His words were colder than the north wind on a snowy day: "Although it’s simple here, it’s quite peaceful. I’m curious, as the Police Chief, you are unaware that I’ve been living here for quite so ti? Was it that my travel docunt didn’t clearly state my na, or do you not recognize words like ’St. Petersburg’ and ’civil servant’?"
The Police Chief’s face suddenly turned even paler, and he suddenly rembered his father-in-law’s warning—a person like Lord Hestingov is not easy to deal with.
The Police Chief managed a weak smile, "Colonel, Druiysk is not big, but there are still many matters to deal with, and my attention has been sowhat scattered. You know, there are many responsibilities locally, and occasional neglect is inevitable."
"You do seem very busy, Chief," Arthur turned his head and shouted to the shopkeeper: "I heard you have smoked salmon here that endangers liberal thought? Round them all up for , today I must interrogate them to find out who their leader is!"
The shopkeeper was obviously stunned by these words, his eyes widened with a pained expression, completely at a loss for how to respond.
The other people in the shop also stopped what they were doing, with a tense atmosphere spreading through the air.
The Police Chief stood there, sowhat at a loss, not even knowing where to put his hands.
"You see, Chief," Arthur slowly turned, his tone still carrying a hint of ruthlessness: "I wasn’t asking to interrogate you, but from your expression, it seems you’re hiding sothing. It seems today you’re not entirely sober, rather tipsy, I wonder if you encountered any ’issues’ in the course of ’investigation’?"
"Colonel..." Skornikov swallowed, his voice sowhat trembling, "I... I’m truly overwheld with work, last night... last night..."
Arthur slightly raised an eyebrow, interrupting him: "Last night, you drank too much and can’t rember what you did, right?"
The Chief’s face stiffened, clearly not expecting Arthur to so directly point out the root of the problem.
At this mont, he was already completely trapped, any explanation seed powerless.
And just then, Arthur’s cold stare landed on him once more.
"However, since you’re so ’busy’, I don’t want to trouble you further." Arthur suddenly changed his tone, revealing a faint smile, "I just want to know, as the Police Chief of Druiysk, what assistance can you offer? For example, can you guarantee the order here? If I want to investigate certain local matters, will you work against ?"
Skornikov felt as if Arthur’s gaze was like a needle, piercing straight to his heart. As an old hand in the bureaucracy, he knew the implications of the imperial envoy in front of him went far beyond the literal aning.
He forced himself to stay calm, trying to put on a respectful posture: "Colonel, rest assured, I Skornikov will fully cooperate with your work. I assure you there will be no problems with Druiysk’s order."
"Very good!"
Arthur slapped the Police Chief on the shoulder, and though not using much force, it made the burly man shudder.
Arthur smiled and turned to the table beside him: "Then, I’ll trust you this once."
He turned his head to the shopkeeper and said: "You’d better provide so other ’useful’ information, like, are there any places nearby where a Constitutional Soldier Colonel can indulge his ’interrogation’ and ’inspection’ urges?"
The shopkeeper dared not hesitate, and imdiately lowered his head and softly said: "Colonel, there are a few shops nearby worth visiting. If you want to relax, I can guide you. As for the liberal smoked salmon..."
He paused, his eyes flickering, not daring to clarify with the Police Chief present: "That’s just a little specialty of ours, nothing more."
Arthur lightly laughed, seemingly unconcerned with these small episodes, casting his gaze toward Skornikov: "You see, Chief, even the shopkeeper understands how to ’correctly’ express himself. What about you, what ’specialties’ can you offer ?"
The Police Chief, upon hearing this, finally realized.
The heart that had been pounding finally began to slow, feeling as though he wanted to slap himself. He had completely misunderstood the intentions of Colonel Hestingov from the start.
He thought the Colonel was so tough character that couldn’t be swayed.
Who would have thought...
This Colonel is actually quite easy to get along with!
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