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[The Magic Tower delegation has granted entry to Saint Lucia. However, she is allowed to enter not as a saint but in her capacity as a priest. When asked if Saint Lucia is a diplomatic envoy, the Magic Tower spokesperson remained silent….]

[Saint Lucia expressed her gratitude towards the decision of the Magic Tower. Additionally, she stated her intention to first visit places that need help as a mere priest. Some speculate that this indicates a warming relationship between the cult and the Magic Tower….]

[The Imperial Ministry of Justice has expressed its intention to provide maximum cooperation for the entry of Saint Lucia and Colonel Frederick Nostrim. Meanwhile, the Magic Tower delegation reversed its initial stance regarding Defense Attaché Advisor Agreman….]

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

-Pit.

The TV, still buzzing with news, suddenly turned off.

“…What a mess.”

Colonel Clevenz pushed the remote aside.

“You caused some trouble at the Prime Minister’s residence, didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry! It was an urgent situation….”

“Well… I’m not planning to scold you. The Prime Minister and the Director have decided to overlook that incident. Just be more careful in the future.”

Clevenz let out a deep sigh and leaned back into his office chair, looking terribly fatigued as he muttered.

“So, this is all the Inquisition’s doing?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I never imagined they would use the canonization ceremony like this… By the way, was it coordinated? Or was it an independent act?”

Though his question was somewhat vague, no one here was oblivious to its implications. He was asking me how deeply Lucia was involved in this situation.

“For now, it appears that Saint Lucia’s actions were pre-agreed upon. However, it seems she initially proposed to enter in her priest capacity, and the cult exploited her intent to steer the current political situation in their favor.”

In simpler terms, Lucia’s press conference was a statement of conviction.

To be precise, as a prospective saint, she had consulted with the cult, but this doesn’t mean that Lucia participated in the Inquisition’s schemes. Well, that’s how it is.

In blunt terms, she was merely used by the Inquisition. Whether she was used unknowingly or with knowledge remains uncertain. Regardless, Lucia is not an operative or agent under the Inquisition’s manipulation—this was confirmed by Veronica and does not require separate verification.

Although she may not be an intelligence agent, it seems she possesses her unique perspective on the world as a lobbyist.

After hearing my report, Clevenz rubbed his forehead.

“What’s the source—no, never mind that. The important thing is not the source right now….”

“…….”

What matters isn’t who the information came from, but what will happen next.

The spilled water cannot be recollected. And it wasn’t something that could merely be picked up. Unless I wanted to be dragged around by the operations between the cult and the Empire’s Magic Tower, I had to be alert starting now.

I continued my report.

“According to our findings, all the attendants accompanying Saint Lucia to the Magic Tower are set to be agents from the Inquisition.”

“…Those nuns, right? Included in the entourage.”

“Yes.”

“They’re definitely planning to start a war.”

Saint Lucia’s visit had been an official one conducted through negotiations between the Abas government and the Cult National Affairs Council. Therefore, the Abas government was fully aware of who would be part of the entourage and their affiliations.

It is common for intelligence agents to participate in foreign visits of state guests. Hence, the Abas government did not raise any issues. They were slightly wary due to the number of attendees, but as no weapons were brought, they did not pursue the matter. There was no point in doing so.

Clevenz stroked his sparse beard and spat out.

“Have you figured out what they are up to?”

“No, I couldn’t confirm that. However….”

“Spit it out.”

“I have confirmed that the director of the Inquisition is disguised as a nun.”

“…….”

“Given the level of personnel involved, it seems they aim to establish an intelligence network, but I don’t have concrete evidence yet. It’s merely speculation.”

“…Is that right.”

The current Inquisition director, Petrus, is an agent from the Military Intelligence Agency. More precisely, he is a concealed spy. His affiliation is unknown. Even Clevenz doesn’t know. He only knows that he’s an overseas unit member from the training instructor background.

A political maneuver by the cult targeting the Magic Tower. Inquisition agents looking to infiltrate the Tower utilizing the vessel that is Lucia. And in the middle of it all, a planted informant ensnared by the concealed spy.

To call it mere luck feels a bit off.

As expected, the Military Intelligence Agency’s Counterintelligence Chief Clevenz issued me an order.

“…I trust you’ve heard from the Director, but the Prime Minister is quite interested in this operation. So we cannot have any mishaps. The same goes for variables.”

“…….”

That was a signal to ensure that the operation, which had caught the attention of the high-ups, succeeds by any means necessary.

By whatever means possible.

“For now, you remain incognito. Monitor the situation and figure out what the Inquisition is up to, then report back. Understood?”

“Yes, understood.”

“…Good. The other staff entered the Tower a few days ago, so don’t worry about that.”

“I’ll assess the local situation and contact you once I arrive.”

“Have a good trip.”

*

After Saint Lucia’s candid remarks in front of the journalists, everything progressed with remarkable speed.

The cult and the Empire glorified Lucia through astonishing propaganda, presenting her as the ‘true saint,’ while the Magic Tower permitted Lucia’s entry after some negotiations with the Empire. The Abas government also discreetly coordinated with media outlets to support this—just slightly, of course.

In civilian terms, these events appeared to be entirely due to the spontaneous actions of a prospective saint.

In reality, that was true, but the fact that the intelligence agencies worked behind the scenes remained a closely guarded secret. Even the detail that the nuns entering with Lucia were affiliated with the Inquisition.

Thus, everyone but those who should know remained ignorant of the situation. Admittedly, there were not many who should know.

Some appeared on broadcasts expressing suspicion about the saint, but due to a lack of evidence, it was brushed aside as a conspiracy theory.

How could anyone raise doubts when a beautiful young lady appeared on television, pleading to be allowed entry for volunteer work? Moreover, she wasn’t just an ordinary civilian; she was a prospective saint who had saved numerous lives on the battlefield.

Anyway.

Thanks to Lucia’s efforts, the complex diplomatic dispute was resolved in no time.

“Please show your passport.”

“I’m a diplomat.”

I confidently presented my diplomatic passport as I set foot in the Empire.

“Yes, confirmed. Welcome to our country.”

The immigration officer quickly processed me upon seeing the diplomatic passport. My belongings, sent as a diplomatic pouch, were handed over without any additional checks.

Why wasn’t I entering the Magic Tower directly? That’s because it’s located in a city named Nastasia in the southern part of the Empire.

Because of that, if one wants to go from abroad to the Magic Tower, they must either use a direct Warp Gate or pass through the Empire first.

I lifted my heavy bag and asked Camila, who was bending over.

“Are you alright? Still feeling nauseous?”

“Yee… Ewwww-!”

“Oh no.”

Camila was retching into a bag meant for Warp Gate users, while a nearby Empire civil servant fidgeted, anxiously pacing back and forth.

“It’s normal to feel motion sickness when using the Warp Gate. It’s just a side effect, so don’t take it too seriously.”

“Th-thank you….”

“Please move this way for a moment. Ah, let me have that bag.”

I took the paper bag from the civil servant and led Camila to a secluded bench where no one could see us.

Camila’s face, while experiencing the effects of magic, looked pale. It reminded me of when I drank contaminated water in Southeast Asia and ended up with diarrhea.

“Oh dear….”

I patted Camila’s back, offering her a bit of comfort.

“Who would have thought a magician would get motion sickness from using a Warp Gate… Tsk tsk.”

“D-don’t tease me….”

“Should we be using it again to enter the Magic Tower? Will you be okay?”

“Can’t we just walk in instead…?”

“There’s no way to enter on foot.”

One cannot walk into the Magic Tower. The Inquisition used ground infiltration routes so much during the war with the cult that the archmages simply levitated the Tower into the sky.

Magicians can move without issues using their magic, and civilians have become accustomed to using Warp Gates, so the Tower will likely never come down to the ground again.

I smiled at Camila.

“Just give up, and it’ll be easier.”

“…Ugh-!”

Ultimately, she only stopped retching after taking medication bought from a nearby pharmacy.

This is why the world seems to need more science than doors.

*

After a brief stay on Imperial territory, we headed straight for the Magic Tower.

Since our purpose wasn’t to stay but merely pass through, we did not require formal entry procedures. Thus, the Empire’s civil servants expedited the entry process for the cult members to accommodate them.

Of course, the same went for the Magic Tower.

Despite a recent major diplomatic issue, the Oracle, after several complications, allowed Lucia’s entry. Following the discussions with the Empire, the Magic Tower also announced an extraordinary measure to simplify the processing for guests from the cult.

Considering they used to detain priests for hours, this was a significant improvement.

The issue was that Camila complained of dizziness from motion sickness. But after she took the medicine we brought with us, she felt a bit better. By the time the immigration process was concluding, she was in good spirits enough to crack jokes.

“In the movies, a pinch of powder lets you teleport instantly. Don’t they have anything like that here?”

“If such things existed, everyone would have been using them already.”

“When using magic, there’s no need to chant any spells.”

“Chanting spells is for shamans. Sometimes priests do it too.”

Listening closely, it felt a bit reminiscent of Harry Potter. Honestly, it was such a long time ago that I could hardly understand what she was saying. Is my memory fading now?

I seriously pondered whether it was due to dementia or just forgetting things over time. Perhaps it could just be simple forgetfulness.

Anyway.

We finished the entry process and immediately headed to a foreign hotel provided by the Magic Tower to unpack our belongings. Since the Magic Tower is quite famous for tourism, the hotel was exceedingly luxurious. Given this treatment, I can’t help but suspect that the Magic Tower may have some ulterior motives.

“You’ve worked hard to get here from afar. You must be tired, so please rest comfortably today. Hero, and colleagues. On behalf of the Magic Tower, I express my gratitude once more to you esteemed guests for visiting the Magic Tower.”

The guide from the Magic Tower quite politely urged us to unwind.

The representative provided a brief introduction to the hotel, shared a few points to be cautious about, and asked us to stay for the time being. They also mentioned that all costs would be covered by the Magic Tower, so we shouldn’t feel burdened by the services provided.

It was less of a confinement than a strangely generous gesture.

After the guide left, Camila, who was unpacking in the hotel suite, spoke up.

“Is this happening because I’m a magician?”

“Well, that could be part of it.”

While the fact that Camila’s colleague had appeared from the Magic Tower played a significant role, I believe that being a magician herself also contributed.

“They said to rest today, so you should go ahead and take it easy. You’re free to practice magic on the roof too.”

“I’m planning to check out the library first. The guide mentioned they have many magic books; reading them might help, right?”

“That’s exactly what they’re meant for. Anyway, you should take it easy for the next few days. I’ll be heading in now.”

“Okay. Frederick, take care of yourself too.”

I let Camila head in first and then met with Lucia and the Inquisition members, who were staying with us in the hotel, before entering the assigned room.

-Klunk.

I locked the door behind me.

Then, I drew the curtains and turned up the TV volume, tossing my diplomatic pouch onto the bed.

I pulled the zipper to open the bag.

Inside the diplomatic pouch, which received no inspections during the immigration checks with the Empire and the Magic Tower, were all the gear I would be using in the future.

“…….”

I pulled out the security device from the bag and activated it.

“…Hello?”

-‘I’ve been waiting for your call, Manager.’

It’s time to get to work.

 

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