Under his father's arrangements, the Army Officer slipped out of the house without making a sound.
The old man was a noble—a Small Noble. Otherwise, his son would not have been merely a low-ranking officer.
Ever since the Prime Minister abolished the privileges of the nobility, the nobles' lives had grown increasingly difficult! He had to imitate everything the Federation did!
In the past, relying on the privileges in their hands, noble masters, whether great or small, could all live in comfort.
Some had merchants who pledged themselves to them. Even if they did nothing, they would receive a considerable income every year!
In the old Gefra, nobles not only paid lower taxes, but also held privileges over the sale of certain important goods. Ordinary people were not even allowed to purchase grain in large quantities! Now, however, all of that had become history! The old man had his own wisdom. As he put on the Army Officer's clothes and his Wide-brimmed Hat, he kept pacing back and forth beside the window.
The indoor light repeatedly cast his shadow onto the window. It might not have been very conspicuous inside the house, but outside, everyone could clearly see the shadow pacing back and forth! At times, he looked extremely irritable; at others, he seemed terribly anxious. In the middle of it all, he even took off his hat to scratch his hair before putting it back on!
In the Phone Booth across the street, an Army Officer was speaking with the Army Minister over the phone. "Yes, he's still inside the house..."
"Yes, I understand. I guarantee he won't leave, and I won't let anyone else in!"
"...Yes, I know. If necessary..."
"Goodbye, Chief!"
The officer hung up, stuck a cigarette in his mouth, and got into the car by