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“Under the cold gaze, the figure of a woman reflected.”

With narrowed eyes, Hormoz slowly scanned the room with his chilling golden irises.

“…Dark magic. Dark magic.”

“……”

“May I ask why you have chosen to inquire about such vile information?”

Francesca tugged at the corners of her mouth. Although her lips smiled, her eyes expressed the opposite.

“It seems that merchants do inquire about the reasons when selling their goods.”

“Of course… As a merchant, all I need is to receive payment and that would be the end of it. I usually do the same in ordinary matters….”

The Dark Elf’s gaze settled on the window. The cat, which had been yawning as if about to doze off, lay belly-up on the windowsill, staring at Hormoz.

The lively tone in his voice lost its energy. Hormoz’s voice, now drained of vitality, reached my ears.

“Today, however, I cannot avoid questioning the reason.”

The violet-eyed and golden-eyed beings became entwined.

“You must tell me why you seek such information. If you cannot speak of it, then I have no alternative.”

“……”

“……”

As I observed the situation, I withdrew my hand from my pocket. The chilling touch of the trigger felt particularly vivid today.

I exchanged glances with Camila, who looked at me with anxious eyes. I signaled her to be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice if things went awry.

In a brief moment, a flurry of thoughts and gazes were exchanged. Francesca and Hormoz glared at each other, while Camila and I readied ourselves to break free at any moment. It felt as though a bomb was thrown into the room, waiting to explode.

At that moment,

“Wait a minute.”

Pertletti stepped in between Francesca and Hormoz, breaking the silence.

“I will explain the situation.”

Episode 11 – No Issues on the Northern Front

“…Hmm.”

Around the time the freshly filled teacup was emptied halfway, Pertletti’s explanation finally came to an end.

Francesca and Pertletti awaited responses with impassive expressions, while Hormoz muttered as he placed his interlocked hands on the table.

“I had no idea there would be such circumstances surrounding the terror that took place in Abas. The barrier feels infused with dark magic….”

Pertletti added, “A Cleric from the Cult witnessed the scene with his own eyes. There is no room for doubt.”

“Ah, it’s not that I fail to understand. No matter how different our religious views may be, I’ve never questioned the capabilities of the Cult.”

Hormoz gently tapped the table with his interlocked hands, shifting the atmosphere.

“I understand that you require information on the dark magical items used in the terror and the individuals who handled those items for your investigation.”

“Can you find that information?”

“Of course, I can retrieve it, given the right payment.”

“……”

Well, that certainly sounds like the dwarves who are so obsessed with gold they would sell their very souls.

As I considered that, I looked at the Dark Elf, who began to smile with soft eyes.

“You may think of me as a shallow person. Perhaps our race is fated to be just like the dwarves adorned with chains tossed by the alchemists, blinded by shiny stones.”

“…Actually, that person is an alchemist.”

“…Ah.”

As I scratched my head while pointing at Francesca, Hormoz’s face momentarily displayed surprise as he scrutinized her expression.

Although she is a Magician of the Magic Tower, Francesca is undeniably an alchemist. To mention the misdeeds of alchemists from other continents in her presence could easily be perceived as an insult, and it wouldn’t be odd if she were to douse the Dark Elf with a potion as lethal as a lethal poison.

Yet,

“Hmm….”

Francesca merely snorted as if it were no big deal and waved her hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re not so tightly knit that we concern ourselves with the works of the alchemists from the Red Desert….”

“I apologize for my discourtesy. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“If that’s the case… I shall forgive you.”

“I appreciate your generous nature. Now, returning to the main subject. I understand what information you seek and why it is required. However, I have one point of curiosity….”

Hormoz’s eyes narrowed.

“Where do you hail from to be searching for something like this?”

The answer came from the lips of Francesca and Pertletti.

“Magic Tower.”

“From the Cult.”

As if nothing more needed to be concealed, the two revealed their affiliations, and Hormoz’s eyes widened slightly. When Francesca presented the identification from the Magic Tower, he displayed a look as though he had witnessed an unforeseen twist.

Once the brief commotion subsided, Hormoz’s golden eyes gleamed with a light between the slits of his gently folded eyelids.

“The Magic Tower and the Cult… Quite an impressive combination. I’m uncertain whether it’s me who’s slow on the uptake or if it’s the fast-changing world that I cannot keep pace with. Haha.”

“……”

“Thank you for revealing your associations. Such information is one that should not fall into the hands of evil-doers… After all, though I may be a Dark Elf, I am an Elf nonetheless. How could I not fear the blade of the Inquisition?”

Yet, despite the words, his eyes told a different story.

To an outsider, he may have looked like one lamenting his place in the era, but the distinct golden eyes of the Dark Elf shone with an insatiable greed.

If one listened closely, it felt as if the sound of a calculator hitting in Hormoz’s mind could be heard.

“May I ask your name?”

“Francesca.”

“…Francesca… Francesca… Now that you mention it, I heard there was someone with that name dispatched from the Magic Tower to the North recently. Could it be…?”

Despite Hormoz’s questioning, Francesca remained silent. Her silence was a confirmation.

That alone seemed enough of a response to make Hormoz rise from his chair and bow toward Francesca and Pertletti.

“It is an honor to meet seekers of knowledge and truth, as well as warriors who fight like dragons. I am Hormoz from the Saria Tribe of the Black Continent. I apologize for not recognizing you sooner.”

“Saria…?”

Camila murmured softly in surprise. Watching Hormoz converse with the two, she leaned in to whisper to me.

“In the language of the Mauritania Continent, ‘Saria’ means ‘night traveler’ or ‘cloud of the dawn night.’ That’s the name of the Dark Elf Tribe. Interestingly, there’s a word with the same pronunciation and meaning in Arabic too. The letters are different, though.”

“That’s fascinating….”

Hormoz, now respectful toward the Magician and Knight, lifted his head after bowing low. Pertletti, watching this, scratched his eyebrow with a flat expression.

“Why are you giving me the same greeting you’d give a Knight? I’m just a Priest.”

“……”

In an instant, silence fell over the office. Who would dare think of that towering figure, over two meters tall, as merely a Priest?

Regardless, Hormoz’s gaze quickly shifted from Pertletti back to us. His eyes, still gleaming with greed, rested on Camila and me, who had been quietly seated in the back.

“So, you two… Are you perhaps referring to that which I heard about last time…?”

At that moment, Francesca stepped forward.

As if she were peering into the Dark Elf’s mind like looking at an abacus, Francesca returned to her seat, showcasing a slight air of arrogance as she locked eyes with Hormoz, evidently not wanting to waste any more time.

“So, when can we expect to acquire the information?”

Hormoz slowly closed and opened his eyes. Then, in a leisurely voice, he began.

“Well… I cannot provide a specific timeline, but I gauge that obtaining the information within a short period will be a challenge. The North is vast, and shadows deepen as days pass. Perhaps it may take about a month to find a clue.”

“If that’s so….”

“One!”

Hormoz cut off Francesca abruptly and flashed a peculiar smile.

“Even if we manage to uncover the information you desire, I’m unsure if we’ll be able to sell that information to you.”

“…What?!”

Pertletti stood up from his chair as he quietly listened. An ominous presence emanated from him, uncharacteristic of a Knight.

“What did you just say?”

“As you heard, it’s our position at the Palm Tree Trade Guild that it’s difficult to directly trade that information.”

“What do you mean by that!”

Just as Pertletti raised his voice, Francesca, seated before him, raised her hand to stop him from speaking. She rolled her eyes and sent a glance my way, prompting me to rise and calm Pertletti.

Seeing this, Hormoz’s face bore a relaxed smile, his demeanor still extraordinarily courteous.

“Please do not misunderstand. It’s simply that, before trading information, we must first ascertain whether it relates to the Guild’s business.”

Hormoz’s answer caused my head to snap back involuntarily. That could imply that if the identity of the merchant who traded the items used in the terror was revealed, the Palm Tree Trade Guild could be endangered.

Even if the Dark Elf hadn’t meant it that way, there was a Knight present at this gathering.

A Knight affiliated with the Inquisition, no less.

“It sounds as if you’re implying that the Guild has some association with dark magicians.”

As expected, Pertletti, who had just calmed down, glared at Hormoz with a deadly gaze.

Yet, Hormoz continued to smile, unfazed by the Knight’s stare.

“Certainly not. Our Palm Tree Trade Guild is not involved with dark magic in the slightest. If we were, the elders of the Tribe would have come to penalize me directly, rather than the Inquisition. Moreover, the benefactor who allows us to stay in the North would never permit the trading of such goods.”

“……”

“Yet, in this world, there is always a chance of the unexpected, is there not? If the information you seek were to harm our Guild, we simply would not be able to sell it. Of course, we would refund any funds received.”

“Do you think I’m doing this for the money?!”

It was a direct expression of annoyance, demanding that he sell the information and refrain from any further chatter. Simultaneously, it was a threat suggesting that bloodshed could erupt if information wasn’t willingly given.

If they were ordinary individuals, they might just collapse and spill every last detail; however, it appeared that this Dark Elf wasn’t easily swayed. Hormoz merely looked at Pertletti with a grin.

“Certainly, for you, money may not be a crucial item. But I am a merchant. A merchant. How can I consider myself a merchant if I engage in a losing trade? A merchant can even risk their life for a single coin.”

“This….”

“Due to unfortunate circumstances and considering you are distinguished guests coming for the first time, I will not ask for an advance payment. As soon as I acquire the information, I will send it directly to you.”

The cat, settled by the window, jumped down gracefully. With short legs, it trotted across the office and climbed onto the desk.

As if surveying the humans, the cat circled around once before lying down with a poised posture, gazing at Hormoz.

Briefly shifting his gaze from the cat, Hormoz checked the time. Letting out an inevitable sigh, he spoke in a lamenting voice.

“Time has flown by so quickly. Dawn approaches, and it has come time to close the doors.”

“……”

“The Deputy Guild Master will personally guide you on your way out. I will ensure you are safely escorted outside the city to help you avoid any checks.”

With his soft voice, Hormoz gave the final summons.

“Take care.”

As we left the office, the Dark Elf bid us farewell in an exceptionally courteous tone.

“I hope you will not suffer any losses.”

*

Exiting the black market turned out to be easier than I expected. Under the guidance of the Deputy Guild Master Goblin, we crossed the underground waterways and exited the city.

Emerging onto the frozen river, we climbed a hillock to see the collapsed city in the distance. The sun, peeking over the horizon, cast a warm light over the shattered wounds of the city.

As we watched the slowly brightening dawn, we began to converse.

“…What should we do?”

“…Indeed.”

Initially, our purpose for visiting the black market was to gather information and supplies. Unlike Camila, who merely came for sightseeing, and myself, who was dragged along after losing a bet, Francesca and Pertletti entered the black market with clear intentions.

We had only accomplished half of our original goals. Pertletti secured the item he was looking for, and Francesca managed to exchange her money. However, our foremost objective of gathering information had ultimately failed.

“Can we really call this a failure? It’s not like we could have obtained that information immediately, even if things had gone smoothly.”

“Camila, we’ve agreed to call this a ‘screw-up.'”

“……”

Camila’s lips protruded like a duck’s.

Of course, Camila wasn’t mistaken. In essence, we had not missed receiving an item; rather, they were merely contemplating whether to give us the information or not. Personally, it didn’t affect me whether that Dark Elf provided us with information or not.

But that was my opinion.

Francesca and Pertletti’s situation was different.

“What will you two do? Will you wait here like this?”

“Well… The Guild Master has a very cautious nature, so I doubt anything can be done easily.”

Francesca wore a strange smile. Though she trailed off as was her habit, her face showed she had a rather complicated inner state.

“First of all, the conditions set by the Guild Master are twofold: the risk of the information and the duration.”

Hormoz declared that if the information regarding the dark magical items and the seller were harmful to the Palm Tree Trade Guild, he would not sell it.

Additionally, he stated that if we sought clues to the vast Northern regions, we would need to wait at least a month.

Two fingers unfurled like delicate petals as Francesca pointed out the timing.

“The Guild Master stated an unwillingness to sell information that may endanger the Guild. Also, I don’t have the luxury of waiting for a month.”

“The situation in the North is changing by the hour, and whether such information will still hold value a month from now is anyone’s guess.”

“The information’s value might diminish?”

“Exactly. I’m sure the Colonel would know this better than I.”

I nodded in agreement.

The term “dark magician” is akin to a stigma at the Magic Tower.

Not every magician is a dark magician, but all dark magicians are indeed magicians. Those who conduct experiments with human lives, raise corpses from the dead, or commit mass murder in public with magic are aplenty, and such magicians have been expelled from society.

Thus, the Magic Tower must uncover the source of the goods to avoid any semblance of being an “underground force behind the terror.”

“We can’t just sit idly and wait.”

“Then how about the Magic Tower investigates directly? After all, dark magic is a form of magic….”

“Tracking the items discovered in the department store is something the Magic Tower is currently investigating as well. The Magic Battalion dispatched to the North is already engaged in…

“There’s a team of professionals investigating this…”

“But?”

“There’s a limit to this, you know? The relationship between the Magic Tower and the Empire.”

“Ah…”

Francesca let out a soft sigh, almost inaudible. Thinking back, this was the first time I had heard her sigh.

“I heard that police have to collaborate with local authorities to investigate crimes abroad. Of course, the Magic Battalion isn’t the police, but… the Imperial Family wouldn’t allow the wizards from the Magic Tower to look for dark magicians within the Empire’s borders, right?”

“That seems reasonable. If the Imperial Ministry of Magic was involved, then they’d be involved…”

“Thus, the Magic Tower can do nothing now.”

“Have you contacted the Military Government Headquarters? They hold the administrative and judicial powers in the North right now.”

“Can military generals even go against the Imperial Family? If the Imperial Family doesn’t allow it, neither the Chancellor nor the Commander can do anything.”

“…Then the only ones who can investigate directly in the North are the Imperial Ministry of Magic or the Inquisition…”

I subtly shifted my gaze, catching a glimpse of Pereyti’s rock-solid body. He sat with his back turned, not saying much, but he looked quite frustrated from a cursory glance.

The Magic Battalion well-versed in magic has no investigative rights, and the Inquisition, which is an elite when it comes to hunting dark magic, is short-staffed. The only remaining option is the Imperial Ministry of Magic, which I worried might not conduct a thorough investigation.

But I certainly can’t just wait, relying on a shady informant who might or might not share information. After waiting for a month without gaining any intel or the assurance they wouldn’t sell out, I’d just be wasting my precious time.

So, could I gather information myself in the North, or even torture a dark mage for intel? Nope.

If I got caught doing something the Military Intelligence Agency didn’t order me to do, it wouldn’t end with just a written warning or a minor pay cut. Moreover, the region is under the watchful eyes of the Counterintelligence Department.

Of course, I understand the dark mages’ position as well.

How could a merchant engaging in smuggling in the conflict area conduct business cleanly?

To engage in smuggling, one would have to bribe civil servants and negotiate with criminal organizations holding sway over the region. No matter how much the Military Government Headquarters tries to maintain order in the North, there are definitely areas beyond their reach.

If among those who formed ties with the Palm Tree Trade Guild, there happens to be someone connected to this terrorism? It could end badly for both the guild and me.

The Inquisition definitely won’t overlook anything related to dark magic. And among the victims of the terror, there was a Saint of the Cult. Although it hasn’t been publicly disclosed, both Camila and Francesca were in the same situation as Lucia.

The Military Intelligence Agency is vague. They trace the roots of the terrorism, yet stirring up trouble in the North might endanger me, so they’re reluctant to get involved. Especially since the Empire’s branch has been destroyed. Thus, they’re collecting intelligence indirectly through branches set up in other countries.

Therefore, neither the Magic Tower, the Cult, nor the Palm Tree Trade Guild can easily back down. And there’s always a conflict at the end of a standoff.

After taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I let out a deep sigh.

There’s no solution.

Why did I even come to the black market, hoping for wealth and glory…?

“What are you so worried about?”

“…Huh?”

Suddenly appearing out of nowhere, Camila gazed at me intently.

“Can’t we just check things ourselves?”

“…Does that even make sense? Tracking down dark magicians is hard even for professionals.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Camila added on.

“After all, the Guild Master… no, the Elf isn’t the one gathering intel by themselves; they must be getting information from someone else. I don’t know if it’s dark magic or whatever, but if it were that dangerous, wouldn’t they rather not say a thing? They’re unlikely to promise to help find information with a month-long deadline.”

“…So you’re suggesting we intercept the information before it reaches the Elf? Find informants asking for info?”

“Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

It sounded plausible. On the surface.

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Why not?”

“How could we possibly find the people dealing with the guild and sift through them to find those connected to dark magic?”

Camila blinked, her eyes wide. Her dazed gaze seemed to poke at my face.

“Uh… you can’t do that?”

“I can’t.”

“Why can’t you?”

The question returned with a hint of confusion, seemingly naive. If it were Camila asking, I would’ve sighed and kindly responded, but tragically, it was Francesca who posed it.

Suppressing something rising within, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Well, information doesn’t just fall from the sky. How would we gather such information from the North? Think reasonably, Administrator.”

“So you’re saying you don’t have the ability to gather information?”

“It’s not that; it’s just the situation….”

“You’re incompetent.”

“Your tongue is surprisingly sharp, Colonel.”

“…….”

I looked up at the starkly clear winter sky, holding back tears that felt like they could burst. It was the first time I’d been called incompetent by a civilian.

They looked as though I could burst into tears at any moment, but Camila and Francesca didn’t continue to torment me. Camila excused herself to find a restroom, and Francesca sat beside me, gazing at the scenery. At least I was grateful I could avoid showing my ugly side.

Having thoroughly teased me, Francesca looked at the brightening dawn and gently smiled. Thanks to the blizzard from the previous night, the morning sky was exceptionally clear.

“Still, your words aren’t completely false, Hero.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Think about it, Colonel. How many people do you think smuggle goods into the North from outside the Empire?”

After pondering her question momentarily, I thought it over.

“…Almost none, right? The North is far from the coast with no borders nearby. The profits would be too low compared to the cost of entering into business. Of course, there might be items worth smuggling…but…”

There are indeed many valuable commodities obtainable in the North.

Strategic resources like magic stones, monsters’ by-products, demon artifacts, and military supplies of the Imperial Army, to name a few.

However, the rift where magic stones emerge is strictly managed by the Military Government Headquarters. Likewise, to obtain the by-products of monsters used in potion and various magic item production, one needs to approach the Naroda Mountain Range, where battles occur. If you take a wrong step here, even an Imperial citizen could die.

The same applies to demon artifacts. For collectors of unusual items, those who genuinely worship demons, or scholars seeking forbidden knowledge, these could be items purchased for exorbitant sums, but acquiring them would mean slipping past the watchful eye of the Inquisition active in the North.

If there’s anything more readily available, it’s the various equipment used by the Imperial Army. Yet, these are of no interest unless it’s to a warlord or foreign intelligence agency. Unlike warlords in need of weapons, intelligence agencies seeking military secrets won’t bother crawling into the North to steal equipment; they generally analyze the gear supplied to dictatorial nations.

In essence, the North offers little to no incentive for smugglers.

“This is odd. Why are they even here?”

“I don’t know, but the important thing is that there aren’t too many foreign smugglers active in this area…”

“Cut the preamble and get to the point.”

“Hmmm… should I?”

As I began to glare, Francesca’s eyes curled up like a crescent moon. With a mischievous smile, she leaned in with a soft tone.

“How about we completely take over the black market in the North?”

“Who are we talking about?”

“Us.”

“…….”

Francesca began to hum to herself.

“Since the northern black market is limited, and there are almost no foreign smugglers here… whoever is backing the Palm Tree Trade Guild, those without backing can’t do business here, right?”

“…That makes sense.”

“But if suddenly unfamiliar foreigners appeared here to do business… wouldn’t that make the people trading with the Palm Tree Trade Guild curious enough to check it out? Perhaps even the backing, said to hold the Emperor at bay, might step in…they could have information about the dark magicians…”

While she beat around the bush, she ultimately conveyed that there were no guarantees.

Even if we stirred the North’s black market, we might not gain any information. And if we failed to gather intel, all the risks would fall squarely on us.

I’m unable to do that.

But.

“While you might have a lot on your plate, I can’t stand just sitting back and doing nothing…”

“……”

“How about a bet, one more time…?”

I sank down onto the ground and tilted my head back. Dark clouds were gradually rolling into the painfully blue sky.

After a bout of silence, I posed a question to Francesca.

“Are there any clients within the Empire?”

“Uh… it’s embarrassing to say, but no…”

“Sigh…”

Francesca smiled with faux sorrowful eyes. It was a smile mixed with sadness yet bursting with playfulness.

“What could I do? My relationship with the Empire isn’t good…”

“Wow, Administrator, your tongue is quite sharp.”

“That was said by me…”

“Anyway, you’re saying there’s no way to smuggle goods even into the Empire, let alone the North?”

“Correct.”

After gazing into Francesca’s eyes for a moment, I looked back up at the sky and let out another sigh.

Giyik. Inside my track pants. I pulled out the heavy item from my secret pocket, padded for carrying heavy objects. I shoved my frozen hands in to retrieve it.

A telephone.

“…It’s a telephone. What are you planning to do with that?”

“If there’s no road, then you have to create one.”

“Huh…?”

I shook the telephone in front of Francesca’s face, who wore a puzzled expression.

“I’ll seek out routes for smuggling goods. I’ve done some flying before, so figuring out a way to smuggle goods should be easy.”

“……”

“I guess this settles the bet we lost.”

A smile crept onto Francesca’s face.

“But if we fail, can you bear the responsibility?”

“Geez…”

Confidently, I pressed the telephone to my ear. The ringtone pierced through the cold, biting wind of December.

“With my experience, how could I not manage something like this.”

 

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