New Order
After returning to Gracela for the time being, I visited the local station and threw the captured men into the jail there.
"Thank you for your hard work. We'll take it from here."
"I'm counting on you."
Since I needed to explain the circumstances behind capturing the men, I went to the office to meet with the head of this station.
Still... the fact that they have a proper office like this—just what you’d expect from a big city’s station. The size of the building itself is on a whole different level from ours. From the outside, it looks like it has five floors.
I knocked on the door to the office and entered once I was granted permission.
And the first words spoken were—
"Mr. Campbell!? You're the new officer in charge of Gracela!?"
"It's been a while, Justin. Glad to see you're doing well."
The surprise was over the unexpected appointment.
"I’d heard the Gracela organization was going to be cleaned out, but I didn’t expect you to be the one sent, Mr. Campbell... That’s incredibly reassuring."
"It was all Bellows’ doing. Seriously, he’s working an old man to the bone just before retirement."
"Oh no, Mr. Campbell, you’re still quite young!"
"You're probably the only one who’d say that."
Mr. Campbell gave a wry smile and scratched his graying hair.
He was the most senior member of the knights and had already stepped back from the front lines to focus on training the next generation. I’d been under his guidance many times in past training sessions.
To think he’d end up as the new head of security in Gracela... Judging from what he said, it sounds like Vice-Commander Bellows was behind the personnel decision.
"Still, the previous guy in charge was utterly negligent. Most of the reports he submitted were fake. He was taking bribes and helping with shady business... It’s disgraceful behavior for a fellow knight."
Mr. Campbell’s desk was stacked with a huge pile of documents.
They were probably all related to the previous officer.
To think he has to sort through all that... I can’t help but feel sorry for him.
But from my perspective, this personnel change is a welcome one.
As his earlier words showed, Mr. Campbell despises corruption from the bottom of his heart and holds it in contempt—meaning he’s someone trustworthy.
I was planning to ask him for information regarding the girl, but—
"Sir Campbell, it’s about time."
"Oh, is it already?"
Apparently, he had a prior appointment, and a subordinate knight came to call for him.
"Sorry about that. Actually, the McCreed family is here right now."
"Th-The McCreed family?"
What timing.
To think the McCreed family—the ones who invited us to the ball—are in Gracela right now.
"Come to think of it, the Tryon family, which governs the Abbott region where you’re assigned, was also invited to the McCreed family’s ball, right?"
"Y-You knew?"
"It’s a bit of a topic in the capital. People are wondering why they’re being invited now, when they’ve never been invited before."
Well, that makes sense.
For one thing, the Tryon family that received the invitation is currently in a total panic.
"Why do you think the McCreed family invited the Tryon family?"
"I’ve no idea. All I can say is... this is a rare opportunity for the Tryon family."
That’s something I strongly feel too.
Until now, they’ve been distant from other noble families, but if they could use this chance to build new connections—
That would be the wish of everyone involved with the Tryon family, including Lord Doyle, the head of the house.
What do you think about this chapter?
