The tide had turned in the Hearthfire District.
The Dome Institute, the Night Watch Bureau, the Court of Judgment, and various forces both overt and covert gradually began to move.
Not just in the Hearthfire District, but throughout the Imperial Capital, the prevailing winds quietly shifted.
Using this alarm from [The Thinker], the Night Watch Bureau stepped fully out of the shadows and into the open. They no longer merely arrested supernatural offenders, but took the initiative, conducting investigations everywhere.
Every Secret Society was shrinking its sphere of influence, and for a time, everyone feared for their own safety.
This oppressive atmosphere also spread from the supernatural world to ordinary people.
The Dome Institute's police began arresting people in the streets. Anyone who looked suspicious would be taken away for questioning, and what counted as suspicious was entirely up to them.
Most factory workers received warnings not to wander around during this period.
In fact, no one did. People were arrested on the streets every day, all perfectly legally-the Empire had a law against vagrancy, and wandering the streets without a reason was itself illegal.
And His Majesty, who never showed himself outside the Imperial Palace, seemed either entirely unaware of this or deliberately willing to indulge it.
The smog that lingered over Saint Clair all year seemed to have grown a little thicker.
"Another family was taken away for questioning today."
Wrapped in her hood, Vanessa sighed as she walked into the room.
The Canteen at least operated under an official designation, so Vanessa could legitimately go out to buy ingredients.
The others had much more trouble. Allen and Dorothea could only leave when it was time for work, and could only go to the factory. Even then, they were frequently questioned.
"Was that family innocent?"
"No, they were