chapter_0017

16 – I Hope We Get Closer

16 – I Hope We Get Closer

After receiving interrogation permission through Ernst, Daniel headed to the military police station near the headquarters after work.

Upon informing the administrative staff that he had received interrogation permission and entering the interrogation room, the interrogator, who was smoking a cigarette, stood up in surprise.

“Ah! Aren’t you Captain Daniel Steiner! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Corporal Bendelin quickly extinguished his cigarette and saluted.

Although his posture was somewhat awkward, Daniel tilted his head, noticing that Corporal Bendelin’s body was tense.

“Why are you so nervous…?”

From Bendelin’s perspective, he couldn’t help but be nervous.

Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing before him? A monster who had achieved two promotions within just six months of commissioning.

Having received two promotions from the staff headquarters was tantamount to a guaranteed advancement to a higher rank.

Thus, Bendelin, merely a corporal, was showing loyalty to a future officer.

However, to Daniel, it seemed excessively stiff.

It felt as if he were looking at a recruit in training, and Daniel clicked his tongue.

“You can lower your hands now.”

“Understood!”

Changing to a position of attention, Bendelin stepped aside with precision.

Since Daniel had entered the interrogation room with permission, it signified that he would take over the interrogator’s position.

Daniel, who had been looking at Bendelin with a frown, turned his gaze forward.

Through the one-way glass designed for security, he could see a handcuffed prisoner sitting at a table.

The man, looking haggard and wearing old glasses, was named Reginald Harrington.

He was affiliated with the Allied Nations and had worked in the intelligence department during his time as a junior officer, making him an elite.

‘That means…’

It meant he knew ways to communicate with the Allied Nations even from within the Empire.

Thus, Daniel’s plan was as follows:

–
Build rapport with Reginald Harrington to break down the wall of suspicion.

–
After establishing some level of friendship, convey his desire to defect to the Allied Nations.

–
Contact the informants within the Empire that Reginald knew to devise an escape route.

–
Arrive at the Allied Nations with Reginald and live a happy life while being treated well.

It was indeed a perfect escape plan.

Confidently nodding, Daniel turned to Bendelin and asked, “Corporal Bendelin. Did you achieve any results?”

“Yes? Ah. The guy has a heavy mouth; he won’t answer no matter what I ask. Even with persuasion or threats, he keeps his mouth shut, which is quite troublesome.”

“I see. Then may I try interrogating him?”

Bendelin nodded.

“Yes. Since you have permission, there’s no reason not to. I will open the door for you.”

Taking the key from his waist, Bendelin opened the iron door to the interrogation room.

Daniel nodded once in gratitude and stepped inside the interrogation room.

Once Daniel confirmed he had entered, Bendelin closed the door, and Reginald Harrington slowly lifted his head upon hearing the noise.

Seeing that it was Daniel who entered, Reginald’s eyes widened.

“You… you bastard!”

Clank! Reginald jerked his upper body as if he would break free from the handcuffs binding him to the chair, but Daniel remained calm, placing his index finger to his lips.

He then pulled out a chair and sat down at the table opposite Reginald.

Aware of Bendelin watching from beyond the glass, Daniel took out a folder from the briefcase he had brought.

The folder contained Reginald’s personal information provided by the intelligence department.

“Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Major, Commander of the 107th Assault Battalion of the Allied Liberation Front. From the Eldresia Kingdom, and your hometown is in the southern region of the kingdom, Bambaril. Am I right?”

Reginald merely glared at Daniel and did not respond.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged his shoulders and extended his hand.

“Alright. Then from now on, I will interrogate you my way.”

Emphasizing “my way” deliberately, Daniel turned off the microphone installed on the desk.

Normally, the microphone should not be turned off during the interrogation process, but since he emphasized that his method was different, Bendelin would not protest.

“Alright. Now that the microphone is off, our conversation cannot be overheard from outside. So, how about we talk more comfortably without worrying about information leaking?”

“…You want to have a comfortable conversation while I’m handcuffed? The Empire seems to joke like this?”

It seemed that having a friendly conversation right away was too much to ask.

In that case, there was no choice but to be direct.

“Reginald. I’ve heard that the Northern Army Group of the Empire made several favorable offers to you, but you rejected them all. It seems you still have no change of heart about wanting to return to the Allied Nations.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“Alright. Then I can help you in various ways. If you cooperate well, you might be able to see your wife and daughter back home.”

Cold sweat beaded on Reginald’s forehead.

Daniel had meant it as a gesture of goodwill, but to Reginald, it only appeared as a threat regarding his family.

Taking a deep breath, Reginald spoke in a trembling voice.

“…Do you know where my family is?”

Daniel nodded.

“Yes. I know not only where they live but also what they do. I even know the name of the puppy they have. It’s ‘Archie,’ right? The breed is Golden Retriever.”

As Daniel recited the information he had received from the Empire’s intelligence department, Reginald’s eyes widened in shock.

“How do you know such things…?”

“There’s no need to be surprised. Just as the Allied Nations conduct espionage against the Empire, the Empire does the same against the Allied Nations.”

Suddenly recalling something else, Daniel spoke nonchalantly.

“Oh, and one more thing: your daughter, the eldest, Sophia, has started learning the piano. She dreams of becoming a pianist, right?”

Following Ernst’s example, Daniel thought it would be good to talk about family to build rapport.

‘It’s effective.’

From Daniel’s perspective, Reginald seemed to be calming down and listening attentively.

To make Reginald view him more favorably, Daniel smiled gently and said, “I heard that you were devoted to your family. I wish I had a father like that. I’m an orphan, you see. I know well how hard life can be without a father.”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Reginald’s forehead.

What Daniel said without any particular intention sounded to Reginald like, ‘Do you want your daughters to live a life without a father?’

And he said it while smiling calmly.

“I, I…”

Reginald, who had been swallowing his words, raised his hand to touch his forehead.

Trying to calm his rapid breathing, Reginald swallowed hard and said, “Give me… give me time to think. Please.”

Huh? Already? Daniel found himself in a difficult position as he wanted to build a bit more rapport.

However, since Reginald would be staying here for a while, there would be plenty of time for future conversations.

Thinking he could talk again next time, Daniel stood up.

“Alright. Well… let’s meet again. Is there any food you would like to eat?”

Reginald shook his head.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged his shoulders and walked toward the door.

The sound of Bendelin approaching with the key and opening the door could be heard.

While waiting for the door to open, Daniel suddenly turned back to Reginald as if he had just remembered something.

“Oh. Major Reginald? By the way, your daughters resemble your wife and are quite beautiful.”

Daniel said this with pure goodwill, but upon hearing it, Reginald was seized by extreme fear.

‘What are you planning to do with my daughters…?’

Reginald felt his heart racing as Daniel’s words carried a significant weight.

The tension and fear surged to the point where his heart was racing uncontrollably.

Unaware of Reginald’s feelings, Daniel raised his hand and smiled.

“Then I’ll see you next time. I hope for your proper cooperation then.”

As Reginald was left speechless, the iron door opened.

Watching Daniel exit through the door with a sense of helplessness, Reginald soon began to hyperventilate, his eyes trembling.

‘Ah, a devil…’

With wide eyes and tears streaming down, Reginald silently screamed.

‘That guy is definitely a demon sent by Satan!’

–

The next day.

While having a meal in the officers’ mess with Ernst as usual, I paused.

Bendelin entered the mess, looking around as if searching for someone, and then walked straight toward me.

Wondering what he wanted, I set down my utensils, and Bendelin saluted.

“Thank you so much! Captain Daniel Steiner!”

Suddenly hearing words of gratitude left me dumbfounded.

Ernst seemed equally puzzled, staring at Bendelin in confusion.

Noticing our gazes, Bendelin lowered his hand and explained the situation.

“Right after Captain Daniel Steiner interrogated him, Reginald Harrington said he would cooperate with the Imperial Army. He said he would reveal all the information he knows!”

“Oh! Is that really true?”

Ernst responded with excitement, but I felt my mind going blank.

‘…Why?’

I distinctly remembered the atmosphere being good yesterday.

I couldn’t understand it at all.