A Dark Fantasy Spy

The on-duty Inquisition guard spent the time puffing on a cigarette, watching the smoke curl lazily into the air.

To be honest, there wasn’t much to do.

After a terrorist incident yesterday, the number of people entering had increased, but paradoxically, the guard’s responsibilities had lessened.

Isn’t that obvious?

Everyone entering was either an Inquisition Officer or associated with the Inquisition. If he were to stop busy individuals due to the terrorist incident and ask for identification or inspect their luggage, he would likely be clubbed with a mace and taken to the nearest infirmary.

Anyway, the journalists with entry passes were holed up in the duty room, taking care of their lodging and meals, not daring to step outside. They might miss an urgent briefing just during a short absence.

For these reasons, there were no external visitors at the Inquisition. The Inquisition had a rather notorious reputation, so no one was keen to visit. Most of those who frequented were high-ranking officials who used private corridors.

So there he was, just killing time with a smoke.

Even in religion, isn’t there a saying? If one works hard, it’s okay to take a day off. Although he lacked faith, in moments like these, he felt no shame in taking a break.

Knock! Knock!

However, someone interrupted his happy moment by knocking on the window. The guard irritably stubbed out his cigarette and leaned out.

“Geez. Who’s there?”

A soldier stood there, smiling quietly. It was a uniform he had never seen before. The rank was that of a Colonel. He seemed to be a foreigner.

Startled, the guard hastily adjusted his hat and asked politely again, “W-who are you?”

“Oh! Thank you for your hard work this weekend. I am Colonel Frederick Nostrim! I come from the Kingdom of Abas. Where can I get a visitor’s pass?”

Colonel Frederick Nostrim. That name sounded familiar. The guard pondered, opening his mouth slowly.

“Visitor passes are not issued here, but at the reception desk. Allow me to guide you, just a moment—”

In his haste, the guard checked the newspaper laid out on the desk. A man who looked exactly like the visiting Colonel was beaming from a photo within. He shifted his gaze to read the headline.

[Promising Young Soldier and Hero to Save the World!]

His judgment of the situation was quick. The guard shoved on his shoes and rushed out to stand before Colonel Frederick Nostrim. The Colonel extended his hand, and after wiping the sweat from his pants, the guard shook it.

“T-the hero’s companion here, what brings you… here?”

“I came to report.”

“Pardon?”

“To report. To report.”