A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The Cult is a theocratic state.

The Cult operates under a system of theocratic politics and absolute monarchy, yet surprisingly, the electoral process is quite democratic. One can liken it to the Vatican’s conclave.

Starting a week before the election, the Pope summons priests with voting rights from dioceses scattered across the continent. Then, on the day of the election, the electoral college is gathered at St. Pascalina Cathedral, which is three blocks away from the National Affairs Council building, and voting is conducted indefinitely under the strict watch of the Inquisition and the Knights Order until a winner is ‘determined.’

It’s essentially confinement. No matter how much they claim it’s to protect the candidates, throwing only salt, water, and blessed bread at them and telling them to vote is hardly humane.

Of course, whether those representatives are voting, doing drugs, or engaging in orgies is none of my concern.

The important thing is whether Lucia becomes a saint or not. Both outcomes have clear pros and cons, making this election a nail-biter for the onlookers.

I have no idea how the results might turn out. I’m no oracle; how would I know?

But it is abundantly clear that whatever the result, I will have to bear the repercussions.

After all, I am a Hero’s companion and an operative.

So, I waited for the vote results like one might anxiously wait for the results of the American election.

And finally,

The results were in.

“Saint Lucia will be arriving here today.”

“…What happened?”

“The morning star has risen.”

Lucia triumphed.

—

Episode 4 – Why is it only me?

A new saint has been born.

Once serving under Saint Veronica, Lucia has now become someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with her. Thus, she has succeeded as the new 59th saint, following the 58th saint.

I received this news at my lodgings.

In the dim dawn, an Inquisition agent, who arrived with a cautious knock, informed me that a saint of the same gender being born consecutively for the second time hasn’t happened in 43 years.

This election took place while a predecessor, unprecedentedly, was still alive, overcoming various controversies and smears throughout her candidacy, ultimately being elected as a saint. Although Lucia hasn’t officially become a saint yet, it was enough of a buzz that breaking news could easily be justified.

“Lucia has become a saint.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Camila Lowell, who was munching on toast, glanced at the TV, then looked at me, and back at the TV before picking up the newspaper.

She quickly skimmed through the politics, society, international sections, editorials, and cartoons before saying:

“But there’s no such article?”

The news about the new saint was nowhere to be found in the morning newspaper or on the morning news. It was as if some magic had been cast.

Of course, I knew the reason. Due to the unusual state of national public security following a series of large-scale spy incidents just a week prior, each government needed time to sort out their political stances regarding the birth of a new saint.

In other words, everybody was in a position where they needed to catch their breath. Right now.

The problem was who would be the first to say it…. Everyone was probably wary of losing face for their governments, so they were all keeping their heads down, playing a waiting game. Frustrated with this, the Cult took the lead and requested all media outlets to maintain an embargo.

Of course, I had no idea whether the media complied willingly with the embargo request or if they were given a warning in the interrogation room and forced to shut up. I didn’t care.

But that was something Camila Lowell shouldn’t know. She didn’t have to know.

I wore a smile and mumbled, “They haven’t made an official announcement yet. The article should come out today, I guess.”

“Well… that’s a good thing, right?”

“Why do you think so?”

“A saint is someone regarded with virtue in religion, isn’t it?”

“Well, I suppose that’s true…?”

“Then that means Lucia is quite an extraordinary person.”

“Is it…?”

It’s a bit hard to say someone who drinks and smokes is virtuous. Although the Cult doesn’t restrict priests from smoking or drinking, the fact that they do so in secret suggests they might not think very highly of themselves. Like Veronica or Lucia.

“…….”

I paused for a moment, contemplating whether Veronica, who acted as a spy for the royal family, or Lucia, who indulged in alcohol and cigarettes as a minor, was more unfit to be a saint. It was impossible to discern superiority, as it was a classic El Clasico matchup.

Lost in thought, Camila Lowell, as usual, approached me with a bright smile.

“Saving lives isn’t something just anyone can do, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you remember? The one who saved Colonel’s life when he collapsed was Lucia and… and…?”

“Veronica.”

“Oh right. It was Saint Veronica.”

Hmm.

Now that I think about it, that event did happen. It was quite impactful, yet I had forgotten it amidst the string of significant incidents that followed. If Camila hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have remembered it, planning to brush it off quietly instead.

Honestly, it’s a shame.

Camila looked at me with the eyes of a teacher staring at a student telling a lie.

“…You didn’t forget, did you?”

“Of, of course not.”

“I thought so. Oh, by the way, when can we meet Lucia?”

I checked my watch and stood up.

“Right now.”

The saint is about to arrive.

—

“…Control. This is Army 207S, can you hear me clearly?”

“Army 207S. This is Control. Signal strength is three out of four, clear.”

“Control. Requesting a course change. 255 degrees.”

“Granted, Army 207S. Turn right to 255 degrees.”

It seems that due to closed airspace, only military wizards were flying across the sky of the capital. At the command tower, controllers were ensuring that the wizards flying around wouldn’t collide with each other.

“The train will be arriving shortly. Estimated time of arrival, 1 minute.”

“Prepare to activate the magical interference disruptor.”

“Outer security team and rooftop sniper team, please report status.”

The capital’s security command and police began controlling the roads near the train station. The police set up barricades to prevent citizens from approaching, while armed police and military police stood guard with their weapons at the ready, and undercover units blended in among the citizens, watching out for suspicious movements.

An exquisitely dressed ceremonial guard stood at attention near the train station. They were waiting for just one person. Lucia, who was visiting to meet her companions.

The Abas government treated her as a state guest. Some might question if such lavish treatment for one person is excessive, yet Lucia was a candidate who was to be canonized.

Saints aren’t just anyone. In principle, only those with considerable virtue can even be candidates for sainthood, and through elections, they gain endorsements from key figures in the Cult, becoming a power alongside the Pope.

If such a person is not treated as a state guest, it would create significant ripples in diplomatic circles.

Furthermore, Lucia wasn’t visiting merely as an individual but came as a saint, leading a retinue that included many high-ranking officials equivalent to Cardinals, thus the Abas government was obliged to offer her the respect befitting a state guest.

Meanwhile, a clear tolling bell echoed from the most famous church bell tower in the capital.

“Oh, she’s coming!”

“The screen’s not working, quick, do something!”

“Oh, what is this?”

The urgent voices of journalists filled the air, possibly because of the broadcast disruption caused by signals blockage. Sorry about that, everyone.

As the train approached, the military band began to play. The ceremonial guard fired salutes. While listening to the booming sounds of the salutes, I asked Camila Lowell.

“Isn’t it noisy?”

“Huh? What’s noisy?”

“The cannon fire. Isn’t it loud?”

“Eh.”

She smiled brightly as she responded.

“What’s loud about this?”

“…?”

Even I was feeling a bit deafened; how could this not be noisy? Is she just tough, or is she putting on a front? Now that I think about it, she seemed oddly calm even when bombs exploded right in front of her. Although she was probably suffering internally, her outward demeanor suggested she was tougher than most kids.

Finally, the train rolled in, slowing down with a horn.

The military band’s performance continued, and the saluting guard turned all together towards the train.

At last, the train doors opened, and the awaited figures emerged.

Lucia, my companion, who would soon become a saint.

She tossed aside her dull black priestly robe and appeared in a pure white ceremonial outfit. Walking under the warm sun, her presence shimmered like soft radiance, reminiscent of a saint in an icon from an Eastern Orthodox church I’d seen ages ago. It made sense, as she would become a saint once the canonization ceremony was completed.

Lucia approached us with her usual gentle smile, and we greeted each other warmly with handshakes.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s an honor to see you, Saint Lucia.”

“Nice to meet you, Saint!”

“Please, just call me Lucia.”

She took a step closer, lowering her voice so only we could hear.

While I was watching as Camila and Lucia exchanged cheerful greetings, I moved toward the figures behind them.

Lucia wasn’t the only representative from the Cult visiting this time.

With a smile on my face, I reached out for a handshake with the person standing before me.

“It’s been a while. We meet again.”

“…Yes, nice to see you. Cardinal Bernard.”

The head of the Inquisition’s security division, Bernard, had briefly visited to ensure the safety of the saint and her entourage.

“Nice to see you.”

“Oh? What are you doing here?”

“Yes, I came here for work.”

“But why are you in a nun’s outfit…?”

“…….”

Suddenly, appearing in a nun’s outfit was Rebecca, the Inquisition’s director’s secretary.

And then,

“Excuse me….”

In the midst of the ongoing greetings, someone called out to me.

“Yes?”

“Why aren’t you talking to me?”

“Who are you… huh?”

A cascade of ebony flowing down her shoulder.

Charming beauty marks, abyss-like black eyes.

Tall stature, long legs.

Only hearing her voice felt pleasant, but facing her left me fatigued.

“Um, um….”

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Why are you here?”

She smiled at me and said, “Did you miss me?”

Veronica.

That crazy woman has come.