A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The bright sun shone through the east-facing window.

Inside, the direct light flooded the room, illuminating a cozy bed where a woman lay, embracing her long-time friend as she had done every day.

That friend was none other than reading.

“……”

The saying about keeping books close is famous, yet in reality, few treat books as if they were people. Like anyone else, she did not breathe life into mere scraps of paper.

However, a long-standing friendship isn’t easily obtained.

Between the book and her, there were memories, hardships, reconciliations, and comfort shared, with a depth that rivaled that of comrades who had shared life and death together.

– Pat. Pat.

Amidst this, footsteps echoed in the corridor, breaking the stillness.

Someone knocked to announce their presence.

“Excuse me.”

The one who announced their arrival was an elderly man with a remarkably soft demeanor.

His impressive appearance suggested he had likely been quite popular with women in his youth, and his subtle smile was so bright that it would likely elicit warmth from a child.

Yet.

The dark green uniform indicated he was an officer of the Law Enforcement Corps. The single golden arabesque insignia adorning his shoulder symbolized his rank as sergeant.

No woman or child would find it easy to smile sincerely upon encountering him.

“……”

Though he was a sergeant of one of the Republic of Ashtistan’s most powerful authorities, the woman didn’t even glance his way.

Her fingers, flipping through the pages of her book nonchalantly, showed no interest, and upon a closer look, there seemed to be a hint of familiarity.

“I understand it’s time for you to read the Scripture, but I must speak on a matter that requires your attention.”

It was only natural.

She was someone who could afford to be so.

“Priest.”

– Rustle. Rustle.

Only the sound of turning pages echoed in the silence.

As heavy silence passed between them without a word, suddenly, Jeinav Eskandr, who had been reading her lines softly, broke the quiet.

“It seems like a serious matter.”

Her gaze, which had drifted aimlessly in thought, finally stopped.

As the sergeant of the Law Enforcement Corps stood awkwardly, she murmured back in her indifferent tone.

“There’s ink on your finger. I guess you didn’t know.”

“… Ah. My apologies.”

The sergeant, who checked his finger late, began to sigh and lowered his head, seeming regretful for having come to meet her in such an improper state.

His nose nearly touched the floor in a bow. Yet, the priest’s attention remained entirely devoted to her reading.

Suddenly, the sergeant rubbed his stained hands nervously before reporting the more pressing issue.

“There was a terrorist attack at Timarshak Park just now. The military and the enforcement agencies received reports from patrol officers and started initial responses, but since the motives and perpetrators of the attack are unclear, security at Azadi Palace…”

“I’m aware.”

The priest abruptly cut off the sergeant’s words.

“I know someone fired a gun in the park. I know they missed the one who fired and those fleeing. So, I know we failed to establish whether it was a simple crime or an attack against Ashtistan.”

“……”

Silence settled in once more.

The sound of her fingers caressing the paper continued rhythmically. The sergeant maintained his silence, while the priest still didn’t even spare a glance.

She simply regarded her old friend, exuding an endlessly tranquil demeanor as she recited a gentle incantation.

“Tell Commander Darius to come in.”

With a light touch to the book, she turned the page softly, and with a leisurely smile, she added,

“It’s getting a bit noisy.”

—

Episode 20 – Who Threatened with a Knife?

An unidentified woman, undoubtedly of Abas nationality.

It wasn’t too difficult to figure out that she had managed to escape safely.

“Did you catch her? What? You lost her! Damn….”

The atmosphere among the Ashtistan Religious Police, who had embarked on initial actions, and the military and enforcement personnel, who had arrived late, clearly indicated that they had made a significant blunder.

After surveying the chaotic scene, I sensed that the woman had not been apprehended and quietly slipped out of the park.

Although I didn’t know her identity or the purpose of her visit, the fact that she chose to flee immediately upon her identity being at risk suggested she was involved in international crime, terrorism, or a similar major incident.

‘Yes. This is Jake, the regional officer for the Jamria Federation.’

“Hey. Please pull up a list from the headquarters database. A middle-aged woman from the homeland. I’ll give you some details.”

I promptly began to scour the company’s network.

An Abas national. A married woman in her fifties. She has more than two children and is proficient in Kien.

If we applied only the above criteria, it wouldn’t be difficult to find hundreds of pages of names, but suddenly adding a few conditions would change everything.

First, someone who has either participated in an international crime organization or terrorist group or has a record of prior investigations by law enforcement.

Second, someone who has ties to the Republic of Ashtistan through themselves or their spouse.

Third, someone with direct work experience or any form of involvement in defense, security, or intelligence.

Lastly.

Someone with children named ‘Henya’ and ‘Lucy’ due to familial ties.

‘Henya and Lucy, huh?’

“Yeah.”

‘Those names are quite unique. Henya and Lucy…’

Unique as they were, it was hard to find names like Pippin, but Henya was also among the rare names in Abas.

Naturally, that made her easier to find.

“If they can’t find it, start changing the spelling. It’s possible they might have nicknames or whatnot, but considering the girl is just about to enter middle school, let’s leave out the nicknames for now.”

‘Understood. But why do we have to change the spelling?’

“Because we can’t check her ID.”

I said, as if he were asking the most obvious question.

Of course, not knowing the exact name because I haven’t been able to check the ID was one reason, but it wasn’t the only reason I instructed them to change the spelling.

Why?

“Also, this is one of the methods used to create counterfeit passports in civil circles. Slightly altering the spellings to sound similar.”

Changing a name to alter an ID is a method that has long been popular in civil circles. Usually, they play around with Romanized spellings—let’s say someone named ‘Minsu’ would have that passport name altered to ‘MIN SUE.’

This way, they are classified as entirely different individuals in the system, making it possible to bypass immigration checks that wouldn’t allow entry under the real name.

Though this method is outdated in 21st-century societies where electronic passports are the norm, it’s possible in this area where electronic passports don’t exist.

In a place where the ID photos can be stamped and sealed in a style reminiscent of the ‘80s, what sort of sophisticated security policies can one expect?

If it were a country like Abas or Kien, where they meticulously crafted magical alterations, it might be different. However, within countries that lack administrative strength, it’s easy to forge passports and licenses, making it possible to create counterfeit passports remarkably easily using such basic methods.

Anyway.

“Have it sent over as soon as you find something. I don’t care how many pages it is.”

‘How should I report it?’

“I’ll confirm and handle that. Just make sure to leave a record. Just a record.”

With that, I entrusted the data search to Jake and began preparing the next phase.

A woman with children wouldn’t be able to flee far despite wanting to. The Ashtistan government would have multiple ways to find her, whether they captured her or not. My own methods to apprehend that woman and her two daughters were equally vast.

The issue was the reason.

Why had the priest made me cross paths with that woman? What reason did she have for arriving in the Republic of Ashtistan?

And most critically.

How had the priest known that the woman would appear at Timarshak Park at 1 PM?

“Hmm….”

The two clues the priest had given me earlier. A link existed between a corporation based in a tax haven and the rebel group I had encountered on the train.

The Law Enforcement Corps.

I still lacked solid evidence, but based on the actions and words the priest had exhibited up until now, particularly her wish to deal with Commander Darius, it seemed plausible that the two clues were closely tied to the Law Enforcement Corps.

The woman I encountered today might have similar connections.

She could be related to the Law Enforcement Corps, or perhaps directly associated with Commander Darius himself.

“…Let’s see.”

With a murmured thought, I returned to the hotel.

Before worrying about anything else, securing those in custody was key. I needed to find them before the Ashtistan crew did.

“By the way, where the heck did that girl go? I told her to come, but no one’s around.”

I started to search for the ever-elusive Camila.

Hoping to discipline that cheeky girl and get some help.

– Ding~

“Hey! Boss! If you’ve borrowed money, you should pay it back on time. What’s with your phone? Why must you keep avoiding calls… Huh…?”

As I drew in a deep breath and started to make a racket that echoed in the hallway.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and I met the gaze of some stout men with bushy beards.

“……”

“……”

“……”

What the hell.

—

For the Duke, the Kien Empire’s Foreign Ministry had specially arranged accommodations. The imperialist hotel located in Shizuya was entirely vacant, including the floors above and below the guest room the Duke occupied.

Setting aside her status as an Archmage, Alexandra Petrovna was a blood relative of the Emperor. Not just a distant relative of the Smirnov dynasty, but a direct line, and moreover, she was the Emperor Nikolai VI’s aunt, so naturally, security, etiquette, and hospitality were all matters of high importance.

Moreover, yesterday had also witnessed an eavesdropping incident involving the Ashtistan Security Committee.

The floor where the Duke’s room was located was a private area that not only hotel staff but even personnel from the Kien Empire embassy could not freely enter.

The middle-aged man from Ashtistan was just the person who had encountered her there.

“I apologize for the sudden visit. I hope I didn’t startle you too much.”

The man, who had come down to the lobby, offered a light smile along with his nametag.

“I’m from the Public Safety Bureau. To give a comparison, I’m like the police in Abas.”

I nodded gently.

“I see. What brings you here?”

“I’ve come to investigate the commotion that took place here last night.”

The middle-aged local from Ashtistan started speaking with a weary face.

“I’ve heard our security personnel have behaved rudely. I extend my sincere condolences on their behalf.”

“……”

“However, this is business, so… it’s unnecessary to keep you unnecessarily long, but I would be grateful if you could spare a moment to offer your testimony.”

The middle-aged man politely and firmly requested permission.

His tone and the serene smile radiating from him heightened the impression of his politeness, yet also cast a certain unease.

However, despite introducing himself as police, the man wore a suit instead of a uniform, and instead of an ID, he held a business card in his wallet.

Furthermore, speaking fluent Abas, the first foreign language in Ashtistan, I could not accept the goodwill of this man so easily.

“If you need it, I will, of course, assist.”

“Truly gracious of you.”

The middle-aged officer accepted my remark with a gentle laugh.

In a secluded corner of the lobby, shadows draped across a teacup. I sipped on my coffee.

As he placed his teacup down at the table, the man bantered lightly.

“By the way, were you out for a stroll? I knocked but got no response.”

“I was just out for a brief walk.”

“I noticed the hero and the Duke are absent. We also need to hear their testimonies, but… did they go out for a stroll?”

At this point, I realized he was investigating the whereabouts of the Duke and Camila.

Could it be that he sought them out, taking advantage of their absence, or was he genuinely there to collect testimonies?

I stroked my chin, feigning uncertainty.

“I haven’t received any updates about Camila and Her Highness Alexandra Petrovna’s schedule, but it’s likely.”

Of course, that was a lie.

While I didn’t know where Camila was, I certainly knew that the Duke was at the Kien Embassy at that moment. The reason Camila wasn’t around was that she had gone out upon receiving my call, so I wasn’t entirely ignorant of their whereabouts and schedules.

I savored my coffee for a moment, lost in thought.

“……”

I had anticipated that the Ashtistan Information Agency would soon resume activities.

However, the timing was shockingly quick.

To be honest, I thought they would remain under the radar for a few days, but they were already on the move.

Maybe the man before me was truly from the police and not linked to the information agency, though there were many suspicious aspects to consider.

What investigation agency or law enforcement agency visits unannounced to collect testimonies? These inquiries usually happen during the preliminary investigation stage. If this incident were to be thoroughly investigated, it would be more appropriate to conduct an investigation rather than reaching out directly, since the incident led to the purge of personnel on the priest’s orders.

Most importantly, it was suspicious that agents who were supposedly here for a formal inquiry were roaming around a restricted area of a hotel without even letting the Kien Empire embassy know.

Their actions reeked of entitlement as though ‘goodwill’ was a right.

“Hmm… that’s interesting.”

The middle-aged man made a slightly perplexed face and nodded.

Then, he naturally placed his interlaced hands at his mouth and spoke.

“I’ve heard that the Security Committee eavesdropped on the guest rooms. These things happen occasionally. It seems that since you’re from an enemy nation, the Security Committee deemed it necessary to keep tabs on you.”

He spread his hands, looking at me inquisitively.

“What do you think?”

“To be honest, I don’t feel particularly good about it. But then again, it’s not entirely incomprehensible.”

“You think your every move might be monitored?”

As if I were merely joking.

I lightheartedly remarked.

“Well, as long as they don’t monitor my time in the bathroom, I’ll be fine.”

Surely they hadn’t been watching when men were bathing and relieving themselves? The joke mattered little since it was obvious that listening devices had found their way into my washroom sink. But still.

The thought of the infamous Ashtistan Security Committee surveilling a foreigner using the restroom was somewhat laughable, and the middle-aged man chuckled while nodding.

“Indeed, if that were the case, it would be terribly embarrassing.”

The police leaned back comfortably in his chair.

He casually draped his clasped hands over the armrest and began to tap his fingers on the wood.

“The listening device was first discovered by the Duke, correct?”

“Well, yes. It was in Camila’s clothing when I found it.”

“Oh, in that case, you too have been eavesdropped upon.”

The middle-aged local from Ashtistan nodded in agreement.

“I’m curious, though. May I ask you a question?”

“Please do.”

“What do you think was the reason the Security Committee decided to eavesdrop on you and the Hero?”