ANR Ch 2
by mimiYves was perched on the desk in his reception room on the third floor of the officers’ building, taking off his gloves. The light expression he had shown at the inspection was now gone, and fatigue was etched on his face, having taken off his hat.
“Haa…”
He had participated in the Duke of Angoulême’s suppression of the Spanish Revolution two years ago and had not returned to the military since then. He had been holed up in his house for a year, not engaging in any outside activities at all, so people thought he had been injured or was suffering from aftereffects.
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Then, starting last fall, he began to appear frequently in Paris’ upscale salons and officer cafes. As if he had decided to make a name for himself late in life, he built friendships with aristocrats he had not previously associated with.
The embers of the revolution had subsided, and it was around that time that a bill was being discussed to return the property of the aristocrats that had been confiscated. Yves expressed his intention to return to the military at the beginning of this year and was immediately appointed as the battalion commander of the Paris 2nd Guard 3rd Battalion, thanks to the influence of his father, Count Ferrier. Considering that his rank was still captain, it was a very unusual appointment.
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The Ferrier family was a traditional aristocratic family that had served as the captain of the Bourbon royal guard for generations, and the current head of the family, Count Antoine de Ferrier, was assigned a seat in the Senate of the Parliament after Louis XVIII ascended the throne. He was a devout Catholic and a key member of the royalist party. If the Count of Artois were to succeed to the throne, it was clear that Count Ferrier would also wield considerable power.
Therefore, it seemed like a perfectly natural turn of events that his eldest son, who had been suffering from the aftereffects of the war, had begun to show his face in society again. If he patiently endured a few years in the Capital Defense Forces, there would be no problem in receiving a title.
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Yves turned his head from side to side to loosen the stiff neck muscles. Then, he suddenly noticed that the portrait of the previous occupant was still not taken down on one side of the reception room wall. Perhaps he was a very self-absorbed person, as it was a magnificent size that completely covered one side next to the fireplace.
A military organization so lacking in discipline that it couldn’t even properly prepare the office of the newly appointed battalion commander. It was something that another officer would have given a stern order about, but he didn’t seem to care and soon turned his head elsewhere.
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The end of his gaze was directed towards the outside window. Someone naturally came into his view. A tall man was crossing the center of the parade ground, where the midday sun was shining straight down.
Eve’s blue eyes slowly followed him. The surroundings had been cleared of horses and soldiers a long time ago, so dust was thick in the air, but the man’s gait had a precise and consistent stride. Quietly looking down at the figure, Yves recalled the meeting two days ago.
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Gazing idly at the moon in Joseph’s garden was something he did often. Even if the rest was mediocre, the landscaping of that mansion was second to none to the Tuileries Palace. The amount of money spent on the Greek-style fountain was astronomical. So he couldn’t just blame those who came in and got lost as if they were possessed.
There was an intruder that day as well. Someone was carelessly picking the flowers of the Baron’s estate without even knowing that he was being watched. It was not surprising, as there were sometimes people who picked rare roses or stole fruits. He should have just left it alone, thinking it was one of those petty thieves.
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But when he saw the intruder’s face in the darkness, Eve’s mind changed. It wasn’t simply because of his outstanding appearance. He had already held so many pretty boys that he was sick of it. Men with strong features were not his type, and he would soon get tired of meeting them once or twice.
The intruder seemed much more refined than those men. It was interesting to see the surprise flash in his eyes when he discovered him, but the expression soon returned to calm. So the habit he had developed on Rue Saint-Michel came out as it was.
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‘Judging by your build, you’re Joseph’s type, and your looks too. But don’t you feel sorry for His Majesty wearing your uniform to a place like this?’
It was originally Eve’s hobby to make fun of those who pretended to be virtuous. They usually blushed or panicked, but the man showed his displeasure and frowned openly. Thanks to that, a needless stubbornness was triggered.
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‘I really have to go now. Unless you want to join us.’
He knew he was a member of the guard, but he didn’t care. There were over a thousand men in one regiment alone. Of course, he hadn’t expected him to be a sergeant in his battalion, but if he happened to run into him at the barracks someday, that would be interesting in its own way.
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The problem was that after he parted ways with him, something completely unexpected broke out from an unexpected place. Joseph de Pérrin once again put Yves in a difficult position. Thanks to that, the joke he had made for fun with the man became a bit of a nuisance. Yves tapped his cheekbone and pondered.
It would be too risky to pretend not to know, and it would be too noticeable to cut him out openly.
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Meanwhile, the figure of the man who had been crossing the parade ground disappeared inside the building.
On the other hand, as Claude climbed the stairs of the officers’ building, he was trying to figure out the intentions of the newly appointed battalion commander who had summoned him. With the former battalion commander Major Neker having resigned and the platoon leader Lieutenant Mirabeau being absent, the 3rd Battalion was a complete mess.
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Guard rotation times were not being followed, and it was common for the guards to take bribes to allow smugglers to pass through Paris without proper identification. Discipline had fallen so low that there was almost no sense of order. Therefore, Claude could understand the new commander’s concerns.
However, what was he trying to say? Simply demanding more from a lowly sergeant wouldn’t solve anything. Claude thought that perhaps he wanted to discuss their meeting from two days ago.
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Should he pretend that he didn’t remember him at all?
“How may I help you?”
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When Claude finally reached the 3rd floor, he was stopped by two guards wearing shakos (French military hats) with feather decorations, who asked his business. Claude replied with his name and rank before knocking on the door of the thickly lacquered battalion commander’s office.
“Come in.”
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When Claude entered the room, he closed the door behind him and saluted with practiced skill. Sitting atop the desk in a relaxed pose was his new superior officer.
His room had a high-class coal burning heater, and the floor was covered in a red carpet. The desk and chair were carved from mahogany wood, and arch-shaped windows decorated the walls, allowing for scenic views.
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The battalion commander took off his bicorn hat and rubbed his neck before calling out to Claude in a somewhat indifferent voice.
“Adjutant.”
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“Yes.”
“How much do you know about me?”
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Claude was momentarily thrown off by the captain’s unexpected question. None of the things he had expected to be asked about were even close to the captain’s query.
However, a soldier’s job is to follow orders. Claude cleared his mind and slowly began to recite what he knew of his superior’s past.
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“After returning from exile in Sweden, you were commissioned as a second lieutenant and spent much time away from Paris. You participated in the Spanish Revolutionary War two years ago, after which you were promoted to captain. Afterwards, you rejected all battalion assignments and stayed as a civilian, or so I have heard.”
Everyone knew that the Lyon Noir’s grandson had been suffering from the aftereffects of the war. However, there was no need to mention that in front of him, so Claude simply related the facts.
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“I see. Then, how much do you know about me personally?”
Claude was once again thrown off by the vague nature of the captain’s question. If he meant “personally,” then their meeting from two days ago would naturally be what he was referring to.
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Did he want Claude to bring it up first? Or perhaps his memories were too hazy, and he wanted to confirm it?
Claude struggled to figure out his superior’s intentions. However, his face gave nothing away. Therefore, Claude decided to simply answer in the simplest terms.
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“I apologize, but I do not understand what you mean.”
There was a high chance that the captain wanted him to pretend that he didn’t remember. Nobles usually expressed themselves so indirectly. Furthermore, that would likely be for the best for Claude himself as well.
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“Understood,” he said.
Yves smiled as if pleased by his answer.
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“Good. I like that a lot.”
It appeared that Claude had accurately guessed his intentions. Yves gave a wordless exclamation of satisfaction before jumping down from the desk. Then, as if trying to change the mood, he walked around Claude and came up to his side.
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“I heard that a soldier from your platoon has failed to return. Is that right?”
Claude stood up straight at those words.
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“His name is Auguste. If you permit me, I will go get him from his house right away.”
“How do you know he’ll be at home? It seems like this isn’t the first time he’s done this.”
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Claude was momentarily disconcerted by the captain’s words. He had accurately guessed at the situation.
“He has family issues. He has filed an appeal to be excused from conscription, but it is still being processed. He doesn’t intend to desert. I will bring him back right away if you give me a few hours.”
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“Does this happen often? Oh, don’t misunderstand. I’ve only served on the battlefield, so I don’t know much about the circumstances of soldiers stationed in the large cities. In the places I’ve been, desertion means a death sentence. There are many things that I simply can’t understand.”
With his arms crossed, Yves circled Claude once more.
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“It often happens with conscripted soldiers. They aren’t allowed to commute to work when they have family to take care of. If an unavoidable situation arises, they sometimes sneak out. It’s not like we can take months of leave, like some people, you see?”
As Eve’s tone softened, Claude inadvertently told on his direct superior. He knew that it wouldn’t do any good to talk about it to another noble, but the months of pent-up frustration came bursting out.
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The astute Yves immediately understood his words.
“So you’re talking about Lieutenant Mirabeau. How long has he been absent?”
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“I haven’t seen him since Christmas of last year.”
For a moment, Claude saw anger flash across Eve’s face. It was only for a fleeting moment, so it seemed that he himself didn’t even notice it. However, he quickly put on an expression as if nothing was wrong and took Lieutenant Mirabeau’s side.
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“Well, the previous battalion commander must have given him permission, so I can’t just revoke it now.”
“Yes.”
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Claude wasn’t expecting anything anyway. He kept quiet after that as well.
“Alright, then let’s take care of Private Auguste’s matter first. Go have them bring me a horse for the adjutant to ride. Do you know where his house is?”
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Claude looked at his superior officer with a momentary expression of surprise. He was gathering his gloves and hat like someone preparing to leave.
Was he planning on visiting him personally?
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“This isn’t something that requires you to go, Captain. I’ll go with another member of the unit.”
“He has family issues, so what better way to resolve them than by going and seeing for myself?”
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“It’s in a slum quite far from the city center. The way there is rough. It isn’t a place that you, Captain, would want to visit…”
Suddenly, Yves burst out laughing. Claude, startled, widened his eyes.
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“Sergeant Veil. I understand your loyalty, so shut up and just go get the horse ready.”
Claude was at a loss for words at his blunt manner of speaking. He couldn’t figure out his intentions at all. However, a mere sergeant couldn’t question a battalion commander. Claude saluted and left the office.
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Two horses entered the Saint-Marc district. The narrow alleys, too cramped to ride, were filled with listless people clinging to the ground like corpses. They clung to the ground and clung to the shadows.
They clung to the roughly plastered walls and clung to poverty. Sighs and hunger clung to their sunken faces, and tattered clothes clung to their gaunt bellies. Hungry eyes clung to the well-fed horse muscles every time their hind legs moved.
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“Sir, please drop a coin for us.”
A clumsy person would have immediately searched their pockets. They would have started giving alms with a clanging sound and a naive idea, but they would eventually have to give away all their underwear in order to escape.
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Claude watched the back of his superior officer, who was walking ahead, and worried about any possible accidents. Passing by a bakery display case with broken glass and a butcher shop selling dog meat, he subtly grasped the hilt of the sword he was wearing on his left hip.
Thin, five-story buildings rose up one after another, blocking the sun and blocking the wind. They also trapped water and trapped bad smells. They passed through a series of side streets and narrow passages.
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“Captain, this way.”
When they finally reached a wider road, Claude, who had been following behind, rode his horse alongside Eve. The church that had been half-destroyed by cannon fire had been left abandoned as if no one cared, and children with yellow teeth were running around and playing on top of it.
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The two stopped their horses in front of a black house that had been scorched by fire. Yves got off his horse and looked around. Meanwhile, Claude tied the horses to the fallen church pillar and called over two young boys, handing them a few coins.
“Guard the horses here until we come out. I’ll give you double when we return.”
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The boys, understanding, nodded. They put the money they had received into their waistbands and sat down haphazardly between the white horse and the black horse.
Claude, entering the black house, called out Auguste’s name. Then, he smelled a sour vinegar smell from somewhere. The source of the smell, which was getting closer and closer, was a small child with disheveled hair.
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“Hello, Marie. Where’s your brother?”
Claude asked, bending down to the child.
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The hand that had wiped her nose pointed inside. There, a girl who looked to be about eighteen years old was feeding an infant. Next to her, a large man was smiling and watching the scene.
“Auguste.”
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The man, hearing his name called, turned his head and was pleased to see Claude. Then, pointing to the baby next to him, he smiled bashfully. Whether he wasn’t aware of the wrong he had committed or because he saw someone he didn’t have to fear, he looked at Claude with a bright expression. It seemed that he wanted them to celebrate the birth of the baby together.
“You’ve got another mouth to feed. What are you going to do without a plan?”
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Auguste only smiled without answering Claude’s words. Other children gathered around them.
A girl in pajamas and a boy who was naked. Two twins holding each other’s hands and the girl who smelled of vinegar. With the addition of the newborn baby, it became a family of eight living in the house.
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Auguste, having left the barracks without permission, had probably come home after hearing about the birth of the baby. If he hadn’t been caught, he would have been able to coax him and take him away, but this time, he was unlucky enough to have a guest visit whom he couldn’t handle.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t come alone.”
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Claude stepped aside. Then, Eve, who had been frowning and covering his nose with a handkerchief, appeared from behind. Auguste blinked at the appearance of someone who didn’t fit in with the slum at all.
“This is the new battalion commander. He came to visit you in person because of your unauthorized absence from the barracks.”
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Auguste, flustered at the word battalion commander, stood up and saluted. He seemed like a man who was lacking in some ways, but he was a soldier. He looked around, not knowing what to do at the visit of a high-ranking superior. He needed to offer him a chair or sofa, but there was no suitable furniture to be found. In the meantime, Yves made the first move.
“Soldier, come forward five paces.”
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Yves was bending over slightly because of the low ceiling. His brow was furrowed, and he was still covering his nose with a handkerchief. Auguste walked up to him. Then, he got too close, so Yves had to take a step back.
“That’s enough, stop. Yes, stand there.”
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Seeing him try to get away from Auguste while waving his handkerchief, Claude couldn’t help but chuckle.
I told you this wasn’t a place that someone like you should visit.
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It was a comedy in its own right. The weakness of the noble who had steadfastly made his way through the alleys of Saint-Marc was the bad smell. He should have come prepared to some extent to visit a place like this in a city where clean water was scarce. There seemed to be a slight difference between what he thought of himself and his actual abilities.
Auguste pointed to a dining table chair, offering Yves a seat. It was the best option he could think of, but it wasn’t a suitable place to seat a guest. A withered corn cob was rolling around on the stained tablecloth, and porridge made from ground oat seeds was left half-cooled.
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As expected, Yves subtly turned his head to decline the seat and continued to question him while standing.
“If a child has been born, the procedure is to take maternity leave. Why did you leave the barracks without telling anyone?”
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Auguste, unable to answer easily, looked at Claude, who was standing next to him.
“I’m talking to you. Why are you looking over here? You have no discipline.”
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“Captain, he can’t speak.”
Claude reluctantly intervened again.
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“What?”
Claude, seeing his surprised face, could only shrug his shoulders, having nothing to say to him.
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So that’s what he meant by “he has his reasons.”
Eve, now understanding the meaning, wore an expression as if he was questioning them instead.
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You should have told me that’s what it meant ahead of time.
For a while, the two of them just exchanged glances, passing the blame to each other. A stranger might have thought they were quite close. It was Claude who raised the white flag first.
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“I wasn’t sure how you would think of it, so it was difficult for me to say anything. It’s also your first day in office.”
“Ha, it gets more and more ridiculous.”
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“You can just say whatever you want to say. Marie will translate his words for him.”
At Claude’s words, Auguste nodded and looked at Marie. Soon, his hands moved quickly, conveying his intentions.
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“Elise, uh… had a baby. So, uh… she couldn’t go to work. I had to bring her, for a few days, uh… something to eat.”
Marie haltingly conveyed what he was saying. Eve, frowning, listened to the words, but his patience ran out again and he looked at Claude.
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“So, he just needs to report that his wife gave birth. That’s the legitimate right of every Frenchman. There’s no need to desert like an idiot.”
“She’s not his wife, she’s his younger sister. The children you see here are all his siblings. He’s appealed several times because he has dependents with disabilities, but nothing has changed, so he had no choice.”
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As Claude made excuses for him, Auguste quickly conveyed them again to Marie with quick hand gestures.
“Uh, René is sick. And… Luke hasn’t, uh, returned yet. I talked, but, uh… no one listened. What? Ah, he’s sorry.”
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“Who’s Luke?”
Yves asked, looking at Claude again.
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“He’s a younger brother who left home last winter.”
“It seems that he deserted then too, since the adjutant remembers him.”
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Oh, no… the new superior was quick on the uptake.
Claude sighed inwardly. He was going to be caught in everything. Honestly, he had turned a blind eye to Auguste’s situation several times until now. It wasn’t just Claude’s consideration alone. There were soldiers who covered his night shifts for him, and others who brought clothes for the children.
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If he started to be questioned one by one, it would all be tangled up like a vine. There was no other way. The current guard was far from disciplined, and if he were to punish every infraction, there would be no soldiers left in the barracks. If the new battalion commander didn’t adapt to this quickly, there might be a lot of tiring things happening for a while.
Fortunately, judging from his actions so far, he didn’t seem to be the stubborn or unreasonable type. He had just realized it, but he was quick on the uptake. In that respect, he had already secured half of Claude’s points.
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Besides, there was also an unexpected side. Nobles usually didn’t care about other people’s circumstances, but he seemed to be a little different. If he cared enough to be concerned about a mere soldier’s unauthorized absence, that meant he wouldn’t just sit around and waste taxes, right? Maybe he could expect a slightly different approach.
“I can’t understand it. To conscript someone who can’t even speak. Did he appeal properly? Who did he report it to?”
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“Lieutenant Mirabeau.”
That same name came up again. This time, real annoyance appeared on Eve’s face and disappeared. The expression was so clear that even the little Marie, who was looking up at him, noticed it.
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So, what are you going to do now?
Claude looked at Eve. The higher the rank, the more troublesome it was to be responsible for administrative management holes. He would obviously try to ignore it. He was curious to see how he would turn a blind eye to the situation, even though he had wanted to take care of it.
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“Whatever the circumstances, unauthorized absence is a violation of military law, so I order two weeks’ pay cut and cleaning the toilets.”
Auguste, hearing Eve’s words, bowed his head as if he had expected it.
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“However, I will give you a week off starting today, so sort out the remaining matters and return to the unit. If you cause any more trouble without telling me, I’ll put you in the stockade.”
Having said his words, Yves immediately left the house as if he didn’t want to stay any longer.
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Claude, surprised by the unexpectedly lenient disposition, stared blankly at his retreating figure for a moment. Auguste, standing next to him, scratched the back of his neck as if embarrassed. Claude patted him on the shoulder, encouraged him briefly, and followed Yves outside.
The boys who had guarded the horses obediently outside were immediately rewarded. While Claude untied the horses, Eve’s gaze was directed back towards the black house. Then, he spotted Marie leaning against the doorframe and looking outside, and he snapped his fingers. It was a signal for her to come over. The child came running, making tapping sounds.
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The two had a conversation in secret as if they were making some kind of under-the-table deal, without Claude knowing. Soon, Marie was running back into the house with a shiny Napoleon gold coin in her hand. It was more than double the amount of his salary that had been cut.
“Captain.”
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As Claude approached, Eve, pretending not to notice, took the reins from him.
“Let’s go back.”
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“Ah, not that way.”
As Claude corrected the direction, Yves said that he wanted to go around to the riverbank instead of going back the way they had come. Claude was puzzled.
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“That will take about 30 minutes longer.”
“I don’t care.”
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“If you’re worried about the rough road, how about going through Saint-Antoine? It’ll save about 10 minutes.”
Yves ignored his words and got on his horse first. And then, he asked Claude, who was still looking up at him.
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“Did the adjutant talk back this much to other superiors as well?”
Claude shrugged his shoulders at the embarrassing question and replied.
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“I think I tended to be like that.”
“Everyone must have hated you. Nobles hate being told things twice.”
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Having said what he wanted to say, Yves rode his horse away first.
The two were traveling slowly along the Seine towards the Saint-Germain district. The sun, which had been at the top, was already setting in the west. The more they went north, the more elaborate carriages became noticeable. The stalls were getting bigger, and there were more shoe stores selling ladies’ shoes.
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The flat cloth caps of the sans-culottes (those without culottes, the common class), who had come back from hard labor, had disappeared. Instead, gentlemen in tailcoats and top hats were wandering near the cafes and salons. Young men preparing to light the streetlights were gathered together, dividing whale oil.
“Even if it was an administrative mistake, how did someone who can’t even speak receive training?”
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The two were chatting as the horses’ hooves clicked along the road.
“He wasn’t slow. He’s not deaf. There was someone in the unit who knew a little sign language, so he didn’t have much trouble at first.”
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“Were you in charge of him from the time he first enlisted?”
“No, I was pushed into it too. Then time just passed.”
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Hearing his words, Yves looked ahead and muttered.
The two of them just exchanged glances, passing the blame to each other for a while. A stranger might have thought they were quite close. It was Claude who raised the white flag first.
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“I was unsure of how you would think about it, so it was a bit difficult for me to say. It’s also your first day in office.”
“Ha, it gets more and more absurd.”
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“You can just say what you need to say. Marie will translate his words for you.”
At Claude’s words, Auguste nodded and looked at Marie. Soon, his hands moved quickly, conveying his intentions.
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“Elise, uh… had a baby. So, uh… she couldn’t go to work. I had to bring her, for a few days, uh… something to eat.”
Marie haltingly conveyed what he was saying. Eve, frowning, listened to the words, but his patience ran out again and he looked at Claude.
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“So, he just needs to report that his wife gave birth. That’s the legitimate right of every Frenchman. There’s no reason to desert like an idiot.”
“She’s not his wife, she’s his younger sister. The children you see here are all his siblings. He’s appealed several times because he has dependents with disabilities, but nothing has changed, so he had no choice.”
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As Claude made excuses for him, Auguste quickly conveyed them again to Marie with quick hand gestures.
“Uh, René is sick. And… Luke hasn’t, uh, returned yet. I talked, but, uh… no one listened. What? Ah, he’s sorry.”
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“Who’s Luke?”
Yves asked, looking at Claude again.
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“He’s a younger brother who left home last winter.”
“It seems that he deserted then too, since the adjutant remembers him.”
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Oh, no… the new superior was quick on the uptake.
Claude sighed inwardly. He was going to be caught in everything. Honestly, he had turned a blind eye to Auguste’s situation several times until now. It wasn’t just Claude’s consideration alone. There were soldiers who covered his night shifts for him, and others who brought clothes for the children.
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If he started to be questioned one by one, it would all be tangled up like a vine. There was no other way. The current guard was far from disciplined, and if he were to punish every infraction, there would be no soldiers left in the barracks. If the new battalion commander didn’t adapt to this quickly, there might be a lot of tiring things happening for a while.
Fortunately, judging from his actions so far, he didn’t seem to be the stubborn or unreasonable type. He had just realized it, but he was quick on the uptake. In that respect, he had already secured half of Claude’s points.
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Besides, there was also an unexpected side. Nobles usually didn’t care about other people’s circumstances, but he seemed to be a little different. If he cared enough to be concerned about a mere soldier’s unauthorized absence, that meant he wouldn’t just sit around and waste taxes, right? Maybe he could expect a slightly different approach.
“I can’t understand it. To conscript someone who can’t even speak. Did he appeal properly? Who did he report it to?”
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“Lieutenant Mirabeau.”
That same name came up again. This time, real annoyance appeared on Eve’s face and disappeared. The expression was so clear that even the little Marie, who was looking up at him, noticed it.
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So, what are you going to do now?
Claude looked at Eve. The higher the rank, the more troublesome it was to be responsible for administrative management holes. He would obviously try to ignore it. He was curious to see how he would turn a blind eye to the situation, even though he had wanted to take care of it.
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“Whatever the circumstances, unauthorized absence is a violation of military law, so I order two weeks’ pay cut and cleaning the toilets.”
Auguste, hearing Eve’s words, bowed his head as if he had expected it.
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“However, I will give you a week off starting today, so sort out the remaining matters and return to the unit. If you cause any more trouble without telling me, I’ll put you in the stockade.”
Having said his words, Yves immediately left the house as if he didn’t want to stay any longer.
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Claude, surprised by the unexpectedly lenient disposition, stared blankly at his retreating figure for a moment. Auguste, standing next to him, scratched the back of his neck as if embarrassed. Claude patted him on the shoulder, encouraged him briefly, and followed Yves outside.
The boys who had guarded the horses obediently outside were immediately rewarded. While Claude untied the horses, Eve’s gaze was directed back towards the black house. Then, he spotted Marie leaning against the doorframe and looking outside, and he snapped his fingers. It was a signal for her to come over. The child came running, making tapping sounds.
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The two had a conversation in secret as if they were making some kind of under-the-table deal, without Claude knowing. Soon, Marie was running back into the house with a shiny Napoleon gold coin in her hand. It was more than double the amount of his salary that had been cut.
“Captain.”
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As Claude approached, Eve, pretending not to notice, took the reins from him.
“Let’s go back.”
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“Ah, not that way.”
As Claude corrected the direction, Yves said that he wanted to go around to the riverbank instead of going back the way they had come. Claude was puzzled.
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“That will take about 30 minutes longer.”
“I don’t care.”
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“If you’re worried about the rough road, how about going through Saint-Antoine? It’ll save about 10 minutes.”
Yves ignored his words and got on his horse first. And then, he asked Claude, who was still looking up at him.
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“Did the adjutant talk back this much to other superiors as well?”
Claude shrugged his shoulders at the embarrassing question and replied.
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“I think I tended to be like that.”
“Everyone must have hated you. Nobles hate being told things twice.”
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Having said what he wanted to say, Yves rode his horse away first.
The two were traveling slowly along the Seine towards the Saint-Germain district. The sun, which had been at the top, was already setting in the west. The more they went north, the more elaborate carriages became noticeable. The stalls were getting bigger, and there were more shoe stores selling ladies’ shoes.
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The flat cloth caps of the sans-culottes (those without culottes, the common class), who had come back from hard labor, had disappeared. Instead, gentlemen in tailcoats and top hats were wandering near the cafes and salons. Young men preparing to light the streetlights were gathered together, dividing whale oil.
“Even if it was an administrative mistake, how did someone who can’t even speak receive training?”
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The two were chatting as the horses’ hooves clicked along the road.
“He wasn’t slow. He’s not deaf. There was someone in the unit who knew a little sign language, so he didn’t have much trouble at first.”
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“Were you in charge of him from the time he first enlisted?”
“No, I was pushed into it too. Then time just passed.”
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Hearing his words, Yves looked ahead and muttered.
“That’s interesting. It’s not like you’re an altruist, and you seem to have a pretty selfish personality. It seems you instinctively have a habit of helping people in difficult situations.”
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At those words, Claude quietly looked at him.
He probably wasn’t just talking about Auguste’s situation. At the Duke de Pérrin’s mansion where they first met, Claude had also given a ride to a male prostitute named Michel.
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So now the captain was subtly teasing him about that day, without revealing it on the surface. If he challenged him about what he meant, he would probably just tell him to shut up again. Claude turned his gaze forward again without replying.
“I can look into the appeal again, but you’ll have to keep a close watch on him so that he doesn’t cause any more trouble until it’s completely resolved.”
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“Yes.”
“Take responsibility for covering it up, like the adjutant tried to do, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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“Understood.”
Perhaps it was because he had been given a jab about being long-winded, but Claude didn’t argue with his words. Thanks to that, the conversation ended there.
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The Seine was on their left. Paris’ wealth and property were concentrated in the north, and wastewater and sewage flowed to the south. Eve’s blond hair, riding his horse north, was well-suited to this Saint-Germain district.
Claude was in the position of being hired by the king, but he was still closer to the south side of the city. He had the nobles as his superiors and communicated closely with them, but he didn’t live a life of buying extra clothes or enjoying desserts to his heart’s content.
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He could take a bath in warm water after work and buy enough candles to read a book in the evening, but he couldn’t pay more than 300 francs in taxes, so he couldn’t have the right to vote. He wasn’t a bourgeois who was rapidly multiplying between the nobles and the commoners, but he wasn’t a lower-class person inhaling smoke in a factory either.
An ordinary citizen whose identity couldn’t be labeled. There were about 400,000 more people in Paris who were in the same situation as him.
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When they arrived at the mouth of the riverbank to cross the bridge, there were people gathered. Listening to the murmuring, it seemed that a drowned person’s body had surfaced. The police had already arrived and were cleaning up the scene, and Yves was curious about the whole story. The two moved their horses to where the commotion had occurred.
“I am Captain Ferrier, the battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Guard Regiment. Can I get a report on what happened?”
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Claude stopped a policeman and revealed his identity.
The policeman, looking back and forth between the two men, very briefly summarized the incident. An unidentified man’s body. It had surfaced naked and his throat had been slit with a knife. Eve, hearing the words next to him, asked how long he thought he had been dead.
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“Well, since it surfaced today, I suppose he died yesterday or the day before. If you want to know the details, come to the police station.”
The guard and the Paris police weren’t on good terms, so they couldn’t get any more detailed information. It was a murder case anyway, so they wouldn’t be able to cover it up quietly, so they were putting up an unnecessary fence. By chance, there was also a Minerve reporter among the gathered crowd. There would definitely have been some bribes exchanged, and the identity of the deceased would be spread throughout Paris in tomorrow’s evening newspaper.
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However, coincidentally, Claude learned who the deceased was one day earlier than them. After separating from Yves and returning home, he was having a late dinner with Catherine. Just as he was finishing his soup and drinking his wine, two Paris policemen knocked on the door.
They asked Claude to stop by the police station early the next morning. When he asked why, they said that a statement was needed regarding a murder case. Thanks to that, Claude had to soothe his sister, who had been frightened and screamed, first.
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He asked how he had gotten involved.
“A strong suspect mentioned your name.”
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“Who is the suspect?”
“Michel Latour, a servant at the Duke de Pérrin’s estate, who said that you would prove his innocence.”
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It took a long time to recall a face because the name was unfamiliar. Michel must have been the male prostitute he had met on the Rue de Clichy. But a suspect? Did that flimsy little body kill someone? Who did he kill?
In an instant, he recalled a person in a chain reaction.
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“So the person who was murdered is perhaps…”
“That’s right. Duke Joseph de Pérrin was found dead in the Seine this afternoon.”
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Claude, who had been leaning against the door with his arms crossed, straightened his posture as if without realizing it, hearing the words.
✧ ✧ ✧
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The next day, when Claude visited the police station, Inspector Pontmercy was waiting for his morning coffee. This was like a ritual that he performed before starting his day, and he really hated being disturbed at this time.
His coffee duty was always assigned to a new police officer. When Inspector Pontmercy entered his room after coming to work, the coffee duty officer would quickly go to the nearby Ramblier Cafe. He would receive a freshly brewed coffee pot there, bring it back, pour it into the inspector’s cherished teacup, and serve him a cup.
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Stroking the glossy, oiled edge of his desk, the inspector waited for “today’s coffee.” Just as he was thinking that it was a bit late, someone knocked on his door.
The inspector coughed a couple of times before giving them permission to enter. As he had expected, a new police officer came in with coffee. And then a tall soldier followed him in.
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“Sergeant Veil has arrived. The soldier that the suspect in the duke’s murder case mentioned yesterday.”
“Oh, already?”
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The inspector stroked his rough chin, making a somewhat troubled face.
You’ve come too early.
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That was the expression he made.
The new police officer offered Claude a chair, placed the coffee for the inspector on the desk, and disappeared. Inspector Pontmercy, who was suddenly left to drink his tea alone, awkwardly opened his mouth, looking for an excuse.
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“Um, would you like another cup…”
“It’s alright. I don’t really enjoy it.”
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A disciplined voice befitting his appearance flowed out.
“Then I’ll be excused.”
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The inspector quietly grabbed his teacup and drank his coffee.
The slurping sound echoed unusually loudly. He himself felt embarrassed. In addition, he was quite uncomfortable because of the soldier who was silently watching him. Coffee was supposed to be sipped and savored slowly, but it wasn’t working out at all today.
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Abandoning that thought, Inspector Pontmercy put down his cup and began the investigation.
“Duke Pérrin was found dead in the Seine yesterday afternoon. His throat had been slit, and it seems he was thrown into the river after death. A man named Michel, who the duke had as a servant, was identified as the suspect and was immediately arrested.”
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“I happened to see it while passing by yesterday. I heard he was found naked, so identification was quick.”
“Don’t you know? The duke’s face is quite famous. He’s the real person from the book ‘Bees of Desire.’ The face drawn on the cover is so similar that he’s even sued several times.”
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Anyone living in Paris wouldn’t be able to say that they had no idea, no matter how much they pretended to be refined. A third-rate romance novel with an affair as its subject. In the story, he ended his life with suicide, but his real life ended even more miserably.
“If lust is excessive, it turns into perversion, and it seems he’s been obsessed with homosexuality lately. The guy who was arrested as a suspect was also a male prostitute whom he personally kept. But that guy claimed his innocence and gave your name.”
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