Ch.92Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

“Currently, there are ongoing anti-government protests at the Magic Tower.”

“Government?”

“Ah, I mean from the Magic Tower’s perspective. For the people here, it is indeed their government. They have a parliament and everything. Yes.”

I carefully picked up the political statement I had carelessly dropped in front of Camilla and Lucia.

Perhaps because they were from the Church, their reaction wasn’t particularly positive.

“A few days ago, our delegation received an official document about the protests.”

I opened the document provided by the Magic Tower police.

“It contained information about the scale, nature, patterns, participants, as well as the instigators and organizations behind the protests. Local police and intelligence authorities concluded that among the forces leading the protests, extremist groups are highly likely to cause incidents on the day of the visit.”

Therefore, security for the venue will be strengthened on the day of the visit.

The intelligence police and counterintelligence agencies will maintain a 24-hour response system, and armed police and police-affiliated magicians will be responsible for on-site security. The Military Intelligence Bureau and the Heresy Inquisition Office will do the same.

“I’m telling you this so you’re aware in advance. For more details, please refer to the documents being distributed now.”

“Excuse me…”

Camilla raised her hand slightly.

“Is it very serious?”

“The protests themselves aren’t that threatening, but the organizations leading them are problematic.”

I pulled out a document forwarded by the Foreign Ministry from my file. It was a document with attached photos, and the photos contained symbols that would be instantly recognizable to both locals and people from Earth.

A bright yellow hammer and sickle on a red background.

A red letter A engraved on a black background.

And…

“…What is this?”

A swastika bent in the opposite direction and tilted at a 45-degree angle.

A symbol that would cause seizures if seen by an Israeli.

A symbol that would leave you with no defense if you were shot for carrying it on European streets.

“Nazis.”

“……”

“Communism, anarchism, Nazism. All ideologies imported from another world. And they’ve been localized impressively.”

Thanks to that, it was easier for me when taking the Military Intelligence Bureau entrance exam.

I smiled brightly, and Camilla covered her face with her hands.

“Bloody hell…”

Episode 5 – Journalist, Diplomat, Soldier, Spy

“Sieg Heil.”

“Please don’t.”

“Heil Hitler?”

“I said don’t.”

Camilla glared at me, clenching her molars. Perhaps it’s because she’s from a country that was beaten by the Nazis in their homeland, but her reaction was quite intense. It was refreshing. It was also interesting that she was cursing in English rather than the local language, as if her translator was broken.

I put down the book I was holding (a confiscated item from protesters, a translated copy of Mein Kampf).

“Are you upset?”

“No.”

“You are upset…”

I left Camilla, who was pretending not to be bothered while gritting her teeth, and turned on the news.

[…We are no longer losers! Our Magic Tower has proven over the past 100 years that we are second to none compared to any country or race in the world!]

“Holy shit, that startled me.”

The volume was louder than I expected, and I almost dropped the remote.

The booming voice was enough to make one dizzy, but the fascist’s passionate speech to the reporter made my foggy mind even more confused.

Camilla glared at the TV and reached out her hand toward me.

“Give it to me.”

“Why? This is entertaining.”

I avoided Camilla’s hand and diverted the remote while enjoying the world’s greatest idiot competition.

Communists, anarchists, and totalitarians took turns grabbing the reporter, passionately expressing their views on the current situation, and arguing for the legitimacy of their protests while describing their respective ideals.

These ideologies might be considered obsolete in the global village, but thanks to perfect localization, the propaganda was quite entertaining.

The highlight was seeing Nazis and Reds fighting together despite their historical distrust and backstabbing. I wonder what Hitler, who suppressed the German Communist Party after winning the election, would think if he saw this.

“Why on earth are those two working together?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

To explain to Camilla why those gentlemen were working together, I would first need to explain the long history of oppression, the magical society’s victim mentality, and the conflicts and supremacism surrounding humans and other races.

As with all things in the world, there were reasons behind stupid actions. And it was too complicated a story. So I didn’t explain. There was no reason for Camilla to know.

I vaguely avoided her question.

“Well, aren’t extremes often similar? Anyway, the Magic Tower says they’re well-prepared for security, so don’t worry too much.”

*

After briefing Camilla and Lucia about the visit schedule, I returned to my hotel room.

I sat comfortably on the sofa and reviewed the reports.

Today’s topics were twofold.

A status report on the three organizations leading the anti-government protests, and an analysis report on all terrorist incidents that have occurred within the Magic Tower so far. For reference, the former was from the Abas Foreign Ministry and the latter from the Magic Tower’s Public Order Protection Bureau.

“Hmm…”

The content was quite novel.

Government leaders, prominent figures, government institutions, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, etc. Most of the attacks targeted political symbols and hard targets.

This was probably what would be classified as classical terrorism or something like that in professional terms.

The perpetrators of terrorism were clear and followed central control,

They set the spread of fear and terror as their tactical goal,

They aligned the victims of terrorism with their target audience,

They appealed to the international community for support by emphasizing the value of their cause,

And while using violence, they minimized unnecessary casualties by leaving room for dialogue.

From the 19th to the 20th century, most terrorist acts in the global village exhibited these characteristics of classical terrorism.

National liberation, restoration of sovereignty, and so on. A last resort for marginalized and oppressed groups to make their voices heard against corrupt and violent regimes (or foreign powers). Until the early 2000s, terrorism in the global village generally had such tendencies. That is, until Al-Qaeda hijacked aircraft and crashed them into the Twin Towers.

After the 9/11 attacks, “terrorism” for 21st-century Earth people changed to mean masked fanatics beheading hostages dressed in bathhouse clothes against a desert backdrop. So I believe the term “new terrorism” was applied to all terrorist acts that emerged after 9/11.

According to the folks at Langley, Al-Qaeda had shown signs of mass slaughter since the 90s, but I wouldn’t know about that. I’d have to have worked in counter-terrorism.

Anyway, this was clearly good news.

It meant that there were no cases in this area where terrorist groups killed hundreds of civilians, like those bastards operating in the Middle East and Africa. At least not yet.

I put down the report and tilted my head back.

“Hey, Jake!”

“Yes! Coming!”

Jake, who had been organizing official documents, came running.

“Did you call for me?”

“Yeah, I’ve gone through all this. Send a message to the delegation and the Magic Tower confirming all schedules. And destroy all of these.”

“Yes.”

Jake put the documents I handed him into a metal trash can. Then he took a small stone from a box on the desk, placed it in his palm, and rubbed it vigorously.

-Whoosh!

A flash of light sparked from his hand, and a small burning bird emerged, soaring toward the ceiling.

The small bird traced a path, circling the room before diving into the trash can.

In an instant, the metal trash can became a bonfire, and all the documents inside were completely incinerated.

It was a sight that spontaneously evoked exclamation.

“Wow. Is that what they call a rune stone or something? I thought I was watching the ending of New World.”

“It’s made by alchemists. More precisely, it’s supplied to public institutions from a workshop jointly operated by alchemists and spirit masters, and the delegation gave it to us to use.”

“There are so many amazing things.”

I’ve seen Camilla or her sister use magic many times, but I’ve rarely seen magical tools in action. They’re usually very expensive items.

I heard they’ve released many magical tools for everyday use these days, and seeing how convenient it is, I’m thinking of buying one.

When Jake brought the stone over the trash can, the flames were instantly sucked back into the stone. It seemed to be a reusable item. I really want to buy one.

“So I just need to send the message?”

“Yeah. That’s all for today. Can I take one of these?”

“Sure, no problem. Here’s the manual, read it before using.”

Since they gave it to us to use as needed, it should be fine.

I pocketed the neatly folded manual and the rune stone.

“By the way, how’s the operation going?”

“I’m preparing for the next phase as you instructed.”

Jake continued speaking as he put the stone back in the box.

“I visited briefly, and the contacts are in good condition, and the staff are also safe and doing well.”

“Did Pippin brief them well?”

“He always does.”

Pippin and Jake had met with Military Intelligence Bureau staff involved in the operation. Of course, since they have diplomatic immunity as defense attachés, they couldn’t meet openly and had to sneak into the disguised office late at night.

Still, it’s good that everyone is safe.

“That’s good. What about Number 51?”

“He’s still staying at home. Nothing suspicious.”

Fabio Verati seems to have cut off contact with the outside world. Or perhaps the delegation cut his phone line.

That’s a very good sign.

I opened the calendar placed on one side of the room.

“It’s been almost a week. Tell them to prepare for the transition soon.”

“Yes. Should we try to move up the meeting schedule as much as possible?”

“Yes. But it has to be after the visit. No, actually, tell them to meet right after the visit schedule ends. But make sure the location is public.”

“Do you have a place in mind?”

I recalled the surrounding terrain I had memorized while coming and going from the hotel. Other foreign hotels in the area, cafes with optimal routes, and so on.

“Tell them to meet at a cafe nearby.”

Jake questioned my answer that came after a moment’s consideration.

“Wouldn’t a cafe be a bit inappropriate? Given their situation…”

“We’ll change the location in the middle. You know what I mean?”

“…Ah.”

Jake let out a small exclamation and nodded.

“I’ll coordinate with the delegation to compile a list of suitable locations.”

“Good. Send my regards to the attaché’s office, and to the staff as well.”

*

Time passed quickly.

Exchanging agreements with the Magic Tower regarding the visit, mobilizing staff to prepare for the operation.

I also carried out defense attaché duties and took care of Camilla and Lucia. Occasionally, I met with Dmitri and Sophia to exchange recent news. The same with Veronica.

Days passed so quickly that it felt like dates changed in the blink of an eye.

My body seemed to have adapted, as I didn’t feel particularly tired anymore. And so I spent each breathless day.

Finally,

“The Magic Tower has finished preparations to welcome the guests.”

The day I had been waiting for arrived.

“And us?”

“The same.”

“Tell them to begin.”

Francesca Ranieri and Fabio Verati.

The time had come to meet these two people.