Житие Мое / Life of Mine: Глава 6

Chapter 6

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:10

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Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:10

The boys accepted the idea of camping with naive enthusiasm. It was their own fault! Lucik was just a kid, and my uncle Gordon had once dragged me out into the countryside, promising to lead me along the Trail of the Brave, which is a historical landmark. I distinctly remember how I cursed my ancestors at that time. My uncle never managed to catch me on the "weak" again, and in the absence of a black mage, a night walk through Krowhard turned into a cool extreme. I reasonably assumed that after running around the hills, the kids would forget about me for a long time. The only thing that mattered was that I didn't get exhausted.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:15

I entrusted the packing to Lucik as the most reasonable one and left early to buy some necessary things and shoes since the ones I had were not suitable for long walks. I had to wander around Mihandrov stores, and at the same time, I had to stop by the Society for the Protection of Animals to return a folder to the lieutenant and check some theories.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:17

The head of everything was expectantly in place. When I appeared, he slammed down some magazine, either reading or writing and stood up to meet me:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:20

"Good evening, Mr. Tangor!"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:21

Instead of a handshake, I handed him a folder and plopped into the visitor's chair.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:43

"Lieutenant, how's the crime situation here?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:45

He shrugged:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:45

"None."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 10:29

"What about before?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:46

His gaze clouded over:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:46

My father died in a bank robbery.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:46

"Um... So how were they going to escape?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:47

"I have no idea."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:47

That's an interesting question, considering the only way to get here is by train. Or were they going across the steppe on horseback?...? I concentrated on the case with some effort:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:48

"Do you keep statistics?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:48

"Of course!"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:49

He went to the closet and brought out a folder of annual reports. I rustled through the papers for about ten minutes.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:50

"Dates of the disappearances?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 08:50

Clarence pulled a sheet filled with last names from the table.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:10

"Hmm... So, it turns out that ten years ago, after the first disappearances, your little crime spree died down. And then these suicides started."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:11

The lieutenant nodded silently.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:11

I concentrated on digging through the mountains of information on general magic we'd been taught at the university. Damn it, I was going to be an alchemist! My knowledge of the theory was purely one-sided.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:13

"I give up. I can't imagine a magical influence that could cause such an effect."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:14

"I can imagine," Clarence reported quietly.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:14

I squinted suspiciously at the lieutenant:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:14

"So you've noticed there's some strange magical background in the vicinity of your town pressurizing the psyche?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:15

"Anyone who has ever left and returned is capable of noticing this, but White finds it difficult to identify the external source of his mood."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:16

Suggestible. I cracked my fist on the table:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:17

"Why didn't you say so in the first place? So much time wasted!"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:18

"Say - what?" burst out the lieutenant. "I have nothing but a feeling! You should have realized it yourself."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:19

I closed my eyes and started counting. To thirty-five.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:20

"So, what is it? Let's not beat around the bush. We're running out of time."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:22

I'll have to beat him up when this is over.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:22

"In theory, there's a protection spell whose side effect is an emotional backlash that suppresses aggression," Clarence explained, and he took my rudeness with surprising calm. "It could potentially become deadly, but I can't imagine a white one being able to use it on anyone but himself. Nine times in a row."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:24

"And I've met one in person."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:27

However, the late Laurent did it only three times, but his colleague here has clearly set a record.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:28

I roll this construct - the aggression-suppressing rollback - in my mind, trying to estimate the extent of its effect on the surrounding reality. Who knew I'd need a knowledge of white magic! But the fact that Rustle had suddenly disengaged from me suggested bad thoughts. The effect of the magic was draining the environment of some very important components.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:30

"Can you imagine how this could end?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:30

The lieutenant blinked, so he was imagining it.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:30

"And why are you still here?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:31

"What about the town, the people?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:32

A true white one, what can you take from him? He wants to join NZAMIPS. He wants to be a hero.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:33

"Will you confirm my words?" Clarence sprang to life.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:33

"It's useless," I dismissed it. "We only have circumstantial evidence - statistics, feelings - but real people are dying out there every day. There are assholes in the leadership," I thought about Satal, who won't scratch his head until it's too late.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:36

"What about the responsibility to society?!"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:37

I rolled my eyes. He's just like a little kid!

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:37

"Wake up, man! In Redstone, the Cleaning missed three century-old ghouls. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:38

"But... What to do?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.23 в 09:39