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This operation aims to identify the mastermind behind the shaman spy who infiltrated the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute disguised as Giada Bianchi.

We assume that the mastermind is the Magic Tower.

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

In a dim hotel room, I pace while holding a communication device to my ear. The only light is a soft blue glow from the security terminal.

Sitting on a chair, I asked the operative, “I heard you’re searching for an office.”

“Yes, we set up one with the help of the representative office.”

The unofficial disguised individuals in the operation are posing as a private market research team. Originally, we intended to disguise ourselves as humanitarian or non-governmental organizations for long-term stays and various regional movements, but…

“If you stay more than 30 days, you have to register your identity within 14 days. Fingerprints and photos would be plastered to the Magic Tower; we can’t have that.”

“Haha…”

To avoid the foreigner registration issue, one must enter for one of three purposes: diplomacy, defense, or industry. Thus, some of us, including myself, disguised ourselves as diplomats, while other employees masqueraded as businesspeople for profitability evaluations.

I perused the various materials sent over the secure line by the team leader.

“You haven’t initiated any activities yet, have you?”

“We’re still in the prep stage. We’ve rented a sedan and a van. Currently conducting a visual assessment with the sedan. The van will be deployed as soon as the equipment is loaded.”

They are tailing Fabio Verati. Although they’re currently monitoring him visually, they plan to tap communications once the surveillance equipment is ready. Then, we’ll know which scoundrel is involved in the research institute’s confidential leak, and we’ll also find out the real location of Giada Bianchi.

With the team’s military experience totaling over a century, I was confident they’d manage just fine. I nodded with a smile.

“Alright, understood. Let’s meet later for a situation report. Could you set a time and place for us?”

“Of course. I’ll contact you once all dispersed staff are assembled.”

“Okay, then I need to go for the briefing.”

“Ah, yes. Good luck.”

**Click.**

Honestly, I knew nothing about the Magic Tower.

Only in relation to games, though.

I’m not an avid gamer, nor am I particularly skilled, and above all, I rarely had the leisure to invest time in gaming.

Perhaps it’s due to my tendencies; I just glanced at the strategies pinned in community posts and, when that didn’t work, I’d throw up a YouTube strategy video while playing. If my colleague hadn’t strongly recommended it, I probably would’ve never even glanced at such a game.

Moreover, I never completed a game. Hence, I’m oblivious to the story that’s about to unfold.

However, I am not entirely ignorant of the Magic Tower.

In my 28 years of life, I’ve picked up a lot here and there, and some of my colleagues in Military Intelligence have been dispatched to the Magic Tower, so I have a rough idea of what kind of place it is. If I had to compare it to Earth, Hong Kong would be fitting.

A place where all talents and gold coins from the continent gather: Eldorado.

A city of prophets leading a civilized society through the fusion of magic and science.

From the cold northern winds raging through the North to the scorching dry winds of the South, it’s a dream city where all cultures of the continent intertwine.

A mystical city imbued with the wisdom of great magicians, which cannot be explained even with modern magic and science. Gazing at the immense tower crossing the sun rising over the vast horizon fills me with awe for magic.

Listening to my colleagues in Military Intelligence, who praised the Magic Tower until their lips were dry, reminded me of an old colleague who came back from Hong Kong all starry-eyed. Back then, I thought he was just carried away by the atmosphere of his posting, but seeing it in front of me, I realized there wasn’t a word of exaggeration.

A city of civilization boasting stunning night views.

A fusion of diverse cultures creating a dreamy atmosphere.

A thriving hub of international finance and a gateway linking the North, Central, and South, thus sharing traits with Hong Kong.

Even the fierce espionage rivalry is something in common; whether to call it coincidence or a design by the developers, who knows?

“…”

Of course, the important thing now wasn’t my musings about the Magic Tower.

A massive screen covered an entire wall. As the beam projector cast magic-power-generated light upon it, a presentation material floated into view. As I gestured, an analyst, his shirt rolled up to his elbows, grasped the microphone.

“I’ll begin the briefing.”

Pippin’s sharp, clear voice streamed from the magical tool, capturing everyone’s attention.

“The Magic Tower is located in a city called Nastasia in the southern region of the Empire. In 1889, it was the first to acknowledge the existence of magicians and designate them as heretics due to the ‘Alhambra Edict’ of the cult, leading to the ‘Liberation War’ in 1892, culminating in the establishment of the nation in 1903.”

What came first was a brief introduction to the Magic Tower. Basic information.

As the screen moved on, data appeared covering politics, society, economy, culture, defense, diplomacy, geography, demographics, ethnic distributions, transportation, and environmental aspects related to the Magic Tower. Just glancing made my mind spin; there was an overwhelming amount of information.

But given the circumstances, I remained focused. Pippin continued the briefing.

“Currently, the Magic Tower’s political system is officially a ‘democratic republic’. However, in reality, it operates under an oligarchy led by nine Oracles. The ruling apparatus, the Oracles, elect three commissioners from three parliamentary parties, rotating in a single-term format to manage the Magic Tower’s governance.”

Three symbols appeared on the screen.

Elemental magic, sorcery, and astrology.

The large symbol in the center showcased the three parliamentary parties governing the Magic Tower.

Unlike political parties in other nations, it was an uncommon political culture peculiar to the Magic Tower, unified not by ideology but by school.

The smaller ones at the bottom represented external parties—meaning the secondary schools within the Magic Tower.

Pippin continued with the presentation.

“The recent economic sanctions caused the Magic Tower to face a severe crisis. However, as the Magic Tower itself is a logistics and finance hub…”

“In the initial phase of the situation, they prohibited foreign investors from selling stocks and defended themselves by buying stocks using the national fund…”

Even though the economic sanctions battered us, they managed to stave off a stock market crash by closing the stock market and sweeping up the stocks.

“Countless countries, including the Republic of Patalia, which has been allied with the Magic Tower since the Liberation War, and Abas, who shares a sense of solidarity as a democratic nation, along with the Lushan Federal Kingdom, which, while it is an absolute monarchy, still practices a presidential system, have maintained close diplomatic relations with the Magic Tower…”

Although the Magic Tower isn’t fully a democratic republic, it is diplomatically aligned with countries like the Republic of Patalia, who are not fond of the cult and the Empire.

Thanks to the influx of people from across the continent, various regional cultures have blended reasonably well. However, paradoxically, clashes and discrimination due to the diverse cultures have arisen.

While there is no regular army, the irregular forces such as militias, volunteer soldiers, and PMCs actively cooperate with the Magic Tower government in maintaining law and order.

Thus, with various races converging, causing minor and major issues, insane magicians occasionally wreaking havoc, and some smuggling or drug-related troubles, law and order is still relatively well-kept.

Additionally, due to magical engineering, the transportation facilities are fantastic, and conveniences are excellent. However, the issue of environmental destruction both inside and outside the Magic Tower due to illicit dumping of experimental waste, disregarding government announcements, has become serious, and so forth.

The lengthy briefing wrapped up after an hour and fifty-one minutes.

“…I conclude the basic information briefing. Next is—”

“Let’s stop here for today. Let’s finish the rest later when we have everyone together for the situation report.”

“Ah, yes. Manager.”

As Pippin set down the microphone, an analyst dressed in work attire turned off the beam projector. The analysts gathered in the office (those brought by Pippin and junior analysts) summarized her briefing, while Jake relayed the consolidated report through the secure line to the respective personnel.

In the meantime, I lay back in my chair and pondered.

“…Hmm.”

This is a mess.

*

All operations are influenced by external factors.

You don’t have to think too hard about it.

If the security of the operating area is good, then executing dirty tasks like assassination, kidnapping, intimidation, confinement, or torture becomes difficult, leading to longer times to accomplish goals. Conversely, the more chaotic the security, the quicker you can achieve goals by using every bit of imagination—something along those lines.

In that sense, this operation will likely require a significant amount of time. At least, that’s how I see it.

Apart from the irregular forces cooperating with the Magic Tower, reasonably competent police and intelligence agencies are firmly established. Plus, the first target, ‘Fabio Verati’, happens to be a civil servant. Torture and even kidnapping wouldn’t be easy; a missing person report would prompt immediate tracing.

“…How much do we know about Fabio Verati’s background?”

“We’ve uncovered his workplace, residence, route, and interpersonal relationships. But…”

Jake trailed off awkwardly.

“It’s alright. Just go ahead and say it.”

“His past is… quite elusive. We sent a formal request to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first because he’s Patalian, but there’s no information. The same goes for the headquarters.”

The absence of information from the Ministry of Justice indicates he’s never entered Abas.

It’s plausible that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs doesn’t have any information.

Military Intelligence? If Fabio Verati hasn’t served in the military in Patalia, it’s only natural there’d be no information.

I calmly nodded and addressed Jake, “Hmm… What about competitors or partners?”

“The Royal Intelligence Department refused our request for information sharing, and the partners haven’t replied to our communication.”

“Ah—these guys are causing a ruckus again.”

Organizations that are supposed allies aren’t sharing information, and the Royal Intelligence Department is acting up because they didn’t get cake.

There’s no information.

Then, what to do? We charge ahead blindly.

Ultimately, this operation has turned into a race against time. I can’t even gauge how much time and budget gathering information will consume.

How nice it would be if I had friends like the CIA or DIA right now.

Sighing deeply due to the frustration, a woman in a white lab coat approaches me.

“…Why do you keep sighing? Are you not feeling well?”

It’s Lucia.

She stood in the hotel corridor wearing a white coat meant for adults, not a pure white priest’s robe. They say clothes make the man, and wearing that coat, she looked more like a doctor than a priest. If she had a stethoscope draped around her neck, no one would think she was anything but a doctor.

As Jake discreetly vacated the area upon seeing the unexpected saint, I engaged Lucia to draw her attention.

“Have you changed professions? Why are you wearing clothes typically worn by doctors?”

“A Magic Tower official said it’d be difficult to ensure security if I walked around in priest’s robes…”

“…Oh.”

“I borrowed it.”

Thinking about it, this was the Magic Tower. Walking around the Magic Tower in priestly or nun robes could get you lynched in no time. Especially priests with red accents—a common color for the robes of Inquisition officers. It wouldn’t be surprising if news circulated about zealots beating priests dressed in red robes with divine instruments every so often.

I hadn’t noticed since I was cooped up inside the hotel.

Lucia smiled sheepishly.

“Well, I understand. Even if you have permission, if the police are protecting someone in priestly attire, it’ll inevitably lead to gossip.”

“Oh dear… How embarrassing. By the way, where are you headed in that white coat?”

“Oh, I’m going for a medical service today.”

Lucia held up a leather bag that looked like a house call bag.

I shifted my gaze back and forth between the bag and Lucia and asked, “Are you joking?”

“…? Why would this be a joke?”

Lucia’s expression was very, very serious.

Her demeanor caught me off guard. Wait, so what she said in front of the reporters wasn’t a lip service? I presumed it was just a formality.

I stood in shock, trying to process when suddenly, a group of attendants not wearing nun costumes but ordinary clothes, carrying large bags, poured out into the hotel corridor. They were Inquisition agents.

“……”

I stood there dazed for a while, utterly baffled.

During this time,

“…Ah. Speaking of which, you were a soldier, right? Do you happen to have no plans for today?”

“Yes…? Why do you ask…?”

“What perfect timing! Would you like to accompany us?”

“To where?”

“To the medical service, of course.”

Lucia sweetly smiled as she invited me to join her for the medical service.

“Ah, the thing is, since I’m a Defense Attaché, I’d need to get approval first…”

Since it could embroil me in diplomatic issues, I expected a refusal and called the representation office.

The response from the Defense Attaché Office was, “It doesn’t seem like a long-term matter, so why not take a look and come back when you’re done?”

“……”

“Are you going?”

Lucia beamed, while I averted my eyes.

Thus, an unplanned medical service commitment was set.

 

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