The tragic accident occurred at 8:18 local time,
at the Peshi-Rokkusu border.
The central council has convened an emergency session and made the following statement.
We will devote all available resources
to rescuing the passengers and conducting a speedy investigation.
More names of casualties have been released.
We now have sixty-three total casualties.
What do you want?
You wouldn't have come here unless you had a reason.
You're right.
Did you finish your audits?
I only have the south sector left.
I'll return to Bādon tomorrow.
What are you thinking?
Your wandering gaze said you were thinking something.
Rokkusu residents have good eyes.
I was just remembering.
I read an article in Kororē District.
An interview with Director-General Mauve when she was Kororē branch director,
after she'd been appointed director-general.
Kororē branch had a "Mauve Avenue" in their offices.
They must have been proud of the first female director-general being from their ranks.
The article was displayed there.
In it, the director-general spoke of you.
That's what I was remembering.
That's all.
That's all?
That's a lie.
I never noticed I had an observer you'd assigned to me.
But he isn't a straightforward guy.
He may have lied in his reports.
What are you trying to say?
My parents died in the train accident
that happened thirteen years ago
on the border between here and Peshi District.
The responses to the accident by the districts weren't even close.
Peshi District refused any responsibility.
And to avoid strife, Rokkusu took full responsibility.
The one who counseled the Rokkusu chief to, and to bring the national rail under ACCA,
then made it happen
was you, the Rokkusu branch chief.
It's widely known that since then, the number of rail accidents
has rapidly declined.
You said, "ACCA exists to build a better nation."
In the article, Director-General Mauve
spoke of her respect for you.
I agree with her sentiment.
I say this, without understanding my situation.
I don't understand what this coup d'état business is all about,
but I've heard I'm involved, somehow.
I've also heard speculation that you may be a coup sympathizer.
But just as I am not involved,
I don't think you are involved in any of it.
That's all.
I'm sorry to interrupt your time off.
How naïve.
Knot...
If I remember correctly,
isn't Jean supposed to be back today?
Yes.
He was back earlier, but left right away,
after dropping off presents from his Rokkusu audit.
You haven't gone back home, then.
I was waiting for you to return.
And about what we discussed?
Is there anything you want to tell me?
Nothing of note.
I see.
You are less useful than expected.
Representatives from Peshi and Rokkusu
have been holding a press conference.
While Peshi has focused on identifying the accident's cause,
Rokkusu's goal is comprehensive discussion.
Their differences in opinion are creating a rift.
Now, a month after the accident,
Peshi and Rokkusu talks have hit another impasse.
A follow-up interview with Rokkusu Branch Chief Grossular has attracted attention.
We must not burden the families
of victims with quibbling over who bears responsibility.
The Rokkusu district chief agrees
and will soon release a statement.
I also believe we should work toward bringing
the national rail under ACCA.
ACCA's duty is to protect the livelihood of all citizens.
ACCA is for the people.
After announcing that Rokkusu will bear full responsibility,
the Rokkusu district chief is departing for his tour to visit the victims' family.
Branch Chief Grossular, said to have aided these developments, accompanies him.
Oh, come on...
You'll catch a cold.
Up, both of you!
Wake up already!
I hurt all over.
Serves you right, falling asleep like that.
Jean drank too much and couldn't get up.
Did something happen to him?
He got scolded by a superior officer.
The department chief?
Someone higher up.
I'll bring water.
You really shouldn't drink so much.
I didn't make you drink this time.
You have to work on your reporting skills.
Deputy Chief,
we have snacks today.
Don't want any.
Are you all right?
Mostly...
You wrote up the audit report, right?
Starting today, the chief's on break, too.
Why not go home?
Well...
Deputy Chief, you're on break starting day after tomorrow, right?
Do you have any plans?
I'll just be at home.
Where do you want to go for the New Year's countdown?
There are a lot of options.
I want to toast in the new year with champagne!
Uh, let's see which places offer drinks like that...
This is a really secret hole in the wall.
Huh?!
Oh, where?
Hey... This is the deputy chief's apartment building!
I don't own the building.
We have a party every year in our entrance hall.
General managers of big department stores and stuff live there.
We let them do what they want.
Can we come?
Sure.
Deputy Chief, you'll also be there, right?
You won't sleep through it, right?
I'm sure my sister will be there.
But you're the building manager, aren't you?
I don't do anything, though...
Knot, why don't you come, too?
Sorry, I have kids, so I'll pass.
Oh, okay. Too bad.
Once they're a little older, I can.
Why don't we have a party at our place?
The little ones can sleep when they get tired.
And we have a spare room, so people can stay over.
Take the smoking outside, Jean.
That's what she said.
Yay!
Cheers!
Huh?
Mushroomhead's here.
Is he with your department?
No, he works at the branch office.
I've lent him my lighter, though.
Oh, he smokes, too?
Well...
I'm going to have a smoke.
Oh, he left!
Now's my chance!
Hello...
Happy New Year.
Right, Happy New Year.
Here's a cake from Dōwā. I heard you like it.
Oh, thank you so much!
Maybe a thank you for the lighter?
He went to all that trouble
because he knows Jean likes Dōwān cakes.
He's just a like a girl!
Oh, it's the chief.
He's finally here.
Happy New Year.
There was a lot of traffic.
Knot's family is over there.
It's amazing!
There's a kids' corner!
This means they can relax and enjoy themselves to the hilt!
Lotta...
Oh, Department Chief!
Happy New Year.
The owner of the cafe we went to last time
He's the one who had tea with Lotta before!
baked a cake they eat in Dōwā to celebrate New Year's.
I got one for you.
Oh!
Thank you so much!
He might be an even bigger obstacle than the brother.
Happy New Year, Jean.
Happy New Year.
Feel free to smoke here.
Thank you.
We received an order from Fāmasu District.
They ordered more than fifty donut vending machines.
My company got a massive order, too.
From Jumōku District.
That's good to hear.
We also got one.
I hope you'll continue to help us this year.
Of course.
Amazing!
So cute!
Wow, you have an impressive guest list.
You say you're just the manager, but you have a great top-floor unit.
Has your family been in the business long?
Only starting with my parents.
How did they end up in this position?
No idea.
I never really asked.
Which one is the landlord?
I don't think he's here.
Actually, I don't know what he looks like.
Huh?
You really don't care about details, do you, Deputy Chief?
I thought you were just a private person,
but maybe you just don't concern yourself with personal matters.
It's been a hundred years since ACCA's birth.
It seems I must be the one to make a move, after all.
Now, in the hundredth year following ACCA's creation,
I expect all of you to strive even harder in your jobs.
Do not forget you are with ACCA.
We protect the citizens' livelihood.
That was no different from the other New Year's all-hands meeting.
I thought it'd be different for ACCA's hundredth year.
I hear many people will come to the centennial from all over.
Oh, right.
Guess there'll be a ceremony.
They might decide next term's assignments
for the Inspection Department, too.
Everyone will be there.
I wonder if the deputy chief will get his transfer request.
I just have this feeling that nothing will change here.
Yeah.
You've all helped me numerous times since Kororē District,
but your speed still amazes me.
We were allowed to come assist you
when you were appointed director-general.
You said to conduct district inspections
to get a lay of the land before the centennial celebration.
But in truth, the coup rumors were involved, after all.
I did hesitate to involve you all in this coup d'état matter.
Once you acted, those in the know might realize what was happening.
I've been forbidden from my own investigation.
But based on your reports,
we don't seem to be in imminent danger.
The king's health is of concern.
But as we saw the other day, he seems well enough.
Whether a coup happens will depend on the royal family.
As for the districts, it seems to be business as usual.
However, there is one concern.
What would that be?
When I went home,
I met with Kororē District Branch Chief Griese and District Chief Clem.
When I sprang the topic of a possible coup d'état on them,
there was something odd about their reaction.
So something is going on.
We'll look into it.
Please do.
What will you do about the Suitsu coup d'état?
I'd heard of past cover-ups,
but it's the first since I became director-general.
Not to mention, it happened during Otus's audit, just a while ago.
What an utter failure by the Inspection Department, given their role.
Protecting their subordinates probably affected it.
It was to protect the Inspection Department.
He takes his job seriously.
However, he does not seem loyal to me.
One more thing, ma'am.
This has not been proven,
but regarding Grossular's possible involvement...
Let's hear it.
I see.
I'll do as you say.
I never noticed I had an observer
you'd assigned to me.
As for why Otus realized he was being watched...
How unusual to see Chief Officer Grossular
in the common room.
Apparently, various things outside the norm occur in the hundredth year.
Yes?
Why did you leak information about Crow to Otus?
I wanted him to do something.
But it was careless.
My apologies.
You are the one taking reckless action,
Chief Officer Lilium.
I want you to share all the information
you have on Otus with us.
And I'd like us to formally debate the appropriate course together
for ACCA's future.
I shall set a time and place.
I think I won that round.
Hare District
Bring on the dishes!
Coming!
Please dig in, Mr. Otus.
You can just call me Jean.
Did you even call me that last time, Branch Chief?
Now, now...
I'm so glad you came all the way out here.
We're out of beer!
ACCA Inspection Department Hare Branch Supervisor Pulse
You're really getting the red carpet.
Seems that way.
Now, now.
Everyone here seems cheerful.
They're pretty happy-go-lucky, but today, they've been over the top.
They're full of energy.
They have the nation's highest life expectancy.
The food's really good here, after all.
Oh, District Chief!
Hey, sorry to be late.
Wow, even the district chief's here!
What's going on?
Thank you for coming out here, Mr. Otus!
I'm Sereno, the district chief.
Nice to meet you.
You cut quite an impressive figure, even from afar.
But you're even more so, up close.
Oh, indeed!
The people of Hare District are far more impressive.
Everyone's so energetic.
Oh, no need for that.
The district chief is turning 91 this year!
Doesn't look it, does he?
That's amazing!
Compared to him, I'm still green around the ears.
Many people who went through the coup a century ago
are still alive in this district.
The coup d'état, huh?
I really need to return with some information,
or I'll be in trouble.
So, how's it going?
How are things progressing?
Progressing?
Oh, um, you know...
You're making quite the rounds, with all your audits.
Oh, this will be my seventh district.
How are things in the other districts?
Huh?
Well, you wouldn't want to blabber about that in another district!
Indeed!
You're the intermediary for the rebels planning a coup d'état.
I see.
That's the role I'm said to play.
His question just now
was to probe how other districts feel about a coup d'état.
Then, I might learn something
if I act the part and talk to them.
But how should I do that?
Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to pile so much on.
Oh, thanks so much, Deputy Chief!
Should I just get them drunk?
Nino's really good at making me drink.
Please.
Huh?
Oh, please. You first, Mr. Otus!
But I want to pour you drinks.
Really?
Then, thank you.
In the end,
I only got bits and pieces out of them.
I can't drink anymore.
Though it's for the director-general,
doing things I hate happening to me, to someone else sucks.
Good work.
Want a drink?
No, I don't.
I don't know if the information's useful,
but I guess it's better than no information.
She isn't coming at all.
Privy Council President Qualm,
His Highness, Prince Schwan, wishes to meet with you.
The portrait I had commissioned for my coming of age is now complete.
I would like to display it
in the Dōwā family portrait hall.
Understood, Your Highness.
I shall have it done.
I will decide where it should be put.
Give me permission to enter the portrait hall.
My grandfather treasures the hall as the place he finds peace.
I was to speak with you before entering it.
So I'm not forbidden from entering it, am I?
I will hang the portrait myself.
Understood, Your Highness.
But only you may enter the hall.
We, of the Privy Council, will carry the portrait for you.
It's been ten years since I've been in this room.
Where should we hang the portrait?
Let's put it next to this one.
Grandfather always sits there, doesn't he?
Let us hang the portrait where he can easily see his successor, me.
How did it go, Your Highness?
I put it in a good spot.
I'm happy to hear that.
What should we do about the bakery, Your Highness?
I don't remember that topic being a discussion point, Magie.
Perhaps you should go to Bādon once, Your Highness.
Broadening your horizons is important.
I do want to go to Bādon.
As future king, there are many things I should learn.
But the Dōwā family has traditionally disliked
for their women and children to leave their home district.
For that reason, I've never had occasion to leave.
All because of that tragedy thirty-three years ago.
Our land, sea, and air transportation has
now marked two years without accident.
Wow! ACCA is amazing.
The Transportation Department is always undergoing improvement.
So is the Medical Department.
The citizens' lives are being improved in visible ways, so ACCA
will become more popular than ever.
Oh, toast's done!
You made more toast?
I mean, every day, you're buying sandwich bread from Mugimaki.
Eat one more slice, okay?
Popular, huh?
Flight BD022 to Dōwā is leaving the gate.
Passengers, please proceed to Gate 9, as soon as possible.
The Truth Emerges in the Night Mists
Next time on ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department,
The Truth Emerges in the Night Mists.
The next audit's in Dōwā?
He's already on his eighth.
Can't you slow down for once?