9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 46 - The Great Forest and Desert (5)

The lights at ‘Redan Tavern’ had been off all day.

The reporters who had been hovering around looking for scraps, and the regulars who had been pacing about with worry, could only stare at the curtain-covered windows before clicking their tongues and leaving.

Though there was only a sign reading ‘Temporarily Closed’ on the door with no explanation for why business wasn’t being conducted, those quick with rumors had been sharing information even before the newspaper extras and radio news came out.

That in the national bank terror incident that had turned the country upside down, Lucas Redan had voluntarily become a hostage.

Shortly after the rumors spread, photos circulated of a woman rescued by police sobbing, “He sacrificed himself for me!”

Lucas Redan was currently missing, and there was a high possibility he had been dragged away by the White Raven Order that committed the terrorism. Or he might already have been killed.

People flocked to the front of Redan Tavern, but thanks to Erika, who had woken up and grasped the situation before responding calmly, no major incidents occurred.

“It’s true that he visited the bank today. I will appeal to the police. Please rescue Mr. Redan. Please help him return safely.”

After finishing the press conference with a pale face, Erika entered into a meeting with the police chief, and though she was offered personal protection like before, she declined.

“Using precious personnel on me would be wasteful. Instead, please do your best to find Mr. Redan.”

It was an excuse, of course.

If she had security attached, it would obviously interfere with meeting the members.

In any case, her resolute handling won public favor.

Meanwhile, Ameli’s face was deathly pale when she rushed over as soon as she heard the story.

“That person is really reckless! Spouting such things on the radio…!”

After soothing Ameli, who was angry with a mix of worry and rage, and sending her back, Erika closed the tavern doors with Daniel and went into seclusion.

***

Midnight had passed.

After the reporters and onlookers had receded like the tide, the small back door of Redan Tavern opened a crack.

“Come in.”

With a whispered voice, Oscar, Richard, and Georg crept stealthily into the dark tavern.

They who had been silent with lips pressed tight only began pouring out words like a burst dam after going down to the basement hideout and closing the secret door.

“What on earth is this?!”

“Lucas was captured? What’s this talk about him being dead?!”

“White Raven Order!”

The clamoring voices spread throughout the comfortable room.

“Enough, quiet!”

However, when a gentle yet weighty voice settled over them, everyone closed their mouths.

Daniel, with a tired look, had an unusually stern expression.

“Calm down. Let’s sit first.”

Everyone settled into the plush sofas and armchairs. Daniel, who had brought cold water from the refrigerator in the corner, placed glasses in front of each person.

Drinking the cold water seemed to calm them down a bit as the heat between the three people subsided. Daniel, who had been calmly observing his friends, opened his mouth.

“We haven’t grasped the exact circumstances yet either. But I talked with Erika, and the appearance of the White Raven Order might be Lucas’s deception, or someone impersonating them, right? Since Lucas wouldn’t have carried out such a big operation without informing us, it’s likely an impersonation.”

“And the rumors about him being dead…”

Erika seemed to have difficulty continuing and took a deep breath for a moment.

“…have no basis whatsoever. Georg, you know too, right?”

“Yes. It’s just people’s speculation. According to the victims, only two guards were shot in the bank, and when the bomb exploded, he might have died… but…”

The boy was clenching his teeth tightly.

“Based on our assumptions so far, they’re bold and cunning enough to impersonate the White Raven Order, commit bank robbery, and even bomb terrorism. I don’t think they’d be stupid enough to kill a hostage right away.”

Richard’s words were cold. The frigid expression hidden behind his warm mask was chilling, but it would be helpful in a situation like this.

“There’s been no talk of a body appearing either. The police might be delaying the announcement due to concerns about the aftermath. Anyway, if the death rumors aren’t true, why haven’t they used Lucas for threats yet? It’s already been 12 hours.”

“That’s…”

To Oscar’s question, Georg, who had wiped his eyes with his stained sleeve, hesitantly opened his mouth.

“Maybe Lucas is doing something? He might be persuading them, or fighting.”

Everyone fell silent in thought.

It was speculation without any evidence, vaguely optimistic hope, but no one refuted it.

If it’s Lucas.

Yes, if it’s Lucas, maybe.

They had all thought of the same hope. If it’s Lucas, it might be possible.

***

“Dear listeners, we bring you breaking news! Following yesterday’s national bank bombing incident…”

“Gasp!”

Oscar snapped his eyes open and wiped the drool from his mouth. He got up, sweeping back his disheveled hair.

“Did I doze off?”

A few hours ago, they had been staying up all night exploring every possibility for Lucas’s safe return.

Looking around, Erika, Richard, and Georg were all sprawled on sofas, fast asleep.

Only Daniel was pressed close to the radio, listening intently.

“What time is it? Saturday—”

“Shh!”

He put his index finger to his lips and pointed to the radio.

“…dan was rescued an hour ago. Early this morning, cleaners near the Great Cathedral in Lüdelheim District 1 discovered Mr. Redan tied to the spire and immediately reported it to police.”

“What? The, the Great Cathedral?”

Oscar doubted his ears.

The Great Cathedral? They had tied Lucas to that towering structure that you’d have to crane your neck far back to look up at?!

Just imagining it made his body shrink with chills.

The radio repeated the breaking news several times.

“We report once again. Lucas Redan, who was known to be detained, has been rescued! Mr. Redan, ah, new information has just come in.

According to Mr. Redan’s testimony, the White Raven Order confined him in a large sack and then took him up to the Great Cathedral spire when night fell.

Police revealed that a lengthy statement was also attached to the rope that bound Mr. Redan. It contained nonsensical criticism of our Great Supreme Leader and unreasonable demands for him to immediately step down from his position as Supreme Leader.

Mr. Redan is reported to have suffered psychological shock but no significant physical injuries. He expressed his intention to rest at a nearby hospital and return home after police questioning is complete.”

“Phewwww!”

Oscar and Daniel simultaneously let out long sighs of relief.

He’s safe.

Not only did he survive, but he wasn’t seriously hurt either.

“Right, this isn’t the time for this.”

Oscar hurriedly woke the other friends. Even before he could explain anything, they all snapped awake upon hearing the news being repeated in their half-asleep state.

***

“That’s everything I’ve told you so far.”

I smiled tiredly.

“So you’re certain it was the White Raven Order.”

The stern-looking police officer asked while looking down at the interrogation records.

“That’s definitely what I heard.”

“You were confined in a sack the whole time, so you’re not certain, but from the presence you felt, there seemed to be quite a lot of personnel and there were elves mixed in among them…”

The police, in order not to lose face to Ossel, were doing their best to protect me thoroughly while trying to extract any useful testimony.

I smoothly laid out the content I had previously discussed with Fael.

I didn’t repeat the same words like a parrot every time they asked, but pretended to squeeze out memories mixed with anxiety and anger.

Though they were just scraps of false information.

“What do you mean they went outside the capital?”

“I heard them talking about a ‘hideout.’ They also said they were relieved to have safely escaped Lüdelheim.”

I had been packaging it as if Lüdelheim District 13 was the White Raven Order’s base. Which was true, actually.

However, since the incident had grown excessively large and surveillance had become extreme, I now had to divert the investigative power of both police and Ossel elsewhere.

And inflate it a bit to make the White Raven Order seem like a nationwide organization.

“Thank you. Mr. Redan’s testimony should be very helpful. Now please have a meal and rest a bit.”

I nodded while aimlessly looking around the hospital room.

It was the best room in the largest general hospital in Lüdelheim District 1.

Naturally a private room, and the cost of one night’s stay far exceeded an ordinary person’s monthly living expenses.

The meal the nurse brought was also elaborate, like being in some high-class restaurant. It was hardly recognizable as hospital food.

‘Enjoying such wealth and luxury in this world isn’t particularly useful anyway.’

A bitter smile emerged.

Everyone was treating me as if I had become some national hero.

I had wanted this, but as things grew uncontrollably large, anxious feelings swelled up alongside. Worried that an uncontrollable situation might eventually come.

Still, I have to keep moving forward.

***

At night, the police who finished questioning me politely escorted me to the tavern.

Knock knock knock!

“Miss Brightner, please come out!”

When the police knocked on the tavern door with a bright voice, there was movement inside before the door burst open.

“Mr. Redan!”

Erika rushed out with a flushed face and embraced me.

‘Her acting has improved a lot.’

To the reporters and onlookers positioned around, it would surely look sincere.

“Sorry for making you worry.”

As I whispered gently while stroking her hair, warm exclamations could be heard from here and there.

“We’ll be going in now. Redan Tavern will resume normal operations from tomorrow, so please visit often.”

I smiled and waved my hand.

And as soon as the door closed, Erika, who had been in my embrace, quickly pulled away and looked up at me.

“…”

A long quiet moment passed.

“…I’m glad you’re safe.”

She whispered.

“What, did you think I was going to die? Have a little faith in me.”

When I chuckled, Erika’s expression became cold as usual again.

“Where are the kids? I have a lot to tell them.”

Seeing the members huddled together in the hideout, I finally felt my tense heart gradually relax.

The friends’ reactions were quite varied.

Daniel had an endlessly relieved face, and Oscar looked like he might cry at any moment. Richard wore his usual warm smile, while Georg had a hollow expression from relief.

“I have returned!”

After spreading my arms wide and shouting, I plopped down on the sofa.

“You must have had a lot of questions, right? I’ll tell you everything. Listen quickly. I need to go see Mrs. Schmidt too, since she must be worried.”

“Damn, that’s really just like you.”

Oscar, who had been sniffling, ended up giggling.

***

“Uh… so the conclusion is that you joined hands with elves.”

“Elves, elves indeed.”

Oscar muttered in confusion, while Richard lowered his head thoughtfully.

“Why? Don’t tell me you guys hate elves?”

“It’s not that we hate them.”

Daniel wore an awkward smile as he glanced around at the members.

“We don’t like them either. Elves are either stingy loan sharks or prostitutes and criminals.”

Georg spoke honestly.

‘So there’s an enormous wealth gap among elves. Naturally, the extremely poor would be far more numerous. Their image being bad makes sense.’

People like Fael would surely be countable on one hand.

“Of course, I know they’ve been driven into despised occupations due to deep-rooted discrimination. Still.”

“Getting involved with elves isn’t exactly a pleasant thing. That’s just how it is.”

Honestly, it was shocking.

To think even these friends were steeped in racial discrimination. I had thought they were quite enlightened for people born in this kind of country.

I took a slight breath and spoke in the gentlest voice possible.

“Wasn’t our goal to bring down Kruger? Elven money is still money, and elven strength is still strength. Our faction is weak and insignificant. The other side has both money and people. Their only weakness is being elves! We’re not in a position to be picky right now. If there’s anyone willing to help, we have to join hands with them.”

“I certainly sympathize with that.”

“I know, what you’re saying is all right. And I know you negotiated to survive in that place, and this result is the best possible. It was an unimaginably excellent response.”

Richard and Daniel consoled me.

“Actually, elves or whatever, I don’t care. But more than that…”

As Oscar hesitated and pursed his lips, Erika continued for him.

“From now on, we’ll be blamed or praised for things we didn’t do. Lucas, do you think that’s right? Someone going around hurting people under the name of the White Raven Order?”

A shock like someone hitting my head with a hammer.

In that moment, I had a premonition.

That the time had come for me and my friends in this world to seriously clash and settle things.