Ch.205Episode 11 – All Quiet on the Northern Front

# Black Market

A term referring to a market where illegal transactions occur outside established systems and laws. In a broader sense, it can also be referred to as the underground economy.

Black markets exist in every country in the world. From Europe and the Americas to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. There is no place where black markets don’t exist.

Even in North Korea, black markets exist. People there call them “jangmadang.”

South Korea is no exception. Without looking far, aren’t items like scalped tickets being sold through unofficial channels on many secondhand trading sites?

That too can be considered a type of black market. After all, black markets aren’t just places where guns, drugs, counterfeit money, and illegal pornography are traded.

Anyway,

Francesca informed me that she had obtained information about the northern black market. To be precise, she asked if I wanted to go see the black market, but to my ears, it sounded like the same thing.

How she obtained this information was quite simple.

“Laborers?”

“Yes.”

## Episode 11 – All Quiet on the Northern Front

“…So.”

In the outskirts of Novonikolayevsk, the administrative capital of northern Kiyen Empire.

Francesca was waiting for me in a quiet area, wrapped in a drab brown cape.

“You heard laborers talking about the black market. Is that what you’re saying?”

“I heard it from workers participating in railway maintenance.”

Francesca had obtained information about the black market from a laborer she met at a railway maintenance site.

She continued her explanation while covering her face with her cape.

“There was someone who needed to buy necessary items today and was asking if anyone would accompany them.”

“What were they going to buy?”

“They said they needed to get items for an infant. Things like formula and diapers.”

“Hmm…”

A cutting wind blew past us. The bright moon gazed down upon the earth, and flowing stars adorned the night sky.

Though we were in a dark, damp back alley, Francesca seemed to exist in a different world regardless of how dirty the surroundings were.

Suddenly, I recalled a painting I had seen in an art museum before. A painting of a scholar and a woman walking along a wall at night, holding a lantern under moonlight partially hidden by clouds. At a glance, our current situation resembled that painting, but this was reality.

After all, we were in a place under martial law.

Walking at night without a permit could get you shot by military police.

I looked around cautiously and questioned Francesca.

“Tell me more specifically.”

According to the laborer Francesca met, there is a black market in the north. Workers use the black market to sell surplus items they receive as rations for their work and to acquire things they need.

The main items traded are daily necessities.

“Daily necessities needed for survival are traded most frequently, and occasionally precious items like medicine or magical tools are traded. But those rare items don’t appear often.”

“Would anyone buy those? People would be too busy just trying to feed themselves.”

“Of course, most people couldn’t afford them.”

Francesca added with a slight smile.

“But they must be on the black market because someone buys them, right? A business without profit can’t be called a business.”

That’s true.

A black market is still a market. Markets are spaces where transactions occur, and merchants trade valuable items.

But value is a very abstract concept. Whether diamonds or gold, they’re just useless rocks if people aren’t willing to pay money for them.

In other words, the fact that medicine and magical tools are traded in the northern black market means there are people who can afford to buy them. At least, that’s what Francesca thought.

“I don’t know much about economics… but let’s say that’s the case. What do you want?”

“Hmm?”

Francesca gave me a strange smile I’d never seen before. Her eyes, full of interest, sparkled in the darkness of the alley.

“You won the bet. If there’s something you want, just say it.”

“Well…? How about… giving me some time to think about it…?”

“……”

Wait, what exactly is she planning to demand that she needs time to think? How much is she trying to milk out of finding one black market?

I wanted to tell her to stop talking nonsense and just buy me a drink to call it even, but unfortunately, Francesca wasn’t the type to be satisfied with that.

I let out a deep sigh.

“Fine. So when do we leave?”

“Ah, before that.”

Under the cool moonlight, Francesca’s eyes curved into a smile.

“There’s someone we need to meet.”

*

Francesca, who said there was someone to meet, briefly left, saying she would return soon. I tightened the coat I had hastily thrown on and waited for her in the alley.

And a moment later.

“Uh…”

I stared in bewilderment at the large figure that appeared before me.

“So, your name is…?”

“Hmm!”

A man with a magnificent beard burst into hearty laughter.

“Ferretti of the Order of St. Andrea!”

The large man who appeared in the alley was someone I knew well. Someone I had met just a week ago. Multiple times, in fact.

Captain Ferretti of the Order of St. Andrea, the first holy knight order deployed in the conflict between the Kiyen Empire and the demon realm.

Appearing at a completely unexpected moment, he opened his mouth with a booming voice.

“It’s been a while, Officer Frederick Nostrim!”

“Uh… um… yes. It’s been a while, Sir Ferretti.”

“Sir? What’s with that!”

Hearty laughter echoed through the alley under the bright moon.

“We’re comrades who will fight together now, so just call me Ferretti!”

“…I’ll call you Sir Ferretti.”

“Aish. So stiff.”

“……”

I stared blankly at Captain Ferretti, who was clicking his tongue. Why on earth was this man appearing here? It made no sense.

Pressing my throbbing temples, I looked around at the people standing nearby.

“……”

Next to him stood Francesca with a strange smile, and behind her was a person with their head lowered, wearing a hat pulled down low.

I addressed the person hidden behind the large man.

“Excuse me. Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

“Uh, I-I don’t think so?”

The person wearing the hat answered in a flustered voice. Though it was dark, the bright red hair sticking out from under the hat was clearly visible.

“…Yes, we have.”

“…No, we haven’t?”

I grabbed the brim of the hat and pulled it off.

As the ridiculously designed hat disappeared, red hair that had been pressed down spilled out, and blue eyes full of embarrassment looked up. The face revealed was very familiar.

I called her name softly.

“Camilla. Why are you here?”

“……”

Her blue eyes shook like there was an earthquake. When I leaned in slightly to meet her gaze, Camilla rolled her eyes and avoided looking at me.

After watching the fidgeting Camilla, I turned my gaze to Francesca. My eyes urged her to explain what was going on.

“…Hmm.”

Clearing her throat, perhaps conscious of my gaze, Francesca spoke.

“Officer. This is Sir Ferretti from the Order. And as you know, this is the Hero.”

“I know that. But why are these people here?”

The person who answered my question wasn’t Francesca.

“We’re going to the black market!”

“……”

“……”

“…Uh, aren’t we?”

Ferretti, who had spoken instead of Francesca, scratched his head awkwardly and smiled uncomfortably.

A strange silence descended upon the alley. Ferretti, who had been scratching his head somewhat embarrassedly, soon regained his hearty smile and explained the situation to me.

“While searching for items I need to find, the administrator here informed me about a black market in this area. I came to check if perhaps the items I’m looking for might be there.”

“…Items you need to find?”

“Yes!”

“…Aren’t you a holy knight? No, before being a holy knight, weren’t you a clergyman?”

My question was essentially asking how a religious person could think of frequenting a black market.

To this, Sir Ferretti nodded with a dignified attitude.

“Of course, I’m well aware that black markets aren’t the most reputable places. I’m not that ignorant.”

“Then why on earth…?”

“But!”

Ferretti continued in a resolute voice.

“There’s no passage in the scripture that forbids clergy from using black markets, is there?”

“……”

Well,

Um,

If there’s no such passage in the scripture, I suppose it’s not a problem according to religious law…?

I looked at the holy knight with an incredulous expression.

“…Even if it’s not in the scripture, isn’t it illegal?”

“If it is, I’ll repent. The great God will forgive this little lamb’s sins! Haha!”

“……”

This is a holy knight?

By this point, I felt dizzy. I thought he wasn’t quite right in the head when he showed up at the banquet in armor, but this man is beyond just having a few screws loose.

I wanted to retort, but I decided that continuing to talk with this man would only be tiresome. Having decided to give up on the conversation, I looked at Camilla standing behind Ferretti.

“Camilla.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re not here to go to the black market, are you?”

“……”

Camilla fidgeted, her lips moving slightly as she avoided my gaze.

“…I know it’s dangerous…”

“……”

“But honestly, I’m curious… hehe.”

Upon hearing her answer, I couldn’t help but grab the back of my neck.

I can’t even smack some sense into her.

This is driving me crazy.

“For God’s sake…”

Ferretti caught me as I staggered, clutching the back of my neck.

“Are you alright?”

“Thank you. My blood pressure suddenly rose…”

“Haha! You’re more frail than you look, Officer!”

“……”

Frail? Me?

No matter how I looked at it, that made no sense. I’ve never been outperformed by my intelligence peers even in special forces or UDT training, and I’ve never been evaluated as lacking in physical strength since joining military intelligence. Yet he calls me frail?

“……”

At that moment, I noticed Ferretti’s body as he helped me up. I hadn’t realized in the darkness, but his physique was extraordinary.

Standing at least 2 meters tall. A body that even a thick winter coat couldn’t conceal. Truly a physique befitting a warrior who had trained his whole life to wield a sword. It was only natural.

Even half-baked knights who only know how to enhance their bodies with magic have more robust builds than special forces who train daily, let alone holy knights who, unlike fallen knights, still maintain their lineage. Of course they would be more physically imposing than ordinary people.

So there’s no comparison between Ferretti and me. What madman would compare the skeletal structure of an orc to a human? If anything, it’s strange that this man doesn’t know his own level and calls me frail.

“Come now, don’t be like that, both of you. Let’s calm down.”

“Thank you, Administrator!”

Ferretti expressed his gratitude to Francesca, who had gently intervened. Camilla, who had been peeking out, quickly hid behind Francesca as soon as our eyes met, but no one was paying attention to her at the moment.

After glaring at Ferretti, who was advising me to build more muscle, I sighed and asked a question.

“…You said you’re looking for items.”

“Hmm. That’s right.”

“What kind of items are you looking for that you need to go to a black market?”

After pondering my sudden question for a moment, Ferretti answered with a bright smile.

“Why, items needed for the knight order, of course! Haha!”

So what are those exactly?

“…If they’re items needed for the knight order, couldn’t you just request them through official channels? Have your supplies already run out, or were requested supplies omitted?”

“That’s not it. Thanks to the great God and the bishops of the State Council watching over our knight order, we never lack supplies.”

Ferretti added.

“But people don’t live on bread alone, do they?”

“What exactly do you need that you’re trying to get from the black market instead of through official channels?”

“What does a knight need? Tobacco and alcohol, of course.”

“……”

Are these guys really religious?

I looked at Ferretti with a slightly contemptuous gaze, but he stared back at me without a hint of shame.

What kind of religious person is this? Even third-rate Shaolin monks in martial arts novels wouldn’t behave like this.

“Tobacco and alcohol… did I hear that correctly?”

“That’s right!”

“……”

The Order is doomed. Now I understand why the Empire is cowering before the demon race. With supporters like these, no wonder they’re losing.

I’m the fool for trusting these guys. There’s no hope or dream left.

“Haah…”

“…Ahem!”

Seeming to understand the meaning behind my sigh, Ferretti avoided my gaze with an awkward smile. At least he knows enough to be embarrassed.

Unable to even make proper eye contact, Ferretti began to make excuses.

“No matter how much of a holy knight I am, I’m still human. Alcohol and tobacco are legitimate recreational items. The great God never forbade them, so there’s no problem.”

“…I believe the Pope himself declared tobacco harmful just a few years ago.”

“You’re being too rigid. One just needs to enjoy these things discreetly. Discreetly.”

“……”

Now the holy knight is making excuses. The Order is definitely doomed. I should have known when someone like Veronica was being praised as a saint.

Finding it increasingly draining to converse with him, I decided to let Ferretti’s words go in one ear and out the other.

“Ahem. Anyway!”

After continuing with his flimsy excuses for quite some time, Ferretti changed the subject.

“I’m going to the black market not just to get items, but for other purposes as well. About three reasons in total. Getting items is the second reason.”

“Then what’s the first reason?”

“Isn’t a black market a dangerous place?”

“I suppose so. It’s a place beyond the reach of law enforcement.”

“It wouldn’t be right for a knight to let the ladies go to such a dangerous place alone!”

Ferretti pounded his chest and vowed to protect Camilla and Francesca no matter what happened. His attitude stemmed from confidence.

“The administrator and the hero are companions of Saint Lucia! It’s only proper for me as a holy knight to protect them.”

“And the third reason?”

“To buy a gift for Saint Lucia.”

A gift for Lucia?

This was somewhat interesting. I decided to probe further.

“What is it?”

“A cigar.”

Uh, well.

A cigar?

“Hmm? You don’t seem surprised. Well, you’re a comrade of the Saint, so you would know.”

“…Where did you hear that? Did Saint Lucia herself…?”

Ferretti shook his head.

“She’s not the type to make such requests directly. She dislikes making others go through trouble.”

“……”

She dislikes making others go through trouble? I briefly recalled my experiences at the magic tower.

Carrying boxes, carrying more boxes, getting crushed under boxes, packing boxes…

“…Hmm.”

It seems Lucia’s kind personality has been greatly exaggerated. How could she dislike making others go through trouble? At least Coupang part-timers get paid, but Lucia didn’t give me anything.

“Then who exactly told you this?”

“The person who knows the Saint best.”

“……”

The moment I heard Ferretti’s words, a woman’s face came to mind. Black hair with a teardrop mark at the corner of her eye. A sinister smile and a bottle of alcohol that never leaves her hand. A faint smell of tobacco.

Veronica, you crazy woman. You said it was your sister’s secret. Why are you telling everyone, you lunatic?

I took a deep breath to calm myself. I could almost hear Veronica’s cackling laughter.

After taking a moment to breathe, I turned to Ferretti.

“So you’re going to the black market for three reasons: protection, supplies, and a gift. Is that right?”

“Yes! There are other reasons too, but…”

Ferretti trailed off.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Have you finished your discussion?”

Francesca, who had been waiting at a distance, walked over. Under the bright moonlight, Francesca was smiling faintly, but Camilla, hiding behind her, was fidgeting nervously and avoiding eye contact.

“……”

“…H-hmm. Ahem.”

As Camilla was sweating profusely and starting to whistle.

“Well.”

Francesca, maintaining her smile, joined the conversation.

“As you’ve heard, Sir Ferretti has decided to accompany us for protection. The Hero wants to see the black market. Now that everyone has stated their purpose, I should state mine as well, shouldn’t I?”

“Ah, yes. Please do.”

“It’s nothing grand. I’m going because I have things to buy and things to learn along the way.”

Meeting my gaze, Francesca turned to Ferretti. And she smiled.

“Sir Ferretti?”

“What is it?”

“How about telling the Officer your real purpose?”

“……”

The hearty smile on Ferretti’s face turned cold.

But Francesca continued to look at him with a smiling face.

“It’s nothing special, and the Officer will find out eventually anyway. Right?”

“…Ngh!”

Groaning as if he couldn’t deny it, Ferretti scratched the back of his head and nodded.

“A valid point. Nothing will change even if he knows in advance…”

“Then please tell him.”

“Alright, alright. Don’t rush me.”

After nodding reluctantly, Ferretti turned to me.

“Officer. Do you remember what I said earlier? That I have other reasons for going to the black market besides the three I mentioned.”

“I remember.”

“In fact, there’s a much more important issue than the knight order’s supplies or the Saint’s gift.”

The holy knight said.

“I plan to investigate black magic items there.”

*

Several months ago, a terrorist attack occurred in the center of Abas Capital. It was an armed hostage situation.

Terrorists from the demilitarized zone, armed with firearms and blades, occupied a department store and attempted to negotiate with the Abas government.

In response, the Abas government mobilized counter-terrorism forces and magical investigation officers to enter the department store, adhering to a zero-tolerance policy.

After hours of confrontation, they eliminated the terrorists and rescued the hostages.

No casualties.

All terrorists killed.

According to the official statement from the Abas government, there were injured hostages but no deaths, and although some terrorists survived, they died during interrogation due to worsening injuries.

Of course, no one knows the truth.

There are stories that some terrorists captured by special forces were imprisoned in secret prisons, and that investigators including Klevins interrogated them. There are also rumors that the terrorists all died under torture, but in any case, I don’t know about it.

What’s truly important is what happened afterward.

“…The State Council proposed a joint investigation to the Abas government. The Abas government responded positively, and key personnel from the Inquisition were sent to Abas to participate in the investigation. Is that correct?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. That’s a matter for law enforcement agencies, not the Department of Defense.”

“I see! I apologize. Since all holy knights are affiliated with the Inquisition, I didn’t consider that aspect.”

The Order proposed a joint investigation to Abas. Specifically, they agreed to investigate suspicious cargo found in the department store.

A strange black barrier that isolated the inside of the department store from the outside world,

and the cargo presumed to have generated it.

No one knows specifically who made it, how it was made, or how it works. What is certain is that the cargo emanated an aura of black magic.

For reference, the first to confirm this were Camilla, Lucia, and Francesca, who were at the scene. It was also recorded in the joint investigation team’s records.

Given the involvement of black magic, the Order had no intention of taking this matter lightly.

Even if the Pope is accused of falsely labeling innocent magicians as black magicians, that doesn’t prevent the Order from eradicating black magic.

To this, Ferretti, a holy knight of the Inquisition, began.

“The Inquisition, in cooperation with the Abas Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Magic, has traced the route through which the black magic items were imported.”

The cargo that deployed the barrier was brought in by the demilitarized zone terrorists themselves. However, the cargo was not made by them; they had purchased it from somewhere.

No one knows where the terrorist who testified to this is. Klevins might know, but I have no intention of going out of my way to find out.

Anyway, the cargo was supplied to the demilitarized zone terrorists by a merchant. A strange merchant who doesn’t age even after decades. The Abas intelligence agency dispatched forces to the demilitarized zone to track down the village where the terrorists lived, and the Inquisition sent inquisitors there.

“According to what our Inquisition has found, the most likely candidate location is the Empire.”

Ferretti continued.

“The merchant who sold the cargo is likely in the Empire. The Empire’s Ministry of Magic is searching everywhere, but they haven’t yet discovered where he is.”

“I see.”

“But!”

Ferretti clenched his fist.

“How many places in the Empire could there be for someone involved with black magic and demons to hide from the eyes of the Order and the Empire?”

“……”

“He’s most likely in the north. Since he regularly brings grain, clothes, medicine, and such from somewhere and passes them to the demilitarized zone, we might find a clue in the northern black market.”

In summary, he was saying he would look for information about the ‘merchant’ who sold the cargo to the terrorists in the black market.

Yes, it’s good that the holy knight captain is personally gathering information.

The problem is,

“Why are you doing this personally, Captain?”

Why is the holy knight order doing this?

All holy knight orders of the Order are affiliated with the Inquisition. There are occasionally knight orders referred to as being under monasteries or convents, but according to the Order’s laws, the Inquisition can exercise command over them at any time. It’s somewhat like the relationship between local governments and the central government.

Of course, the Order of St. Andrea is clearly affiliated with the Inquisition, under the command of the Inquisition Chief.

But.

“Doesn’t the Inquisition have inquisitors and exorcist priests? I understand for combat, but for gathering information about black magic or demons, wouldn’t they be much better than the holy knight order?”

“Ngh…!”

Ferretti suddenly groaned and then burst out.

“But I can’t just sit idle as a knight!”

Ferretti began rapidly listing incomprehensible excuses: that the inquisitors are busy identifying mental contamination issues and heretical beliefs among northern imperial citizens, that exorcist priests spend years on a single case to catch one demon, and so on.

Due to his excitement making him speak too quickly, I couldn’t hear properly, but from what I gathered, neither inquisitors nor exorcist priests have the capacity to collect information. In short, they’re short-staffed.

“Those sanctimonious types never help the knight order but always tell us what to do, criticizing everything we… GACK! COUGH! UGH!”

Ferretti, who had been ranting, hunched over and burst into coughing. It seemed his blood pressure had risen from the anger building up as he spoke.

I patted his back as he coughed as if he might pass out at any moment, and pondered.

So even the Inquisition suffers from staff shortages.

That’s an interesting fact I learned today.

Ferretti, who had been coughing as if about to expel his internal organs, finally regained his composure.

“…Since black magic is involved, this is no ordinary matter. It’s an urgent issue that must be resolved as quickly as possible. Even holy knights cannot be exceptions.”

“Sir is right.”

Francesca, the administrator and alchemist of the magic tower, spoke up.

“If it’s black magic, the magic tower won’t stand idle either. Even if a magician from the tower is behind the terrorism, the tower will never back down.”

“The magic tower?”

Francesca nodded affirmatively.

“You know well what our magicians have gone through over the past hundred years, don’t you, Officer?”

“……”

I do know. How could I not?

The magic tower wasn’t simply established by a magician uprising. Governments supported the magicians, and countless intelligence agencies intervened in the war between the magic tower and the Order. Military intelligence was no exception.

And,

When the Order imposed the shackles known as the Nastasiya Treaty, various intelligence agencies intervened. Military intelligence cannot be free from that history either.

I silently looked at Francesca.

My inability to speak wasn’t because I was an intelligence officer from military intelligence, nor because my seniors had been involved in the founding and fall of the magic tower.

“……”

I glanced at the holy knight, Ferretti, standing beside me.

The Order and the magic tower are hostile groups. They haven’t established diplomatic relations due to historical issues, and even now, they’re eager to destroy each other at any opportunity.

Black magician.

Devil worshipper.

Witch.

Apostle of evil gods.

For thousands of years, magicians have had to hide like rats from the eyes of inquisitors. Inquisitors hunted magicians, and many magicians met their end on stakes and wheels. That’s why “black magic” remains a taboo term in magical society even today.

Because it reminds them of the painful history their ancestors experienced. That’s why many magicians of the tower have worked to shed that stigma.

I know.

I’m not unaware.

I was just a bit concerned about bringing up that past in front of a clergyman, especially a holy knight of the Inquisition.

But,

“Hmm!”

Ferretti crossed his arms and let out an incomprehensible groan.

“Indeed, I understand well what ‘black magic’ means to magicians. And the many sins committed under the name of inquisition.”

“……”

“I won’t deny that past. As someone benefiting from what the Order has built up until now, ignoring the achievements while turning a blind eye to the sins would be against human decency, let alone religious principles.”

However!

“Isn’t decency also something created by humans? Decency emerged because people existed, not the other way around.”

“……”

“Let’s save people first. How many lives will be lost if we leave those who deal with black magic unchecked?”

I looked at Ferretti, who continued speaking with a serious expression. Earlier I thought he was just a wastrel obsessed with alcohol and tobacco, but now he seemed to have some sense after all.

“…Black magic.”

Francesca’s voice broke through the silence.

“Black magic isn’t limited to any one discipline; it refers to all magic used improperly. We cannot turn a blind eye to those who stray from the natural order and the right path. That’s not the path our ancestors dreamed of.”

“Well said.”

“And no matter how deep the grudge, being consumed by emotion is not the right thing to do either. Let’s do as Sir Ferretti says.”

“Yes! Did you call me here with this in mind from the beginning, Administrator?”

“Who knows…?”

“Haha! That doesn’t matter. So, what should we do?”

“……”

I alternately looked at Francesca and Ferretti, who were having a serious conversation. Are they really a clergyman and a magician? Why do they get along so well?

The two continued exchanging opinions on how to begin investigating black magic, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

At this point, I might as well go back and get some sleep. I’m just an ignorant commoner who knows nothing about magic. What could I possibly contribute? And I should also return Camilla, who’s hiding over there, to her proper place.

As I was about to leave with Camilla and head back to my quarters, Ferretti’s thick hand firmly grabbed me as I was slipping out of the alley.

“Officer! Where do you think you’re going?”

“Uh… I was going to sleep.”

“Sleep? Sleeeeep?”

Ferretti’s beard trembled. Gripping my shoulders with both hands, the holy knight exhaled like an angry bull and growled.

“Are you trying to run away?”

“No… the curfew has already passed… and I need to take this one back…”

“Don’t talk about me like I’m an object!”

“Tsk! Stay still! What are you shouting for? You got caught trying to smuggle chocolate.”

“Hiing…”

While subduing Camilla, who was throwing a tantrum about wanting to see the black market, Ferretti scolded me in an extremely irritated tone. He raised his voice as if about to jump up at any moment.

“Your comrade is heading into danger, and you’re going to sleep? How can you utter such nonsense as a knight!?”

“I’m a soldier, not a knight.”

“Soldiers and knights are practically the same. Don’t soldiers protect people too?”

“No, that’s…”

I am a soldier, but… isn’t Francesca a citizen of Fatalia? Then she should be the concern of the Fatalia military. Or the Magic Tower’s Magical Corps.

I tried to escape using the civil servant’s ultimate technique—passing the buck—but unfortunately, Ferretti seemed to have no intention of letting me go. He put down Camilla, whom I had been holding like a sack of barley, and pushed my back, urging me to lead the way.

“Let’s go! We have a long way to go, so we need to hurry!”

“Ah, no… if we get caught by the military police, it could cause a diplomatic incident…”

“Ah! I don’t care about such things! Let’s go! Hurry!”

Ferretti dragged me along, firmly gripping me to prevent escape.

Seeing this, Francesca covered her mouth with her sleeve, trying to suppress her laughter as she moved forward, while Camilla followed, urging us to hurry.

“Life…”

*

We headed straight for the black market. The four of us crossed the northern region under the bright moon.

Francesca shared the approximate location of the black market she had heard from the laborer, and Ferretti, who had been active in the north for four years and was knowledgeable about the local geography, led the way.

“The black market doesn’t have a fixed location.”

“Then?”

“It opens irregularly in different areas. When word spreads that items will be traded in a certain area soon, people gather there.”

And Francesca had just obtained this information.

“That’s right!”

Ferretti’s voice came through the strong wind.

“Most northern black markets work that way! They have to move around to avoid crackdowns by the military police!”

“Have you been there, Sir Ferretti?”

“Of course!”

Hearty laughter followed.

“I certainly have! The world is wide and black markets are many, not just in the Empire! There are even some in the Order!”

Why do you know that?

Ferretti scratched his cheek embarrassedly.

“What, do you think clergy have no desires? We have to eat too!”

“Come on! Is that something you should be saying?!”

“If you get caught, it’s illegal! If you don’t, it’s legal! Isn’t that how the world works? Just don’t go around telling people that holy knight captains frequent black markets! Chief Petro would have my head if he found out!”

As hearty laughter echoed, I was momentarily lost in thought.

Inquisition Chief Petro.

People know him as a diligent and devout believer, but he is an intelligence officer of military intelligence. Specifically, a deep-cover agent.

His devout faith, extensive theological knowledge, and high divine compatibility opened the path for him to enter religion, but he gave up everything to join military intelligence.

Had he chosen the path of a clergyman rather than an intelligence officer, he might have become a bishop by now. The position of Inquisition Chief can only be held by the most capable and devout person.

But he chose to become an intelligence officer, not a clergyman. He infiltrated the Order, leaving behind his wife of many years, and didn’t return to Abas even until the moment of her death. And after decades, he only sent a necklace to his wife through a junior colleague.

He abandoned his family, his rank, his name.

That’s why no one knows him.

Only the name Inquisition Chief Petro remains.

“……”

Looking up, I can see the bright moon. The moon, hidden by clouds, cannot reveal itself.

However,

Stars were flowing in the piercingly dark night sky.

“We’ve arrived.”

Ferretti’s voice reached my ears as I was looking up at the sky.

“This is the northern black market.”