A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The promotion ceremony for the Major has concluded.

Since it was more of a symbolic moment emphasizing the camaraderie of the hero rather than a traditional promotion, the event was held at the royal palace instead of the Information Agency.

The King, along with numerous officials and politicians, graced the occasion, and amidst the cheers and applause, I donned the Major insignia.

While there was a façade of stepping out for peace for humanity and the continent, the event was heavily infused with political intent. The old folks, dissatisfied with merely being backdrop characters, insisted on taking a group photo with the hero and me. Both domestic and foreign media were expected to cover the event, so by tomorrow, it seemed my face would be known across the continent.

Here I was, sandwiched between celebrities of the kingdom, the hero and his comrade. If there were any trophies more glamorous than this, I couldn’t imagine what they would be.

It was quite the perfect image to leave behind as an accomplishment.

Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

“Hmm, the photo turned out beautifully.”

Colonel Clevenz chuckled as he chewed on a piece of fish.

“A promising young soldier and the hero who will save the world. Just looking at the title, it seems there are no heroes like us on the continent.”

He set the newspaper down to refill his drink.

The oversized photo displayed the hero and me beaming brightly. Beneath it were congratulatory messages from notable figures of various governments: the Kingdom, the Cult, the Kien Empire, and even the Magic Tower. It was blatant political maneuvering aimed at getting close to the hero.

Of course, such actions were futile. The kingdom had officially announced that they summoned the hero, and soon the Cult would acknowledge Camila Lowell as the hero, leaving no room for other nations to interfere or manipulate the situation.

“It seems the summoning of the hero is indeed a hot topic. So many people are showing interest.”

“Of course. What nation in this era wouldn’t need the power of a hero?”

“It’s not that they need a hero’s power; they just need to buy time to manage their internal issues.”

“That’s the same thing.”

The image of the hero during the dark ages is overwhelmingly positive. A hero, once seen only in fairy tales, emerges in a chaotic world, naturally drawing everyone’s eyes.

Once the media begins to chatter about the hero entering the nation, all gazes turn to him. As a result, the criticism arising from internal management fades away. With all eyes focused on the hero, who would be interested in their mundane troubles?

A prime example is right in front of us.

“Thanks to the hero, those thugs with pens have quieted down. It’s nice not to hear any backtalk.”

“Who’s making noise these days?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The ones saying we don’t need the government, the greedy ones, and the reformists crying for change.”

That means they’ve rounded up anarchists, merchant unions, and reform activists.

“Our situation is still manageable at least. It seems the Kien Empire has its plate full with internal issues.”

“What’s happening with the Imperial Guard HQ? Aren’t they skilled at capturing thought criminals?”

“Looks like thought criminals who fled from various countries have been causing a ruckus over there.”

I’m no philosopher, so I don’t know the details, but those discussing idealistic thoughts in such harsh times are mostly idle folks—essentially overeducated slackers.

In this world, clashes between information agencies or counterintelligence departments and these idle types are a regular occurrence.

If one were to live as a citizen in a 21st-century democratic nation, they would say soldiers shouldn’t interfere in politics to maintain neutrality.

Unfortunately, we are in a dark fantasy world. Here, generals casually discuss politics over drinks and the military pokes around election matters.

Sure, the press voices criticism against military interference in politics these days. But no one pays any attention.

Political neutrality? Almost nobody here respects that. It’s a world where even religious figures take bribes to meddle in politics.

Overall, it’s a crazy place.

“By the way, are your subordinates preparing well for the business trip?”

“Thanks to my seniors helping out, all the luggage is packed. It’s my first overseas business trip, but I think we’ve prepared well.”

“Good. How about the hero? I’ve read the reports, but I’d prefer to hear your thoughts rather than just paper documents.”

“Camila Lowell is adapting quickly and has a positive mindset, so I don’t think there will be any issues for a while.”

“Make sure to look after her. Getting lost in a foreign land can be quite distressing. Having fallen from another world, she must be under a lot of mental strain.”

A cryptic remark indeed.

Is it a compliment towards the hero’s companion or a piece of advice directed at a subordinate?

Colonel Clevenz wiped the grease off his mouth and opened his lips to speak.

“Let’s skip the introduction and get to the point. Since you’re the hero’s companion, you’ll be traveling to various countries, and I’d like you to play the part of a diplomat.”

A diplomat? Me, the hero’s companion?

Most nations have embassies established.

“Wasn’t I a spy?”

“Openly, you’re a diplomat, and secretly, you’re a spy. While there are differences in methodology, both work towards national interests.”

Now I see the meaning behind his words.

Colonel Clevenz is planning to shed my image as a spy and drape me with the guise of a diplomat.

For now, as the hero’s companion, I’m ‘officially’ not under the Information Agency but simply an ordinary soldier.

Although the Colonel has put a lot of effort into concealing my true identity, if another intelligence organization conducts a thorough investigation, it’s only a matter of time before they discover I was from the Information Agency.

That’s because I’m the companion of a well-known figure drawing the continent’s attention.

Especially since the Emperor, suspecting everyone, would likely mobilize the Imperial Guard HQ to investigate the hero and his entourage. There’s no certainty that a summoning in a kingdom with traditionally poor relations with the Empire won’t pose a threat.

So, the Colonel is trying to disguise me as a semi-official diplomat. The reasons for this can be summed up in two major points.

“First, the diplomat’s status is protected under international law and diplomatic agreements, so even the Emperor can’t touch you. As long as you have the status of a diplomat, you won’t be apprehended abroad.”

The first reason is my safety.

Historically, the act of killing a diplomatic envoy or ambassador brings significant political repercussions.

This is still an essential rule that must be upheld to this day. What country would be insane enough to establish an embassy in a nation that imprisons its diplomats? They would rather sever ties than support such actions.

And the second reason is,

“You’ll have a plausible reason to meet people.”

That’s the authority of a diplomat.

It’s quite common in this region for intelligence agencies to place one or two spies within embassies.

While others see them as ordinary diplomats, those working in intelligence agencies or foreign affairs can recognize them as agents.

To put it in internet slang, they would be considered ‘White’ agents. In contrast, ‘Black’ refers to the typical field agents one thinks of, like James Bond.

This is a sort of etiquette in the espionage world here. If you send me a spy, I send you one in return. If something comes up, contact me through them. You know, that sort of thing.

When major issues arise, having a channel of communication is necessary, right? If we mobilize forces to take down the barbarians, but they misinterpret it as an act of war, it could lead to disaster.

If any signs of such issues arise, we prefer that they be resolved through dialogue.

“What specific tasks should I perform?”

“There’s plenty. Confirm how the citizens of the kingdom living abroad are faring, dine with high-ranking officials, and occasionally meet friends to exchange greetings.”

Surveillance of dissenters and thought criminals who fled overseas, keep at bay those leeches trying to cozy up to the hero, and engage in a verbal tussle with foreign intelligence personnel.

I had worried they might ask me to assassinate someone or smuggle documents when it came down to it.

“Gather intel on the citizens of our kingdom overseas, meet with high-ranking officials, and exchange intelligence with foreign agencies. Is that about the gist of it?”

“Summarizing the core, that’s correct. Given that your selection as the hero’s companion was sudden, there are details that require internal consultation.”

“I understand. So the detailed instructions will be conveyed to me through the embassy as necessary?”

“Exactly. It’s pleasing that you comprehend quickly.”

Colonel Clevenz refilled his drink and continued.

“Well… I think we’ve covered most of what we needed to discuss.”

“You look a bit tired, Colonel.”

“It’s the sorcerers causing unrest in the country these days. Or is it the continent that’s in disarray first?”

“If we’re discussing cause and effect, one could argue that.”

“Anyway, it’s not a new occurrence for the Magic Tower to serve the Empire. What’s going through the mind of the Magic Tower Master, inciting conflicts between successors? Because of that, both the Magic Tower and the university have been rife with discussions regarding the succession issue.”

The succession issue of the Magic Tower. It’s probably a tale involving alchemists. In games, the alchemist’s backstory usually entails joining under duress after losing out in a succession struggle.

I had checked through the plan multiple times. Not wanting to veer off track, I committed the Colonel’s remarks to memory.

“Are the Magic Tower and the Empire that close?”

“Isn’t the demon race and the Empire at odds at the borders? Recently, the Magic Tower sent several sorcerers to the border region. They publicly claimed to protect the university located in the North, but word has it that the Emperor and the Tower Master have an intimate relationship.”

“Sounds like they enjoy a cozy relationship.”

“Think as you wish. In any case, since then they’ve started reaching out for funding, and it seems they are now interfering with the succession issue.”

It sounds as if the Tower Master is funneling money into a succession struggle, leading to a kind of electoral fraud. The information Colonel Clevenz possesses has been analyzed by dozens of sources, raising its reliability.

I used to rely on newspaper clippings, but now I find myself predicting stories based on confidential information provided by agents.

Thinking about it, I truly have risen through the ranks. If I weren’t the hero’s companion, I might have simply aged and died in comfort, right?

Of course, I wasn’t one to dwell on things that hadn’t occurred yet, so I let those thoughts go and filled my glass once more.

“By the way, don’t you have any advice for me? Since my subordinate is heading off for a long business trip.”

“Since I hail from the Counterintelligence Department, I don’t have much to say. Just behave well and don’t give them anything to catch you on.”

After all, the Colonel was the one who catches spies, not someone who carries out espionage full-time.

“If I had to give just a bit of advice, it would be to focus solely on matters concerning the hero. The intricacies of overseas affairs are already being managed by the responsible departments, so take care not to get entangled unnecessarily.”

Don’t worry about other things; just do your job well.

While it’s a generic piece of advice, considering it comes from someone who apprehends spies, it’s wise to heed it.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”