DOAG Ch 2

Her name, printed on the forged ID with the large, dark blue Dochen flag, was “Elga Schmidt.” An ardent supporter of the Republican Party, born and raised in Nephiran, the capital of Dochen, and the new secretary to Congressman Bovan. This was Sasha’s new name and identity.395ffb84a64e254c

“The color wasn’t right, so I had to redo it twice. It turned out better than I thought.”f1749ed657d09dfc

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Sasha didn’t know the name or identity of the person who had dyed her hair red. She only knew that they had a meticulous and rather irritable personality and worked with Gerard.e1ed50edfd948422

“Her skin is a bit too clear for my liking.”603e741e74c8c903

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Gerard, with a cigar in 1393d8be36 his mouth, looked Sasha up f42b2832f7 and down, muttering to himself. Dressed in a dark green c9f30f362e skirt that accentuated her red d24a82586c hair, a peplum jacket with 26d5b5d46b short sleeves, replacing her pristine 3c644a99ca white apron and gray dress, 4f1268a62e she looked as stunning as f9f9ed5dda an actress in a magazine. The contrast between her slender e5cb65d521 frame and clear, innocent eyes d7980dd90e made her even more striking.1a086a8913c1298c

Seeing her like this, Gerard 4162ad4d70 felt a renewed sense of a716325a91 regret for her. He felt her fate 6e108b2d77 was cruel, and a cd0f38152f thought crossed his mind 794e10645e that perhaps her life fc60de3a97 would have been different 2b05548519 if she had become 6ddf762575 an actress or a fc39ee6df0 singer instead of a 6dc73013ff nurse. If she had a more 764d5e7d39 dazzling talent, she could have 2ecb4744ee lived a more glamorous life.ddcd4f36202c763e

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“We’ll have to hope she gets plenty of sun in Nerua. Then she might at least get some freckles.”02314ab8d06f2f8d

Gerard chuckled at his subordinate’s remark. Nonsense. Nerua was a land where foggy days outnumbered sunny ones, and rainy days outnumbered dry ones. Hoping for a suntan was like performing a rain dance in the desert. The only fortunate thing was that, thanks to the gloomy weather, the area was less developed, preventing its destruction by the Dochen Republic.fbb720484f808a21

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“So, all I have to do is monitor and record Congressman Bovan’s movements? Until further instructions?”7157f2eb78e0bce6

“That’s right. Frank will take you to the Neruan border. Once you cross, our agent will escort you to Congressman Bovan’s party headquarters.”7c7c280a8fd926a4

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“How will I recognize this person?”b1e0c07f9582f344

“You don’t need to. They will recognize you.”a3dacb47a0ec16d0

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Gerard’s demeanor was not just calm, but almost indifferent. His hand, flipping through documents with a cigar between his fingers, reflected this. After looking her up and down as if he had no further use for her, he didn’t even meet her eyes properly. It was a starkly different attitude from when he had sought her out and told her, in a grave voice, that the fate of the nation rested in her hands.230d2fed84302e48

While Gerard signed the documents, 6500326e65 Sasha packed the forged ID e5a05f6736 he had provided into her 8bde01c74e prepared bag.9c7c26f9ef79b361

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“I’m ready, Mr. Gerard.”5bde3c2696067371

Gerard exhaled a thick plume 753fa74a01 of cigar smoke and closed 0a3e6fd5d2 the document he had just 7b251d3c1c signed. A faint wrinkle bf4fadc14c appeared at the 5784928cb8 corner of his 31e79634ce smiling eyes.5ceec8f951d1ffca

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“Good luck, Sasha. Or rather, Miss Elga Schmidt.”8e6eb17a6fe21f09

Sasha swallowed hard at his farewell. Suddenly, everything began to feel terrifying. But she knew she couldn’t turn back now. She had a premonition that this journey wouldn’t have a happy ending. Yet, she had to go.5f386a6d26f80791

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It seemed that the work e8b59c6d6f of intelligence agencies always began c1c296cc4a and ended in the deep 5f09155f50 blue of night. Under the eerie crescent moon, 1e846e5d92 Sasha crossed the border. As prearranged, there were no ba7916929b lights and no one in 6d8887c7d9 sight at the border checkpoint. Frank stopped the car right 815c737f0c in front of the fence. He bowed his head slightly. That was it. The farewell was meager 20fb71f639 and utterly indifferent.157cc18f8cdb10d8

Crossing the line was undoubtedly her own decision, but her steps felt as though she was being pushed. Sasha didn’t look back. She paused briefly before stepping forward resolutely. Even after walking a long way down the dark, narrow road, all she could see was the same darkness she had left behind. Sasha switched her bag from her right hand to her left and blew warm breath onto her cold fingers. It was still early autumn, but the chill enveloping her body intensified with each passing moment.6509ce8d4864f8ed

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How much further did she have to go? Would she arrive in Nerua alone like this? She didn’t even know her destination; was someone really coming to meet her? If so, why couldn’t she see anyone? Had this operation already failed? Should she just stop here and go back? It seemed now was her only chance to return. Just as she hesitated, stopping her faltering steps forward, a voice called out to her from the darkness.c1842a7d07923e43

“Miss Elga Schmidt.”742842e96e45a427

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A sudden, low voice. Sasha clenched her teeth, eb37cd910e suppressing a scream, and b8cb13d049 clutched the front of 970c3e26e1 her coat, trying to 9619fc74ef calm her racing heart.ac6ca0e6fc2f5649

“Miss Elga Schmidt, is that you?”36baec96dde4c009

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Yes, my name e9e1290724 is Elga Schmidt.99d90f9843913254

“……Yes. I, I’m Elga…… Elga Schmidt.”85c2c4cc0d2978ab

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The name felt foreign on 6b44c9ffaa her tongue. Sasha uttered her forged name 2af6be3aa3 awkwardly and swallowed hard.7ddadc7313bf819e

“Are you…… are you the agent?”41b3080a6d00f063

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“It would be best to keep quiet, Miss Schmidt. Now, and as much as possible in the future.”12b36e3aa82165e8

“…….”0fa26d920e4a57e5

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The man warned her in a cold voice. “In the future” must have meant to refrain from unnecessary talk even after infiltrating Congressman Bovan’s office. He must be one of Gerard’s men, so definitely on her side, but his tone was so stern that Sasha felt deflated. Why couldn’t he speak a little more kindly? She was scared to death. The pitch-black darkness concealed everything in shadows, making nothing clear. It was as if she were blind, though she wasn’t. Everything related to this mission was just blurry.51b54892d7c09b26

Sasha followed the man for a294117671 a long time. The dirt road was 5a29c0f5b5 riddled with puddles, and 0c34af1794 every step squished, quickly 5e8e34fdfb ruining her new skirt 4fde7f6456 and boots. The long-forgotten scent a39b3ee706 of her homeland 80abc3ddaa lingered in the bbe2378011 air. Nerua. A place where the 84685d3fb6 thick fog and the a13aba1db7 dew-laden forest air had 1a1f61877c always been mystical. A place where 3fca3457ed water, forests, animals, 80e8c9c757 and people had d684069f71 lived together in 727f323d06 peace. A place where, unaware 539e6038c4 that the soldier pointing cc6ab30568 a gun at her 9b110a7c1e was a greedy conqueror, cbd0842361 she had adorned his 06dcf7b7d3 neck with a necklace c318fc44bf and crown of flowers.f0e92b8c67fa02b8

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“How much further do we have to walk?”d7e14805502552e0

Clutching her soaked skirt and bag in both hands, Sasha couldn’t hold back her question any longer.767b303fd0a4894a

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“We’re almost there.”f70ede8b0be245de

The man replied curtly, without looking back. His pace was so fast that she had to practically run to keep up. Her wet feet, the dragging hem of her skirt, and the man’s quick steps were all obstacles. She was already starting to resent this mission. She could endure hardship, but keeping her curiosity in check was incredibly difficult, especially when it concerned her life and safety.b2c3c689491a37b5

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“Hey. Where are we going? I can’t follow you without knowing the destination. Besides, I don’t know your name, your identity, or even your face.”ea7b1ba5cdc5746e

“Snow.”1703682ee4da6978

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“What?”23ce1693e068edbe

“That’s what everyone calls me. Snow.”d7d674077e3fe514

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“Alright, Snow…… Mr. Snow. Where are we going?”bd68f48824b4381b

He pushed aside some branches and clicked open a car door. He had hidden the car far from the border, deep in the darkness where it wouldn’t be easily discovered.5be0569d55e18dc8

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“Get in.”850dd7ce641ba074

“Where are we going?”37f8948c66a15e03

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“To the place where you’ll be staying.”f2e11f402d931605

“…….”ea68a55df46cad4f

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“If possible, try not to get mud on the seats. I just had it cleaned.”609a2c3d065944a0

“…….”a08a24cebf7e3c20

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Sasha pointedly gathered her skirt and bundled it up before getting into the car. The man named Snow closed the door with a satisfied expression and got into the driver’s seat.8f1ac2f985f07700

“How long until we arrive?”1abaa8c833a19d6e

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Sasha asked as soon 8c1e782a21 as the car left e93870e715 the forest. The man chuckled softly.6fa14fb5496403d3

“You ask a lot of questions, Miss Schmidt. Congressman Bovan isn’t fond of inquisitive secretaries.”cf3df7f70c76eaf4

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“You’re the only one who knows my situation. I can’t very well ask Congressman Bovan when I should report his movements to General Gerard, how I should report them, how I can return to my home across the border, or when I can obtain citizenship, can I?”df69bb3f6c4ea98f

“Congressman Bovan wouldn’t have those answers.”3a374549bda14e0b

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“That’s why I’m asking you.”4a498a55c00c4198

“Well, let me answer this way. For now, keep your eyes and ears open, but your mouth shut. Then, when the time comes, you’ll have to cover your ears, and eventually, close your eyes as well.”f23cc52556d739ae

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“That makes no sense.”6b1fd67fb4073a7a

“That’s how things are in our line of work. You’ll get used to it, Miss Schmidt.”9e12294f16a1b0ff

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He glanced at her through the rearview mirror and smiled. Even though she saw his expression, Sasha couldn’t picture his face. She could only be certain that, despite his seemingly innocent eyes, he was neither warm nor kind.0b0444d7dc062dfa

They left the unpaved road and entered a paved road lined with modern buildings. Even though they were out of the forest, Sasha still couldn’t tell where they were. However, unlike the buildings across the border, the city buildings, which must have been destroyed and ravaged by Dochen ten years ago, showed no scars of war.5c7470b14ca5f903

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“Is this, is this really Nerua?”d4a7c656116cd79e

“We don’t call it that anymore. The Dochen people call this place Southern Victoria, Dochen Republic, and the military has been putting a lot of effort into renovating the roads and buildings here for the past few years. And we’re now entering the Victoria city center.”4d7a847792cd6aa0

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“…….”5bf153791c996355

The Dochen Republic Sasha had 453ca17ad3 vaguely imagined was a country 6cbec33e70 of gray stone buildings, all c9b8c4934b faded and tinged with ash. A place where 141ceaecc6 tanks and cannons 89bace5b43 were stationed on b8d5780f0a every street, and e2e5071066 soldiers with guns 5a3a79e238 patrolled with terrifying 56673f9429 footsteps. That was the image of 80061d39d3 Dochen Sasha remembered. A place where 3c031033d4 freedom and individuality 7b38804fae were suppressed and e8510d5164 persecuted. But the city eb98a55f05 of Dochen, revealed 41ef0a92ee under the yellow d28b6aa47d streetlights, was clean 14d393a105 as if untouched f19cca0d8c by war. The buildings were romantic, elegant.c6947661ccfb5944

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“Quite different from what you imagined, isn’t it?”d27dec184397cee6

It’s not just different. It’s the complete opposite. Why? Why are they living so lavishly? She still remembered vividly. The black uniforms of the soldiers who shot her parents, the crimson flames and ashes she saw over her shoulder as she fled across the border. She had run to survive. Because she thought no one could live on this land anymore. To escape the demonic Dochen army that destroyed everything in sight.220e41b5e10e3f91

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“It’s still rural countryside outside the city, but soon this place will be urbanized, just like Nephiran.”da178789f745a7fe

“…….”2470337d7b177c63

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“It’s strange, isn’t it? People across the border are sucking their thumbs, struggling with the scars of war, while those on the other side are living so extravagantly.”7b86cce0160596b3

“……Why?”d66248113e1af25e

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Why?8564277f4ade4e4b

“Why can those who started the war, who massacred people, who stole others’ land, live so prosperously?”0bba35001d5c9667

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“…….”a638b0394381dc50

Snow remained silent. His silence seemed 7d01166e4a to stretch endlessly. The car turned a corner 3cd48e244f and stopped in front of 8fba360c00 a red brick house.f41f2d3e5d17e1d5

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“Remember what I said, Miss Schmidt. If you want to stay even slightly safe, maintain your silence. Here, and everywhere else.”331990b8d67cf1f5

“…….”3a9ad3a5ace16d77

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“Get out. Knock on the door, and the owner will come out. Tell them you took a train from Nephiran and hitched a ride on a truck to get here.”a28a9fd3fb9a47b7

Sasha nodded and got out of the car. Snow drove away without any further farewell. No words of caution, no wishes of good luck – did that mean she wasn’t worth it? As an intelligence agent, he must have undergone extensive and rigorous training. Such a person wouldn’t want to be comrades with a woman who, until three days ago, had been singing lullabies to children in a pediatric ward.21e583cba8c8dca2

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Sasha adjusted her disheveled clothes. She brushed off her coat, 038e44f7aa smoothing out the wrinkles, and 89dc20814f ran a hand through her 3b4551580a pinned-up hair.6c215b70209b816b

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door, three quick raps. After a short while, a woman’s voice responded.b139d31d37279bad

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“Kiu vi estas (Who is it)?”8ea1b95d48fe66fc

“Pardonu min. Ĝi nomas Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt (Excuse me. My name is Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt).”4a8eb0f69cdc2075

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With a small sigh of “Oh dear,” the solid wooden door opened. An elegant elderly woman with neatly tied white hair greeted her, pulling a shawl over her shoulders.a96faa652b042a15

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I was getting worried because I hadn’t heard from you.”45df38fa685de643

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“Excuse me.”ee47301f23e8b018

“Max! Come out here! Miss Schmidt has arrived!”72de015f8a338cfb

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From the kitchen beneath 12314bf08f the stairs leading to 1a1a21c0a9 the second floor, a 0fa5df80d8 robust man with the 31ec907568 same white hair as 67da6dbd76 the elderly woman, wiping 54af1a9c5f his mouth, approached Sasha 7c456d6172 and offered his hand.ca5551a3c69c566d

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I’m Max Darwin, the owner of this house. This is my wife, Rona Darwin. Let me take your bag.”e68e6742989dbae5

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Max took Sasha’s suitcase.51fc7b29f6ab5e8e

“Thank you.”0069ff9774f3b912

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“How did you get here? Did you come by car?”6ee296b4d2e0ac27

“No. I took the train and then got a ride on a truck.”1dfdf59af70ef7b4

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“Oh dear. I tried to contact you to find out when you would arrive, but I couldn’t reach you, so I was worried. If I had known, I would have picked you up.”7c668010c814492d

“How did you try to contact me?”58ea96459d1c6d20

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“Pardon?”aeb7f91837e048fb

Max’s question caught Sasha off guard.d3ed253e40281532

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‘If you want to stay even slightly safe, maintain your silence.’361142470ab7e6c5

Snow’s words flashed through her mind like lightning. She wondered if she had asked something she shouldn’t have, her face suddenly hardening. She couldn’t help it, even if she tried. Seeing Sasha’s expression change, Max, wondering if he had said something wrong, replied cautiously and politely.b9fb6586fa357480

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“Well, I called your home, of course. I tried several times, but no one answered. I was worried something might have happened.”d304415bc0a68f2b

“…….”a82d147667d4cd50

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Could it have been Snow? She wanted to ask about his appearance, but that would only lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. Moreover, Sasha herself wasn’t sure what Snow looked like, so asking wouldn’t be helpful.07677d69c564f62b

“Perhaps…… perhaps you called while he was out. He said he had some business to attend to. After he dropped me off at the station.”1a3e4f8ad9679420

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“Ah, I see. Well, I’m glad you arrived safely. Your room is on the second floor. I’ll show you. Follow me.”227f1c6dd6ae6923

Sasha followed Max up the stairs to the second floor. There were only two doors in the long hallway. It seemed they didn’t rent out many rooms.f89dfc0c3905fa00

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“We use one room, and the other is kept empty as a guest room. You’re the only tenant, Miss Schmidt, so you’ll be comfortable.”a2c62e2e58f89397

She wouldn’t have to encounter strangers often. That meant increased safety. Max took a key from his trouser pocket, opened the door to Sasha’s room, and handed her the key.dbcfd214d440c7bc

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“Here you are, Miss Schmidt. The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me or my wife.”ef3cc9c04cc1e890

“Excuse me, but…”290e65f986910f97

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“Yes?”6c7f766e46b4f34a

“Could I see today’s newspaper?”d346a665330da6c4

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Max placed the d2b14171fb suitcase on the fae64729d1 neatly made bed 085fb2b269 and smiled kindly 252e3c9ffe at her.396b35f3327a2e59

“Of course. Just wait a moment. I’ll bring it to you.”8fe7a8515b870913

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“Thank you.”c6af25fe39094f58

He closed the 116d79eb43 door and left. Sasha took off her 31b8aec8cb coat and looked around 1e369fc485 the small, tidy room. Double-layered brown linen b584d9acc9 curtains, a plush 9a79761afb carpet with arabesque f68a25bfc6 patterns, worn wooden f2764f7bbc furniture with frayed 86b4567ebf edges. And a soft bedsheet 347cf5567b embroidered with colorful flowers. She sat on the bed 99a64a4944 and touched the soft fabric 6938e74ec6 of the sheet, recalling the de99b5dbdd stiff, white bedding and iron 7e8fdfe7b2 bed of the pediatric ward. A faint scent of coffee daf3b054d9 and flowers lingered in the 7056ba1e33 room. Compared to the c05c45d3d6 cave-like dormitory at 210cf9975b the hospital, this 16a3dc9284 was a luxuriously bc03655c58 spacious and cozy 311f2f87d8 space.9b56df59ae5deb41

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It was strange. To be here, e4512e2202 smelling the scent 6b729b2ad3 of flowers. To finally have a clean 26682171ef room and bed prepared for e5b2eee4f0 her.514627b7cfc68cc9

A moment later, Max returned 37222a3274 with the newspaper, along with cbc0a5abda a cup of warm tea a0eba25f4d and cookies. He reminded her de176fe480 that Victoria had 4a3184c129 significant temperature differences 798e378cfb between day and c1d83ff9c9 night, and that 36d6319c29 it would be 6b6610d38a good to drink 3aaa6d4fee warm milk or 08ef2a110a tea before bed. Sasha was flustered by dd2fef5ef3 the unexpected kindness.e5d5bd8a103bbc12

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She wondered where the Darwins came from. Most native Neruans were born with dark brown hair. But the elderly couple’s hair was white, making it difficult to tell. On the other hand, she didn’t want to believe they were Neruan survivors. She didn’t want to acknowledge that they were living a peaceful life under Dochen’s protection, in a land where everything had been annihilated and even its name stolen by the Dochen people.41f7ed8ffaf07efb

Sasha sat at the desk 6e82d18b4d and looked at the front 3be1df4ff8 page of the newspaper. The headline read:28d4f233ca22f8ac

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[Chairman Johan von Willendorf Participates d4ce5168d0 as Founder of Dochen Free d0ea5d0fa5 Youth Corps]c3068b782d7c277c

The man’s face in the printed photo was clear but not detailed. Nevertheless, compared to the others standing next to him, his height, a head taller than the rest, his slender and straight posture, unusually pale skin, and bright hair, whether silver or blond, stood out. The next thing that caught her eye was the small photo of Dochen’s Secretary-General, Raoul Honecker, printed at the bottom of the article.7a3aaa69c584ea6a

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Two things could be inferred from the front page: either this man named Johan was more important than the Secretary-General, or he was much more popular with the public. Sasha meticulously read every printed word from the first page to the last. Among them was an article about “Congressman Bovan,” the person she was supposed to monitor. It talked about how key figures of the Republican Party were flocking from Nephiran, the capital, to Victoria.72f01cfd3dc4d8b9

The newspaper’s editorial claimed that the Allied nations were struggling financially, that even after ten years, the destroyed cities remained in ruins, with countless people starving to death on the streets. It urged that, if there was any love and compassion for humanity, they should quickly rescue those persecuted and starving under the Allied forces with guns and swords. It was a story filled with the ominous signs of war.c6def01cd568d387

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Sasha folded the newspaper and picked up her teacup. She noticed her hands trembling slightly. Was a war really going to happen? Were the rumors circulating among people true? Was it true that the Allied nations were all suffering from financial difficulties? They had won the war and stopped Dochen’s advance, so why did they seem like the defeated ones now?09677a52e5105c91

No, it couldn’t be. She shouldn’t trust the information here. This was a place where anything could be distorted, twisted, and falsified to suit the Secretary-General’s taste. She mustn’t be swayed by it. The magnificent buildings and well-maintained city of Victoria might just be a show. To find out, she would have to venture outside the city during daylight.26de601414e7e4aa

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Sasha went to bed early to prepare for her first day at Congressman Bovan’s office the following morning. However, despite the clean sheets and warm bed she had never experienced before, she couldn’t fall asleep easily. It was a long, dark night.68996357ae6d865b

✮⋆˙ad738a3d3712dfd0

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As she was bc97a7e8c5 getting ready to 038bb8f7d0 leave early in 25476e6fca the morning, Mrs. Darwin knocked on her 518164de36 door, saying breakfast was 2f4ee84ef9 ready. Going downstairs to the 3d581468e5 kitchen, Sasha found Mrs. Darwin pouring steaming coffee into 03f704511d a cup.42a4fa75ef7246d1

“Good morning. Miss Schmidt, did you sleep well last night?”1f116f352d08faf5

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“Yes, I slept soundly, thanks to you. Thank you, ma’am.”9f418aa341558310

“It’s nothing compared to what you might be used to at home, but I hope you enjoy it.”2f8ebde6b1cd0c04

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“No, this is wonderful.”9a2a63c57bb43c8f

She meant it. The Darwins seemed to assume Sasha was the daughter of a wealthy family, but that wasn’t the case. When she begged on the streets, she scavenged through trash. After starting work at the hospital, she ate hard bread and cold soup three times a day, every day. Warm coffee and a fresh sandwich were foods she was experiencing for the first time in her life. Looking back, she had lived a truly pitiful life.b2a0534295246808

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Mrs. Darwin watched Sasha eagerly 1ca22072a3 bite into the sandwich 3ff5667130 with a satisfied look, f61b1a60d5 then turned back to f32434636d the sink to wash f8cdce422f the dishes her husband 23be8ebd39 had used earlier.6a58ac60a4249029

“Ma’am, do you happen to know where Congressman Bovan’s office is located?”2a138589f293a111

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“Of course. It’s very close. Do you see that clothing store?”daca08cf0c781575

Mrs. Darwin pointed to the window above the sink. She could see a sign that read “Albert’s Tailor Shop” on the first floor of a black brick building.3a3a6981d4fafac6

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“Yes, I see it.”84c5a158f2e00748

“It’s the building right next to the corner of that shop. A brown brick building with arched windows.”13d6e1e99dd5954f

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A brown brick building with arched windows. Sasha repeated Mrs. Darwin’s words several times.ca66bf5e35a21cba

“Thank you.”c29bf8517a12c914

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Perhaps thanks to the light drizzle at dawn, the street was damp and cool. Sasha checked that she had her key in her handbag and followed Mrs. Darwin’s directions, walking around the tailor shop to find the building she described.0e74e4f214284b83

Just as she said, there it was – a brown brick house with white arched windows. Numerous nameplates adorned the entrance, among them one that read “Congressman Robert Bovan’s Office.” The entrance was bustling with people arriving for work. Most were men in fedoras carrying briefcases. There were a few middle-aged women, but no one seemed to be Sasha’s age.b3bdd7884cfc7acf

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She joined the crowd and 7a0d2ee93b entered the building. People were also bustling up a93066c539 and down the spiral staircase, 7d1fc8c56e probably those who had arrived 4d0fd505ba early to start their day. As she reached 613f190974 the third floor, f7a86e8092 somewhat bewildered by 283e7b803e the crowd, someone c73b65c42b finally recognized her 6fe13135ba and spoke.87735f43e94cd589

“Miss Schmidt?”c75702e3fdbdcf7e

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Sasha turned towards the voice. A middle-aged man 315e250777 with thick-rimmed glasses, d27ab09ada holding a thick 417b53b8e3 file, was squinting 95305cb6ff at her.28981ce611769700

“Yes.”c760cd58768e3cda

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Relieved by her 7a111c25aa answer, he let 1f95b592f0 out a sigh 75d7c5f9ed and nodded. A signal for 12111a41a3 her to come 16eedf709d closer.bb4154ac2ad43ebd

“Glad you made it on time. Come in. I’ll show you to your desk.”18491ceac33d7eb2

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“Okay.”5556ac1edda5068c

The man didn’t bother with friendly greetings or polite introductions. He simply scanned Sasha from head to toe through his magnifying glasses.7f53a799740f901a

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“You’re twenty this year?”674764e0ae412da7

“Yes.”9d23188d7b2bcb63

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“Where did you say you were from?”b479b4953b3fcb0e

“Nephiran.”12210d538f964f66

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“Ah, I see. Nephiran is full of beautiful women. Did you take the train here?”a392d14a74a0449e

“Yes.”4ab9098a149489f1

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Sasha clutched her 22cbcc9a6a handbag tightly, feeling 01af7b0a8a nervous. His persistent questions made 606bd65bdc her uneasy.d4ea3f91f04b9854

“Nephiran is a wonderful city. This place isn’t bad, but it’s dull and boring. And the people here are worlds apart from those in Nephiran. How should I put it… the people here are a bit…”ee1414a8a7360fff

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“Dirty and lazy, you could say. No matter how civilized they try to appear, you can’t hide your roots. That uncivilized Neruan blood doesn’t just disappear.”0e8b3fe16f667f13

“Is that so? Where are you from, sir?”b3df538b53f3dab1

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“Ah.”d3408ab5a4c7bdf9

He pushed his magnifying 73ea0da9a0 glasses up his nose 64eae30a5a and adjusted the strap ce1dd30bc5 of his suspenders, barely 4ccbb648b3 holding up his trousers.de8f44240fdd48dd

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“My father was born in Nephiran. My mother grew up in Nerua, but she’s not Neruan. Her hair is closer to blonde than brown.”c0cf3925ad84055d

Sasha looked at his thinning dark brown hair. His features resembled those of a native Neruan. He must not have inherited much of his father’s genes.1625d27b69fc5064

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“I visited Nephiran during my last vacation. All my relatives live there. You know Congressman Bovan was originally from Nephiran, right? He’s here for political reasons now, but he truly is a refined gentleman.”29b43e3c6b1fff04

Sasha didn’t respond to his words.4372108d19e6502f

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“Here you are, Miss Schmidt.”0cfd96bccfcc7f88

He pointed to the metal desk and chair directly in front of Congressman Bovan’s office.203dda477c2e2b6d

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“The Congressman arrives at 9 o’clock sharp. Don’t forget to arrive 30 minutes early every day to clean the office. When he arrives, prepare him black tea with honey and milk. If he rings the bell in his office, it means he’s calling for his secretary, so immediately get up, knock twice, and enter.”923cbfa8c70751c6

“Yes, sir.”a464027527cd8950

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“The telephone, typewriter, notepad. There’s also a calendar with the Congressman’s schedule. If you need anything else, purchase it and submit the receipt. I’ll approve the expense.”6ad12f0c32006043

“Yes, sir.”89dbd1723cab6571

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The man gave a slight bow and returned to his seat. There were five desks and chairs facing Congressman Bovan’s office. All but one were occupied. They looked busy, rolling up their sleeves, shuffling through papers, and talking on the phone.1cc85741f5d6a9c4

Sasha put down her 1162ccf59a handbag and touched the f6e610ea5c typewriter and notepad in e4b9b70f40 front of her. She realized she needed to 59fef69fe4 buy a notebook and pen c796dbffb6 on her way home to 41067f85fb record observations about Congressman Bovan. Using office supplies for that 0bd85ccd98 seemed rather indiscreet.8b70c9155bb3f073

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At 9 o’clock sharp, a man in a black fedora and an expensive suit entered the office. Sasha remembered seeing his photograph before crossing the border. It was the only information Gerard had provided.0c602fd57c5052de

“Good morning, Congressman.”e395ba0575f5672f

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He took off his fedora and ran a hand over his broad forehead. It was a stark contrast to his long, meticulously groomed beard, which resembled a general’s. As if all the hair that should have been on his head had migrated to beneath his nose.b1ac00ddb7275750

“Oh.”c1b0ecf382dd5b85

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He beamed at Sasha.ed325e3d5593a7c5

“You must be the new secretary.”a836971fe4c0dc28

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“Elga Schmidt, Congressman.”df73fabc8991d9bc

He nodded, a 5164df5731 satisfied smile spreading 66c687ca59 across his face.dfd3bfd4e4d6221e

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“Good. Very good.”4ed758654d3a29f5

He repeated the word “good” several times. When Sasha offered a faint smile, he patted her cheek. The gesture was like patting the nose of a favorite mare.77a0de95ce3b22ca

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“A cup of strong tea with those pretty hands, if you please, Miss Schmidt.”d2907472e576db4f

“Certainly, Congressman.”132bb50313ab6dbe

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Sasha carried the black tea with honey and milk on a tray into Bovan’s office. He was just lighting his pipe.6e16f81bd9593c66

“Who did you inherit that fiery red hair from?”b68c1a49d4c4f2fc

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From an Allied underground leader a2700e16d6 three days ago.3e3ee016d04d9ac0

“It must be from your mother. Right? Your mother must have been as beautiful as you, Miss Schmidt.”d2c139e061e65381

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Indeed, her mother was beautiful. Brown hair that shimmered in the sunlight, mystical emerald eyes, red lips. Sasha still remembered her mother’s appearance. Even her trembling back as she knelt before the pit, moments before her death.8162f2d945933ab1

“Yes.”0a58f29aab92a97e

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Bovan grazed Sasha’s hand as she set down the teacup. His thick, greasy hand felt no different from the rolls of fat on his belly.aeced8e1bde963b1

“You’ll need to stop by Albert’s Tailor Shop before you leave today. I have some clothes there.”82a4df0b9d240e64

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“Yes, sir.”84fc952eba01a011

“And please shred all these documents.”c9980da57c8a82b2

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He handed her a aaf5b47176 mountain of files, and ff8dd502c0 Sasha hurriedly accepted the 87f25b4d89 stack he pushed across 344f30bc9e his desk.ffa43f7df247b72a

“Certainly, Congressman.”a11bdab3c9fd8865

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“And I need you to type this up.”890a2b23d57d8258

“……Yes, Congressman.”e950b431c90b80dd

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He placed a single 6151904438 sheet of paper on 7ba22c939d top of the stack. The bundle of documents was 39b6027e84 quite heavy.3e2e56589e089764

“And what are your plans after work?”1e2077f01f751944

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Sasha glanced around before calmly 573a5e35d5 replying.c86330744bc68c98

“I plan to rest at home, Congressman.”5ab9dbd0edd9aa79

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“Excellent.”5033d0a66ef5b1d9

He stroked his polished 38336a71e1 desk, a sly smile 5e7e206483 spreading across his face.1c53bfa5f0b1d47c

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“How about having dinner with me tonight?”89b48322a85c3e7a

“…….”ca69ac809c24e106

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There had been many men who asked her to dinner, to a movie, for a walk, or offered to escort her home. But Sasha had never accepted any of those invitations. However, she couldn’t refuse this request. This was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.5f4dee24c08805fc

“Yes, that would be fine, Congressman.”bb44069104523cfe

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“Good. Oh, visit the tailor shop tomorrow. It would be cumbersome to carry it on your way home tonight.”3f7bef22759483f7

“Yes, sir.”b53c1be9c7c1454d

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She hadn’t dreamt that the first man she’d agree to have dinner with would be a balding, pot-bellied middle-aged gentleman. Sasha returned to her desk and tried to think of what she could do first.b42911b4ec9bb1af

“……This is crazy.”4dda93ff61bae3cb

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Nothing. She didn’t know what shredding was, nor how to type. All she knew were chores like laundry, cleaning, bandaging, and bathing. The only thing she could do was run an errand to Albert’s Tailor Shop to pick up clothes, which wasn’t even urgent. Sasha had no choice but to approach the desk of the man who had told her to come to him for expense approvals.c1b3a5ab3cc5b897

“Excuse me, but…… what is shredding?”839c96c90d757a1f

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“……Are you joking with me?”1b615dd9cb1e8c08

He asked incredulously, half-hoping 9e1ec952dd it was a joke. But Sasha swallowed hard, her 0a4e387fde face pale, and asked again.fcaf59b29beca637

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“Can you perhaps teach me how to… type?”cfea168981756a64

“Damn it, Miss Schmidt.”38d4e36cb964d693

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He cursed under his d6677f1140 breath and shook his e4abc40bba head in disbelief.d99772a7d07894ed

“Who the hell hired you?”42a891726a1b7fd9

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“…….”a9efe18015d6f3a0

Sasha herself didn’t know. It didn’t seem like Congressman Bovan had hired her, nor did it seem like this nameless man had. How had Gerard managed to get her this position? She didn’t know much about secretarial work. But she knew many women wanted this job. For women who were housewives, mothers, volunteers, or like Sasha, stuck with menial tasks, being a secretary was supposedly the only profession that allowed them to work on equal footing with men.bd3df10554f7eea2

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Grumbling, the man explained how 555c9e9ebf to use the shredder and b0119ed1b5 typewriter. It took Sasha cf4775af6f half the day 1aa371840b to type the 98461fe2ab five lines Bovan 08b3611c8d had written, and b08bf7cbb1 by the time fd080b0a0b work ended, she 31dc677c1e was completely exhausted.b01e51db79414b80

✮⋆˙9e31a7ce4ccdd928

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“I’m sorry, Congressman.”5e8902cd13be132a

“It’s alright. It’s alright. It’s just a small task. You can take your time.”3d26b1cbe878836a

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Bovan, arriving at his regular restaurant, pulled out Sasha’s chair and reassured her. He handed his coat and hat to a waiter with a relaxed and leisurely air. He picked up a water glass from the hydrangea-adorned table and smiled.186007793ecd7002

“…….”607562034ecffb53

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“I’m sure there’s a reason why he recommended you.”94e179e5552c2e83

He?2451fec8f3eb672f

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“He?”2c0736f4b6c85b5d

“What would you like to eat? The veal tenderloin here is excellent. Wine?”e798f883c29ff112

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“…….”363592192abe1acc

“Or whiskey?”5df40f12f04a8bf3

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“Just water, please.”fe0c2d2754bb5eb5

“Don’t be so shy, Miss Schmidt.”b939f5c876c7cee9

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He reached out and gently stroked Sasha’s chin, grinning. Sasha noticed his discolored gold tooth for the first time, peeking out from his greasy mustache. It made his smile seem rather vulgar.05b9fdd3d087927a

“Alright, just one glass of wine then.”f86648a7c5b8a07f

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“You’re a sly one.”efa3a6349a3cb910

Bovan raised his hand and called the waiter. While he ordered, winking at Sasha, she pondered who “he” could be. She was so preoccupied that she didn’t hear Bovan calling her.1c11a4133f4ddffd

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“Elga?”a12d0f3f5988ebd1

“Yes?”d2339a7d62c111b6

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“May I call you Elga?”c49442d0df021425

“……Yes.”04d48840c41c811e

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“Do you have a boyfriend?”a909730867a13442

“No.”66960a71653578f5

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He stroked his fb09ceab4e mustache and chuckled.a6f4473d779b36ad

“I see. What about family?”85d534039be09c2c

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“I’m an orphan… I mean, I have a brother.”10db5cf220c0d338

Sasha reminded herself 7d311ec62a that she was 00dbe27995 Elga Schmidt and 72ba5c1224 stammered, correcting herself. Finding it amusing, Bovan 2158d6af08 began to chuckle. His laughter continued 62ff291bbc for a while, 841918b588 making her feel 1aa5cc00e3 mocked. Sasha fiddled with her water fac4b9735b glass and asked,3616590ef8dd7965

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“What’s so funny, Congressman?”0fc6967eb9c36b3c

“Nothing. It’s just…”b90927b601f35208

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He held up his palms, cc1731356c still chuckling.f7d9e2e0a86cbebe

“I just feel sorry for you.”70604f24133eb063

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“…….”e5581a1a1034abc2

Bovan poured the wine the waiter brought into Sasha’s glass and then his own. He raised his glass.a7beed63375cb909

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“To Elga Schmidt, and the bright future of my innocent young lady.”eb5a606359494bcc

Sasha awkwardly raised her glass, mirroring him. His enigmatic smile kept bothering her. Throughout the evening, Sasha tried to figure out who Boban was referring to as “that person,” but as he drank more, he became more stubborn and loud, making it impossible to even have a conversation, let alone ask questions. The restaurant staff seemed very accustomed to handling Boban in this state. They took his hat and coat, put him in a taxi waiting outside, and even provided his address.ad31dd55ec793e7a

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After parting ways with 5bd2ad3404 Boban, Sasha barely managed a2972d165d to buy a small a1f693cca1 notebook and pencil from 5be90d8295 a stationery store just c1dda781e8 before it closed. Back in her room, eb1a7bf38a she tried to record 22605f65a1 everything that had happened b93b593083 that day. However, the more 4076a473d7 she wrote, the 6c88c81780 more she realized 8f0d9c0f3f she was only 8d6423c14d documenting how pathetic af02e08f09 and foolish she 55871efa53 had been, with f20fc4100b no useful findings 00fa80395a of the kind 4041dfb08b Gerard wanted.3034019702bd5404

✮⋆˙2651278eca4eae58

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Sasha stopped by the tailor shop early in the morning to pick up Boban’s clothes. She was worried she might not have time due to her unfamiliarity with typing, which she’d be stuck with all day. The worst-case scenario was being fired for incompetence. But what she wanted to avoid even more was a situation where she couldn’t be fired and had to stay by Boban’s side, even as his mistress. Sasha had crossed the border, and she knew no one here. So until Gerard contacted her, she was stuck here with no other choice. Otherwise, she couldn’t go back, nor could she survive.513bbf42786c9a64

Carrying the neatly packaged box of clothes, she turned the same corner as yesterday and headed to Congressman Boban’s office. A chilly morning breeze, a true sign of autumn’s arrival, pierced through her thin coat and touched her skin. She considered buying a fall raincoat, but she didn’t have much money. Barely 40 barks.2d23ea776c3ac407

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Unfamiliar with Dochen’s currency, she only realized the value of 40 barks last night at the restaurant. It was the price of the steak she ate. While the restaurant wasn’t exactly cheap, the amount was still absurdly small. So, a raincoat was out of the question. She had to settle for layering blouses under her coat.89db5ef947bb531b

Arriving at the office, Sasha placed the box of Boban’s clothes on the coffee table in his office and checked the time. 8:30 am. She instinctively opened the office windows to ventilate the room, an old habit from her time working in the hospital ward. She did the dishes she hadn’t done the day before and practiced typing. One by one, the office staff began to arrive. Shortly after, before 9:00 am, Congressman Boban appeared.d281784be194640a

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“Elga~! Beautiful as always~!”b056c81a33af4c2d

He caressed Sasha’s cheek as she stood up to take his bag and coat, then hummed a tune and took off his coat.a1362d1320326f65

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“How about we watch a movie together tonight?”53f7f148f67f111a

“…….”c7403bc911f600c0

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Sasha hesitated. Getting close to him to gather information was good, but she was afraid that if she didn’t maintain a proper distance, she might soon find herself in his bed.22f3105a8924ecb6

“Think about it, lovely Elga.”4e3ae85e4648a17f

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“…….”aeeb158ed71ddf1a

He touched her 70f6660f52 cheek again and e08603340e winked.a3ea1f13309d67eb

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“Can I give you a piece of advice?”4b09f228cebebcde

Someone spoke as she was organizing Boban’s coat and fedora.a771b5c456bcd1a4

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“Yes?”2899e93e299de2e5

It was the same man she hadn’t yet been introduced to. The way he looked at her over his glasses was quite hostile. The man leaned closer, glaring at her.ea8c028e062a0ef3

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“The previous secretary got a villa by the sea. And the one before her got a gold mine in the new continent.”5724211d1d971e6b

“…….”45a5e43079b9de39

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“I’m sick of stupid women who become secretaries to sleep their way to the top. I don’t care if you’re from Nefiran or how rich your parents are, Elga Schmidt! If you’re here to work, do your job properly! Before you calculate how much money you can squeeze out of Congressman Boban by spreading your legs! Learn to type properly! Do you have any idea how much work I have because of crazy women like you? Damn it!”d8e3af8f70ef306c

Sasha had no idea c23c687451 why he was so 543edbd376 angry. She could only ea0259c890 vaguely assume that 46b16b10fe he was taking 1ce89c5c27 his work-related stress 6f7ac2feb5 out on her.e9f7470bdabe7bb6

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“Congressman Boban is a married man! You stupid woman! Do you know how d248efa758 elegant and beautiful Mrs. Boban is?”94aba88e04be20cd

No. Admiration for Mrs. Boban……? Just as his face 274b7053e7 was turning red, about 60dad76535 to explode, a sudden, cc45287380 jarring noise rang out—Bang Bang Bang—like something breaking, but more frantic and dense.9daf53cf5bbc0865

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People screamed and dove under their desks in an instant. Sasha knew that surreal, distant sound all too well. Gunshots. The man turned around with a reddened face. Then, a bang. The blood that burst from the back of his head splattered across Sasha’s face. Like a lightning-struck tree, the man crumpled to the floor, landing on his knees and face. Sasha wiped her face with her sleeve.8ac2436a61301a7d

Blood. A familiar smell 380cca732b and a familiar 1f7e437473 color. Unlike her sharp hearing, which 965fe33eac could pick up even the 4b65e604e6 breathing of others as if 4502feec6d it were her own, everything 3bc00e16ce in front of her was 6b19089e67 blurry. Heavy, dull thuds 7b76f69f05 of combat boots ad18eb8ab1 filled the office. Soldiers like black wolves. The clinking of metal from 9a29bb85b2 the armbands on their shoulders d47937c46e and their machine guns. Sasha covered her ears with 0f2fe5f3c5 her hands, her senses heightened, 5dc1c0e706 and crouched on the floor. Un-shredded documents scattered ea54519fb6 in the air.18602304ccf2001f

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Bang! Someone kicked open the office door with a combat boot. Congressman Boban’s shouts were heard. Loud voices between men, and the dull sounds of a beating. That man is going to die. So I have to run. It was an unannounced raid, and they were Dochen soldiers. Something has been discovered. It could be me. So I have to escape. Trembling, Sasha crawled across the floor. She kept her body as flat as possible, hiding and crawling between chairs and desks. She couldn’t even breathe. She wished her heart would stop beating too.02663413f1065cff

“There’s a rat.”a99afceaeb123e07

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The voice came from d1b0535182 directly above her. The next moment, a rough cca376e81d hand grabbed her hair and af91385edd yanked her up.a6a93cee787e43b8

“Aaack!”b1ad8679451c82d9

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For the first time since 634583552c she was nine years old, 4e6b178ab2 since the shell exploded in 4fcc540a7c front of her, Sasha screamed c0a36a8564 with all her might.dda90149347b564f

“Where do you think you’re going so sneakily, little rat?”3102b73aaa7490be

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He was a soldier b295900c9c in a crisp, well-fitting af9e3b0d33 uniform. The image of her parents e8e90f9fcc standing before a cliff, riddled c5081b045a with bullets, flashed across her f5a4932a65 mind. Just the sight of a60bdf6515 a Dochen uniform made 9784a9bce6 her limbs tremble and edf55dd275 shudder. She was so scared 92ccf3f0ee she thought she might e0ad2ce5eb wet herself. She saw the 01335f654a insignia embroidered on 4928fb7709 his chest. Thanks to her time working daa3a24cdf in a field hospital, she 6d61a32795 could read military ranks. A major. A major in the b79b45e97a military state of Dochen. Sasha looked at him a1a48841af with fearful eyes. His bright blue eyes e66cb82201 were as cold as c14ac7f11c ice. He grabbed her 3e13c77737 hair and slammed cda03691bc her against the ec18eebf99 wall. Bang, her forehead hit the wall, and Sasha slid to the floor. The next moment, fae638c26d she lost consciousness b3ae44fe18 completely.c1f01ffafacaec6f