The official stammered under Annan's questioning, unable to answer. All he could do was keep blocking his way.
But when Annan rolled up his sleeve and revealed the Golden Skull Bracelet on his wrist, the official could not even manage that.
Minister Ollie stared at the symbol of the Empire on Annan's wrist. The Old Ancestor had clearly given it to him.
With things having come to this, they might as well have told Annan the truth from the start...
Call it arrogance or rigidity, the Judgment Hall had made a mistake.
They had never realized how difficult Annan would be. But Ollie could hardly blame them. Even he... had not expected Annan to go this far for Blackwatch.
Watching Annan hurry after them, Minister Ollie called out, "Klein."
"Uncle." The young official answered at once.
"Follow Annan. Wherever he goes, you go."
Minister Ollie had barely returned to the Study from the Ceremonial Affairs Department's Dungeon when voices in the air began complaining over one another.
"Why did you let him out?"
"Don't tell me Annan charmed you?"
Minister Ollie could only smile bitterly. "I had no choice. There was too much pressure..."
The Study fell silent for several seconds.
"Don't tell me the Old Ancestor..."
Minister Ollie nodded.
That worry did not leave Ollie's face. It spread to everyone else.
"The Old Ancestor should understand the situation. Or does she think the Judgment Hall has gone too far, too?"
"Surely it can't be that she's fond of Annan Reeves?"
What were they supposed to do now? They had been preparing to fight to the bitter end, only to turn around and find that Her Majesty had already surrendered and joined the other side.
"Then let's stay out of it. The Judgment Hall caused this mess. We're under no