Chapter 263: Even if She’s a Fairy

"Alright, let's just say Lide is that species," said Ion Iolkaf, leaning toward Ramin, forgetting where he was. "But can we say that itself is criminal or problematic?"

"Lide is also part of the Power of Reality.'"

"That in itself shouldn't be a problem."

"Publicly, that's true, but that’s not how it really is. While the Power of Reality is known to the public as just a part of the radical secularist groups, it's internally more organized and secretive. And among those insiders, there are those with criminal charges, who had committed real crimes."

"Shouldn't that be known already?"

Ramin responded, "Firstly, moderate secularists don't want such tendencies to represent secularism. Many secularists believe it's sufficient to have a temple in one's heart, as Chairman Sarcho would say."

"And the Empire?"

"The Empire feels the same. You might not know the precise details due to distorted media reports, but the Pantheon never expressed that the increase in the number of secularists is a problem or a cause of discontent. A secularist is not an enemy of the Pantheon or the Empire.”

“Therefore, even if involved in actual crimes, they are quietly dealt with rather than publicly declared as enemies under the name of the Power of Reality. Making secularists an enemy across the Empire is not impossible…but the process could hurt many innocent people. Of course, internally, thorough investigations are being conducted, like now."

Nervous, Ion drank from the stainless steel cup filled with water.

"So Lide belongs to the radical part of the Power of Reality that causes problems?"

"Those I call the Power of Reality members are all such people. Not the nobodies on Sky Net who say they support the Power of Reality."

"What about the evidence?"

Ramin said, "Lide has been attending secret meetings."

"Lide is a researcher. She has no time for that."

Ramin replied, "There was no need to find extra time. The Power of Reality is within the Imperial Aeronautics and Space Agency."

Lids questioned back, "It’s not just Lide?"

"Right." Ramin showed a brief document. "It's not just Lide. The astrophysicist Lide introduced you to, and others handling big and small tasks in the Imperial Aeronautics and Space Agency, were part of the Power of Reality."

"On what basis?"

"If you look at the statistics, anyone would be suspicious. It's astonishing why it wasn't discovered until now, but a high percentage of people in the Imperial Aeronautics and Space Agency are from orphanages. Realistically, it doesn't make sense. People from better environments, with better education, are more likely to work in better jobs."

Ion asked out of pure curiosity, "Isn't it strange?"

"Pardon?"

"The Power of Reality values secularism. But how can secularists use science to spread radical secularism? It would make more sense for them to be activists supporting those suffering due to religion, doing volunteer work, or becoming politicians."

"Then what do you think about the statistics showing many people actively involved with the Power of Reality?"

Ion replied, "If you learn through academics, you inevitably become a secularist."

Ramin was silent for a moment before saying, "The Intelligence Agency doesn't think so."

"What exactly did they do?"

"That's why we brought you here, Ion, to figure that out now. It might be an uncomfortable situation, but it won't be too hard. Let's start with a simple question. Let’s see… Do you remember your first meeting with Lide Oboren?"

***

Ion underwent intense interrogations for four days, each lasting about fourteen hours. Although other interrogators, including a Troll and a huge Ogre, appeared, Ion understood that he was receiving fairly decent treatment. After all, Ion realized this case didn't directly involve him in any actual incidents, nor was he a direct perpetrator of any crimes, so it made sense.

Each time a finding of the investigation was revealed, Ion reacted strongly, but he also cooperated with the interrogation. He thought the interrogators seemed to have a decent opinion of him for these reasons.

When Ion was finally released from what he assumed to be an internal location of the Intelligence Agency, he said to Ramin, "You're just letting me go?"

"The Intelligence Agency may not be kind, but it's not that terrible. You’ve seen the inside, right? Most are just civil servants, wondering what's for lunch today. It's just standard procedure. You're a witness, after all. But we'll keep in touch."

"...Can I ask about the investigation?"

Ramin rested her chin on her hand and said, "Honestly, I'm still not sure. It's a bit chaotic, but you can return to your workplace. Everything has been arranged."

"Arranged?"

"You've been on vacation. Well, you'll get more leave. It's okay to tell everyone about it, but I think it's better for you to play it down, not for us but for your sake."

"...Understood."

Ion wondered how it was possible for so many people involved with the Power of Reality to be in the Imperial Aeronautics and Space Agency, but once he returned, he understood. Familiar faces were missing, each having their reasons for not being present. Some were on a business trip for research, others had been urgently transferred or, like Ion, were on leave. The cover-up was so sophisticated that anyone not aware of the actual situation would believe it at face value, and many did.

‘...Has reality really changed?’

Ion agreed with Ramin's advice to downplay his involvement with the Intelligence Agency. In this situation, if Ion revealed his investigation, no one would take him seriously. It would even create unease and anxiety among his colleagues as he would have to explain things. Although it seemed some were aware of the truth, it didn't lead to any significant conversations.

The Imperial Aeronautics and Space Agency, which should have felt emptier with people gone, quickly became busy again with new faces arriving for health check-ups according to the Empire’s standards, bringing about new news. However, Ion felt a clear void. Even after a month, Lide hadn't returned. Visiting Lide's house had become part of Ion's routine. Ion thought this was strange himself.

‘Isn't this dangerous? Shouldn't I distance myself from someone the state has marked as a dissident?’

But he didn't like that thought and soon found a reason for it.

‘Lide deceived me? Not telling me something isn't deception. The Intelligence Agency thought Lide approached me with a purpose, but they found nothing. Even if...if it's true…’

Ion gathered various flyers and notices stuck to Lide's front door, thinking, ‘...So what if Lide is a Fairy?’

His feelings remained unchanged. He liked Lide for being a Yeti, but he also liked the non-Yeti aspects. The species wasn't that important to him.

"Um, hey, little friend, can you show me the way?"

While taking detours on his way home, anticipating potential surveillance, Ion met an elderly Renard carrying a bundle. It was common for smaller species to help each other out. Taller species weren't necessarily unkind, but they tended to be indifferent to things that didn't fall within their line of sight.

When Ion approached, the elderly Renard asked for the location of the bus stop. Ion picked up the Renard's luggage, and they walked together. At the bus stop, as Ion was about to leave, the elderly Renard thanked him and grasped his hand, slipping a small note into it.

’...Huh?’

Ion had several choices at this moment. He could have dropped the note in confusion, looked around for the Intelligence Agency agents possibly following him, or politely returned the note to the Renard’s hand, indicating he didn't want to be involved. However, Ion held onto the note, bade the Renard farewell, and then tucked the note into his pocket.

Ion then returned home through his usual route, entered an empty room stripped of any objects that might be bugged, and read the note only by moonlight.

[Greetings, comrade Ion. I do not know how this note will reach you, but if you are reading this, it pleases me.]

Ion read on, holding his breath.

[I am Junya, a member of the Power of Reality, an organization known as the last stronghold of secularists. You may wonder why I suddenly handed this note to you, but we are aware that you were taken to the intelligence agency for unjust questioning. We don't know the exact details, but we have a general idea of what happened. You probably believed the information provided by the Intelligence Agency and shared information with them as your duty as a citizen of the Empire. Even if you harbored complaints or made malicious criticisms about us, we do not blame you. We just want to share something with you that we believe you will be curious about.]

Upon reading the next sentences, Ion felt warmth spread through his body.

[Fairies are in danger. The situation is not good. The Empire—precisely speaking, the Pantheon—does not favor the evil god and its species. Just look at the current state of Werewolves, Vampires, and Deep Ones. The Empire and the Intelligence Agency, clearly more powerful than us, have caught up with the safety margin we barely maintained to protect ourselves. The Empire has secretly established inspection agencies to root out Fairies, examining all those who are suspicious under the guise of health checks.]

Ion swallowed hard.

[However, we, the Power of Reality, as a last resort, seek to help at least the Fairies escape. It won't be easy, as there is no land uncontrolled by the Empire. But in the wilderness of the eastern continent and on the western continent, there are bases of secularists associated with Chairman Sarcho, places where the Empire finds it difficult to interfere politically and socially. Although our grand operation has failed, if we can manage to escape, we could at least save Fairies.]

Ion realized the intention behind this note and why it was given to him.

[We need help. All of our people are under the surveillance of the Intelligence Agency. You might not know, but with the Agency focusing extensively on the Power of Reality, someone like you, an outsider, has attracted less scrutiny. We are not depending on your beliefs but simply stating that there's perhaps one last chance to help someone you have a relationship with. If you wish to help us, come to the following place at the following time. We'll be waiting.]

The note ended, mentioning a time and place.

Ion checked it.

'It's a busy day.'

The date was the day Chairman Sarcho was set to arrive in Orazen. However, the location specified was Owadel Station, a secluded subway station in Orazen, far from the central square where Sarcho's street speech was to take place. Sarcho, fond of public speaking in squares like in their youth, sought to speak wherever they went.

Ion remembered hearing that there was a considerable tussle between the western continent lawmakers and the royal family to prevent Sarcho from speaking at Orazen’s central square during this visit.

‘The problem is how much I should believe this…’

With no one to discuss it with, Ion had to think for himself, something he had rarely done before. He spent his days ordinarily, drawing no one's attention, and after much thought even until dawn of the day of, he got ready and headed out.

‘I can't just do nothing.’

Ion felt he had changed from the past. Swept up in many events and changes, he felt he had become more proactive. And the catalyst for all these changes was Lide.

‘Is this also a kind of secular enlightenment?’

Perhaps it was.

The Owadel Station was bustling. Being a transfer station and unusually crowded that day, Ion thought it would be difficult for anyone to follow him—if they were—considering the small stature of his Kobold species.

While waiting inside Owadel Station, someone bumped into Ion and left a briefcase at his feet.

"Get on the next train."

As the person who brushed past Ion disappeared too quickly to even identify their species, Ion was momentarily stunned, as if under a spell. However, he was not so bewildered as to ignore the instruction given. Ion first followed the instruction by picking up the bag and boarding the train.

Line 3 from Owadel ran high enough to pass by the buildings of Orazen, allowing Ion to bask in sunlight streaming between the forest of buildings as the train left the station.

'Okay, what's next? Should I check the bag?'

Ion thought about sneakily checking the bag, but then he heard a voice that made his heart feel like it stopped.

"Huh?"

Ion turned toward the voice.

"What brings you here, Ion?"

Ramin, recognizing him, was staring directly at him.