Ch.248Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

There are few people who can naturally visit remote or foreign regions. Especially if it’s a conflict zone.

At best, government officials, peddlers, traveling doctors, or volunteers?

Traveling doctors are always welcome in remote areas where medical systems don’t reach, and in conflict zones, volunteers are as precious as an oasis in the desert.

The status of volunteers in conflict zones is such that even notoriously reckless rebels and armed groups won’t touch them without special reasons (like hostage situations). Of course, entering a battlefield means they’re risking their lives to save others.

However, I can’t use either of those identities in the current situation. I’m neither a doctor, nor do I have relief supplies—what kind of traveling doctor or volunteer would I be?

Being a peddler is also impossible. How could I pose as one without anything to sell?

But even when the sky falls, there’s always a way out.

I decided to use the Inquisitors’ Kiyen language skills to pose as a northern local government official.

“A government official?”

“It’s our best option right now. We can say we’re here for food distribution or to review support projects, conducting population surveys or measurements. They won’t be able to question that.”

“Do you think that will work?”

The Inquisitors showed slightly skeptical reactions.

But it doesn’t matter.

“Will it work, you ask?”

I smiled with an expression suggesting I wasn’t entirely sure myself.

“I don’t know if they’ll buy it. But this is our best option. We don’t have any alternatives, do we?”

“…The Captain is right. We have no other options at present.”

Priestess Rebecca instructed the Inquisitors.

“Everyone prepare. We’ll pose as government officials.”

Episode 12 – The Most Powerful Mage in History

With our identities decided, there was no need to delay.

I checked the Inquisitors’ Kiyen language skills and selected a few who could speak fluent standard dialect.

Thanks to my three years of service in the Kiyen Empire, my Kiyen language skills were considerable, and there were about two more Inquisitors who could match my accent and pronunciation. Surprisingly, Priestess Rebecca’s Kiyen language skills were quite impressive.

I gathered them and spoke separately.

“You, Priestess Rebecca, and the rest of you will pose as government officials.”

I selected only those with excellent Kiyen language skills since they would be directly interacting with locals.

“Priestess Rebecca.”

Priestess Rebecca pulled out several sets of clothes from her bag. They were suits in fairly good condition.

I decided to have the Inquisitors wear these suits.

“As government officials, we must wear suits while staying in the village. What’s the plan for the rest of you?”

“They’ll be the reserve team.”

Personnel with average or slightly lacking Kiyen language skills were organized into a reserve team. Priestess Rebecca instructed them to stay on the outskirts of the village, minimize contact with locals, and simultaneously monitor if anyone was entering or leaving the village at key routes.

A wise choice.

If the Inquisitors posing as government officials encountered any problems, they could deploy these reserves as replacements. Inquisitors with average Kiyen language skills could converse with locals without issues. Even those with slightly lacking skills could manage brief conversations.

While the Inquisitors changed into suits, I also changed into one. It was miserable wearing a suit without an overcoat in the dead of winter, but after receiving a prayer that maintained body temperature, I thought I could endure it.

After observing the village through binoculars, I said to the Inquisitors who had completed their preparations:

“Let’s wait and depart when the sun rises.”

*

Even in the vast Kiyen Empire, government officials visiting a village in the middle of the night could arouse suspicion among residents. So we decided to wait nearby and enter the village when the sun rose.

After taking a short nap in a place sheltered from the wind, at dawn, I went down to the village with the Inquisitors.

As expected, the villagers immediately recognized us as outsiders.

“…Who are you?”

“Government officials. Is this Kirnema Village?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Is the village headman available?”

The villagers we met at the entrance guided us to the headman without any suspicion after hearing we were government officials.

In wartime, it’s unlikely that con artists would come all the way here, and since we were all wearing suits, no one found it strange that we were posing as government officials. Though many looked at us with curious eyes.

The headman of Kirnema Village was a typical elderly man with many wrinkles.

“Are you the headman?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Vadim from the nearby city.”

Perhaps due to hard physical labor, the headman’s hands had many calluses. I guessed he was likely a farmer. The rough, calloused hands, the remote village, and the farming tools set up near his house gave me a general idea.

With the mindset of a charlatan targeting the savings of rural elders, I dangled bait like “food distribution” and “support projects” to the headman.

“You’re saying you’ll distribute food to the village?”

“That’s right, Headman.”

“Hmm… I’m grateful if you’re offering, but…”

Either suspicious or skeptical, the headman didn’t take the bait easily. He even scrutinized us with doubtful eyes.

At a glance, it seemed less about doubting whether we were genuine government officials and more about questioning whether they would actually distribute supplies to such a remote village. Since I had anticipated this kind of reaction, I refrained from exaggerated responses and calmly waited for the old man to gather his thoughts.

“Hmm… Are you really here about food distribution?”

“Yes, we are.”

“I thought you might be here for conscription. There’s no one left in the village except the elderly, women, and children…”

“……”

“Well, I understand.”

After contemplating for a while, the headman decided to accept us into the village, expressing his lament.

“Since you say you’re here for distribution, I suppose there won’t be any trouble. But what exactly are you planning to do, coming all the way here?”

“Just a simple survey.”

Having successfully entered the village, we used our government official identities to gather information.

When we explained that accurate population data was needed for food distribution and various support, and that we would also check facilities needing repairs, the headman willingly assigned a few villagers as guides. Though they were mostly elderly people with barely enough strength to hold a spoon, or middle-aged women.

Anyway, since we were visiting to gather information, there was no need to decline.

I, Priestess Rebecca, and two Inquisitors posing as government officials actively utilized our cover identities.

Guided by a villager, I grasped the overall structure of the village and collected detailed information from the guide and other civilians we encountered along the way.

The exact number of villagers,

General personal information about the villagers,

Paths leading outside,

The food situation and number of patients in the village,

Neighboring villages they interact with, and so on.

We moved around everywhere, thoroughly gathering information about the village.

The time it took was exactly 1 hour and 13 minutes.

“That was easy.”

It was like taking candy from a baby.

*

Deceiving people wasn’t particularly difficult.

The villagers approached us first, asking various questions, which somewhat reduced the time and effort needed for information gathering.

Priestess Rebecca looked at the approaching villagers with curious eyes.

“I thought they wouldn’t be friendly to outsiders because of the conflict. This is unexpected.”

Priestess Rebecca and the Inquisitors seemed to find this situation strange. I responded nonchalantly while jotting down information about the village in my notebook.

“From the villagers’ perspective, it must be intriguing.”

“I still expected some suspicion.”

“Suspicion? Well, about that…”

The idea that people in remote areas are hostile to outsiders is half true and half false.

“We claimed to be government officials conducting a survey when entering the village, so there’s no reason for suspicion.”

“Wouldn’t they think we’re impersonating officials?”

“At worst, they’d think we’re con artists trying to sell something.”

In a farming village, especially in a conflict zone, those impersonating government officials are usually scammers.

The village headman and other residents probably either genuinely believed we were officials or thought we were just peddlers trying to sell something.

What madman would think that foreign spies would impersonate imperial officials in a place like this? If someone actually thought that, they’d be a patient incapable of normal daily life.

Of course, I am actually a spy. But that’s not something the villagers need to worry about.

“Government officials, how much more will you be examining?”

“We need to look around a bit longer. We need to take photos for the military governor and check nearby villages as well. We’ll probably need to stay here for at least two days.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s just our job.”

I acted like a government official conducting a survey while moving around the village. I not only gathered information but also took out a small magical camera to photograph buildings and roads, which the villagers watched without suspicion.

This magic camera, by the way, was hidden in Dvork. It was meant for photographing northern military bases or important facilities, but I never expected to use it like this.

Anyway, as I photographed various parts of the village, the villagers firmly believed I was a real government official.

I successfully captured photos of the entire village, including detailed images of buildings and roads.

And even…

“Would you like me to take a photo of you?”

“What would an old person need a photo for… Don’t bother. It’s embarrassing.”

“Don’t say that, please help me out just once, sir. Do you have grandchildren?”

“I have a granddaughter.”

“Go call her. I’ll take a photo of you together. I still have plenty of magic power.”

I even offered to take family photos with the elders’ grandchildren.

Even the elders who initially waved off the offer eventually brought their grandchildren and daughters-in-law for photos. Regardless of time or place, no parent can resist their children.

“Now, look here. I’m taking the photo!”

-Click!

“Oh my, your grandson came out so nicely.”

“Ahem. Do we get the photos right away?”

“They need to be developed in the city. This uses film. I’ll develop them as soon as I return and bring them to you.”

“Thank you kindly.”

The elders smiled, seemingly looking forward to when the photos would be ready. I promised to visit the village again with the photos as an excuse.

It was half a lie, but I didn’t feel particularly guilty. Deceiving others is my profession—how could I feel bad about something like this?

Besides, I needed an excuse to visit the village again, so I intend to keep my promise to the elders.

“……”

As I continued taking photos, it became evident that there were no young men in the village. The people in the photos were all elderly, women, or children.

Suddenly, I recalled intelligence passed to me by a government official I had helped escape to Latuan.

The military had first conscripted ethnic minorities, he had said. Looking now, all the villagers were ethnic minorities. In Russian terms, they would be like Koreans, North Caucasians, or Mongolians.

What happened to those who were conscripted?

I belatedly thought I should ask about the sons’ fates and report to the Military Intelligence Bureau, but my mouth refused to open.

“…Next, please.”

After finishing with an old woman who had brought her daughter-in-law and granddaughter for photos, I pressed the shutter again for a new family that had appeared.

*

The photo session with villagers, which doubled as information gathering, concluded successfully.

I collected the full films, while Priestess Rebecca continued gathering information with two Inquisitors, making use of the remaining time.

And about three hours after arriving in the village, useful intelligence finally emerged from the villagers’ mouths.

“Are there any outsiders who regularly visit the village or come and go periodically?”

“Most stopped coming after those demon folk appeared… Ah, there is one priest.”

“…A priest?”

“A priest from the Order. He visits the village occasionally.”

The elders began talking about the Order’s cleric who visited the village. Actually, it was more like praise than mere talk.

“He’s so kind-hearted. He comes all the way to this remote place to care for the sick. He even tutors the children. With all the chaos, many children can’t go to school…”

“…He sounds like a remarkable person. I’d like to meet him.”

“He’s not someone you can meet just because you want to. He’s a wanderer… Ah, now that I think about it, he promised last time that he’d visit the village around this time. You young folks might be lucky enough to see him. Hehe. You should get a consultation from him. He’s a miraculous man—even a common cold will be cured instantly.”

Compiling the information from the villagers, I gathered the following:

A middle-aged man estimated to be in his late 40s.

Always visits the village alone.

Visits irregularly; even the villagers don’t know when he’ll come.

Can handle divine power and has the ability to heal patients.

Sometimes teaches children simple subjects like arithmetic and language, etc.

Quite detailed information. They certainly knew more than innocent children.

“He sounds like a good person.”

“Indeed! He’s an excellent man.”

“……”

The Inquisitors gathered intelligence from the villagers without batting an eye. Conceptually, I expected Inquisitors to go berserk at the mention of heresy or apostasy, but they smiled and even agreed with the villagers to avoid suspicion.

After organizing the films, I quietly approached Priestess Rebecca.

“Priestess. The village headman has offered us a house. He says we can stay there if we want.”

“…I understand. I’ll be there shortly.”

I looked worriedly at the Inquisitors before heading to the house offered by the headman. Priestess Rebecca said she would follow soon, staying behind to direct the Inquisitors.

I was concerned that the Inquisitors might flip out, but fortunately, that worry was unfounded. The Inquisitors caused no commotion and quietly came to the house with Priestess Rebecca.

“We’ve collected a lot of intelligence.”

“Let’s organize it now.”

Gathered in the house, we put our heads together to share information.

I shared general information about the village and intelligence about major transportation routes, while Priestess Rebecca shared the intelligence she and the Inquisitors had collected about the friar.

One Inquisitor spoke while checking the radio.

“Based on the circumstances, that friar is definitely a heretic. Many details match the testimony of the child who was caught using sorcery with the villagers.”

As expected, the priest mentioned by the villagers and the one mentioned by the child were the same person. Although it was still at the estimation stage, this was close to certainty.

Priestess Rebecca pulled up a chair, leaned on the table, and continued.

“Since he’s said to visit the village again soon, we should be able to confirm if we wait here.”

“But we don’t know how long we’ll have to wait.”

“That’s true.”

The villagers said the friar would visit the village again soon, but they didn’t mention specific dates. This means even the villagers don’t know when that heretic or apostate might appear.

If I were an unofficial agent, I could just sit and wait near the village, but unfortunately, I’m an official agent. This means I can’t leave my post vacant indefinitely.

And that applies to Priestess Rebecca as well.

“Both professionally and identity-wise, we can’t stay in the village indefinitely. It’s my duty to assist the Saint, and if government officials conducting a survey stay in the same village for days, the villagers will become suspicious.”

“Then we have no choice. We’ll have to deploy the reserve team, Priestess Rebecca.”

“I agree.”

At this point, the only option is to utilize the Inquisitors we kept in reserve.

Since they can speak Kiyen, they should thoroughly prepare and disguise themselves as traveling doctors or peddlers who can stay in the village for extended periods without arousing suspicion.

I cautiously suggested a plan to Priestess Rebecca for utilizing the reserve team.

“Since they all know how to handle divine power, they could pose as traveling doctors. But if there are no patients in the village, entry would be difficult, so posing as peddlers might be the best option.”

Remote or isolated villages need regular visits from peddlers. They’re the only ones who bring in goods that the village can’t produce self-sufficiently.

So at this point, disguising the reserve Inquisitors as peddlers is the best approach. They can regularly enter and exit the village, making it convenient for long-term surveillance.

“I agree.”

Priestess Rebecca accepted my opinion without much resistance. We sat around the table sharing intelligence, while other Inquisitors radioed the reserve team waiting on the outskirts.

An Inquisitor wearing a headset and focusing on the radio spoke.

“They’re monitoring the village from the outskirts and report no unusual occurrences.”

“Tell them to continue surveillance while taking turns to rest. Any injuries?”

“Everyone seems fine. They have enough rations brought from Dvork, so there’s no problem with food, and they’ve also found temporary shelter from the wind.”

The reserve team is monitoring the village while hiding in the bushes, eating rations. Having crossed the northern snowfield without even stopping for meals, they must be getting hungry by now.

Since I was in the same situation, we decided to quickly procure food from the villagers. While one junior Inquisitor went out to get food, Priestess Rebecca opened her bag and began taking out equipment.

“What’s all this?”

“Equipment used to identify heretics. Let me explain.”

Unique equipment of the Inquisition, which I had only seen in Military Intelligence Bureau training materials, appeared before my eyes.

Priestess Rebecca’s explanation began during this intermission.

“These are tools used by Inquisitors. Inquisitors typically carry scriptures, silver daggers, and holy water for use in urgent situations.”

“I understand holy water, but why are the daggers specifically made of silver?”

“There’s nothing better than silver items for repelling the unholy. That’s why the swords and bullets of holy knights, and the tools of exorcist priests, are mostly made of silver. Of course, they’re also blessed by clerics.”

She says it’s a sacred object. It looks like a plain, crude dagger, but apparently it’s a sacred item.

Other intelligence agencies don’t have such things, so they develop neurotoxins to take down clerics or monsters. The Inquisition is truly the Inquisition. If they go so far as to craft sacred items for their agents, they must have an enormous number of clerics they can mobilize, regardless of budget.

Well, that’s probably how the Order has survived for thousands of years.

“These three are the most important. The others…”

“……”

I made a resolution with the mindset of a dark cultist crossing mainland China to invade the Central Plains. I would take down that friar, whether he was a heretic or an apostate, by any means necessary.

In my life, I’ve only ever envied the assets of American agencies, but I never dreamed I’d feel this way here. After trudging through snow in the dead of winter for hours, suffering greatly…

Anyway, all the world’s troubles stem from religion. Damn religious bastards.

Unable to bear Priestess Rebecca’s explanation any longer, I let out a sigh.

“Ah, so this is why the Führer killed the Jews.”

“The Führer?”

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

Despite my nonsense, Priestess Rebecca persistently continued her explanation.

While checking the equipment to be used in the operation and continuing her explanation, she took a breath and picked up an object.

“This is the key to this operation.”

“What is it?”

“An amulet.”

The object Priestess Rebecca held out had very unique characteristics.

It seemed to be made of thinly flattened iron, so thin it was almost like paper. It was somewhat malleable, bending slightly when pressed with a finger. Beyond that, it had a very unusual appearance, and the geometric patterns drawn on it were quite bizarre.

Priestess Rebecca called this object an amulet.

“An amulet is a kind of talisman. It has the effect of protecting the wearer from misfortune and malevolent energies. It’s a kind of protective gear issued to all Inquisitors, holy knights, battle priests, and exorcist priests.”

“Ah, so it’s like a bulletproof vest.”

“You could say that.”

Priestess Rebecca picked up the amulet and invoked divine power.

As divine power flowed into the geometric patterns drawn on the iron plate, the amulet began to glow with a strange light. Pointing to the amulet that was emitting a soft glow, Priestess Rebecca added an explanation.

“Like this, when a cleric infuses divine power into an amulet, it begins to glow. The divine power flows through the characters engraved on the amulet. The important thing is that the cleric’s divine power is stored in it.”

The Order’s cleric began a brief explanation about divine power.

“Divine power is literally the nature and energy of the divine. Depending on the religion, clerics’ divine power shows clear differences, and there are variations between individual clerics.”

“Like magical power?”

Magical power leaves distinct traces depending on the user, like fingerprints.

These traces, called magical residue, are considered important evidence in criminal investigations, just like fingerprints, allowing for the prosecution of mages who commit crimes. The Magic Tower even sends official documents to the magic departments of various countries with the magical residue of expelled mages, advising caution upon their entry.

This information, by the way, I heard directly from a mage of the Magic Tower—Juan Pablo Martinez, the head of personnel dispatched from the Tower’s Secretariat.

Priestess Rebecca nodded in response.

“Similar. There are some differences from magical residue, but for now, it’s good to know that divine power can be used to identify a cleric’s religion and identity.”

At this point, I started to get the idea.

“You want to capture this friar’s divine power in the amulet, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Priestess Rebecca’s plan was simple.

Capture the friar’s divine power in the amulet and test it.

“This field requires precise work, so we’ll need to take the amulet to the Inquisition, but once we capture the divine power, there’s a lot of information we can discover. If we compare it with the divine power of clerics dispatched to the north, apostates, or missing clerics, we should find answers.”

“Sounds good.”

It’s an excellent method. The Inquisition excels at catching heretics and apostates. Of course, I can trust them. After all, Peter is a double agent for the Military Intelligence Bureau.

It’s a good proposal, but…

There’s a problem with this plan.

“But how will we capture the friar’s divine power?”

“We just need to get close to him.”

Priestess Rebecca continued.

“Amulets have the property of absorbing surrounding divine power. If we approach and wait a little, there should be no problem collecting the friar’s divine power.”

“Wait a moment. We need to approach him? Can’t the amulet absorb divine power from a distance?”

“It’s impossible from a distance. Well, not entirely impossible, but it takes a very long time, and impurities can mix in. So approaching closely is the best option.”

After shaking the amulet to dispel the divine power, Priestess Rebecca added a few precautions.

“The need to approach closely and the time it takes are issues, but the most important problem is separate.”

“What is it?”

“No other divine power should interfere.”

Amulets have the property of absorbing surrounding divine power. Whether the cleric wants it or not, they reflexively absorb it first.

The problem is that all the Inquisitors are clerics. Priestess Rebecca and the Inquisitors can use divine power, so if they approach the amulet, their divine power will naturally flow into it.

“Of course, there are methods to forcibly extract divine power, as I just demonstrated. But even that isn’t a perfect solution.”

“Are there any other issues?”

“There is one more. If the friar has developed spiritual perception, he might sense our presence. Theoretically, he could even detect the faint divine power contained in the amulet, but…”

Priestess Rebecca paused briefly.

“That’s purely theoretical—it’s impossible for a human. Unless our opponent is an archmage or some exceptional enemy.”

“Is that so?”

Well, there’s no helping it. I’ll have to step up since I can’t use divine power.

I extended my hand toward Priestess Rebecca.

“Give me the amulet. I’ll go collect it myself when he appears.”

“You, Captain?”

“Who else would do it if not me? Isn’t this why you brought me along?”

“No. Originally, I was planning to ask the villagers to do it.”

She was planning to recruit civilians as agents. There are many ways for an intelligence officer to control people without revealing their identity.

“That’s not a very good approach. Civilians might make mistakes. It’s better if I do it myself.”

“Still…”

“Don’t we need to catch him quickly to do anything? Whether he’s a murder suspect or just a heretic, resolving this quickly is for the best.”

So I should be the one to do it.

I extended my hand urgently. Priestess Rebecca advised me to reconsider with a concerned look, but I insisted on having the amulet.

Finally, seeming to conclude there was no better option, Priestess Rebecca reluctantly handed over the amulet.

“I’ll trust you and give it to you, but if any problems arise, immediately leave the scene. I’ll position Inquisitors around for your safety.”

“That’s not necessary.”

If worst comes to worst, I can just put a few bullets in his head.

I hope this friar turns out to be the same person as the murder suspect. Then we’d only need to catch one person. Even better if he’s the one who brought monsters to the north or provided black magic for terrorist incidents.

If he’s that big a figure, the Empire probably won’t complain even if I handle him personally. Even if the Empire expels me, they likely won’t resort to petty surveillance by sending agents. There’s a high probability of no repercussions.

“But how do I use this?”

“The usage is simple. Put it in your pocket or sleeve, approach closely, and bide your time.”

“I just need to stay still?”

“Yes. The amulet will collect divine power on its own. You don’t need to do anything additional, Captain.”

I received information about the amulet and instructions on its use from Priestess Rebecca. We also decided how to escape in case of emergency and where to regroup after escaping.

After understanding the usage and making plans, we sat around the table waiting for the Inquisitor who had gone to get food to return, along with the other Inquisitor who was sending radio messages.

“I hope he appears as soon as possible. Let’s get this over with quickly and go rest.”

“I’d prefer to avoid confronting the situation without preparation.”

“What’s so special about inquisition? Just grab him and smash his head with a scripture, or put him on a pile of firewood and set it on fire.”

Even Joan of Arc, Jesus Christ’s super soldier, died by burning at the stake. Fire is fair to all.

“Or tie him to a duck and throw him in the river. A stone? Anyway, if he sinks, he’s innocent; if he floats, he’s guilty.”

“What era are you living in, Captain?”

As Priestess Rebecca and the Inquisitor made sour faces at my joke…

-Bang!

The door burst open, and someone rushed in breathlessly. Looking to see who it was, I recognized the Inquisitor who had gone to get food earlier.

He was sweating so much that his suit was soaked despite the winter cold. However, judging by his empty hands, it seemed he had failed to procure food. What an idiot. Didn’t the Inquisition teach him how to steal food?

Priestess Rebecca handed cold water to the Inquisitor who was catching his breath, telling him to calm down.

“Are you alright?”

“P-Priestess Rebecca…!”

“What happened that made you rush back?”

“Outside, outside…!”

The Inquisitor pointed at the door he hadn’t even closed and sputtered. He seemed to want to speak but was too out of breath.

Wondering what had startled him so much, I tilted my head and peeked outside to check.

“…?”

What I saw was a remote northern village with the sun high in the sky.

A pastoral landscape with palisades stretched out, lined with houses where the elderly and children lived. As typical in the Kiyen Empire, the road was unpaved.

At the end of the road, which had turned to mud from snow melting and refreezing…

At the small path leading to the hill, a stranger I had never seen before was entering the village outskirts, leaning on a staff.

Wearing a brown tunic.

…A brown tunic? That’s what friars wear.

So, this person is a friar.

As far as I know, there’s only one friar who would visit the village at this time.

After peeking outside to assess the situation, I quietly came back inside, grabbed my gun and the amulet, and muttered:

“Our guest has arrived.”

I need to go.

Right now.