The doors and windows of the town hall were tightly closed. The meeting room was filled with a musty, gloomy atmosphere, as if one had stepped into a tree hollow infested with decay and darkness. Some people were smoking, attempting to distract themselves from the overwhelming tension with puffs of smoke and the sharp sensation in their throats. Faint sounds of protests from the townsfolk outside could still be heard.
Jorgen sat on the east side of the conference table. He watched as a doctor tended to Elro's forehead, which had been hit by a thrown stone. With the protection of Joseph and the town's guards, the government officials had barely managed to return to the town hall. Although some of the councilors wanted to publicly question the Everlock family, in the eyes of the townspeople, all government members had become targets of the attack, and these councilors had to withdraw with the crowd.
Mohnitz had given them three days. Within this time, they had to provide food to the bandits, excluding the students. "I believe those children would prefer a quick response," he said.
Joseph stood to Elro's right, but the two of them did not converse. The gap in their knowledge about what happened a year ago had created a rift between them. Although most of the townsfolk directed their blame at Elro, he hadn't been in Darkshire Town at the time. If the person who had thrown the stone had thought a bit more, they might have targeted Joseph instead. Mohnitz's words had an obvious impact on the mayor, and the weight of his thoughts had turned into a mix of emotions and physical fatigue. Sweat trickled down his neck on both sides, and his gaze often fixated on the small dents in the tabletop. However, it was difficult to discern what Joseph was thinking. His eyes, identical to those of Gondore, appeared composed on the surface, although there seemed to be a trace of doubt within them, like someone trying to locate the source of thunder in a rainstorm.
A councilor in his fifties was the first to speak. "We can't go on like this," he said. "Darkshire Town belongs to all of us, not just the Everlock family. I believe most of us here, including myself, have been deceived and insulted. The first step to resolving this issue is to remove Gondore's portrait from this room. We can't solve anything while sharing a room with something so foul..."
Although he gestured wildly with both hands, as if his words represented the opinions of everyone present, rebuttals were immediately voiced. Another councilor said, "Such childish behavior won't help. We don't even know the truth." The declaration's frustrated proponent, who had walked toward the north wall in an attempt to remove the portrait, was blocked by security. Without any intention of using force, he seemed to anticipate the obstruction and returned quickly to his seat, pressing his ten fingers firmly onto the table. Someone muttered, "Foolish," sparking an argument that quickly spread throughout the room. Those participating in the commotion didn't directly turn their discussion to the Everlock brothers, as if they were only valuable as the central topic and had no right to be part of the conversation.
"No matter what the truth is, he protected Darkshire Town, didn't he?" a younger councilor said. "We should focus on solving the current crisis..."
Another person retorted, "How do you know we aren't falling into a new trap? Those people are demanding fifty thousand gold coins! Fifty thousand! It's no different from plundering the entire town."
"So what do you suggest, handing them over?"
"Don't act as if you've already ruled out this option. Since Gondore sacrificed himself as a hero for Darkshire Town, I expect his blood relatives to have learned some of his virtues..."
This clearly provocative statement should have sparked a larger debate, but Elro spoke up.
"Quiet," he said. "I don't know if what's been said about my father is true. But just this 'not knowing' is enough to make it my fault. I'm willing to take responsibility for whatever might happen next. If you truly believe that handing me over will solve everything, then go ahead. Come on, bring the ropes, bring the shackles, right now. You can tie me up now, and whenever you decide to hand me over, just add one more knot. Why isn't anyone taking action? This is the mayor's order! Bring the ropes and shackles!"
Elro pounded the table. His fingers were still trembling, and sweat still trickled down his cheeks, but Jorgen could sense that Elro was making an effort to cast aside his overly cautious self. As the mayor, as the head of the Everlock family, he was determined to stand firm, like a reef in the midst of a stormy sea.
"Joseph and I will take responsibility, but don't forget your own responsibility. We don't have much time. Either act against me now or trust me and Joseph, while considering other solutions. You must choose a path. No one's taking action? No one has any other ideas?"
After a moment of silence, several councilors began to argue.
"They've given us three days to respond. We can surely do something in that time."
"Let the children go hungry for three days?"
"Hunger for three days is nothing, especially considering that we don't even have three days to think! If we decide to pay the ransom, we need to start raising gold coins now."
"Fifty thousand gold coins for over fifty children, hm? I say, the families whose children were kidnapped should contribute more! Even if it means spending their entire fortunes, it's only fair."
"Shut up, you lunatic. My nephew is among those children... I suspect you're a part of those bandits, and you're even worse than them."
Let these people argue; it won't lead to any results. Jorgen walked over to Joseph and said a few words to him. Joseph nodded, then raised his voice.
"All council members, immediately leave this room and gather in conference room two for discussions. We need to exchange ideas with experts from the Military Intelligence Division."
The mention of the Military Intelligence Division had an effect. While some still protested, they fell silent when the vigilant guards with drawn swords stood before them. Several guards ushered them out and then secured the door. Only the Everlock brothers and Jorgen remained in the room. When the surroundings finally quieted down, Elro let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry, Lord Jorgen," he said. "For showing you this scene... I take pride in Darkshire Town, but I've never been proud of the organization I'm part of."
"Now we can have a meaningful conversation," Jorgen said. "I don't care about what happened a year ago, at least not now. I stayed in this room to solve the problem. It seems that Mohnitz is leaning towards targeting the Everlock family rather than the fifty thousand gold coins. What we should consider now is, what if we really hand over fifty thousand gold coins?"
"They will... leave? Will they?" Elro said.
"That's the question—how will they leave? The enemy may be able to appear in the manor without a sound, but I don't believe they can leave with so much gold without a trace. Furthermore, it's even less likely that they can disappear with over fifty hostages. If they had such unimaginable capabilities, they wouldn't need to make things this complicated."
"Even if they could leave Darkshire Town with hostages or fifty thousand gold coins, they can't get too far too quickly. It would require horses at the very least," Joseph added.
"Yes. That's our advantage. Perhaps the kidnappers can vanish again, but with hostages or loot, it's a different story. We can assume we've already surrounded them."
"But why are they so confident in giving us only three days?" Elro asked.
"No, we only saw Mohnitz. Only he seems confident. What kind of leader he is and whether the two conditions were agreed upon within the kidnappers' group, we don't know. However, while they can't escape with all the loot or all the hostages, they might choose to take away just one person and use her to continue negotiations. I hope both of you are mentally prepared for this possibility."
"...I understand," Elro said, bowing his head, then turned to Joseph. "Don't tell her mother. Not for now."
"So, the most effective course of action would be to apply pressure during these three days or plan an attack," Joseph said. "Jorgen, the Nightwatch forces can do their best to encircle the enemy, but conducting an effective strike won't be easy. Plus, with only three days, it's impossible to call for reinforcements. Lakeshire Town might help us, but even if the fastest horses were sent there..."
"I have a way to gather the necessary personnel for an attack within three days, but it requires absolute trust from both of you," Jorgen said.
"How would you do it?"
"I can't explain in detail. Furthermore, for my personnel to enter Darkshire Town quickly and smoothly, we must completely lift the town's border defenses."
"But doing so... Darkshire Town will be vulnerable to external threats in the short term. If another force were to attack suddenly..." Elro raised his head.
"But it would also provide more personnel to surround the mansion," Joseph said.
"The interests of both sides are clear. Once the people are assembled, I will immediately contact you regarding how to proceed. Now, it's up to you whether you trust me. One thing to add: if you decide to do this, there's no turning back. Of course, you can also prepare fifty thousand gold coins simultaneously, just in case. This doesn't conflict with my plan."
Jorgen wondered why he was doing so much, and he knew the Everlock brothers were thinking the same thing, even if they didn't reveal it. Both sides had the same stance: rather than why they were choosing, it was more important to decide how to choose. Joseph didn't agonize for too long; he nodded slightly in self-identification but didn't rush to take a stand. He began to wait for Elro's input.
Elro was the one truly tormented. He propped his forehead with his thumb, and his cheeks swelled slightly from clenching his teeth. He was like a cracked stone on the beach, constantly enduring the ebb and flow, but unable to find his place: a barren land or a dark sea.
"Jorgen," he said. "Are you saying that I should entrust the safety of all the townspeople, including those children, including Althea, to the MI7 that once imprisoned my father?"
"Yes," Jorgen said. "Your entire life."
"I understand," Dalia said, looking out the window. "It's hard to believe that the town can still be so quiet now."
"Even the kidnappers wouldn't dare to act recklessly in the night of the Duskwood," Jorgen said. "It's too dangerous."
"I still can't imagine Althea right now..."
"Stop thinking about it."
She looked at him. "I don't like this feeling. I feel like I should be doing something, but I'm powerless."
"Just wait quietly. I didn't tell you all this to make you complain about not being able to help. The situation may get better or it may get worse. Let's hope for the best."
Jorgen opened the birdcage and released the pigeon. "You finally have a purpose," he said as he folded a small note into a half-inch-wide strip and tucked it into the metal ring around its neck.
He held it, about to release it, then hesitated.
"Are you coming?" he asked Dalia.
"I... can I come too?"
"I've already given it instructions."
"Alright then."
Dalia cradled the pigeon in her hands, her fingers extending slightly out the window. A gust of cold wind blew in, like a note from the hillside, ruffling the pigeon's feathers, her sleeves, her hair. Although the back of her hand felt cold, her palm was warm. As soon as she let go, the pigeon took off, soaring into the night sky - a night sky permeated with the howling of wild wolves and the haunting melody of spirits. She sat back down, but the warmth of that moment lingered in her palm, like tiny stars twinkling in the dark sky.
"At least I can do this," she said somewhat self-deprecatingly. "Is it fast?"
"Very fast."