44. Dmitri
『Shocking! Mastermind of Mass Infection! Executive Secretary Dmitri!』
『Dmitri! Spread Virus Driving Hundreds of Thousands to Death!』
『Humanity's Destroyer! Secrets Revealed!』
Not long after the landfill incident, Dmitri was arrested by police. Charges of attempted mass civilian murder and abuse of power. Media reported Dmitri's case daily as breaking news. As soon as arrested, Dmitri was immediately sent to court.
"This case is an extremely heinous murder case, requesting the maximum legal penalty of death."
"Defendant, make your final statement."
Under spotlights from numerous observers in court, Dmitri opened his mouth for the first and last time.
"Honored judge. And citizens. Before my final statement, I offer sincere apologies to citizens who must have been greatly shocked by our Golden Tower's strict administrative measures."
When Dmitri bowed to observers, jeers and curses like "Shut up!" and "Disgusting!" poured from the gallery. Dmitri raised his head stiffly continuing.
"Every action has a cause provoking that action. Some call it motivation, others thought, thinking, even philosophy. I have no intention of mentioning philosophy before you. I'll merely speak about what legal procedures and grounds existed for the administrative measures I took."
As Dmitri's words captured people's interest, the courtroom soon quieted.
"Since the Great Catastrophe until now, humanity has continuously suffered from the existence called 'madmen.' Because it's a phenomenon appearing from humanity itself, not from non-human groups. We've continuously researched to eliminate that virus-like 'madman phenomenon.' But what's the result? Far from a cure, we still haven't found the cause."
Dmitri spread both arms making an expression as if saying wasn't he right.
"The madman phenomenon kept humanity in anarchy and history regressed. And what we established to escape that hellish pandemonium was this 'Kast Branch.' Creating the hunter profession that struggled for this incident was also the branch's will. Now then, what social consensus—that is, laws—existed to create this hunter system? Precisely, the 『National Security Law』 you've all heard much about. Fully stated, 『Law for the Security of Nation and Humanity』. Initially a law for nation and humanity's survival, but the word survival felt too barren, so some words were revised."
Dmitri showed off his erudition pulling his neck back arrogantly. Before him, the audience became docile like students attending Dmitri's lecture.
"This 『National Security Law』 is modern society's core, and I dare say it's the most basic and important law allowing us to live humanely 'again.' Before the Great Catastrophe, humanity had 『Constitution』 as supreme law, but now the most prioritized law transcending all laws is naturally this 『National Security Law』."
The masses nodded at Dmitri's words.
"The 『National Security Law』 concentrates all philosophy and thought for humanity fighting madmen to protect our living foundations. And through this law, we could live the secure life we have now. Now then, why am I talking about this 『National Security Law』?"
When Dmitri raised eyebrows as if questioning the audience, meeting each person's eyes one by one, the masses avoided his gaze afraid he'd question them.
"Because the series of administrative measures for this incident all originated from one provision of this 『National Security Law』. It's my favorite provision, my life's values, a provision I prioritize over any biblical verse. National Security Law Article 37 Clause ②: When necessary for humanity's security and survival, the state may mobilize all means through law to respond to threats. Here, 'all means' includes deployment of public authority."
Dmitri lifted his chin continuing.
"Under the 『National Security Law』's major premise, our Golden City early established ordinances to resolve this incident, and for that ordinance establishment, 'scientific and systematic' simulation techniques were mobilized to quickly resolve this mass madman incident leaving maximum survivors. For this simulation, we invited renowned domestic and international experts, deriving various results based on diverse scenarios, and now here I publicly present those optimal results."
The courtroom couldn't help but stir at Dmitri's surprise evidence. The defendant's final statement was the last procedure of all trial proceedings, and the prosecution had no further opportunity to refute. The judge seemed troubled but allowed the evidence immediately since people were too curious.
"This research report reaches approximately 15,000 pages, so I can't read it all now—I'll simply state the conclusion. 'Through such statistical approaches, we confirmed the highest survival rate at 85-95% purification rate. This condition holds significant meaning at a 95% confidence interval.' That is, the 90% rule I ordered administratively was based precisely on this 'scientific and systematic' expert report."
The gallery quieted before numbers.
"So how about it? Am I still humanity's destroyer? I was merely faithful to my work in my position. That work being my efforts to save even one more person under my jurisdiction—I hope everyone here and the honored judge will surely know this, and I only hope this difficult situation is overcome quickly. That is all."
Dmitri boldly argued to the end without bending. People were speechless as if enchanted by Dmitri's words, and the anger that filled the courtroom just moments ago melted away like snow. After the final statement, a 30-minute recess, then judges returned. They declared innocent on attempted mass civilian murder charges, applying abuse of power sentencing 2 years imprisonment. People lost words in futility as if losing their target of anger. Dmitri smiled silently.
After Dmitri's trial, the city's public sentiment worsened. Remaining people protested the rigged trial and criticism continued from other cities. Journalists guerrilla-raided Victor with questions. Most about whether he directly ordered Dmitri and knew his actions. Victor gave no answers.
People identified 'Victor' as Dmitri's mastermind. Saying Victor was cutting off the tail using Dmitri as a front. Saying the whole source was Mayor Victor and the case couldn't be resolved without putting him on trial. They no longer trusted the government. They caused fierce riots day and night to drive out Mayor Victor. Golden Tower's main institutions burned. Golden Tower's glamorous nights were filled nightly with people's protests and anger. Victor watched protesters lost in thought. He realized he'd reached some threshold.
"7653, visitor."
The steel door creaked open in the dark cell. The squat old man shielded his eyes from the dazzling sunlight pouring through the open door. He looked at the guard grinning.
Where guards took Dmitri was the visiting room. When the door opened, a welcome face smiled at him. Victor.
"Dmitri! My friend!"
Victor stood up hugging Dmitri. He silently hugged Dmitri tightly for a while. Dmitri too lost for words at the unexpected person's appearance, swallowed dry saliva as if choked up. Tears welled in his eyes.
"You've gotten many more wrinkles since I saw you. In your wrinkles' contours I see deeper worries than Imeron's wisdom."
"Mayor is a stylish man as always. Now you've become the lightning king who conquered Mount Olympus."
Victor smiled seating Dmitri.
"How is it, can you live here?"
"Of course. It's so peaceful I'd like to turn a waterwheel."
"Your humor's unchanged. Have a drink."
Victor poured brandy he'd prepared earlier, filling Dmitri's glass. The caramel-colored brandy shone sweetly in sunlight from outside. Dmitri respectfully received the glass with both hands as if facing a holy grail after so long.
"How's outside? Do those ignorant foolish masses still evaluate the golden history Mayor created as a mirage? Are they still pitifully barking like dogs who've lost their master, forgetting their proper place? Just as land has owners and objects have owners, this city clearly has an owner called Victor, yet they chatter about civil disobedience and natural law, living in delusion that they're the owners. Nevertheless, Mayor pities them not driving them out, so I'm just honored. For such a person, I acted according to the greater good, so being in my rightful place, I'm fulfilled and warmth overflows daily."
Dmitri boldly conveyed his will to his ally visiting after so long. They say people become bold when imprisoned—he was more unrestrained toward Victor than before. As if deluding himself he was a hero sacrificed for absolute good.
"You've become more composed and manly. If only all my people were like you? That's my greed."
Victor sipped his drink looking dispirited at Dmitri. Dmitri remembered the drink in his hand and brought the glass to his lips gulping it down. The strong alcohol approaching 60 degrees went down his esophagus to his stomach washing his insides. Dmitri frowned but looked ecstatic at the drink tasted after so long. In good spirits, he began singing their private epic.
"Do you remember? The day Mayor first took office. People lined up to the village entrance saying Salem's king was reincarnated, wanting to see you. When Mayor first appeared before the crowd, people surrounded you reaching out seeking blessings. It was like pilgrims gathered for holy pilgrimage. Women praised Mayor's golden brilliant hair. Men envied Mayor's dignified shoulders. All prophets blessed that a new leader had come, so the wind of change would blow even in this mere rural town."
Dmitri was getting going—blood circulated, his face reddening. His sesame-seed eyes grew large and bright like ox eyes.
"One day Mayor looked at regions becoming dilapidated ruins and said, 'I'll make this a brilliantly golden city that many people seek voluntarily.' Then many people looked at Mayor crying in pity. Saying the wise king was endangering himself by focusing on impossible tasks. Everyone stopped us. Saying it was something no one accomplished and would eventually end in failure. People comforted Mayor not to waste life on such vain dreams but to drink and sing with them enjoying pleasant country life together."
Dmitri raised his empty glass drinking as if alcohol remained. He stuck out his tongue seeking a spring in a dried desert, shaking out drops from the glass. Then Victor hurriedly lifted the bottle pouring fine tan liquor filling his glass again.
"The day tourists first flocked to Golden Tower! I'd never seen such crowds! It was like buffalo herds advancing seeking pasture. In that tremendous cauldron of fervor, I thought the whole city would burn! Tourists filled with joy didn't know to leave Golden Tower, and everywhere in the city festivals erupted daily with champagne popping. And that day when Golden Tower's funds first awarded subsidies to remaining militias, didn't everyone bow their heads admitting their foolishness? One elderly among them cried that the prophesied one manifested, so now we'd all live in heaven's kingdom. Then everyone cheered throwing blessing flowers wherever Mayor went."
Victor's eyes too began moistening remembering.
"After that we accomplished countless miracles. Gave jobs to those who gave up marriage lacking work, helping them form families. For poor women who lost husbands, organized work systems so they could work and raise children safely. For elderly aging alone without children, created communal nests making new families, and for neighbors born with disabilities living lives of rejection, made jobs so they could work and live independently."
Dmitri took a sip continuing.
"And what about public safety? Got hunter branch authorization from northern headquarters protecting citizens from madmen who might arrive anytime. Prepared various education programs so people could live satisfied lives, comforting them not to tremble in anxiety lest they transform into madmen. Is that all? Directly managed residential areas so everyone could equally live in homes without feeling relative deprivation within jurisdiction, poured endless attention and affection preventing alienation from praising Golden Tower's glamorous life."
Dmitri again gulped down remaining liquor enjoying the burning pleasure in his throat. Then his eyes began bloodshot from rising intoxication.
"But what about the people? These bastards like fat pigs, the better you treated them the more they climbed up demanding more. They took what was already given as natural and began whining to make them like Golden Tower too."
Dmitri's countenance transformed frighteningly like the demon Mephisto.
"When their demands weren't accepted, they began having complaints. And whenever regional discord occurred, they began blaming us. When mountain fires spread in villages, when storms flooded them, when yellow dust spread causing bronchitis, when people died from owners' greed, they constantly flaunted man-made disasters, man-made disasters, cursing that government didn't manage properly. Then started treating us like thieves saying their taxes weren't being used properly."
Dmitri continued.
"As if that wasn't enough to vent, they privately made broadcasts raising suspicions about everything we did, slandering and criticizing, even inciting good people to degrade us as stagnant waters, targets for disposal. Even spread false rumors comparing Mayor to Roman Emperor Caesar, saying he ravished and toyed with many women. Ha! Caesar! Ungrateful bastards! However uneducated, to compare those who fed them that way!"
Dmitri continued.
"Then they began chattering that though poor, the old days were good. Ha! Isn't it ridiculous? The past was good? Then they must have wanted that primitive age of self-sufficiency, eating wild greens, fighting mammoths where men died day after day! How foolish they are! Then they blamed all incidents' sources on Mayor and Golden Tower. So they began claiming that if only Golden Tower disappeared, they'd somehow gain eternal peace. The joy and praise we brought returned transformed into criticism and despair."
Dmitri continued.
"So we let them live independently by militia, then what? Weren't they up in arms asking why we cut subsidies, now threatening their lifeline? Isn't it really a spectacle? Their behavior! All wanted to live like emperors, but isn't that greed? Isn't all this because they wrongly learned rotten naturalist thoughts from people like Rousseau? Everyone's the master? Even passing dogs would laugh!"
Dmitri continued.
"Nevertheless, didn't Mayor with endless patience and wisdom comfort the foolish people, striving to make a better world? God is also indifferent. How can He make someone like Mayor suffer such hardship? I couldn't just watch. Because sheep unprepared to receive the prophet naturally become wolf food. The day Mayor gave me the medicine, I resolved. If sacrifice is necessary to make a more beautiful world, that sacrifice should be nobly accepted. I swear I have not a shred of shame about past actions."
When Dmitri spoke, Victor's eyes sparkled as if the awaited words had burst forth. And he stood up unable to contain himself, walking to the window. Looking at the outside scenery spread through blinds, he seemed to hesitate about something.
Shortly after, he spoke.
"Dmitri. Do you regret that matter?"
Victor's voice was calmer and heavier than ever. Dmitri already intoxicated answered without a shred of hesitation.
"I swear to the Thunder King, not a shred of shame. It's my will and my self's mythology trying to improve this world."
When Dmitri finished, silence flowed briefly. Victor seemed to have nothing more to say, only looking outside. Shortly after, Victor turned back, looked at Dmitri, and smiled comfortably. Then he went to Dmitri, grasped those rough hands saying.
"Thank you."
Victor's eyes welled. Dmitri was moved again by Victor's appearance shedding tears. Having nothing more to say, Dmitri bowed to Victor then returned with guards. Victor kept watching Dmitri's retreating back.
When Dmitri reached his cell, the cold iron door closed. He quite liked this tipsy feeling tasted after so long. The world seemed to spin, lights following as if at a banquet hall. He staggered to bed laying his heavy body. Though his body became heavy as a rock unable to move more, the world he saw kept spinning round. He felt good having said what should naturally be said. He thought his words must have greatly strengthened his dispirited lord, praising himself once more for doing well. He thought by his sacrifice, the world would change once again. And someday when he left this cell, his superior would give him unparalleled joy and happiness. No, he was already happy with Victor's praise. That one word, that one word saying he relied on him. He thought it was infinite trust he couldn't receive even if given a thousand gold. He was now like a Mars rover rusting away quietly after fulfilling its mission. He quietly fell asleep bathed in fading sunset light.