Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Wolf Reporter
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Walz quietly knocked on the door to the inner courtyard.
The door opened, and a vest-wearing server came out with a smile.
But that smile didn’t last long.
“You don’t seem pleased to see me.”
He said, looking at the server whose expression had hardened.
“No, sir.”
“Then greet me with a smile. I haven’t done anything wrong, so it’s upsetting to be treated like this.”
“I’m sorry.”
He scanned the interior of the shop.
It seemed mealtime had ended, as there were no customers.
It was a good time.
The problem was the chef’s arrogance, not the customers dining here.
If there had been diners, he would have waited a bit.
“Is the chef inside?”
Walz entered with his hands clasped behind his back.
Hanbrus cleared his throat awkwardly and followed.
The servers tidying up the interior all turned to look at him simultaneously.
Each one shot him a look laden with hostility.
He could understand why the powerless sent such glares.
They had nothing else they could do but stare with unpleasant feelings.
He wasn’t so petty as to nitpick even the modest revenge of the pitiful.
He gave them a light smile and looked for the chef.
The chef appeared today as always, wearing his pristine chef’s hat.
Thanks to seeing that massive frame several times, it no longer felt unfamiliar.
Behind him was the chef’s wife.
She looked close to giving birth—why wasn’t she resting at home? Tsk tsk.
It might even be the chef’s ploy to garner sympathy.
People resorted to all sorts of tricks when cornered.
“What is it this time?”
The chef asked.
This was his third visit.
The first time, he had ransacked the place; the second, he had interviewed the entire staff.
The chef seemed quite displeased that he had shown up again after it seemed finished.
“The number of servers seems to have decreased.”
“Two quit.”
“Oh dear. Why would they do that? They all seemed diligent and kind during the interviews.”
He could see the chef gripping his chef’s whites tightly.
“I think you know the reason well enough, Vice Director.”
“Me? I can’t imagine. All I did was investigate this place according to the law.”
The chef fell silent.
He looked like a bear but was sharp-minded.
It would have been more fun if he tried to settle things with brute force like his appearance suggested.
“Please state your business. Wasn’t the last investigation the end of it?”
“It was more or less concluded, but not officially closed.
I told you then—summons could be issued for the two of you.”
“How long will these investigations drag on? At least tell me the reason.”
“Unfortunately, I can’t disclose that.
You’ve heard the rumors, I assume?
The Special Inspection Unit has arrived in Dune.
It’s a gravely serious matter.
I’m handling the investigation personally out of consideration for you all.
If I’d sent my hot-blooded underlings, this place would be…”
He trailed off deliberately.
The chef stared silently with fierce eyes, and his wife hurried over from behind.
Her name was Ena, wasn’t it?
A common name, but he remembered it.
“I’m sorry. He doesn’t mean any harm.
Please understand, Vice Director.”
“I know.
By the way, it looks like your due date is approaching—is that right?”
“Yes. Not much longer now.”
“This is truly regrettable.
You should be resting, yet we’re subjecting you to this ordeal.
But please understand it’s unavoidable for the common good and safety.”
“We’ll cooperate fully with the investigation.
We’re innocent, and we believe you’ll recognize that, Vice Director.”
“Well said.
I despise persecuting the innocent the most.”
He said, eyes fixed intently on the chef.
“But who is the gentleman with you, Vice Director?
He has no connection to the investigation, does he?”
“I’m borrowing this fellow’s keen mind.
So please don’t raise questions.”
The chef’s hostility toward Hanbrus deepened.
His guts must be boiling.
It was obvious this was a malicious investigation.
But what could he do about it?
What could a mere citizen do against a bureaucrat and noble backed by legitimate cause?
The sound of the door opening came.
He turned to see two men in their early to mid-thirties entering.
The shop was closed, so they weren’t customers.
Just to be sure, he asked the chef.
“Are they reservation guests?”
“No.”
“Personal acquaintances?”
He was waiting for the chef’s answer when a man approached with a hearty “Haha!”
The curly-haired man stood before Walz and bowed at the waist.
“It’s an honor to meet you like this.”
“Do you know me?”
“Of course.
You’re Walz, the core of Dune, Vice Director of the Administrative Division.
Anyone in Dune who doesn’t know you might as well be a spy for the Allied Kingdom.
No—a spy would know you even better.”
“I appreciate you recognizing me, but who might you be?”
“Please speak comfortably.
I’m Karl, a reporter scraping by writing articles.”
“Ah, a reporter.”
People who loved picking up rumors and loved spreading them even more.
Bards had some romance to them; reporters had none.
“Do you have a regular column somewhere?”
“You might not know, but I work for a small paper called Wolf.”
At the word “Wolf,” Walz changed his mind.
Unlike freelance gossips, a staff reporter had value worth treating well—and one from Wolf was someone he’d want close.
“Karl, huh. I’ve seen the name a few times in Wolf.”
“You’ve read my articles.
An honor.”
“Pleased to meet you too.
But…”
Before he could finish, Karl pulled out a thin silver badge as if waiting.
It identified him as a Wolf reporter.
He’d seen it once before.
It was genuine.
“Why show me that?
I already trusted you.”
“I was embarrassed.
It’s shameful not to prove my credentials when speaking with a respected official like you.”
“A man who knows etiquette.”
He also introduced his companion.
Hanbrus revealed himself as a 3rd Class Aristocrat and shook hands.
“So you’re Recorder Hanbrus, assigned to Administration Bureau 2.
Meeting such luminaries has opened my eyes wider.”
“You know that too?”
Hanbrus asked.
His face was full of smiles.
He seemed pleased to be recognized by a reporter.
“A reporter should know these things.
Congratulations in advance.
The rumors are rife even in the Holy City—a fine man rising to Recorder.”
“Enough, enough.
You’re embarrassing me.”
Wolf was known for harshly criticizing politicians, but it also praised capable officials.
A band of fearless reporters who feared not even the Emperor’s gaze.
Getting your name in Wolf was one sure shortcut to fame, good or bad.
“Normally I’d read your paper, but given the circumstances…”
“Yes. We’ve heard roughly what’s going on.
Once security levels drop, we can resume publishing in Dune.”
“It won’t be long.
It’ll resolve soon.
More importantly, what brings you here?”
Karl glanced around the shop and said.
“I came because it’s Dune’s most famous restaurant.”
“Does Wolf cover restaurants like this?”
“No.
Just personal curiosity.
But are the two of you here to dine?”
“Afraid not.”
“I see.
The atmosphere did feel tense, like something was wrong.”
Reporter’s instinct, perhaps.
Walz smiled faintly and said.
“As you guessed, there’s an issue with this restaurant, so I’m here investigating.”
“Coming personally instead of sending subordinates—truly a model for the Administrative Division.”
“It’s nothing that grand.”
He felt a surge of pride unnecessarily.
If a Wolf reporter wrote a favorable article, he couldn’t ask for more.
He’d thought Wolf reporters were combative types brawling with politicians, but this one was meek.
Not all reporters risked their lives, after all.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could I briefly cover the investigation process?”
“That might be difficult.
It’s an internal sensitive matter.”
“Too bad.”
“I could make time for a personal interview later.”
“That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
I’ll step aside, so please finish your business.
I can’t keep taking up your valuable time.”
He nodded and approached the chef and his wife.
Standing tall, he spoke as dashingly as possible.
“I’m doing my utmost for your innocence.
But there are still shortcomings, so please appear at the Administrative Division the day after tomorrow.”
“Couldn’t I go alone?
As you see, my wife needs rest.”
He glanced back.
The reporter was watching with an admiring expression.
“Understood.
Easing citizens’ burdens is part of my duty, so I’ll accommodate that.”
He bowed gentlemanly to the chef couple and turned to leave.
“That consideration for the people—truly the mark of a noble aristocrat.”
“We always think of Dune’s citizens.
That’s why we wear the uniform.”
“Impressive as expected.
I’ll definitely visit the Administrative Division later.
Don’t pretend you don’t know me—welcome me warmly.”
“Count on it.
Come by sometime.
I’ll make time for an interview.”
“An honor once more.”
The reporter bowed neatly.
He patted the reporter’s shoulder lightly before exiting the shop.
The reporter bowed to Hanbrus as well.
“I thought Wolf reporters would be different, but he knows manners.”
Hanbrus said.
He agreed.
“If he comes by later, we should treat him well.”
“Call me too.
I get along with that reporter.”
“The three of us it is.”
The inspection had gone smoothly, and he’d made a polite reporter’s acquaintance.
Walz stepped away with a pleased smile.
* * *
“If you keep glaring like you want to kill me, I might die of embarrassment, so please look kindly.”
When the man calling himself Karl brazenly spoke, Million hesitated briefly.
Should he knock him down first?
If he weren’t with Lander, he definitely would have.
“Let’s see what Walz was looking for here.
Pardon the intrusion.”
Karl began inspecting the shop on his own.
Instead of stopping him, he approached Lander.
If this man brought him, there must be good reason.
“Let him do as he pleases.
It won’t cause any damage to the shop.”
“Is he trustworthy?”
“Trustworthy?
I can’t say.
But what he can do for you is something even I can’t right now.”
Lander smiled.
His superior trusted the skills of that cheerfully grinning reporter.
There was no reason to doubt.