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“Currently, the Magic Tower is still witnessing ongoing anti-government protests.”

“Government, you say?”

“Oh, that’s just the perspective from the Magic Tower. From the viewpoint of the people here, it is indeed the government. They have a parliament and everything. Yes.”

I picked up the political comment I had carelessly let slip in front of Camila and Lucia.

Maybe it was because they were from the cult, but the reaction wasn’t very good.

“A few days ago, we received an official document at our representative office. It was regarding the protests.”

I unfolded the document sent by the Magic Tower Police.

“It contained information about the scale and nature of the protests, the participants, the instigators, and the organizations behind them. The local police and information authorities have concluded that there is a high likelihood that extremist groups leading the protests may cause incidents on the day of prevention.”

So, security measures are being intensified for the location on the day of prevention.

There will be a 24-hour response posture primarily led by the Information Police and counterintelligence agencies, while armed police and police-affiliated magicians will be responsible for on-site security. The Military Intelligence Agency and the Inquisition are also involved.

“I thought it would be good for you to know in advance. For detailed information, please refer to the document I’m distributing now.”

“Excuse me…”

Camila raised her hand slightly.

“Is it serious?”

“The protest itself isn’t very threatening, but the group leading it is the problem.”

I pulled out the official document transmitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It came with a photo, and the symbols in the picture were unmistakable to anyone from here or Earth.

A bright yellow sickle and hammer against a red background.

A red letter A engraved against a black background.

And….

“… What is this?”

A random swirl twisted at a 45-degree angle.

A symbol that would cause panic for an Israeli person.

A symbol that would get you shot if you carried it in European streets.

“Nazism.”

“…….”

“Communism, Anarchism, Nazism. All imported ideologies from different worlds. They’ve localized them quite impressively.”

Thanks to that, the Military Intelligence Agency’s entrance exam was a breeze.

I smiled, and Camila covered her face with her hand.

“Bloody hell….”

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

“Sig Heil.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Hail Hitler?”

“I said don’t.”

Camila glared at me, her jaw clenched tightly. Maybe it was because she came from a country that was beaten by Nazis, but her reaction was quite intense. It was refreshing. It’s not every day you see someone swearing in English, as if her translator had broken.

I set down the book I was holding (Ser confiscated items, a translation of my struggle).

“Are you mad at me?”

“No.”

“You’re mad, huh….”

I left Camila, who was pretending not to hear, and turned on the news.

[… We are no longer the losers! Our Magic Tower has proven that it stands tall alongside any country and race for the past century!]

“Shit, that startled me.”

The volume was way higher than I expected, almost causing me to drop the remote.

The booming voice reverberated enough to make my head spin, but the passionate speech from the fascists holding the reporter made my dazed mind even more muddled.

Camila shot me a look with her eyes on the TV and reached out her hand.

“Give it to me.”

“Ah, why? This is entertaining.”

I dodged Camila’s hand as I smirked and enjoyed the world’s greatest idiot contest.

Communists, anarchists, and totalitarians took turns grabbing the reporter, passionately ranting about the current situation and asserting the legitimacy of protests while painting their ideal visions.

These ideologies, dismissed as outdated in the global community, were strangely entertaining thanks to their impressive localization.

Particularly, the sight of Nazis and Reds, who previously couldn’t trust each other and would stab each other in the back, fighting together was a highlight. I wondered what Hitler would think if he saw it, having crushed the German Communist Party after winning the election.

“Wait, why are those two hanging out together?”

“Why are you asking me?”

To explain to Camila why those gentlemen were sticking together, I would have to dive into the long history of oppression, the victim mentality of the magical society, and the conflicts surrounding humans and other races as well as the issues of supremacy.

Just like everything in the world, there’s a reason behind foolish behavior. And it was a complicated topic. So, I didn’t explain it. There was no reason for Camila to know about it.

I sidestepped her question by avoiding detailed explanations.

“Well, opposites attract, don’t they? Anyway, the Magic Tower will prepare the security quite well, so don’t worry too much.”

*

I relayed the prevention schedule to Camila and Lucia, then returned to my hotel room.

I sat comfortably on the sofa and reviewed the reports.

Today’s topic was twofold.

A trend report on the three organizations leading the anti-government protests, and an analysis report on all the terror incidents that had occurred within the Magic Tower so far. For reference, the former was sent by the Abas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the latter by the Magic Tower Public Order Defense Agency.

“Hmm….”

The content was quite novel.

Targets of the terror were mostly political symbols and hard targets, such as heads of state, prominent figures from various fields, government agencies, financial institutions, and diplomatic offices.

This seemed to fit the type of classical terrorism in professional terms.

The actors of the terror were clearly defined and followed central control,

their tactical goals involved spreading fear and anxiety,

while aligning their victims with targeted objectives,

pleading for international support by invoking the value of their cause,

and though they employed violence, they left room for dialogue to minimize unnecessary harm.

From the 19th century to the 20th century, the terrorism that occurred across the globe largely exhibited these characteristics of classical terrorism.

National liberation, restoration of sovereignty, etc. Those oppressed and marginalized by corrupt and violent regimes (or foreign powers)…

The collective’s last resort to voice their grievances. Until the early 2000s, global terrorism generally bore such characteristics—at least until Al-Qaeda seized an aircraft and crashed it into the Twin Towers.

After the 9/11 attacks, the concept of ‘terrorism’ for 21st-century people morphed into something resembling a hostage in a sauna outfit against a desert backdrop, with a masked fanatic brandishing a knife. So, I believe every act of terror since 9/11 has been labeled as new terrorism.

According to the kids from Langley, Al-Qaeda showed signs of mass extermination since the ’90s, but I wouldn’t know about that. I should have done counterterrorism work.

Anyway, this was undoubtedly good news.

Unlike those cockroaches wreaking havoc in the Middle East and Africa, our neighborhood hasn’t seen cases of terrorist organizations slaughtering hundreds of civilians. At least, not yet.

I set the report down and leaned back.

“Hey, Jake!”

“Yes! Coming!”

Jake, who was tidying up official documents, dashed over.

“Did you call?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen all of this. Send a report to the embassy and the Magic Tower confirming the schedule. And destroy this.”

“Got it.”

Jake tossed the document I handed him into the metal trash can. Then he pulled a small stone from a box on the desk, placed it in his palm, and rubbed it vigorously.

-Fwoosh!

Suddenly, a flash of light burst from our hands as a tiny flaming bird shot up toward the ceiling.

The little bird spiraled around the room for a moment before diving straight into the trash can.

In an instant, the metal trash can became a bonfire, and all the papers inside went up in flames.

It was a sight that gasped in awe.

“Whoa. Is that… what you call a rune stone? I felt like I was watching a new world ending.”

“It’s something made by an alchemist. Specifically, it’s produced in a workshop that collaborates between alchemists and spirit masters, distributed to public institutions, and the embassy gave it to us for use.”

“There sure are a lot of cool things.”

While I’d seen Camila or my sister use magic plenty, I’d rarely witnessed a magical tool in action. It must be a really expensive item.

I heard that nowadays, practical magical tools are being frequently released, and now I was tempted to buy one if they were that convenient.

As Jake brought the stone over the trash can, the flames quickly sucked back into the stone. It seemed like a reusable item. I really want one!

“Should I just send the report?”

“Yep. That’s all I need to do today. Can I take this?”

“Sure, I don’t mind. Here’s the manual; read it and use it.”

They gave it to us for use, so it was fine.

I stuffed the neatly folded manual and rune stone into my pocket.

“Oh, by the way, how’s the business going?”

“I’m preparing for the next operation as you instructed.”

Jake continued as he put the stone back in the box.

“I just came back from a short visit, and the subject’s condition is stable, and the staff are all doing well.”

“Did Pippin handle the briefing well?”

“He’s always on point.”

Pippin and Jake had met with the Military Intelligence Agency staff involved in the operation. Of course, they had to meet secretly at a disguised office late at night due to Jake’s status as a defense attaché.

Still, it’s good to hear everyone is safe.

“That’s a relief. How about Room 51?”

“They’re still at home. Nothing has come up.”

Fabio Verati must have cut off communication with the outside world. Or maybe the embassy severed the phone lines.

That’s quite a positive sign.

I unfolded the calendar placed in the corner of the room.

“It’s been almost a week. Tell them to start preparing for the transition.”

“Understood. Should we try to move up the meeting schedule?”

“Yeah. But it has to be set after the preventive measure. No, let’s just meet immediately after the preventive day, but in a public place.”

“Do you have a specific place in mind?”

I recalled the nearby terrain I had visually memorized while going in and out of hotels. Other foreign hotels around, neighboring cafes with optimal routes, and so forth.

“Let’s meet at a café nearby.”

After a brief moment of thought, my response left Jake looking puzzled.

“A café seems a bit… inappropriate, given the circumstances…”

“I’ll change the location midway. You know what I mean?”

“…Ah.”

Jake exclaimed softly and nodded.

“I’ll coordinate with the embassy and compile a list of suitable places.”

“Good. Send my regards to the attaches and let the staff know too.”

*

Time quickly slipped by.

I handled the duties regarding the Magic Tower and preventive measures, mobilized the staff to prepare for the operation, undertook defense attaché responsibilities, and checked on Camila and Lucia. I occasionally met with Dmitri and Sophia to catch up, and Veronica was the same.

It felt like the days flew by as I opened and closed my eyes.

My body seemed to have adjusted, so it wasn’t particularly difficult. Thus, I spent each day in a whirlwind of activity.

And at long last,

“The Magic Tower is ready to welcome guests.”

The day I had been waiting for had arrived.

“And we?”

“Same here.”

“Tell them to start.”

It was time to meet Francesca Ranieri and Fabio Verati.

 

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