Chapter 7 - Teran (II) A Wolf Who Loves A Sheep
"No, this is not acceptable."
Hyunkel rejects the request directly.
"I know it's unplanned. But once successful it will be an essential turning point for the fate of our country. No one can carry the plan better than Marm."
"You are talking about getting Marm on court, Menru. You know for the police to put a suspect on court the situation has to be pushed much further. You never know what risk will be involved or if Marm can get hurt."
"Menru doesn't mean to put Marm in danger, don't put it that way." Pop speaks up and embraces his wife.
"The plan can put Marm in danger."
"Marm is a wolf herself." Menru says.
"Yes, she is a wolf." Hyunkel nods. Yet he doesn't share a long moment of agreeing with Menru. He is still standing strong against her idea. "But when you ask her to do something tricky she is just a sheep."
"Can you give me a chance to talk more about my plan, and after that if you still think it's too risky, we will forget about it." Menru is not giving up.
"I'm sorry, but not now. We need to go to the police headquarter and get Marm out of there first."
...
The interview room was painted white most probably a long time ago. It's a tiny and dull place with florescent lighting. The temperature is uncomfortably high, especially when this interrogation is conducted by four police officers.
The gems watch and crossbody bag are no longer with Marm. They were taken for a separate investigation.
Marm starts being more cautious when answering the questions. Because she notes Menru was the only person who had a chance to take her wallet and IC card from the bag. Menruru will not do that for no reason.
Asked me to become less of myself and hide my IC away. What were her intentions?
Marm has not figured it out, she only knows she needs to be careful about "being herself".
The interrogation has been going on for an hour and the questions are quite similar to each other.
"What is your purpose to enter Teran?"
"To do volunteer work."
"What is your purpose to enter Mallacan?"
"To do volunteer work at the infirmary."
"Do you obtain any entrance permission?"
"No information about such request is communicated, by all means."
"Are you involved in any governmental work of any countries, including Teran?"
Marm decides to not answer the question.
"Are there any members of your family involved in any governmental work of any countries, including Teran?"
"I'm not answering this question."
"Do you have any friends, or accquaintants involved in any governmental work of any countries, including Teran?"
"Not answering."
"What is your address in Teran?"
"I have already declared in the embarkation card. I can't remember the address now."
"According to the information you provided, your flight number is MA101, such number doesn't exist. Why are you lying?"
"It's our private jet."
"Private... what? What is that? Don't talk nonsense, lady."
"Why don't you check with the airport? How long are you going to keep me here?"
"As long as we want."
"..."
"Why are you lying?" The policeman continues the interrogation impatiently.
"I'm not."
"It's another lie."
"Tell me, what rule have I violated?" Marm asks.
"Many rules are not disclosed to public."
Marm bangs the desk out of anger and all inspectors in front of her are shocked. The wooden desk is broken into two pieces
"Ohh... sorry." Marm is embarrassed and gets back to her chair.
Is this a real reason why Menru asks me to become less of myself. Oops...
"Sign on this." The policeman hands a piece of paper to her. At the first glance, all she sees is Teran language.
"I don't understand what's written here."
"Are you signing or not?" Another policewoman is holding a long metal stick and walking to her.
"Will you hit me if I don't?" Marm is shocked to see how thick the stick is.
There is no answer, but the long stick is already aimed on Marm directly.
She dodges it.
And the policewoman tries hitting her again, Marm manages to dodge again.
No matter how many times the policewoman attempts to hit her, Marm dodges all.
And they call for two more officers to help stopping Marm.
However, they are not in Marm's level of speed and agility. Nobody can lay a finger on her. Dodging looks like a piece of cake for Marm thanks to her dynamic movements and fast reactions. While the whole police team are tired of the "game", Marm are still full of energy.
"Off!" The team leader gives up in the end. "Lock her in and wait for the captain's order."
...
Marm can't tell exactly how long has she been in this room. Most probably two, or three hours have passed.
Looking at gorgeous sunshines coming through a broken ventilator on the wall, Marm guesses it's now the mid afternoon.
Heat is everywhere in this tiny dull room, Marm is walking around with her hair tied up, getting irritated by how bad the air ventilation is.
Even the prison cells of Immortal Force's Underground Castle were better. Marm recalls and smiles.
Yet her smile is turned off when the reality comes back to her mind: Hyunkel has not looked for her until now.
Is he too busy at work so Menru and Pop can't find him?
Hate him.
Is Menru captured, too? So Hyunkel and Pop are not aware of what's going on?
Be more patient.
Based on Marm's own evaluation, she can't escape from this place easily. Two biggest concerns are dragging her back: a possibility that she has indeed violated the rule, and her emerald watch that is kept by the police force. Her identity can be traced from that watch. It is one unique item on the market, being identified as an ultra-luxury item by Audemars Piguet from Papunika jewel house.
So Marm has decided, when she steps out of this police station, she will step out rightfully and as someone who is innocent of all charges. She believes her husband and friends are working on this, or will work on this soon.
...
The Central Police Headquarter of Teran, about ten kilometres away from Pop's house, located right in the city center, is an old yet massive building. It's a complex infrastructure that contents offices, training centers, outdoor sport yards and a small-scale prison.
Regardless of how conservative the country is, Hyunkel sees more female officers working in Teran's police forces than any in other places.
The policewoman finishes rechecking the record booklet and looks up at Hyunkel.
"There is no foreigner with Romos nationality being captured this morning." Her voice is clear and she looks like a person who works very properly. All can be seen from her good manners.
"Is it possible that the record has not been updated?"
"Perhaps." She gives him an understanding look. "We update the record twice a day: at time of the arrest and at the end of every day. Most likely due to level of case's seriousness, data of your wife may only be transmitted later."
"Are foreigners, Romos nationality to be specific, prohibited to enter Mallacan district?" He asks.
"No."
The answer is not surprising.
"I'd like to meet the captain of State Police. He arrested my wife due to this false reason."
"Eh..." The policewoman finds it difficult to resist Hyunkel. "Please take a seat first."
Gosh, that stupid man is doing another nonsense thing again...
She is thinking about the captain.
"I talked to the General about Marm's incident. He will have somebody work on it now." Pop comes back to the building, telling Hyunkel and his wife.
Menruru is stunned, can't believe what she has just heard. "Oh you do?" Her voice is bitter.
"Police force is a division of Teran's army. The General is the best person to help."
"On the contrary, darling, he is the worst person! He is an ultimate leader of the police force, where do you think the state police captain gets an idea of arresting people unreasonably from?" Menru is whispering to ensure nobody can hear this conversation except Pop and Hyunkel.
Although Menru's voice is soft, you can tell she is very angry by looking at the way she eyes on Pop. "Yes, they may release her knowing she is your friend as per the General's order. But what if they find out more and realise that she is Marm of Romos?"
"Damn it..." Pop is freaked. "I didn't realise this. If they know how precious Marm is to Romos, they are likely to keep her as an important hostage."
"What did you talk to the General?" Hyunkel asks.
"I said my friend from Romos is captured by the police force. He didn't request any more information and his people will contact me soon to ask for Marm's details. I will provide the false info then."
"Anyway, I'm keeping Marm's IC card." Menru remains talking in a soft voice.
"Menru!" Pop and Hyunkel look at her.
"I took it so they won't be able to find out whom she is. I didn't have any chance to talk to Marm when she was arrested, but I reminded her to become less of herself and I guess she will understand, even partially. If Marm is to reveal who she is, it's when she is in a high court telling the ugly truth of Teran's army." The doe-eye beauty insists.
"I can't listen to that plan on behalf of Marm. We will discuss later when Marm is set free."
"But if Marm is set free, there is no chance to..."
Hyunkel is not listening. His concentration is on the clock held on wall, Marm has been arrested for almost three hours. She is definitely inside this building and he is not leaving this place without her.
"Mr Hyunkel, follow me. And only you, please." The counter officer calls him.
"Pop, Menru, you go home now. I will get Marm out." Hyunkel says.
"What? How? Are you intending to fight with them? All of them? Are you insane?"
Pop questions while Menru cannot make any more comments. She is leaning on Pop to stand properly.
"I don't know. I will watch the situation closely and decide. If there is no record about the arrest and they don't have Marm's IC, they can't report or investigate on Marm's disappearance. The sooner to have Marm escaped, the better. Because I have a feeling this arrest is not official and is to serve some unknown purpose."
"Ok then..." Pop nods, he also looks at his wife.
"Sorry I'm not supporting your plan." Hyunkel tells Menruru before leaving.
"Please don't feel sorry. At least I have done my best to convince you."
...
Lieutenant Kim is a middle aged man, taller than the average, having a muscular body and a pair of sharp eyes, he has a typical look of somebody working in army's top position.
He has been serving Teran's armed force for fifteen years and has just taken an additional new position at the State Police Force.
Unlike remaining countries, Teran has been in peace for most of the time, making his job one of the best opportunities to enjoy power and wealth without having to pay any efforts.
Problems began when the former King of Teran changed his points of view after being amused by the victory gained by hero Dai and friends against the demon world.
At that time, His Late Majesty made a first move in joining the World's Summit Conference with other kingdoms' leaders, accepting cooperations with other kingdoms through a worldwide project in logistic development. Teran airport is one result of the project, connecting many more foreigners to this mysterious country.
Since then, more businesses were set up in Teran by both locals and foreigners, people who left Teran a long time ago came back to their home country, a new system of education was introduced to nurture the new generation, these changes brought in hopes and Teran became alive again.
But all these changes made it no longer easy for exploitations of labours and natural resources. Similarly, access to monopoly power becomes difficult, power is no longer centralised in the party who controls the army. If they don't stop the King, the world they know will never come back and they can no longer enjoy the same old benefits.
Good lucks switched back to their side when His Late Majesty passed away two years ago. Without the same determination and leadership, Teran has been driven back to its past and Lieutenant Kim regained his privilege.
"I'm lieutenant Kim, how may I assist you?" He greets Hyunkel in his office with a strong handshake and a huge smile. "Tea or coffee?"
He would not meet Hyunkel if he doesn't need an urgent proof to the media about a friendly image of Teran's police force.
"No, I'm fine."
The two men are sitting opposite to each other. With an immediate envy on Hyunkel's outlook, Kim finds it more satisfying to capture the beautiful girlfriend of this man.
He will never find out that she will be used as a sex slave for me. And he will never meet her again.
"At eleven o'clock in Mallacan district this morning, a team of State Police under your leadership stopped a carriage and arrest a foreign woman holding Romos nationality to this headquarter." Hyunkel places Marm's photo on the desk. "It's her I'm talking about. She is my wife. I request to bail her out."
The lieutenant takes a look at the photo.
Can't believe she is married. But experienced women are even better. She is certainly beautiful in both photos and in person. Can't wait.
"This must be a misunderstanding. We never arrest this woman." The photo is returned to Hyunkel.
"Do you confirm?"
After saying Yes, he hears a noise of something being cracked.
It's one of a few trophies he displays on the desk being broken by Hyunkel's bare hand. The trophy is made of real bronze. How on earth...? He looks at it again. The tropy is only a mess of metal pieces now.
"You..." He is terrified and furious.
"I request to meet my wife now." Hyunkel grabs the man angrily. Just like his intuition, these people will never admit that they have arrested Marm so it's no use talking to them.
"Let go of my hand!" The lieutenant is screaming in pains, he has never encountered such a terrible strength. It must be... magic. Yes, this must be... a manipulation of magic, in fact my hand are still fine.
And he finds himself being thrown down on the floor by a huge power, his backbone may have gone by now, again, the manipulation of magic. The man named Hyunkel is not likely to stop. Lieutenant Kim gets a full punch on his face, his vision becomes blur now he can't listen well, his nose and mouth are bleeding, there are unbearable pains across the body.
But this is just magic, he still believes. It is impossible that an ultimate lieutenant like him being beaten this badly.
"Witch..." Kim tries his best to speak and grin, "No doubt you love such a gorgeous like her, but tonight, she is all mine."
Perhaps lieutenant Kim still has some luck left on him. Hyunkel can't hear what he says.
In fact, Hyunkel is already reluctant to keep beating this stupid man who is looking very bad now.
And the lieutenant becomes unconscious straight away.
Looking at Mr Kim lying on the floor, Hyunkel thinks Menru may like the idea he has just formed in mind.
End Chapter 7.