I Hope We Can Be Friends
I Hope We Can Be Friends
After securing interrogation permission through Ernst, Daniel headed to the Military Police near headquarters after work.
He informed the duty clerks that he had permission and entered the interrogation room, where the interrogator—who had been holding a cigarette—rose in surprise.
"Ah! Y-you, Captain Daniel! I've been waiting for you!"
Sergeant Bendelin, the interrogator, hastily put out his cigarette and saluted.
The stance was rather awkward, but since Bendelin's body was stiff, Daniel tilted his head in confusion.
"Why are you so nervous...?"
From Bendelin's perspective, there was no choice but to be nervous.
Who was Captain Daniel Steiner standing before him? A monster who had achieved two special promotions not even half a year after his commission.
Two special promotions at General Headquarters practically guaranteed his promotion to a field-grade officer.
So Bendelin, a mere sergeant, was simply showing loyalty to the future field-grade officer.
From Daniel's perspective, however, the posture was so rigid that he thought it might be excessive.
Feeling as if he was looking at a new recruit in boot camp, Daniel clicked his tongue.
"It's fine, you may lower your hand."
"Understood!"
Snapping to attention, Bendelin methodically took a step to the side.
Since Daniel had obtained permission and entered the interrogation room, Bendelin was effectively handing over the interrogator's role.
Daniel, who had been watching Bendelin somewhat awkwardly, now looked straight ahead.
Through the security one-way glass, he saw the prisoner seated at the table in handcuffs inside the investigation room.
The man with a haggard appearance and worn glasses was Reginald Harrington.
He was an elite who belonged to the Allied Nations and had worked in their intelligence department as a junior officer.
'That meant......'
It meant he knew how to contact the Allied Nations from inside the Empire.
Daniel's plan was therefore as follows:
1. Build a friendship with Reginald Harrington to break down his suspicion.
2. After some degree of rapport is established, convey that he wants to leave the Empire and defect to the Allied Nations.
3. Contact the information sources within the Empire that Reginald knows, and craft an escape route.
4. After arriving at the Allied Nations with Reginald, live a happy life while receiving appropriate hospitality.
It was truly a perfect escape plan.
Nodding confidently, Daniel turned to Bendelin and said:
"Sergeant Bendelin. Have you had any success?"
"Huh? Ah. He's such a tight-lipped bastard that no matter what we asked, he wouldn't answer. Even with coaxing or threats, he keeps his mouth shut; it's really troublesome."
"I see. Then may I try interrogating him for a bit?"
Bendelin nodded.
"Yes. Since you came with permission, there's no reason you can't. I'll open the door for you."
Bendelin took a key from his waist and opened the iron door of the investigation room.
Daniel gave a single nod of thanks and stepped inside.
As soon as Bendelin confirmed that Daniel was inside and closed the door, Reginald Harrington, having heard the noise, slowly raised his head.
When Reginald saw that it was Daniel who had entered, his eyes widened.
"Y-you son of a bitch!"
Cheolkeok! Reginald heaved his upper body as if he would break free of the handcuffs binding him to the chair, but Daniel simply brought his index finger to his lips with a calm expression.
Then he pulled out a chair and sat down across the table from Reginald.
Aware of Bendelin watching from beyond the glass, Daniel took out a folder from the briefcase he had brought.
The folder contained Reginald's personal details provided by the intelligence department.
"Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Major, and battalion commander of the Allied Liberation Front's 107th Shock Battalion. He hails from the Kingdom of Eldreshia, and his hometown is the Vambarril province in the south of the kingdom. Correct?"
Reginald merely glared at Daniel and did not answer.
Seeing that, Daniel shrugged and reached out his hand.
"Alright. Then from now on, I'll interrogate you in my own way."
After deliberately emphasizing 'my own way,' Daniel turned off the microphone installed on the desk.
Turning off the microphone during an interrogation was normally not allowed, but since he had stressed that his method was different, Bendelin would not come in to protest.
"Alright. Now that the microphone is off, our conversation won't be overheard from outside. So, how about we have a more comfortable chat without worrying about information leaking?"
"......You're suggesting a comfortable chat while I'm in handcuffs? So this is how the Empire jokes, I see?"
It was certainly unreasonable to expect a friendly conversation right away.
If that was the case, he had no choice but to get straight to the point.
"Reginald. I heard that the Imperial Northern Front Army made you several friendly offers, but you refused them all. It seems your desire to return to the Allied Nations hasn't changed."
"You're stating the obvious."
"Good. Then I can help you in many ways. If you cooperate well, you might be able to see your wife and daughters back home."
Cold sweat formed on Reginald's forehead.
Daniel had said it as a handshake gesture, but to Reginald, it only looked like he was threatening his family.
Taking a deep breath, Reginald spoke in a trembling voice.
"......Do you know the whereabouts of my family?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yeah. I know not only where they live but also what they do. Even the name of the dog they're raising. It's 'Archie,' right? The breed is a Golden Retriever, too."
As Daniel recited the details he had received from the Imperial intelligence department, Reginald's eyes widened.
"How do you know even that...?"
"There's nothing to be surprised about. Just as the Allied Nations conduct intelligence activities against the Empire, the Empire also conducts intelligence activities against the Allied Nations."
Daniel, having just thought of something else, said casually:
"Ah. Let me tell you one more thing: your eldest daughter, Sofia, has started learning the piano. Her dream was to become a pianist, right?"
Taking after Ernst, Daniel thought talking about family would help him build a connection.
'It's working.'
From Daniel's perspective, Reginald's anger was subsiding and he was listening attentively.
To make Reginald see him in a more friendly light, Daniel said with a faint smile:
"I heard from your family history that you were devoted to your family. I wish I had a father like that. Because you see, I'm an orphan. I know very well how tough life is without a father."
A trickle of cold sweat ran down Reginald's forehead.
Daniel's words, spoken without much thought, sounded to Reginald as if he was asking, 'Do you want your daughters to live without a father?'
And he was smiling calmly as he said it.
"I, I......."
Reginald, who had been groaning, raised a hand and touched his forehead.
After calming his ragged breathing with effort, Reginald swallowed and said:
"Give me...... time to think. Please."
Huh? Already? Daniel, who had wanted to build more rapport, found himself in a difficult position.
But still, since Reginald was scheduled to remain here for the time being, there would be plenty of opportunities to talk in the future.
Thinking they could speak again next time, Daniel stood up from his seat.
"Alright. Well...... let's meet next time. Is there any food you'd like to eat?"
Reginald shook his head.
Seeing that, Daniel shrugged and walked toward the door.
The sound of Bendelin, who had been watching from outside, approaching with the key and opening the door could be heard.
Daniel, who had been waiting while the door opened, suddenly turned to look at Reginald as if he had just remembered something.
"Ah. Major Reginald? Now that I think of it, your daughters look just like your wife and are very pretty."
Daniel had said it purely out of goodwill, but upon hearing those words, Reginald was seized with extreme terror.
'My daughters...... just what are you planning to do to them?'
At Daniel's meaningful words, Reginald felt his heart pounding as if it would burst.
His heart raced out of control from the overwhelming surge of tension and fear.
Daniel, completely unaware of Reginald's feelings, raised a hand and smiled.
"Then let's meet again next time. I look forward to your proper cooperation then."
While Reginald was unable to reply, the iron door opened.
Watching Daniel slip out through the iron door, Reginald soon began to hyperventilate, his eyes fluttering.
'Ah, a demon.......'
With his eyes wide open and tears streaming down, Reginald silently screamed.
'That bastard is clearly a devil sent by Satan!'
*
The next day.
While eating at the officers' mess with Ernst as usual, Daniel paused.
Bendelin, who had entered the cafeteria, looked around as if searching for someone and then walked straight over to Daniel.
Wondering what business he had, Daniel set down his utensils, and Bendelin saluted.
"Thank you so much! Captain Daniel Steiner!"
Hearing the sudden thanks, Daniel was dumbfounded.
Ernst, too, wondering what was going on, simply stared at Bendelin with piercing eyes.
Aware of their gazes, Bendelin lowered his hand and explained the circumstances.
"Right after Captain Daniel Steiner interrogated him, Reginald Harrington said he would cooperate with the Imperial Army. He claims he'll hand over all the information he knows!"
"Oh! Is that true?"
Ernst said with a bright expression, but Daniel only felt his mind go blank.
'......Why?'
He remembered that the atmosphere had clearly been good yesterday.
He just couldn't understand it at all.