A Dark Fantasy Spy

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People might not know, but parties of all sizes are held almost every day at the embassy.

The atmosphere of the parties is as diverse as the various cultures of each country. However, the purpose of every embassy remains the same: to showcase their unique cuisine and drinks to foreign diplomats.

It’s all about demonstrating the dignity of one’s nation on the world stage.

The quality and taste of the food, as well as the ambiance of the party, not only reflect the prestige of the embassy but also signify the standing of that country.

Diplomats from various nations weave between tables, discussing their interests and national affairs. Being invited to the party seems like a given. After all, the Hero is a talent coveted by every nation.

“Why are those Empire folks inviting us?”

“How would I know?”

The problem lies in the fact that it’s the Kien Empire embassy that invited us.

“Could they be inviting us to target the Hero? The Empire has been fighting with the demon race lately….”

“Does that mean they need the Hero’s strength…?”

“…Hey, everyone stay close together.”

The three spies began to huddle and discuss.

The single topic of the meeting? “Why were we invited?”

“Since they invited the Hero, they probably want something from him, right?”

Pippin argued that the Empire would indeed have some demands for the Hero.

“Considering Colonel Nostrim is on the invite list, it seems they’re calling us to address something about the bomb threat.”

Jake speculated that they would be making a statement regarding the bomb threat.

Hearing the opinions of the two, I spoke up, asserting that the real issue was something else entirely.

“Hey, that’s not what’s important right now.”

“Oh, then what’s important?”

“All three of us need to attend this party. But who will handle security for the party?”

“Since it’s the Kien Empire embassy, it would naturally….”

“Ah….”

Pippin and Jake went pale and fell silent.

For reference, in this world, embassy security and supervision fall under the jurisdiction of each nation’s information agencies.

In other words, that means we would be entering a place swarming with intelligence agents.

“Are we screwed…?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, shit.”

—

Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

Even if our status as diplomats serves as a shield, facing foreign agents is still a daunting task. It’s particularly intimidating if that agent isn’t a spy but a counterintelligence operative.

Actually, let me amend that. All the people we meet at this party are daunting.

Just like right now.

“Ahaha! You are the famous Colonel Frederick Nostrim!”

A stranger reached out his thick hand for a handshake.

He’s probably some spokesperson from an embassy or something. Normally, I would try to remember names, but compared to everyone else here, he didn’t stand out enough to keep in my memory. I gave a half-hearted response to his words and hurriedly moved away.

Waving away the approaching diplomats, I forced a polite smile and approached the Cardinal.

“Nice to meet you, Your Eminence. I am Colonel Frederick Nostrim.”

“Oh! You’re the Hero’s companion! It’s an honor to meet you.”

Hearing those words made me feel a bit shy. “Actually, I have something to discuss regarding the Hero’s schedule….”

There was so much for me to do at the party.

I needed to meet with the Cardinals to gather information on internal Church affairs and discuss the Hero’s schedule.

Meet with the Empire’s ambassador to subtly gauge the embassy’s movements.

Catch an Inquisition officer to extract information about the bomb threat and discuss the Hero’s safety concerns.

Check in with a Bishop about how the selection of the Saint candidates is progressing.

Avoid questions from journalists regarding the Hero, and baste over the face of Priest Lucia.

Push away diplomats pleading for me to arrange a spot for the Hero.

Exchange intel about terrorism with foreign agents I happened to bump into.

While weaving through the party with my thirty years of improvised charm and my talent for staying sober, I eventually approached Pippin and Jake, who were signaling from the corner.

“Are you guys okay?”

“No, I feel like I’m dying….”

“I’m feeling really queasy….”

From their expressions, it was clear they had been harassed by the crowd.

“I’m even more scared of the diplomats than the agents….”

Pippin murmured weakly.

“The Imperial Guard agents aren’t anywhere to be seen….”

“Of course, they wouldn’t want to openly advertise that they’re agents. Just remember to stay alert, you two.”

It was a cruel order for my weary companions, but neither Pippin nor Jake showed any sign of complaint.

They had seen their direct superior suffering between the Empire’s ambassador and the Cardinal for over fifty minutes.

Of course, I didn’t voice any complaints either. Because there were people worse off than us.

That unfortunate person was none other than Camila Lowell.

“Wow… is the Hero still trapped over there…?”

“It seems it’s been over an hour….”

As the center of attention for the entire continent, she was stuck in the middle of the party.

Even from a distance, you could see her sweating and fidgeting nervously. Earlier, as I was about to leave my seat, she had asked to take me with her. But no sooner had I tried to rescue her than she got swept back into the crowd.

“Those crimson locks make it easy to spot her.”

Pippin pointed out her scarlet hair.

It’s already noticeable for its color, but with the balding crowd around her, she stood out even more. The dazzling lights gave her an almost ethereal glow.

“What do you think they’re talking about right now?”

“Isn’t it obvious? They’re probably asking her to attend some event of theirs later.”

“Is the Hero resuming external schedules?”

“I got a message from the Inquisition; they said they will assign dedicated security personnel for the Hero. Plus, a healing priest on top of that. It seems he may be returning to activity soon.”

As the explanation flowed, Pippin and Jake’s jaws dropped.

“Wow… dedicated security and a healing priest? I doubt even the Cardinal would get such treatment.”

“From what I hear, only the Pope gets a dedicated healing priest.”

“So, the Hero is getting the same treatment as the Pope….”

The two seemed to rejoice as if it were their own affair. That was how radical the Inquisition’s proposal had been.

A Knight, an Inquisition Officer, and a standby healing priest all rolled into one.

It was an unprecedented decision, and it seemed like the higher-ups in the Church were eagerly waiting for the Hero to step outside the embassy soon.

“Don’t get too excited. The terrorists still haven’t been caught yet.”

“With the Inquisition officers around, is there really a chance for a terror attack to happen?”

“What if the terrorists go berserk and rush in with bombs? Don’t assume they’re sane.”

“Hey, why are you being such a debbie downer? By the way, what did the Empire’s ambassador say?”

“Just expressed regret. Stated that they are unrelated to the terrorism.”

“Then who blew up the bomb?”

While we were momentarily distracted by conversations about the bomb threat, Camila Lowell emerged from the crowd and slowly walked towards us.

Looks like she finally got freed.

“Whew! Looks like you all are gathered here!”

With her neatly tied crimson hair, she beamed brightly. Pippin and Jake welcomed the Hero, while I spoke to her with an expressionless face.

“Congratulations, Hero. You’ve finally been freed.”

“Colonel, why did you leave me behind?”

“Leave you behind? I clearly tried to rescue you, but you got dragged back in yourself, all thanks to Camila Lowell.”

“I reached out for you, but you just left!”

“Reached out?”

Uh….

Hmm….

Thinking it over, it did seem she reached for me as she was being pulled away.

“Is that so? I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Ugh, seriously…! That’s too much, Colonel!”

Camila Lowell was grumbling, yet her face was filled with a playful expression.

Seeing her like this, she certainly seemed like someone who enjoys playfulness.

Perhaps I had been too busy to relax and play around during all this chaos. After all, it’s strange to have a mental comfort level when one is unexpectedly thrown into another world.

Lost in thought, Pippin suddenly shot a question at the Hero.

“…Hero, have you been drinking?”

“Yeah!”

Camila Lowell replied with a bright smile.

So, she was simply tipsy.

“Camila Lowell, it seems like you’re drunk; let’s go out for some fresh air.”

“Eh! No, I’m fine, really!”

She shook her flushed cheeks as she protested. Even from a quick glance, she appeared quite intoxicated.

“Pippin, take the Hero outside for a moment. Jake, bring a glass of cold water….”

Just as I was about to mobilize Pippin and Jake to prevent Camila Lowell’s embarrassing moment,

Someone called out to me from behind.

“Colonel Frederick Nostrim?”

At that voice, I halted my gestures and turned around. The bald-headed Empire ambassador was beckoning me with a suited gentleman.

“…Ah, Ambassador.”

“Ahaha! Sorry to interrupt your conversation. It’s just that this gentleman wishes to meet you….”

“Nice to meet you, Colonel Frederick Nostrim.”

The ordinary-looking suited man interrupted the ambassador and extended his hand for a shake.

If he’s bold enough to cut off the party host’s words, it could mean one of two things: he’s an arrogant, overconfident person based on his status, or he’s…

“I’m the security officer for this party.”

“….”

“Can I have a word with you for a moment?”

A person with power as formidable as the ambassador’s.