After receiving interrogation permission through Ernst, Daniel headed towards the military police near the headquarters after work.
Upon entering the interrogation room after informing the administrative staff that he had received the interrogation permission, the interrogator, who had been smoking a cigarette, was taken aback and stood up.
“Ah! Are you not Captain Daniel?! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Sergeant Bendelin, the interrogator, hurriedly extinguished his cigarette and saluted.
Although his posture was somewhat awkward, Daniel tilted his head because Bendelin’s body was tense.
“Why are you so nervous…?”
From Bendelin’s perspective, there was no option but to be nervous.
Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing in front of him? He was a monster who had received two promotions in less than six months since being commissioned.
Having received two promotions in the Staff Headquarters was tantamount to securing a future promotion to an officer rank.
So, Bendelin, being just a mere sergeant, was showing loyalty to a future officer.
However, to Daniel, it seemed excessively stiff.
It felt like looking at a recruit in training, making Daniel click his tongue.
“You can lower your hands now.”
“Understood!”
Changing to a position of attention, Bendelin took a decisive step to the side.
Since Daniel had entered the interrogation room after receiving his interrogation permission, it meant he was offering the interrogator’s position to him.
Daniel, who had been glancing at Bendelin with a disapproving look, focused straight ahead.
Through the one-way glass designed for security, he could see a handcuffed prisoner sitting in front of a table in the interrogation room.
The man’s name, wearing worn-out glasses and in a shabby state, was Reginald Harrington.
He was affiliated with the Allied Forces and was considered an elite, having worked in the Intelligence Department during his time as an officer.
‘That means…’
It implied that he knew how to contact the Allied Forces even from within the Empire.
Thus, Daniel’s plan was as follows:
1. Build rapport with Reginald Harrington to break down the wall of suspicion.
2. After establishing some degree of rapport, convey the desire to defect to the Allied Forces.
3. Contact the informants Reginald knows within the Empire to devise an escape route.
4. Arrive in the Allied Forces with Reginald and live a prosperous life after receiving proper treatment.
It was truly a perfect escape plan.
Nodding confidently, Daniel turned to Bendelin and spoke.
“Sergeant Bendelin. Did we have any results?”
“Yes? Ah. The guy has a heavy mouth; he doesn’t answer no matter what I ask. Even when I try to persuade or threaten him, he keeps his mouth shut, which is quite problematic.”
“I see. Then may I have a go at the interrogation?”
Bendelin nodded.
“Yes. Since you have received permission, there’s no reason not to. I will open the door.”
Taking out the key from his waist, Bendelin opened the iron door of the interrogation room.
Daniel nodded in thanks and stepped inside the interrogation room.
Once he confirmed that Daniel had entered, Bendelin closed the door, and the sound caught Reginald Harrington’s attention as he slowly lifted his head.
Upon realizing that it was Daniel who entered the interrogation room, Reginald’s eyes widened.
“Y-You bastard!”
Clang! Reginald jerked his upper body as if to free the handcuffs binding him to the chair, but Daniel merely placed his index finger to his lips with an unfazed expression.
He then pulled out a chair and sat down in front of the table across from Reginald.
Aware of Bendelin watching from beyond the glass, Daniel retrieved a folder from his briefcase.
The folder contained Reginald’s personal details provided by the Intelligence Department.
“Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Battalion Commander of the Allied Forces’ 107th Assault Battalion. He hails from the Eldressia Kingdom, and your hometown is in the southern region of the Kingdom, right?”
Reginald only 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” intentionally, Daniel switched off the microphone installed on the desk.
It was usually not permitted to turn off the microphone during an interrogation, but since he emphasized that the method was different, Bendelin would not come in to protest.
“Alright. Since I’ve turned off the microphone, our conversation can’t be overheard from outside. So how about we have a more comfortable chat without worrying about information leaking?”
“…You want to talk comfortably while I’m handcuffed? The Empire jokes like this, I see.”
It seemed that it was unrealistic to engage in friendly dialogue right away.
In that case, there was no choice but to be straightforward.
“Reginald. I heard the northern front of the Empire made several kind offers to you, but you rejected all of them. It seems you still desire to return to the Allied Forces.”
“You’re just spouting nonsense.”
“Fine. In that case, I can help you in various ways. If you cooperate well, you might be able to see your wife and daughter back in your hometown.”
Cold sweat began to bead on Reginald’s forehead.
What Daniel meant as a gesture of offering help appeared to Reginald as a threat toward his family.
Reginald, taking a deep breath, spoke in a trembling voice.
“…Do you know where my family is?”
Daniel nodded.
“Yes. I know where they live and what they do. I even know the name of the puppy they have. It’s called ‘Archie,’ right? It’s a Golden Retriever.”
As Daniel recited what he had heard from the Empire’s Intelligence Department, Reginald’s eyes widened.
“How do you know that…?”
“There’s no need to be surprised. Just as the Allied Forces conduct espionage against the Empire, the Empire does the same against the Allied Forces.”
Suddenly, Daniel casually added another piece of information.
“Oh, and by the way, I heard your oldest daughter, Sophia, has started taking piano lessons. Her dream was to become a pianist, right?”
Taking after Ernst, Daniel thought it would be good to talk about family to become friends.
‘It’s working.’
At that moment, Reginald seemed to be calming down and was listening intently.
To help Reginald view him more favorably, Daniel smiled lightly and said.
“From what I’ve heard about your family, you were devoted to them. I wish I had such a father too. I’m an orphan, you see. I know how hard a life without a father can be.”
A single bead of cold sweat trickled down Reginald’s forehead.
What Daniel said without any particular intention sounded to Reginald like, ‘Do you want your daughter to live a life without a father?’
Especially as he said it with a calm smile.
“I… I…”
Reginald, who had been trembling, raised his hand and pressed it against his forehead.
Reginald, desperately trying to calm his rapid breathing, swallowed hard and said.
“Please… give me some time to think.”
Huh? Already? Daniel, who wished to build a bit more rapport, found himself in a difficult position.
Still, Reginald was going to stay here for a while, so there would be plenty of time for conversations in the future.
Thinking he could engage in more conversation next time, Daniel stood up.
“Alright. Well… I guess we’ll see each other next time. Is there any food you’d like to eat?”
Reginald shook his head.
Seeing that, Daniel shrugged his shoulders and walked toward the door.
From outside, Bendelin approached with the key, and the sound of the door opening was heard.
While waiting for the door to open, Daniel suddenly turned back to Reginald.
“Oh, Lieutenant Colonel Reginald? By the way, your daughters have taken after your wife and are really beautiful.”
Although Daniel said it out of pure goodwill, Reginald was seized with extreme terror upon hearing those words.
‘What are you planning to do with my daughters…?’
Reginald felt his heart racing as he heard Daniel’s significant words.
The tension and fear skyrocketed, causing his heart to beat uncontrollably.
Unaware of Reginald’s feelings, Daniel raised his hand and smiled.
“Well then, let’s meet again next time. I hope for your proper cooperation then.”
As Reginald couldn’t manage to say anything, the iron door opened.
Watching Daniel slip out through the iron door helplessly, Reginald soon found himself gasping for breath, trembling.
‘Ah, a demon…’
With wide-open eyes, tears streamed down as Reginald silently screamed.
‘That guy is truly a demon sent by Satan!’
*
The next day.
While having a meal with Ernst in the officers’ dining hall, I paused.
Bendelin, who entered the dining hall, seemed to be looking for someone and soon walked directly towards me.
As I put down my utensils, Bendelin saluted.
“Thank you so much! Captain Daniel Steiner!”
Being suddenly thanked left me bewildered.
Ernst also seemed surprised and stared at Bendelin curiously.
Seeing our gazes, Bendelin lowered his hand and explained.
“Right after Captain Daniel Steiner interrogated, Reginald Harrington said he would cooperate with the Empire. He said he would disclose all the information he knows!”
“Oh! Is that really true?”
Ernst said, beaming with joy, but I felt my mind going blank.
‘…Why?’
I clearly remembered the atmosphere being positive yesterday.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
