Mistaken for a War Hero

Chapter 16
I Hope We Become Friends

Having received permission from Ernst for the interrogation, Daniel headed to the military police station near the headquarters after work.

After informing the administrative staff that he had authorization for the interrogation and entering the interrogation room, the interrogator, who had been smoking a cigarette, jumped up in surprise and stood at attention.

“Ah! C-Captain Daniel, is that you? I’ve been waiting, sir!”

Sergeant Wendelin hastily put out his cigarette and saluted.

Although his posture was somewhat awkward, Sergeant Wendelin’s body was stiff, causing Daniel to tilt his head in confusion.

“Why are you so nervous…?”

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

Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing before him? A monster who had been promoted twice in less than half a year since his commission.

Being promoted twice at the General Staff Headquarters was practically a guarantee of becoming a field officer.

Therefore, Wendelin, a mere sergeant, was showing his loyalty to a future field officer.

However, from Daniel’s perspective, his posture was excessively rigid.

Daniel clicked his tongue, feeling like he was looking at a new recruit at boot camp.

“At ease, Sergeant. You can lower your hand.”

“Yes, sir!”

Wendelin changed to the at-ease position and smartly stepped aside.

It was a gesture to offer the interrogator’s seat to Daniel, who had arrived with authorization.

Looking at Wendelin with a perplexed expression, Daniel turned his gaze forward.

Inside the interrogation room, designed with a one-way glass for security purposes, he saw the prisoner sitting at the table, handcuffed.

The man, with a haggard appearance and worn-out glasses, was Reginald Harrington.

He was affiliated with the Allied Nations and was an elite who had worked in their intelligence department during his time as a company-grade officer.

‘That means…’

He knew how to contact the Allied Nations from within the Empire.

Therefore, Daniel’s plan was as follows:

1. Build a rapport with Reginald Harrington to break down his walls of suspicion.
2. Once they had established some level of friendship, express his desire to leave the Empire and seek asylum in the Allied Nations.
3. Make contact with the informants Reginald knew within the Empire and plan an escape route.
4. Arrive in the Allied Nations with Reginald and live a happy life, receiving appropriate treatment.

It was a truly perfect escape plan.

Nodding confidently, Daniel turned to Wendelin and said,

“Sergeant Wendelin, any progress?”

“Sir? Ah, he’s tight-lipped. He wouldn’t answer anything I asked. It’s troubling because he keeps his mouth shut even when I try to persuade or threaten him.”

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

Wendelin nodded.

“Yes, since you have authorization, there’s no problem. I’ll open the door for you.”

Wendelin took out a key from his waistband and unlocked the metal door of the interrogation room.

Daniel nodded his thanks and stepped inside.

After confirming that Daniel had entered, Wendelin closed the door. Hearing the noise, Reginald Harrington slowly raised his head.

Reginald’s eyes widened as he recognized Daniel.

“Y-You bastard!”

Clank! Reginald shook his upper body as if trying to break free from the handcuffs that bound him to the chair, but Daniel simply raised his index finger to his lips with a calm expression.

He pulled up a chair and sat opposite Reginald.

Conscious of Wendelin watching from behind the glass, Daniel took out a file from his briefcase.

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

“Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Major. Commanding Officer of the 107th Assault Battalion, Allied Liberation Front. Born in the Kingdom of Eldresia, hometown is the Vambaril region in the south of the kingdom. Correct?”

Reginald only glared at Daniel and didn’t answer.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged and extended his hand.

“Alright. Then I’ll interrogate you in my own way.”

Intentionally emphasizing “my own way,” Daniel turned off the microphone installed on the table.

Originally, turning off the microphone during interrogation was prohibited, but since he had emphasized his different approach, Wendelin wouldn’t interrupt with objections.

“Alright. Now that the microphone is off, no one can eavesdrop on our conversation. So, why don’t we talk more comfortably without worrying about information leaking out?”

“…You want to talk comfortably while I’m handcuffed? Is this how the Empire jokes around?”

As expected, it was difficult to have a friendly conversation right away.

In that case, he had no choice but to be direct.

“Reginald, I heard that the Imperial Northern Front Army made you several favorable offers, but you rejected them all. It seems you still haven’t changed your mind about returning to the Allied Nations.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Good. Then I can help you in many ways. If you cooperate, you might even be able to see your wife and daughters back home.”

Beads of sweat formed on Reginald’s forehead.

Daniel meant it as an offer to join forces, but from Reginald’s perspective, it sounded like a threat against his family.

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

“…Do you know the whereabouts of my family?”

Daniel nodded.

“Yes. I know where they live, what they do, and even the name of the dog you raise. Isn’t it ‘Archie’? A Golden Retriever, right?”

As Daniel recited the information he had obtained from the Imperial Intelligence Agency, Reginald’s eyes widened.

“How do you know such things…?”

“Don’t be surprised. Just as the Allied Nations conduct espionage against the Empire, the Empire also conducts espionage against the Allied Nations.”

Daniel, remembering something else, added casually,

“Ah, and one more thing. Your eldest daughter, Sophia, has started learning the piano. Her dream is to become a pianist, isn’t it?”

Following Ernst’s example, it seemed like bringing up family matters was a good way to build rapport.

‘It’s working.’

From Daniel’s perspective, Reginald had calmed down and was listening attentively.

To make Reginald feel more comfortable, Daniel offered a gentle smile.

“From what I’ve heard about your family life, you’re devoted to your family. I wish I had a father like that. I’m an orphan, you see. I know how difficult it is to live without a father.”

A bead of sweat trickled down Reginald’s forehead.

Daniel’s casual remark sounded like a threat to Reginald: “Do you want your daughters to live a life without a father?”

And he said it with a calm smile on his face.

“I-I…”

Reginald groaned and pressed his hand to his forehead.

Trying to calm his rapid breathing, he swallowed hard and said,

“Give me… give me some time to think. Please.”

Huh? Already? Daniel, who wanted to build more rapport, was a bit flustered.

However, Reginald would be staying here for a while, so there would be plenty of opportunities to talk later.

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

“Alright, well… see you next time. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

Reginald shook his head.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged and walked towards the door.

He could hear Wendelin waiting outside with the key, ready to open the door.

While waiting for the door to open, Daniel suddenly remembered something and looked back at Reginald.

“Ah, Major Reginald? Come to think of it, your daughters are quite beautiful, taking after their mother.”

Daniel meant it as a purely friendly remark, but Reginald was gripped by intense fear.

‘My daughters… what are you planning to do to them?’

Reginald felt his heart pounding as if it might explode at Daniel’s suggestive words.

His heart raced uncontrollably due to the surge of tension and fear.

Daniel, unaware of Reginald’s feelings, smiled and waved his hand.

“Then I’ll see you next time. I expect your full cooperation then.”

Before Reginald could answer, the metal door opened.

Reginald watched helplessly as Daniel walked out through the door, then started hyperventilating and his eyes trembled.

‘A-A devil…’

With wide eyes, Reginald screamed silently as tears streamed down his face.

‘That man must be a demon sent by Satan himself!’

***

The next day.

I was having a meal with Ernst at the officers’ mess hall as usual when I paused.

Wendelin, who had just entered the mess hall, was looking around as if searching for someone, then walked straight towards me.

Wondering what he wanted, I put down my cutlery, and Wendelin saluted.

“Thank you very much, Captain Daniel Steiner!”

I was dumbfounded by the sudden gratitude.

Ernst also seemed surprised and just stared at Wendelin intently.

Conscious of their gaze, Wendelin 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 true?”

Ernst responded with a delighted expression, but I felt my mind go blank.

‘…Why?’

I distinctly remembered the atmosphere being quite amicable yesterday.

I couldn’t understand it at all.

—————

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