A HOUSE LEFT UNGUARDED
The town was small ,it was quieter than the capital, everything moved slowly it was untouched by the urgency that gripped the royal court dust lingered in the air.At the edge of the town stood the military headquarters.The Inspector stepped down from her carriage, her eyes scanning the compound.The gates were open.Inside, a handful of soldiers lingered in the courtyard some seated, others idly conversing. A few turned at her arrival, but their reactions were delayed and uncertain.
No formation or respect for structure.It was as if command had never existed.Her gaze hardened.One soldier finally approached, adjusting his uniform as though remembering too late what it meant to wear it."Y-Your Highness" he began."Inspector," she corrected.The word alone seemed to confuse him.He straightened awkwardly. "Inspector… we weren't informed of your arrival.""I can see that."
Her eyes drifted past him, toward the main building."What time do your offices open?" she asked.The soldier hesitated."…Ten, Inspector."
She glanced at the sky.It was well past midday."And yet," she said calmly, "I see no evidence of work having begun."The soldier lowered his gaze she walked past him.Inside, the state of the headquarters was no better.Papers lay scattered across desks. Doors stood open and everything looked unattended. A faint smell of neglect lingered in the air.
"Bring me the armory records," she said.No one moved.Her voice did not rise."The armory records," she repeated.This time, a soldier hurried off.Moments later, he returnedempty-handed."They… cannot be found, Inspector."The room stilled."They were here," he said quickly. "After the weapons were issued… they should have been logged and returned records kept, but—""But they are gone," she finished.
Her eyes sharpened."Who was responsible for maintaining them?"The soldier hesitated again."Captain Ryo, Inspector.""Where is he?"He left the post three days ago.""Without permission?" she asked.The soldier nodded.Now the pieces began to move."Prepare a full list of all personnel stationed here during the time of the incident," she ordered. "No omissions.""Yes, Inspector.""And send word—no one leaves this town without my approval."This time, the soldiers moved quickly.
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The mortuary stood at the far end of town, removed from the noise of daily life.Death preferred silence.The Inspector entered without announcement.Inside, the air was cool in an unnatural way .A man stood near one of the tables, his back turned as he worked with careful precision.He did not look up."I wondered when you would come," he said calmly.His voice was even. As though her arrival had always been expected.
"You know who I am," she said."I know what you've come for."He turned then.
A young man who was very handsome he had luminous skin and striking features , his expression was neither welcoming nor cold. Simply still."The dead speak," he said, "though not in ways most care to hear."
She stepped closer wondering how someone so dainty and pretty could be doing such works"Then tell me what they said."He studied her for a moment.Then he nodded slightly.
"They were not killed like peasants caught in chaos," he said.
"They were executed.""Clean strikes," he continued. "Measured. Efficient."
His eyes met hers."Trained hands.""They also bore signs of restraint before death," he added.
Her expression did not change.
"But here is what troubles me most," the mortician said.
He stepped aside slightly."Come and see."
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Far from the town, in the capital .The ministers did not rest easy.Yuma Nzaki stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back."She has reached the headquarters," one of the officials reported.Yuma said nothing."The records…" the man continued carefully, "have already been removed."And the captain?" the official asked.Yuma's gaze darkened slightly.
"If he has any sense," he said, "he will remain gone.""And if he does not?"Yuma turned."Then he will not remain at all."The weight of unspoken understanding settled in the room.
"The Inspector," the official said cautiously, "she will not abandon this."
"No," Yuma agreed.His expression hardened.
"That is precisely the problem."