The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 2

“Our department has it rough, but the Operations Team is in complete emergency mode. I heard they haven’t been able to go home for a week.”

“Yeah, I bumped into a friend from the Operations Team recently, and his eyes were so dark underneath, he looked like a walking corpse!”

The Operations Team, which literally oversees the practical work of the Security Department, is vastly different from the Administrative Department, which is closer to a supporting role. If we were struggling, they were likely being ground down to nothing.

“Still, they should catch the culprit soon. There’s no way it can go on like this, right?”

Everyone nodded at someone’s remark. I thought so too. The Security Department is the best investigative agency in the empire. No matter how complex the case, they usually concluded it within two weeks. Having invested this much time, results should be showing soon.

But as everyone knows, it’s often the unexpected that catches people off guard.

* * *

The serial killer claimed another victim. Moreover, this time the victim was a promising noble knight. Every department went into an uproar. Newspapers released special editions, the noble council was up in arms, and public criticism poured in.

Since then, it has been a nightmarish time. I distinctly remember seeing the sunrise as I went to work, but even after what felt like an eternity, the sun was still in the same position. Only then did I realize that I had stayed up all night without a break.

“Are you alive?”

“No…”

“Well, at least you’re coherent enough to answer.”

The devastated office resembled a war-torn battlefield. Roil placed something beside my head that was buried in mounds of paperwork. It was coffee with ice. Gulping down a sip brought me back to my senses, like finding holy water in a den of evil. Others cheered as they received the coffee from Roil. However, Roil himself didn’t look too happy when he returned to his seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… I brought coffee for everyone, but two people were missing. The Department head and Officer Lucen. Didn’t we all stay up all night?”

“Ah…”

“They didn’t leave. But at some point, they were nowhere to be seen.”

The answer came from someone else. Others began to confirm that they hadn’t seen the two individuals either. Then, someone who had been hesitant finally spoke up.

“I saw them in the lounge earlier.”

“The lounge? Both of them?”

“They were sleeping.”

Roil gave a crooked smile.

“What the hell. We’re about to die from working non-stop without food or sleep, and they’re off enjoying a leisurely nap?”

A tension-filled silence was broken by awkward laughter. In a world where rank is accompanied by social status, the two absentees were among the few nobles in this outdated department.

“Wow, so nobles are too high and mighty to work even in an emergency? Why don’t they just go home early instead of hanging around and bothering us?”

“Roil.”

“Oh, right. All the top brass are in emergency meetings today, aren’t they? They can’t just go home because it’d look bad. But they can’t work either, so they’re just slacking off?”

“Stop it. This isn’t anything new.”

“It’s precisely because it’s not new! Sei, doesn’t this piss you off? Let’s be honest, you do all the Department head’s work! What’s with this social rank nonsense? Is it right that the truly competent people can’t get promoted while the useless ones live in luxury? Just because they’re nobles?”

“Sigh, please. If someone hears us, we’ll all get arrested.”

“Yeah, Roil, I get your frustration, but stop it. That kind of talk could easily be seen as rebellion.”

“Seriously, my heart can’t take this.”

“Argh, damn it!”

It was just as Roil was about to swallow his anger at the voices urging him to stop.

“What is going on that I can hear such loud voices from outside?”

“…!”

Everyone turned pale at the unexpected voice. And when the owner of the voice appeared, we were all taken aback. The fact that someone showed up at this very moment was surprising enough, but it was even more bewildering considering who it was.

“Welcome, Director.”

Feeling as though cold water had been poured over me, I hurriedly stood up. Others, snapping back to reality, also quickly assumed a formal salute.

“Hmm, yes. It seems everyone is working hard.”

The man, who responded with the same salute, strode inside. His snow-white hair and imposing stature were striking. The purple cravat, which only high-ranking officers were permitted to wear, was prominent against his black uniform. Count Kun Rael, the Director of the Security Department and Head of the Operations Team.

‘Why is the Director here?’ Roil’s glance seemed to ask, and I could only shake my head to indicate that I had no idea.

The “Support Department” was the lowest within the Administrative Department—among the more peripheral positions. It was unthinkable for a high-ranking officer like the Director to visit such a place. Judging by the lack of reaction, it seemed he hadn’t heard Roil’s earlier outburst.

“Where is Officer Silex?”

“The Department head is currently away. I will have someone inform him immediately that you are looking for him.”

“No, that’s not necessary. I have business elsewhere.”

As Count Rael spoke, his eyes settled on me.

“…Are you referring to me?”

“Yes, Officer Sei. I’m talking about you.”

Why is it that foreboding feelings never seem to be wrong?

The title of ‘Officer’ felt heavier today than it ever had. The room had fallen into an even deeper silence. Even without looking, I could sense everyone’s eyes darting around, all holding their breath.

“I have something to discuss with you, Officer. If you’re not too busy, come see me for a moment.”

“…Yes. Understood.”

The phrase “if you’re not too busy” was a mere formality. Is there any subordinate who could refuse a summons from the Director?

Suppressing a sigh that had become almost habitual, I followed him. I could feel the piercing stares on my back. A low-ranking employee being summoned personally by the Director—it was an absurd notion, even to me. When I returned, I would undoubtedly face relentless questioning. My mind was already cluttered with thoughts of how to explain. Count Rael, aware of this, promptly offered an apology once we were alone.

“I’m sorry for putting you in this situation. I really had no other choice.”

Seeing his genuinely apologetic face, I couldn’t even muster any anger. It wasn’t hard to guess why he had come, so I simply nodded.

“Is this about the current case?”

“Yes. Your help is more crucial now than ever.”

“Why didn’t you just send someone? There was no need for you to come personally.”

“Do you think I wanted to resort to such means? But the scene of the incident happens to be on the private property of His Grace, Duke Mikkel. He’s adamant about cleaning up quickly, so time is of the essence. We need to go to the scene immediately.”

“As you know, Count, I cannot act without his permission.”

“Yes, I’m aware. That’s why I’ve obtained it.”

“…You obtained permission?”

“I brought the authorization, knowing you wouldn’t believe me. Here, take a look. It’s written by his own hand.”

Before I could respond, he handed me a note. Unfolding it, I saw the familiar handwriting.

Cooperate fully but discreetly.

The simple sentence, written without wasting space, and the sharply pointed handwriting were unmistakable. I couldn’t believe he actually obtained permission. Thinking of what he must have endured to get this single note, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“I might not be of much help,” I said.

“Of course, I’m well aware of that. Don’t feel too burdened. We’re just trying whatever we can.”

If I had heard this a month ago, I might have been a bit more receptive. Despite my resolve to banish such thoughts, a shadow still looms over a part of my heart.

“Officer Sei?”

“…It’s nothing. There’s nothing else to prepare, so let’s head out now.”

“You’ve thought this through well! Thank you, Officer Sei! Truly, thank you!”

Count Rael’s beaming smile, along with his vigorous handshake, made my heavy heart feel a bit lighter. Though the bitterness lingered in my mouth.

* * *

The series of murders that had instilled fear in the capital began two months ago. It all started with the discovery of a brutally discarded corpse in front of a slum.

The first victim was a twelve-year-old child living in the slum. Like most children in such places, he was a lonely orphan with no family, so the investigation quickly concluded without much effort.

The second victim was a beggar, similarly dismissed without thorough investigation. The third was a forty-year-old tenant farmer going to work in the fields. From this point, concerns about a serial killer began to grow. The marks left on the bodies and the modus operandi were identical, making it hard to believe the cases were unrelated.

A few days later, a fourth victim emerged. She was a twenty-year-old woman working in a shop, presumably attacked on her way home.

The fifth victim was a man of the same age, engaged to the fourth victim. In an attempt to avenge her, he had independently tracked the culprit but was ultimately found dead, which deeply saddened everyone.

The sixth victim was a merchant elder, quite affluent and with many noble connections. This murder received the most attention. His powerful family mobilized all their resources to create a public outcry and pressure the Law Enforcement Corps.

Complaints flooded the administrative offices, crippling all operations, and articles criticizing the Law Enforcement Corps’ incompetence appeared daily in the newspapers. Eventually, unable to withstand the pressure, the Law Enforcement Corps requested investigative support from the Security Department around this time.

The seventh victim appeared after that. A thirty-something mercenary who had been out on the streets at night seeking bounties, only to meet a tragic end. As a well-known and skilled bounty hunter, his death further inflamed public opinion.

However, even then, Count Rael hadn’t come looking for me. It wouldn’t have mattered how many more victims appeared; he wouldn’t have sought me out. It was only because the eighth victim was a noble.