Meiji era during the restoration phase when the new regime having its struggles to keep the peace from the aftermath of Civil War, a new police force has been formed by the imperial rule to fight the rebellions from the previous military dictatorship government. On corruption, privilege and threat due to its political turmoil to societal, economic and cultural change, I followed both Chief Inspectors Keishirō Kazuki and Toshiyoshi Kawaji from the Imperial Prosecuting Office in their investigative journeys dealing with a series of murders and deaths cases happening across the capital.

It started with rasotsu (police officer who taken advantage of the newly formed society) brief history to chapter of Esmeralda; a French shrine maiden who played an important role in infusing a mystical hue to the plot— bit surreal on her part but enticing much to delve into her interactions with Kazuki and the cases he handled. 5 chapters later with subsequent crime and murders, bit dense with its drama and tension but nothing too twisty or engrossing much for me as the mystery goes quite mediocre and mostly explored on one’s spiteful motive and immorality issue.

Too many characters come and go which I did not fancy much, I was more invested with Kazuki’s love affairs but reading his confession making me go digress— frankly an ingenious unexpected ending with that guillotine scene, I was perplexed. A bit dreadful in a way but love how the last chapter linked me back to its main theme with a perspective on modernization as well societal and political impact from the new established government.

“At death, I fear no dying,
As in living, I steal no life.”

Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted review copy!