Ch.255Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

“Director. The Royal Intelligence Service has contacted us.”

The voice of a field-grade officer echoed through the office in the upper floors of the Military Intelligence Bureau’s overseas division building, which was divided into several wings.

“The operation team’s infiltration was not detected by the Kiyen intelligence agency, and the team has completed preparations to move north. All that remains is determining the infiltration route, Director.”

Leoni, who had been sitting in a chair in the office, looked up. Her desk was covered with reports written by intelligence officers dispatched overseas and documents submitted by various departments responsible for foreign operations.

Director of Overseas Intelligence Operations, Leoni Risach. The bright lighting reflected dazzlingly off the nameplate displaying her title.

After scribbling her signature, Leoni spoke.

“Are the preparations definitely complete?”

“Yes.”

The field-grade officer continued his report.

“The situation room just confirmed it as well.”

“And you’re certain the Imperial bastards haven’t noticed?”

“Absolutely certain. We coordinated with the embassy and domestic division to check if there was any surveillance on the safe house, but there were no notable issues.”

“Good.”

“How should we establish the infiltration route? I’ve just received reports that all paths to the north are blocked.”

Leoni remained silent at her subordinate’s question.

After finishing her signature with businesslike hand movements, she set down her pen and fell into thought.

Currently, all resources of both the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Royal Intelligence Service were focused on the Moritani continent issue. Most of the urgent matters that concerned the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Defense, and the Foreign Ministry were centered there.

However, Leoni, who had moved between both the Royal Intelligence Service and Military Intelligence Bureau, thought differently.

After completing her signature, she capped her pen tightly to prevent the ink from drying and bluntly stated:

“Don’t worry about that issue. There’s someone who will help with the infiltration.”

“…Um, where exactly is this person who will help with infiltration? Surely not in the north?”

Raptor-like, piercing eyes shot toward the officer.

Receiving the glare from Leoni, who oversaw the entire overseas division, the intelligence officer hastily lowered his gaze.

“Ah, I’ll prepare the follow-up operation as you ordered. When the operation team successfully infiltrates the north, I’ll report back then.”

“Don’t report after success—report daily.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Director.”

“Dismissed.”

With this dismissal, the intelligence officer hurriedly left the office.

Watching him leave, Leoni clicked her tongue in disapproval.

As Leoni rose from her chair to prepare to leave for the day, her aide cautiously entered the room and closed the door.

“What is it?”

“An urgent telegram from the military attaché’s office in the Kiyen Empire.”

A report that came in well after midnight. Not a good sign.

Leoni, who had been gathering her things to leave, clicked her tongue again and returned to her desk. The aide handed her a one-page telegram.

The content of the report was concise, with much more white space than text.

However, the information contained in the report was not something that could be easily dismissed.

[URGENT.

Four Inquisitors killed in combat in the northern province of the host country. Suspect is a male cleric of the Order. Suspected necromancer or dark mage. Currently summoned to the Inquisition by the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador to the Order.

Officer in charge, Frederick Nostrum.]

Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

When undead were discovered in the north, the Order’s position flipped.

The clerics who had rallied around Director Pedro, advocating for a cautious approach to investigating the situation, fell silent.

Combat mage and soldier murders, monster attacks on rifts, manifestation of sorcery, terrorism, Inquisitor deaths, undead, and more.

The situation had spiraled out of control, and the Order could no longer stand by and watch what was happening in the north.

The Order immediately summoned the Kiyen Empire’s ambassador to their headquarters.

“An individual suspected of being a necromancer or dark mage has been discovered in the north. This person killed four Inquisitors operating in the area, and undead have appeared in the region where this individual was last seen.”

“……”

Intelligence activities inherently involve double standards.

When I spy on another country, it’s a necessary evil; when others spy on my country, it’s an unforgivable offense deserving death.

From that perspective, the Imperial ambassador should have protested the Inquisition’s illegal activities in the north, but…

“…I will relay this information to the Imperial Court.”

The ambassador did not protest.

The information provided by the Inquisition was transmitted through diplomatic channels to the Empire’s Foreign Ministry, and immediately delivered to the Imperial Court via Foreign Ministry officials dispatched to the palace.

“What do you want?”

“We request a swift and thorough investigation. Given the nature of the matter, the Order is willing to fully cooperate with the Kiyen Empire’s investigation, Ambassador.”

“This will require the Emperor’s approval. Nevertheless, I will inform the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Magic.”

At the same time the Inquisition proposed a joint investigation…

A letter from Archbishopric Theodosius was delivered to the Imperial government.

The letter, detailing the news from the north and personally written by someone of no less stature than the Archbishop himself, was naturally sent to the Chancellor’s residence.

Along with the undead corpse brought by Lucia.

When the corpse of what was clearly an undead dog appeared from the north, the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Magic were thrown into chaos.

The Defense Ministry was in an uproar over the news that a major incident had occurred and undead had appeared in an area under martial law, while the Magic Ministry was foaming at the mouth about a strongly suspected necromancer running loose.

Regardless of the Order’s demand for quick decisions, the two ministries immediately formed task forces to resolve the incidents in the north.

“We must send investigators to the north immediately!”

“According to diplomatic channels, a suspected necromancer or dark mage has appeared in the north. Shouldn’t we call in the Inquisitors?”

“They already sent some, but they were all killed.”

“What? An entire village disappeared? What was the city government doing while citizens went missing?”

“We need to request help from the Inquisition. This is no ordinary matter. Military support is absolutely necessary.”

“We must gather as many combat mages from other theaters as possible.”

“What about deploying special forces from the Reconnaissance Command? Aren’t they experienced in capturing mages? Even a necromancer will die with a bullet in his head.”

Various countermeasures were discussed, centered around the military and Magic Ministry.

However…

“But bringing in the Inquisition without Imperial approval is a bit…”

“The north is where His Highness the Archduke resides…”

No matter how elite one might be, acting without the Emperor’s approval could make one a traitor overnight.

Moreover, the person who effectively governs the north is the Archduchess, who is both an Archmage and the Emperor’s aunt.

Although martial law has been declared and administrative and judicial authority transferred to the military governor, this does not signify the Archduchess’s political downfall or purge.

What madman would dare act independently without permission from the Imperial family and the Archduchess?

Obtaining approval from the Emperor or Archduchess is also problematic. While the Emperor resides in the palace, to get permission from the Archduchess, whose whereabouts are unclear, one must first determine where she is.

There are rumors that she stays in her fortress, but even if those rumors are true, it’s uncertain whether she would read letters from officials much younger than herself or allow them to visit.

Of course, we weren’t completely without options.

“Who are you? This is not a place outsiders can visit freely.”

“I’ve come to deliver a letter to the Archduchess. It’s urgent.”

“Her Highness is currently refusing all external communications and visits. I don’t know who you are, but any further insistence would be disrespectful…”

“I am Lucia, the 59th Saint of the Order. Innocent lives are at stake, so I have a duty to deliver this letter to the Archduchess.”

Lucia used her authority to deliver a letter to the Archduchess.

In a respectful tone, she explained the details of the incident, what she had personally seen and heard, and implored permission for the Inquisition’s exorcist priests to enter the north to track down the cleric.

And then came a result no one had expected.

“A reply has arrived…!”

The Archduchess of the north personally sent a response to Lucia.

The letter stated that, using authority delegated by the Imperial family, she approved the Inquisition’s forces entering the north to take charge of the investigation.

At the same time, letters bearing the Archduchess’s official seal were sent to the Chancellor’s residence and various ministries.

The letters stated that any means could be used to resolve the issues in the north, that she would take responsibility, and that Imperial approval could be temporarily postponed.

“I never expected the Archduchess to actually reply.”

“The lady-in-waiting wrote the letter herself, didn’t she?”

“Honestly, I expected her not to read it at all. From what I’ve heard from the Archbishop and parish priests… she even returned all routine greeting letters on anniversaries to the cathedral. I was worried she might do the same this time.”

Apparently, this was unexpected not only for the Order but also for Imperial officials.

It’s understandable they’re surprised—a Archmage who once fought the Order to the death has replied to a letter from a cleric, and a female saint at that.

“Good grief. These mages… But what would you have done if they hadn’t accepted your letter?”

“I was planning to bypass the people blocking the way and enter the fortress myself to meet her directly.”

“……”

Anyway, with permission granted by the Archduchess, who exercises authority comparable to the Emperor’s within the north, everything began to move quickly.

The Empire dispatched a large-scale investigation team to the north, and the Order provided personnel and resources from the Inquisition. Although exorcist priests hadn’t arrived yet, the Inquisition spared no support to ensure there were no shortages.

Meanwhile, I was meeting with my colleagues.

“What happened yesterday? You suddenly stopped answering calls.”

“Camilla. Don’t stay on the front lines for a while—move to the rear. No, you can move your belongings later, just get in the car quickly.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I’ll explain on the way. And you still have the item I gave you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s find one person. I’ll describe their appearance, so keep an eye out.”

Camilla.

“Ah, you’re here. How was it? Was the information from the Palm Tree Trading Company accurate?”

“It was correct, but I’m not sure how accurate. By the way, Francesca, could you take a look at this?”

“Why are you suddenly taking off your clothes…?”

“……”

“…What on earth happened to you?”

“I was stabbed, and this is what happened. The wound started rotting within a day—do you know any way to treat this?”

“It’s not a common condition, but… there might be a way. Lie down so I can diagnose your condition first. And please explain what happened.”

Francesca.

He’s the one who killed four Inquisitors with a single blow and made an entire village vanish. If he’s behind the terrorism, murders, or rift attacks, he’s likely to target Camilla, Lucia, or Francesca.

I moved both women to a safe location. At the same time, I also looked into ways to treat my wound without Lucia’s help.

It won’t be easy, but Francesca said there might be a way, so I can hope for some results.

All events proceeded swiftly.

With the Archduchess’s permission, there was no need to be cautious or worry about obstacles.

At first glance, everything seemed to be resolving smoothly without major conflicts.

However…

As is often the case in life…

Problems tend to arise from unexpected places.

*

“…No. Francesca, what did you just say?”

“The Magic Tower people are pushing back. Specifically, among the Magic Tower personnel dispatched to the north.”

“What?”

“They say they cannot tolerate the Order conducting investigations in the north.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”