༺ Policeman’s Hell – (Part 1) ༻

Police Inspector Evian was one of the few sources of pride in Edelphite, a city located in the Military State’s borderlands.

After achieving decent grades in elementary citizen school, he went on to enter a distant secondary military school. Having passed through rigorous exams in this boarding school, he eventually graduated with relatively excellent grades.

Although not quite enough to be accepted into an advanced military academy, he could become a soldier if he wished.

However, Evian chose to become a police officer instead.

Technically speaking, it was actually a subordinate organization of the military police. In the Military State, becoming a police officer was often seen as blocking one’s own career path. However, there was one incomparable advantage compared to a career as a soldier.

If one reached a high enough rank, they could choose their own place of duty.

In order to return to his hometown and to take care of his lonely mother, Police Inspector Evian endured the harsh life of a police officer and finally reaped the rewards.

In Edelphite’s small police station, Inspector Evian was tidying up documents after another satisfying day of work.

『Police Inspector Evian of Edelphite.』

Suddenly, Inspector Evian heard someone’s voice, causing him to look around in an effort to pinpoint where it was coming from.

“Who are you? It’s past working hours.”

『If you knew who I am, you’d feel an inescapable fear. Every breath would turn into hell and you’d want to hide in a hole like a scared rat. Isn’t it perhaps better for you to not know?』

This seemed too much for a prank. Inspector Evian frowned and sprang to his feet. In his hand was a steel baton he had grown accustomed to over the years.

“What is this? Is this some sort of joke?”

『A joke? A joke, you say. If only it was, then you would be happier. Kekek. Police Inspector Evian. Starting tomorrow, you shall experience a taste of hell. Look forward to it.』

“How dare you threaten a policeman!”

Enraged, Inspector Evian kicked open the door and stormed out to investigate the vicinity, but only the eerie streets of darkness greeted him.

He couldn’t even sleep properly that night, disturbed by an ominous feeling.

Evian continued the previous night’s patrol and combed every nook and cranny of any obscure areas. In an ironic twist, the village was so peaceful that it was lamentable. The only strange thing that day was Inspector Evian himself, who willingly chose to work overtime.

The only thing he did all night was send a tomboy named Elly back home.

To be more specific, it wasn’t strange for Elly to roam around when she wasn’t supposed to. On the contrary, It was rarer for her to be caught by Evian and sent home.

So what exactly happened yesterday?

As a disheveled Evian walked down the street, he suddenly heard loud voices from a distance, thus immediately running towards them.

“Someone has stolen the automaton carriage!”

“What a joke! For us, the alchemic fabric stored in our warehouse yesterday is gone!”

The residents of Edelphite were fighting, divided into two factions.

There were two main facilities in Edelphite.

One was a huge inn and the other was an automaton carriage repair shop.

The location of Edelphite was fairly ideal; if its topography wasn’t right above the useless Abyss wasteland, then it would be a major transport hub.

At any rate, the Military State built an inn and repair shop here precisely for that very reason.

They were the assets of the Military State and the villagers were periodically called to work there.

Initially, the villagers resented working in these facilities as they were already busy.

However, both the inn and the repair shop were far too stately to hate. These huge facilities built in such a remote area of the Military State almost seemed like it symbolized the new era. As such, it eventually grew on the residents over the course of several years.

However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Having a sense of ownership was good, but it also caused problems.

The inn, located in the city center, and the repair shop, standing alone on a distant road, were different in both their location and required skills. As a result, the villagers gradually started working exclusively in one or the other; it was only natural that it caused a division, akin to water and oil.

In the end, the residents of Edelphite split into two factions.

“What is happening here?”

“Oh, Inspector Evian! Good timing! Please reprimand these people!”

The residents of the inn faction greeted him. Although Edelphite’s sole Police Inspector maintained neutrality, Evian was originally part of the inn.

Evian cursorily nodded and skimmed over everyone present.

“Please explain the situation as clearly as possible.”

“The repair shop people stole the alchemic fabric from our warehouse!”

As Evian approached, the repair shop faction, who were slightly intimidated, retorted back.

“Slander! How would we know where your alchemic fabric is and steal it!”

“Speak for yourself! Why are the ones, who mocked us for not even knowing how to drive, accusing us when the vehicle is gone?!”

Despite the chaos, Evian had a rough idea of the situation as he was originally from this village.

The residents’ personalities changed as much as the disparity between the inn and repair shop.

Those who had developed their skills and craftsmanship in the very technical repair shop began to subtly look down upon people associated with the inn. Initially, the majority of the residents, who were affiliated with the inn, scoffed at this. However, as the repair shop faction’s children began to stand out in the citizen school, the inn faction gradually suffered from feelings of inferiority. Despite outwardly looking down on them, they did not discourage their children from playing at the repair shop. In fact, they actively encouraged them instead.

Recently, if it weren’t for Police Inspector Evian, the pride of Edelphite and a police officer born in the inn, the repair shop faction’s momentum would have soared to the skies, unaware of any limits.

At any rate, a problem arose in the two facilities, each claiming that all the wrongs of the world laid with the other.

The alchemic fabric of the inn had disappeared.

The automaton carriage being repaired also vanished.

And now, they were suspecting each other.

As such, it was natural for Inspector Evian, who was listening to their stories, to recall the mysterious voice he heard yesterday.

“Couldn’t it be the work of an outsider?”

“But there has only been one visitor to our inn yesterday! Moreover, she is still staying there!”

“If there’s an outsider, start by suspecting them. They might have infiltrated this place first!”

A resident from the inn faction responded while scratching his chin.

“Uh, I think she is a remarkable person…A Captain, I believe. She said she was on her way to the capital after completing her mission.”

“Forget what I just said. All of it!”

Despite being called ‘our’ inn and ‘our’ repair shop, the facilities were ultimately assets of the Military State. If it was a Captain, she could take the automaton carriage and alchemic fabric as if they were her own possessions. Even a Captain would be punished for embezzlement, but none of the villagers here had that kind of authority.

Moreover, it was possible for her to kick Evian in the rear for suspecting her. And of course, Evian did not want to be kicked by a Captain.

“So you’re saying the alchemic fabric and automaton carriage just disappeared on their own? Without anyone entering or leaving?”

“Well…that’s…”

While the residents avoided eye contact, at a loss for what to do, someone gestured to Evian.

“Evian, come over here for a moment.”

The representative of the inn faction, Bern, called for him. The summoned Evian replied with slight annoyance and displeasure, as if offended.

“Mr. Bern. Please show me a minimum level of respect. I am the Inspector in charge of ensuring the public order of this place.”

“You’re telling me I need to show respect even when I’m calling my own nephew?”

Bern replied with a touch of arrogance in his voice.

A long time ago, after Evian’s father left the village, Bern, his uncle, took care of him in his place, becoming his guardian. He, who was no different from the village chief, had only grown in authority since his nephew, Evian, returned as the Police Inspector.

Although Evian found him slightly distasteful, he couldn’t punish him as he didn’t technically do anything wrong. After all, Evian was a policeman, through and through.

“Obviou… Haa, forget it. What is it?”

As Evian approached, Bern lowered his voice, speaking quietly.

“Elly and Dev disappeared.”

“Whaaat?”

Elly was the tomboy of the inn and Dev was the oddball of the repair shop. As they had grown up in the conflict of this village, they were always at each other’s throats.

But for both of them to disappear at the same time?

“We’re both worried about each other. Either Elly strangled Dev to death by mistake and fled with the alchemic fabric or Dev bashed Elly with a spanner and ran away in fear. It’s one of the two.”

“How could Elly drive and how could Dev know where the alchemic fabr…Ah, wait a minute.”

“That’s right. They both used to sneak into each other’s facilities and play hide-and-seek. Unlike us, they knew each other inside out, like scouts searching for an enemy. It’s not impossible that it happened.”

This was also why Evian grasped his forehead, as if a headache was imminent. He had realized it was more than plausible.

There was motive, malice, and a history of troubling the residents. As such, it truly could be possible that they harmed each other.

“They were both in the village until last night! I personally sent them home!”

“Then they must not have returned home. They haven’t been seen at home since that evening.”

“Damn it. Then either one of them couldn’t have gone far! Just stay put for a moment!”

“Are you going to go catch them?”

“I have to! I can only hope they’re both alive!”

Evian briskly pushed through the crowd. The residents shivered with a strange anticipation for the policeman’s investigation and the anxiety that their child might be the culprit.

Evian eventually met the facility manager who was waiting for him.

“Inspector Evian. I am Administrative Supply Officer Bero. Alchemic fabric is not expensive but they are a key supply item. We can not stay silent about its loss.”

“I am Technical Officer Chalet. The automaton carriage is expensive. I hope for a swift resolution. If this is reported to the authorities, the entire city might receive punitive labor sentences.”

“There is a military officer currently at the inn. She is resting there due to an injury, but if she happens to hear about this…”

Each facility manager respectfully urged Evian. If his rank had not been higher than them, it wouldn’t have just stopped with these bitter words.

Evian shouted irritably.

“We just need it returned by this afternoon’s inventory check, right?! That’s all we need! Just wait! Ah, and Chalet! Do you have a carriage I can use?”

“There is one left.”

“I will borrow one in order to carry out official duties! Is that acceptable?”

“I shall approve it.”

Evian started the automaton carriage and made a wide sweep around the village. There were two tire tracks that had been recently made. One for the Captain’s arrival and one that departed from here.

It was fortunate that the tracks were easy to identify. Just like that, Evian chased after the carriage’s trail.

The Abyss wastelands were vast. If the two had unknowingly crossed the hill into the Abyss wasteland, Evian would have no choice but to give up and return to Edelphite, awaiting the authorities’ verdict.

Fortunately, Evian found a stopped automaton carriage not too far away. He parked his own vehicle nearby and immediately stomped over. His eyes were filled with anger towards the perpetrators who had done such an idiotic thing.

“Sob, sob….”

However, as he began to hear Elly’s weeping, Evian was overcome with fright. What if Elly had unintentionally killed Dev and ran away? What then?

If Evian had been from another village, he might have proudly added a line to his record by callously capturing Elly. However, he was from this village and wished for its peace if possible. The tomboy was most spirited and bright in the village, not in a jail; she belonged here with them.

Swallowing hard, Evian threw open the driver’s side door, coming face to face with someone inside.

“Hiiii, hiiiik! Big Brother Evian!”

“Dev?”

Dev was in the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel. Elly was sobbing in the passenger seat. After confirming their safety, Evian, feeling spiteful, grabbed Dev’s ear and pulled him out.

“You rascal. Who said you can steal the automaton carriage?”

“N-No! It wasn’t stealing! It was just a test drive! Chalet said to check if everything was fixed! He said to try driving it as a way to verify!”

“Did you tell Chalet before going?”

“No? I wanted to surprise him. Ow, ow!”

Evian shook Dev’s ear back and forth, shouting.

“If you were going to go, you should’ve gone alone! That would have raised less suspicion. Why did you drag Elly into this?”

“Me? Drag her?! She sneaked in herself! And I was at a loss or what to do because she started crying, saying she didn’t want to go back to the village!”

Dev’s indignant protest didn’t seem like a lie. Evian, who was about to slap Dev’s cheek, sighed and turned to Elly.

“Elly, whatever the issue is, you can’t just run away without a word. What were you thinking? Your mother is waiting. Let’s go bac….”

“Heuk, I can’t…go back…! I’ll die!”

“Die? Who would kill you when I, a policeman, am here?”

“No! Really, I might die…! I-I found…!”

Elly, choking back tears, shouted with her eyes tightly closed.

“…a body!”

Evian’s eyes widened upon receiving this unexpected report.

“What?!”

There were two vehicles and two people capable of driving. As such, after taking Elly on board his carriage, Evian listened to her full account.

Elly, while up to her usual mischief, had stumbled upon some strange inscriptions. And when she continued following it, it led to terrible traces hidden in this peaceful border village…. And there, she found buried bone fragments….

Evian asked.

“Wait a minute. There shouldn’t be any bones. Didn’t everyone who had recently passed away get cremated?”

“Heuk…!”

Evian clicked his tongue. Pressuring a panicked child would yield nothing.

He was a policeman, not the heartless military police.

“If there’s a dead body, you should have told me. Why did you keep quiet?”

“But, Mister Evian is….”

Elly clammed up once again. Evian, feeling frustrated, pressed her further.

“Am I not trustworthy? Elly, the position of a Police Inspector isn’t won by gambling or chance! It’s earned by capturing criminals adeptly while being under the heartless and ruthless military police. I’m not someone to be taken lightly!”

In the Military State, martial law dominated everything.

All medical acts were carried out in military hospitals, civil engineering was the responsibility of the Engineer Corps, and investigations were conducted by the military police.

Enlisted administrative clerks executed the general public’s administration and even factories were under the purview of the Bureau of Technology and Development.

Forget soldiers and policemen. Even businesses were inseparable from the military regime; It was truly a nation of soldiers.

Apart from a few very special things, everything belonged to the Military State.

“People of Edelphite don’t understand this, but the fact that my title is an ‘Inspector’ is a big deal! The Military State deliberately separated affiliations!”

To prevent corruption among those responsible for a village’s security, the Military State deliberately segregated affiliations. That was why Evian, despite his experience and rank, did not have great authority.

In other words, his status was far higher than the power he wielded.

“…Sob.”

But perhaps because Evian was too familiar, Elly refused to speak. Evian, eyes wide and bulging, sighed.

“Hoooo. If you don’t trust me, then there is a Captain in the inn who you can go talk to. She is unfathomably above me in rank, so you should be satisfied with that.”

Elly panicked.

“N-Not the inn. I can’t go to the inn! I’ll die if I go there…!”

“Why? Was the corpse found at the inn?”

“Hieek!”

“…You should never commit any crimes. Seriously.”

Then, a sudden thought flashed through his mind.

Why did Elly keep silent? Why did she continue to protest that she couldn’t tell Evian?

Perhaps…

“Where did you find it? At Mr. Bern’s?”

“Hieeek!”

The representative of the inn faction, as well as someone who was virtually the village chief.

Moreover, his authority had only grown since Evian’s return; it was Evian’s uncle, Bern.

To think that a corpse was in his dwellings…

There was a part of Evian that wished Bern had done something wrong. If he could be punished and his authority diminished, it would be far more pleasant for him.

However, he had not wished for a corpse to appear. A murder case was a completely different story.

“…Do not worry.”

However, Evian was a policeman, responsible for the safety of this village. He could not just overlook hints of a murder case.

In the first place, if he ignored such a serious incident, he might be punished by the Military State. Moreover, the entire village could face severe penalties.

That had to be prevented.

“I will definitely find the culprit.”

Evian resolved firmly.