“Chapter 37”

"Chapter 37"

"'Because Old Maxwell locked you guys in the station?' Orr's question made the brunette burst into laughter, clutching his stomach."

"'...Yes, I sneaked out.'"

"'You call your chief Old Maxwell?' The black-haired one slapped Orr's shoulder, 'Quite bold of you, kid. A brave and adorable little guy like you is just what the bastards in jail love!'"

"'You’ve misunderstood, I think...'"

"Orr thought they could explain, but the black-haired man, who was too close for comfort and had his hand on Orr’s shoulder, already grabbed his arm, while the brunette took out handcuffs."

"Is there nothing in this world that can go smoothly?!"

"'Bang!' Orr punched the brunette in the face and hit the black-haired man in the stomach."

"The brunette passed out immediately, while the black-haired man clutched his stomach, violently vomiting."

"'So, we can't have a proper conversation?' Orr sighed, then reached out to the two men."

"He grabbed each by the collar, dragging the unconscious one and struggling with the one who was still conscious but unable to straighten up. Bystanders, whether strolling customers, vendors, clerks, or shop owners, witnessed everything. But when Orr looked at them, they immediately turned away, continuing their chatter and work."

"So, was this how it was when Danny was kidnapped?"

"He found a suitable corner and dragged the two policemen into it. The black-haired man continued to vomit, while Orr slapped the brunette awake."

"'Where’s Danny?'"

"'Attacking royal police, you'll—ahhh!'"

"Orr twisted his fingers, 'Do you still want your fingers? The royal police don't need a cripple, right?'"

"'We don't know! We don't recognize that kid!'"

"'Liar!'"

"'Crack!' 'Ahh—!'"

"'Sorry, I didn’t actually intend to break your finger.' Orr’s expression was blank, but his apology was sincere."

"Letting the black-haired man continue to wail, Orr approached the brunette, who was still bent over vomiting against the wall. As Orr got closer... suddenly, the brunette drew his baton and swung at Orr..."

"'Thud—!' Orr punched him in the nose."

"The baton fell to the ground, and blood instantly ran down the brunette's lips from his nose."

"'Where’s Danny?'"

"'Da-Danny? Which one? There are many Dannys, which one are you talking about?'"

"'A handsome boy, blonde hair, ice blue eyes. He likes to smile, speaks very politely.'"

"'Oh, oh, oh! Yes, there is a boy like that, what about him? Is he missing? When did he go missing?'"

"'Five days ago.'"

"'We weren’t on duty five days ago!' the brunette wailed, holding his nose, his voice sounding odd, 'We can call the ones who were on duty that day!'"

"'And then arrest me, right?'"

"'No, no, of course not.'"

"'You may not have been on duty five days ago, but you are here now. I don't believe you know nothing,' Orr decided to play the tyrant. He stepped back, drew his gun from under his arm, spun the cylinder, and a bullet fell into his palm, 'Five bullets. You both know about Russian roulette, right? An interesting game.'"

"Faced with the barrel of the gun, the black-haired man, still whimpering over his fingers, clamped his mouth shut. Both looked at Orr with pale, terrified faces."

"'Now, it’s a quick response game. Whoever is slow or gives an unsatisfactory answer gets ‘happy.’" Orr’s gun moved steadily between the two, "'First question, do you know Danny?'"

"'Yes!' '...Know.'"

"Orr looked at the black-haired man, who hadn’t finished saying 'no' when Orr pulled the trigger. The black-haired man opened his mouth in extreme fear, but the revolver only clicked, no bullet fired."

"'Actually, you don’t need to be so afraid, I didn't aim at your heads or hearts. Even if you get shot, you can still play a couple more rounds. Of course, my gun’s accuracy is a bit off, so I might accidentally end the game early.'" Orr smiled 'reassuringly' at them, only making their faces even paler."

"'Second question, was Danny kidnapped?'"

"'Yes!'"

"Both answered together, Orr showing disappointment, 'Third question, who kidnapped him?'"

"'Don’t know!' '...Don’t, don’t know.'"

"This time it was the brunette, still no bullet fired, but he hesitated, suggesting he might be more likely to reveal the truth."

"'As patrolmen, you don’t know who kidnapped a child in your area?'"

"'We don’t know!' Both shouted simultaneously, probably treating it as another question."

"Seeing Orr didn’t pull the trigger, the black-haired man began to explain frantically, 'We’re just patrolmen, do you think we’re God? To know every move of everyone in our area?'"

"The brunette revealed more, 'He’s not the first child to be taken away, sir. Many people come here to take away children. For those kids, being taken away is actually a good thing. They don’t have to continue living like shit here, they can live... you know, more comfortably... ah!'"

"Orr pulled the trigger at the brunette, but unfortunately, still no bullet."

"'Fourth question... I think you should consider this one carefully, as the chance of ‘happiness’ is quite high now. When children are kidnapped, do you get any benefits?'"

"'Yes!'"

"They had indeed thought it through, so both answered quickly this time."

"'Wasn’t that the fourth question just now?' The brunette, having faced 'happiness' once more, sounded discontent."

"'Your answer made me unhappy, so do you want to face it again?' Orr pointed the gun at the brunette, who immediately clamped his mouth shut."

"'Fifth question, you need to answer separately.' Orr aimed the gun at the black-haired man, 'Tell me, are you still going to say you don’t know who kidnapped Danny? Really no clues at all?'"

"The black-haired man pursed his lips tightly, 'One-Eyed Federlo... he loves kidnapping children, training them according to their specific circumstances, turning them into thieves, robbers, or sending them to some special places.'"

"Orr then pointed at the brunette, 'Limping Joann, he has contacts with several big circuses and theaters, always choosing suitable children to become actors.'"

"'These are two bastards, but they’re not the ones who kidnapped Danny, right?' Both men bowed their heads in silence, 'No answer? I’ve already fired four blank shots, so how many chances do you have left to live?'"

"Orr aimed at the black-haired man, not at his body this time, but his forehead, 'From this close, even if the gun is not very accurate, I can still hit with one shot.'"

"The black-haired man closed his eyes, his body sweating and trembling, 'Some people are beyond our reach. Dying here would only cost me my life, but if I spoke, my entire family would lose theirs.'"

"'Click!' Another blank shot."

"The black-haired man instantly went limp."

"The gun barrel then shifted to the brunette, a foul stench filling the small corner."

"'For God’s sake, don’t say it!' the black-haired man looked at the brunette."

"'Bang!' Orr hit the black-haired man on the head with the butt of his gun, knocking him unconscious."

"'Now he’s out, it’s just us two. I’ll knock you out too in a bit, and no one will know what you said. Of course, if you don’t speak, I’ll kill both of you. Tell me, who is it?'"

"'...It’s us.'"

"'You?'"

"'No, not me, but, but it’s someone from our ranks. The kids they take are handed over to bigshots, really big ones,' the brunette cried, his tears mixing with the blood from his nose, making him look utterly wretched, 'Danny, Danny wasn’t supposed to be chosen, he’s one of our kids. But, but that day, he was taken! We couldn’t do anything...'"

"'Good,' Orr pulled the trigger."

"'You said good—' The brunette’s eyes widened, the stench of feces growing unbearably strong."

"'Click!' Another blank shot."

"Before the brunette could react, Orr had already knocked him out with a blow to the head."

"—He had removed 6 bullets, not 5. When unloading the gun, he hid one under the guise of the weapon."

"Both policemen lay unconscious, their heads bloodied."

"The 'us' repeatedly mentioned by the brunette referred to the royal police."

"The handsome uniform he wore now made Orr feel sick; he felt like he was wearing the sticky skin of a grotesque monster, not clean clothes."

"They knew about the existence of human traffickers but let them operate. Or were those guys the scapegoats prepared for when things eventually came to light?"

"Orr truly wanted to kill these two men, but unfortunately, he wasn't capable of it yet."

"'I should at least bring a change of clothes next time...' Orr handcuffed the two unconscious policemen together and turned to leave the alley."

"Outside, the world was still bright. Orr didn't see any more red uniforms; apparently, no one had reported to the police."

"Staying here any longer was pointless, but the likelihood that Danny was still alive was... a piece of good news, right?"

"Returning to the alley he had come from, Orr heard the hoarse voice as he stepped into the darkness: 'We've brought you a clue, Patrolman Mondale.'"

"The lady and the man who had received the bread earlier were sitting up from the ground, the lady clutching a dirty jacket tightly."

"Orr looked at them and took out the egg pancake he had prepared for himself from his small pouch."

"'No, we don't need it, you've already given me enough advance payment,' the lady handed over the jacket, 'Also, from now on, you can call me Burned Lady.'"

"'Oh, then I’m White Face,' White Face, with his toothless mouth, let out a weird, cackling laugh."

"Orr picked up the jacket, a young man's brown jacket. Danny was wearing a brown top when he disappeared, but Orr couldn't be sure if it was his – he saw the boy every day but never paid close attention."

"'This is the boy's jacket. Someone saw him being taken away by two men in a plain-looking rental horse carriage. The men were skilled, one covering his mouth, the other grabbing his legs. A boy couldn't resist them. Cough, cough, cough!' The Burned Lady's voice grew hoarser, her throat seemingly unable to bear much."

"White Face continued, 'This was discarded by the roadside before he was kidnapped. Seems he knew he couldn't escape.'"

"After her coughing subsided, Orr asked, 'Can I meet this witness?'"

"'What information did you gather outside?' White Face asked him instead."

"'...Nothing.'"

"'So, no one would want to see you. Even if they did, they wouldn’t want to talk to you. Or you can ask us questions, maybe we know the answers to your queries?'"

"'What did the men who kidnapped him look like? What were they wearing? Any distinctive features of the rental carriage?'"

"'The men who kidnapped him were wearing long coats, with high collars, so no one saw their faces. But they were strong, not fat-strong, but the kind that comes from training. The carriage was nondescript, pulled by two brown horses.'"

"Absolutely no clues... just brown horses, which you can see dozens of on any bustling street in a single day."

"'Thank you.' Orr still handed over the egg pancake, 'This is my personal token of gratitude. Please accept it. Unless something unexpected happens, I will bring food to the other end of the alley tomorrow at noon—both of you must be there.'"

"'Of course, it’s a good idea.' White Face chuckled, lying down on the ground, 'Then see you tomorrow, Mr. Mondale.'"

"The Burned Lady lay down on the other side, facing White Face, seemingly saying goodbye as well."

"'See you tomorrow.' After bidding farewell to them, Orr left with the jacket."

"On his way back, Orr felt a deep sense of helplessness."

"The culprits were not geniuses of the perfect crime; they committed the act in front of countless people, with numerous witnesses, yet no one testified..."

"Arriving back at Horseshoe Street, Orr didn’t run but held tightly to the brown jacket and headed towards the other side of the street."

"A group of policemen, including Big Mac, who had been waiting, ran over to him."

"'Danny Belen is missing; I just found a clue. I just want to go back and inform Mrs. Belen, and then I’ll leave with you. Don’t stop me.'"

"The policemen looked at each other, some hesitating."

"'Go ahead.' Big Mac gestured to the others to let him pass."

"'Thank you.' Orr quickly ran towards the dormitory."

"Mrs. Torey, who was mopping the floor, saw him and then the jacket in his hand, immediately calling him into her room."

"This time, Mrs. Torey's home smelled of meat pies. Mrs. Belen, wearing an apron, was kneading flour with her back to them. Hearing the sound, she turned around. Like Mrs. Torey, she first saw Orr, then the jacket in his hand."

"Mrs. Belen wobbled, leaning against the table where she had been kneading the dough."

"'It seems you've confirmed it. This is Danny’s jacket, he was kidnapped. This was discarded before he was taken away. Maybe he wanted to leave a clue, to tell you he's still alive.' Orr carefully handed the jacket to her."

"Mrs. Belen, biting her teeth to steady herself, took the jacket. She examined it inside and out, then clutched it tightly to her chest, bursting into tears, 'Oh God. Oh God... it's my fault, my fault...'"

"Mrs. Torey came in and embraced Mrs. Belen, 'It's not your fault, you did nothing wrong.'"

"'I should have scarred his face! But I was afraid, I was just too scared…'"

"The brunette referred to Danny as 'one of our kids,' suggesting Mrs. Belen might also be a widow of a fallen officer from the Fish Tail District police. Orr loosened his collar, finding his uniform increasingly uncomfortable to wear."

"Exiting the room, Orr found Big Mac waiting for him at the door, smiling at his appearance. Compared to the morning, Big Mac's attitude had changed significantly. Was this an attempt to comfort him?"

"Other patrolmen gathered around, about seven or eight of them. Orr raised his hands, 'Are you going to lock me up?'"

"Someone actually reached for their handcuffs at their waist."

"'What crime has Mondale committed? Going out for a stroll?' Big Mac roared with a stern face."

"'Don't be a fool!' Another patrolman stopped his colleague."

"They crossed the street noisily. Just as Orr stepped onto the opposite sidewalk, a thunderous sound of galloping horses rapidly approached! The policemen instinctively looked towards the sound. Two horse-drawn carriages were racing towards them, the drivers in glaring red Royal Police uniforms."

"The carriages indeed stopped in front of the police station. Emblazoned with the Royal Police's unicorn emblem, the drivers held the rank of senior patrolmen, similar to Big Mac. The last time Orr saw a red-uniformed driver, he was just a trainee patrolman."

"Who was arriving?"

"The patrolmen instinctively cleared the way to the police station, standing at attention to the side."

"Doors of both carriages opened, and people stepped out. They were uniformly dressed in blue coats and small hats, each bearing a unicorn police badge on their left chest. Though the attire had no rank insignia, only detectives dressed this way."

"Seeing the first person emerge, an alarm went off in Orr's head. Their build matched the description given by the Burned Lady and White Face: tall, well-trained, not an ounce of excess fat, evoking both strength and speed. But as they approached, another feeling crept up on Orr—he was full."

"Ever since he killed someone last time, Orr hadn't felt hunger until now, but food no longer satisfied him. Just moments ago, he suddenly felt something being filled inside him, followed by the sensation of having a bowl of hot soup in the midst of a hungry winter."

"It was a dual pleasure of both body and spirit."

"Orr abruptly looked at Big Mac, who also looked back at him, even winking at Orr."

"Were these people what Big Mac referred to as substitutes for food?"

"Orr didn't feel like smiling at all, finding the scene before him somewhat unsettling."

"The last person to disembark from the second carriage was the only one in uniform, wearing a Chief's insignia on his shoulder."

"These ten men were not only fit and lean, but also good-looking. The Chief, not the most striking among them, had a slightly darker complexion, with deep, piercing amber eyes, surveying his surroundings like an eagle watching its territory."

"Seeing his insignia, the policemen at the door immediately saluted in unison, instinctively sucking in their stomachs – although accustomed to this, in the presence of these men, they felt their potbellies were a disgrace to the Royal Police."

"These men put Orr on guard and at a loss, and he frowned as he watched them. As they passed Orr, eight of them didn't pay him much attention, but two younger-looking ones glanced at Orr curiously."

"Orr had many questions for Big Mac, but it wasn't the right time. He could only enter the police station amidst the crowd."

"'Long live the King!' The Chief shouted as he entered, his voice deep and authoritative, with strong penetration."

"All the Royal Police present, including Orr and his group who had just squeezed in, stamped their foot, stood at attention, and shouted, 'Long live the King!'"

"'I bring orders from the Sodermann Royal Police Headquarters, summon Donald MacSwain to come down!'"

"The scene quieted for two seconds, as no one dared to move."

"The Chief's gaze swept across the faces of the policemen with immense authority. Orr felt a tightness on his scalp when those eyes fell on him."

"'Is no one relaying the order?!'"

"'I-I-I'll go now!' Bandinic stumbled out from behind the reception desk, running at a speed that seemed at odds with his weight, thudding up the stairs."

"After a while, Schulton, the sycophant, came down first. He peeked out, locked eyes with the Chief, and immediately turned to run back."

"A little later, MacSwain and a large group of policemen and detectives from all directions flooded the usually spacious hall, making it crammed."

"'I am Donald MacSwain, the Chief of Fishtail District Police Station. You have...'"

"'From today, you are not.' The Chief interrupted MacSwain, pulling out a scroll tied with a red ribbon, 'Donald MacSwain, for severe dereliction of duty during your tenure, is hereby dismissed from the Royal Police!'"

"'Impossible!' MacSwain shouted. He looked around at the policemen and yelled again, 'Impossible!' No one responded. MacSwain finally turned to the Chief, flailing his arms, 'You're an impostor! Arrest these frauds!'"

"Only two red uniforms moved, but they restrained MacSwain's shoulders. They were not policemen from the Fishtail District but the coachmen from outside."

"'It's a pity. Prince William had said that if you admitted your mistakes willingly, you could have received a reward. But it seems you've chosen to face a military tribunal.'"

"'How... why... No...'" MacSwain deflated like a punctured balloon, completely defeated. The Chief walked over, inserted the dismissal scroll into MacSwain's collar, pulled off his collar insignia and badge, and tidied up his buttons. He stepped back and gestured."

"The two coachmen policemen then escorted MacSwain away."

"So many people stood in the hall, eerily silent from start to finish, except for MacSwain's cries. The Chief alone, with his overwhelming presence, subdued everyone."

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