NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Daniel, who obtained the interrogation permission through Ernst, headed to the Military Police near the headquarters after work.
When he entered the interrogation room after informing the administrative staff that he had received the interrogation permission, the interrogator, who was smoking a cigarette, was startled and stood up.
“Ah! Aren’t you Captain Daniel?! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Corporal Wendelin hastily extinguished his cigarette and saluted.
Though his posture was somewhat awkward, Daniel tilted his head, seeing that Wendelin was rigid.
“Why are you so tense…?”
From Wendelin’s perspective, it was only natural to be nervous.
Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing before him? He was a monster who had achieved two special promotions in less than six months since his commissioning.
Having received two special promotions from the General Staff Headquarters meant that his promotion to the rank of Major was practically guaranteed.
Thus, as a mere Corporal, Wendelin was showing loyalty to a future Major.
However, Daniel couldn’t help but think that it was a bit excessive.
It felt like he was looking at a new recruit in training, making Daniel shake his head.
“You can lower your hands now.”
“Understood!”
Changing to a stance of attention, Wendelin decisively stepped back.
It was a sign that since Daniel had come in with interrogation permission, he was ready to hand over the interrogator’s seat.
Daniel gazed sternly at Wendelin and then focused on the one-way glass designed for security. Inside the interrogation room sat a handcuffed prisoner at the table.
The man, who looked haggard and wore old glasses, was named Reginald Harrington.
He was affiliated with the Allied Forces and had worked in the intelligence department during his time as a commissioned officer, making him an elite.
‘Which means…’
It also meant he knew how to contact the Allied Forces from within the Empire.
Therefore, Daniel’s plan was as follows:
1. Build rapport with Reginald Harrington to break down the walls of suspicion.
2. After establishing some level of familiarity, express the desire to defect to the Allied Forces.
3. Make contact with the informants within the Empire that Reginald knows to devise an escape route.
4. Arrive at the Allied Forces together with Reginald and live a happy life while receiving suitable treatment.
It was truly a perfect escape plan.
Nodding confidently, Daniel turned to Wendelin and said,
“Corporal Wendelin. Did you have any success?”
“Yes? Ah. That stubborn guy wouldn’t answer no matter what I asked. Even when I tried to coax or threaten him, he kept his mouth shut. It’s quite troublesome.”
“I see. Then may I try interrogating him?”
Wendelin nodded.
“Yes. Since you have received permission, there’s no reason not to. I’ll open the door.”
Taking out the key from his waist, Wendelin unlocked the iron door to the interrogation room.
Daniel, giving a slight nod as a sign of thanks, stepped into the interrogation room.
As Wendelin confirmed that Daniel had entered, he closed the door, causing Reginald Harrington to slowly lift his head at the sound.
Upon realizing it was Daniel who entered, Reginald’s eyes widened.
“This… this bastard!”
Clang! Reginald jerked his upper body as if he were about to break free from the handcuffs, but Daniel remained calm, placing a finger on his lips.
He pulled out a chair and sat down at the table across from Reginald.
Aware that Wendelin was watching from beyond the glass, Daniel took out a file folder from his briefcase.
The folder contained information about Reginald provided by the intelligence department.
“Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Major, Commander of the 107th Assault Brigade of the Allied Forces. From the Eldreshia Kingdom, hails from the Sembarityu region in the southern part of the Kingdom. Is that correct?”
Reginald only glared at Daniel and did not respond.
Seeing this, Daniel shrugged and extended his hand.
“Alright. Then I’ll interrogate you my way from now on.”
Emphasizing ‘my way’ deliberately, Daniel turned off the microphone placed on the desk.
It’s normally not allowed to turn off the microphone during the interrogation process, but having emphasized that the method was different, Wendelin wouldn’t protest and come in.
“Alright. I’ve turned off the microphone, so now our conversation won’t be overheard. So, how about we talk more comfortably without worrying about any information leaking?”
“…You want to have a comfortable conversation while I’m handcuffed? Guess the Empire jokes around like this?”
So, trying to get straight to the point was the only option left.
“Reginald. I’ve heard that the Northern Army Corps made several favorable proposals to you, and you turned them all down. It seems you still desire to return to the Allied Forces.”
“That’s an obvious thing to say.”
“Alright then, 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 beaded on Reginald’s forehead.
Daniel had spoken as if suggesting a handshake, but to Reginald, it only sounded like a threat using 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 for a living. I even know the name of the dog they have. It’s ‘Archie’, right? A golden retriever, isn’t it?”
As Daniel recited the information he had received from the Empire’s intelligence department, Reginald’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How do you know all that…?”
“There’s no need to be surprised. Just like the Allied Forces engage in espionage against the Empire, the Empire does the same to the Allied Forces.”
Then, recalling one more thing, Daniel calmly said,
“Oh. One more thing: your daughter, your eldest, Sophia has started learning piano. She dreams of becoming a pianist, right?”
Following Ernst’s example, Daniel thought that discussing family matters seemed to be a good approach to build rapport.
‘It’s effective.’
To Daniel’s observation, Reginald was now cooling down and paying attention to the conversation.
In order to make Reginald see him more favorably, Daniel smiled softly and said,
“I heard 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 it is to live a life without a father.”
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Reginald’s forehead.
What Daniel said without any particular intention sounded to Reginald as if he was asking, ‘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 hesitating, raised his hand to touch his forehead.
After making an effort to calm his ragged breathing, Reginald swallowed hard and said,
“Give me… give me some time to think. Please.”
Huh? Already? Daniel found himself in a somewhat awkward position since he wanted to build more familiarity.
However, since Reginald would be staying here for a while, there would be plenty of time to talk in the future.
Thinking he could talk more next time, Daniel stood up.
“Alright. Well… let’s talk next time. Is there any food you might want?”
Reginald shook his head.
Seeing this, Daniel shrugged and walked toward the door.
Outside, Wendelin was heard coming with the key to open the door.
As Daniel waited for the door to open, he suddenly turned back to Reginald.
“Oh. Major Reginald? By the way, your daughters look just like your wife, very pretty.”
Daniel said this with pure goodwill, but Reginald was seized with extreme fear upon hearing those words.
‘What are you planning to do with my daughters…?’
Reginald felt his heart pounding as if it would burst due to Daniel’s ominous words.
His heartbeat was racing uncontrollably due to the intense tension and fear.
Oblivious to Reginald’s feelings, Daniel raised his hand and smiled.
“Then see you next time. I hope for proper cooperation then.”
While Reginald couldn’t muster a reply, the iron door opened.
As Daniel stepped out through the door, Reginald remained helplessly watching him while soon suffering from hyperventilation, trembling his eyes.
“Oh, demon…”
With wide eyes and tears flowing, Reginald silently screamed.
‘That guy must be a demon sent by Satan!’
*
The next day.
While having breakfast with Ernst in the officers’ dining hall as usual, I paused.
Wendelin entered the dining hall, seemingly searching for someone, and he walked directly toward me.
Wondering what business he had, I set down my utensils, and Wendelin saluted.
“Thank you very much! Captain Daniel Steiner!”
Suddenly hearing expressions of gratitude left me dumbfounded.
Ernst seemed equally surprised, staring at Wendelin, wanting to know what was going on.
Awareness of the gaze made Wendelin lower his hand and explain 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 enthusiasm, but I felt a sense of disorientation.
‘…Why?’
I clearly remembered the atmosphere was good yesterday.
I simply couldn’t understand it.