Voidborn visits a workshop.
“I apologise for the possible distress this job has caused you,” Gaeul said, giving Voidborn a deep bow.
Voidborn shook his head and hurriedly gestured for Gaeul to retract her apology.
“Please don’t be,” Voidborn said. “It was no fault of yours that the murder happened, nor was it your fault that the perpetrator decided to go so far as to exact his revenge on uninvolved parties.”
Gaeul sat back down on the chair behind her desk, leaning onto the backrest.
“No, you don’t understand,” she said, letting out a huge sigh. Her head sank into the soft cushions of the headrest and she closed her eyes. “It is due to the incompetency of the Detective Union of Kandar that led to the loss of twelve more lives.”
She opened her eyes and leaned forward, pointing to a stack of papers that was lying to both her left and right of her desk.
“We take utmost care and place priority on every single case that is handed to us. Because we are currently overwhelmed by a surge of cases, I made the flawed decision to allow our detectives to push back the resolution of lower-priority cases.”
She picked up a pen from the table and fidgeted with it, twirling it around her fingers, eyes staring at the rapidly moving object.
“It was under my orders that Asa decided to hand the case over to the police, and it was under my orders to use some of my manpower to protect and guard you guys. Whilst the resolution of the murder case was not the best one, I really have to thank you for providing your help, otherwise, the perpetrator would run scot-free, and maybe even go on to cause even more deaths.”
She reached to the drawer on her side and took out a piece of paper, along with a small card.
“Take these,” Gaeul said, sliding the two items to Voidborn. “This is a recommendation letter from me, as well as the contact details of the Mechanist I have mentioned to you earlier. I’ve decided to use my capacity as the head of the Detective Union of Kandar and grant you an absolute waiver for the cost of the attachment she will make for your weapon.”
“She?”
Voidborn took the items and looked at the card.
Name: Ahn Yujin
Mechanist Rebirth 5, Gearlord
Workshop Name: Clank and Ratchet
Address: Block 238 North Industrial District #01-01, Middle Zone, Kandar
Opening Hours: Up to my mood
“She’s my good friend, and a very, very skilled Mechanist, so do give her a visit,” Gaeul said. “Just show her the letter and she’ll forge and tinker anything she can.”
Voidborn briefly glanced through the paper and noted it was an actual recommendation letter. He folded it neatly and tucked it into his pocket, along with the card.
“What time does the workshop open?” Voidborn asked. “The card stated that it's up to her mood.”
Gaeul let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, just ignore that. She's always in her workshop, so it's never closed. It's more of a—never mind, just go.”
Voidborn gave a small nod.
“Oh, and as for the promised guidance lessons with Xerxes, I spoke to him about it. They can only happen after the Grand Assembly. We currently have too much on our hand, and he has to serve as security for the event.”
Gaeul scratched her hair embarrassingly.
“It's unfortunate, but as the governing body for Kandar’s Detective Union, we have to contribute as well. Since we're short on manpower, I cannot release more than one of my team members. I negotiated with the six factions, and they finally relented with me promising Xerxes as the security.”
Voidborn nodded silently.
“No issues. I still have much to internalise after my spar with him two days ago. I think I’ll learn more when I spar with him again after reflecting fully on the advices he gave me.”
Gaeul stood up from her chair and gave another small bow.
“Once again, I apologise for everything. As for the matter on protection, I can only spare Bob. Since he is the only one available, I would have to request that you all limit your movement around Kandar. Given that Miss Jimin has to go to the Machinist Union over the next few days, her protection will be of our utmost priority. I have already communicated this to the Wordwraiths, but there won't be an issue with them, since they have the backing of Spellbound.”
“Okay,” Voidborn said.
“However, once Jimin has been escorted to the Machinist Union, Bob will be free and you can head with him to Clank and Ratchet to get your reward settled.”
Gaeul sat back down.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
“What will happen to the perpetrator?”
Gaeul clicked her tongue in annoyance at the mention of him.
“Honestly? Nothing much. I was there when he called his lawyer in. He’ll be claiming that he has a mental illness and at most he’ll be pardoned, with a small slap of either residency in an asylum, or permanent medication to manage his condition.”
Gaeul grumbled underneath her breath.
“It's a disappointment, but that's how the law works in Kandar. Unless mental illnesses can be disproven, it’s a common way for criminals to get scot-free.”
“Why?”
“Ever heard of the precautionary principle?”
Voidborn shook his head.
“When potential harm is serious or irreversible and certainty is incomplete, you act to prevent the harm rather than wait for conclusive proof,” Gaeul said. “In Kandar’s courts, that principle is applied to mental illness claims. Once someone claims to be mentally ill, the system treats that positive result as real unless it can be disproven. The potential harm of locking up or heavily punishing someone who is genuinely ill is considered serious enough that the law errs on the side of caution.”
“Can't it be proven then? I’m sure it can be done with so many different types of tests and artifacts.”
Gaeul shook her head.
“The problem is that a positive result here can easily be a false positive. The tests, evaluations, and expert testimonies aren’t perfect. Retesting doesn’t give absolute assurance either. Another doctor can still be wrong, as the same underlying conditions can produce the same false assessment. Or the person can simply pretend well enough to keep the diagnosis. So, the system ends up accepting a lot of those false positives.”
Gaeul raised her finger to her head and twisted her finger in circles, mimicking the action of someone insane.
“His case looks weak — clear revenge, planned killings, even a child — but the system would rather risk letting a faker through than punish someone who might actually be ill. That’s how he walks with little more than an asylum stay or lifelong medication.”
“That's… a problem,” Voidborn muttered.
Gaeul threw her hands up in defeat.
“Well, there’s not much we can do,” she sighed. “Our job is simply to solve cases and nab criminals. Nothing more. It's the system that needs working. Unfortunately, I'm not a law maker, nor am I a politician.”
Gaeul continued complaining for a few more moments, before Voidborn bowed with gratitude and excused himself from the room.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Jimin said, her arms wrapped around Elian.