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The Kien Empire stands as a nation bridging monarchy and dictatorship.

Royalty dreaming of power lasting for centuries, dictators desperate to cling to authority until their last breath, warlords aspiring for leadership, and revolutionaries longing for change…

People seeking eternal rule beyond their own safety abound in this world, and the Kien Empire serves as an undeniably solid ally and backing for them.

However, even the noble bloodline of the imperial family, claiming descent from dragons, and the emperor, wielding might unmatched throughout the empire’s history based on fear, cannot serve as everyone’s protector.

Resources are finite.

Human greed knows no bounds.

Thus, there’s a need to utilize the limited resources efficiently.

Which royal lineage should be supported for maximum gain?

To whom should a dictator extend a hand for the best gifts?

Which warlord should be given an opportunity for the most successful investment?

It’s not particularly difficult to put plans into action. It’s just the judgment and acceptance of the outcomes that pose a challenge.

The emperor commanded people overflowing with willingness to do anything to realize the blueprints he sketched, making the execution of those plans not remarkably challenging.

Victor was one of those implementing the emperor’s envisioned plans.

With deep ties to the Military Government Headquarters and fluency in the culture, politics, and language of the Mauritania Continent thanks to his immigrant parents, he was quite a refined figure.

However,

What the empire folks were somewhat mistaken about was the fact that there exist stubborn idiots who can’t bear to see others prosper even if it means their own demise.

And that idiot works at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Abas, stationed in the Kien Empire.

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Episode 12 – The Mightiest Magician in History

The word “smuggling” sparked curiosity in Francesca’s eyes.

“Victor, can you really say that?”

“Why not? It’s the truth.”

Victor shrugged as if it were of no concern.

We couldn’t hold back a chuckle at his audacity and turned our heads toward Francesca.

“Victor is a solid businessman, Francesca. He’s a diligent person who travels abroad and personally does the legwork.”

“Is that so? Now I’m a bit curious about what kind of business you’re involved in.”

“I operate in various fields. What Victor handles is a form of trading. He mainly sells goods produced in the Kien Empire to foreign lands and brings back items of equal value to the empire.”

“For example?”

I responded briefly and concisely.

“Weapons.”

Victor, a businessman who used to be a sergeant major in the Kien Empire, traded not just any weapons but those illicitly exchanged in the shadows.

“To be specific, he contracts with foreign clients who have the money but lack the means to obtain the items they desire, customizing deliveries to them.”

His primary clientele consists of foreigners, but occasionally, he sells items to the citizens of the Kien Empire as well. Of course, firearms and drugs are absolutely not handled within the empire’s borders.

Because that would breach their contracts.

For the record, the entity backing Victor in providing weapons is the Imperial Ministry of Defense.

“He is a friend who offers quality control, after-sales support, and small services without reservation.”

“…”

“Having been in this field since his active duty days, he’s wealthy in experience and know-how. There are, of course, some administrative issues in this line of work, but resolving them is part of his skill, right, Victor?”

As I gilded my friend’s profile, he smiled brightly.

Victor, who was observing me packaging the dubious business with sincerity, interjected with a scoff.

“Freddy, aren’t you painting the blatant violation of international law a bit too nicely?”

“It’s already a mess even if spoken well.”

Victor is a weapons broker, former sergeant of the Military Government Headquarters. Since his active days, he’s been responsible for supplying weapons illegally to foreign royalty, dictatorial regimes, and warlords, and he continues to be engaged in similar duties after retirement.

With a snappy explanation, the elegantly dressed Orc cracked a smile.

“Honestly, it’s insufficient to simply call it similar. If anything, it’s more advanced now.”

After retiring, Victor fully immersed himself in the arms-export business. While it had always been the case, he now provides Kien Empire-manufactured weapons to countless warlords across the Mauritania Continent.

From light firearms like rifles and pistols to heavy artillery like machine guns, and occasionally armored vehicles like tanks, he handles a broad spectrum.

Of course, this isn’t conducted through official exports contracted between countries.

Selling weapons to sanctioned nations or warlords is an illegal trade that should never be known by others, especially if it pertains to a hostile nation like Abas against the Kien Empire.

But sadly, I was an information officer for Abas.

In a calm tone, Victor assessed his business.

“Even if it’s illegal, what choice do we have? With food supplies prohibited to warlords and dictatorial governments, how could we possibly export weapons? Naturally, we have to hand them over discreetly through back channels.”

“I’ve always thought Kien folks were quite audacious, Victor.”

“If we look pitiful, wouldn’t that miserable economic sanction be lifted, Freddy? How about we stop the act of deploying naval magicians to bore holes into the hulls of ships in the open seas? That way, we could avoid tedious complications.”

“That’s not us. It’d be those Patalia folks, I believe?”

“I heard them speaking in Abasian?”

“Um… You must have misheard, perhaps.”

We briefly pulled to the roadside and engaged in a calm and intellectual discussion about the efficacy of Abas’s sweeping economic sanctions and the tragedies playing out in the Mauritania Continent.

Francesca’s expression fluctuated as she absorbed our profound dialogue.

She seemed intrigued, yet at a loss, not knowing how to comprehend the conversation. The executive from the Economic Management Department of the Secretariat, in charge of smuggling and Oracle slush fund management, struggled to find her bearings between an active weapons broker and a spy.

In truth, it wasn’t that she failed to grasp the conversation; rather, it seemed she was bewildered as the discussion veered off track. Francesca subtly gave me a look as if to say why we were speaking on a subject only we’re privy to.

“Ahem… well, we can save such discussions for later. Let’s return to the main topic and discuss business.”

Victor cleared his throat and shifted the atmosphere.

The comfortable position of the relaxed Orc allowed him to ask if it was alright for him to smoke, then he cautiously pulled out a packet of cigarettes. The interior was dim, but I recognized the brand held in Victor’s hand instantly.

Ahtonyak. The long-discontinued military-issued cigarette from the Kien Empire.

He had a quirky habit of only smoking that even during his active days, and now it seemed he still clings onto Ahtonyak.

Reflecting on the times I shivered while traversing No Man’s Land in search of that discontinued cigarette, Victor ignited a match and lit the end of his cigarette in a fluid motion.

“Puhuh—. Yes, Freddy. This lady wants to do business with me?”

I nodded.

Victor’s eyes narrowed. His green skin made him resemble a reptile.

“You don’t mean to tell me a magician wants to buy a gun…?”

“I’m looking to sell rather than purchase.”

“You have something you wish to sell in the black market?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm… It’s not difficult, depending on what you have. But first, may I ask one thing of the lady?”

As the pale smoke billowed, the Orc’s narrow focus landed on the alchemist beyond the white curtain.

“Where exactly do you plan on selling your items?”

To this, Francesca replied.

“In the Kien Empire.”

“The Empire? That’s my hometown…”

“Are you feeling uneasy due to it being your hometown?”

With a subtly provocative tone, Victor smirked.

“Not at all. If it’s just a side business, I see no reason not to.”

“Smuggling is by no means lightly sentenced in the Empire… You seem quite bold.”

“I don’t mind. If I don’t get caught, it’s all good.”

“It seems you have someone to back you from the way you confidently declare that.”

“Oh, that’s my trade secret. I’d appreciate your understanding on that.”

“I completely understand.”

Francesca and Victor fluidly engaged in conversation. Perhaps due to being of similar kinds, their dialogues flowed without interruption.

Their conversation stretched on. Neither Victor nor Francesca came fully prepared, yet it seemed no elaborate preparations were needed. With Francesca handling the Oracle’s slush fund and Victor managing state-level smuggling, it felt like their minds were already brimming with thick ledgers and calculators.

“To smuggle goods to the Empire, we can utilize road and maritime routes. Of course, there’s also the Magic Tower, but I’ve heard from a friend serving in the south that inspections have intensified recently, blocking many routes.”

“Hmm… Then direct sends through the Magic Tower may not be possible. That’s okay, though. I’m not only planning to retrieve items from the Magic Tower.”

“What route do you plan to bring your goods in? Is there a way I can assist?”

“Maritime. We can source vessels here. I plan to change some paperwork at a harbor, which will serve as a middle stop.”

“Do as it suits you, dear lady.”

“What about the commission?”

“Do you have a preferred rate?”

“Well, I’d prefer to take a lot. But since you are my friend’s lover, I’ll take it justly.”

As the lengthy business discussion continued, the most crucial topic of today’s conversation emerged.

“By the way, where do you plan to distribute your products? If you have no specific locations in mind, I can make some suggestions.”

“While I appreciate it, I already have somewhere in mind. I usually love targeting lands that can’t accommodate it all, but that’s not the case right now.”

“The bigger the dream, the better it is. So, where do you have in mind?”

Francesca answered.

“The North.”

So succinct and concise,

And thus even more resonant.

“Please distribute the items to the black market in the North.”

—

Victor’s previously narrowed eyes widened to the size of lanterns.

Both eyes popped open, and his shoulders trembled slightly. The fingers clutching the tobacco quivered feebly.

The Orc informant, visiting the Military Intelligence Agency’s Safe House, exhaled a puff of smoke before taking a brief pause.

“Did you say… the North?”

Francesca nodded.

“Yes, the North.”

“… That’s quite a troublesome proposition you’re making.”

With a draw of a cigarette, Victor expelled the smoke without swallowing it, releasing a wave of potent Kien military tobacco fragrance from the shadows.

“Do you understand what kind of place the North is?”

“I do know. I was there just a few hours ago.”

Francesca responded confidently, undeterred by Victor’s troubled reaction.

But she wasn’t the only one who understood the need to hold her ground. Victor also firmly rejected her proposal without an ounce of hesitation.

“The North is off-limits. It’s too high-risk of an area. You’d be better off choosing somewhere else. How about the East near the border with Ratwan?”

Victor offered an alternative, but this time, Francesca expressed her refusal.

Unlike the Orc, the alchemist was equally unwavering.

“It has to be the North. As long as I’m prepared to shoulder the costs, I need you to look into it.”

“The price isn’t the issue.”

Victor shook his head, his expression clearly troubled. The discomfort radiating from his countenance carried an odd glint that flickered behind his green skin.

That glint was fear.

“Why is that?”

“…”

With Francesca persistently probing, Victor finally let out a heavy sigh, smoke entwined in the exhale.

“The North is under martial law. According to imperial law, regions declared under martial law have all judicial and administrative authority delegated to the Military Government Headquarters from local and central governments. The gendarmerie and internal troops enforce this.”

The former sergeant major of the Kien Empire cited the empire’s martial law.

“Likewise, public safety duties in the northern provinces will also transition to the Military Government Headquarters. The gendarmerie and internal troops will take on the roles of police, military police, and public security all together. Once the judicial authority is transferred to the Military Government Headquarters, so too are prosecution and trial powers. It’s as if wielding unchecked power.”

In summary, Victor explained that once martial law is declared, the Military Government Headquarters receives all powers over the North as dictated by law. From the imperial capital of Novo Nikolayevsk to the furthest mountain valleys at the forefront, the Military Government Headquarters exercises all sorts of authority.

One of the powers they can wield is indeed judicial authority.

Under martial law, the Military Government Headquarters can exercise judicial authority in the North, with military prosecutors and courts effectively replacing civilian courts. Individuals charged, whether civilian or military, will find themselves tried before armed prosecutors and gendarmes.

Meaning, if caught smuggling in the North, there would be no way out.

While police might turn a blind eye to small bribes before handcuffing you, gendarmes would immediately swing their batons, possibly even putting a bullet in your back.

And Victor was no exception.

Despite being a trusted figure contracting to supply weapons to dictatorial regimes and foreign royalties, there’s no way he could evade punishment by lingering in an area under martial law, especially if it was without orders.

Thus, it wasn’t odd for Victor to be showing his discontent.

The Orc swiftly waved his hands and opened his mouth, appearing troubled.

“Since I started this job after being retired, I promised never to sell two things within the empire: drugs and firearms. But I totally didn’t expect this. Smuggling in a martial law area.”

“I’m not suggesting selling drugs or guns. I simply want to sell things considerably smaller and less burdensome.”

“No matter how grand your backing may be, the North is untouchable right now. The Military Government Headquarters or the Duke will certainly come looking.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, but let’s pretend you never mentioned this.”

As he maintained his stance of shutting down the business, Francesca’s brow furrowed. She relaxed her posture, leaning back into the sofa.

If this situation was left unchecked, who knew what might transpire? Someone had to step in to mediate.

“Haah…”

I softly sighed and wedged myself between the frowning Francesca and the packing Victor.

“I’ve listened to the conversation thoroughly. Now, it’s my turn. Francesca? Could you excuse us for a moment? I’d like to speak with my friend privately.”

“… Colonel?”

Francesca, still frowning, turned to look at me.

After momentarily meeting her gaze, I leaned in as if to embrace her. Francesca stared at me with a look as if questioning what I was doing.

I seem to have not fully grasped the situation yet. Since it would be troublesome if Francesca went wild here, I quickly leaned in before she could regain her composure.

On Francesca’s right cheek, I moved towards the side that Victor couldn’t see.

A delicate distance, just barely close enough that a touch could bring our lips together. I felt her breath brushing against my skin as I got closer.

– Puck!

I pretended to kiss her, merely moving my lips to make a sound.

“…W-What…?!”

“Shh.”

Just as Francesca seemed startled and was about to pull away, I wrapped my arms around her neck. While embracing her shoulders and head, I whispered quietly into her ear.

“…Act naturally, Francesca. The moment you slap my cheek and throw a fit here, it’s all over.”

“…”

“If you understand, just play along and get up to move to the next room. Close the door tightly, draw the curtains properly, and keep as far away from the balcony as possible.”

It would be quite problematic if someone outside saw.

I held her for a moment, waiting quietly. I wondered if Francesca was not fully prepared, so I bought some time like this.

Even in the stillness, countless thoughts tumbled in my mind, but thankfully my worries seemed to be unfounded. Francesca, once stiff, gently rested her hand on my back and stroked it, burying her head against my shoulder and softly whispering.

“…Next time, could you at least give me a heads-up, Colonel?”

“…”

“I wouldn’t want to have any misunderstandings and see your blood, Colonel.”

What a terrifying warning that is.

Saying that, Francesca smoothly stood up and left for the next room. To onlookers, we must have looked like a couple unwilling to part even for a moment.

I wiped away the cold sweat rolling down my back with my hand and leaned against the sofa. The sensation of her nails still lingered sharply on my back.

Feeling the chills run down my spine from the sharp pain, I turned to look at Victor, who had stopped his actions.

“What’s wrong, Victor?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Then sit down. I won’t take long.”

Victor, who had been standing awkwardly, sat back down in his chair. I let out a labored sigh, brushing off the dust on my shirt for no particular reason.

“Sorry for putting you in a tough spot, Victor. I should have explained this beforehand, but I’ve been a bit busy.”

“It seems like you’re the one in more trouble though….”

“…That’s….”

I tried to come up with a retort, but I had no words. We weren’t truly dating, so I couldn’t say to not worry about it.

As I desperately searched for an excuse, I blurted something out of the blue.

“Don’t do this sort of thing.”

“…”

Victor let out a light sigh as if he found it absurd. Anyway, as long as I handled the situation well enough, it didn’t really matter.

I turned to the sulking Victor.

“I hear Francesca wants to distribute goods in the Northern black market. Not drugs or firearms like you might be worried about, but basic supplies like food, clothing, medical supplies, and winter goods.”

“…Basic supplies? I’ve heard there’s a shortage of goods in the North. Why do you care about that? And why does your girlfriend want to distribute that to the North?”

“What else would it be?”

I have to squeeze information out of that filthy ear brat.

“It’s about money.”

“…”

An unusual gaze from the orc pierced into me. It was like he was thinking, ‘I never would have imagined that would come out of your mouth.’

Victor surveyed me with a mixture of interest and suspicion in his eyes.

“Money? Have you suddenly developed an interest in money, Freddy? I thought you were someone without material desires.”

“Yeah, you thought I was a homo or something.”

“Hmm… I can’t refute that. I sincerely apologize. But still, the North is a tough nut to crack.”

“Why’s that, Victor? Do it for my face, at least.”

“Hah….”

Victor exhaled a long, deep sigh filled with anguish.

“Listen, friend. I truly want to help you. I’d like to assist you in any way I can. But the North is beyond what I can handle.”

I retorted to Victor.

“Even if the generals have your back? You know many high-ranking officials, and you’re friendly with the railway department employees, postal service, and customs officers.”

“…”

I briefly mentioned Victor’s connections and the important networks he could use for business.

Normally, such information would be something his family could never know, but I, being the information officer who managed Victor, should know at least this much.

Certainly, Victor was not unaware of that fact.

Confirming that the door to the room Francesca had entered was tightly shut, Victor spoke in a tired voice. The conversation we were about to have was one that could not be shared in front of a friend’s girlfriend, let alone in front of family.

“The generals are business partners of mine. The railway, postal service, and customs contacts are people who’ve taken my money.”

“Yeah. If you ask the railway department staff and the military commander, they could probably get supplies to the North. It’d be tough at the frontline, but they can transport it to the entrance, right?”

“…It’s impossible, Freddy. Cargo to the North is supervised by the military government forces even before arriving close to the area. From there, it’s no longer under the jurisdiction of the military supply department.”

Damn. I had a rough idea, but I didn’t expect it to be this strict. The military government boys are truly by the book.

I thought about bribing the higher-ups in the military government, but that may not be a good option. If the bribe goes wrong, I might end up getting hurt. It’s one thing with the lower ranks, but you always have to be careful around high-ranking officials. Especially those like General Mikhail.

Biting my lip lightly, I held onto the glimmer of hope and asked again.

“Is there really no way?”

“No. At least not to my knowledge.”

It was a resolute conclusion. Victor firmly declared that he could absolutely not distribute goods to the North.

If Victor was saying this, it meant there really was no way. Given that there’s no ears to listen here, it’s something close to the truth. Yet a question loomed in my mind,

“…”

How did that dark elf distribute all that merchandise then?

That too, in the North, a place where an Empire-born broker, backed by connections built on bribes to the military, can’t even approach.

It doesn’t make sense.

As I floundered with the doubts swirling in my mind, suddenly Victor seemed to recall something and opened his mouth.

“Oh, there are two ways. Just two ways, really.”

“What are they?”

“Find a new backer.”

Victor held up two fingers.

“There are only two individuals in the Empire with absolute power in the North. One is Military Commander General Mikhail, and the other is a person you’re also quite familiar with.”

“Who is that?”

“The Duke.”

The Duke. A collateral branch of the Kien Empire’s royal family. Someone I know well. Who wouldn’t know him?

“That archmage?”

“Exactly.”

The Duke mentioned by the orc is the one who governs the Northern territories. More precisely, he’s been entrusted with the authority by the royal family, managing and protecting the North for a hundred years.

In a time of war, where the divine and magic collide, he gathered people and fought against the cult, achieving great feats, and afterward returned to the Empire to defend it against the demon races and monsters at the farthest north.

The Duke was a universally acknowledged figure in the Empire.

Victor spoke.

“With someone like the Duke, even the military commander wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. If the Duke provides protection, even if you kill someone in the North under martial law, you’d be safe. After all, he’s related to the Emperor’s aunt. It’d be crazy to treat a senior member of the royal family carelessly.”

“…Hey. I’m really curious now, so how do you make the Duke a backer?”

“You can’t.”

“What the….”

“Give up. It’ll be easier if you do.”

Victor slumped his shoulders dejectedly and flopped back into his chair. I covered my face with my palm and exhaled deeply.

Whether he knew my troubled heart or not, the damned guy started muttering with his hands clasped on top of his head.

“You need to either bribe the military commander sufficiently or get permission from the Duke. If you want to smuggle into the North without any repercussions, you need to do one or the other. If not, give up.”

“…”

I groaned while rubbing my skin. Is there really no method?

No matter how hard I think, nothing good comes to mind. My mind feels foggy.

Just as my restless fingers were tapping the sofa armrest.

“….”

Like a bolt from the blue, an incredible idea struck me. Without even considering it, I shot straight at Victor.

“What if it isn’t the North?”

“Huh?”

“What if you move the goods to a place other than the North, and then we use another method to get them into the North from there? Since you wouldn’t be directly transporting goods into the North, you’d have a plausible alibi.”

Wouldn’t that work?

Thinking about it, I inquired, and Victor’s eyes began to spin in disbelief.

“Other than the North…”

“What do you think, Victor? Is it possible?”

“Nothing is impossible. I mean, it’s definitely feasible.”

“Awesome. Then let’s do that.”

I exchanged a few brief opinions with Victor. Before he could pull back or fret, I placed a hand on my chest.

“I will never put you in a tough spot. I swear.”

“…”

“Do it for my face’s sake, just this once, friend. There hasn’t been a problem thus far.”

Victor squeezed his eyes shut.

The orc seated in the chair fell deep into thought with his eyes closed.

After some time passed, just as he finished computing,

“Because you’re my friend, I’ll do it for you.”

“Great.”

Finally, he gave a positive answer.

I got up from my seat and grasped Victor’s hand. He slowly reciprocated my grip and shook it. Thus, we exchanged hearty handshakes and finally smiled brightly.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but please don’t stir up any trouble, Freddy. This is advice coming from my concern.”

“I’ll take it to heart, Victor.”

Victor pulled out a new cigarette. He opened a matchbox, took out a single matchstick, and struck it gently against the wall.

In the dark room, a small flame flickered into existence.

“How about a reasonable commission fee?”

“Why act stingy between friends? Just do it fairly, honestly.”

“Geez, you tightwad….”

The orc chuckled as the white smoke curled around him. As he gathered his things and prepared to leave, he suddenly turned back, as if he remembered something.

“But, Freddy.”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

Victor, who was about to exit, threw me a question. With a cigarette in his mouth and a match in hand, he tilted his head, unable to suppress his curiosity.

“Why are you helping that woman? I’ve heard it’s more about the archmage’s business than yours.”

Victor gestured toward the corner of the room, pointing at the now-closed door. The very room Francesca had gone into.

I glanced at the firmly shut door, then back at Victor.

Well, how should I answer this?

Though many answers came to mind, the one I should give right now is just this one.

“…Because I love her?”

Even I felt it was so cheesy, but I didn’t care.

To an orc who values kin and tribe above all else, honor and love hold no greater significance.

 

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