[TIDK] 146 – Joseph Palix

The biggest ‘pillar of trust’ for the people of Salantier was the Navy and Viktor Dumfelt. Even if Vestina succeeded in creating an aircraft, the war must eventually push through the territory and occupy the land.

The Salantiers believed Viktor Dumfelt’s fleet would prevent the invasion of Vestina from the south. And that it would end in Salantier’s victory.

But if Viktor Dumfelt ever moved on to Vestina…

As Scarlett stood there with the extra in her hands, frozen, other people on 7th Avenue began to run up to Scarlett. 

“Miss Scarlett, how is this…what happened?”

“Did you see any sign from the captain? I don’t know what’s going on…” 

Scarlett replied, puzzled. “I don’t know because we’re divorced. I’ll go find out.” 

“But you must know more than us!”

Scarlett was surrounded by people panicking due to their fear of war and felt embarrassed.

At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the watch store. A middle-aged man rushed out of the carriage without buttoning his jacket up and briskly walked over to Scarlett. Only when he came to a stop before her did he realise that citizens were surrounding the watch store. He looked around, dumbfounded.

“Oh? Aren’t you that congressman?” 

“That’s right, it’s him! It’s Joseph Palix!”

He was Joseph Palix, a congressman who frequently appeared in newspapers. When a celebrity appeared in their midst, the people surrounding them, initially apprehensive, became curious.

Joseph was embarrassed and hurried to talk to Scarlett. 

“Do you mind if I come in? I’m in a hurry.”

“Oh, yes. Come on in.”

Scarlett and Joseph entered the shop together. Joseph closed the door behind them in a hurry. He seemed very distracted.

However, he stopped floundering about and froze as soon as his eyes met Andrei’s, who was working in the shop.

“S-Sir Hylum?”

“Oh. Mr Joseph, it’s been a long time.”

As Joseph suddenly became quiet and contemplative, Scarlett frowned slightly and confronted Andrei.

“Why are you so surprised to see him?”

“Oh, it’s just that I’ve seen him at the main office.”

“…Is that a bad thing?”

“The Royal Police keep congressmen in check. But that doesn’t mean he did anything bad.”

Unlike senators, who were successors from prestigious families, the congressmen in the House of Commons were elected by citizens. Anyone in power was wary of the lower House. Because they were voted in on grounds of popularity, they posed a threat to the system.*

*tl: with enough backing from the public, an MP can unofficially veto and influence the structure of the parliamentary system

Although Andrei said that Joseph didn’t do anything wrong, Joseph was sweating because of some bad memories with Andrei. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his sweat with it.

“It’s been a long time since I departed the Royal Police, so there is no need to be so nervous.”

“No, Lord Hylum, why the hell are you here?” 

“I got a job. Didn’t you know?”

“…you changed jobs from the Royal Police to this small store?”

Scarlett knitted her eyebrows. She disliked the way he was talking about her shop. 

“Wait, why are you calling my store small? This is a two-story building.”

At that, Andrei retorted. 

“It’s small, and the monthly rent isn’t much.” 

“It’s my store, anyway.”

“I hope the boss works harder. I want to go to a bigger store.”

Joseph couldn’t believe the lunatic Hylum Pitt was working normally in this small store. It was even more shocking that Scarlett Crimson knew about his past.

The Royal Police was in possession of the weaknesses of most congressmen. And Hylum Pitt, whose own career was stagnant over the years, was the main person involved in digging them up. He had information on their weakness, among them, Joseph. 

“You can count on it, boss. Mr Joseph is a good man that I’ve recognised.” 

“You don’t have to explain.”

Scarlett cut him off. In response, Andrei simply shrugged. Joseph couldn’t believe that this was the same person as that dreadful Hylum Pitt.

Scarlett and Joseph sat down at the table together, and Andrei left the store to buy refreshments from Liv.

After Andrei left, Joseph sighed and finally brought up the main topic. 

“You’ve seen the extra, haven’t you?”

“I saw it.”

Joseph continued, cautious.

“I understand that the information about Viktor Dumfelt being close to Basili Lindberg came from Miss Scarlett’s mouth during the Royal Police interrogation process.”

“...Is that so?”

“Are the two very close?”

Anxiety crept into Joseph’s voice.

Scarlett shut her mouth, and it seemed like she wouldn’t open it again easily. Joseph tried to persuade her, earnest.

“It’s a really important issue.”

“Please let me know if you have any specific questions. I’ll relay them to Viktor myself.”

“Well, are you sure?” 

“Yes.”

Scarlett nodded. Joseph, who seemed to be somewhat out of his mind before, finally calmed down.