At the conference room.
Chief Constable Walter stood before the assembled officers with a serious expression.
"Good morning, everyone."
""Good morning, chief!""
Everybody replied politely. Only the two Constables beside him remained unresponsive.
Given their identity and background it was reasonable so Walter didn't pursue it. He continued, "I am sure that most of you have already heard the news about the vicious incident that transpired in the neighboring province."
"I have received the overall details regarding this which will be distributed shortly after this assembly. Words have come from the higher-ups in our province that we will be issuing a general curfew after sunset for the next six months starting today."
"Effective immediately, the police department in all townships, county cities, and prefectural cities of our Frost Willow Province, including the provincial capital will cooperate with the local military garrison to root out any suspicious individuals residing within the field array."
"Patrol intensity must be increased within your assigned route, checkpoints must be set for both routine and surprise inspections, and also any unknown faces that isn't on the public registry of households, businesses, and tenants within the assigned route can be reasonably apprehended on the spot for investigation regardless of their identity except… the nobles."
"If any aristocratic family members are present on the scene then it would naturally be outside of your jurisdiction to handle and must be reported to the higher-ups immediately. Failing to do so would pretty much end your career so do be extra mindful of this point."
"Comrades, these are special times. In order to ensure the safety of the populace we shall naturally strive forward to fulfill our obligations. So… working hours of all officers will be increased from ten hours to twelve starting today and also no days off in a week."
"If there was a private matter one had to attend no matter what then they may petition with their immediate superior to ask me for a leave. I will warn beforehand that without any true urgency if one resorts to deception to slack off then not only will the offender be punished but the superior will also receive the same punishment."
After Walter mentioned the last few points, all of their faces turned bitter but nobody had the audacity to interrupt him or openly question the work arrangements from the higher-ups.
"That being said, overtime pay would be added to your salary so rest assured. There will also be an internal channel open for this period to where you can purchase potions, magic scrolls and more that's greatly discounted than their original price outside."
"This is a special opportunity so be sure to stock up appropriately. There are measures to ensure that only the buyer could use the products so it's better to dispel the idea of reselling lest you face punishments in the future."
"Oh, by the way, any meritorious performance during this half year would be heavily rewarded including easier access to arcana treasures, higher profundity grimoires, entry permission to blessed places and more."
After the stick there will naturally be a carrot to make them toil happily.
It could be said that higher-ups in the province had thoroughly used this tactic. The biggest evidence being the previously bitter faces of the police officers now showed a resolute look, with eyes burning in a heroic passion as if they were prepared to become martyrs at the very next second for the safety of the people.
Russell grumbled secretly but it would be a lie to say that he wasn't tempted.
This assembly ended after an hour and before he could follow his teammates outside Walter specifically called him out to stay behind.
Other officers looked puzzled after hearing this but didn't say anything. They only left the conference room with a slightly quicker pace. Surely, there was another segment waiting for this Patrolman as the other two Constables were also not showing any movements to leave the room any time soon.
"Good morning, chief! Are there any instructions?"
Russell gave a courtesy bow before asking in a curious tone. Walter didn't keep him in suspense, "The reward for your recent meritorious service has arrived from the prefecture today. Assume position to receive the commendations from the esteemed Sub-Inspector."
He couldn't help but show a surprised expression as it was much faster than he anticipated. He had previously asked the chief about it and he gave an estimated time between a week to half a month till he received the official reward for discovering the hideout.
Russell took a kneel and kept his head bowed slightly with a hand on his heart according to the etiquette.
Walter took out a small chest from his hat with a solemn expression. The two Constables beside him also shed their previous casual demeanor and stood in utmost attention.
This small chest seemed to be made of obsidian with mysterious words and symbols etched on it. A heavy pressure descended immediately following its presence.
He took off his identity badge and pressed it on the obsidian chest for a moment before a clicking sound came. Putting his badge back, he slowly opened it.
Inside a parchment scroll and three items could be seen.
He only took the scroll and read its content in a respectful tone, "Patrolman Russell has risked his life to expose the evil den of Million Beast Mountain within the Little Clover Township."
"Towards such brave and capable officers our Ministry of Internal Security would provide his due rewards. In accordance with the rules, his performance has been evaluated as a Fifth-class merit."
"Hence he shall be rewarded with the following three items to better aid his current arcana attainment: one handful of Firmament Clay, one bottle of Lesser Epiphany Potion, and a Rank Two Late Stage Defensive Artifact 'Harm Warding Pendant'. May your path to arcana enlightenment be fortuitous and unobstructed."
The commendations personally written by the Sub-Inspector were indeed very formal and straight to the point.
Meritorious performances in all public sectors were divided into five classes. The bottom three classes were based on the influence one had in a certain important matter while the higher two classes were focused more towards the scale of the positive impact brought by one's action.
From lowest to highest: Fifth-class, when the individual had a noteworthy influence on the matter but not throughout it.
Fourth-class, when the individual had a consistent influence throughout the matter from the start till the conclusion.
Third-class, when the individual had the most crucial influence on the matter.
Second-class, when possible changes brought by the individual's action was enough to positively affect an entire province or more.
First-class, when possible changes brought by the individual's action were enough to positively affect the entire kingdom or even Wismar itself.
In the case of the missing cat "Mr. Tickles", Russell was only able to play a role in the initial stages, specifically the discovery of the hideout and stalling for time successfully till reinforcements arrived but for the latter stages Chief Constable Walter singlehandedly resolved it in a swift manner through violent means.
So it was indeed apt for his performance to be evaluated as only Fifth-class merit.
"I humbly accept the rewards granted by the Sub-Inspector!"
He respectfully replied after Walter finished reciting the commendations. With his reply the two Constables took a step forward and jointly held the obsidian chest together with him before placing it on the now outstretched hands of Russell.
After getting the rewards, he still had to complete the rest of the etiquette.
While remaining in the kneeling position with only one knee on the ground, he brought the obsidian chest towards his heart before softly bumping it intentionally. With both hands cradling the bestowed chest he gave a deep bow towards the three figures in front of him.
And with that bow, the pressure exuding from the chest disappeared.
"Under the witness of three Valiant Mages your due reward has reached its destination and all the etiquettes were observed to have been maintained without errors."
Constable Jose Evans said with a solemn tone, his first words since the beginning of the assembly.
"Patrolman Russell may now be at ease and continue with his duties as intended."
Constable Adam Rees then concluded with those words. Upon hearing this Russell finally got up and put away the obsidian chest in his hat.
The serious formal atmosphere also dissipated from the room.
"I was wondering what genius caught our chief's eyes and looking at your brave performance on the very first day of joining it seems this small town has produced a great talent for our police department."
Constable Jose praised him with a slight smile. His sunken eyes scrutinized Russell critically as if he was some rare species.
"Thank you, sir, for your compliments! I still have much to learn and need senior's guidance in the future!"
"Hehe! Do you really?"
Russell felt choked by that question and could only give a polite but awkward smile in response. He wasn't a naive greenhorn who didn't know the overt and covert struggles among the four Valiant Mages in this local branch.
Since he entered the police department under the chief's arrangements naturally he became part of his faction and would have to be at odds with the other three.
"Alright, alright. Don't put pressure on a young man like him. Patrolman Russell… hmm, well, I will take the liberty to call you casually. Russell, the current situation of our Frost Willow Province is very tense."
"With the dereliction of duty from the neighboring province and their subsequent fate serving as a cautionary tale I presume that you understand the consequences of making mistakes during this special period, yes?"
Constable Adam asked him with a serious tone after expertly closing in the distance of their acquaintanceship.
It has to be said, as a secret agent that was able to infiltrate one of the high positions in this town he was adept at social interaction and seemed to always firmly hold the lead in conversation.
"Of course, sir! I dare not gamble with my career by being neglectful. Only by staying vigilant in peaceful times and decisive in troubled times can we truly perform our duties to the utmost, that is enforcing the law."
He replied with strong conviction in his tone. It sounded as if he truly believed what he just said.
"Good! It's indeed imperative to remember our original intention, enforcing the law and protecting the safety of the populace! As long as you understand this simple point and remain clearheaded your path in this department would be broad and worry free."
Constable Adam gave a bright smile and patted his shoulder as if relieved that a junior had lived up to his expectations.
Russell also gave a bright smile, looking very pleased for being appreciated.
"As you said we need to be both vigilant and decisive during this period. Be sure to put those words into practice. Now go join your team and follow your captain's arrangements."
Walter finally gave the dismissal order relieving him from facing those twos barbed words full of hidden meanings.
He gave another courtesy bow before leaving with quick steps.
After his exit the conference room was now left with only the presence of those three. Walter spoke first to inquire, "Has she said anything? We need all designated personnel present during this period."
"It was alright to leave freely before the incident but at present our local headquarters in this town can't be the sore thump poking out."
He was talking about the fourth constable who came from the prefecture like them. She had left the very day he returned from the county town. Jose frowned slightly but uncharacteristically he didn't refute him this time.
He also knew that being too ostentatious throughout this period would implicate everyone including himself.
"In fact, she proactively contacted after the news reached our province. She will arrive by tomorrow morning at the earliest if nothing unexpected happens."
Adam replied expressionlessly as she was his cousin from the same House Rees they belonged to.
It was just that he couldn't help but frown inwardly at the thought of a tagalong who would also come with her. It was really unexpected as he now needed to find an opportunity to inform his true superiors about this.
For a person of such high prestige to visit their small town it was quite suspicious.