Episode 2 - Heroes of the Continent
The promotion ceremony to captain had wrapped up. More than the rank itself, it was a stage to highlight my role as the Hero's companion, so it was held not at Military Intelligence HQ but in the royal palace. The king himself attended, along with a swarm of bureaucrats and politicians, and amid cheers and applause, I pinned on my captain's insignia. They framed it as a step forward for humanity and continental peace, but it was packed with political motives.
The old fogeys who weren't content playing second fiddle dragged the Hero and me off for group photos. With domestic press and foreign media alike set to run them, my face would probably be known across the continent by tomorrow. The Hero sandwiched between the kingdom's celebrities and her companion. No trophy could shine brighter. Perfect imagery to etch into their legacies.
"Hmm, the photo came out nice."
Colonel Clevins chuckled as he chewed on some fish. "A promising young officer and the Hero who'll save the world. Just the headline alone makes them sound like the continent's own heroes."
He set down the paper to refill his glass. The massive front-page photo showed the Hero and me beaming brightly. Below it were congratulatory messages from dignitaries across governments: the kingdom, the Church, the Kien Empire, even the Magic Tower. Barefaced politicking to get a piece of the Hero.
Of course, it was all pointless posturing. The kingdom had publicly announced summoning her, and soon the Church would officially recognize Camilla Lowell as the Hero. No other nation had grounds to meddle and claim her.
"Looks like the Hero summoning really is big news. So many people paying attention."
"Obviously. In this era, what country doesn't need a Hero's power?"
"Isn't it more about buying time to crack down internally?"
"Same difference."
In this dark age, the image of a Hero was overwhelmingly positive. A fairy-tale legend stepping into a chaotic world? Of course it drew eyes. Once the press starts buzzing about a Hero entering the country, attention floods to her. Naturally, criticisms of internal crackdowns fade away. With the world's gaze on the Hero, who cares about messy politics?
The prime example was right in front of us.
"Thanks to the Hero, those pen-dipping thugs have quieted down. No backtalk—it's a relief."
"Who's been making noise lately?"
"Obvious, isn't it? The ones ranting that government is unnecessary, the ones grown bold with money, the reform blowhards."
Anarchists, merchant guilds, reformists—they'd been rounded up and grilled.
"Our situation's still better off. The Kien Empire seems to be hurting from internal issues."
"Something up with the Imperial Guard? Aren't they pros at nabbing ideologues?"
"Fugitives from various countries apparently stirred trouble there."
I wasn't versed in philosophy, so details escaped me. But in this brutal era, folks debating ideals were mostly loafers—highbrow unemployed. In this world, intel agencies and counterintel brawling with loafers was daily routine.
A 21st-century democrat might say soldiers shouldn't meddle in civilian affairs to maintain political neutrality. Unfortunately, this was a dark fantasy world. Generals chatted politics on whims, and the military poked into elections. Sure, the press griped about military meddling lately. But no one listened.
Political neutrality? Around here, almost nobody stuck to it. Even the clergy took bribes and played politics. The whole place was nuts.
"Your subordinates prepped well for the trip?"
"Thanks to the seniors' help, gear's all packed. First overseas posting, but we're set."
"Good, good. And the Hero? I read the report, but I'd rather hear your take."
"Camilla Lowell adapts fast and stays positive. Should be smooth for a while."
"Take good care of her. Getting lost abroad is bad enough; dropped from another world, her mind must be reeling."
An odd remark. Blessings for the Hero's companion? Or advice for a subordinate?
Colonel Clevins wiped grease from his mouth and got to it.
"No preamble—straight to the point. As the Hero's companion, you'll travel nations. I want you playing diplomat abroad."
Diplomat? Me, the Hero's sidekick? Most countries had embassies, as far as I knew.
"Wasn't I a spy?"
"Overt's diplomacy; covert's spying. Means differ, but both serve national interests. No real difference."
Now it clicked. He planned to strip my intel agent image and cloak me as a diplomat. Officially, as the Hero's companion, I wasn't Military Intelligence—just a regular soldier. He'd gone to lengths hiding my background. But thorough checks by other agencies would expose it eventually.
Why? Because I was tied to the continent's star attraction. Especially an emperor paranoid enough to suspect his kids—he'd sic the Imperial Guard on the Hero's entourage for sure. No guarantees a Hero from a rival kingdom posed no threat.
So, disguise me officially as diplomat-like. Two big reasons.
"Diplomats enjoy international law and treaty protections—even the emperor can't touch you. With that status, no arrests abroad."
First: my safety. Historically, killing envoys or ambassadors triggered massive backlash. Still a hard rule today. What mad nation plants an embassy in a country that jails diplomats? They'd cut ties before defending one.
And second: "Gives you solid cover to meet people, right?"
Diplomatic access. Intel agencies embedding spies in embassies was routine here. To outsiders, a normal diplomat; insiders knew better. Internet terms: a white agent. Versus black agents like James Bond field ops.
A mannerism in this spy world. You send one, I send one. Channel for contact if needed. Essential for avoiding mishaps—like mobilizing against "barbarians" only for them to think it's war.
Any whiff of trouble, talk it out first.
"Specifically, what do I do?"
"Plenty. Check on kingdom expats abroad, dine with bigwigs, greet 'friends' now and then."
Monitor fugitive dissidents and ideologues, brush off Hero-leeches, spar verbally with foreign intel. I'd worried about assassinations or document thefts.
"Track expat trends, meet foreign officials, exchange intel with agencies. That sum it up?"
"Nailed the core. Your Hero companion pick was sudden—details need internal hashing. Just know that."
"Got it. Detailed orders via embassy as they come?"
"Exactly. Quick on the uptake—good."
Colonel Clevins refilled his glass. "Anyway... that covers it."
"You look beat, Colonel."
"Mages stirring chaos lately. Or is the continent's mess first?"
"Cause and effect—probably the latter."
"True. Magic Tower playing empire lapdog isn't new. Wonder what the Tower Lord's thinking, pitting successors against each other. Now Tower and academies buzz with succession drama."
Magic Tower succession. Probably tied to the alchemist. Game lore had her backstory simple: edged out, flees to join up. No more.
I'd triple-checked plans, but veered stories worried me. Filed away every crumb he dropped.
"Tower and Empire that chummy?"
"Demons facing off at borders. Tower dispatched mages north multiple times lately. Public line: protect border academies. Word is, emperor and Tower Lord go way back."
"Sounds like honeymoon phase."
"Think what you will. Then aid flowed—now meddling in succession."
Tower Lord rigging heir fight with cash. Colonel's intel, vetted by dozens, rang true. Used to clipping papers; now predicting from agent secrets. Real promotion.
Without Hero gig, I'd have retired easy. But I ignored hypotheticals now, topped my glass.
"No advice? Subordinate heading abroad long-term."
"Counterintel background—no spy tips. Just don't get caught. Mind your step."
Fair. He'd caught spies, not run them.
"...One bit: focus solely on Hero matters. Other ops handled by departments. Don't meddle in the tangle—could get awkward."
Stick to your lane. Basic, but from a spy-catcher to a spy? Worth heeding.
"I'll keep it in mind."