MMM: Chapter Twenty: Who Let The Dog Out?
The Rosemary City Guard barracks usually had a few soldiers stationed for security—more as a formality than a necessity. The compound itself was safeguarded by layered enchantments and magical formations designed to incapacitate anyone foolish enough to cause trouble without proper authorization.
When Licht arrived at the barracks, he immediately sensed something was off. The atmosphere had shifted drastically from the day before. Soldiers not on patrol or leave had abandoned their usual routines—no training, no lounging, no games. Instead, they stood watch like statues, their presence heavy with tension, as if bracing for a storm.
Maybe it's because Franziska wasn't here yesterday, Licht mused, trying to dismiss the unease creeping up his spine. Maybe this is just how things are when she's around.
Yet, the tension in the air was so thick it was impossible to ignore. Even Ines, who was usually relaxed to the point of carelessness, was standing closer to him than usual, her posture subtly poised for action. Her carefree demeanor had vanished entirely.
As they stepped inside, Licht and Ines were treated less like visitors and more like potential threats. A thorough search—far more rigorous than the day before—delayed them at the entrance. When they explained they had an appointment with Vice Commander Franziska, a soldier stepped forward. He was in his early thirties, with auburn hair and a neatly trimmed chin beard. His frown deepened as he scrutinized them.
"Why?" His tone was firm but laced with caution. "If it's a complaint, I suggest coming back later. She's not in the mood for… provocations."
Licht narrowed his eyes. "We met her yesterday and scheduled a meeting for today."
The man raised an eyebrow, looking them over with obvious skepticism. "A meeting, huh?"
"Yes," Licht said curtly.
"What kind of meeting?" the soldier pressed.
Licht exhaled sharply. "Bold of you to pry into your superior's business. Won't she reprimand you when she finds out?"
The soldier stiffened, then shook his head defensively. "It's not like that. I'm just saying—if you see her now, don't blame me if she takes her anger out on you." He paused. "Besides, where's your Sub-Token?"
"Sub-Token?" Ines echoed, frowning. She rummaged through her belongings and held up a token. "Is this it?"
The soldier leaned in, then scowled. "That? No. And don't go flashing fake military tokens around. If someone catches you, you'll be arrested."
Licht and Ines exchanged a glance. So, the token they had was of such high authority that even lower-ranked soldiers couldn't recognize it.
The soldier continued, "A Sub-Token is a projection of the Vice Commander's personal token, issued only to those she personally authorizes. If she really invited you, she'd have given you one." He studied their expressions. "You seriously didn't know?"
Both shook their heads.
"No," Licht replied flatly.
Another soldier, a woman in her early thirties with reddish-brown hair in a loose braid, stepped forward. She patted the auburn-haired man's shoulder. "Let it go, Kurt. I'll inform the Vice Commander."
Kurt frowned. "No, I should do it."
Licht watched their exchange with mild amusement. Are they deciding who gets to walk into a dragon's den?
The female soldier—Noreen, as Kurt had called her—folded her arms. "We'll go together."
Kurt sighed. "Fine."
Before following Noreen, he shot one last look at Licht and Ines, his gaze filled with unspoken warning.
Franziska isn't that unreasonable… right? Licht wondered.
A few tense minutes later, Kurt and Noreen returned, their expressions noticeably relieved.
Noreen managed a faint smile. "You can come in. She's waiting."
"Thank you," Licht said, polite but clipped.
He and Ines followed Noreen through the barracks until they reached a red-painted wooden door with a silver handle.
Noreen gestured to it. "The Vice Commander is inside."
As Licht reached for the handle, Noreen leaned in and murmured, "Be careful with your words."
Her brown eyes held a quiet warning. He gave a subtle nod before pushing the door open.
Inside, Franziska's office was exactly as Licht had imagined—modest but functional. The room was about fifteen by eighteen meters, with a sturdy wooden desk at its center. Behind it, bookshelves and flowerpots lined the walls, and a large window overlooked the courtyard where soldiers usually trained. A poster hung behind her, depicting a man with a curly mustache and a top hat. Beneath it, a quote read:
"Everything that is possible today was once said to be impossible."
Licht's gaze settled on Franziska. Dressed in black armor with a flowing cape, she exuded her usual authority. But her expression betrayed her. Those sharp blue eyes, always so unwavering, now held a shadow of unease.
"What happened?" Licht asked, cutting straight to the point. "Was there an attack? Everyone outside looks like they're expecting war."
Franziska didn't answer right away. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, gaze lingering on him before she finally exhaled.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Licht and Ines exchanged a startled glance.
"Sorry for what?" Licht asked warily.
Franziska abruptly stood. The movement was so sudden that Licht instinctively took a step back, while Ines tensed, prepared to react.
Under their watchful eyes, the Vice Commander—one of the most formidable warriors in Rosemary City—did something neither of them expected.
She bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice strained. "Thanks… escaped last night."
Licht's eyes widened as he processed the gesture and her words. "Vice Commander Franziska, don't." His voice was calm but resolute. "Please, don't bow to me."
Franziska straightened, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I—"
"I understand the gravity of the situation," Licht interrupted gently. "But bowing doesn't suit you. Besides, I do not want to be treated specially because of an identity I don't even know the details of. Just tell me what happened."
"...I did not apologize because of the token. Irrespective of my status, it is only right that I apologize when I'm at fault." Franziska hesitated, then gave a curt nod, though the tension in her expression lingered. "And as for what my fault is… Thanks… He escaped last night."
Licht blinked. "He… escaped?"
"How?" Ines added. "Did someone break him out?"
Franziska didn't let her finish. "I'm still investigating. So far, I've found no evidence of external interference."
Licht's expression darkened. "You're saying he just vanished from his cell? Were there no guards stationed on him?"
Franziska pressed her lips together before admitting, "No."
Licht's brow twitched.
She hurried to explain. "The cell I placed him in was inside the most secure section of the entire facility. The enchantments there are the strongest in the barracks. No one—aside from me—has the ability to unlock those doors or bypass the security measures. Even the Commander's token can't open them. At best, it would only spare her from the traps."
Licht exhaled sharply.
Ines frowned. "Even if the Commander's token can't, aren't there other tokens that could? Like the Royal Family's? Or the Pope's?"
Franziska nodded. "That's true. The Royal Family's tokens have the authority to override mine."
She folded her arms, her voice turning thoughtful. "But to my knowledge, Thanks wasn't important enough for them to risk releasing him in secret. The consequences wouldn't be worth it." She paused. "As for the Pope—the Church holds no jurisdiction here. Their tokens are useless in this facility."
Licht felt a headache creeping in. The more she explained, the stranger the situation became.
"So what you're telling me…" He rubbed his temple. "Is that this guy—who shouldn't have been able to leave under any circumstances—just disappeared?"
Franziska said nothing.
Licht let out a slow breath, then muttered, "Who let that dog out? And why?"