A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Looking back, the past few days have been a relentless sprint with barely a moment to catch my breath.

“…The Ministry of Finance has frozen the assets of individuals and institutions collaborating with the Law Enforcement Corps of the Republic of Ashtistan and pro-Ashtistan factions within the Mauritania Continent.”

“The Darius Kingdom, home to over 83,000 citizens, is notorious for being a tax haven due to the absence of corporate and income taxes, long known as a sanctuary for offshore tax evasion and money laundering.”

“A luxurious villa covering 186 square meters. With a lawn and a beautiful garden, this is the headquarters of a phantom company established in Kien’s Benoit. The Lushan Federation’s Financial Crimes Investigation Unit has begun an investigation, having identified that this company received false tax deductions claiming R&D expenses totaling 287 billion last May.”

“Patalia arrested a local businessman on charges of assisting in the overseas smuggling of Ashtistan’s magic stones in collusion with the Law Enforcement Corps.”

“Our reporting team has captured evidence that leading domestic securities firms were colluding with foreign investors in offshore funds, corporate branches abroad, and foreign financial institutions to evade substantial taxes. Financial authorities estimate that losses from such tax evasion amount to a staggering annual total of 10 trillion Takron…”

“The Deputy Minister of the Darius Kingdom’s Ministry of National Affairs announced yesterday at 5 PM local time that they would penalize 81 individuals and 49 organizations in response to the large-scale sanctions against Ashtistan.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ashtistan has strongly protested this action.”

The 6th Large-scale Financial Sanction against Ashtistan.

Freezing of transaction funds related to magic stones in tax havens and third-country banks. Bans on the entry and exit of sanctioned individuals.

A massive accounting audit expected from the National Tax Agency and investigative agencies. Crackdowns on economic criminals by the investigative bodies.

“Foreign intelligence agencies have detained spies. Over 30 current and former high-ranking officials accused of leaking state secrets over 17 years have been arrested, including active special forces generals.”

“The secret organization that catches spies, had its own chief as a spy.”

“Has it turned into a playground? Assault, tax evasion, corruption, and now even leaking secrets. The humiliation of Ashtistan’s elite Law Enforcement Corps.”

“A probe shrouded in mystery. Who is the spy killer?”

“In the Ashtistan Republic Assembly, the inquiry over ‘Where has Commander Darius gone?’ has rebuked the absence of the Law Enforcement Corps commander… As a series of failures amplifies calls for the commander’s accountability within the cabinet.”

Crackdowns on public security offenders. Conflict between the Republic Army and the Law Enforcement Corps.

Ashtistan Republic Security Council. Discussions to replace Commander Darius. A demonstration with 60,000 pro-government participants in Shizuya.

“‘Death to imperialists!’ Angered protestors gather at Martyr’s Square. The group is estimated to exceed 60,000. The burning Abas national flag.”

“Reduction in magic stone production on the Mauritania Continent. Ban on imports of Ashtistan’s magic stones, a coup in the Zambia Federation… Will the price of magic stones soar once again?”

“Crowded relief shelters, dwindling food supplies. The coldest winter yet for residents along the border regions.”

The magic stone crisis originating from the Mauritania Continent. A food crisis in the border area between Zarath and Ashtistan.

Businesses reliant on a magic stone-based economy and governments wielding magic stones as weapons.

Those claiming neutrality and those coercing allegiance.

Countries wanting to open borders and sea routes versus those wishing to close them. The moment those borders close, refugees in border areas will be left waiting to starve.

All of this transpired in just a few days, almost unbelievable considering it began from a single corpse found in an apartment on the outskirts of Shizuya.

I have quietly spent my time within the blazing Ashtistan Republic.

Keeping watch on the movements of the Republic’s counterintelligence and investigative agencies, gathering information both domestically and internationally, and assisting Matt, Ayla, and other information officers in hiding.

In the end, I succeeded. Luckily enough.

On the day I received word from Matt that each of us had safely scattered to different regions, I submitted my final report, cut off the communication lines linked to the Military Intelligence Agency, and entered a state of wireless silence.

There was no longer any role left for me.

To be exact, from now on, there was no need for me to do anything.

The baton had passed not to me but to the Priest.

Feeling as though I had truly returned after a long time, I went back to the hotel like a weary breadwinner and opened the door.

– Whoosh…!

“…Huh?”

A blue flame began to warmly welcome me, or rather, burn me alive.

Side Episode – Lucky Day

When I first faced the flames, the first thought that sprang to mind was ‘attack.’

An ambush from the Ashtistan counterintelligence agency, either having received intel from the Empire or independently collecting information.

More precisely, I wondered if my identity had been compromised and the hotel had been attacked because of that.

But I promptly wiped that thought from my mind.

If those Ashtistan fools really suspected I was a spy, the intel would surely have made its way to my ears.

Of course, they might have acted quickly and successfully maintained security, but there was no reason to raid the hotel while I was absent and set it ablaze.

Setting fire to a safe house isn’t the style of intelligence agencies.

If that’s the case, there could be only one remaining suspect.

“What the hell? Camila!”

I gazed at the flaming room and launched forth, determined to find the arsonist.

“I told you not to practice magic in the hotel! What is this, 45-year-old Dresden? Why are you turning an otherwise decent city center into a hell of flames?!”

Among us, the only one so infatuated with such fireplay was indeed Camila. I thought she had quieted down lately, but it seems she was caught up in practicing magic again and caused this disaster. This fire must certainly be her doing.

Having helped to capture a double agent, I even brought a congratulatory gift to celebrate providing assistance in successfully completing the job. But to be hit in the back like this stung.

I had no choice but to raise my voice as I threw the gifts intended for Camila.

It was impossible to overlook this.

“…Ugh.”

Just as I was searching through the smoky corner of the room, a strange groan suddenly reached my ears, making my head turn.

The source of the sound was none other than Camila.

Lying on the floor, she appeared oblivious, making incoherent sounds.

“What did you do…? Huh?”

Just as I was about to lift the currently apprehended Camila, an ominous aura enveloped us.

Camila, who would typically feign nonchalance, was now sprawled on the ground. Even in her dazed state, the blue flames continued to flicker.

Usually, if a magic user becomes incapacitated, the spell dissipates along with them.

Just like how a machine requires consistent power to operate, as long as a magician fails to maintain their magic power, the spell cannot maintain its properties.

That’s one of the reasons why magicians purchase magical tools, despite the inconvenience and cost of maintenance.

“Iiiiick…”

Ironically, Camila was on the verge of losing consciousness, while her magical tools lay asleep tucked away in her bag.

And it struck me then that among existing magical tools, none could create ‘blue flames.’

“Get up!”

“…Wha…?! Wh-Where am I?”

Startled awake by my loud voice, Camila flailed around, looking around in confusion.

After a moment, seemingly grasping the situation, she grasped my wrist and shouted right away.

“We have to escape now!”

“No, what are you talking about, suddenly waking up and yelling.”

“The Professor…!”

Just then.

A shadow loomed over Camila’s face painted with scarlet.

An arm wrapped itself around my shoulder.

Soon, an icy shiver invaded my spine, so severe I nearly forgot the heat.

The porcelain-like skin in front of my eyes paled to a ghostly white.

Turning my gaze, I found a familiar face—a magician.

It was the Duke.

“…I must ask you something.”

The Archmage tightened his grip on my shoulder, his voice low and serious as he fixed his frosty blue gaze on me.

“I’ve heard rumors that you were with one of my disciples at another hotel facility called Mandara a few days ago. Is that true?”

If by Mandara Spa… That was the name of the facility I visited before Zigmund arrived at the apartment.

That’s where Ayla, who used a disguise spell to impersonate me, was alone with Camila. We had planned to create an alibi for the future murder case, deceiving Zigmund and potential watchers from the guardian agency.

But why is he asking about it all of a sudden?

“U-uh, yes, that’s correct.”

“I’ve heard rumors that you had your arm around my disciple’s shoulder. Is that true?”

Caught off guard, I nodded hesitantly.

To be honest, I had no idea precisely what transpired there. It wasn’t me but Ayla who had accompanied Camila to the Mandara Spa.

However, considering the rumors being gathered in the intelligence network about me being seen quite closely with a tied relationship, and the fact that I instructed Ayla to act as if Camila and I were quite intimate, it wasn’t entirely exaggerated.

Even I forgot the source of that rumor.

“Uh, yes. Uh, right…?”

I concealed my inner turmoil and answered, to which the Duke began to nod thoughtfully.

I had no idea why he was asking this—yet, Alexandar Petrovna Duke appeared to wear a rather sorrowful expression.

It seemed as though he was disappointment towards the younglings who were shunning him.

The Archmage asked.

“Why did you not inform me that you went to a different place with my disciple?”

“Ah, there was a bit of a situation…”

“Why? Are you dating my disciple or something?”

My mind went blank at that moment. I had no idea how to respond, so I awkwardly shook my head, like a thief in an embarrassing spot.

“No way. How could I possibly be dating Camila…? Haha.”

“Really? Then let me ask you one last question.”

“Yes?”

“Why were you fondling my disciple’s chest if you aren’t lovers?”

“…Huh?”

What in the world is this about? Stunned, I looked at Camila.

As if to signal for her to explain, I aligned my gaze with hers, but she merely pouted her lips, signaling something.

Ayla.

Shoulder embrace.

“I only touched her hand.”

What is this supposed to mean? At that moment, the advice I had given Ayla reigned back into my mind.

“Hey.”

“Why?”

“Since you disguised yourself as me, make sure to act properly. The agency or guardian-seekers have probably pieced together my background, right? If you act stiff like a golem, you’ll be suspected, and if you act too clingy, you’ll get suspected too.”

“What should I do then? Shouldn’t I just act like I usually do?”

“You think you know what I usually do?”

“Just do whatever you usually did back home.”

“Hey, could you stop being such a pain…? Just manage it on your own. If not, act like boys do when you’re dating at the academy. Just don’t play around clumsily and get caught.”

“For instance?”

“I saw several folks like that holding hands or linking arms, or shoulder hugging in the hallways. Just act like that.”

…Ah.

A soundless sigh escaped me without my knowledge.

The Duke released his arm from my shoulder and sighed deeply, a clear expression of disappointment washing over his features.

At that moment, I finally understood why the Duke had expressed his disappointment. I also understood why Camila had been lying on the floor, surrounded by blue flames.

“Your Highness. There’s been a significant misunderstanding—”

I hastily tried to elaborate, but my feeble excuses trailed off without completing an ending.

“You brat!”

Before I could brace myself, an impressive spell struck my head with a thud.

A grotesque scream erupted involuntarily.

“…Ack!”

With the sensation of my head splitting in two, I shrank down like a turtle and collapsed.

My stiffened body ironically landed at Camila’s side.

Like a wooden log, I lay motionless beside her.

I could taste blood in my throat.

I must have bitten my tongue.

*

The commotion only settled down by the crack of dawn. The Duke had rampaged for a full six hours and forty minutes.

Camila desperately tried to soothe her master’s anger with all manner of plausible excuses, but it only led to a tragic amplification of the wrath.

That was why the Duke lost control until dawn.

Ultimately, the Archmage punished her with a six-month ban on snacks, a prohibition on dinner for tonight, restoration of the room he had burned down, and an unending one-on-one magic duel as a harsh penalty.

And as for the fool who had “messed with” the disciple, he was to engage in writing down the wise words left by the great sages as a form of mental training, colloquially known as “getting grounded” every single day.

For reference, there was no deadline for that.

Meaning I had to keep writing until the Duke deemed it satisfactory.

“No, I really didn’t touch her….”

Thus, I had to sit at the table feeling like Sisyphus, rolling a boulder up a mountain.

From across the table, I could hear Camila crying out sorrowfully as she restored the furniture that the Duke had burnt.

“I brought snacks, so why can’t I eat them?! Aghhh…!”

They were enticing treats I had purchased to celebrate her aid in my successful operation.

Now they remained a translucent mirage, teasing her from within a barrier.

As if aware of Camila’s plight or not, the assorted snacks gleamed invitingly, glowing suggestively to be tasted.

Her lamentations echoed long into the early hours.