shwaz

Your tea, my lady.

*sigh* What a pity that after tomorrow, it will be quite some time before I can drink your tea again.

Once I complete my duty as instructor this year, I'll apply for a reassignment.

You should be saying something like 'since my lady wishes it, I'll never leave your side'!

Then I'll submit my resignation later.

Please don't. If you really did resign, the people on the landship would hold a huge grudge against me.

Alright, I should be heading to the office. You'll be at the Public Security Bureau today, right?

Yes. Charlie has been busy lately thanks to a band of bandits. He's asked me to help lead some newcomers, so I'll be heading over shortly.

See you for dinner, then.

The 'White Volcano', 6:00 P.M.

I know!

Sir?

Are you free right now, Schwarz?

Charlie's got a job for me, but I've got some time until then.

There's something about Ceylon I'd like your opinion on. I'm at the 'White Volcano'.

Understood.

Sir.

Time really flies, doesn't it Schwarz?

Yes, sir.

Back in the day, Barbara and I would kill time in eateries like this.

You've never mentioned that.

There are a lot of things I never mention in this heart of mine. I've no real appetite to talk about them.

But look where that got me. My own daughter had to learn about her mother from someone else.

I need to take responsibility.

You're thinking of discussing her mother with her?

A birthday party could be a good opportunity.

I'm just scared she won't want to hear me out.

She will.

You just need to steel your mind and endure her anger.

Haha, I suppose you're right.

I'll have to prepare myself and tell her more about her mother, then.

Ah, yes. It must have been around '66. That year, Victoria was giving everyone in Parliament a big headache.

At the time, Barbara was up on the volcano doing some research. There wasn't any signal there, so I couldn't contact her easily.

I'd promised her I'd meet her at the foot of the volcano on our wedding anniversary, then we'd head to a restaurant in town.

But in the end, I was stuck in a government conference.

...Hmm?

By the time I got to the volcano, it was already getting dark, and we missed our reservation.

I felt really bad because I'd ruined our anniversary.

*whispers* Heh, sucker.

But she wasn't even angry. Instead, she comforted me.

As I gazed at her side profile in the warm glow of the setting sun, everything suddenly became clear. I picked a few flowers from the roadside—

Ah, not Volcano Watchers, just the ordinary kind that grows all over the foot of the volcano.

As Herman speaks, he takes the decorative flower out of his drink as though living out his past, and hands it to the person who happens to stand next to him.

I tucked the flowers into her hair, then presented my anniversary gift, a ring.

What do you think? Should I tell her this story?

Um, thank you for the flower, Mr. Mayor...

Hmm? Where's Schwarz?

I'm not too sure myself. I heard a commotion, so I came from the kitchen to have a look.

Let go of me!

What's the matter?

Your wallet, sir.

What the—?! You little punk!

You're coming with me to the Public Security Bureau!

No I'm not, let go of me!

Allow me to handle him, sir.

Who're you?

She's with the PSB.

And who... err, you must be Mayor Herman, right?

Trust me, you can leave it to the young lady.

Of course, if you say so, Mr. Mayor.

You can go now, boy.

You're not going to lock me up?

Do you want me to?

No.

Then go.

If I catch you again, I'll take you somewhere much worse.

Hmph. Don't think I'm scared of you.

Why let him go?

There was mineral dust on his shoes, and his clothes didn't seem to fit...

Also, I saw crystals on his body when I grabbed him. Originium.

You think he might be connected to the workers illegally digging up obsidian?

Yes.

If so, why not leave it to the Bureau?

Charlie knows what to do.

He might not.

When I returned, I dropped by the PSB.

You think he's doing a bad job?

No, he's done everything I asked him to before I left.

But I hadn't thought of everything back then.

We still have time, at least.

Lady Ceylon mentioned a Mr. Pelipper to me. I'm thinking of having a chat with him.

Private obsidian mining?

You've got the wrong guy, lady.

The volcano's already erupted. Who in their right mind would go against the mayor's decision now?

Everyone's on board now.

The eruption's just ended. To some, this is their best chance of striking it rich.

You think they bribed some miners into mining obsidian for them?

Yes.

And if I don't tell you, will it be my turn to be in a whole lot of trouble, former PSB chief Schwarz?

No, I'll go look for them myself.

Boss, I've got the newcomers dressed up as miners, like you asked.

Good.

From now on, forget being Bureau men. You're just a group of miners risking the volcano's heat.

Yes, ma'am!

Using them to draw out the bandits, boss?

No, I want them to learn what life in the mines is really like.

If they happen to draw out the bandits, then all the better.

Mind if I ask why?

They need to understand what the private obsidian miners actually do to solve this problem once and for all.

Is this... another one of Lady Ceylon's ideas?