish to spoil a peaceful journey.”

Chairman Jandhar nodded knowingly, responding in kind.

“There are no bad people among those who love peace.”

He tossed the letter envelope into a shredder. Then, smiling brightly, he spoke to me in a calm voice.

“May the divine accompany you on your delightful journey.”

*

My conversation with Chairman Jandhar stretched into the early morning hours.

Returning to the hotel, I slowly ran the translator through my mind.

Initially, Jandhar clearly delineated.

“This unfortunate incident is the personal misconduct of an employee who has already faced disciplinary action and is currently demoted. But he seems to still scurry back to you.”

→ We have nothing to do with this. ㅎㅎ;; Sorry!

Next, he assured personal compensation.

“I suspect you are concerned because an employee has caused great distress. Foreign guests are due to arrive soon, and we will be careful.”

→ But it would be surprising after all. If another issue came up while your group is here, we would have a serious problem, so we will handle it ourselves. Thus, overlook this incident.

I acknowledged his remarks.

“That is certainly appreciated.”

→ Let’s go through with it.

Jandhar beamed pleasantly.

“It’s a small reward, please accept it.”

→ It was nearing trouble due to an idiot; thanks for helping me manage that quietly. I’ll see to it we take care of you to avoid anything unpleasant.

With that, I mentioned my travels.

“I simply didn’t wish to spoil my experience while traveling.”

→ Do you worry about that? We will manage everything.

He reciprocated warmly, assuring that I would enjoy my journey peacefully.

“May the Earth God accompany you on your delightful journey.”

→ We’ll take care of everything with divine assurance.

I lay back on the hotel bed, gazing weakly at the business card given by the oversight committee chairman, noting the name ‘Jandhar’.

Then I concluded.

“… Hmm. Quite a nuisance -”

Certainly, it was a plentiful harvest.