Episode 2 - Heroes of the Continent
The lobbyist requested a meeting. I turned down the counterintelligence agent's interview request, and the Foreign Ministry sent the envoy packing. Military Intelligence didn't even attempt contact. They're in the middle of a spy-hunting frenzy right now—if I went sniffing around there, I'd end up like the tiger envoy to Hamhung. Hell, both countries have even expelled each other's ambassadors. In other words, diplomatic lines between the Empire and the Kingdom are completely severed.
They couldn't entrust something this critical to just anyone, so the Emperor must've handpicked someone reliable, sworn them to secrecy, and sent them out. And we basically told them to fuck off. No agents. No diplomats. So who does that leave? Not that we trained anyone specifically for this, but luckily, we had the right person available.
I eyed the woman sitting across from me. Tall and statuesque. Long limbs. Jet-black hair cascading down her back. Dark eyes. A beauty mark. She flashed a weird grin.
"What're you staring at? You're embarrassing me."
"Uh…."
I scanned Veronica, seated opposite me, from head to toe. Leather jacket. Jeans. Earrings. Sneakers. Something… something was off….
"What? Not what you expected?"
She looked like a thug. And she was even holding a coffee.
"Uh… you're really a Saintess, right?"
"Yep!"
Fuck me. This was a Saintess? Way off from what I'd imagined.
"Can't a Saintess dress comfortably?"
"Ah… sure."
"Why're you looking at me like some boomer?"
Boomer. How many people in the world could call a cardinal a boomer to his face? I felt like I was losing my mind. I rubbed my face with my hand and finally managed to speak.
"So, what exactly did you want to meet about?"
"Hmm… checking on a patient's condition?"
"You're not a doctor."
"Do you need a license to heal? Priests only read their scriptures anyway."
That was her roundabout way of calling priests fanatical zealots with rocks for brains. Veronica had zero actual faith to begin with, so it wasn't surprising coming from her.
"Fine, whatever. Why'd you save me?"
"Because you're useful."
"Me? To you?"
Veronica nodded. Saved me because I was useful. I got the gist. The Emperor probably wanted to somehow signal he wasn't behind the terrorism. But it still pissed me off a bit.
"And the person checking on the patient's condition shows up an hour late?"
"Aw, c'mon… you know why."
"Why?"
"You know."
She made fake gun noises with her mouth, waggled her finger, and winked. Total psycho bitch vibe, but I got it. She'd been late checking for tails. Meaning Veronica knew I was an intelligence operative.
"Not exactly shocking."
"I've got my sources too, y'know."
Sources, huh.
"Imperial Guard?"
"Oh, you knew?"
"They're the ones who made you a Saintess. Throwing money around."
"Damn, Major. You're good. That's top-secret intel—how'd you find out?"
"I've got my sources."
Veronica burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. What the hell was so funny? She seemed a bit detached from reality… like a total nutjob.
"Don't waste energy on banter from the jump. Get to the point…."
"No endgame after the opener?"
"…."
Correction. She was a psycho bitch.
*
It started raining. Seemed like a shower at first, but it poured like a deluge—something felt off about it. Amid the roar of the downpour and Veronica's one-woman circus of drumming, cymbal-crashing, and headspins, I fought to keep my sanity.
Glanced at my watch: 2:57 p.m. She'd arrived an hour late and had been yapping for 52 minutes straight. Psycho bitch.
"For fuck's sake, quit blabbing and spit out the main point."
"Aw… I was just getting to the fun part."
"Not interested. Let's handle business quick."
Veronica draped her arm over the bench and popped a small ice cube into her mouth. Water trickled along her jawline. She wiped it roughly with the back of her hand and finally spoke.
"You've been digging into my background lately, right?"
"…No idea what you're talking about."
"Collecting all the rumors I spread around, Major."
Busted? I hadn't dug too deep into the Saintess election mess. Nothing actionable anyway, but admitting to snooping felt awkward. Especially on a Church Saintess.
"Eh, doesn't bother me. Dig or don't."
"Not on good terms with Priestess Lucia?"
"Nah, we're good."
What nonsense was this?
"We grab coffee sometimes, drinks, smokes, that kinda thing."
"…Pardon?"
"Oh, that's a secret…."
Veronica made a "whoops" face. Lucia smoking? Fuck, no one in this world was trustworthy. Picturing the Saintess and her candidate pounding soju and chain-smoking together made the continent's future look bleak.
"You'll keep it secret, right?"
"What's the point of telling me then?"
How the hell did they even get close? Everyone in Church power circles knew Veronica played dirty. But given Lucia's tiny social circle, she might not know about the conspiracy-mongering. That'd make Veronica a real piece of shit. Useless burning trash we couldn't even exploit. Or… Lucia knew and stayed friends anyway? No way. Maybe. I didn't have full game knowledge, and what I did have didn't always match reality. Hell, I was the Hero's companion now— no spy sidekick in the game. The story was already veering off course. Maybe irreversibly. Headache. Whatever. Whether they shared smokes or threw punches, none of my business. I'd tip off Pedro. Keep a lid on the Saintess and candidate's private lives. Hero's buddy and Church Saintess acting like lowlifes? Bad for Lucia's frontline healer angel image.
"Hmm… seems like you and I click, Major?"
"Do we?"
"Fine, business first like you want."
Finally.
"The Emperor's bullshit incoming. Lay it on me."
"First off, the Imperial family has no ties to the terror attack. They didn't plan it, anyway."
"Uh-huh."
"And one more thing."
Not surprising. I'd heard it before. Linking the palace to terror was Intelligence's call. I just needed to nail the bomber. The rest was Colonel's problem. Settling scores with the Emperor? Politicians' turf. I was a spook. So I listened closely.
"Go on."
"If I apply for asylum to the Kingdom right now, will you take me?"
"Who?"
"Me."
"You?"
"Yeah."
Psycho bitch.
*
My brain went blank. Felt like a hammer to the skull.
"What…? Asylum?"
Veronica nodded. Face full of mischief, but her actions screamed serious.
"Why the hell would a Saintess seek asylum?"
"Hmm… technically more like protection."
"Hold up. Aren't you the lobbyist? For the Kien Empire."
"Ooh, you know that much? Makes explaining easier!"
She leaned back against the bench, smoothed her fallen hair, tossed it behind her, and began.
"You know I'm from the Kien Empire, right?"
"Heard baron's daughter."
"And that I was an orphan."
Veronica closed her eyes softly, like reminiscing old memories.
"Parents died young, so I was left at the convent."
"Yeah."
"Six? Seven? They tested my divine power—way higher than kids my age."
I could guess where this was going. High divine power orphan? More funding. Or rather, adopters paid big to take them.
"The one who bought me for the highest price? His Imperial Majesty himself."
The Emperor. Kien's living god. Veronica grinned.
"After that… you can imagine, right?"
"…."
The Emperor took her in. The moment he saw her, he envisioned the big picture: turning a baron's orphaned lady into a Church Saintess. Mobilized the Imperial Guard. Poured in funds however he could—slush funds, noble tithes. The title of Saintess had that kind of "value." So what did it mean for that Saintess to demand asylum?
"Why's the Empire-made Saintess talking asylum?"
"Can't say."
"Why?"
"Haven't signed the contract yet."
She was the Empire's Saintess. Used her influence to send Church folks to Empire-Magic Tower disputed zones. Before that, who knows, but she aided Empire-linked businesses. De facto diplomat too. That's what they call lobbyists: influencing legislation and admin for a group's interests. She said,
"So, you gonna take me?"
"Not my call."
"C'mon, Major, just bridge it for me."
"Can't."
"Why?"
"Haven't inspected the goods."
Never show your teeth weakly to a lobbyist. Words have no price tag. No telling if she's offering a blank check or scrap paper.
"Can't you bridge first?"
"Even immigration checks purpose before entry. You filing asylum as a tourist?"
"Nitpicker…."
She raised both hands.
"Just know my situation's a bit precarious."
Precarious. Probably meant Priestess Lucia.
"Scared a second Saintess is coming?"
"Pfft… what's scary about Lucia becoming Saintess?"
"Don't lie."
"It's true."
Kingdom operative: "If Lucia becomes Saintess, your aggressive lobbying grinds to a halt, right? Can't lobby? You're out. That's the fear, yeah?"
Empire lobbyist replies: "Lucia becoming Saintess has nothing to do with me getting dumped."
"Then why the smears?"
"To check her."
Veronica smiled sweetly. Check who? Soldier asks,
"Checking who?"
Saintess answers: "Raoul Cardinal."
*
Bridge 25, heart of Church territory. Under that bridge amid the torrent, two figures sat opposite on a small bench.
"Ugh… thinking about that boomer stresses me out…."
Veronica muttered, exhaling smoke. Legs crossed, arm slung over, puffing away—she looked nothing like a Saintess.
"Why're you checking Raoul?"
"You know he wants to be Pope?"
From a month's digging, Raoul was a top papal contender with a hunger for power.
Saintess appraised the cardinal: "Boomer's power-hungry. Not into money, but…."
"Honor?"
"Yes! That's it!"
"Pope means history books, so he's greedy for power?"
Veronica nodded; ash scattered in the air.
Not unexpected. Raoul became Pope mid-game. Of course he'd crave it.
"But that boomer can't be Pope now."
"Why? His support's rising."
"Raphael Cardinal's blocking him."
Raphael. Ex-Inquisition chief. Pushed for a secure Church. From what I'd compared, Raphael's faction edged out Raoul's in size.
"He gained papal favor executing heretics."
News to me. Church insider intel—high-level, power-circle only.
"Probably the top pick for next Pope…."
"So Raoul can't win?"
"Obviously. That boomer got vision? Charisma?"
Vision: secure Church. Charisma: ex-Inquisition chief. Raoul? Nada.
"His actions make him seem unreliable; Pope doesn't favor him as political heir."
"So Raphael's the heir."
Veronica nodded calmly. Weird. Raoul did become Pope in-game?
"You might be misunderstanding."
"What?"
"From what I see, Raoul's suited to be next Pope…."
"Because he backs Lucia?"
Veronica scoffed.
"Big misconception, Major. Prince backed by peasants becomes king?"
"…."
"What kinda dumbass country is that?"
Lobbyist sneered.
"His current support? Means jack shit."
"…."
"Using Lucia to siphon support? She knows."
Didn't know that.
"No such thing as favors without reason. Boomer sent her to war as a healer priestess."
"…Is that so?"
"Didn't know myself, but Lucia did."
"When'd Raoul start using Priestess Lucia?"
"Lucia's 19 this year, right?"
She'd just hit adulthood. Veronica closed her eyes, counting.
"Two years frontline, half-year rest. Total two and a half."
"…Went to war at 17."
"Young, so hospital duty, but passing out in hallways…."
Meant murderous schedule. Divine power heals wounds, not fatigue.
"…."
Something's off. Veronica's attitude toward Lucia, Raoul-Raphael politics. Especially if Raphael has Raoul's weakness. Raoul couldn't become Pope. Hell, Veronica checking Lucia to hurt Raoul made no sense. In-game, she sent assassins casually. But now she's pals with Lucia, attacking to check Raoul? What changed between game and now?
"How's checking Lucia hurt Raoul?"
"Shows everyone's he's a fuckup. Can't even protect his own pick."
"You held 20% share, yet you talk like it's minor?"
"Whoa, quantified it? Impressive."
Veronica laughed.
"I check Raoul for my reasons; others have theirs. Politicians love attention—best reward."
"Cardinals and bishops smear for attention? So exposing Raoul as fuckup—what's your gain?"
"If Church distrusts Raoul, can't be Pope, I carve my path inside."
Something rotten brewing in Church core. Or rather, bad enough for Veronica to float asylum.
"Saintess. Can't you just come clean?"
"Said I'd tell if you grant asylum."
"But you're Empire puppet—why asylum…."
Wait. Something's wrong. No political power or base becomes Pope. Especially with fatal flaws. For Raoul to win now? Massive outside help, or rivals crash out. Like withdrawal… or sudden death….
"…."
"Ooh? Figured it out?"
"…."
"Why I'm seeking asylum?"
Veronica became Saintess via Imperial Guard backing. Empire muscle. Even amid cardinal's "suicide." Strong support. Rival faction imploded. Suspicious death. Foreign election meddling. Kien Imperial Guard overseas ops.
"…When'd it start?"
"Dunno exactly, but recent."
"…Who's helping Raoul?"
"Probably Division 2."
"Your asylum reason. Don't tell me…."
Empire-made Saintess grinned.
"Can't have two kings, right?"
"…."
"One's gotta die."
*
Mid-game, Raoul becomes Pope. How, lacking Raphael's influence and support? Now, Church terror and attempts tanked Raphael's polls, but game had no such events. So how? Simple: outside help. Shaping opinion, crushing rivals. Oh, and now I recall—questing Church areas, Raphael's name never appeared. Nowhere.
Veronica said,
"Raoul got Imperial Guard help. Overseas Ops Division. I got some too, but…."
"But?"
"Seemed they babied him more."
Empire-made Saintess claims Raoul teamed with Guard.
"I know Division 2 does external ops. But with you there, why pair with Raoul?"
"Not Empire. Division 2."
"Same diff."
"Totally different."
Lobbyist smiled brightly.
"As I said, His Majesty picked me personally."
"Yeah."
"So where'd the op come from?"
"Imperial Guard."
"Bingo. Whole Guard backed me."
News to me.
"Why whole Guard on overseas op?"
"Imperial decree."
"Ah."
Emperor's living god. Ignore decree? Massive backlash. Gotta do something. Bureaucrats make work if none exists.
"Met everyone: counterintel, counterspy, ops, intel, even military. Whew… stuck to walls like a bat."
Bat, huh. Flying between what factions? Thought just pants-on-head lobbyist, but she knew valuable shit. Worth flipping.
"Rigged opinion, meddled in election?"
"Dunno their methods; I just followed orders."
"People died— that's your line?"
"What could I do?"
Veronica glared.
"Emperor commands, Guard says go. Unprotected orphan—what're you gonna do?"
"…."
"Think everyone wants to be Saintess?"
Yeah. Molded into one as a forgettable kid. I knew character Veronica, not the person.
"Don't wanna live like this. Just wanna be normal."
"…."
"Boomers nagging daily's bad enough; now unwanted lobbyist gig."
Her voice cracked with emotion.
"You might've chosen military, Major. Not me. At least not me."
"…I see."
I got it. Didn't sympathize. I'm Kingdom asset; she's Empire. Different lanes. So she spilled.
"Why's Division 2 backing Raoul? Who reached first?"
"Raoul did. Reason's complicated now."
Asylum for details. Downpour raged; awkward silence fell. Random thought hit.
So I asked.
"Political asylum, bottom line?"
"…Yeah."
"Few questions then."
Pulled device from pocket.
"Raoul definitely getting Division 2 support?"
"Definite."
My verify. Colonel'd check. Priority: bomber bastard.
"Raoul behind terror? The bomb."
"Guess, yeah. Poison needle? No clue."
Right. Light dawns.
"You got Guard support too— what's different if Raoul Popes?"
"No more need lobbyist."
"Direct line, no middleman?"
"Yes."
Earrings. No. Necklace. No. Hairpin. Nah.
"Raoul's support Emperor-approved?"
"All Guard ops need palace okay. But post-terror, his funding cut."
Beat bomber, find out. Follow money to capital.
Church bomb guy linked to Division 2 for sure.
"Why's Division 2 rampaging? Funding cut— they rebelling?"
"Not whole division; rogue elements. Details post-asylum."
Rogues. Pedro said: failed op, no reason continue. Clean traces, bug out. But they didn't. Not couldn't—wouldn't. Defiance. Hence counterspies abroad. Sending more Division 2 after mutiny? Dumb. So Emperor's trusted Division 1 agents came. To drag ops back. If right. While counterintel/counterspy hunted in Church, security stayed home pounding Division 2. Political purges their gig. Yeah. Makes sense. Intel/Foreign verify. I move on hypothesis. This woman. Spills too much. Not pro op-trained; pure lobbyist. Civilian. Empire lobbyist. Guard product. …Suspicious.
"Division 2 ignored recall?"
"…Dunno."
"Hah."
Buttons fine. Jacket corners clean. Nothing.
"What're you doing?"
"Civil war in Guard?"
"Not that bad. Just take me first."
Pants fine. Lower, signal strengthens. Knew it.
"No agents around, Saintess?"
"None. Pulled years ago."
"Who knows your outing today?"
"Just attendants. Normal folks."
"Unique outfit. Who picked?"
"Attendants."
"Real close, huh? Picking clothes."
"Long-time trusted people."
"Reliable?"
"Yes."
Signal blinks. Shoes.
"What the hell've you been…."
"Guess even trusted folks plant bugs in shoes now?"
I waved the device. Bug detector. Shoes had one.
"Pulled? Bullshit. Tail's right next to you."
Spy hunts last ten years. Meaning ops run decade-plus. Till caught.
"…Wh-why's this here?"
"Gonna pretend you don't know?"
Veronica: Empire lobbyist. Called process top-secret herself. Emperor-picked Saintess or not, she's civilian core. Civilian with top-secret knowledge? Agencies never leave 'em be. Ever.
"You know too damn much."
"…."
"Way too much."