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I was assigned to a consulate situated right in the heart of the kingdom of Abas.

Since the Military Intelligence Agency Headquarters is located in the capital, it was the company’s consideration to reduce the commuting distance for the time I would be staying in Abas so I could rest a bit more.

Thanks to that, it was easy to get to the Patalian Embassy and the Warp Gate, which were just a stone’s throw away.

After arriving at the immigration office in Older Brother Jerry’s car, I entered Patalia with the help of the National Security Agency branch chief who emerged from the embassy. This was possible because he had already coordinated with the company.

It was when I stepped out behind the building, being guided by the immigration office’s security detail, that I made contact with the ally nation’s Information Agency Agent waiting on the other side of the gate.

“Did you make it, Merlo?”

“Sophia.”

Sophia, an overseas information officer for the National Security Agency. My long-time acquaintance greeted me with raised hand but an expression that wasn’t too bright.

“They say someone died in Patalia.”

“Yeah.”

“Who?”

Leaning against a car in the alleyway, Sophia looked at my face. A complicated aura surrounded her while unspeakable anxiety surged from her tightly shut lips.

I got into the backseat and looked at Sophia. She stole a glance at the rearview mirror, then lowered her eyes and averted her gaze.

“Who died?”

Sophia replied, “…Dmitri.”

It was the obituary of an informant.

—

**Episode 17 – The Tree That Drinks Blood**

The familiar smell of chemicals and a horrific stench filled the small room.

The cramped space was saturated with a repugnant odor.

In the chilly little area, there was a place barely big enough for a person to lie down.

Dmitri was there.

“…”

As I pulled the blanket off the cold metal bed, a familiar face emerged. It was a middle-aged man with his eyes closed.

He often complained that he disliked the cold as he got older, persistently saying that the Magic Tower, maintained at a mild climate by magic, was better than the Empire.

Now he lay there, on that cold bed.

I pulled the blanket off and stared at him for a long time. With his eyes shut, Dmitri was as quiet as someone deeply asleep.

As I quietly looked at him, I cautiously took his hand.

There was no warmth to be found in his icy cold grip. Perhaps due to rigor mortis setting in, it felt more like touching a piece of wood than flesh.

“…”

I heard a soft sound—like paper rustling. Sophia, having detached the document hanging from the corpse cart, opened her mouth quietly.

“…This evening, one of our team members found Dmitri in a hotel while on a field assignment.”

It was a regular rendezvous conducted for the purpose of managing informants. The National Security Agency officer, under Sophia’s orders, had been waiting for Dmitri at the agreed-upon place.

However, even after 30 minutes passed, and then an hour, Dmitri did not show up. The time and place had been clearly communicated; it was unusual for him not to show up without contacting anyone.

Feeling strange, the officer reported to Sophia. She called the hotel where Dmitri was staying, but no one answered the phone.

Feeling instinctively that something had gone wrong with Dmitri, she summoned her team and headed to the hotel.

And the moment they stepped off the elevator…

The National Security Agency personnel realized the hotel room’s door was slightly ajar.

“Something feels off. The fact that the door is open is already strange.”

Sophia spoke.

“Dmitri was meticulous about locking his door. Back at the Magic Tower, he had three locks on his front door.”

Yeah, I know.

Locking the door was a habit he developed when he worked as a social affairs reporter in the Kien Empire. Dmitri had long been marked as a dissident for demanding the release of imprisoned journalists who wrote articles containing sensitive truths.

Because of police and Imperial Guard officials searching his residence without a warrant, he became paranoid and overly cautious about locking his doors.

There were so many locks on his door; I even joked once that it looked like a dragon’s lair.

“It doesn’t make sense that a person like him wouldn’t lock his hotel room…”

“…”

I pulled back the blanket to check Dmitri’s body. I hadn’t noticed it from just his face, but there were many wounds around his neck.

Dark bruises stained his chest and abdomen, and his left forearm appeared caved in as if broken, while staples pierced his thigh.

Twelve, fifteen… no, eighteen. I gave up counting the layers of staples.

It looked like he’d been stamped multiple times across his thighs, where peculiar scorch marks were also visible. Judging by the size and the ash residue around, it seemed like it had been burnt with a cigarette.

“Here’s a photo of the room Dmitri was staying at.”

Sophia handed me a photo that vividly displayed scars from torture as clear as the marks on the corpse.

“According to the forensic examiner and the investigators on scene, it seems like the torture lasted for about two hours. The exact cause of death will need to be determined by an autopsy, but…”

Her explanation trailed off. Sophia knew too, what Dmitri’s cause of death was.

My gaze moved up from the bruises on his skin to his neck area. The first thing that caught my eye was a long laceration crossing his Adam’s apple—a typical mark left by a knife cutting the throat.

“…The edges are rough.”

I spoke up after checking Dmitri’s neck.

“Someone forced his jaw back and cut him from behind. The edges get messy when you cut from behind rather than when doing it yourself.”

“Assassination?”

“In this case, you could say it’s execution.”

There was no need for an autopsy.

He was beaten, tortured, and had his throat cut. If this isn’t execution, then what is it? Even if it were an assassination, killing someone like this is rare.

“…”

I leaned against the corpse storage room wall and took a breath. Sophia covered Dmitri’s body with the blanket.

“…Who did this?”

I asked Sophia while she was staring at the corpse cart with her hands shoved in her pockets. She turned her gaze toward me.

“Nothing’s confirmed yet.”

“So, who was it?”

“…The Imperial Guard HQ.”

“What’s the motive?”

A sigh escaped Sophia’s lips.

“Why aside from executing a dissident? It’s simply a warning.”

“…What are the chances Dmitri’s identity was leaked?”

“We’ve considered that possibility, but it’s slim. Logically, if they found a source cooperating with a foreign intelligence agency, it would be better to turn him into a trap instead of executing him outright.”

It wasn’t that Dmitri had been killed because they failed to protect him.

“But the Empire also has no reason to kill Dmitri now.”

Dmitri was a dissident of the Kien Empire. The Imperial Guard HQ and the Empire’s police had watched and repressed him for years, and harming dissidents was nothing new.

However, this was just the story from when Dmitri was working for an Empire media company. Ever since he had moved to the Magic Tower, the Empire had not attempted to take down any dissident fleeing abroad.

It was true that the activities he conducted at the Magic Tower criticized the Empire’s absurdities, but overall, he had never led a force substantial enough to overturn the Empire or expose the Royal Family.

Yet, why was the Imperial Guard HQ now interested in killing Dmitri?

“I heard Dmitri was frequently in contact with foreign reporters.”

“…Correspondent?”

“Yeah.” Sophia nodded.

“He was probably criticizing the Kien Empire’s regime while contacting them. Upon checking his mobile phone mailbox, it seemed he had even scheduled interviews with foreign media. He had contacted correspondents and war correspondents…”

“…”

“Moreover, he had requested documents from us a few times in the past. He asked for a list of journalists who were imprisoned after criticizing the Royal Family and the government in the Empire, along with their trial records. He said he’d help publish that to assist his colleagues in getting released soon.”

“…”

“Maybe that’s what caught the Empire’s intelligence agencies’ attention?”

While it was an assumption lacking certainty, Sophia did not speak further.

She gazed blankly at the body shrouded by the blanket, and I silently followed her gaze toward Dmitri.

—

The death of a single person is tragic, but the death of an informant barely even registers as special.

Dmitri’s death was summarized by the diplomatic message sent from the Abas Embassy to the Military Intelligence Agency.

The Patalian police reached out to the Kien Empire Embassy to inquire whether the family would consent to an autopsy and accept the body, but Dmitri’s family refused both the autopsy and the body.

“…I just got a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They said the family won’t accept the body or permit an autopsy.”

“Because they’re in the Empire. The family can’t be helped.”

Dissidents from the Kien Empire who die abroad rarely return to their hometown. The relatives left in the Empire fiercely refuse to accept the body.

In reality, the family must have wanted to receive the body. Who would want their loved ones to be buried in a foreign land?

However, the moment a dissident’s body reaches the Empire’s territory, the government takes the body without even asking the family’s will. They then cut it open and conclude the cause of death as suicide, accident, or complications from an illness, without any investigation or trial, and then incinerate the remains.

Thus, the families effectively have no way to reclaim the bodies. So most families refuse the autopsy and the body.

This choice reflects the hope that, even from afar, their loved one may find peace, and simultaneously a measure to avoid any surveillance that may follow the families.

“…Is the family safe?”

In response to my question, Sophia shook her head.

“Remaining in the Empire, how could they be safe? They can only hope nothing happens…”

“…”

Dmitri’s body was taken by the Magic Tower. He had regarded the Magic Tower as his third hometown after being exiled from the Empire.

His first hometown was the Jerutz Republic where he was born, and his second was the Kien Empire where he made a name for himself as a social affairs reporter.

Exiled from the Empire, Dmitri settled at the Magic Tower and eventually buried his bones there.

I headed to the Magic Tower’s park with Sophia.

At the funeral held in the park, acquaintances and colleagues who had known Dmitri attended.

We sat on the rooftop of a building overlooking the park and watched Dmitri’s funeral. A priest from the diocese officiated as mourners carried the casket.

As we watched soil being laid over the coffin, Sophia suddenly spoke up.

“Our agency decided not to investigate Dmitri’s death.”

“…Because he was an informant?”

“Yeah. Because he was an informant.”

Unlike the death of an officer, intelligence agencies show no interest in the death of an informant.

When high-ranking exiled officials or informants they have carefully managed die, thorough investigations are conducted, but the death of an average informant is a common occurrence that still takes place somewhere.

Thus, the National Security Agency decided not to investigate Dmitri’s death. They judged it would be difficult to apprehend the assassin even if they started an investigation right now.

I lowered my head and answered.

“…We’re the same.”

The Military Intelligence Agency also showed no interest in Dmitri’s death.

It was because it wasn’t about the country but the National Security Agency.

Leoni, having received the report, suspected that the Empire Information Agency was digging into what was happening on the Mauritania Continent but lost interest as soon as she heard the news of Dmitri’s execution.

“It was a tragic event, but it’s not really a serious situation. What caught the Empire Information Agency’s attention was not espionage activities but rather subversive activities.”

“……”

“Even though it’s unfortunate, it’s a stroke of luck for us. If your informant had betrayed you and sided with the Empire, we would be in a much bigger mess now, wouldn’t we?”

“That’s true.”

“Anyway, I’ll handle it as sick leave, so take your time to recover. Let me know if you need more time, and I can extend your vacation.”

The death of the journalist Dmitri was a tragedy, but the death of the informant Dmitri could hardly even be called a misfortune.

Just as I was about to glance at the sky with a heavy expression, Sophia broke the silence.

“…What are you going to do?”

Well, what should I do?

The company said to not worry about it. The death of an informant is far too common in intelligence agencies.

If the Empire truly suspected my relationship with Dmitri, they would have tried to recruit him instead of executing him. Uncovering the identity of an information officer and arresting them would be far more valuable than just venting frustration by killing an informant.

The fact that Dmitri was executed suggests that the Empire Information Agency didn’t suspect my relationship with him. If they had even a small inkling, they would have taken Dmitri to the Empire instead of killing him in Patalia.

So, just as Leoni said, it’s best to collect my thoughts and hurry back to the company.

But is that all there is to it?

“…I don’t know.”

I looked up at the park where the funeral was being held.

“I really don’t know.”

*

After the funeral, I began to reach out.

“Are you doing well?”

“Yes, I’m safe! It’s good to be back in the Empire!”

Camila.

“Thank you for your concern. Lateran is peaceful today as well, and I’m still the same as always. If you have some free time, do come for a visit. I’ll be waiting for you anytime.”

Lucia.

“Ah…. I can’t stand those old fogies. How can people still be so greedy after living for half a century? Sometimes I wonder if this is a church for priests or a marketplace for vendors. So, Colonel, when are you coming to see me?”

Veronica.

“Are you safe?”

“Well, I’m always fine. I’ve been busy with business lately and haven’t been able to contact you. The warlords are scrambling to buy weapons. Sanya is buying weapons like there’s no tomorrow. Thanks to her, I’m the one suffering. How about you, Freddy?”

“…Yeah, I’m fine.”

Victor.

“I received the items you sent earlier. I made a good profit selling high-quality minerals and coal, all thanks to you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I’ll make sure to treat you well when you visit the tribe. I’ll contact the Elders in advance.”

Hormuz.

“…Hello?”

“Yes, Colonel.”

Finally, Francesca.

I reached out to everyone connected to me. I was worried that the Empire Information Agency might have caught a scent and started surveillance, but thankfully everyone seemed safe.

Having been granted leave, I spent time at the Magic Tower.

Sophia suggested that it would be better for me to stay in the safely guarded Patalia, but I politely declined. I had no desire to leave this place just yet.

“……”

In the quiet dawn, I gazed at Dmitri’s grave in the desolate cemetery.

Dmitri Grigoryevich Sheremet.

1944-1998.

Our eternal friend.

As I scanned the tombstone inscribed with his name, years of life, and a phrase summing it all up, I sensed a presence. When I turned my head, I caught sight of purple hair shimmering between the leaves.

“What are you doing here, Colonel?”

It was Francesca.

I pulled my gaze from the tombstone and looked at her.

“How did you know I was here?”

The alchemist smiled gently.

“I heard that you came to the Magic Tower. I thought it was strange you came without contact, so I started asking around and found out, yes.”

“…I suppose the Embassy informed you.”

Francesca, who had walked slowly to my side, stood still, staring at me before cautiously asking about the tombstone before us.

“Was he someone you knew?”

Following her gaze, I looked at Dmitri’s grave. My lips trembled slightly before I paused for a moment and answered her question.

“…He was a friend.”

*

According to Leoni’s orders, I was to set aside work for the time being.

After taking a few days to sort my thoughts, I thought I had recovered enough to return to the company, but honestly, I questioned whether it was possible to truly rest in such a situation.

In any case, with work off the table, there wasn’t much I could do. I decided to try things I hadn’t done before and meet people I hadn’t seen in a while.

The first person I met, of course, was Francesca.

Staying at her villa in Patalia, she answered my call after a long time, but there was something strange in her voice, leading her to check on me at the Magic Tower.

I spent some time with Francesca in the Magic Tower.

Next, I went to see Lucia and Veronica. I recalled Lucia hinting that she would like me to come to the cult starting two months ago.

Since I encountered Lucia after coming to the cult, it was only natural that I would want to see her. I searched for the Cathedral of Tranquille, where the new saint was residing, and stayed for about two days.

It wasn’t until the third morning I spent at the cult that I finally went to see Veronica.

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…No, Colonel. How can you not show your face for two days and just now appear?”

Seeing Veronica after a long time was, how should I put it…. Hmm. Just the same as always.

“Why do you act like you haven’t seen me in months? We met last time, didn’t we?”

“That was that, and this is this.”

“…….”

She looked very displeased as she glared at me for visiting the Cathedral yet not seeing her first. It seemed she was dissatisfied with my choice to see my sister before her.

I didn’t quite understand why she was sulking about my visit to Lucia, but there was no other way. I would have to spend the entire day trying to cheer up the sulking saint.

After a whole day spent entertaining Veronica, I finally lay down next to her and let out a sigh of relief.

“Ugh….”

“Is it good?”

“Ah, yes.”

After a long rest, the saint woke up with a beaming smile and burrowed into my side.

Seeing her, I looked at her with a weary gaze, only for Veronica, grinning with mischief, to start poking me with her fingers.

“Why are you acting like a monk? You liked it too, didn’t you?”

“Who said I liked it….”

“Oh? Then what was that attitude earlier?”

As I ran my fingers through Veronica’s glossy hair and pulled the blanket over us, I let out a sigh. For some reason, I felt drained whenever I interacted with her.

Just as I was indulging in her playful antics, suddenly Veronica stopped laughing and looked at me with a serious expression.

“Is something wrong? The atmosphere feels off.”

“My informant was murdered.”

“An informant?”

Veronica’s expression turned grave.

Stopping her playfulness, she wiped the smile from her face and began firing off questions: who was killed, where did it happen, and who did it, and so on.

As I explained to her with a solemn face, Veronica sat up.

“A civilian was killed. You said he was a subversive figure from the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“If it was a movement for the release of journalist prisoners…. I’ve heard about it. The intelligence department, interior ministry, and military were buzzing about the matter for a while. The Foreign Affairs Ministry was also on alert regarding subversive figures who continued to operate abroad. Did they eliminate him then?”

“That’s something the Imperial Guard HQ probably knows.”

As Veronica pondered deeply, she started to express her own speculation.

Being someone who was once an informant for the Imperial Guard HQ and a lobbyist for the Royal Family, she was knowledgeable not just about the cult but also recognized at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“I believe the likelihood that he was killed because he was a subversive figure is high. The Empire might not care about other things, but they won’t forgive anyone exposing their dirty laundry. Even if they fled overseas, they’d hunt them down to the end.”

“…….”

“Overall, it seems there shouldn’t be any unusual issues regarding your safety, Colonel. Should we check in with the head of the Imperial Guard HQ or the ambassador…?”

“That’s enough. It’s too dangerous.”

It would be troublesome if either I or Veronica took action and drew suspicion from the Imperial Guard HQ. Out of concern for her safety, it was best to remain still for now.

Upon declining her suggestion, Veronica’s expression grew strange. Uncertain if it was concern, discomfort, or another feeling, she gazed at me with a mysterious look before suddenly opening her arms.

“Come here.”

“…What are you doing?”

“Come here.”

She gestured for me to come closer. After standing there dazed for a moment, I attempted to pull away with a horrified expression, but Veronica, as if expecting it, grabbed my arm and pulled me into a hug.

Thus, I found myself suddenly embraced by Veronica. I looked at her with questioning eyes about what she was doing, and Veronica returned my gaze, smiling gently.

“It’s okay.”

The benevolent smile of the saint reassured me.

“It’s not your fault. It wasn’t your mistake either. As someone managing the informant, it must be hard to feel a sense of responsibility, but it’s time to let go now.”

“…….”

“I’m sure the informant would have wanted that too. He could have betrayed you to save his life, but he didn’t in the end. So please, let it go. The living must continue to live.”

Her soft whispering soothing me as I remained wrapped in her embrace.

As the seconds ticked by gently, I cautiously withdrew her hand from mine.

“How do you feel now? Are you a bit better?”

“……”

Veronica asked me with a strangely playful smile. I shook my head in response, indicating that I wasn’t quite sure.

“What you need right now is rest. I’ll call Lucia over, so you can take a breather. Just for a moment.”

“……”

“Is there something urgent that you need to do?”

Something urgent, huh.

Well.

“…There is.”

I faced Veronica and added,

“Just not right now.”

 

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