University of Bulgaria

Aleko-Kondinov asked in a panic, "What do we do now? The campus guards can't hold them off for long!"

"Sorry for dragging you into this! I never thought those lackeys would have such sharp noses. I'll go out and turn myself in now. This is Bulgaria's only university, after all. As long as they catch me, they..." Kavalev said apologetically.

Aleko cut him off and said loudly, "No, my friend, you can't go out! If you fall into their hands, you're finished! You're right—this is Bulgaria's only university. Those lackeys wouldn't dare do anything to us!"

"Hide here for a while. I'll go out and think of something, then I'll be back soon! Don't worry, my friend. Don't forget that the university's rector is the Grand Duke himself. They wouldn't dare cause trouble!"

With that, Aleko hurried out to find people and discuss a plan. The same scene was playing out in other parts of the campus.

By the time Aleko reached the office, quite a few people had already gathered inside. Apparently, many had done the same as he had and were now busy figuring out how to handle the aftermath.

"Aleko, you're just in time. Come help us figure out how to deal with those lackeys outside!" His friend Clinton interrupted his thoughts.

Just then, Adolf Cole walked in and said, "All right, gentlemen, please quiet down for a moment!"

Once everyone had quieted down, he continued, "The Sofia police have given us a list of suspects. They've got solid evidence and want us to hand over the more than one hundred people on it! I'll pass it around now. Take a look and see if it checks out, then we'll talk!"

With trepidation, Aleko studied the list carefully. When he saw one particular name, his face immediately turned pale.

At the same time, the others wore all sorts of expressions. Some looked relieved; others were ashen-faced.

When enough time had passed, Adolf Cole continued, "All right, everyone's seen it! Does anyone have anything to say?"

"Mr. Cole, this is pure slander! How could they possibly be rebels?"

"Exactly!"

"It's all slander!"

Everyone shouted in agitation, and the room descended into chaos. Aleko joined in the uproar, too!

"All right, for God's sake, everyone quiet down!" Cole barked.

"Whether or not it's slander is something we can discuss at length later! The Sofia police have unlawfully surrounded the university. I suggest we lodge a formal protest in the university's name and demand that they withdraw at once!"

"Furthermore, in response to the police's accusations, the university should conduct an internal investigation. Anyone who has violated the school rules will face severe punishment!"

"As for what to do after that, we'll report it to the rector and let him decide once the final investigation results are in! I've already reported today's events to the Ministry of Education."

The color drained from and returned to everyone's faces in turn. It was quite a sight. Aleko's emotions also swung wildly, from relief to worry and back again.

After a moment of silence, Adolf Cole said, "If no one has any objections, then let's go lodge our protest with the police!"

Everyone immediately understood. Whatever happened later, they first had to get through this crisis. They hurried to their feet and headed for the university gates.

They knew all too well what had happened over the past few months. Of every suspect taken away by the police, not one had ever come back.

And just a few days ago, on Christmas, a shocking mass assassination had taken place. Everyone knew the police were busy hunting down the killers. Anyone who got involved in this matter was bound to meet a grim fate.

Even those who had had no part in it were terrified. Who knew whether the police might arrest them as accomplices? The people at the top of the government had gone mad. They might just mow everyone down together.

When the university remained silent for a long time, an officer leaned out from a private room on the second floor of the café across from the gate and asked, "Chief, should we send people in?"

The middle-aged man's expression changed. He barked, "Shut up, you idiot! Didn't I tell you to keep this confidential? I'm not here today; you're in charge. If you shout like that, everyone will know I've come!"

"Yes, yes, you're not here!" The officer named James bent over, beaming, and lowered his voice.

The middle-aged man said sternly, "Charge in? What the hell for? Do you even know what kind of place this is? Bulgaria's only university, with the Grand Duke himself as its rector. What if we clash with the suspects and kill a few of the university's precious darlings? How are you going to make that up to them?"

"Then we're just going to keep surrounding them? That won't work either. The pressure from above is intense, and I'll have a hard time explaining myself!" James said with a pained expression.

"Wait a little longer. If there's still no result by noon, take your men inside. Remember to tell them to keep their wits about them and not cause any trouble!" the middle-aged man instructed.

"Don't worry, Chief! You can count on me. When have I ever messed up? I'll be careful. As long as the suspects inside don't resist, nothing will go wrong!" James promised.

The middle-aged man was pleased with his performance and promised, "Mm, good. Keep it up! If you handle this well, you'll be Inspector James!"

"Hey, someone's coming out. They're all there! Go deal with them. Remember to be polite. My teacher's among them, too. I'm slipping out first!" The middle-aged man left without waiting for James to answer.

After seeing the middle-aged man leave through the café's back door, James drew a deep breath. He went slowly downstairs and made his way toward the university.

His lips barely moving, he cursed under his breath, "Damn bastard! I've risked life and limb for you, and now you're using me as a scapegoat!"

"You heartless bastard. At least you know your teacher's in there. Heaven knows how many bigwigs in the government have teachers and classmates inside. You think those old professors are easy to deal with? They'll pull rank on me, and what am I supposed to do?"

"Damn it, I should've given them a little warning. I shouldn't have coveted this hot potato of a commendation! It wouldn't matter if we failed to catch anyone, but there absolutely can't be a shootout. If I accidentally hurt one of the Grand Duke's precious darlings, I'm done for!"

"God, please let the university have a secret passage so all the rebels can escape. Then I can stroll in and out without a hitch, and everyone will be happy!"

The hundred-meter journey took James a full ten minutes. He even thought he'd walked too fast.

When James came over, a teacher in his sixties angrily shouted, "James, you little brat, get over here! How dare you surround the university with your men? Who gave you the nerve?"

James felt his legs go weak. He'd run into someone he knew. Memories of his school days more than a decade ago came flooding back.

He'd been this old teacher's student. His family had been poor, and the teacher had even helped him financially, allowing him to barely finish middle school before he became a police officer.

He never imagined that when they met again more than a decade later, it would be in circumstances like these. James's eyes involuntarily grew damp. He walked up to the old man, bowed respectfully, and said, "Hello, Teacher Orka!"

By the way, why are there so few votes today?

I added an extra chapter, so anyone with votes, hurry up and send them in!