'This painting is the most famed of Valentin's works, purchased on recommendation some years ago. Parted with about a million chervontsy for it,' Duke Propp effusively tells the Government Inspector as he introduces his collection. 'And here we have a precious night pearl recovered from the east mountains. Only two in the entire empire, one of them here with me, the other in the hands of Duke Beria...' 'You mean this one?' The Inspector pulls a gemstone out of her pocket the size of a burdenbeast's eyeball, glowing in faint green. 'Well, good Inspector, you certainly know your treasuries!', lauds the Duke, loath as he is to. His territory is tenth on the Inspector's rounds, and the first nine are all extravagant when it comes time for bribes. Not one Inspector hasn't been thoroughly spoiled by the time they make it here. The Inspector strolls up to a corner of the collection, and picks up an altogether unremarkable and antiquated military saber, toying with it amusedly in her hands. Its edge is polished to a shine, reflecting her carmine eyes. 'What fine taste you have!' As if he's caught sight of prey in his trap, the Duke bustles over to ingratiate himself. 'This precious sword here was one bestowed by the previous Tsar. A perfect spoil for you to take back to Deity Grypherburg, I might think.' 'How could I repay your generosity for such a precious article, Duke?', the Inspector makes her second question. 'I simply ask that on your return to Grypherburg, you might recount my service to His Majesty, so I could take part at the capital when he grants his subjects...' 'So you're telling me, you want the Empire to know of your mines' service, ten years accident-free, accomplished by having everyone who knew of the disaster there buried in a collapsed shaft?' The Inspector's words completely blindside the Duke, and the sycophantic smile freezes on his face. 'You want the Empire to know of the 'ten thousand bandits' you killed, when half of them were refugees starving to death in your territory?' The color in the Duke's face goes from pale to ghastly. He has never met an Inspector like this before. 'Or maybe, you want the Empire to know that you, and the past nine Dukes, were all such devout and loyal executioners?' The Government Inspector, with the ceremonial saber at hand, has cast the night pearl worth a king's ransom straight aside. She pulls off her hood, revealing her fiery red hair. The Duke meets her eyes, and they call to mind the recent rumor—only a few years ago, the Crownslayer, whoever she was, had returned to Ursus. 'It couldn't be. Are they all...' The Duke tries to ask, but can only swallow the rest of his sentence, along with his fear. 'If there was an Inspector visiting, and if the Empire did know of all your deeds, maybe they would've given you shiny new prizes for it.' Duke Propp is dying to run, to scream for help, but before he knows it, thick and choking smoke coiling about him has stolen his voice. 'It's a real shame the Empire can't hear your cries.' The 'Inspector' raises the saber. 'But don't worry. The Crownslayer will grant you your reward.'