"Quite decent," Silei nodded again. "You're still young, and with such a senior guiding you, you can at least avoid some detours."
Klar's gaze darkened for a fraction of a second. "Detours are roads, too. Just having somewhere to walk is good enough."
"What?"
"Either this is the best case I'll ever handle," Klar said, "or, after this case, I'll pack up and clear the stage for the ones coming after."
Silei sensed the weight behind those words. "What do you mean?"
"I don't mean anything," Klar laughed. She cast her gaze into the distance once more, her voice sounding as though she were answering Silei, yet speaking to herself at the same time. "That's just how it is when you're willing to bet and take the loss."
Klar fell silent for a moment, then abruptly turned her head back toward Silei. "Don't look at me like that, as if I'm some pathetic creature—you and I aren't the same. Your family are all cops, Sister; transferring to a new district to keep doing this line of work is just you fulfilling your calling... I don't have to do this job."
Silei wanted to keep asking, but Klar waved a hand at her. "Don't walk me out. Stop right here; you still have to go back and deliver a message for me."
Silei glanced at her watch. "It's getting too late today, let's talk tomorrow—are you coming tomorrow afternoon? The preparatory meeting should be around four o'clock."
"I'll be there." Klar gave a firm, resolute answer. "I want to see what kind of game your inspector is trying to play."
Early the next morning, a multitude of guards suddenly appeared outside the palace.
The alternating sounds of horses' hooves, motorcycles, and automobiles jolted Boheng awake from his sleep at dawn.