ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. (ACCA13区監察課)

Good morning!

We're here at Bādon News Station with the morning news.

His Majesty's 99th Birthday

His Majesty is celebrating his

99th birthday at Dōwā Castle.

Huh?

I didn't know he was that old.

Various festivities to celebrate His Majesty's birth

will be held nationally, including in Dōwā itself.

Just goes to show how peaceful our nation is.

Jean, you need to hurry up.

Yeah, yeah.

That reminds me, Lotta...

I'm going on a business trip today.

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

I need time to get things ready!

Here.

I'll be looking forward to a souvenir.

Oh.

Your cigarette case!

You can't forget to take your trademark,

"Jean the Cigarette Peddler."

Jean...

How about a cigarette?

Look, a cigarette.

Wow... That's such a luxury.

Report to HQ ASAP.

Bādon District ACCA Headquarters

Everyone, our ten o'clock snack is roll cake

Inspection Department

from Hachikuma, on 3rd Avenue!

Yay!

It isn't ten yet, but who cares?

Hello.

Chief, please have some cake.

I will, once it's ten.

Vice-Chairman, I heard you'd be out of the office, so I didn't get you any.

Is something wrong?

Our department's getting shut down.

As you know, the Dōwā Kingdom is a federation

comprised of thirteen autonomous districts.

ACCA Deputy Director-General Pochard

ACCA was created as an entity, independent of the state,

with various agencies that are vital to our citizens' lives.

These include police and fire departments, and medical services.

ACCA has allowed each district branch

to operate autonomously, as well.

We, at ACCA Headquarters, have been tasked with

the oversight of the thirteen branches for many years.

And for what reason was your Inspection Department created at headquarters?

To monitor the day-to-day operations at each branch.

That's right.

Approximately one hundred years ago, when we were politically unstable,

your Inspection Department was created

to monitor the outlying districts.

Members of your department were

stationed at each ACCA branch to oversee data output on a daily basis.

Further, senior officials also conducted random audits.

The Inspection Department's raison d'être was

rooted in times of chaotic instability.

And for that reason...

I see, we're finally being shuttered.

I figured it'd happen eventually.

We aren't really necessary.

We'll be split up.

No!

That's right, Jean... You'll still go out today.

Huh?

The next flight is in an hour and a half.

I've notified the Inspection Department of their termination!

Well done.

ACCA Five Chief Officers Spade

ACCA will finally be rid of the Inspection Department.

ACCA Five Chief Officers Pastis

Was this the right move?

We've merely trimmed excess fat to streamline the budget.

That's all.

I wouldn't call it "excess."

ACCA Five Chief Officers Lilium

From our perspective, it's an important department

that exposes what lies in shadow.

It's quick to identify any brewing unrest.

In these times, there is no brewing unrest.

ACCA Five Chief Officers Pine

A watchful inspector can have

the effect of tightening regional operations.

That is all in the past, as well.

ACCA Five Chief Officers Grossular

Now, it is important for HQ to demonstrate trust in the outlying regions.

Trust...

Well, the matter's been decided.

At a later time, we can discuss how things will look.

Indeed.

Excuse me.

When he steps out, it just makes it easier to breathe.

Fāmasu District

This district is endless.

ACCA Inspection Department Fāmasu Branch Supervisor Eider

Thinking that we're in the middle of nowhere?

It's just that many people aren't out because the harvest's over.

Uh-huh.

The district's primarily agricultural.

Do you know how much produce comes from Fāmasu?

Ninety percent of national produce! Ninety!

I think the crime rate's low here, too.

That's right!

There are lots of really nice people here, so I have it easy.

You like it here?

Yes!

I'm glad to hear it's a great place,

but our department's being shut down at the end of the month.

Huh?!

Eyes on the road, all right?

What do you mean, we're getting shut down?

The Inspection Department is a fossil, see?

Given how peaceful times have been,

everyone was wondering how long the department would last.

I didn't...

What's going to happen to us?

Well, given that you're a supervisor, I'm sure you'll be fine.

We can't fire our people!

They all do great work!

Let's finish up here.

Technically, my job includes looking into subordinates' performances.

Feel free to examine every nook and cranny.

I doubt you'll find anything to complain about!

I'll admit it's well organized.

Okay, the next stop is...

Wait.

I'll take care of my other task

while the branch director is still here.

Otus, you still carry a lot of catalogs around with you, eh?

You're welcome to keep any you take a liking to.

Hmm!

This is a catalog for donut vending machines, isn't it?

Very nice.

Feel free to peruse them to pass the time.

What was all that about?

A company president I know asked me to do it.

I guess I'll start making the station rounds tomorrow.

The district's huge, so it'll be tough to get around.

What's wrong?

HQ.

Oh, Vice-Chairman!

Don't forget to bring back presents!

Yeah, yeah.

Is Knot there?

Is something wrong?

Send me the Fāmasu inspectors' shift

and computer-use logs, will you?

Got it.

Thanks.

Here. October 3rd.

Y-Yes?

The time stamp of the data transfer from the west station

is off by five minutes on this day alone.

This data's been tampered with.

No way!

That's impossible.

How long from here to the west station?

About an hour and a half by plane.

We still have time.

Well, this is always a surprise.

And there's a festival going on in town, too.

We'll be done soon enough.

Are Constables Maïs and Peets here?

Of course not.

Festivals are the best time for black market deals.

On October 3rd, due to an anonymous citizen's tip,

the constables went to search a warehouse on the outskirts.

But there's no record of that here.

Why is that?

I believe the two caught the criminals red-handed,

but let the illegal cigarette makers go

in exchange for cuts of future deals.

They then came to you

and asked you to modify their shift logs, didn't they?

Wh-Wh-What?

Since you're responsible for compiling data, you were torn

about modifying and sending their shift logs to HQ.

Resulting in a five-minute delay from your usual transmission time.

W-Wait a minute, Vice-Chairman!

What makes you so sure?

It's just five minutes.

It isn't unheard of to fall behind by five minutes for health reasons.

Did you confirm that was the case?

You don't trust your subordinates, Vice-Chairman?

The anonymous tip about the cigarette makers was still

in the report from the day before.

I guess no one thought to scrub the previous day's data.

You're wrong!

I only did what they asked...

Is that right?

I can smell tobacco on you.

Both Constables Peets and Maïs admitted to the wrongdoing.

At the very end,

I guess we ended up smearing our own name...

I'm so sorry.

I try not to think of subordinates as exceptional.

After all, doubting them is my job.