Suddenly, Glenn seemed to sense something and turned toward the entrance of the police station.

  The officer who had gone to deliver the message came running back, drenched in sweat and visibly flustered. “Mr. Glenn, the chief asked me to bring you over.”

  Glenn rose from his seat, his tone faintly odd. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine—let’s hurry.” The officer’s impatience betrayed him.

  This didn’t look like “fine” at all. If Douglas hadn’t come himself but had sent for him instead, something was wrong. Glenn asked no further questions and gestured for the officer to lead the way.

  As the path grew increasingly familiar, Glenn already had a suspicion about what awaited him.

  Sure enough, they arrived at the very place where he had slain the giant insect.

  Chief Douglas stood beside the creature’s grotesque corpse, accompanied by a stranger not dressed in the black uniform of the police.

  “Captain, the man has been brought,” the officer reported loudly.

  Douglas and the stranger both turned. Their expressions were markedly different—Douglas appeared tense, while the other man regarded Glenn with a faint, assessing smile.

  Even without Douglas’s introduction, Glenn instantly knew this stranger must be the one sent from above. Everything about his attire spoke of rank and authority, and the dangerous aura he exuded made it even more certain.

  As Glenn approached, Harmoin’s eyes grew sharp, almost predatory.

  “Officer, what are you doing here? And what is that thing—it’s terrifying…” Glenn said, covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve, his voice trembling just enough to sound genuine.

  Douglas blinked in surprise, then relaxed slightly. Behind him, Harmoin’s clasped hand tightened.

  The same thought flickered through both their minds: What a performance.

  “Mr. Glenn,” Douglas said, gesturing toward Harmoin, “this is the Chief Commander of the Special Enforcement Unit from the Capital. You’d better greet him properly.”

  Glenn’s neck shrank slightly, and he stammered, “C-Chief Commander, sir—hello. My name’s Glenn.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Harmoin replied, deliberately softening his aura into a kind smile. “No need to be nervous—I’m not as frightening as you think.”

  “How could I not be nervous? I’ve never met someone of your rank before…” Glenn smiled sheepishly, looking harmless and sincere.

  “Is that so?” Harmoin’s tone remained light. Then, as if casually chatting, he asked, “You seem quite familiar with Chief Douglas. What brings you to him today?”

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  “Oh, nothing serious. I just hired some new workers and wanted to ask if there are any labor laws I should know about. You know how troublesome it is when employees don’t listen.”

  The answer flowed naturally.

  “I see.” Harmoin inhaled slowly, hiding the frustration rising in his chest. You can’t fool me forever, he thought grimly.

  “You don’t seem very afraid of this creature,” Harmoin continued, gesturing toward the reeking carcass behind him. “Had you already known of its existence?”

  Douglas’s heart tightened. Please, don’t slip up…

  Glenn glanced at the bloated corpse and said, as if it were obvious, “Didn’t you already kill it? I heard you’re the experts in handling such things. With you here, there’s no reason for me to be afraid.”

  Perfectly reasonable again. The sheer composure of it made Harmoin’s pulse quicken.

  He hadn’t felt this challenged in years.

  He prided himself on his ability to read people—the flicker of an eye, the twitch of a lip, the subtlest motion could betray the truth. Even the most skilled actors eventually cracked under his scrutiny.

  But not this one.

  “Your answers are logical,” Harmoin said suddenly, his tone now cold and certain. “But you can stop pretending. I’ve already seen through you.”

  Douglas’s heart jumped; for a moment, even he believed it—believed Glenn’s mask had slipped.

  “Pretending? Pretending what, sir?” Glenn asked, looking around with wide, vacant eyes.

  Truly troublesome… Harmoin’s eyelid twitched, but he held his ground. “When Chief Douglas heard you were here, he looked alarmed. That doesn’t match your excuse about consulting legal matters. Considering what we were discussing before you arrived, I have reason to believe you’re involved.”

  “What?” Glenn pointed to himself, feigning disbelief. “You mean I’m connected to that thing? No, no, that’s impossible! How could a normal man like me have anything to do with that monster? You must be mistaken!”

  Trying to bait me? Not good enough, Glenn thought behind his act.

  “Still pretending?” Harmoin took a step forward, towering over him. “I advise you to speak honestly, or the consequences will be severe.”

  “I really don’t know what you’re talking about!” Glenn fell backward, sitting helplessly on the ground as if crushed by the man’s presence.

  They locked eyes in silence. To Harmoin, Glenn’s innocent expression had turned into mockery.

  Because they both knew. Harmoin was certain Glenn was involved. And Glenn knew that Harmoin knew. But without evidence, Harmoin could do nothing.

  Failure.

  Harmoin closed his eyes.

  Douglas quickly stepped forward, helping Glenn up. “The Chief Commander is joking with you. Don’t take it seriously,” he said, giving Glenn a discreet thumbs-up.

  Harmoin turned away from them, his back stiff with thought.

  After a long silence, he spoke again. “Mr. Glenn, you live in Bayek, correct?”

  Glenn hesitated briefly before replying, “Yes, sir.”

  There was nothing to hide; anyone could find that out easily.

  He came earlier than I thought. He’s already done his homework, Douglas realized instantly.

  “Bayek is a fine place,” Harmoin murmured with a faint nod. “Let me tell you a law—an unwritten one, not recorded in the kingdom’s statutes, but known among the higher ranks.”

  Both Glenn and Douglas looked at him in confusion.

  Harmoin turned back toward them, his mild smile returning. “In Bayek, murder committed by a resident… is not considered a crime.”

  Both men froze, stunned.

  Why tell me this? What’s his aim? Glenn’s mind raced. ‘Murder in Bayek is not a crime’—that sounds like saying ‘a madman isn’t guilty for killing,’ doesn’t it? Is that what he means?

  Douglas, meanwhile, was simply baffled. What kind of law is that? Bayek just keeps getting stranger…

  Ignoring their bewildered faces, Harmoin clasped one hand behind his back and walked past them with quiet grace. “My men will arrive in a few days to transport the carcass. Please arrange accommodations for me, Chief Douglas. Thank you.”

  It took Douglas a moment to regain his wits. Tugging at the still-pensive Glenn, he muttered, “Come on. Big shots like him love to toy with people like us. Whatever he said was probably meant to mess with our heads. Best not to dwell on it.”

  Glenn nodded, and together they walked away.