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Two types of spies are primarily dispatched overseas.

The first is the officially known “White” agent, and the second is the unofficially known “Black” agent.

My identity leaned more towards White. For an operation to be executed properly, Black would be more suitable, but given that my face was already known worldwide, there was no better status than that of a diplomat to guarantee my safety.

So, the Military Intelligence Agency placed me in the position of Defense Attaché to ensure I would be protected under international law. The Defense Attaché has the same privileges of immunity as diplomats do.

At the very least, as long as I maintained my diplomatic status, I could avoid arrest and detention.

However, to be dispatched overseas as a diplomat, I had to obtain the consent of the counterpart country.

In diplomatic terms, this procedure is known as “agrément.”

Agrément was a procedure normally followed when dispatching high-ranking diplomats like ambassadors or ministers, but since I held a somewhat special status (as a hero’s companion), Abas broke the custom to formally request agrément from the Magic Tower. There was no particular indication from above, and according to custom, permission was bound to be granted unless there were special issues regarding my case, so everyone, including me, did not pay much attention to this issue.

The problem was that—

“During today’s emergency press briefing, the chief spokesperson of the Magic Tower’s representative office announced the rejection of Colonel Frederick Nostrim’s agrément. They stated that they would not obstruct entry in a personal capacity rather than in a diplomatic capacity, but experts well-versed in diplomacy expressed great concerns about the situation…”

“The cult expressed deep regret regarding the Magic Tower’s announcement rejecting Saint Lucia’s entry. Meanwhile, the delegation, including Saint Lucia, canceled all scheduled official engagements and has gone into seclusion…”

“According to government officials, an emergency meeting is currently convened at the Prime Minister’s Residence, and they plan to summon representatives from the Magic Tower…”

The Magic Tower rejected the agrément.

—

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

“Give it a good blast!”

“Where?”

“Over there! From that forest all the way here!”

At my gesture, Camila Lowell unleashed a fire. Crimson flames surged from her grasp, and the fire engulfed the trees with the intent of devouring the entire forest.

A moment later.

“Kyyaaaaaaaah-!”

“Ahhhhhh-!”

Unable to withstand the heat, monsters burst out from the woods.

And at that moment—

—Fwoooooosh!

A tremendous flame pierced through the monsters’ mouths, burrowing deep inside. As the intense heat seared their tender flesh beneath their tough skin, the monsters flailed wildly in agony.

At that moment, a gust of wind suddenly surged in. The smoke rising from the burning trees curled around the monsters, crisping their tough outer skin as well as the tender flesh beneath it in the blink of an eye. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Watching the monsters tumble on the ground, I pulled back with Camila, who had been happily casting spells. Then I grabbed the radio and issued an order.

“Hey, it’s me. We’re out of range, so go ahead and fire away now.”

With those words, a shell landed on the ground, followed by a barrage of shells raining down over the monsters’ heads.

The artillery unit began to show their skills.

Watching the torrent of shells ripping through the ground, I smiled lightly while holding the tactical map.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes!”

“Let’s move to the next area. Just head east from here.”

A no man’s land just slightly away from the border area. A pit filled with monsters, vagrants, and refugees.

In a dead zone where no one could exercise rights, against the backdrop of burning mountains, a soldier and a magician flew across the sky on a broomstick.

It was just another afternoon in a familiar, ordinary dark fantasy world.

—

With the official announcement from the Magic Tower causing the continent to stir, a battle of pride between the cult and the Magic Tower had commenced.

The Magic Tower was the first to strike.

By formally denying the entry of Lucia—who was a saint of the cult—the Magic Tower began to heat up the political stage related to this refusal.

Always vigilant of the cult, the Magic Tower—the faction always quick to stomp out sorcerers—was now facing off against the cult, two saints born in a historically unprecedented era, amid a security crisis gripping the entire continent, with demon armies pushing down from the north and a civil war raging up from the south, disaster from crop failures, and rampant diseases.

With the unprecedented birth of two saints in the current climate, the international community—which had been engaged in a game of caution—was starting to shake.

Once the ice cracks, many pressing issues began to rear their heads, each represented by individuals who turned their faces to the cameras, fanning the flames of chaos in a burning house.

To explain the situation in detail would be a bit complicated.

Simply put, the continent has flipped upside down—it wasn’t entirely wrong to say that.

Anyway, with the Magic Tower applying the persona non grata to Lucia, the confrontation between the Magic Tower and the cult was beginning to become evident. The Magic Tower, often mired in controversies about heresy and dark magic, seized the microphone to rant that the cult had conspired against them while the cult labeled the Magic Tower as a morally corrupt and decadent group, calling them embodiments of collective egoism that counteract the pressing need for peace in the current climate.

Honestly, I don’t really know what’s right. Politicians probably don’t either.

So many incidents happened in rapid succession, throwing the political stalwarts or senior diplomats into chaos. The information agencies were no different.

While everyone rushed to grasp the situation…

The one clear thing was that nobody anticipated this situation, and both the cult and the Abas government expressed displeasure at the Magic Tower’s decision.

The cult halted all official schedules of Lucia and the entire delegation.

The Prime Minister, who was scheduled to hold talks with cult representatives about trade agreements on the third day, was furious to learn that a significant treaty had fallen through (to be precise, his economic policy was tanking).

According to domestic media citing “government officials,” the Prime Minister personally summoned the ambassadors of the Kien Empire and representatives from the Magic Tower to the residence. Since the Magic Tower was technically not a formal nation but a self-governing territory of the empire, it made sense diplomatically and politically as well.

However, the fact that it was not a minister, but the Prime Minister himself who shouted at the diplomatic delegation showed how seriously the government was taking this situation. It meant the current state of affairs was anything but ordinary.

What the diplomats said to the Prime Minister remains unclear (it wasn’t mentioned in the articles), but judging by the lack of change in the government’s stance, it seems that no conversation of sufficient substance took place.

Anyway.

In politics, business, or espionage, the truth isn’t really important.

What truly matters is timing. From that perspective, the Magic Tower’s surprise move seemed quite well-timed. They not only triggered the ice beneath the cult but also provided an opportunity for those waiting in the depths to pounce on the cult’s ankle.

While numerous politicians and diplomats held their breaths, a statement from various governments on the current situation was forthcoming.

How do I know this?

“We’re going to make a statement in Lushan and Patalia this week. It’ll be directed towards supporting the Magic Tower while denouncing the cult.”

“Is that a declaration of support?”

“Not to that extent. It looks like they just want to issue a statement and see the reactions.”

Veronica, a former high-ranking information officer from the Imperial Guard HQ and currently an active lobbyist, shared this valuable intel with me. Far from a saint of a benevolent and righteous religion, she was more like a politician scheming to line her own pockets.

And her ability shone brightly in this chaotic situation.

I noted down every piece of intel she provided.

“What does the empire have to say about this?”

“Officially, I’ve heard they’ve only offered generic responses.”

“And unofficially?”

“Chaos has erupted.”

Veronica mentioned that the Imperial Guard HQ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were engaged in a game of hot potato.

“On paper, the Magic Tower is a self-governing territory of the empire, but even if they guarantee sovereignty, this behavior goes beyond the pale. It’s practically an admission of the empire’s failure to manage things…”

“I see. So, they need a scapegoat.”

“Exactly.”

“Alright. Let’s talk later. If anything new comes in, let me know right away.”

I copied every piece of intel that flowed from Veronica’s lips onto my notepad. I worried that the messy handwriting might make it hard to read later, but there wasn’t really much I could do about it. Not having a smartphone in such moments felt like a real shame.

As I struggled to scribble while awkwardly wedging the communication device between my neck and shoulder, Veronica suddenly posed a question.

“By the way, why does your voice echo? Where are you right now?”

“In the bathroom.”

“…Why are you taking my call from there? That’s gross.”

“Well, what do you expect me to do out here? Tell me.”

“Are you out on a field trip?”

“No, I’m fulfilling an official duty.”

Veronica questioned again, her voice full of scrutiny.

“I thought Lucia didn’t have a schedule today. Are you with the hero?”

“Yeah.”

“What are you doing?”

I peeked out the bathroom window. Thick smoke was wafting up into the air, and the red-haired magician was roasting marshmallows over the burning wood. I conveyed my findings to Veronica.

“Camping out.”

Today’s plan was to burn the forest.

—

I suddenly recalled a line from a novel I read a long time ago.

Burning things was enjoyable.

In a future where books were banned, it was a story about a man who made a trade of burning books, and it was a small joy I could enjoy amid a frantic overseas life.

When I stumbled upon a first edition in a dusty second-hand bookstore, I was overjoyed. The only other experience I had finding a first edition was when I salvaged Kawabata Yasunari’s “Snow Country” during a business trip to Japan, so it had always been a rare experience.

At this moment, the memory of that novel resurfaced because of Camila.

“Hee hee.”

The former muggle, current magical girl Camila Lowell held up a deliciously roasted marshmallow as she smiled like a child.

“Camila, do you enjoy burning things?”

“No? Why do you say that as if I’m an arsonist?”

You’re literally an arsonist.

I almost replied with that but decided to hold my tongue. Camila used the trees she’d reduced to ashes as firewood, savoring various snacks while roasting them.

When her hands reached for a lizard-shaped marshmallow, it flailed about as if trying to escape.

Camila skewered the lizard marshmallow with a stick and, without a moment of hesitation, tossed it into the flames.

Then she ripped off one of its legs and gleefully smiled while offering it to me.

“Want some?”

“Ah, no thanks.”

She popped the perfectly roasted marshmallow into her mouth and munched on it.

I looked at her in disbelief and asked, “Does that just… slide down?”

“Well, it’s food!”

“No, I meant you’re… your arson…”

“There’s no Greenpeace here, so what’s the harm?”

Camila boldly babbled nonsense while she gnawed on the lizard leg.

Just because there’s no environmental group to make claims doesn’t mean it’s okay to set fire to a perfectly fine forest! It had to be the logic of a miracle! If the French who blew up Greenpeace ships heard this, they’d probably applaud.

It was utterly ridiculous, but I could muster no response and merely let out a deep sigh.

“Haa… The elves will have something to say. They’ll be mad about the forest getting burned again.”

“…Elves?”

“Yes, a race that loves nature.”

They’re eco-fascists who love nature just a little too much, but I said nothing.

Engaging in such trivial banter, we gazed around at the area we’d set the forest ablaze.

“But what is this place, anyway?”

“…Are you really asking that now? Not before we burned it?”

“Eh, I just thought it was a training ground since you mentioned practicing magic. But if it’s a training ground, then it must be public land, so is it okay to burn it like this?”

Testing my patience with her timing, I seized a dry, shriveled branch and tossed it aside while I explained.

“This is no man’s land. It’s not state-owned.”

This area is indeed no man’s land.

A territory where no nation holds ownership or sovereignty. In short, a no man’s land is land without an owner.

Of course, there are occasions when people enter no man’s land for reasons like railway construction, natural resource extraction, or development. There are indeed people who live here, so the term no man’s land is somewhat misleading.

However—

“Most of the no man’s land is a habitat for monsters, so generally, the military doesn’t enter. Corporations involved in national projects come in with military protection, while civilians resort to hiring adventurers to push in.”

“Really? Then what’s the reason for setting fire out here?”

“Well… winter is coming soon, right?”

Winter is a season where all living beings struggle to survive.

So, warm-blooded animals wait out the harsh time like stock traders hoping for a rise before spring, while cold-blooded animals retreat into hibernation throughout the winter.

Monsters are no different.

They’re living creatures too; they need sustenance to be active.

“So, around this time before winter hits, monsters tend to come down and cause trouble for civilians. It’s similar to animals occasionally munching on crops, but the problem is they don’t go after crops; they prey on people.”

“I see.”

Camila nodded, finally grasping the explanation.

“So you brought me here to practice magic while saving budget expenses, right?”

“Well, that’s not wrong, but there wasn’t really any need to put it like that…”

With the rising tensions in the country making it hard to go out freely, and her growing tired of going back and forth to the library, she wanted to practice her magic.

So while scouting for a deserted military training ground, I found out there was an ongoing operation for wasteland work, and thus I brought her along to save on labor costs while also helping her train her magic.

Though there were a few accidental incidents (like fainting), fortunately, no major issues arose, and we ended up burning a larger area than anticipated, which made the Ministry of Defense very happy as they saved on budget.

One individual had cleared the tasks that would normally require a full battalion, which must have surprised them. They offered to allocate more budget for me to continue working with them until the operation wraps up, and I bet if I agreed, they’d all be doing somersaults out of joy.

I had no intention of hiding it, but hearing Camila say those words made me feel a strange sensation.

“……”

“Frederick.”

“…Yes?”

As I sank into my thoughts, she suddenly spoke up to me.

Camila was smiling broadly as always.

“Please be honest with me.”

“…About what?”

“Don’t hide it from me.”

What do you want to know about?

Perplexed by her cryptic words, I tilted my head in confusion until she leaned forward, whispering quietly.

“This… it’s okay if I don’t pay for the damages, right…?”

“…What?”

“The forest we burned.”

“No, that…”

“If I don’t know who the owner is, what if they sue me…?!”

She shrieked softly.

“I really don’t want to get into a damage compensation lawsuit here…! I once accidentally burned down a cornfield and had to pay the farmer several thousand dollars…! The legal team made a big fuss about it…”

I stared at her, on the verge of tears, as she whined pitifully.

And it hit me hard.

This girl doesn’t seem to be normal either.

“Do I have the right to hire a lawyer…?”

“……”

“Please tell me I have that right…?”

It took me about 15 minutes to calm her down concerning her fears of a lawsuit.

It seems taking care of people isn’t exactly my forte.

 

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