A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The Research Institute being known as a hot spot for information agencies is a well-known fact.

There are no areas beyond the reach of either state-run research institutes or those established by private corporations when it comes to information agencies.

Defense Science Research Institutes in South Korea, U.S., U.K., France, Russia, and North Korea, among others.

Countries with a considerable military capability generally invest in ‘national defense’, and defense-related research institutes handling state and military secrets are highly favored by all information agencies.

National Intelligence Service, External Relations Department, Cabinet Intelligence Office, Ministry of National Security, Mossad, MI-6, SVR, GRU, CIA, DGSE, etc.

Information agencies recruit researchers as information agents to obtain defense-related materials, siphon off classified documents, and either abduct or assassinate key figures.

For instance, there have been hundreds of hacking attempts annually on Defense Science Research Institutes, and in 2012, Iranian particle physicist ‘Massoud Ali Mohammadi’ was assassinated with a bomb in downtown Tehran.

No one knows exactly who was behind it, but considering the relationships between the Koreas and Iran and Israel, one could speculate that the intelligence agencies of North Korea and Israel might be behind the operations.

Thus, information agencies are departments that do not shy away from illegal activities for the sake of national security.

And the same goes for the information agencies in this world.

“I think there’s an industrial spy in our research institute.”

That wasn’t particularly surprising. The Military Intelligence Agency also occasionally deployed industrial spies abroad.

Given the ongoing situation akin to a Cold War, what’s the big deal about spies?

If we follow the usual protocol for an investigation and interrogate the staff for a few months, we should catch them quickly.

However…

“Where exactly is that?”

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

The situation has escalated a bit now.

“It’s the institute scheduled to conduct an inspection of the Hero two days from now.”

—

Episode 3 – A Fantastic Holiday

A high-end restaurant located in the heart of the kingdom’s capital.

Colonel Clevenz began to speak while picking the fish off the bones.

“The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute. You must have heard the name at least once.”

“Yes.”

The Advanced Military Magic Research Institute is like the defense science research institute in another world.

Instead of creating missiles or aircraft or surface ships or tanks, it merely focuses on magic—that’s the only difference.

After the age of magical tools faded away over a decade ago, and with technological advancements giving rise to new fields like Magical Engineering, the institute had undergone expansion and reorganization.

In other words, this institute can be viewed as a hybrid defense science research institute that simultaneously deals with both magic and science.

“Countries like the Empire and Patalia each have one such research institution. But it seems like our institute’s security has been compromised.”

As Clevenz maneuvered his knife, he narrowed his brow.

Most defense-related research institutes are military-affiliated, but the security matters there fall under the jurisdiction of information agencies.

Thus, if the Defense Science Research Institute is breached, the Military Intelligence Agency and the National Intelligence Service conduct a joint investigation.

For reference, all details related to the facility’s scale, precise location, staff information, and research materials are classified at least as level 3 or 2 confidential.

And just like the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute serves as the defense science research institute in this world, the Military Intelligence Agency is responsible for its security.

But it seems information has leaked from there.

“A recently recruited information agent conveyed a tip regarding the leakage of sensitive information about institute staff to us, and a few days ago, unauthorized communication occurred at the institute.”

Once the information agent signaled the possibility of a leak, it appeared that someone attempted to contact the outside without permission.

Regardless of his explanation, I instinctively felt that this situation wasn’t merely a case of a research staff member going rogue, but a sign of industrial espionage at play.

“There’s an industrial spy at the institute?”

“We’re still in the suspicion phase. There’s no concrete evidence yet, and given that the incident occurred less than a week ago, we can’t even grasp the situation properly.”

Leaning back in my chair, I asked the obvious question.

“Is it impossible to postpone the inspection or change the location and personnel?”

“Considering the Hero’s condition, the inspection cannot be delayed. And there’s no facility in the kingdom that has better equipment and research personnel than the Advanced Military Magic Research Institute.”

Camila Lowell fainted while using her abilities.

Lucia speculated it was due to magical exhaustion, but no one knew the exact cause. Therefore, it’s appropriate to conduct the inspection right away.

The issue lies with the fact that an industrial spy is active in the nation’s largest and best research institute responsible for the inspection.

“… So we need to conduct an examination regarding the hero’s health and abilities at an institute where we don’t even know if there’s an industrial spy or not.”

“Precisely.”

It’s such a frustrating situation.

I was an agent of the Military Intelligence Agency and a colleague of the Hero.

In other words, if something goes wrong with Camila Lowell at the institute, I would be in big trouble.

She is scheduled to arrive at the institute in two days, and I couldn’t hesitate any longer.

“So what am I supposed to do there?”

“We’ve put out the fire for now, so you should go there and gather some intel for me instead.”

For some reason, I felt like I needed to go check it out. Nodding my head, I stood up from my seat.

“Don’t think about it too seriously, just go with a light heart.”

“Yes.”

—

In the fantasy world, the means of transport isn’t much different from the modern world.

However, since magic exists in this place, there are a few fantasy-like modes of transportation.

The most notable examples are brooms operated by magicians and the warp gate technology using teleportation magic.

Public institutions, wealthy corporations, and expensive hotels usually have at least one or two warp gates.

However, national critical facilities or military-controlled areas do not have warp gates. If there were a High Pass access point while surrounded by barbed wire and armed troops, there would inevitably be security issues.

That’s why, in order to reach the institute, one must ride a broom.

“We’re almost there, Colonel!”

“What did you say?”

“We’ll arrive shortly—!”

The magician shouted something, but due to the sound of the wind, I couldn’t catch what was being said.

The fierce wind echoed in my ears as elongated branches brushed against my military boots.

While crossing over the massive mountain range, the magician and I attempted to converse but ended up mumbling to each other and eventually gave up.

“…”

The softly glowing moonlight painted a panorama of scenery.

I could see shyly tinted leaves amidst the dawn mist.

Occasionally, sounds of gunfire echoed from afar.

As I turned my head along the steep slope, towering mountains rose high beside me.

Below the slightly tilted broom, I glimpsed a river shimmering beneath an upside-down moon.

Observing the water droplets smashing against the rocks, it was evident that the current was quite rapid.

“We’ve arrived!”

“… We’re here?!”

“Yes—!”

Just managing to understand what the magician said, I looked ahead.

A valley surrounded by rugged mountains.

Steep inclines, dense woodland, and a river boasting fast currents and deep waters envelop that area.

An island of land created by nature itself.

From that darkness emerged a tiny flickering light.

—

Without the inconvenience of going through identity checks or writing entry logs, I was guided into the research institute by the staff as soon as I dismounted from the broom.

Surprisingly, the research institute was located beneath the mountain.

I heard that, for security and safety reasons, the institute is buried underground while staff lodging and amenities are built above ground.

Having heard the sequence of events, it turned out the unauthorized communication also occurred not in the underground research institute but at the above-ground lodging.

Anyway, after taking a brief look around the facility, I headed back above ground to listen to the progress of the investigation and report back to Clevenz.

-‘How is the investigation going?’

“It seems to be going well.”

-‘I see, start the report.’

Since my purpose for being here was nearly an on-site inspection to comprehend the situation in place of Clevenz.

I unfolded a hastily scribbled memo as instructed and began the main report.

“Five days ago at dawn, the military surveillance unit detected a magic wave being emitted from the researchers’ lodging. The Internal Investigation Department confirmed that unauthorized communication was taking place and sealed off the research institute.”

Here’s how the events unfolded.

At 3 AM five days ago, the military surveillance unit near the institute detected attempts at communication coming from the mountain.

Upon pinpointing the location, it turned out that unauthorized communication was being sent from the above-ground lodging of the researchers, and the on-duty staff had called the institute to report this.

The Internal Investigation Department checked the records and confirmed that unauthorized communication was occurring and reported to the military while simultaneously collaborating with nearby units to impose a complete lockdown on the research institute.

As soon as the institute was sealed off, the Military Intelligence Agency hurriedly dispatched an investigation team, and they had just begun the investigation.

“Currently, the Internal Investigation Department and the intelligence unit are conducting a joint investigation. They’re interrogating all the researchers on the suspect list and will start searching the lodging from tomorrow.”

-‘Were any leaked documents found?’

“No, not yet.”

Hmm. Clevenz’s contemplative voice reached me across the phone.

-‘It’s slightly worrisome…’

“Ah, don’t worry too much. Everyone is working hard.”

-‘Indeed. If you say so, then that’s how it is. Well, is your report done?’

“Yes.”

It’s only been three days since the investigation began, so it’s unlikely that information about the industrial spy would surface this quickly.

Everyone remained a bit flustered and confused, but they’re seasoned individuals, so they should manage just fine.

I felt that my responsibilities here were complete.

“Can I return now?”

-‘Huh?’

“Aren’t I going on leave?”

-‘Why would you return now?’

What?

-‘The Hero is scheduled to undergo an inspection there in two days, and it wouldn’t do if you weren’t there!’

“…”

-‘Stay there until the inspection is finished and return with the Hero.’

“…”

-‘Later, I’ll make sure to send you on leave. For now, just keep the Hero company until the inspection is over.’

“…”

-‘Are you listening to me?’

“… Yes, understood.”

I’d better figure something out to go home later instead.