156. Paul Carver (1)
Accident.
Surprisingly, it was all coincidence.
As Arthur said, Wallace hid himself in an incinerator.
In addition, he attempted to rebuild his power by gathering the remnants of the Kell Free Independence Army that had been hiding in Landa, but this was a case that could threaten the autonomy of the city of Landa.
The rebels gathered in a city that gave them autonomy.
However, it is no longer possible to use the police or the city defense force to make a fuss.
If done wrong, it could attract attention and make matters worse.
Therefore, the city tried to solve this problem by supporting solvers from veterans with guaranteed skills and credibility.
That is, using Arthur and his colleagues.
But what is this?
As a joke, just in time for Arthur’s attack on Wallace, Wallace stormed the city prison with the elite. To save imprisoned colleagues.
Again, this was all coincidence.
However, the bleeding was larger than expected to be considered a coincidence.
Even though the defense of the prison was raised due to the current situation, the firepower of the attacking enemy was unexpected, and three of the five-division prisons were shattered, and numerous ordinary criminals and heinous criminals imprisoned there poured out onto the streets.
The city hurriedly mobilized the police and some of the city’s national defense force to catch the escaped criminals again, but there were still many who escaped, and Landa was engulfed in untimely commotion.
“In or out…”
Forrest said, taking the newspapers from Landa by category and placing them on the desk.
There were so many newspapers that there was a buzzing sound.
crumble. crumble.
Forrest opened the newspaper and spoke again.
“The hot newspaper published by ＜The Talker＞ today. I’ll read the first page article… Yesterday, late in the morning, a city public prison was attacked. The authorities have defined this as a planned terrorism, and the prime suspect is presumed to be the Committee against the Development of Zone Z.”
“······?”
Oliver tilted his head.
I had no idea what the anti-development committee was and what the speculation was.
“I’m sorry, Forrest. Wasn’t it Mr. Wallace of the Kell Freedom Liberation Army who stormed the city prison?”
“The truth is. I’ll read other articles too. Newspaper of ＜NO Credit＞. An anonymous informant came in saying that a group of warlocks was behind this morning’s raid on the prison. It is presumed to be to rescue a member of the gang who was captured by the police department a few days ago, and this is a bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla how dangerous a warlock is. it is written The content of the article is cheap, but the photos are well taken.”
Forrest turned the newspaper to Oliver and showed him the picture.
The photos were definitely taken.
Prisoners pouring through the cracks and the collapsed outer walls of the prison. The shading of the black-and-white photo emphasized its seriousness.
But the doubts did not go away.
“As Forrest said, the photos were definitely taken. Still, the doubts do not go away. Wasn’t it Mr. Wallace who stormed the prison? Did you say that through the communication device yesterday?”
“Certainly it was.”
“Then why are the newspapers telling different stories?”
“Because the city requested it. It’s not usually a disgrace to tell you that the prison was robbed by the Kell Liberals who hid into the city.”
“Isn’t it a disgrace to have robbed prison?”
“Don’t say anything cowardly. Do I have nothing to say?”
Forrest replied with a light smile. He seemed to be used to this kind of thing.
He poured the liquor over to Oliver and said again.
“Honestly, you are absolutely right. It’s a shame that the prison was robbed. But, this is already bleeding. If so, the city should go in the direction of reducing the amount of bleeding as much as possible.”
“I don’t quite understand…. If it’s okay with you, can you talk to me?”
Forrest thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I wish I could tell you. You deserve to know. First of all, you know that Landa is a free city, right?”
Oliver nodded.
Landa was clearly a city belonging to the United Kingdom, but it was a free city that was not governed by either the royal family or the Central Parliament.
Maybe more than that? There are some people who call it a country within a country.
“But freedom is expensive. In the first place, the birth of a city called Landa happened with a miraculous probability. A catastrophe broke out, the old Landa collapsed, and a politician, a capitalist, and a wizard joined forces to build this city. It’s only a few words, but every single one of them is incredibly difficult.”
Oliver nodded again. It didn’t touch my skin, but I could barely understand it in my head.
“However, the birth is not the end. Rather, it is the beginning. By paying huge taxes, Landa maintains its status as a free city. But the funny thing is that people aren’t satisfied with it, they’re greedy.”
“Are you greedy?”
“Yeah, the royal family wants to turn Landa back into direct control, and the Central Assembly wants to take away the free city status and transfer it to the general administrative district. He wants to keep the goose that lays the golden eggs in his cage.”
Oliver seemed to know roughly how the flow of the story was going.
I’ve heard similar stories a few times already.
“But Landa doesn’t like that.”
“right. That’s right. So, every year, Randa faces an invisible war between the Central Assembly and the royal family. To somehow protect its autonomy from outside forces. By the way, the city prison was robbed by the Kell Freedom Forces? What do you think?”
“uh······. I don’t know for sure, but it seems like an excuse.”
“That’s right. I’ll pour you another cup as a reward.”
squeaky.
“…So, first of all, I’m going to spread those stings. If you spread a lot of lies, it will take quite a while to hide the truth. The issue of Landa autonomy is that newspapers and radio stations have the same position as the city, so they cooperate. It’s a rare sight, so keep that in mind.”
Oliver nodded and looked at the other newspaper.
The ＜Liar＞ newspaper reported that it was an attack by a criminal organization to save the prisoners, and the ＜Gibberish＞ newspaper reported that it was done by a popular pseudo-sect.
All of them were babbling, but several newspapers published articles mentioning the Kell Free Independence Army.
When asked about this, Forrest replied:
“It is evident that there is no truth at all. You have to put some facts in there. That will make it more confusing.”
“Oh, I see····. By the way, can I use people who have absolutely nothing to do with this?”
“Don’t worry. Did you put it that way on purpose? All of them are antagonists to the city, or they are subject to control, so why did you use this situation to write such an article to increase your control over them? It’s kind of a paving stone. Even in the midst of this chaos They are old and tall, no matter what.”
“ah······.”
Come to think of it, the groups mentioned in the article were mostly made up of warlocks or criminals.
It wasn’t just a rough selection of those who could attack the prison.
“This city is free, but it demands as much control as that freedom.”
“I think I can understand it. but····.”
“but?”
“I didn’t know there were so many groups in Randa. Specifically, what the heck is the Anti-Development Committee? There are a lot of articles about it, right?”
“It’s an organization that has nested in Zone Z. He’s been a protester since the redevelopment of Landa, and surprisingly, even the broker’s union doesn’t know him well. They say it’s a fanatic or apocalyptic group. They are usually quiet, but occasionally have accidents.”
Oliver nodded without thinking.
The city seemed as diverse as its gigantic size and tall buildings.
“Then, can I ask you one last question?”
“However much.”
“Is there a special reason for explaining this in such detail?”
Forrest grinned as if a waiting question had come up.
“The city says they want to request you directly.”
***
For some time, Forrest said, Landa’s shadow and light would be in an emergency.
The prisoners escaped in large numbers. If it was natural, it was natural.
He said that the police department as well as the city defense force would be mobilized if necessary, and the brokers’ union also agreed to fully cooperate with it until the fire is extinguished.
In other words, the solvers will also be mobilized anti-forcibly.
He was paid enough, but he couldn’t refuse, and so was Oliver.
“I don’t quite understand.”
Oliver, in the backseat of a car driven by restaurant employee Al, asked Forrest, who was sitting next to him. he was reading a book
“What do you not understand?”
“I understand that Landa has a big problem now, and that solvers are mobilized. Of course, it makes sense for me to work.”
“Good luck. By the way?”
“Then I have to search the back alleys like other troubleshooters, so why am I going to the city’s interior ministry?”
“Because before the request, a city official asked you to call. He said he wanted to see his face and request it, but unfortunately I didn’t hear what it was. They said you would come and talk to me. I apologize for this. City officials are not so friendly. First of all, it is right to go out cooperatively.”
“No, I don’t mean that. But I’m curious as to what’s going on.”
“I’ll be here soon, so please wait.”
What Forrest said was true.
Shortly thereafter, we entered Zone B, the heart of the city.
It was my first time coming here, and I was quite impressed.
Oliver visited the slum and crime zone, Zone X, Workers Zone, Zone J, where various cultural facilities are concentrated, and even the contaminated zone, but the administrative zone, District B, harbors a sense of intimidation that is different from other zones.
It seemed that the town was built with huge fortresses, and all the buildings were large and dignified as if they were intimidating people.
But apart from that, the street had an indescribable dignity and order, and it was full of people in neat suits and uniforms.
They all looked busy, and there were no gaps.
“It’s a breathtaking place whenever you look at it. See you too, this is where the city’s elite gather.”
“Everyone looks busy.”
“Yes. Although they are criticized for being tax thieves, surprisingly, everyone is working hard. It may be a place you will have to get used to in the future.”
Al, who was driving, interrupted the conversation.
“I’m sorry for talking. president. We will be arriving at the Ministry of Home Affairs building soon.”
“Okay.”
With an answer, Forrest pulled something out of his arms. It was like an ID.
After passing several huge buildings, the car’s head sprinted towards a point.
It was a dark light gray rectangular building surrounded by a wall that looked like a wall made of brick and steel.
The man who appeared to be a security guard took two steps and motioned for a stop, and Al stopped the car as he was told.
When the guard saw the egg sitting in the driver’s seat, he murmured lowly.
“Red skin?”
low-pitched contempt. At that moment, Forrest called a security guard in the back seat.
“I am just a driver. Security guard teacher.”
The guard turned his head and looked towards the forest. When he looked at the forest, the faint contempt that had shone when he saw the egg disappeared.
“I’m so sorry. What did you visit? Teacher.”
Forrest answered, showing the ID he had taken out earlier.
“I’m here to see Mr. Paul Carver of the Department of the Interior.”
The security guard spoke a word or two through the communication device before opening his mouth.
“You have an appointment. Go inside. Excuse me.”