Chapter 17

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

When he informed the administrative officers that he had been authorized to interrogate and entered the interrogation room, the interrogator, who was smoking a cigarette, was startled and sprang to his feet.

"Oh! C-Captain Daniel, isn't it! I've been expecting you!"

Staff Sergeant Wendelin, the interrogator, hastily extinguished his cigarette and saluted.

Although his posture was somewhat awkward, Wendelin's body was stiff with tension, causing Daniel to tilt his head quizzically.

"Why are you so nervous...?"

From Wendelin's perspective, being nervous was inevitable.

Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing before him? He was a monster who had achieved two special promotions within just half a year of his commissioning.

Getting two special promotions at the General Staff Office practically guaranteed promotion to a field officer rank.

Thus, Wendelin, merely a staff sergeant, was doing his best to show loyalty to a future field officer.

However, from Daniel's perspective, Wendelin's stance seemed excessively rigid, almost as if he were a rookie in basic training. This made Daniel click his tongue in mild exasperation.

"You can lower your hand now."

"Yes, sir!"

Switching to a parade rest position, Wendelin took a sharp step back.

This gesture indicated that Wendelin was relinquishing the interrogator's chair to Daniel, who had come with authorization to question the detainee.

Daniel, staring at Wendelin with slight bewilderment, shifted his gaze to the interrogation room ahead.

Through the one-way glass designed for security, he could see the detainee sitting in front of a table, handcuffed.

The man's name was Reginald Harrington, an Allied officer. Once part of the intelligence division during his junior officer days, Reginald was an elite who wore a shabby appearance and old glasses now.

'Which means…'

It was highly likely that he knew methods of contacting the Allied forces even within the Empire.

Thus, Daniel's plan was as follows:

Break down the walls of suspicion by building rapport with Reginald Harrington.Once some level of trust is established, express a desire to defect to the Allies.Coordinate with Allied informants Reginald knows within the Empire to plan an escape route.Arrive in the Allied territory with Reginald and lead a comfortable life while being well-treated.

It was a flawless escape plan.

Feeling confident, Daniel nodded and then turned to Wendelin.

"Staff Sergeant Wendelin, was there any progress?"

"Pardon? Ah. This guy's tight-lipped. No matter what we ask, he keeps his mouth shut. It's frustrating."

"I see. Then would you mind if I tried questioning him myself?"

Wendelin nodded.

"Of course. You're authorized to do so, after all. Let me open the door for you."

Wendelin pulled out a key from his belt and unlocked the steel door to the interrogation room.

Daniel gave a slight nod of appreciation and stepped inside.

As Wendelin closed the door behind him, Reginald slowly raised his head at the sound.

Upon confirming that it was Daniel who had entered, Reginald's eyes widened in fury.

"You… you bastard!"

Clank! Reginald tried to rise from his chair as if to break free from his cuffs, but Daniel remained unfazed and simply pressed a finger to his lips.

Then, Daniel calmly pulled out a chair and sat across from Reginald at the table.

Conscious of Wendelin watching from the other side of the glass, Daniel retrieved a file folder from the briefcase he had brought with him.

The folder contained Reginald's personal information provided by the intelligence division.

"Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Major. Battalion Commander of the 107th Assault Battalion, Allied Liberation Front. From the Kingdom of Eldresia, specifically the southern region of the Kingdom, Bambaryl. Correct?"

Reginald merely glared at Daniel without responding.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged his shoulders lightly and reached out his hand.

"Alright. Then I'll proceed with the interrogation my way."

Emphasizing "my way," Daniel switched off the microphone installed on the table.

Turning off the microphone was generally prohibited during interrogations, but emphasizing that he was using a different approach would prevent Wendelin from bursting in to protest.

"Good. The mic is off now, so no one outside can eavesdrop on our conversation. You don't have to worry about information leaking—how about we have a more comfortable talk?"

"…You expect me to talk comfortably while I'm handcuffed? Is this the Empire's idea of a joke?"

It seemed building rapport right away was out of the question.

In that case, Daniel decided to be direct.

"Reginald, I heard the Empire's Northern Army has made you numerous favorable offers, all of which you've rejected. I take it your desire to return to the Allies remains unchanged."

"You're stating the obvious."

"Good. In that case, I can assist you in many ways. If you cooperate well, you might even get to see your wife and daughter back home."

Sweat formed on Reginald's forehead.

While Daniel's intention was to suggest cooperation, Reginald interpreted it as a threat to his family.

Reginald took a deep breath and spoke in a trembling voice.

"...Do you know where my family is?"

Daniel nodded.

"Yes. I know where they live and even what they do. I even know the name of the dog you're raising—'Archie,' isn't it? A Golden Retriever, if I recall correctly."

Hearing Daniel recite this information obtained from the Empire's intelligence division, Reginald's eyes widened.

"How… how do you know all that…?"

"It's nothing surprising. Just as the Allies conduct espionage against the Empire, the Empire does the same to the Allies."

Recalling another detail, Daniel continued nonchalantly.

"Oh, and one more thing: I heard your eldest daughter, Sophia, recently started learning piano. Her dream is to become a pianist, right?"

Following Ernst's example, Daniel believed that discussing family matters would help foster rapport.

'It's working.'

From Daniel's perspective, Reginald seemed to have calmed down and was now listening to him.

Hoping to appear approachable, Daniel offered a faint smile as he spoke.

"From what I've heard, you're a devoted family man. I would've liked to have a father like you. I grew up an orphan, you see. I know all too well how tough life can be without a father."

Sweat dripped down Reginald's forehead.

What Daniel had intended as an innocent remark, Reginald interpreted as a veiled threat—was Daniel suggesting his daughters might grow up fatherless?

"I… I…"

Reginald, breaking into a cold sweat, placed a trembling hand to his forehead.

After struggling to catch his breath, Reginald gulped and spoke.

"…Give me… give me some time to think. I beg you."

"Huh? Already?" Daniel, who had hoped to build more rapport, felt slightly caught off guard.

However, since Reginald was expected to remain here for some time, there would be plenty of opportunities to converse in the future.

Resolving to continue their discussions another day, Daniel rose from his seat.

"Very well. We'll speak again later. Is there any food you'd like to eat?"

Reginald shook his head.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged once more and headed toward the door.

Hearing Wendelin's key unlocking the door, Daniel suddenly turned back to Reginald as if he had just remembered something.

"Oh, Major Reginald? Come to think of it, your daughters take after their mother. They're very beautiful."

Though Daniel meant it as a sincere compliment, Reginald was seized by sheer terror upon hearing it.

'What… what are you planning to do to my daughters?'

Daniel's seemingly ominous words made Reginald feel as if his heart might burst from the overwhelming fear.

Unaware of Reginald's inner turmoil, Daniel waved with a smile.

"Well then, until next time. I trust you'll cooperate properly by then."

Before Reginald could respond, the steel door opened.

Watching Daniel exit the room, Reginald trembled, struggling to catch his breath as he slipped into hyperventilation.

'A demon…'

Tears silently rolled down Reginald's wide-open eyes as he screamed inwardly.

'That man is truly a devil sent by Satan!'

The next day.

As I was having my usual meal with Ernst at the officer's mess, I suddenly froze.

Wendelin, who had just entered the dining hall, was scanning the room as if looking for someone. He soon spotted me and walked directly over.

Setting down my utensils, I watched in curiosity as Wendelin saluted.

"Thank you so much, Captain Daniel Steiner!"

I was momentarily at a loss for words upon hearing such an unexpected expression of gratitude.

Ernst, equally perplexed, stared at Wendelin as if demanding an explanation.

Noticing the attention, Wendelin lowered his hand and explained.

"Right after Captain Daniel Steiner interrogated Reginald Harrington, he declared his willingness to cooperate with the Empire. He said he'd reveal everything he knows!"

"Oh! Is that true?" Ernst exclaimed, delighted.

Meanwhile, I felt dazed.

'...Why?'

I distinctly remembered the mood being good yesterday.

I couldn't make sense of it.