A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The Magic Tower representative has granted entrance to Saint Lucia. However, she was allowed entry not as a saint but in the capacity of a priest. When asked if Saint Lucia is a diplomatic envoy, the Magic Tower spokesperson chose to remain silent….

Saint Lucia expressed her gratitude for the Magic Tower’s decision. Additionally, she indicated her intention to visit places in need as a priest first. Some speculate that this may herald a favorable shift in the relationship between the Cult and the Magic Tower….

The Empire’s Ministry of Justice declared their willingness to cooperate fully with the entry of Saint Lucia and Colonel Frederick Nostrim. Meanwhile, the Magic Tower representative reversed their previous stance and addressed the Defense Attaché’s advisor, Agremang….

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

– Sigh

The TV broadcasting the news abruptly shut off.

“…What a mess.”

Colonel Clevenz flicked the remote aside.

“So, you caused a ruckus at the Prime Minister’s residence?”

“I apologize. The situation was quite urgent….”

“Well… I’m not in the mood to scold you. The Prime Minister and the Director decided to overlook it. Just be more careful moving forward.”

Clevenz sighed deeply as he leaned back in his office chair, looking quite fatigued as he murmured.

“…So, is this all the Inquisition’s doing?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“I didn’t expect them to exploit the canonization ceremony like this… But tell me, was this coordinated? Or was it a solo act?”

His question was somewhat vague, but it was clear to everyone present what he meant. He wanted to know how deeply Lucia was involved in this incident.

“For now, it appears that Saint Lucia’s actions were pre-approved. However, she did propose entering as a priest to the Cult, and it seems the Cult used her intentions to steer the political situation in their favor.”

In short, Lucia’s press conference was a declaration of her beliefs.

To be precise, since she is a prospective saint, she did consult with the Cult, but it doesn’t mean she participated in the Inquisition’s schemes. So, that’s that.

To put it bluntly, she was merely used by the Inquisition. It’s unclear whether she knew it or was simply unaware, but regardless, Lucia is not an information agent or operative under the Inquisition’s manipulation. This was a solid piece of intel shared by Veronica, so no further verification was needed.

Even though she’s not an intelligence agent, she seems to have her own unique perspective on the world as a lobbyist.

After hearing my report, Clevenz rubbed his forehead.

“What’s the source of this information? No, it’s not important now….”

“…….”

Right now, the crucial issue isn’t who the intel came from, but what will happen next.

The die has been cast. There’s no room to pick up and reset the situation. If I didn’t want to be dragged through the political machinations between the Cult and the Empire’s Magic Tower, I needed to brace myself from this moment onward.

Continuing with my report, I said, “As it stands, all attendants accompanying Saint Lucia to the Magic Tower will be agents from the Inquisition.”

“…The nuns, you mean? Included in the entourage.”

“Yes.”

“It seems they’re intent on sparking a war.”

Lucia’s visit was an official trip agreed upon by the Abas government and the Cult National Affairs Council. Thus, the Abas government knew who would be coming as part of the entourage and their affiliations.

It’s common for intelligence agents to participate in official overseas visits by dignitaries. So, the Abas government didn’t contest it. They were a bit wary due to the number, but since no weapons were brought, they didn’t have a valid reason to object.

Clevenz stroked his sparse chin hair and spat out, “Have you figured out what’s going on?”

“No, not really. I couldn’t confirm that far. However….”

“Speak.”

“I’ve confirmed that the Inquisition Director’s secretary disguised herself as a nun.”

“…….”

“Given the involvement of such a high-ranking individual, it seems they are aiming to build an intelligence network, but I don’t have solid proof yet. Just a mere deduction.”

“…That’s what it means.”

Currently, the Inquisition Director, Petrus, is an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency. To be precise, he is an undercover spy. His affiliation is unknown; even Clevenz is in the dark. All that is known is that he is a former instructor from the overseas division.

The Cult is carrying out political operations targeting the Magic Tower. Using Lucia as a vessel, the agents from the Inquisition intend to infiltrate the Magic Tower. Among them is a spy, a frackie entangled in this web.

It feels suspicious to chalk it up to sheer luck.

Sure enough, Colonel Clevenz then issued me an order.

“…Though I imagine you’ve heard from the Director, the Prime Minister is quite interested in this operation. Therefore, we must ensure that everything runs smoothly. The same goes for any variables.”

“…….”

This was a clear signal to ensure success in an operation that has attracted the high-ups’ attention.

By any means possible.

“Just play dumb for now. Keep an eye on the situation to identify what schemes the Inquisition is plotting and report back. Understood?”

“Yes, understood.”

“…Good. The other agents entered the Magic Tower a couple of days ago, so don’t worry about that part.”

“I’ll ascertain the local situation upon arrival and contact you.”

“Safe travels.”

*

After Saint Lucia made her declaration in front of the journalists, everything proceeded swiftly.

The Cult and the Empire praised Lucia as the “true saint” through a brilliant propaganda campaign, and the Magic Tower, after negotiations with the Empire, allowed Lucia’s entrance and my agremang. I believe the Abas government subtly collaborated by moving the media. Just a little bit, to avoid drawing attention.

To the public, it would appear that this series of events was solely caused by the unexpected actions of a prospective saint.

And while that was accurate, the fact that the intelligence agencies worked behind the scenes remained a closely-guarded secret. This included the knowledge that the nuns accompanying Lucia were agents of the Inquisition.

Thus, everyone remained oblivious to the reality, excluding a select few who were in the know.

Some aired opinions on the broadcast suggesting, “There’s something suspicious about the saint,” but due to a lack of substantial evidence, it was dismissed as a conspiracy theory.

How could anyone be suspicious when a beautiful, young lady appeared on TV pleading for entry to volunteer? Moreover, she was not just an ordinary civilian but a prospective saint who saved several people on a battlefield.

Anyway.

Thanks to Lucia’s efforts, the complicated diplomatic dispute was resolved swiftly.

“Please show your passport.”

“I am a diplomat.”

Holding my diplomatic passport confidently, I stepped onto Empire soil.

“Yes, confirmed. Welcome to your entry.”

The Empire immigration officer granted me passage the moment he saw my diplomatic passport. My luggage, sent through the diplomatic pouch, was also handed to me without undergoing any inspections.

Why was I in the Empire instead of the Magic Tower? Because the Magic Tower is located in a city named Nastasia in the southern part of the Empire.

Because of that, to get to the Tower from abroad, one had to either use a direct Warp Gate or enter through the Empire first.

I said to Camila, who was hunched over as she lifted her heavy bag, “Are you okay? Are you still feeling nauseous?”

“Yeeah… Weeeh-!”

“Whoa.”

Camila was gripping a bag as she was about to throw up. Beside her, an Empire civil servant, clutching a paper bag for Warp Gate users, was anxiously pacing back and forth.

“Getting motion sickness from using the Warp Gate is a common issue. It’s just a side effect, so don’t take it too seriously.”

“Th-thank you….”

“Let’s move to the side for a moment. Oh, please give that bag to me.”

I took the paper bag from the civil servant and led Camila to a corner where no one was watching.

Camila, experiencing the side effects of magic, looked pale as she resembled me back in the day when I drank bad water in Southeast Asia and got sick.

“Oh dear….”

I gently patted her back to comfort her.

“To think a magician would get motion sickness from a Warp Gate… tsk tsk.”

“Don’t tease me….”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay using it again when we enter the Tower?”

“Can’t we just walk there…?”

“No, there’s no way to walk in.”

You can’t enter the Magic Tower on foot. During past conflicts with the Cult, the Inquisition exploited ground infiltration routes, causing the Archmages to simply levitate the Tower into the air.

Anyway, since mages can use magic to move freely and regular people have become accustomed to using Warp Gates, it’s unlikely that the Tower will ever descend back to the ground.

I smiled at Camila and said, “Just give up and it’ll be easier.”

“…Ugh-!”

Eventually, she stopped feeling nauseous only after taking some medicine bought from a nearby pharmacy.

This clearly illustrates that in this world, we might need more science rather than doors.

*

After a short stay in Empire territory, we moved directly toward the Magic Tower.

Since our goal was merely a stopover, formal entry procedures were unnecessary, allowing the Empire’s civil servants to process the Cult members’ entry in a timely manner for our convenience.

The same was true for the Magic Tower.

Despite a recent major diplomatic issue, the Oracle allowed Lucia’s entry after much deliberation. Following discussions with the Empire, the Magic Tower unusually announced that they would simplify the procedures for guests coming from the Cult.

Thinking back to the times when priests were detained for hours upon arrival, this was a significant improvement.

The issue was Camila complaining about dizziness due to motion sickness. Thankfully, she was feeling better after taking the medicine from downstairs. By the time we completed the entry procedures, her condition had improved enough for her to even make jokes.

“In movies, a pinch of powder teleports you in an instant. Is there nothing like that here?”

“If such a thing existed, everyone would have been using it long ago.”

“It’s so unnecessary to chant spells while using magic.”

“Chanting is something shamans do, although priests do it sometimes.”

Listening to her, it felt like she was referring to Harry Potter. Honestly, her references were hard to grasp since it’s a memory from long ago. Am I starting to forget things?

I calmly pondered whether this was due to forgetfulness or if time had simply erased my memories. Maybe it’s just a case of absent-mindedness.

Anyway.

We finished the entry and headed straight to a hotel provided by the Magic Tower, where we unpacked our bags. Since the Tower was a famous tourist spot, the hotel was quite luxurious. Considering the treatment we received, I couldn’t help but suspect that the Tower might be up to something.

“Thank you for making the long journey. You must be tired, so please rest well today. Hero and companions, on behalf of the Tower, I once again express my gratitude to all our esteemed guests for visiting the Magic Tower.”

The representative from the Tower urged us to unwind politely.

The staff provided a brief introduction to the hotel along with a few pieces of advice, requesting that we stay there temporarily. They assured us that the Tower would cover all expenses, so we shouldn’t feel burdened using the services offered by the hotel.

Rather than confinement, this felt more like a strangely amicable gesture.

After the guide left, as we settled into our hotel suite, Camila spoke up.

“Do you think this is happening because I’m a magician?”

“Well, that might be part of it.”

While it significantly influenced things that Camila’s companion came from the Magic Tower, the fact that she herself is a magician likely played a role as well.

“They told us to rest today, so you should relax first. They said it’s okay to practice magic on the rooftop, so feel free to do that.”

“I planned to head to the library first. According to the guide, they have a lot of magic books, so reading them could be helpful, right?”

“That’s what they’re for, of course. Anyway, you should really relax over the next few days. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Okay, Frederick, take care.”

I let Camila go first, then met up with Lucia and the Inquisition members whom I’d be staying with at the hotel before entering my assigned room.

Click.

I locked the door behind me.

Then, I closed all the curtains, turned up the TV’s volume, and threw the diplomatic pouch onto the bed.

I pulled the zipper and opened the bag.

Inside the diplomatic pouch, which had undergone no inspections during the entry procedures in either the Empire or the Magic Tower, were all the devices I was going to use in the future.

“…….”

I took out the security terminal from the bag and powered it on.

“…Hello?”

– “I’ve been waiting for your call, Manager.”

It’s time to get to work.