And Yet, the Prefectural Council Goes On 1

Birds are singing, flowers are blooming...

What a beautiful day.

It's a perfect day to enjoy sipping an espresso at an outdoor cafe.

What a shame that I'll be stuck at a dark inspection point instead.

...Even time for melancholic daydreaming is denied to me.

Yes, I hear you! The inspection point is about to open!

Proceed through. Please submit your pass.

Here.

Nothing declared, huh?... Then, please submit to a brief physical inspection.

Oh, is this really necessary? You know this uniform has fake pockets!

Not personal. Just the job.

W-Wait! Even over THERE?

Smuggling is on the rise. We've received updated frisking orders.

No I... Heehee! Wait, I'm super ticklish! S-Stop!

...Well, you don't seem to be hiding anything. You're free to go.

That's what I told you!

This is why everyone hates the Council...!

Diligent work is rewarded with unfair critique.

*sigh*... Whining won't make this day go any faster...

Next! Proceed through. Please subm...

Yeah, my pass and bag, here, got it.

Thank you. Now then, I will inspect the contents of your bag.

Hm. Pollock-roe-flavored potato chips.

And what about them?

Forbidden. I must confiscate these.

Why?!

This item is classified as non-compliant. It fails to meet Wildhunt's food safety standards.

What standards?

This brand uses an insufficient amount of nitrogen in its packaging, leaving it susceptible to damage and contamination during transport.

Nitrogen...? It's perfectly safe. You just want to eat my chips, don't you?

I don't make the rules. All complaints must be formally mailed to the Assembly office.

And, next is this...doll. It could be on our list...

Hm... Ah, found it. "Peroro," affiliated with the "Momo Friends." Yes, this must also be confiscated.

I'm tired of listening to this...but why?

Hmm... It says here that the Assembly found that "subject Peroro displayed an inconsistency of character in a recent episode, therefore, as a diplomatic protest..." What in the...

...The ruling remains. All Momo Friends goods are temporarily banned. Additionally...

"Additionally"?!

There's also this.

Is this a pineapple?

Clearly, yes. It's a pineapple. What's wrong with it?

...Nothing. I'm just surprised how much you can fit in this bag. Also, this must be confiscated.

Why?! It's a fruit!

It's banned. The only way to stop the possibility of pineapple pizzas is to remove the source.

Who made up that rule...?

Me. I don't like pineapple pizza.

That's completely biased and unfair!

Inspectors must use their discretion when it comes to confiscating products that may lead to serious crimes.

Pineapple pizza is NOT a crime...

Finally...? What even is this?

Ah, I think it's an autobiography of Gehenna's Student Council President? I thought it was funny that no one bought it despite the markdown, and it's got cool binding. So I purchased it.

This book doesn't appear in the official registry. I must confiscate this for now.

What?! Do you know how heavy that was to drag here?

If the book passes an official review, it will be added to the registry. Following that, you may retrieve the book after submitting an official request to the Assembly.

That's everything. You're free to go.

Yeah, it's "everything"! My bag's empty now! Other schools get to have....chips and dolls and fruit! What right do you have to take them?!

The inspector's rights are listed in the official regulations.

Who reads that besides the Prefectural Council?! Ugh!

*sigh* Exactly. Ignorance of the rules is the problem...

I'll lock these in storage... Now, next! Proceed through.

Oof! This is heavy, hold on.

You packed a lot. Now then, I will inspect the contents of your bag.

Of course! It should be exactly as declared.

Let's see... 50 sets of Red Flower paintbrushes, 50 bundles of Cruger SB brushes, 100 canvases, and a can of industrial paint stripper...

Hm? What's under this canvas?

Oh! That's...!

...What's this?

As you can see by the label...this is Millennium-made napalm.

An SMG, a highly-explosive grenade... These weapons were NOT declared.

Ah, well, those are my personal effects! I was packing so much that I forgot they were at the bottom of the bag.

I didn't mean to surprise you. But did I really have to declare such trivial things?

No. It's as you said. It's trivial. It would be like asking you to declare your hat and jacket.

All clear. You're free to go.

Thank you! Have a wonderful day!

If only everyone could follow their example and obey the rules... *sigh* Next! Proceed through.

Here! My pass and my item! Hurry! I'm struck by divine inspiration!

Yes, all right. Hold on. ...?

What...is this item?

It's a statue from Trinity! If I grind it and make it into paint, it should produce a fine, soft, ethereal white!

...And the statue's creator gave you permission to pulverize their work?

Huh? Are you blind? Clearly, it's an antique. Practically a relic!

Yes. I can see that.

The artist who made it is dead, obviously!

...I'll confiscate this for now. I also...sense you require additional screening. Please wait here.

What? WAIT?! Inspiration waits for no one!!

...*gasp* I know what's going on! You're trying to steal my idea, aren't you?!

Don't be ridiculous. This imported statue is subject to sanctions.

Sanctions...? You're trying to control art! CENSORSHIP!

Are you...actually committing a crime?

I will not submit to oppressive authority! This is MY vision! Art only comes to those who struggle!

Ah! Security! We have a runner!

Huh? Where'd they go?

Pursue and apprehend her!

What's going on? What's all that screaming?

So you're just letting her through with her stuff? Give me my pineapple back!

This is our chance. They can't stop all of us.

Wh-What?! Stand firm, everyone!

This is the Inspection Point! We have an emergency situation! Students are revolting and rushing the gates. Requesting reinforcements!

Together! We shall break the chains of the Prefectural Council and regain our freedom!

Viva Wildhunt! We are slaves to no one!

Ah...

...A pigeon.