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.6fd48956776b860e

“The color wasn’t right, so I had to redo it twice. It turned out better than I thought.”6c14cc83bd482ea0

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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.2f5bb28ef089cde4

“Her skin is a bit too clear for my liking.”f5e350422900ea1b

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Gerard, with a 9c92a7864b cigar in his ca65155554 mouth, looked Sasha 29b224ab32 up and down, e534380764 muttering to himself. Dressed in a dark green ae6d7d4905 skirt that accentuated her red 3b828626f8 hair, a peplum jacket with dfb5ecdb32 short sleeves, replacing her pristine 546ca2b620 white apron and gray dress, 137ce2eb7b she looked as stunning as 10022f7027 an actress in a magazine. The contrast between her slender 1eff8df659 frame and clear, innocent eyes 46d6efbfa2 made her even more striking.65f658729e2e00db

Seeing her like this, 9ce55cfefd Gerard felt a renewed 5c63cb93f7 sense of regret for 8bb7201721 her. He felt her fate 674fd7eb28 was cruel, and a 386511c1da thought crossed his mind 9050bab293 that perhaps her life d84ae53dbd would have been different d03057dc00 if she had become 9426360ff3 an actress or a bc440b43a8 singer instead of a 1d432790cc nurse. If she had a 45781c22f4 more dazzling talent, she 51b60f2767 could have lived a 3e144fd593 more glamorous life.1618cc881f1c9630

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“We’ll have to hope she gets plenty of sun in Nerua. Then she might at least get some freckles.”c16bb46e967d6b11

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.ac9929f25fdf2401

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“So, all I have to do is monitor and record Congressman Bovan’s movements? Until further instructions?”cdb256f0dbacc25f

“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.”1c6f81059cafc704

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“How will I recognize this person?”94dc1f5111fdbfdf

“You don’t need to. They will recognize you.”7820bc0d76298c95

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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.c13c9967e6d10c5b

While Gerard signed the 42d1545cb5 documents, Sasha packed the 3fc5fc06a8 forged ID he had 4e1243720c provided into her prepared 24d762dce9 bag.7a7f540498d3d12a

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“I’m ready, Mr. Gerard.”49441b0e943d88f5

Gerard exhaled a thick plume ca753c643c of cigar smoke and closed 2fdc755c59 the document he had just af77c29495 signed. A faint wrinkle fa607c53d6 appeared at the 35913845ee corner of his d8544abde6 smiling eyes.b5dc8b930d191ed6

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“Good luck, Sasha. Or rather, Miss Elga Schmidt.”d744d86abbc5be0a

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.958db52384ef62b9

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It seemed that the d18b99ab75 work of intelligence agencies daeae846fd always began and ended 836f8ea94d in the deep blue 4e078ddbfe of night. Under the eerie 8b1f0aa589 crescent moon, Sasha 42993029e8 crossed the border. As prearranged, there 835a6f5d8c were no lights eff8b07af6 and no one 7f34c9f960 in sight at f2aca91ecd the border checkpoint. Frank stopped the car 75766da969 right in front of 8ec3730ce9 the fence. He bowed his head slightly. That was it. The farewell was meager and 5c09efe83e utterly indifferent.3fc51e132c162620

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.71757cabe66dcc73

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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.c402cf5f895749d3

“Miss Elga Schmidt.”aafbd14f6737edee

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A sudden, low voice. Sasha clenched her f975e8dc4c teeth, suppressing a e4ae873d12 scream, and clutched 54ad1252d2 the front of 51b5779228 her coat, trying 3bb4026f9f to calm her d5d3ed778e racing heart.13b89edc35203e74

“Miss Elga Schmidt, is that you?”4f4dfbe33c8f7dcd

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Yes, my name is Elga 38042802a1 Schmidt.45a6c56d71767591

“……Yes. I, I’m Elga…… Elga Schmidt.”f8ee959e390ec48b

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The name felt foreign 108501fa62 on her tongue. Sasha uttered her forged 68c8b41812 name awkwardly and swallowed 6cb6c9d03f hard.d3108e37ada85af2

“Are you…… are you the agent?”a305c87387dbb4d7

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“It would be best to keep quiet, Miss Schmidt. Now, and as much as possible in the future.”bf0bca8dbb32a1aa

“…….”040ed57f05487e52

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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.6ad1366644816558

Sasha followed the c289d148b4 man for a efe5c90bf4 long time. The dirt road was f1b2f46bb5 riddled with puddles, and 441a5368fa every step squished, quickly c31fb39ec9 ruining her new skirt 48273c7264 and boots. The long-forgotten scent d5c405bd0e of her homeland f52c896491 lingered in the 4457881e59 air. Nerua. A place where 226309a9da the thick fog d6d4874bda and the dew-laden db91baa30c forest air had ade5715da1 always been mystical. A place where water, b83ac7bf44 forests, animals, and people bcbf655dbc had lived together in c33fb0303b peace. A place where, unaware that cc0ad90a60 the soldier pointing a gun ca82789cc5 at her was a greedy a7658af1c5 conqueror, she had adorned his eaab9c47aa neck with a necklace and 06493c0af3 crown of flowers.bfd0b7d59dce239c

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“How much further do we have to walk?”eec7f2d7972c41ac

Clutching her soaked skirt and bag in both hands, Sasha couldn’t hold back her question any longer.a1dddeb0de66ba2f

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“We’re almost there.”560de928d08c3900

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.e6241f47e7787faf

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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.”50e69e502c9138f2

“Snow.”cebf0d8e1a8192b1

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“What?”29bc87421d8d1c87

“That’s what everyone calls me. Snow.”d6f371a29fe45923

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“Alright, Snow…… Mr. Snow. Where are we going?”8fad50caa8e8b790

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.355f0cd7182fab15

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“Get in.”2d4f45d28353846c

“Where are we going?”cc7cf74c716906e1

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“To the place where you’ll be staying.”fc79aa234617f41d

“…….”acacd073c075088e

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“If possible, try not to get mud on the seats. I just had it cleaned.”674a8ddc40ed0153

“…….”42d0e1882b2b6873

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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.0f2984ad921cc18e

“How long until we arrive?”d15f1bf6692d92f1

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Sasha asked as soon d98684401e as the car left 69ee73f954 the forest. The man chuckled softly.c36a26b3a3dd2c84

“You ask a lot of questions, Miss Schmidt. Congressman Bovan isn’t fond of inquisitive secretaries.”165a80bded8607d8

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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?”b0aaddd783c1ad0f

“Congressman Bovan wouldn’t have those answers.”c8931aefb5fb63b1

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“That’s why I’m asking you.”7132f138081921ce

“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.”0c34cb97c1d55433

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“That makes no sense.”c72abca60ef2be1e

“That’s how things are in our line of work. You’ll get used to it, Miss Schmidt.”bc073d233c3cfeba

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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.3d38d9d0d7fd34da

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.ebc8c7541d21cf29

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“Is this, is this really Nerua?”9e4499464c62bcdc

“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.”9f5eb638268f1cf5

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“…….”6d7467741e3029cf

The Dochen Republic 92c4a43132 Sasha had vaguely 7a3b3fdc28 imagined was a f08fc746d4 country of gray 4c56d2c4d5 stone buildings, all bc43afd28d faded and tinged e1d04fc75a with ash. A place where tanks and b6ed25cf1a cannons were stationed on every 37d941d3c4 street, and soldiers with guns 58c1a465bc patrolled with terrifying footsteps. That was the f6a305ca9b image of Dochen d62f5833f4 Sasha remembered. A place where d67b0c5cf7 freedom and individuality 781c813ba5 were suppressed and 18cf93787b persecuted. But the city of Dochen, 827d2d7bed revealed under the yellow streetlights, cdf6b93457 was clean as if untouched f34f501358 by war. The buildings were romantic, elegant.00c80b23fadf2f4f

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“Quite different from what you imagined, isn’t it?”f06703299d1b4a2f

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.157b546193954af1

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“It’s still rural countryside outside the city, but soon this place will be urbanized, just like Nephiran.”0775081ca8159345

“…….”cc48ef986b550e39

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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.”301f2ee8db68111b

“……Why?”3a55838792465cd6

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Why?e71991267aae160d

“Why can those who started the war, who massacred people, who stole others’ land, live so prosperously?”006cbfbd883eb149

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“…….”e7695551a3285b14

Snow remained silent. His silence seemed 9eae44c418 to stretch endlessly. The car turned a corner dc3d9c7d93 and stopped in front of 3175bbf3e9 a red brick house.3ac1bc15f84e10fc

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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.”4e2966d2dd000720

“…….”dbee0169a9d6f009

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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.”8ef51d159bbfa500

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.5ea53d8d9c93d73c

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Sasha adjusted her disheveled clothes. She brushed off her coat, 0db9d7a246 smoothing out the wrinkles, and 65c001ff86 ran a hand through her d30e7d3000 pinned-up hair.30ca249b18daa6e2

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door, three quick raps. After a short while, a woman’s voice responded.64510060289e1321

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“Kiu vi estas (Who is it)?”df9ac43ca9879d98

“Pardonu min. Ĝi nomas Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt (Excuse me. My name is Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt).”817398a3d975be2b

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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.6eb1e845b9192a8e

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I was getting worried because I hadn’t heard from you.”f6d93b4afc81bddd

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“Excuse me.”5014be4f71422af0

“Max! Come out here! Miss Schmidt has arrived!”170a36b6eeab3943

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From the kitchen beneath the 2936cc740d stairs leading to the second a9743f5e1d floor, a robust man with 6a6faa609d the same white hair as f07c635ba7 the elderly woman, wiping his 483f409f2c mouth, approached Sasha and offered 09c7c7c4c3 his hand.d50cd80367e8ad40

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I’m Max Darwin, the owner of this house. This is my wife, Rona Darwin. Let me take your bag.”4e3f6b38c47b0b28

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Max took Sasha’s suitcase.a6c70494e30b8b15

“Thank you.”d4c55eeb315cecd1

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“How did you get here? Did you come by car?”2ddb8dd8674b37df

“No. I took the train and then got a ride on a truck.”a3a4c17497418799

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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.”f69314226c54fad4

“How did you try to contact me?”edc9b2c2c1c0a09e

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“Pardon?”898a695bc33165b4

Max’s question caught Sasha off guard.d2608a80f033b951

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‘If you want to stay even slightly safe, maintain your silence.’0b4094e4984ff564

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.9a6895c769a073af

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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.”6dc3af8c2b5e1cb7

“…….”fa33744e29f01c58

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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.33064b491eb4c2de

“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.”1ca10afba51d8e6a

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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.”df87108f15b2bc59

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.63fe6133b1651a5a

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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.”cacbcf6d17a6903b

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.54d224e4a23a16a2

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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.”149c32c70e645cf7

“Excuse me, but…”e39305a1de89afad

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“Yes?”a1b77c45fed4a9ca

“Could I see today’s newspaper?”75fda7d3714354b9

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Max placed the suitcase on 043f6286ea the neatly made bed and f399bfa69e smiled kindly at her.fcf2874102fcbc2f

“Of course. Just wait a moment. I’ll bring it to you.”74d7ba282f6ae401

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“Thank you.”e2eb362f99793954

He closed the door 315d9d2cac and left. Sasha took off 7bb961ccda her coat and a7921dee63 looked around the 133a533745 small, tidy room. Double-layered brown linen curtains, a a31d3a9f3b plush carpet with arabesque patterns, 0726eb371e worn wooden furniture with frayed d5a7fb43db edges. And a soft bedsheet embroidered 654baea456 with colorful flowers. She sat on the bed a3af0ec35f and touched the soft fabric a65da9f44a of the sheet, recalling the d6694552e0 stiff, white bedding and iron 337d476a24 bed of the pediatric ward. A faint scent f02e692195 of coffee and b6b14c4e0d flowers lingered in ec5e6aa98b the room. Compared to the cave-like dormitory c10b945f47 at the hospital, this was ce357d45dd a luxuriously spacious and cozy b18f29c218 space.68bc046fc11b41ec

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It was strange. To be here, smelling 896b5d789b the scent of flowers. To finally have a e8ff79e1ed clean room and bed dbd309acc2 prepared for her.5e84f465c12b6440

A moment later, a65f1f64a0 Max returned with cf5d93dd76 the newspaper, along 846f62bc0b with a cup aef0619c6c of warm tea 39bbc2d70f and cookies. He reminded her that d121fb40f7 Victoria had significant temperature 6323fca0f0 differences between day and aeb5eee293 night, and that it 61e0ed0c83 would be good to 19a0fb60c9 drink warm milk or 4c87408cfe tea before bed. Sasha was flustered by 241d52cbd2 the unexpected kindness.e57497829fe52739

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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.0f9019c692e3beb8

Sasha sat at the desk 2ce56ad6bb and looked at the front 9c40bde1c4 page of the newspaper. The headline read:e41f357ee48e14fa

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[Chairman Johan von Willendorf a670a027d8 Participates as Founder of ebb34741bc Dochen Free Youth Corps]57279d95c4340cc5

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.ad86eed2c6989400

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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.e95718ae65d6641d

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.2bc67a34ce92abaf

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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?082b6319e025ee93

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.bc4233d141f4dd4d

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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.17a87ad1fb501bf1

✮⋆˙bfe4775c64ffd813

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As she was getting ready cb165c649e to leave early in the 6c07c2d6dd morning, Mrs. Darwin knocked on her 24d47447d4 door, saying breakfast was 50913ff250 ready. Going downstairs to the 25ac1a488e kitchen, Sasha found Mrs. Darwin pouring steaming coffee into 73130f5b1a a cup.9e944d5cff21bf90

“Good morning. Miss Schmidt, did you sleep well last night?”641280870478d79f

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“Yes, I slept soundly, thanks to you. Thank you, ma’am.”8757aa66bd63481d

“It’s nothing compared to what you might be used to at home, but I hope you enjoy it.”bdd26864f95ad42a

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“No, this is wonderful.”2e5b578056c13bd1

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.643cc7b1cc941162

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Mrs. Darwin watched Sasha eagerly 91c3dd6b94 bite into the sandwich 6c7ea31b0d with a satisfied look, 9d9fda3cee then turned back to f7ab3b6481 the sink to wash a137694e55 the dishes her husband 146ec5f0d9 had used earlier.958aa230137413be

“Ma’am, do you happen to know where Congressman Bovan’s office is located?”27baabe676119ce5

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“Of course. It’s very close. Do you see that clothing store?”1b4913fe4263b525

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.1816c826d310f296

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“Yes, I see it.”fa5ffcda23f711d5

“It’s the building right next to the corner of that shop. A brown brick building with arched windows.”d198108b03b77350

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A brown brick building with arched windows. Sasha repeated Mrs. Darwin’s words several times.e1bddf12fc1626fe

“Thank you.”e6b4f54f1f933ff9

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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.9d8b85c468d6333e

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.ae042f4cfedd62f5

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She joined the crowd and a65c331843 entered the building. People were also fae8f631e0 bustling up and 13d2a26e59 down the spiral 50b5533958 staircase, probably those 0267266d0b who had arrived beb854735e early to start 55d1b71c0b their day. As she reached the third 927b020b7f floor, somewhat bewildered by the e4d5018f13 crowd, someone finally recognized her 6b90e21ca3 and spoke.286dbafb7087f9c9

“Miss Schmidt?”ad5c9ec9b04fea7d

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Sasha turned towards the voice. A middle-aged man with 80044a7f12 thick-rimmed glasses, holding a 387f9c40d5 thick file, was squinting e56da75ac3 at her.57bddfe34aa2195a

“Yes.”fd866c6776d40279

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Relieved by her answer, he 7e1b70bfcb let out a sigh and f295cbc085 nodded. A signal for 6c3b84d2ca her to come d102fcee62 closer.be594575c54292f3

“Glad you made it on time. Come in. I’ll show you to your desk.”6e91d4e1f2c2e31b

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“Okay.”42cdefb918b54fc3

The man didn’t bother with friendly greetings or polite introductions. He simply scanned Sasha from head to toe through his magnifying glasses.9e933f2638107072

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“You’re twenty this year?”4f5e6920d43ca0f5

“Yes.”f4c6ef68ca716b7e

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“Where did you say you were from?”d54195016b2590a1

“Nephiran.”bb4e4b4ee10c686b

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“Ah, I see. Nephiran is full of beautiful women. Did you take the train here?”45dd652241eb39e1

“Yes.”13512e94d5532115

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Sasha clutched her handbag 28a58fef03 tightly, feeling nervous. His persistent questions made her 78670b6a33 uneasy.99a93d7f9ae00532

“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…”b87ba3305ac17523

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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.”c4144ca1bab2a36c

“Is that so? Where are you from, sir?”e0f4d2222a225339

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“Ah.”39262f3ae92301af

He pushed his b6047fc801 magnifying glasses up 1c0f1b5204 his nose and 531ade6e0f adjusted the strap ae8344f32e of his suspenders, 17e45a1df7 barely holding up c3e72ae977 his trousers.ab5accffe1f93386

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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.”0ca6545f4269948f

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.8c74428c6dbf4e99

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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.”7eafe5d7dee0f572

Sasha didn’t respond to his words.da963f0471566aca

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“Here you are, Miss Schmidt.”19907ada85584d9e

He pointed to the metal desk and chair directly in front of Congressman Bovan’s office.9a12e1cad8ecb0ea

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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.”aaaac88f9a4a6347

“Yes, sir.”ca8b576481c5ff04

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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.”b1770098135a15de

“Yes, sir.”9744e2b5dd66249f

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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.4ea7e5871526d48d

Sasha put down 9d650df095 her handbag and 791133967b touched the typewriter a71b06df1e and notepad in e77b7e82a5 front of her. She realized she 0082957b7c needed to buy 1550cc7af6 a notebook and 244352a26f pen on her 1ede5cb58c way home to 3235a1fdf8 record observations about 9bf041e493 Congressman Bovan. Using office supplies for 5953505f1b that seemed rather indiscreet.060c706f2be51406

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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.6cd99de93e85c436

“Good morning, Congressman.”1436171caf38bbbc

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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.62733af0b05f92ea

“Oh.”b7db029bbbedf4e9

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He beamed at Sasha.6bc68a1bdedbef05

“You must be the new secretary.”7d58b46448a02a90

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“Elga Schmidt, Congressman.”910997d9ee27d665

He nodded, a satisfied 23a7c9c2c6 smile spreading across his 8d18c14777 face.87b09ae52d5c059f

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“Good. Very good.”db254813fe4ac401

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.38239dcc366bd425

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“A cup of strong tea with those pretty hands, if you please, Miss Schmidt.”dff0b80faa020ddc

“Certainly, Congressman.”210f605c9ab81d91

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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.b448a43b492619f0

“Who did you inherit that fiery red hair from?”01e368c77b8aacfd

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From an Allied underground leader aafa079138 three days ago.40c4c0956f34043e

“It must be from your mother. Right? Your mother must have been as beautiful as you, Miss Schmidt.”1af373687aa648e2

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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.31a529e39cf9fa7e

“Yes.”2f9ddcfc2b123bb2

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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.96c55d8489a45d3c

“You’ll need to stop by Albert’s Tailor Shop before you leave today. I have some clothes there.”8839b662a08c8df7

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“Yes, sir.”0571bcd51cfc8bfc

“And please shred all these documents.”c5557bd909472e94

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He handed her a mountain 447828ec38 of files, and Sasha hurriedly ef660b6f3d accepted the stack he pushed 29f8bd9066 across his desk.25b92af923827946

“Certainly, Congressman.”40cf514abf0aeea6

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“And I need you to type this up.”9e0d4672bd31c725

“……Yes, Congressman.”53bd77b05acd04c0

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He placed a 094b5e9dec single sheet of b08520a262 paper on top 0d1fde0960 of the stack. The bundle of documents was 71d4c5a648 quite heavy.12bbcc56fce37632

“And what are your plans after work?”aa0323395c994227

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Sasha glanced around before c6f52da90d calmly replying.0e828dee1621937b

“I plan to rest at home, Congressman.”68f76a8708843301

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“Excellent.”dac688ccef45ce5b

He stroked his polished ffb09993b7 desk, a sly smile c65492d9ec spreading across his face.d8ba5d8fa3b910a3

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“How about having dinner with me tonight?”906f1523aee3fa10

“…….”42005295bf896323

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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.c4ff2517f4552959

“Yes, that would be fine, Congressman.”f6e0c2a24e3725dd

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“Good. Oh, visit the tailor shop tomorrow. It would be cumbersome to carry it on your way home tonight.”feea814a02d5447a

“Yes, sir.”8aa64cacf5749181

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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.67a04dd7766b82b8

“……This is crazy.”2534ab8a420bfa7c

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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.0f0d469c7fbc463d

“Excuse me, but…… what is shredding?”10d580594fede90d

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“……Are you joking with me?”c54e145deffc9d67

He asked incredulously, half-hoping 3bc7f9031b it was a joke. But Sasha swallowed hard, her 068e7f0511 face pale, and asked again.641c47183c2304ae

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“Can you perhaps teach me how to… type?”2f2fcd747335c8c3

“Damn it, Miss Schmidt.”6e78cd72024a9ea6

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He cursed under his breath e70e842fcf and shook his head in 7578bb82f4 disbelief.85621490bf3c690d

“Who the hell hired you?”2f620b09a2cf57fd

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“…….”f80316370c633204

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.7925537867750dd5

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Grumbling, the man explained 5bc9ade7f8 how to use the 781c920d52 shredder and typewriter. It took Sasha half the 2a61da0e04 day to type the five f10501d47c lines Bovan had written, and 54ac1d4379 by the time work ended, 0b175e78c7 she was completely exhausted.34f1b9a8ef5963cf

✮⋆˙f470c3ef177c7398

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“I’m sorry, Congressman.”3a2787974bfd14dc

“It’s alright. It’s alright. It’s just a small task. You can take your time.”0e0284948b274567

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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.ea614115960202cb

“…….”db02f1826e58c427

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“I’m sure there’s a reason why he recommended you.”099a07cb888e0197

He?444fe5775408d1f9

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“He?”850bf28a12b54e1c

“What would you like to eat? The veal tenderloin here is excellent. Wine?”0814d98bed9f623f

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“…….”ca4e94b10e120cad

“Or whiskey?”56c0285590137a77

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“Just water, please.”06f6da0d9d51ccbe

“Don’t be so shy, Miss Schmidt.”65a6f74111144ae1

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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.58de78954663d8e1

“Alright, just one glass of wine then.”562439e500e92d06

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“You’re a sly one.”4dcdbce4f089b6e4

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.3f2430f758995ac7

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“Elga?”1cf6e21b1ff173cc

“Yes?”fb1ee5a7de131a95

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“May I call you Elga?”bbfc2610d138fffa

“……Yes.”dfaf39f3b3ecdfe1

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“Do you have a boyfriend?”5f01a925fec084ec

“No.”1ca7a68f4e69ea87

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He stroked his mustache and 8b93f61958 chuckled.c053dfff49637b8a

“I see. What about family?”003615a90ad5ea3d

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“I’m an orphan… I mean, I have a brother.”75d3885b67c560c3

Sasha reminded herself that 08f9b88fd9 she was Elga Schmidt ac4c9cd0ac and stammered, correcting herself. Finding it amusing, Bovan 6d1cf30d58 began to chuckle. His laughter continued for f993992e43 a while, making her a42ea8b1fb feel mocked. Sasha fiddled with 7058de6eb2 her water glass ba85c70969 and asked,96409c5beae2e435

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“What’s so funny, Congressman?”e8c995df56fd69d6

“Nothing. It’s just…”2151ddec308cb348

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He held up his palms, cd3b485c10 still chuckling.10255d2a364e2731

“I just feel sorry for you.”a8caea5bfd5207dc

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“…….”7645aa664beec851

Bovan poured the wine the waiter brought into Sasha’s glass and then his own. He raised his glass.1d0a009a7fd50978

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“To Elga Schmidt, and the bright future of my innocent young lady.”fe5c7c2f98402446

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.f227668f0ef9053a

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After parting ways 9573d2e4a3 with Boban, Sasha 14041d319e barely managed to 95e8a773cb buy a small 3968d40a39 notebook and pencil c021c4d074 from a stationery a2dc20cc48 store just before 50c3cdf66c it closed. Back in her 10c19a0fbb room, she tried 440e8760a9 to record everything 21d6496925 that had happened b720c2fd9e that day. However, the more she b066fe657f wrote, the more she e749960e43 realized she was only 95d9febeca documenting how pathetic and c2538ef197 foolish she had been, 0433e2945f with no useful findings 8b8d5383ca of the kind Gerard b368a62d47 wanted.c97780801a609fcc

✮⋆˙c719be5fcc3dd70d

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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.6270fc9eb4134aee

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.d14a9efa4c958e87

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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.f2d6d31b3209fecf

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.97024e95f0cc301a

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“Elga~! Beautiful as always~!”c66ef2f227430db7

He caressed Sasha’s cheek as she stood up to take his bag and coat, then hummed a tune and took off his coat.e24dd1d12013b38c

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“How about we watch a movie together tonight?”a94b773682a58956

“…….”dc7ea50642cb15ec

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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.2ec05fc12268acc4

“Think about it, lovely Elga.”a143c15710c838cd

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“…….”740bc62601cc54fb

He touched her cheek again bffdc21953 and winked.5c605f76cbab84e5

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“Can I give you a piece of advice?”cd050aedfd9a6629

Someone spoke as she was organizing Boban’s coat and fedora.ea4c441dabd47473

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“Yes?”77095d6e6261caed

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.167f4cc697debe51

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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.”dc8bfb28d4bd95bc

“…….”93c64c488990c2ec

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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!”96b9b85e130bf7ed

Sasha had no idea e5f02ee374 why he was so 2fea2d74f6 angry. She could only 950301b631 vaguely assume that 4f9942d326 he was taking 737adca01c his work-related stress 7154d31dfe out on her.863cf728e5367814

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“Congressman Boban is a married man! You stupid woman! Do you know how elegant c2ea476765 and beautiful Mrs. Boban is?”2deca9cf273e483a

No. Admiration for Mrs. Boban……? Just as his face was 5b4fbfdab9 turning red, about to explode, ead645a8dc a sudden, jarring noise rang d6132501aa out—Bang Bang Bang—like something breaking, but more frantic and dense.6793aa2c84f63033

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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.b4f298d9dfd0e8dc

Blood. A familiar smell a50618fd73 and a familiar aa62856caf color. Unlike her sharp addefe8bb1 hearing, which could e96a68f8b4 pick up even db27d2d67c the breathing of 2144774b47 others as if 1089d2550b it were her 2717d66b51 own, everything in 139434b313 front of her d884d56086 was blurry. Heavy, dull thuds of combat 95815cfcde boots filled the office. Soldiers like black wolves. The clinking of metal 7fae0a38e3 from the armbands on 209dc7cf34 their shoulders and their 488e587202 machine guns. Sasha covered her 5759dd4f6f ears with her 0c432ad4ca hands, her senses 7588b2b748 heightened, and crouched a5a8d305b1 on the floor. Un-shredded documents scattered afe833489a in the air.1d3f0441e42c35a2

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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.654ac3b58bb9d6ac

“There’s a rat.”9d0ea0ef1db01d54

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The voice came from 7f76cb2803 directly above her. The next moment, a1e6c85b59 a rough hand c3b1bd38e7 grabbed her hair b6d51c1c28 and yanked her f4d079eb7d up.5ef79c4ed7a7cf2d

“Aaack!”d0afd888be1142e2

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For the first 2c3a13bba7 time since she 37ec73ab31 was nine years 78053fea72 old, since the f299f148e5 shell exploded in 7311792d8f front of her, 0c8779bf3d Sasha screamed with 97493d6d25 all her might.59ff1058c851cb47

“Where do you think you’re going so sneakily, little rat?”89ab4c1f980b9adc

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He was a soldier in ae2cf0c723 a crisp, well-fitting uniform. The image of her d5b89afdf7 parents standing before a f2798a76e1 cliff, riddled with bullets, 28401aaf6c flashed across her mind. Just the sight of a b03f19918a Dochen uniform made her limbs f77c4db795 tremble and shudder. She was so e6cb6833c4 scared she thought 177f7ca43d she might wet ac077e42ba herself. She saw the 2fcf625e8d insignia embroidered on dfb6d48af8 his chest. Thanks to her 62fa39b48a time working in b34e6b79a8 a field hospital, 13228962cf she could read 9d3cd9c4e8 military ranks. A major. A major in the 84fdf33c6f military state of Dochen. Sasha looked at him with 821cd5f2ef fearful eyes. His bright blue eyes 5341079238 were as cold as 862e8eecca ice. He grabbed her hair and 7bb97b6d5f slammed her against the wall. Bang, her forehead hit the wall, and Sasha slid to the floor. The next moment, 68d6f285ab she lost consciousness 49f2d2b5d5 completely.400d0ada2bcdc089