The Truth Shall Set You Free (2)

Walking down a dark corridor, Mahiru could hear her heart throbbing in her chest. An unprecedented tension crackled in the air as she waited for Mamoru to lead her to the one person she had longed to see one more time for over 13 years.

Could it really be that he was still alive, after all this time?

Mamoru stopped before a row of prison cells, staring through the holes between the iron bars.

As Mahiru’s eyes swept the surroundings, she felt like throwing up. A sheer uncountable number of cells filled her vision, each one with multiple people imprisoned in them. They were barely moving, all life seemingly sucked out of them. It was impossible to tell whether they were dead or if they had lost all will to life. Either way, the sight chilled her to the bone.

“I’m sorry you have to see this, Madam Mahiru. Your eyes don’t deserve such a sight. But there’s one person you absolutely have to see.”

Mamoru moved towards a solitary cell, the only one that wasn’t overcrowded, always the easiest to find.

“Akira, are you awake? I brought you a visitor,” Mamoru’s voice filled the dim hallway. For the first time in a while, his tone had a certain warmth attached to it.

Mahiru flinched at the sound of the name Mamoru had just uttered.

Grandpa…!

“A visitor? I thought they were prohibited in here?” Akira asked slowly, standing up from the corner of his cell with a strained groan.

“Well, as Master Kenji’s direct servant, I can always bend the rules just a little.”

Mamoru laughed. It was the first time Mahiru had seen him express something akin to joy.

The man inside the cell sluggishly approached the bars separating him from his visitor.

As he stepped closer, Mahiru could see his skinny body, reduced to little more than skin and bones. His hair had fallen out completely, the dark circles under his eyes standing out even in this dim atmosphere.

“Akira, this is Mahiru, your precious granddaughter. She came to rescue you. And with that, we will finally put an end to this cruel tyranny.”

Akira’s eyes widened in an instant, an immediate surge of life rushing through him.

“M-Mahiru? Is this really you, Mahiru? It can’t be…”

Her own heart leaping in her chest, Mahiru took a step towards him, touching his hands through the holes in the gate.

“Y-yes, Grandpa! It’s me, Mahiru. It’s been so long. I was convinced you were dead.”

Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the cold, solid floor beneath her. No matter what she had expected before coming here, she never would have thought to find her living grandfather.

“How could I have died without seeing you again, Mahiru? I wasn’t involved in some accident. Your damned father fabricated that story to keep me locked away. He silenced anyone who dared contradict him.”

Akira’s voice was heavy, his speech slightly unclear, but he spoke with a quiet determination.

“Your father always preached that the people of Germania were a superior race, feared by the world. That’s why we were punished after the war. But that’s not the truth. We were the ones who started the war by invading peaceful nations. We were the aggressors, not the other way around. You know this, right, Mahiru?”

“Of course, you taught me everything about it when I was little. How could I ever forget?” she replied, her gaze softening.

Opening the gate with his key, Mamoru let out Akira from his prison cell. The moment the door was open, Akira rushed forward, pulling his granddaughter into a tight embrace. Every single emotion from the last 13 years, every unspoken word was contained in that single embrace.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” Mahiru said, desperately trying to hold back the tears.

As Mamoru watched them in silence, even he was moved by this fateful reunion, a single tear tracing its way down his cheek.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you two,” Mamoru cleared his throat, his voice slightly unstable, “but you should definitely get going now.”

“Get going? Where?” Mahiru asked.

“Out of here, of course. Bring Akira to the West with you, where nobody can hurt him anymore.”

As the truth settled into her mind, everything clicked into place. Mamoru had known about Akira’s situation, he had planned all this, perhaps from the moment Mahiru had set foot in the West. He wanted Mahiru to take Akira into the West with her, to bring him to safety.

But then, an unexpected voice reverberated throughout the corridor. One that Mahiru had never wanted to hear again.

“Bravo, bravo, Mamoru. What a mesmerising show.” Kenji clapped his hands, a cruel grin stretching across his face. “I’m absolutely moved by your devotion to Akira and Mahiru. But I’m afraid your little exhibition must end here.”

Mahiru’s father showed up in front of them, flanked by two soldiers.

“Master Kenji, what a surprise. What brings Your Highness here?” Mamoru greeted him, his tone as calm as ever.

Kenji snorted, stepping closer to them. “Don’t give me that. It’s time to stop playing dumb. It was clear what you were up to the moment you asked to be stationed here. You had never cared about getting rid of the corpses before. And you…”

He faced Mahiru, his sneer growing as he looked down at his own daughter.

“Did you seriously think I wouldn’t notice when you returned to the East? Of course I’d get notified when someone with the name ‘Watanabe’ requested to cross the wall.”

“F-Father…” Mahiru stammered, unable to look him in the eyes. She’d hoped she would never have to see them again. Those dangerous eyes, always so full of anger and disdain.

“Stay away from her, Kenji,” Akira stepped in, forcing his body between Kenji and Mahiru.

But Kenji only laughed, pushing him aside.

“Out of my way.”

Mahiru watched in horror as her grandfather was sent crashing into the cold iron bars. His body twisted with pain, a low groan escaping him.

“Father, why are you doing this? What’s the point of ruling a country through fear? Why do you torment all these innocent people?”

She clenched her fists, like she was ready to throw in a deadly punch. But she knew she was too weak for that. She couldn’t possibly defeat her father in a physical battle, especially not with two soldiers protecting him.

Kenji laughed once again, spreading out his arms.

“Oh, Mahiru, my naive daughter. You would never understand, nor could you understand. We, the people of East Germania, carry the will of our ancestors. Unlike those weak, brainwashed people in the West, we don’t bow to other countries that unjustly punished us. We are going to avenge our ancestors one day, taking back what was stolen from us. And whoever doesn’t agree with this can rot in here.” His smile widened, dark and satisfied. “Fear is power, Mahiru. If you don’t rule with an iron fist, you’ll never command respect.”

Mahiru gritted her teeth, her body overflowing with fury. She could feel the heat of anger pulsing through her veins. She knew this wasn’t right. People were supposed to live in freedom and harmony, not fearing their own government. She’d only been able to live in the West for a month, but this much was evident even after such a short time.

“Well then, I’m done with you. This is the last time you’ll disappoint me. Why don’t you stay here with your beloved grandfather for the rest of your miserable days? And you too, Mamoru.” He turned towards his soldiers, slowly walking away. “Lock them up. Now.”

At his command, the two soldiers rushed forward. But Mamoru remained eerily calm, holding Mahiru’s hand in the process. It felt warm and reassuring.

“It’ll be okay, Madam Mahiru.”

In the next moment, they heard a deafening bang from the outside, followed by shouts from multiple voices. During this short instant of confusion, everyone turned around in bewilderment.

“She really did it,” Mamoru murmured before clearing his throat in an exaggerated manner, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.

“Master Kenji… No, you’re not my master anymore. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the show thus far and thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, we’re not at the end yet. But fear not, you’ve secured yourself the finest seat for my last act. This is the grand finale. Enjoy the spectacle.”

Numerous armed men hurried into the corridor, their unmistakable uniforms adorned with the emblem of the West. They encircled Kenji and his two men, giving them no chance to escape.

“Kenji Watanabe, you are under arrest for suspicion of committing war crimes. Resistance is futile, follow us immediately.”