Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: War on Terror (2)
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There's a saying: "When in a hurry, go the long way around."
It means that when you're stuck on something crucial that needs to be handled quickly, don't just fixate on the root cause—review the surrounding factors as well.
Direct approaches rarely work on someone immune to torture or persuasion.
"Who are you?"
"Major Michael Schumacher, sir."
"Thank you for treating me with such courtesy."
"I'm with the Imperial Army, and you serve the Ortz Kingdom... We're enemies. But the nobles of the Empire understand and respect honor. I salute your loyalty to the Ortz Kingdom."
Rienson's gaze toward me softened a little.
But there was no sign of him lowering his guard against the Empire.
"A man who knows honor. As expected of the Empire's hero."
"Thank you. Then let me ask again. Could you tell me the orders given to you by the Ortz Kingdom?"
Rienson smirked at my words.
He even shrugged his shoulders.
"If you were in my shoes, would you spill it so easily? I wouldn't, even with a blade to my throat."
"Understood. You're not the type to give any statement, no matter the torture."
I hadn't expected to extract any information from this man when I entered.
Someone who won't crack under torture isn't going to suddenly open up over a glass of whiskey...
'When in a hurry, go the long way around.'
If Rienson won't give us the confession we want, there's no need to obsess over him alone.
"I respect your loyalty and convictions. Therefore, I have no desire to keep a man like you in a place like this prison."
"You won't put a prisoner in a cell?"
"Does a prisoner absolutely need to be locked away? I'm not releasing you, but within my authority, I'll arrange the best accommodations possible."
"Are you in your right mind?"
Of course I am.
People like you don't open up when forced down.
So the best policy is to extend maximum goodwill.
"Three proper meals a day with snacks, a luxury bed, and aside from restrictions on leaving the room, no other controls. The moment you enter, we'll remove your handcuffs. If you request alcohol or books, we'll procure them as best we can."
"...... What's your angle?"
"No angle at all."
I have no intention of pulling any direct tricks on you, Rienson.
"It's simply a gesture of respect for your loyalty and convictions."
With that, the interrogation ended.
Rienson was promptly moved to accommodations fit for high-ranking individuals.
Can't go outside, but otherwise like a five-star hotel—he should be satisfied.
"Battalion Commander, are you sure it's okay not to resort to torture or anything like that?"
"Even under torture, this man's not going to reveal what he knows. Torturing someone like that just wears us out. It could even backfire."
"Isn't torture effective for uncovering hidden truths?"
Even in the Joseon era, they used branding irons—fiery engines—to sear information out of people, or water torture—the physical engine—to search for intel.
It was effective, so everyone used it...
But torturing someone who's endured it multiple times with no results is just a waste of time and effort.
No, it actually backfires.
'It'll just make him grind his teeth in hatred toward us.'
"Torturing someone immune to it just backfires. The pain and humiliation from torture will fuel his hatred for our Empire, making him hold out to the end."
"Is that so?"
"He'd bite his tongue and die before giving us what we want."
A deeply rooted tree breaks before it bends.
The same goes for talent whose loyalty to their homeland pierces the heavens.
They won't open their mouths to torture.
"So you're not giving up entirely like this—you must have another plan?"
"To win a war, don't go straight for the commander-in-chief's head; eliminate his soldiers one by one first. We start targeting those around Rienson."
Even the sturdiest wall has an ant hole if you look closely.
Shove an awl in that hole and hammer away until it fits, then swing a hammer, and you've got a big gap.
Rienson acts unfazed and composed, holding out...
But can he endure this too?
"Rienson is a man of unyielding loyalty. Torture won't work on him, nor will promises of wealth and glory."
"The NCOs and officers who handled his interrogation said the same. They said the Empire needs soldiers like him."
"But men like that have one fatal weakness."
"A fatal weakness, sir?"
I have it too.
No, every soldier has it.
"Loyalty, pride, and faith in their nation—that's the weakness."
Lina tilted her head at my words.
"What do you mean by that?"
"That fierce loyalty to the homeland is sustained by the firm belief that the nation won't abandon him. What if that trust crumbles—the belief that even if he dies here, his homeland will uphold his honor to the end?"
Soldiers live and die by honor.
They fight, staking their lives, expecting respect and safety for their families.
Nations that violate this principle are extremely vulnerable in war.
That's why pre-modern armies were so weak.
Officers and NCOs were overly revered...
While rank-and-file soldiers were treated worse than slaves, with no respect.
"...... Battalion Commander, what in the world."
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Lina's face.
She stared at me blankly, eyes wide.
What's so shocking about this?
Any soldier would consider it once to divide the enemy and secure victory for our side.
"There are other prisoners captured alongside Rienson, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell them Rienson spilled everything. Then we'll intensify the torture, claiming he told us all."
It's the most effective tactic in interrogations and investigations.
Your comrade talked, so you talk too.
Even if the comrade held out for loyalty, it's a lie exploiting the investigator's advantage.
If mutual trust is absolute, it won't work...
'But is their trust that ironclad?'
"After intensifying the torture, we'll tell them Rienson's living comfortably as payment for spilling everything."
"The captured prisoners will gnash their teeth at Rienson."
"And to get revenge on him, we'll ask for his family's information."
"You plan to target Rienson's family?"
It's a common tactic in war.
Assassinating a top leader's family to rattle the commander's mind is a tactic, after all.
Extremely effective right before a major battle.
Of course, on our continent where only nobles can be officers, no one uses it...
"Pretend you didn't hear that."
Among officers, there's a certain etiquette: don't directly target commanders above company level—it's the polite way.
In such an era, suggesting assassinating enemy families...
Is the same as proposing massacres to boost troop morale.
I plan to serve long as an Imperial officer; I have no intention of such villainy.
"I have no plans to actually touch them. But a little lie is fair game."
Playing near the line is legal.
Crossing it is not.
"We'll spread the story that the Ortz Kingdom branded Rienson a traitor to the nation and executed his family. No— we need to make the Ortz Kingdom itself condemn him as a traitor."
That coward Rienson tried a despicable sabotage—looting attempt worthy of public outrage.
He came on Ortz Kingdom orders...
But from our victims' perspective, it's infuriating.
"Is that even possible?"
"What's stopping it? Just make them believe it."
Give one prisoner a chance to 'accidentally' escape, and pass on the fact that Rienson's living in luxury—done.
Then Ortz Kingdom will surely mistake him for a traitor.
"Ah, we've arrived at the cells holding the prisoners from Ortz Kingdom. Let's get started."
We had some serious conversations with the prisoners over a fairly long time.
There was a minor issue with blood and flesh splattering in the process...
But they seem ready to talk with us now.
Shaking, pleading with their eyes to be spared.
"I am Major Michael Schumacher of the Imperial Army."
They wouldn't know my name.
But a major in his twenties screams elite.
Learning he oversaw the torture will hit harder.
"Today, I've come to share some unfortunate news."
The devil whispered with a smile.
"Rienson has betrayed you."