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As soon as I heard the voice, I recognized it as Veronica.

They did grant me a secure line since I’m somewhat of an information agent.

But why did she call?

“Why are you calling me at this hour all of a sudden?”

-‘Hmm, because I missed you?’

“Don’t say things that can be misunderstood by others. Did you drink again?”

Through the phone, I could hear Veronica’s characteristic giggling.

This was clearly just her messing with me.

-‘Sorry, I just imagined your reaction.’

“Why do you live like this anyway?”

-‘Well…’

Veronica trailed off with a mischievous tone.

-‘Because it’s fun?’

What the hell.

—

Episode 3 – A Fantastical Vacation

Late at night.

I was on a train heading to the capital, talking to the Saint of the Cult.

“Can’t you sleep?”

-‘Nope.’

“Drinking all the time, no wonder you can’t.”

-‘I had just a little.’

No need to brag.

I signaled to the corridor, and a mage dispatched by the intelligence agency cast a magic to block eavesdropping.

A shimmering blue barrier enveloped me.

Confirming the mage’s okay sign, I opened my mouth.

“Saint Veronica, what on earth have you been doing up until this time?”

-‘I was drinking with Lucia.’

“Wait, why was Lucia…?”

-‘Since the elections are the day after tomorrow. We were just talking and drinking.’

Is it already election day? Time really flies.

Lucia plans to join us as soon as the results are out. If the colleagues are too distant from each other, rumors start to spread.

Didn’t rumors about Lucia and me happen last time we met?

“Well, it seems like you’re doing well. Do you have any updates for me?”

-‘I hear the Magic Tower is a likely next destination?’

“Upper management is considering it as a strong candidate.”

Going to the Magic Tower is practically confirmed. If Camila Lowell’s abilities are related to magic, only the Magic Tower can accurately diagnose her fainting symptoms.

The kingdom’s research institute is decent, but compared to the Magic Tower, it’s like comparing a local clinic to a specialized hospital.

“Isn’t there a new colleague there? What was her name…?”

-‘Francesca Ranieri. The third heir of the Magic Tower.’

“Oh, right. That reminds me.”

The alchemist Francesca.

A woman pushed aside in the heir hierarchy of the Magic Tower.

According to the game’s story, she was cast out of the tower in early August. Since it’s nearly September now… she must be in the central region of the empire. It’s indicated we meet her in the capital.

-‘It seems the Magic Tower will be a bit chaotic for a while.’

“What do you mean by that…?”

-‘The heir situation and all. It’s just complicated, okay?’

Seems like those wizards are getting into trouble again.

“Is it too complicated to explain because there are so many intertwined issues?”

-‘Yes.’

“So nothing is certain yet?”

-‘Hmm, that’s correct?’

In the game, after completing the Magic Tower quests, we move on to the northern regions of the empire.

In winter, bizarre monsters flooded through, breaching the defense line. It was such a hard game that I gave up at that point.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I should’ve studied the wiki more.

I pressed my hand to my forehead, feeling a hot wave.

“Yes. Well, if you learn anything good, please let me know.”

-‘Can I call you early in the morning?’

Please don’t.

—

The fact that the hero has come to the kingdom was a secret. Everyone who should know does, but the general public remains oblivious.

Lucia is supposed to join after the elections, and then the announcement will follow.

So, the first people I encountered at the train station weren’t journalists or welcoming crowds, but military police. You know, the garrison.

“Hero, we will escort you to the hotel.”

“Um…? R-right now?”

“Yes. You can go now.”

“C-Colonel?”

“Go ahead. We have business to attend to.”

Camila Lowell flew away like a child getting a flu shot, trembling with anxiety.

Not in a figurative sense about moving quickly. She literally flew away on her broom.

We stood there dumbfounded, watching her scream as her scarlet hair flowed in the wind.

“Isn’t flying illegal in the capital?”

“Postal workers and police fly around fine.”

“Ah…”

I heard the control tower regulates it well to avoid accidents. As a two-time army man, I wouldn’t know.

Having sent Camila Lowell off, it was time to send my subordinates.

“Do you remember the meeting place and time?”

“One week later, 10 AM, at the back door of the designated hotel.”

“Go.”

Teeng mama—

Jake rambled nonsensically as he hopped onto the train to his hometown, and Pippin disappeared into the city center to meet her friends.

Both of them, finally freed for a week, ran out like slaves longing for freedom after breaking their shackles. Anyone would think it was a scene from Shawshank Redemption.

And I—

“Let’s go.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll escort you to headquarters.”

I soared into the sky on a broom for the first time in my life.

It was super scary.

—

“…Based on the information from the Inquisition, we conducted a reconnaissance. We succeeded in tracking down Cardinal Raul and 16 escaped personnel from the Imperial Guard HQ in a high-class residential area in the northern sector of the Cult.

A team of two operatives from the Special Activities Department and nine from our department stormed the site, killing all 16 escapees, and we captured Cardinal Raul alive. He was interrogated for three days at Safe House 5 before being killed.

…This concludes the report.”

“Good job.”

The report over, I leaned back comfortably in my chair and stretched my legs.

“What happened to Raul?”

“He was packed into a drum and thrown into the sea.”

Colonel Clevenz clicked his tongue as if regretting it.

“I wish we could’ve put him on trial…”

“But the economy of the country has been saved, and everyone’s benefiting, right?”

“That’s true.”

Due to this incident, the empire and the Cult secured political stability while the kingdom achieved economic security. It was a result of the intelligence and foreign affairs departments working hard.

We arranged for food and daily necessities to be supplied at relatively lower prices. While we can be self-sufficient, the more, the merrier.

It seems fewer people will starve to death this winter.

Colonel Clevenz seemed to share this thought, smiling happily.

“There’s been a report predicting fewer deaths from starvation. Thanks to the surplus, the empire has decided to purchase cattle.”

“Cattle, you say?”

“A few years back, an epidemic wiped out all the cattle.”

“Ah.”

“Dairy farming and everything else went bust, and all year round, corpses committed suicide in the river…”

The Colonel sighed and stopped there. It wasn’t the best topic to bring up in good spirits.

A strange atmosphere lingered for a moment, but in that silence, we shared a multitude of conversations. The countless bowls of food we shared, the operations we succeeded in; just by looking at each other’s eyes, we understood what we wanted to say.

So, the Colonel dismissed all trivial matters and spoke briefly.

“Good work. Let’s eat.”

“…Yes.”

That was enough.

—

“The world these days is going to hell, isn’t it?”

“When has it ever been normal?”

Colonel Clevenz put down his dishes. Judging by the few strands of white hair visible and the deep creases in his brow, it seems stress is getting to him.

It’s a well-known fact that those in high positions suffer from heavy workloads, but unfortunately, we’re in a situation of Cold War, and he is an official responsible for military intelligence. In fact, he is the next director.

“The demons are pushing down from above, there’s chaos from civil wars below, monsters are crossing the borders, and plagues are spreading across the continent…”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“And amidst all this, bombs are going off in the fight for the pope’s seat. Honestly, the state of the world is absurd.”

It truly is a crazy world, one that is expected to get worse.

“Problems will likely arise inside the Magic Tower soon.”

“What’s the source of that information?”

“My informant.”

We were sitting in an upscale restaurant, having dinner. Due to pirates running amok, maritime trade routes were blocked, making beef as precious as gold.

Of course, the empire recently sent food supplies, stabilizing prices.

Still, the price remained burdensome enough that opening my wallet at ease was out of the question, yet ironically, the restaurant was packed.

“Everyone’s really pushing ahead.”

“It’s advancement season, so it can’t be helped.”

That meant people were spending big bucks to grease the wheels for promotions.

In fact, most people filling the restaurant were officials or corporate executives.

Amidst them, I even spotted some familiar faces.

“That person over there, I think I saw him in the staff headquarters.”

“That’s the munitions chief. The one sitting across is an advisor from HQ. They’re from the same unit.”

“Meeting between an operations officer and a division commander, huh? Are they from the same school?”

“Yeah, they’re seniors and juniors from the Academy.”

Everyone was crowding around to hear promotion news from their seniors, rubbing elbows vigorously.

During advancement season, you’d see soldiers swarming around the Gangnam area behind the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense. Contrary to expectations, most weren’t there for promotions but to gather information.

“How did the promotions go this time?”

“Thanks to the refugees, the southern side was completely wiped out. They’ll probably have to take off their uniforms.”

Counts of who got promoted where and which regions were decimated were all the talk of the town.

It was crucial to gather such information to know whether I’d be getting promoted or if my uniform would be coming off this time. Usually, I ponder what I might do if I were to get discharged.

According to the Colonel, the units stationed in the south were all being dismissed for failing to secure the perimeter. Looking closely, some already had faces that seemed to be on the verge of tears.

Of course, whether they lost their uniforms or not, it was none of my business. I flashed a bright smile and said to the Colonel,

“Congratulations on your promotion! Should I be calling you General from now on?”

“You silly. I haven’t changed my rank yet.”

“Oh come on. Does anyone not know that someone from the intelligence agency is getting promoted to General?”

Colonel Clevenz. No, soon-to-be Major General Clevenz.

He’s set to become the director of military intelligence after winning the internal power struggle within the agency.

If I hadn’t joined the hero’s party, I would’ve been promoted to Major this advancement season. I’m considered part of Clevenz’s faction.

“You’ve only just been specially promoted to Major, so a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel is a bit much.”

Clevenz said this with a slightly apologetic face towards me.

I was already expecting that result. I’m not really the type to covet promotions so I didn’t feel too disappointed.

“It’s fine. Being a Major at 28 is enough for me. Getting Lieutenant Colonel is a bit much for me right now.”

“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”

Neither of us has family to support, and as information agency personnel who don’t do networking, the conversation itself was rather dry.

Still, since we knew each other, we exchanged light updates.

“How’s your senior doing?”

“They say he’s retiring and staying on as a senior consultant, continuing his activities.”

“He should’ve gone back home by now. What a shame.”

Peter decided to stay in the Cult continuing his spy activities. Although I suggested he come back, he refused to return to his hometown.

“He just asked me to send his necklace back home.”

“That necklace, it was his wife’s keepsake, right? I was planning to send it back tomorrow.”

“Did he have a family?”

“He even had children.”

It was a bitter reality, but a reality nonetheless. Isn’t this how the lives of agents go?

“Are your subordinates resting well?”

“Ugh… They’re having too much fun to even return my calls.”

“Don’t call them on vacation, or you’ll just hear complaints. Just let them rest.”

“Yes.”

It seems Pippin and Jake are having a blast. I heard Camila Lowell is getting examined at the hotel. I was told the results should be out within three days at the latest.

By the way,

“Don’t I get a vacation or anything?”

“Huh?”

“No, the kids are off on vacation and the hero is resting too, so why am I the only one…?”

I hinted at why I was dragged along for a meal with no vacation.

The Colonel, surprised that someone was sulking about not getting a vacation after just having eaten well, stared at me in disbelief.

“Are you seriously sulking because you didn’t get a vacation?”

“….”

“Haha! This guy….”

“No really, shouldn’t you at least say something about it?”

“So you’re sulking because of that? Just say it.”

“….”

I clamped my mouth shut. And the Colonel burst out laughing.

Honestly, I can’t blame him. After two months of running around, there hasn’t been a whiff of vacation for me.

After a good laugh, he wiped a tear with his handkerchief and gave the order.

“Alright, alright. Once we wrap up this matter, I’ll send you on vacation.”

“Is there something you need me to do?”

“Just go somewhere for a bit.”

“Are we going on a business trip?”

“It’s not as grand as that. Just think of it as a site inspection.”

A site inspection. I had a feeling this wouldn’t be a mundane affair.

“The research institute has a breach.”

“…A leak of confidential information?”

“We’re suspicious.”

“….”

“We’ve sent a few people, but I need you to go verify it on my behalf.”

 

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