OR1-EP1: Rainbow Nation (9)

Due to the widespread discrimination of origin in Africa, those who wish to become upper-class people will choose to send their children to Europe for education or allow their offspring to stay in Europe. In this way, their descendants will never have to continue to be oppressed in Africa. A small number of people returned to Africa with a variety of purposes and continued to work hard. Some were to maintain the wealth of their families since ancient times, while others were aware of the fact that the competition in Europe was fiercer. Like those of similar origin, Adalbert Herzog was sent to Europe to study by his father Jacob Herzog as a child. A few years later, the old Herzog himself returned to Europe to take up politics. That period was a few years when Herzog really gained fame. With his own abilities and various methods, he flourished in Europe and once became a governor. At that time, many people believed that he would go further to run for the consul as a symbol of EU's highest power. But, as if all the luck God lent him was used up, Herzog's situation took a sharp turn after that. He was attacked and vilified by his opponents, and eventually returned to Africa in despair and became the governor-general of South Africa. At this time, his status not only cannot help Adalbert who stayed in Europe, but can also allow Adalbert to take additional risks for him. So, on the proposal of Governor Herzog, Adalbert Herzog returned to Africa a few years later.

Pursuing Adalbert Herzog's service record, McNeil came to his unit to investigate. By consulting Colonel Duttmann in advance, McNeil was approved to get in touch with the soldiers or officers who had daily contact with Adalbert Herzog. In these evaluations, McNeil heard almost indistinguishable answers: Although the major looks fierce, he is usually kind to people, and definitely not like a desperado who can commit murder. Half of the respect the soldiers have for him stems from Adalbert's own style. Of course, he could lie in the back and give orders like everyone else, but he chose to serve in the most dangerous frontline troops. This behavior itself is a rare dedication. After seeing the majestic bureaucrats, soldiers, both native and immigrant descendants, miss the commanders who are willing to share the joys and sorrows of the soldiers.

McNeil listened patiently to these people's narrations while reminding himself not to be deceived by appearances. Some criminals who made big mistakes often show symptoms similar to schizophrenia. Higher professional ability and moral quality can coexist with inner darkness. They choose to show different faces to different groups in order to maintain their own Multi-faceted life. McNeil believes that no one can completely hide their secrets. They will always entrust the secrets to someone who is truly trustworthy. In this inference, he assumes that all the performance of Adalbert Herzog is a disguise. Preset a goal to find out his true style, and then look for other evidence for follow-up investigation. Maybe there will be no follow-up investigation. When the ten-day period is over, he should go back and participate in military operations against the indigenous people with others.

He found Lieutenant Heinz Meyer, Adalbert Herzog's adjutant, and wanted to inquire about the details of Adalbert's life.

"He is a pessimist. We don't even know where his almost desperate mood comes from." Lieutenant Meyer met McNeil on the training ground. "I was transferred to him as a deputy last year. At that time, he would say to us all day long, 'You have to demand yourself with the standard of being able to fight a world war at any time'. He also wrote a manual for evacuation under conditions of total war, you can read it."

Lieutenant Meyer took out the booklet from his pocket, and McNeil took it and read it carefully. It can be seen that Adalbert has spent a lot of thought on this manual, and he really hopes that those who get the manual will have the ability to save lives in a high-intensity war environment. In addition to basic survival skills and combat skills, Adalbert Herzog also recommends that readers always keep a certain amount of surplus money and living supplies, so as not to become hungry by the roadside.

McNeil closed the manual and continued to ask: "You said he is a pessimist. Apart from this manual, what other unusual actions did he have?"

"I have reported these things to the previous group of people who came to investigate, but I don't mind saying it again." Lieutenant Meyer took off his military cap and looked at the scorching sun above his head. He dragged McNeil listlessly and sat in the shade of a tree by the side of the road. "He always suspected that someone was going to murder him. He would always put his pistol under the pillow while sleeping."

"Who is it?" McNeil asked, "Since he told you that, did he say who was going to murder him?"

"I don't know, the commander didn't give any more explanation." Lieutenant Meyer shook his head. "Of course, he himself, no matter what the occasion, spares no effort to advertise to us that we must learn the fighting skills to save lives. The major often said, whether there is a war or not is not up to us. All we can do is try our best to survive the war."

Even Lieutenant Meyer, who thinks he knows Adalbert Herzog very well, is often confused about his intentions. Adalbert's strict requirements for himself have also been reflected in many aspects. He often goes to other areas to receive certain tactical training, claiming to enable him and his soldiers to master more combat skills. According to Lieutenant Meyer's memories, Adalbert Herzog almost died in a snow-capped mountain when he went to Italy for a training camp. It stands to reason that he was so involved in the risk, he should always control himself after returning. However, Adalbert's nature remained unchanged. Less than a month after returning to South Africa, he went to the forest to explore again, saying that he was investigating the living conditions and threats of the indigenous people. As a result, Adalbert, who entered the jungle alone, was unsurprisingly lost. If the natives passing by had not given him some food, he would probably starve to death in the wild.

After escaping again, Adalbert's mentality changed. In the past, he advocated the use of resolute and hardline means to remove the remaining indigenous people, even more radical than his father, Governor-general Herzog; after his life was saved by the indigenous people, his attitude began to gradually soften. In his view, the obstacles between the two sides are information asymmetry and misunderstanding. If the indigenous people can fully adapt to modern civilization, there is no reason to use violence against the indigenous people. All people are created equal, and it is never fair to rely on a person's birth to determine his destiny.

After the morning training was over, Lieutenant Meyer brought in several soldiers to accept McNeil's investigation. He selected the same number of blacks and whites to ensure the fairness of the results.

"I heard Lieutenant Meyer say that Major Herzog added extra training to the natives."

"It is true. However, he explained that this is to allow us to have a higher probability of saving our lives in the face of hostility around us." One of the indigenous soldiers replied, "Compared with other officers who often abuse soldiers, He is still a good person."

Lieutenant Meyer frowned. Just about to say something, McNeil waved his hand to signal him to disband the soldiers. So far, McNeil has not heard any direct criticism of Adalbert's remarks or negative comments related to it. He is convinced that Adalbert is still popular, and it is impossible to do this by relying solely on disguise and bribery. Looking at the rifle on the shooting range, McNeil moved his mind again. He walked to one of the shooting positions, picked up the rifle placed on the ground, and aimed at the distant target. Meyer had already received orders from his superiors, as long as the unknown person did not do anything that would endanger military secrets, he could do anything wrong.

"Mr. McNeil, do you like this?"

"Hobby." McNeil squinted. "How about the major's shooting skills?"

"It's pretty accurate. However, after he returned from the indigenous tribe, he may have suffered from injuries and always trembles." Lieutenant Meyer stood aside watching McNeil's movements. "To outsiders, it has nothing to do. It's important, because he has already passed the stage where he needs to go and kill the enemy himself; however, for him, this is a shame."

McNeil slammed the trigger, and the hollow shots echoed in the distance.

"I am too old. I didn't need to spend so long before." McNeil put the rifle back in place. "It seems that Major Herzog always likes to take risks... After these two dangerous experiences, when will he leave the barracks?"

"The victim of the case is attorney Jorge Dias, who came here to look for him. Another time, he volunteered to go out to attend a meeting, and the superior approved it." Lieutenant Meyer ordered someone to check the traces on the target, "I was fortunate enough to see the two of them talk in front of me. The atmosphere is very harmonious, there is no fierce conflict or dispute."

McNeil wiped the sweat from his head and realized that he should leave. Since the army had sent people to conduct forensic investigations before, he couldn't make those people extra suspicion. After bidding farewell to Lieutenant Meyer, McNeil left the barracks and returned to the hotel to find old Jake. The old man said to him excitedly that he had just bought a few lottery tickets and maybe he had a chance to make a fortune. McNeil couldn't bear to expose his illusion. Those lucky guys who won huge prizes in lottery tickets had already invested a lot of money into this bottomless pit before that, and that money might be more than the old Jake made in his lifetime. It is a pipe dream to get rich overnight with a little luck.

"You didn't say anything you shouldn't say, did you?"

"I understand, pal." Old Jake hurriedly comforted McNeil, "Of course I won't tell anyone the least bit of information about you. What's the use of them knowing the personal information of an old man of mine?"

"I didn't want to blame you; I just remind you to be careful. In case you really get rich, you can avoid getting into trouble by doing this." McNeil stayed in the hotel for less than half an hour before putting on his coat and going out again. He went straight to the nearby public phone booth and dialed the office phone number left to him by Colonel Duttmann-hoping that the Colonel himself was still in the office at this time instead of spending time out.

"Hello, is that Colonel Duttmann?"

"Yes. Who is that?"

"I'm McNeil." McNeil stood in the phone booth. He thought it was another torture to come out and call on the street under this high temperature. "The army should have investigated Lieutenant Heinz Meyer before; do you have his testimony?"

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"Wait a minute, I'll find it."

Only a few minutes later did Colonel Duttmann's voice sounded again.

"The testimony of Lieutenant Heinz Meyer said that he heard Major Adalbert Herzog say I must kill the beast before departure that day." Colonel Duttmann read others' testimony, "His words seem to imply that Major Herzog was ready to commit murder. Not only that, but other acquaintances of Major Herzog also stated that the major's emotional state was very Unstable."

"...The news I heard is not like this." McNeil was suspicious. "From officers to soldiers, there are only good comments on the major, and even criticism is rare."

"However, they must have told you that the major has all kinds of symptoms similar to persecuted delusions." Duttmann explained wittily, "This is a tacit understanding between us, because EU does not allow people who are mentally weak or unstable to serve in the army. If someone accuses Major Herzog with a mental state problem, his father will also be affected. You have to understand their thoughts, they love their officers so much, and of course they will not provide outsiders with the evidence that may send the major to the gallows."

"I can understand. I will do the same." McNeil nodded in agreement; only then did he realize that there was no one in front of him. "The lieutenant also mentioned that Major Herzog had dangerous experiences twice. Has the South African or European media reported on this adventure?"

"No, you will not find relevant content in any media. His Excellency exerted pressure to force public opinion to remain silent." Duttmann laughed loudly. "The Governor-general himself said that this is really shameful. He doesn't want his son to be publicized after another death hunt someday. If you ask my opinion, I think it is a good thing for the army to maintain a high degree of vigilance. Now some people think that they will never see a new war break out in their lives. They are really blindly optimistic. "

McNeil was about to end the conversation, but when he heard that Colonel Duttmann said that Lieutenant Meyer would appear as a witness, he decided to ask for more details.

"Who are the others?"

"Many-even those who want to kill Major Herzog can't find enough evidence. No matter which side they are, they use various inferences to piece together the truth they want. However, most of them are soldiers, but I can't give you more permission to search one by one."

"...What about civilians?" McNeil thought of a key person. "I remember the driver of Lawyer Diaz called the police first. He was also one of the witnesses, right?"

"Yes, you can try to find him, but be quick." Colonel Duttmann pointed out another important fact. "Otherwise, once your behavior is deemed to interfere with the trial, we both have the opportunity to go to jail."

McNeil decided to set off immediately. After finishing the call, he took old Jake and left the hotel and bought two tickets back to Transvaal. Old Jake was very depressed. He was still dreaming of getting rich. McNeil's move could be said to have broken another of his dreams.

"If luck will come to patronize you, it won't be these lottery tickets." McNeil and the old man squeezed on the train again, "Hurry up, the opportunity is fleeting."

TBC