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The conflict with the demon tribe has now surpassed four years and is nearing five.

However, just after Camila, Lucia, and Francesca arrived in the Empire…

A new breeze began to blow.

[“Urgent need for solutions”… Cardinal Raphael urges support for the Kien Empire.]

[The Lushan Federal Kingdom discusses a draft resolution for military support to the Kien Empire.]

[The Inquisition Knights and the Magic Battalion from the Magic Tower to dispatch additional forces… scheduled to move north next week.]

[Imperial Ministry of Defense states, “An offensive will be launched around spring”… will the state of war change?]

Episode 10 – Change Your Course to Northwest

“What are you looking at?”

Suddenly Camila popped up, peeking like a turtle.

“The newspaper.”

I neatly folded the newspaper I was reading and tossed it onto the table.

On the dull-colored paper, an imposing military general from the Imperial Ministry of Defense was briefing reporters on the war with the demon tribe. That was the front page.

Seeing the moving images in the paper rather than on a monitor, Camila’s expression turned curious as she read the text.

“The chaos is already breaking out. One would think the conflict has ended.”

I quenched my throat with some sparkling water.

It was rather frustrating to see champagne being popped even before the banquet had begun, with no time yet to even adapt to the time difference.

Just an hour had passed since we descended from the airship. We were waiting for the first diplomatic event of the banquet.

Excluding the clergy and magicians from the church and the Patalia diplomats who had been waiting since last night for Lucia and Francesca, the venue still had no one in attendance. Of course, the Abas diplomats were also waiting outside.

For reference, Lucia and Francesca were still being detained. Their esteemed status meant that people were reluctant to let them go.

When one person backed away, two more rushed in, creating a scene, and the venue was distinctly divided into two groups.

The Clergy and the Magic Tower.

The Clergy and the Magicians.

I heard that a group of knights and magicians dispatched a few years ago, along with the Imperial Ministry of Defense, were supposed to come, but it seemed they were a bit delayed as they were all still stationed in the north.

While observing the attendees and scanning the venue and entrance…

Camila lifted her head with her penetrating blue eyes glimmering with determination.

“It’s interesting. Isn’t this all just propaganda?”

“Of course.”

Officially, reporting and coverage within the Empire is conducted in a free press environment.

However, taking into account that government agencies censor the media, and that each newspaper office has information police, imperial guards, and counter-intelligence headquarters agents stationed,

it can be said that virtually all newspapers and broadcasts in the Empire are under government control.

“It’s just like the style back in Namsan.”

“Namsan?”

“Back in the day, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Planning Department’s domestic headquarters were located in a place called Namsan. They have since relocated when it changed to the National Intelligence Service, but back in the Namsan days, agents from various agencies would go in and out of newspaper offices and media.”

Central Intelligence Agency, Security Command, Public Order Headquarters, Ministry of Culture and Public Information, and so forth.

During the military regime, there were agents from each agency stationed at the media offices. If they didn’t let articles through, nothing would get published, and scenes filmed for movies or dramas would be completely cut out.

What if you ignored that?

“You’d be dragged to Namsan and have some seolleongtang. Well, to be honest, back then seolleongtang was so expensive that you’d actually get jjambbong soup that comes with delivery from a Chinese restaurant instead.”

“Oh….”

“Of course, they don’t do that anymore these days. In the past, they just did it openly, but now it would be troublesome if they got caught. Unless it’s a particularly serious issue, they just receive reports and let people go.”

For reference, the prime example of that ‘serious issue’ is Dmitri.

He wasn’t just disregarded, but he was caught doing anti-regime activities. So he was even tortured.

“Ugh. Creepy.”

“Don’t talk nonsense in the Empire. Especially if you whisper things like supporting a republic or abolishing the monarchy, you’ll be in big trouble.”

Camila brushed off the goosebumps as if shivering from the cold. She wrapped her arms around herself, whining about how the air had suddenly changed.

I buried myself in the backrest and sighed as I looked up at the ceiling.

What can I do?

It’s a world where you have to squeeze out at least a little patriotism to survive.

“The leader should be an object of fear, not of affection. It’s something some philosopher said long ago, and seeing the dictators around here, it seems right.”

“Wasn’t that from Machiavelli? I think I read it in The Prince.”

“Oh, that’s right. It was Machiavelli.”

-Tap tap.

“Colonel?”

“Yes? Oh, Administrator.”

Francesca, who had approached at some point, stood behind me. She looked back and forth at me and Camila, then softly smiled.

“It seems the event is about to start. I just got a call from the Deputy Minister who has arrived downstairs.”

As soon as she finished her sentence, people began to trickle in through the entrance of the event hall. From their attire, they seemed to be the guests invited to the banquet.

I put the newspaper away and stood up to brush off the dust from my formal attire.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

At that moment, a deep lavender scent lingered before my face.

Francesca took a step closer and magically tidied the dust off my formal attire.

As the magic gathered in her fingertips and she neatly adjusted the aiguillette, Francesca returned to her spot with a gentle smile.

As I stood there, bewildered about what had just happened, Camila hurried over to whisper.

“Are you two dating?”

“……”

I hurriedly smacked Camila on the head as if to shush her up.

*

Time flew by in an instant.

In December, as the new year wraps up, the conflict between the Empire and the magic realm has reached its fifth year, and it has been nearly half a year since I became the Defense Attaché.

I was slowly adapting to the diplomatic lifestyle and starting to feel accustomed to participating in diplomatic events.

We were in a hotel banquet hall. Traditionally, the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds the first official event for the head of state or government.

I walked around the banquet hall, observing the attendees.

“Oh! Who do we have here? Good to see you, Ambassador.”

“Long time no see, Your Excellency the Prime Minister.”

The Imperial government sent Chancellor Stollipin as their representative. He began his public career when the current Emperor, Nikolai VI, ascended to the throne and has been a politician overseeing domestic affairs alongside the Emperor for decades.

From the looks of the deputy ministers from the Foreign Affairs and Interior Ministries who were trailing him, it was clear that Chancellor Stollipin was the representative of the Imperial government at this banquet.

For the record, no one from the imperial family had come.

While it was not surprising that the Emperor was a reclusive man, it was somewhat unexpected that other royal figures, including the Crown Prince and Princess, did not appear.

However, the absence of royalty did not diminish the significance of the event in any way.

First, the Clergy.

“Salvē rēgīna! Glory to the great descendants. I am Sir Pereyti, the commander of the Order of Saint Andrew. It is an honor to meet you, Saint Lucia.”

All notable clerics operating within the Kien Empire attended the event. The bishops, along with the chosen lay priests and faithful from various parishes, were present as well.

Among them, the most eye-catching was the commander of the Knights, who introduced himself as Sir Pereyti. He exuded an aura different from the other clergymen as he entered through the door.

As expected, he was clad in armor.

-Thud!

As the knight in full plate armor knelt, everyone’s attention in the banquet hall focused on him.

Clearly, he wasn’t a normal noble, and people whispered among themselves, but the bishops were smiling as if they had no issue with it.

So, it seemed the only person who found this scene strange was Lucia.

Lucia gazed at the knights’ commander with a worrying expression, which made it odd that a 20-something newcomer was concerned about someone over 40. It was quite a peculiar sight.

“Glory to the warriors who fight dragons. Sir Pereyti, I’m aware this may be an inappropriate question, but are you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all! I am – never uncomfortable, Saint!”

“……”

This guy is crazy.

Sir Pereyti of the Order of Saint Andrew chuckled heartily and waved his hand.

“It is an honor to meet you. It’s not just flattery, but I genuinely mean it.”

“Is that so? Sir Pereyti wanted to meet me? How unexpected.”

The knight scratched his eyebrow with his thick fingers and smiled timidly, as if he were embarrassed to say it out loud.

“Actually, I saw you from a distance before. Two years ago, when my subordinates were poisoned while hunting Moloks, I saw you helping them.”

“Oh…!”

A gasp escaped Lucia’s lips.

“The Molok was a demon that spewed poison, right? I recall a fierce battle took place.”

“Exactly! It was a glorious battle!”

“I had no idea you were present. It’s an honor to meet you again.”

“Rather, I am the one honored! Hahaha! The Inquisition officers and exorcists wanted to be here, but unfortunately, they were urgently deployed for operations and couldn’t make it. I truly wish they could have come.”

It seemed the two knew each other. Lucia had served as a healing priest, and Pereyti was a knight battling demons in the north, so it was not strange for them to have a connection.

Originally, the knights and the Inquisition officers along with the exorcists were supposed to attend the banquet, but it appeared something came up, preventing them from coming. Nonetheless, the representation from the clergy was splendid.

I quickly took in the content I overheard, along with the personnel details from the clergy.

Next were the Magic Tower representatives, who had really come from various fields.

All the mages affiliated with the Magic Tower had gathered, including scholars, technicians, researchers, and staff from the Magic Department, as well as combat magicians from the north and mages from the Imperial Army.

The most notable figure among them was Evangelos Rysidike.

“Evangelos Rysidike.”

The blue-haired wizard made an impression as he removed his hat, placing his hand over his heart and bowing. When Francesca extended her hand, he smoothly pretended to kiss the back of her hand.

“To the daughter of the great magician, the founding father, I pay my respects.”

“Likewise. I trust you have been well?

“Graikia is a place without windy days compared to Patalia. Still, thanks to our ancestors’ arrangements, we are living in peace.”

I have heard of the Rishidike family.

The Rishidike family is a noble house founded by a great magician who led military victories against the Cult, and like the Ranieiri family, it boasts an Archmage as its ancestor.

Although the Magic Tower doesn’t really have an organization worthy of being called a regular army, I recall that they’ve recently gained military power by dispatching wizards to the tower.

Pereyti of the Cult, Evangelos of the Magic Tower.

Two figures leading two of the three military factions in the North attended the banquet.

The Imperial Army stationed in the North is managed by the Military Government Headquarters, and the Commander of the Military Government never leaves the North, so the only two people who know the most about the situation there are these two.

Lucia and Francesca were caught up in frenetic conversations with figures from the Cult and the Magic Tower, while Camila quietly ate without anyone daring to approach her, like bugs lingering around.

I surveyed the banquet hall and slowly approached Camila.

“Are you okay, Camila?”

“Yes!”

Camila replied with a bright smile. I placed her hand on mine and stood her up.

“Shall we take a little walk?”

“Sure! Where are we going?”

Where do diplomats go if not to work?

“We’re going to work.”

Of course, we’re going to work.

*

The Defense Attaché is a military diplomat.

People who find it outrageous keep calling us spies with absurd claims, but intelligence gathering is just a tiny part of the attaché’s role.

So is attending diplomatic events all there is to it? Not at all.

While it’s true that the Defense Attaché performs a variety of diplomatic activities like presiding over the Officer Academy’s entrance and graduation ceremonies, commissioning ceremonies, military base open houses, military exchanges, arms exhibitions, and parade viewings, that’s still just part of the role.

So what’s the real role of an attaché?

It’s about meeting people.

“Hello! I’m Colonel Frederick Nostrim, newly assigned to the Embassy of Abas.”

“Oh! It’s great to meet the famous one! I work at the Academy of Magic…”

This event not only welcomed Camila, Lucia, and Francesca but was also a venue for diplomats to discuss the Empire-Magical Domain conflict.

In other words, it’s a diplomatic event regarding national defense.

People related to the Ministry of Defense and defense industry organizations were invited, and I naturally made contact with them.

“I saw the report released by the Kien Empire’s Ministry of Defense. It’s rather embarrassing, but since I’ve just been assigned here, I’m not well-acquainted with the situation. If you don’t mind, could you share news from the North to get me a bit prepared?”

“Well… I can tell you whatever you want. What are you curious about?”

The International Policy Coordinator from the Kien Empire’s Ministry of Defense, the Director of Security Cooperation from the Kien Empire’s Foreign Affairs Department, the Head of Logistics from the Imperial Army Headquarters, the Press Officer from the Policy Office, the Director of Education, the Head of Information Operations, both current and former generals, the Chief Warrant Officer, defense-related researchers, directors from defense contracting companies, and more were present.

I even spotted a secretary from the Defense Committee of the Assembly talking to a foreign ambassador in the distance. He recognized me first and came over.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Colonel Nostrim. I used to work at the Ministry of Defense.”

“Is that so? Where did you work?”

“I worked briefly as a policy planner, not as an executive, just a civil servant.”

“You must have worked in a good place. I’ve heard there’s a famous square near the Ministry of Defense; you probably saw it often while commuting.”

“Akroposkaya Square. When I open the window and turn my head, I could see the fountain and statue right from my office.”

The Ministry of Defense in the Empire hires some personnel from the civilian sector. They rotate a few positions to avoid being labeled a military state, but the fact that someone got in there indicates they must be capable.

You’re either smart, well-connected, or rich. Pick one.

“Are you married?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a son or a daughter?”

“I have one daughter.”

“How about we have a meal together sometime when you’re free? It’d be nice if your family came along too.”

“That sounds good.”

I scrawled on my business card with a fountain pen and exchanged cards with him. Meanwhile, Camila observed my actions closely.

“You look quite busy.”

She smiled softly.

“Is it okay for me to stay beside you? It’d be troublesome if I interfere with your work.”

“It won’t be a bother, so it’s fine. Let’s sit and rest for a bit.”

We grabbed our drinks and sat down.

In the corner of the banquet hall, some people would gather in small groups to chat, while others quietly smoked at the far end, trying to sustain energy for an event that felt like a long-distance marathon.

The sparkling drink fizzed as I took a sip of the refreshing fruity beverage.

I glanced at the half-full glass and clicked my tongue softly.

“Just like the Empire. Look at all those people wearing military uniforms at the event as if it’s a military state.”

“What’s wrong with military uniforms?”

I gestured toward the decorated chests of the Imperial Army generals adorned with medals.

“Look, look at those medals! There’s so many they run all the way down to their bellies. They might as well get breast augmentation surgery just to fit more medals on them.”

“Um…! It is a bit excessive, indeed.”

As Camila and I chuckled, Lucia and Francesca, spotting us, began making their way over.

All dressed up for the occasion, the two were distinctly noticeable even from afar.

“Did you make it? I saw you were really suffering when I went past earlier.”

“Suffering is a bit much to say.”

“Finally freed up, huh?”

“Welcome! Everyone, let’s have a drink.”

“I saw people earlier trying to casually approach the Hero.”

“Oh my, you saw that? You’ve got a keen eye.”

Lucia and Francesca approached us with their distinct smiles. Camila greeted them warmly, and soon we all took our seats comfortably.

Lucia, sitting with a composed demeanor, smiled kindly.

“The Knights seem very passionate. I guess they’ve experienced quite a bit in the North.”

“Is something happening in the North?”

“There are battles almost every day. The rear is relatively safe, but with refugees flooding in, there’re issues with medical care and distribution, and I think they’re facing administrative gaps due to a lack of personnel.”

Well, that’s some thrilling news.

Francesca chimed in, crossing her legs and sipping her drink as she added, “I’ve also heard that demon kin sometimes come down from the mountains. Monsters are infiltrating via the mountains and rivers as well.”

“Mountains? Can’t we just burn them down?”

“Who’s going to burn them? Even if we move all the mages from the frontline to the rear, it’d take at least months to burn down the mountain range.”

At her words, I glanced at Camila, who cocked her head as if to say she had something to say.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“It seems like you might have some work coming up in the North soon.”

“Burning down a mountain? Well, there’s no Greenpeace, so no one will stop us.”

Camila and I exchanged amused looks. Lucia and Francesca, who were listening to our conversation, asked what Greenpeace was, but we just laughed ambiguously in response.

As we shared a good laugh and chatted, suddenly a strange event began to unfold.

*

As the atmosphere of the banquet grew warmer, diplomats and officials were face to face, attachés and generals exchanged information, scholars and researchers debated, and a knight grimaced as he brushed past a combat magician.

A group of soldiers began to approach.

“Colonel Frederick Nostrim?”

“Yes, that’s me. Who might you be?”

A man in an Imperial Army uniform spoke to me. Judging by his insignia, he was a Lieutenant Colonel, which is equivalent to a full Colonel in Abas.

A small-framed man with a sharp, snake-like impression extended his hand for a handshake. He introduced himself as being in charge of international cooperation at the Ministry of Defense.

“I heard you’ll be attending the military exchange meeting between the Kien Empire and the Kingdom of Abas starting tomorrow. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s accurate.”

“Although this is our first meeting, I came to introduce one of my people.”

A person?

With a wave of his hand, a military officer stepped forward from the group.

“This officer will serve as your interpreter. She specialized in languages, is proficient in Abasian, and should have no trouble facilitating conversations in both daily and military terms.”

“….”

“Please introduce yourself.”

The officer extended her hand. She was a woman.

“I am Senior Lieutenant Lyudmila Ivanovna Smirnova. You can just call me Lyudmila.”

Her Abasian pronunciation was very fluent.

“…I am Colonel Frederick Nostrim, assigned to the Embassy of Abas.”

I shook her outstretched hand.

And as we slowly shook hands, I thought back to a long time ago when I was active in the Cult.

I had met quite a few Imperial diplomats back then, and among them, there were even information officers.

And surely, I had spoken to them in Kien.

There was no need for an interpreter.

“So if you ever need translation, just call for me anytime.”

But who the heck is this?

 

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