Chapter 38
Recently, the atmosphere in Hasmal had grown somewhat brighter. Although only part of it, the main culprit behind the assassination of Herman Miller had been apprehended, and above all, the long-vacant position of Police Commissioner had finally been filled. Many expressed optimistic reactions, saying that the previously unstable public security would now be restored.
The new commissioner was a complete unknown to everyone. The media described him as someone who had loyally served Hasmal for many years and faithfully carried out his duties as a police inspector, but in truth, not a single citizen knew his name.
Because there was virtually no known information about him, he drew even more attention. It was said he was the youngest police commissioner in history, and his excessively handsome appearance only fueled the public’s curiosity.
As articles about him poured out day after day, people waited for his inauguration ceremony with differing sentiments. Some with curiosity, some with anticipation, and others with anxiety. To meet such widespread interest, everyone assumed that a grand inauguration would be held.
However, events unfolded in a way completely contrary to expectations. The much-anticipated inauguration was carried out with striking simplicity. It was not even opened to the press. There were no distinguished guests, no customary congratulatory speeches. All that took place was the brief reading of a declaration in front of a small gathering of Stifts executives. There was no post-inauguration bureaucratic party either.
As a result, whether before or after his appointment, the commissioner remained an enigma to the public. The less he appeared before the masses, the more rampant the rumors became. They spread not only throughout Hasmal but even to neighboring countries, especially Glycen, which had recently been on edge over Hasmal’s political situation. The rumors even reached the northernmost village of Tarak.
“Was it Zekart, you said? The name of the new commissioner of Hasmal Stifts?”
“That’s right. They say he was promoted straight from inspector.”
“If he was talented enough to be an inspector, his name should’ve been known by now. He’s really a mysterious figure.”
“Still, it seems he has a good reputation within Hasmal. Apparently, he dove straight into his duties right after the inauguration. Rumor has it he’s dead serious about suppressing the resistance. It’s only been a few days since he took office, and he’s already arrested dozens of Berg resistance members.”
“Well, that kind of zeal probably explains how he became commissioner at such a young age. Poor Berg people. At this rate, they’ll really be wiped out this time.”
Mrs. Koch, who ran a small bakery in Tarak, noticed a young man standing absentmindedly while chatting with her employee, Lena. He wore a beret pulled low over his head, and despite having entered the shop quite some time ago, he was still standing in front of the display case.
“Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”
At that moment, the shoulders of the man in the thick jacket flinched.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. Sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
“Take your time looking around. Everything was baked today.”
Mrs. Koch watched him for a little longer before finally turning her gaze away. In sync with that, Lena struck up another conversation, once again bringing up the new commissioner of Hasmal Stifts. In truth, for the past few days, Lena’s interest had been entirely focused on him. The reason she, who knew nothing about international affairs, was so invested was simple: his looks were close to her ideal type.
“Did you see the photo in the latest article? He’s seriously so handsome.”
Watching Lena, who looked as though hearts might spill out of her eyes at any moment, Mrs. Koch shook her head. No wonder she couldn’t get married.
“Please ring this up.”
At last, the young man stepped up to the counter holding a loaf of bread. After much deliberation, he had chosen a rye bread.
“Would you like it sliced?”
“Yes, please.”
“Lena! Take this.”
As Lena began wrapping the bread, Mrs. Koch kept glancing at the man’s face.
“You’re the one who just moved into the forest-path house, right…?”
“Yes.”
The young man answered shortly, fiddling with the brim of his beret. He seemed uncomfortable with the attention, but Mrs. Koch persistently pressed on. After all, he was the first outsider to appear in decades.
“It looked like there were three people in your family. Is that right?”
“…Yes.”
“Oh my, really a family? I thought the combination was unusual and wondered what your relationship was.”
“……”
“The child is yours, right? And the middle-aged woman who came with you is…?”
“Will the bread take much longer?”
The young man cut her off with a stiff expression, his discomfort obvious. Only then did Mrs. Koch reluctantly step back. Just then, Lena finished wrapping the bread.
“Ho ho, sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I just thought you’d look good with our Lena.”
“Auntie!”
At Lena’s shout, Mrs. Koch retreated toward the kitchen with an awkward laugh.
“I’m sorry. Mrs. Koch is a good person, but sometimes she gets a bit carried away.”
“It’s fine.”
“Here’s your change.”
The man bowed slightly with an awkward smile. His manner of speaking and his appearance both gave off a neat, composed impression.
“Have a good day.”
Chime.
With the sound of the bell, the man left the bakery.
＊＊＊
At the sound of the front door, Mrs. Marie rose from her seat.
“You’re back?”
When Perel entered the living room, he carried with him the scent of bread mixed with a faint winter chill. Looking at the red tip of his nose, Mrs. Marie guessed how cold it must be outside.
“Here. The bread you asked for.”
“Thank you.”
“Where’s Leon?”
“Upstairs. He finally fell asleep.”
“I see.”
The conversation came to an abrupt halt. What filled the space was a sigh that might have belonged to either of them. Since moving here, this had happened often. Even during ordinary conversations in daily life, they couldn’t shake the deep worry lying beneath.
“What about Miss Edith—”
“Edith—”
Their words overlapped. Hearing the name they both spoke made their hearts ache, and without thinking, they both bit their lips.
Perel closed his eyes as if sighing. Even now, whenever he shut his eyes, the events of that day resurfaced vividly: the living room in chaos, Leon hiding alone in the basement, and Edith nowhere to be found. Because it was a tragedy he might have prevented had he acted more quickly, Perel was consumed by intense self-blame.
‘No… I never should have drawn her into this in the first place.’
“There’s still no news about Miss Edith?”
A voice mixed with sobs reached him. Perel remained silent. Realizing that his silence was an affirmation, the sobbing grew more pronounced.
Unfortunately, there was no information at all about Edith. Since she had been identified as the ringleader, security around her was extremely tight. The only small consolation was that visitation with Shasha and Karon, whose trial date had been set, had become possible. Through a Glycen lawyer handling their defense, they were able to hear about Edith’s situation indirectly.
“She’s being held in solitary confinement and is forbidden from any outside activity. Even Shasha, who’s imprisoned in the same penitentiary, hasn’t been able to see her even once.”
“Please… find a way, Perel. If something happens to her, then Leon… what will we do with that poor child?”
Since that day, Leon had grown quiet. He woke up repeatedly at night, calling for his mother, and cried often. Not the kind of crying where he threw tantrums, but soft sobs with thick tears streaming down his cheeks. Even a child instinctively knew that this separation was not like before, not one with a fixed end.
“This week, His Highness Crown Prince Bariel will make his move. He said he’ll conclude negotiations with Glycen even if it means accepting unreasonable terms.”
“And if the negotiations break down?”
“They won’t. But if Hasmal hesitates to confront Glycen in the end, we plan to leak to Hasmal that Glycen was behind the recent city hall bombing. Glycen won’t be able to avoid war.”
In fact, this had been Edith’s proposal.
‘If a fight won’t happen, then we have to make it happen.’
Back when Karon and Shasha had been captured—
“What if even Hasmal remains silent? Hasmal doesn’t want a war with Glycen either. What if they pretend not to know and stay quiet?”
Mrs. Marie asked anxiously. At that moment, the always-composed look in Perel’s eyes sharpened.
“Then we’ll storm the prison.”
Of course, he knew there would be massive bloodshed. They might even suffer irreparable losses. But even so, he had to save Edith, no matter the cost.
The room was instantly engulfed in heavy silence.
Mrs. Marie pressed her trembling lips together, struggling to compose herself, while Perel sank into his thoughts.
Then, from upstairs, faint crying could be heard.
Waaah.
The cry of a child who had lost his mother.
