A Flaw

Sandella Allen was reviewing the City Guard's summary reports from the past week atop Farview Tower.

This was the highest point in the city, more than ten meters taller even than the great lighthouse beyond the harbor. Naturally, being so high meant the conditions here were far from pleasant—the tower's summit could accommodate only a cramped circular room. Once a long table, two bookshelves, and several chairs had been placed inside, there was barely any space left. Most of the time, the doors and windows had to remain tightly shut to prevent the howling sea wind from bursting in and tossing everything into disarray. Though the fire in the hearth never went out, the temperature here was always difficult to raise, as the massive hollow tower shaft drew away much of the heat. A brazier had to be set beside the long table just to keep people from shivering with cold.

In short, it was small, cold, and rather damp.

As the City Guard's supreme commander, Sandella could have chosen to work anywhere in Glorious Fortress, even right beside the governor's residence. Yet she had chosen the top of Farview Tower. It was not because she had any fondness for the place, but because from here, she could always see the white mist blanketing the city's outer perimeter. That ever-present fog reminded her of her duty: this city was not impregnable. Though it had stood for nearly a century, as long as the mist remained, it could be swallowed at any moment, just like the Citadel before it.

Fortunately, the mist remained unchanged today, still about fifty li from the city.

As she turned to the last two pages, Sandella frowned and gave a soft hum.

"What is it? Was a unit left out of the records?" her adjutant, Woody, asked as he rubbed his hands together.

Most of the City Guard's summary reports concerned trivial matters, such as the handling of prisoners after interrogation and patrol deployment arrangements. Since the major companies had funded the establishment of police stations, the City Guard had had far fewer duties to shoulder. Reviewing reports had become more of a routine than anything else.

The force was divided into fifteen groups. The later a group's number, the less importance it received, so omissions were among the most common mistakes.

"It wasn't omitted. It was just a little strange." Sandella turned the notebook around and set it on the table. "There's a reward report here for Group Fourteen."

Woody stepped forward and looked where his superior pointed.

It read: "Shi Dong Bradley was promoted from squad leader to unit leader for his meritorious defense against roving Pirates. Reward: ten Glickley."

"My lady... isn't there nothing wrong with that? The last five groups patrol the city's outskirts. Protecting residents outside the city from Pirate raids is one of their primary duties."

"That is true, but if I remember correctly, Group Fourteen is responsible for the southern district." Sandella rose and walked over to the wall map. "Even if our patrol ships were negligent, have you forgotten what happened last week?"

"Uh..." The adjutant thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. "The Second Prince's inspection delegation visited Glorious Fortress last week!"

It had been an event everyone in Glorious Fortress knew about.

But only a very few people knew the delegation's route.

Since their next destination was Saint Trian to the southwest, the Second Prince's fleet had taken the southern route. The fleet escorting the delegation had remained in the open sea, and during that time, it would certainly have cleared every obstacle from the route. Pirates might bully merchant ships and unarmed civilians, but asking them to fight a proper navy to the death? That was absolutely impossible!

"Exactly." Sandella nodded. "There should not have been any roving Pirates in that direction, unless the Royal Fleet had gone blind."

"So... this was a case of claiming false merit."

"That was how it looked, and it wasn't even very clever."

"My lady, leave this small matter to me." Woody volunteered at once.

"Fine, but find out the full circumstances before dealing with it." Sandella returned to the table. "Who was Shi Dong? Why had the officers of Group Fourteen chosen him? If corruption is involved, we must determine how many people are implicated." She paused. "And if they killed innocent people outside the city to claim merit..."

For a moment, it seemed as though an icy wind had flooded the room.

Woody's expression hardened. "Understood!"

After her adjutant left, Sandella let out a quiet sigh.

She did not fear powerful enemies from beyond the city. What troubled her most came from within. Although she had only served here as commander for three years, she had gradually come to understand that this fortress city was nowhere near as flawless as it appeared.

Once construction of the new outpost city, Duleihuan, was completed, Glorious Fortress would be under far less pressure. Perhaps then she would have the freedom to make some changes. But before that, she had to preserve the force's integrity and keep the City Guard's combat strength at its peak.

That was why corruption was absolutely intolerable.

Unfortunately, many in the military did not recognize that, including her own adjutant. Fortunately, he too had graduated from a military academy and possessed solid fundamentals, especially when it came to obeying orders.

Half an hour later, Woody returned to the office.

"So soon?" Sandella asked, somewhat surprised.

"My lady, the situation... is rather complicated." The adjutant looked troubled. "Neither Dailam, the officer in charge of Group Fourteen, nor Shi Dong himself admits to making a false report."

"Then they need to produce evidence." Sandella raised a brow.

"That is the most unbelievable part." Woody lowered his head, seemingly considering how to explain. "They claimed they had heads and seized goods as evidence, but when it came time to produce them, everything was gone."

"Gone?" Was that not blatant fraud? Sandella froze slightly. She had originally thought there might be some unexpected complication, but the answer had turned out to be so simple. Then she reconsidered. If it were merely fraud, there was no reason her adjutant could not handle it. "You mean the quartermaster responsible for guarding the evidence also supports their story?"

"Not only that. I questioned many people, and they all said the same thing—that Pirates really did land that day, and Shi Dong submitted four heads." Woody wore the same puzzled expression. "So I immediately sent men to the village they mentioned, and they confirmed that Pirates had indeed raided it."

This time, Sandella was left speechless.

It was impossible that the officers of Group Fourteen had enough influence to win over all thirty-some people in the group, along with an entire village in the outskirts, wasn't it? Yet another question arose. Though she had no idea how those Pirates had passed through the Royal Fleet's blockade and reached the shores of Glorious Fortress, if it had truly happened, how could every piece of evidence have vanished?

"Have you brought them here?" she asked after a moment of silence.

"They are all waiting outside," the adjutant replied.

"Send them in."

Before long, the promoted Shi Dong, the officer in charge Dailam, and two soldiers who had accompanied Shi Dong that day were summoned into the office. The small room became packed at once.

Sandella swept her gaze across them before settling on Shi Dong. "Tell me in detail about that day's patrol and your encounter with the Pirates. Do not leave out a single detail. You will go first."