Ch.32Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent (End)

# A Chaotic World Has Arrived

“The Inquisition has killed 16 black mages who kidnapped and murdered a Cardinal of the Church. The black mages reportedly abducted Cardinal Raoul to a villa in the northern outskirts, where they tortured and killed him.”

Sixteen rogue agents died as black mages.

“The Pope mourned the death of Cardinal Raoul during mass, while Cardinal Raphael expressed his ambition to create a safer Church…”

The world sank into grief over the hollow memorial, while the rulers celebrated their victory behind masks.

“The investigation into the kidnapping at the Church’s center has reached a dead end…”

“Black mages have finally revealed their evil nature! Therefore, I…”

“Subversive groups linked to black mages are connected to the epidemic spreading in the southern continent…”

Yet the world gradually began to find stability.

“Cardinal Raoul’s funeral was comparable to a state funeral…”

“Eradicating corruption through major personnel reforms within the Empire…”

“The tariff reduction policy between the Kien Empire and the Abas Kingdom has passed…”

“Inquisition Director Pedro is breaking conventional frameworks regarding international crime elimination…”

“Major Frederick Nostrum, who survived a bombing and assassination attempt using poison, through memorial wreaths…”

Thus, the world began to return to its original state.

# Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent

Raoul was a Cardinal of the Church and one of the strong candidates for Pope.

Although he couldn’t build a large power base due to Raphael’s influence, he was the leader of a faction and an idol to believers.

That’s why Cardinal Raoul’s funeral was held grandly.

As priests carrying the coffin moved forward, a long procession mourned his final journey. Cardinals led by Raphael watched Raoul’s last moments with solemn expressions, and the Pope placed his hand on the coffin, reciting prayers.

We sat on the rooftop, watching the scene with indifferent expressions.

“…They’re all good actors.”

“Calling it acting—someone might misunderstand…”

“Cardinal Raoul’s body isn’t in that coffin.”

“People don’t know anyway.”

I enjoyed the spectacle with Pedro. It was like a perfectly crafted movie set.

A perfect set to save someone’s face.

“It’s a good death since he didn’t die as a traitor.”

“Raoul would think so too.”

Pedro, gently swirling his glass, asked.

“How is Raoul doing?”

“He must be resting deep in the ocean by now.”

“Alive? Or dead?”

“When I last checked, he was still breathing.”

“He must be dead now.”

From the beginning, Raoul never died.

He wasn’t kidnapped—he fled with the rogue agents. The Inquisition tracked them down, and we, having received the information, took them out directly.

The sixteen rogue agents were killed on site, and Raoul met his “official death” at the villa.

After receiving a doctor’s death certificate, Raoul spent about three days at Safe House No. 5 having an intense “blind date” with counterintelligence agents before departing on a long journey to the bottom of the sea.

Thus, the truth about our successful operation was sealed beneath deep waters.

“Did you handle it cleanly to avoid gossip?”

“We had a bag of concrete left, so we finished it neatly.”

“Ah, it disappeared from the construction site?”

Pedro looked over the long procession with a subtle smile. For reference, Inquisition agents helped us beat up Raoul. Sister Rebecca brought some leftover materials from wall repair work.

“How is Veronica doing?”

“She was popping champagne.”

“She must be excited.”

Veronica is under protection in a safe house. She’s no longer the Empire’s lobbyist but a lobbyist for all nations. She’s taken on the role of coordinating interests between the Empire, the Kingdom, and the Church.

The Imperial Guard withdrew their operatives, and the team assigned to the Saint was disbanded. Once the Inquisition’s cleanup is complete, Veronica will return to the Church. She was happy that she no longer has to worry about dying.

“What did you think of her? An interesting woman, isn’t she?”

“She’s a heavy drinker.”

“And a chain smoker too.”

She said drinking alone was lonely, so we had some drinks together, and she told me many interesting stories.

How she became friends with Lucia who served her, her first meeting with the Emperor, the circumstances of the imperial family members, and even petty conflicts within the Imperial Guard.

Luckily, I gained a useful informant.

“Luck is ultimately skill.”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it our life that we fall when we’re doing well if we’re unlucky?”

That makes sense when I think about it.

I was lucky enough to survive a bomb explosion and nearly died from nerve poison.

If the Kingdom hadn’t returned the Empire’s envoy, if I hadn’t refused the counterintelligence agent’s interview. I wouldn’t have met Veronica, and I wouldn’t have known who the enemy was.

A conclusion created by precarious tightrope walking and incredible coincidence.

This is the essence of this operation.

While discussing various matters with the Inquisition Director and thinking about what would happen next.

By then, the procession had reached the Church headquarters in the distance, and the funeral was over. Pedro, emptying his glass, rose from his chair.

“Good work, Major.”

“You too, Director.”

Now that the funeral is over, I need to go. Before parting, I shook hands with him.

The old man’s wrinkled hand had a strange power. A certain aura, perhaps from his years of experience.

Pedro casually waved his hand and congratulated me.

“You’ll receive a medal and promotion when you return.”

“I’m not sure with personnel changes right around the corner.”

“Someone like you worrying about losing your job? How amusing.”

He laughed incredulously, shaking his head.

“Many people owe you.”

“…”

“Not just the Church, but people from the Empire and the Kingdom owe you a little.”

Although what I did wasn’t made public.

Those who should know what I did would all know.

The Emperor purged troublesome nobles and secured internal control, the Pope solidified his political successor, and Raphael was confirmed as the next Pope.

The Inquisition succeeded in turning crisis into opportunity, and Military Intelligence achieved its long-cherished wish. Incidentally, the Imperial Guard also gained the Emperor’s trust through repeated purges.

The lobbying and rewards exchanged between the three groups made everyone happy. They mainly secured political and economic stability.

Everyone except the traitors gained something.

I made all this happen through precarious balancing and a bit of luck. I was at the center of these intricately intertwined interests.

That’s why Pedro said this to me.

“You are our hero.”

“…That feels strange.”

The Inquisition Director burst into laughter at my ordinary sentiment. It was his usual, ordinary laugh.

“Sorry, your reaction was just too calm.”

“I understand.”

“Honestly, I know it feels surreal.”

He patted my shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Yes.”

Receiving thanks from the head of a counterintelligence agency felt quite peculiar.

He took out two small boxes from his bag and handed them to me.

“What are these?”

“One is a gift.”

“And the other…?”

“My personal request.”

I opened the box he requested.

There was a small necklace inside.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

I asked out of curiosity, but Pedro left with a cryptic remark.

“Show it to Clavins, and you’ll know.”

*

In the darkened embassy.

I sat in the dark office watching the news.

The announcer who once delivered chaotic news now delivered hopeful news.

‘Housing supply projects have resumed for citizens suffering from typhoon damage. Refugees receiving aid supplies from the Empire…’

‘Declaring the complete resolution of the epidemic that spread for seven years…’

‘The long civil war has ended with negotiations between rebels and government forces…’

At a glance, the world seems to have become quite peaceful.

I activated my communication device and called the Colonel.

-‘…Were you still up?’

“Just finished work.”

-‘Good job, Frederick.’

That naturally brought a smile to my face.

-‘Pretty impressive for an intelligence office that’s only been established for two months.’

“Isn’t this enough to get my name in the history of the intelligence agency?”

-‘You’ve put your name in the Kingdom’s history.’

Of course, my name won’t be recorded anywhere in history books.

I’m just an ordinary Army Major. A hero’s companion. I’ll be recorded as nothing more and nothing less.

But I’ve clearly left my mark on the world.

Although no one will acknowledge it, someone will remember.

“You’ve worked hard too, Colonel.”

-‘Yes, I’m finally going home too.’

“All the staff have already left. What were you doing?”

-‘Had a brief meeting about the refugee issue.’

The next director of Military Intelligence continued casually.

-‘There are terrorists and rebels mixed in with the refugees.’

“What did you do?”

-‘Sent them all back, refugees or not. We’re planning to close the borders for a while due to the epidemic issue.’

Another bloodbath somewhere in the world.

I just accepted it as usual since it’s familiar.

“That must have been tough.”

-‘Don’t worry about me, just take care of your subordinates.’

“Of course. They’re the heroes of the intelligence agency.”

-‘Well… It’s an operation difficult to officially recognize, so take good care of them.’

“I will.”

As I was about to end the call, my eyes fell on a box placed on the corner of the desk.

“Ah, right. The Inquisition Director made a request of me.”

-‘What request?’

“He entrusted me with some old necklace. Said you’d know if I showed it to you…”

-‘….’

“Colonel?”

The Colonel fell silent.

After about two minutes of silence, the Colonel spoke in a voice more subdued than usual.

-‘Keep it with you for now, and bring it to me when you return.’

“What exactly is it?”

-‘Hmm. Just know that it’s a senior’s request.’

A strange statement.

A senior’s request.

My mind raced at the Colonel’s words, and I slowly traced back past events to reach a conclusion.

“Pedro is the fixed spy you mentioned before.”

-‘…When did you figure it out?’

“Well, I had my suspicions that he was some kind of collaborator.”

His friendly attitude toward me, unlike other counterintelligence people.

His warnings about the spy’s mistakes.

His willingness to pass internal information to a spy.

His quick-witted actions against the Empire as if through telepathy.

There were many suspicious aspects.

There’s no such thing as kindness without reason in this world, and Pedro was too kind to me.

And decisively, he brought up the story about the knife and talked about special forces and agents.

He knew training details that neither Jake nor I knew. For reference, that technique was taught directly by the “instructor.”

“I became suspicious when he knew techniques not even in the training manual.”

-‘Huh.’

“Between the internal trend reports and the mention of fixed agents… When I pieced it all together, the answer became clear.”

Considering the Inquisition’s capabilities, it’s difficult to conduct proper espionage within the Church.

The entire Imperial Guard’s effort was just to plant a bug next to Veronica.

The reason the rogue agents weren’t discovered was because Raoul provided appropriate hiding places.

So for an ordinary operative to evade the Inquisition’s eyes, they’d need to be either very lucky or…

“It would only be possible with someone inside the Inquisition.”

Fixed spies find it difficult to return to their homeland easily.

Especially as they grow in stature, their freedom of movement becomes restricted, making it hard to act carelessly.

Perhaps Pedro’s reason for entrusting this to me was to have it delivered to the Kingdom on his behalf. I cautiously speculate.

-‘…Indeed, sending you outside the intelligence agency was a good choice.’

“Hahaha…”

-‘Take good care of our senior until you return.’

“Yes, Colonel.”

The call ended.

I put down the communication device and examined the old necklace.

“…”

A fixed spy active for 50 years.

A living witness to the history of espionage.

A great collaborator of Military Intelligence.

A true elite agent.

He was a nameless hero.

# Episode 2 – Heroes of the Continent – END –