Ch.230Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

# The Kiyen Empire

The Kiyen Empire stands as a leading nation among monarchies and dictatorships.

Royal families dreaming of power spanning hundreds or even thousands of years, dictators who wish to clutch power until their dying breath, warlords aspiring to become leaders someday, revolutionaries yearning for change.

The world overflows with those who desire eternal rule beyond their personal security, and for them, the Kiyen Empire serves as an invaluable ally and powerful backer.

However, not even the imperial family’s noble bloodline—said to be descended from dragons—nor the emperor who wields overwhelming power based on fear unmatched throughout imperial history can support everyone.

Because resources are finite.

And human greed knows no bounds.

Thus, limited resources must be used efficiently.

Which royal family should be supported to yield the greatest benefit?

Which dictator should be extended a hand to offer the best gifts in return?

Which warlord should be given an opportunity to become the most successful investment?

Implementation isn’t difficult. Making judgments and bearing the consequences is the challenge.

Since the Empire was filled with people who would stop at nothing to fulfill the Emperor’s orders, realizing the Emperor’s blueprint wasn’t particularly difficult.

Viktor was one of those who implemented the Emperor’s vision.

As a high-ranking official who had dedicated his career to the Military Supply Command and being fluent in the culture, political situation, and languages of the Moritani continent thanks to his immigrant parents.

However,

One thing the imperial bastards miscalculated was,

The fact that there exist stubborn fools in this world who can’t stand seeing others succeed.

And that stubborn fool works at the Abas Embassy in the Kiyen Empire.

## Episode 12 – The Greatest Magician Ever

The word “smuggling” sparked interest in Francesca’s eyes.

“Viktor, should you be saying that so openly?”

“What does it matter? It’s the truth.”

Viktor shrugged nonchalantly.

His brazen attitude made me chuckle briefly before turning to Francesca.

“Viktor is an honest businessman, Francesca. A diligent person who travels abroad and puts in the legwork.”

“Is that so? I’m rather curious about what kind of business you’re involved in.”

“He’s active in various fields. Viktor specifically handles a type of trade. He mainly sells goods produced in the Kiyen Empire to foreign countries and brings back items of equivalent value to the Empire.”

“For example?”

I answered briefly and concisely.

“Weapons.”

Viktor, a former lieutenant of the Kiyen Imperial Army, deals in weapons. Not just any weapons, but those traded illegally and covertly.

“To be specific, he’s a businessman who contracts with foreign clients who have money but no means to acquire what they want, delivering customized products.”

His main customers are foreigners, but occasionally he sells to Kiyen Empire citizens as well. Of course, he never deals in firearms or drugs on imperial soil.

That would be a breach of contract.

For reference, Viktor’s backing for weapons comes from the Empire’s Ministry of Defense.

“He provides quality control, after-sales support, and even small services without reservation.”

“……”

“He has abundant experience and know-how from his active duty days. Of course, there are some administrative issues with the business, but… isn’t resolving those part of his skill set? Right, Viktor?”

As I was polishing my friend’s reputation, he smiled brightly.

Viktor, watching me trying hard to dress up his shady business, snorted and interrupted.

“Freddy. Aren’t you making smuggling and international law violations sound too good?”

“I try to speak well of you, and this is what I get.”

Viktor is a weapons broker and former lieutenant from the Military Supply Command. Since his active duty days, he’s been responsible for the Kiyen Empire’s Defense Ministry illegally providing weapons to foreign royalty, dictatorships, and warlords. Recognizing his experience, he continues similar work after retirement.

After my brief explanation, the well-dressed orc joked:

“Actually, saying it’s similar doesn’t do it justice. If anything, I’ve moved up to a higher position.”

After retirement, Viktor fully immersed himself in the weapons export business. As before, he currently supplies Kiyen Empire-made weapons to numerous warlords across the Moritani continent.

He deals with a wide range from small arms like rifles and pistols to medium weapons like machine guns, and occasionally even armored vehicles such as tanks, armored cars, or tactical vehicles.

Of course, this isn’t official export through formal contracts between nations.

Selling weapons to sanctioned countries or warlords is illegal activity that must remain hidden. Especially to countries hostile to the Kiyen Empire, like Abas.

Unfortunately for him, I was an Abas intelligence officer.

Viktor evaluated his business in a calm tone.

“It may be illegal, but what can we do? When they prevent even essential goods from being sold to warlords and dictatorial governments, how could we export weapons openly? Naturally, we have to pass them through the back door.”

“I always feel that Kiyen people are quite brazen, Viktor.”

“If we look pitiful enough, could you lift those damn economic sanctions, Freddy? If you’d just stop sending naval mages to drill holes in ship bottoms in international waters, we could avoid a lot of trouble.”

“That’s not us. Must be the Fatalians.”

“They were communicating in Abas language.”

“Um… you must have misheard. Probably.”

We briefly digressed into a calm and intellectual conversation about the effectiveness of Abas’s comprehensive economic sanctions and the tragedies occurring on the Moritani continent.

Francesca’s expression changed constantly as she listened to this profound discussion.

She seemed interested yet perplexed, unsure how to take it all in. The executive from the Secretariat’s Economic Management Department (in charge of smuggling and managing Oracle’s secret funds) was struggling to find her footing between an active weapons broker and a spy.

It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the conversation; rather, she was flustered by how off-topic it had become. Francesca subtly signaled to me, wondering why we were discussing subjects only we understood.

“Ahem… well, let’s save that talk for later. Let’s get back to the main topic and discuss business first.”

Viktor cleared his throat to change the atmosphere.

Leaning comfortably against the backrest, the orc asked if he could smoke, then carefully took out a pack of cigarettes and put one between his lips. Though the safe house was dark, I immediately recognized the brand in Viktor’s hand.

Akhtoniak. A discontinued military-issue cigarette from the Kiyen Empire.

He had a strange preference for these even during his active duty days, and apparently still insisted on them after retirement.

Recalling the times I ventured into no-man’s-land to find these discontinued cigarettes for him, I shuddered. Meanwhile, Viktor naturally struck a match and lit the tip of his cigarette.

“Phew-. So, Freddy. This lady wants to do business with me?”

I nodded.

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. With his green skin, he resembled a reptile.

“Surely a magician isn’t looking to buy guns…”

“She wants to sell rather than buy.”

“She has something to sell on the black market?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… it’s not difficult. Depends on what it is. But before that, I’d like to ask the lady one thing.”

Wisps of smoke rose thickly. Through the white veil, the orc’s narrowed gaze fell upon the alchemist.

“Where exactly are you planning to sell these goods?”

To this, Francesca answered.

“The Kiyen Empire.”

“The Empire? That’s my homeland…”

“Does that make you uncomfortable?”

At her slightly provocative tone, Viktor grinned.

“Not at all. I don’t mind doing it as a side job.”

“I imagine smuggling in the Empire carries heavy penalties… you’re quite bold.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as I don’t get caught.”

“You must have someone watching your back to speak so confidently.”

“Ah, that’s my business secret. I’m afraid I can’t tell you.”

“I completely understand.”

Francesca and Viktor conversed smoothly without any awkwardness. Perhaps because they were similar types, their conversation flowed effortlessly.

The discussion continued at length. Neither Viktor nor Francesca had prepared for this meeting, but elaborate preparations weren’t necessary. It seemed that somewhere in the minds of Francesca, who handled Oracle’s secret funds, and Viktor, who was responsible for national-level smuggling, there already existed thick ledgers and calculators.

“To smuggle into the Empire, you can use either land or sea routes. The magic towers exist too, but according to what my acquaintance serving in the south told me, security checks have been strengthened recently, blocking many routes.”

“Hmm… then sending directly from the magic tower is impossible. That’s fine. I wasn’t planning to take goods only from the tower anyway.”

“How are you planning to import the goods? Is there any way I can help?”

“By sea. We can procure ships on our end. We plan to change the documentation a few times at intermediate ports.”

“Whatever works best for you.”

“What about your commission?”

“Do you have a preferred rate?”

“I’d like to take as much as possible. But since you’re my friend’s lover, I’ll be conscientious.”

As the lengthy business planning continued, the most important topic of today’s conversation finally emerged.

“By the way, which region are you planning to distribute to? If you don’t have a specific area in mind, I could recommend some.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I already have a place in mind. I prefer targeting areas that can’t handle everything, but that’s not feasible right now.”

“The bigger the dream, the better. So, where do you have in mind?”

Francesca answered.

“The North.”

A brief and concise answer,

And therefore, one with a powerful resonance.

“Please distribute the goods to the black market in the North.”

*

Viktor’s narrowed eyes widened to the size of saucers.

His eyes bulged and his shoulders flinched. The fingers holding his cigarette trembled slightly.

The orc informant visiting the Military Intelligence Bureau’s safe house took a puff and paused briefly.

“Did you say… the North?”

Francesca nodded.

“Yes, the North.”

“This is… truly… a troublesome proposal.”

Viktor inhaled his cigarette and exhaled without even swallowing the smoke. The scent of the strong imperial military-issue tobacco produced in the shadows irritated my nose.

“Do you know what kind of place the North is when you say this?”

“I know very well. I was there just a few hours ago.”

Francesca responded with a confident attitude. Despite Viktor’s troubled reaction, she didn’t back down.

But Francesca wasn’t the only one who knew not to back down. Viktor also flatly rejected her proposal without a moment’s hesitation.

“The North is out of the question. It’s too risky a region. Let’s choose somewhere else. How about the East, which borders Latuan?”

Viktor suggested an alternative, but this time Francesca expressed her refusal.

Like the orc, the alchemist showed no hesitation.

“It has to be the North. If you can handle it, I don’t mind paying whatever it costs, so please look into it.”

“Price isn’t the issue.”

Viktor shook his head with an obviously troubled expression. His face was dripping with difficulty, and a strange light passed through his eyes, hidden by his green skin.

It was fear.

“Why not?”

“……”

To Francesca’s persistent questioning, Viktor exhaled a heavy sigh entangled with smoke.

“Martial law has been declared in the North. Under imperial law, when martial law is declared, the Military Government Command receives all judicial and administrative powers from the city government and central authority, with the Military Police and Internal Troops executing them.”

The former Kiyen Imperial Army lieutenant mentioned the Empire’s martial law.

“Similarly, public security duties in the northern region also fall under the Military Government Command’s jurisdiction. The Military Police and Internal Troops handle all roles of police, military police, and public security. With judicial power transferred to the Military Government Command, prosecution and trial rights also shift there. They essentially wield absolute power.”

To summarize Viktor’s explanation:

When martial law is declared, the Military Government Command, acting as martial law headquarters, is delegated all authority in the North according to law. From the administrative capital Novo Nikolayevsk to the frontline mountain valleys, the Military Government Command can exercise all types of authority.

One of these authorities is judicial power.

Under martial law, the Military Government Command can exercise judicial power in the North, with military prosecutors and military courts essentially replacing the roles of prosecutors and courts. Whether the accused is a civilian or soldier, they face trial before judges and prosecutors in uniform and military police armed with guns.

In other words, if caught smuggling in the North by the Military Police, there’s no way out.

Police might turn a blind eye if bribed before putting on handcuffs, but military police will immediately draw batons to strike your head. They might even put a bullet in the back of your head.

The same applies to Viktor.

No matter how trusted he is by the imperial government to contract with dictatorships, foreign royalty, revolutionaries, and warlords to sell weapons, he cannot escape punishment if caught in a martial law area. Especially if it’s on his own initiative rather than by order.

So it wasn’t strange that Viktor was reluctant.

The orc immediately waved his hands and spoke with a troubled tone.

“When I retired and started this business, I made two promises to myself about what I wouldn’t sell in the Empire: drugs and firearms. But this—I never anticipated smuggling into a martial law area.”

“…I’m not asking you to sell drugs or guns. I want to sell things much smaller and less burdensome.”

“No matter how powerful your backing is, no one can touch the North right now. Whether it’s the Military Government Command or His Highness the Grand Duke, someone will definitely come after you.”

“……”

“I’m sorry, but let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”

As he insisted on dropping the business, Francesca’s brow furrowed. She leaned back on the sofa, relaxing her body.

If left alone, something might happen. Someone needs to step in and mediate.

“Haah…”

I sighed softly and intervened between Francesca, who was frowning, and Viktor, who was gathering his things.

“I’ve heard enough. Let me handle this now. Francesca? Could you give me a moment to talk with my friend?”

“…Officer?”

Francesca, still frowning, turned to look at me.

I briefly met her gaze, then leaned forward as if to embrace her. Francesca looked at me with an expression that seemed to ask what I was doing.

She apparently hadn’t fully grasped the situation yet. Since it would be troublesome if Francesca made a scene here, I quickly moved my face closer before she could collect herself.

I approached her right cheek, from Francesca’s perspective. The side of her face that Viktor couldn’t see.

At a distance so close that our lips would touch with the slightest nudge, where I could feel my breath flowing over her skin,

-Smack!

I made a kissing sound with my lips without actually kissing her.

“…What are you—!”

“Shh.”

As Francesca startled and tried to pull away, I wrapped my arms around her. Embracing her shoulders and head, I whispered quietly in her ear.

“Act naturally, Francesca. The moment you slap my face and get upset here, everything falls apart.”

“……”

“If you understand, play along and get up to move to the next room. Close the door properly, draw the curtains. Stay as far away from the balcony as possible.”

Because it would be troublesome if someone saw us from outside.

After whispering that, I continued to hold her for a moment. I was concerned that Francesca might not be fully prepared, so I tried to buy time like this.

Even as I sat still, all sorts of stray thoughts crossed my mind, but fortunately my worry proved unfounded. Francesca, who had been stiff, naturally placed her hand on my back and stroked it, then buried her head near my shoulder or collarbone and whispered quietly.

“…I would appreciate some advance notice next time, Officer.”

“……”

“I don’t want to see your blood because of a misunderstanding.”

That’s quite a deadly warning.

Having said that, Francesca naturally rose from her seat and left for the adjacent room. To anyone watching, we would appear to be lovers who couldn’t bear to be apart.

I wiped the cold sweat from the back of my neck and leaned against the sofa. The sensation of fingernails digging into my back was still vividly present.

Feeling a chill down my spine from the lingering pain, I looked at Viktor, who had stopped packing his things.

“What’s wrong, Viktor?”

“…Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Then sit down. I won’t keep you long.”

Viktor, who had been standing awkwardly, sat back in his chair. I sighed heavily and needlessly brushed dust off my shirt.

“Sorry for putting you in a difficult position, Viktor. I should have explained in advance, but I’ve been busy.”

“You seem more troubled than I am…”

“…Well.”

I tried to respond but had nothing to say. I couldn’t tell him not to worry since we weren’t really dating.

As I was searching hard for an excuse, I ended up blurting out something random.

“Don’t you ever do this.”

“……”

Viktor sighed lightly with an incredulous expression. Anyway, as long as we reached our destination, it didn’t really matter how we got there, and I had managed the situation well.

I addressed Viktor, who was sitting with a sullen face.

“You’ve heard enough, but Francesca wants to distribute goods to the black market in the North. She’s thinking of supplying necessities like food, clothing, medicine, and cold weather gear—not the drugs or firearms you’re wary of.”

“…Necessities? I’ve heard the North is short on supplies. But why do you care about that? And why does your girlfriend want to distribute them there?”

“What else could it be?”

So I can beat the crap out of that elf and extract information.

“For money.”

“……”

The orc’s strange gaze pierced me. It was a look that said, “I never dreamed such words would come from your mouth.”

Viktor examined me with eyes half interested, half suspicious.

“Money? Have you suddenly developed an interest in money, Freddy? I thought you had no material desires.”

“Yeah, and you thought I was gay too.”

“Well… I have nothing to say to that. I sincerely apologize. But the North is still problematic.”

“Come on, Viktor. Do it for me.”

“Haah…”

Viktor let out a deep sigh.

It was a very long, deep sigh filled with anguish.

“Look, friend. I really want to help you. I’d help with anything within my reach. But the North is beyond what I can handle.”

I bluntly replied to Viktor.

“Isn’t backing from generals enough? You know many high-ranking officers. And you’re also friendly with officials from the Railway Ministry, Postal Bureau, and Customs.”

“……”

I briefly mentioned Viktor’s connections and important networks he could utilize for business.

This would normally be information that even his family wouldn’t know, but as the intelligence officer managing Viktor, I needed to know this much.

Of course, Viktor was well aware of this fact.

After confirming that the door to the room Francesca had entered was firmly closed, Viktor spoke in a tired voice. The conversation we were about to have was one that couldn’t be shared even in front of a friend’s girlfriend (a lie), let alone children, spouses, or parents.

“The generals are people who do business with me. The acquaintances from the Railway Ministry, Postal Bureau, and Customs are people who take my money.”

“Right. Couldn’t you ask the Railway Ministry staff and the Military Supply Commander to transport goods to the North? It might be difficult to reach the frontlines, but they could move them to the entrance, couldn’t they?”

“…It’s impossible, Freddy. Cargo entering the North is monitored by Military Government Command troops even when it’s just approaching. From there on, it’s not the Military Supply Command’s territory.”

Damn it. I had a rough idea, but I didn’t know it was this bad. Those Military Government Command bastards are following the book to the letter.

I considered bribing the head of the Military Government Command, but that’s not a good option. Bribes can backfire if handled incorrectly. Lower-ranking officials might be manageable, but you always need to be cautious and wary of those with stars on their shoulders. Especially people like General Mikhail.

I bit my lip slightly and asked again, clutching at straws.

“Isn’t there any way?”

“No. At least not that I know of.”

It was a definitive conclusion. Viktor asserted that it was absolutely impossible to distribute goods to the North.

If Viktor is telling me this, it means there really is no way. Given that there’s no one else listening, this is information close to fact. But the question that arises is,

“……”

How did that dark elf bastard distribute so many goods?

And in the North, where even an Empire-born broker with the military and bribed connections as backing wouldn’t dare to venture.

It’s a strange situation indeed.

As I was struggling with the questions floating in my mind, Viktor suddenly spoke as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah, two things. There are exactly two ways.”

“What ways?”

“Finding new backing.”

Viktor held up two fingers.

“There are exactly two people in the Empire who can exercise absolute power limited to the North. One is General Mikhail, the Military Government Commander, and the other is someone you know well.”

“Who is that?”

“The Grand Duke.”

The Grand Duke. From a collateral branch of the Kiyen Imperial family. Someone I know well. Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t know him?

“That archmage?”

“That’s right.”

The Grand Duke mentioned by the orc is in charge of governing the North. More precisely, he has been delegated authority from the imperial family to oversee the defense and governance of the North for a hundred years.

In times of war when the sacred and magical clashed, he gathered people to fight against the church, achieved military merit, survived, played a significant role in establishing the magic tower, and ultimately returned to the Empire to protect it from magical beings and monsters at the northernmost point.

The Grand Duke was undisputedly recognized by everyone in the Empire.

Viktor said:

“Someone of the Grand Duke’s stature can’t be treated carelessly even by the Military Government Commander. If the Grand Duke protects you, you could kill someone in the martial law North and get away with it. He’s the Emperor’s great-aunt, after all. Unless they’re insane, no one would dare treat an elder of the imperial family disrespectfully.”

“…Hey. I’m genuinely curious now—how do you get the Grand Duke as your backer?”

“You can’t.”

“Son of a…”

“Give up. It’s easier if you give up.”

Viktor slumped his shoulders and collapsed into the chair. I covered my face with my palms and let out a deep sigh.

Whether aware of my complicated feelings or not, the damn fellow muttered on with his hands clasped over his belly.

“Either bribe the Military Government Commander enough to sway him, or get the Grand Duke’s permission. To smuggle into the North without consequences, you need to do one of those two things. If not, just give up.”

“……”

I groaned, rubbing my skin. Is there really no way?

No matter how much I thought about it, no good solution came to mind. It felt like my head was filled with fog.

As I was tapping the sofa armrest with my fingers in anxiety, it happened.

“……”

Like a bolt of lightning, a brilliant idea suddenly struck. Without even reviewing it, I threw a direct question at Viktor.

“What if not the North?”

“Huh?”

“What if you just move the goods somewhere other than the North, and then we use different methods to get them into the North? You wouldn’t be directly moving goods to the North, so you’d have an alibi.”

Wouldn’t that work?

When I asked with that meaning, Viktor’s eyeballs began to roll.

“A region other than the North…”

“What do you think, Viktor? Would that be possible?”

“Nothing’s impossible. No, it’s definitely possible.”

“Good. Then do it that way.”

I briefly exchanged opinions with Viktor. And before he could preemptively express caution, I placed my hand on my chest.

“I won’t put you in a difficult position. I swear.”

“……”

“Help me just this once, for old times’ sake. We’ve never had any problems before.”

Viktor closed his eyes tightly.

The orc sitting in the chair fell into contemplation with his eyes closed.

After a considerable amount of time, when he seemed to have finished his calculations.

“I’m doing this because we’re friends.”

“Great.”

Finally, a positive response came from his lips.

I stood up and took Viktor’s hand. Viktor also grasped my hand and shook it slowly. We smiled broadly as we exchanged handshakes.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but please don’t cause any trouble, Freddy. This is advice because I’m worried.”

“I’ll take it to heart, Viktor.”

Viktor took out a new cigarette. He opened a matchbox, took out a small match, and gently struck it against the wall.

A small flame bloomed in the dark safe house.

“You don’t mind if I take a reasonable commission?”

“Don’t be petty among friends. Be conscientious, just be conscientious.”

“You stingy bastard…”

The orc chuckled, puffing white smoke. As he was gathering his things to leave, he seemed to remember something and turned to look at me.

“By the way, Freddy.”

“Yeah? Why are you calling?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

Viktor, leaving the safe house, posed a question to me. With a cigarette in his mouth and a match in his hand, he tilted his head as if unable to contain his curiosity.

“Why are you helping that woman? From what I’ve heard, it seems more like her business than yours.”

Viktor gestured with his chin toward the room in the corner of the safe house. The very room Francesca had entered.

I followed his gaze to look at the firmly closed door, then looked back at Viktor.

Well. How should I answer here?

Many answers came to mind, but there was only one appropriate response for now.

“…Because I love her?”

It was an embarrassing thing to say even to myself, but it didn’t matter.

For an orc who values tribe and family above all else, there’s nothing more important than honor and love.

“Quite the romantic, aren’t you.”

Viktor chuckled. As always, revealing his snow-white fangs.

“It was good to see you, Freddy. I’ll be back soon with a contract.”

“Sure.”

Toward me waving my hand, Viktor held up the half-burned match.

“Hoo-.”

With a gentle breath, the precariously flickering match went out. I waited patiently for Viktor to leave without showing any surprise.

Eventually, after some time had passed, I approached the window and looked outside.

The streets had regained their light as streetlamps drove away the darkness.

And far away.

At the corner of an alley illuminated by the faint light of a streetlamp.

A familiar orc stood waving his hand holding a matchbox.

*

Having finished our business, there was no need to stay at the magic tower any longer. Leaving the safe house, I boarded a warp gate to the Empire with Francesca.

Our destination was not the North of the Kiyen Empire, but the immigration office in the capital, Petrograd.

“Oh right. We used a teleportation scroll to get to the capital, didn’t we? I forgot.”

“……”

It takes about half a day to travel from the central capital region to the North’s gateway, and then to Novo Nikolayevsk, the administrative capital of the North where the Military Government Command is located.

At first, the road was blocked by fallen logs and such.

Having traveled such a long distance by magic, I mistakenly assumed we would arrive directly in the North upon passing through the warp gate.

“This is a problem. The trains have stopped running now. What should we do?”

“We’ll either have to get scrolls from the Magic Department or wait for the first train.”

“Doesn’t the administrative officer carry teleportation scrolls?”

“I don’t have any besides the one we used to get here. Such items are difficult for individuals to possess in the first place.”

“You’re quite incompetent.”

“……”

“Nothing we can do about it. Let’s find lodging first.”

With the last train gone, there was no other choice.

I took Francesca to the Abas Embassy located in the center of Petrograd. If by chance the diplomatic quarters where I had stayed were still vacant, I planned to wash up and get some sleep there.

Fortunately, the quarters were empty.

“I found lodging, Administrative Officer. Let’s hurry. If we go now, we can get about three hours of sleep.”

So we crossed through the darkened streets of Petrograd toward the diplomatic quarters. To lay our tired bodies on beds as soon as possible.

*

It was around noon the next day when an unexpected visitor knocked on the door.