Editor: Tseirp
On the sa day that a small skirmish occurred at the Embassy of the Atinjo Grand Duchy. At 7:00 p.m.
On Administrative Island at the Pri Minister’s official residence.
Where Pri Minister Noson resided.
Eighty representatives of the Free Assembly, elected by citizens of the Free City.
Among whom the Pri Minister is selected by the Supre Council.
The current Pri Minister chosen in this way is Noson.
Serving a four-year term.
And now in the final year of his first term.
He has carried out his duties without any major issues, yet without notable achievents.
Within the Free Assembly, so question whether he will be selected for a second term.
In the Pri Minister’s office at the official residence.
“Excuse .”
Entering with these words was Deputy Minister Mishta of the Port Authority.
“Ah, over there.”
Pri Minister Noson gestured toward the seating area.
He moved from his desk to sit on the sofa.
And Deputy Minister Mishta sat opposite him.
“So? You requested a eting as soon as possible, so I made ti.”
Pri Minister Noson asked with an emotionless tone.
“Yes…”
Deputy Minister Mishta seed sowhat tense.
Ministers regularly speak with the Pri Minister, but deputies rarely et him.
The Pri Minister, though subordinate to the Supre Council, is the head of the executive branch.
And also the commander-in-chief of the Free City’s military forces.
While the Supre Council wields substantial influence, by law, the Pri Minister is the city’s representative.
And holds significant power.
Deputy Minister Mishta was about to ask questions.
Likely unpleasant ones, of this powerful figure.
“There are three things I’d like to ask you.”
“Hmm. Go ahead.”
Deputy Minister Mishta steeled himself to ask. While Noson remained expressionless.
“The first matter concerns headaches affecting all the ministers.”
“I see.”
Mishta asked while observing Noson’s expression.
Which remained unchanged.
“I found it strange as well and had it investigated. Severe headaches are reported without high fevers. Or even coughs.”
“Could it affect their ability to perform duties?”
“Are you suggesting I dismiss all ministers and appoint replacents? Surely not for your own desire to beco Minister of Ports?”
“Wh-what are you implying!”
Mishta’s voice involuntarily rose in shock.
His intent was not self-serving.
“My apologies. But be careful voicing such opinions, as so may suspect ulterior motives.”
“I didn’t an…”
“I understand. If it becos difficult for ministers to perform their duties, I have the authority to replace them or appoint deputies as acting ministers. May I count on your discretion in this matter?” ꭆ
“…Understood.”
Deputy Minister Mishta could only nod.
By law, the Pri Minister has the authority to appoint ministers.
aning, the Pri Minister has the power to dismiss ministers, delegate authority, and so on.
Holding strong powers.
“Now, you ntioned three matters. Let’s hear the remaining two.”
Pri Minister Noson prompted.
“Yes…”
The remaining two questions were hard to ask.
Originating from statents made by Duke Helb.
Ideally, he would have confird with the Minister of the Navy and Fleet Command before eting with the Pri Minister…
But the Minister of the Navy was untraceable.
And Fleet Command refused his visit.
Fleet Command is a military institution, making access for a deputy strictly regulated.
Although it was unprecedented for the Port Authority’s deputy minister, who has close ties to fleet operations, to be denied entry…
With no information, Mishta was forced to face the Pri Minister.
“I received… information that the Free City fleet’s main force has been wiped out.”
“Ooh…”
For the first ti, Pri Minister Noson’s expression changed.
His eyes narrowed in a probing look.
“Could you verify if this is true?”
“And if confird, what would you do with that information?”
“Uh…”
Pri Minister Noson’s question left Deputy Minister Mishta at a loss for words.
“Regardless of the fleet’s condition, I fail to see its relevance to your duties as Deputy Minister of Ports.”
“Well, that…”
Pri Minister Noson’s response was quite correct.
A flawless argunt that left no room for rebuttal.
However…
“As a citizen of the Free City, not rely as a deputy minister, I wish to know the truth.”
Mishta responded earnestly.
His words were genuine.
He believed that citizens should be aware of such matters.
“Hmm.”
Pri Minister Noson murmured, glancing at the clock.
Just around 7 p.m.
“We plan to announce to all citizens tonight on this matter.”
“Is that so?”
Deputy Minister Mishta was surprised at the Pri Minister’s words.
As he had received no prior notification.
“After the announcent, governnt notification will be sent to all departnts and citizens through associations and public facilities.”
These governnt notifications are official announcents from the Free City governnt.
For the general public, the notification is sent to the neighborhood associations they belong to, based on where they live.
These notifications are also sent to business associations, trade unions, and many public facilities, ensuring widespread communication within 24 hours.
In a world without internet, TV, or radio, informing the public is a considerable effort.
“The Port Authority will receive one as well, so please confirm there.”
“Yes…”
Deputy Minister Mishta could only nod.
For now, it seed… he didn’t have the right to know.
“One more question, if I may.”
“Certainly.”
Deputy Minister Mishta prepared to ask his final question.
“What exactly is the Blue Island?”
“Well… If you ask about sothing I’ve never heard of, I have no way to answer. A pri minister isn’t all-knowing, after all.”
Pri Minister Noson replied, keeping his expression unchanged in response to Deputy Minister Mishita’s question.
“Shall we conclude here?”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Mishta replied before leaving the Pri Minister’s office, having gained nothing from the eting.
In the aide’s office near the Deputy Minister of Ports’ office.
Three aides were present.
Ronfan, aide to the deputy minister of the Port Authority;
Zo, aide to the minister of the Port Authority;
And Juse, aide to the minister of Foreign Affairs.
“You an both ministers?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Ronfan asked, Zo confird, and Juse silently nodded in agreent.
“The ministers were summoned to the Pri Minister’s office at the sa ti… but there’s no cabinet eting scheduled. And it’s almost eight o’clock. At night… And without their aides?”
“They specifically told us not to accompany them.”
Zo replied to Ronfan’s question. And Juse nodded in agreent.
“And how’s the headache? I heard it’s so bad sotis he can’t even get out of bed.”
“Tonight, he seed fine. He looked calm… more like he lacked any energy. He was answering normally, but it felt like his spirit wasn’t there… As if he was soone else entirely.”
“A puppet…”
Zo answered Ronfan’s inquiry, adding to the information, and Juse muttered.
Both Ronfan and Zo looked at Juse.
“What do you an…?”
“Now that you ntion it…”
Ronfan and Zo shook their heads slightly.
At that mont, the door suddenly opened.
“Whoa!”
Ronfan jumped in surprise.
And so did Zo and Juse.
Talking about ‘puppets’ had left them feeling uneasy, so the sudden opening of the door startled them…
Entering from the hallway was Deputy Minister Mishta, returning from the Pri Minister’s office.
“Ronfan, you’re still here? I told you there was no need to wait for …hm?”
Mishta then noticed the other two aides with Ronfan.
“Ah, you’re Zo, aide to the Minister of Ports, and Juse, aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I believe you were classmates with Ronfan?”
“Yes.”
Deputy Minister Mishta was thorough about rembering nas and faces.
Which was invaluable in his work.
“Deputy Minister. Both the Minister of Ports and the Minister of Foreign Affairs went to the Pri Minister’s office. Did you see them?”
“No, I just t with the Pri Minister, but he didn’t ntion anything.”
Mishta replied, looking puzzled.
“Why would two ministers be at the Pri Minister’s office at this hour?”
“Apparently, other ministers are headed there as well.”
Zo replied.
He had overheard this information before coming here.
“That’s strange… What in the world is happening?”
Deputy Minister Mishta murmured.
Of course, none of the people here had enough information to answer that question.
As the four of them talked, Ronfan noticed noise coming from the hallway.
Soon, soone rushed up to the door and burst in.
“It’s urgent!”
The fellow was a mber of the Ministry of Ports’ public relations departnt.
Soone Ronfan often spoke with in his line of work.
“Ah, Deputy Minister! Apologies for barging in!”
The PR officer bowed quickly in apology.
“It’s fine. What’s the ergency?”
Mishta prompted.
As he and the others were eager to know.
“Right! A Governnt Notification has just arrived from the Pri Minister’s office.”
Twenty copies of governnt notifications were delivered to each ministry.
The PR officer had brought one of them.
He handed it over to Deputy Minister Mishta.
Mishta took it and began reading voraciously.
“What…?”
He murmured in shock.
“Deputy Minister?”
Ronfan called. Zo and Juse looked on, concerned.
“As of 8 p.m. tonight, the Free City of Kwebasa will co under the protection of the Atinjo Grand Duchy. This has been decided by the Free City Governnt…”
“Ridiculous!”
Deputy Minister Mishta read out, and Ronfan and Zo shouted in unison.
“The Pri Minister and all the cabinet ministers have approved it…”
Mishta’s voice weakened as he spoke.
Everything he had believed in, everything he had dedicated himself to and fought to protect with all his might… was crumbling to pieces.
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