Chapter 88: The Officer of the Military State
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: The Officer of the Military State
“Hello, Captain Abbey! It's been a while, hasn't it?”
The golem, bound by shadows, lifted its head at my words.
The golem was in a sorry state. Dozens of whips made of pitch-black shadow were pulling at its body as if it were a toy. If the pulling forces hadn't been maintained in a perfect state of equilibrium, the golem would have been torn to shreds.
The way to sever shadows is with fire. I used Standard Magic to conjure a flame on my fingertip and cut the shadows one by one.
“Ah, my apologies. I had to step out for a bit, so I tied up your legs just in case you fell off the cupboard... But you're tied up much more prettily than before, aren't you? I wonder which kind soul did this?”
Now then, let's see what kind of answer my little taunt gets.
As I placed the speaker in its empty mouth, an unpleasant noise began to emanate from far away.
『Grind... Gnash...』
“Wow, the golem is grinding its teeth! It doesn't even have teeth, but it's grinding them!”
The golem ground its teeth as if grinding me to dust wouldn't be satisfying enough.
But irreplaceable resources are precious. Permanent teeth are one of them.
After a moment, the golem stopped grinding and spoke in a halting voice.
『...This officer... will never forget... your actions.』
“Oh, come on. I was just being considerate, letting you get a good stretch in while I was gone.”
『Gnash... Because of that, this officer...』
This is fun, but not being able to read its thoughts makes it less enjoyable.
I decided that was enough teasing for now and got to the point.
“So, just because I figured out a way to escape, you call an officer right away? How could you be so cold? That's why I'm acting this way, you know.”
『...You tried to uncover an escape method right in front of this officer, and you have the audacity to speak of warmth?』
“One can be curious. You were curious about how to get out of the cupboard too, weren't you, Captain Abbey? That's why you tried to negotiate with Tyr... though you were a step too late.”
『Then we are even. Neither this officer nor you managed to find out the other's escape method.』
Must be her experience as a Signaller. She won't lose a single word.
I can't read her mind, and she's plenty wary. I wonder if I'll get anything by prodding her.
Well, let's give it a poke.
“Seeing as you're so reluctant to tell me, it must be a method that even a petty criminal like me could attempt, right?”
『Assertion: Impossible. The Abyss is not a place a petty criminal like you can escape from. I advise you to abandon all false hope.』
It sounded like the truth, but it could also have been a bluff.
Was the escape method a riddle that anyone could solve if they knew the way, or was it a merciless filter that would weed out the incapable even if they knew the secret?
I don't know. Because I can't read the golem's thoughts.
“How interesting.”
It's definitely more interesting talking to the golem.
Since I can't read its thoughts, let alone its expressions or gestures, there's a certain thrill in imagining and guessing. It's a similar feeling to doing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper.
But Captain Abbey probably doesn't feel the same way, does she? She must find dealing with me exhausting. To her, beyond the golem, I'm just one of the many problems that surround her.
『How... how on earth did you win over the Progenitor? Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka was an indifferent being who didn't even resist when she was escorted to the Abyss, yet she's making a move for a mere petty criminal like you.』
“Curious?”
As if unwilling to voice her desperation, the golem merely nodded. I grinned and answered with the most innocent expression in the world.
“I'm not gonna tell you~.”
『Grrr...!』
“Haha. Just kidding. I'll tell you. If she was heartless... then all you have to do is give her a heart, right? Hahaha!”
『...What a high-level joke. High for the age group that would enjoy it, that is!』
Sometimes, people won't believe you even when you tell the truth. I really did make her heart beat, you know?
Well, if you don't believe me, that's your loss.
“Even without something like that, wouldn't you get close after spending a few months together in an isolated space? Just like us?”
『You have just mentioned a counterexample yourself. In any case, understood.』
The golem, seeming to realize I wouldn't say more, readily dropped the question. Instead, it stood up straight on its own legs, looked up at me, and said.
『Request. Please guide this unit to Lieutenant Colonel Callis.』
“Lieutenant Colonel Callis? You mean the new, real warden?”
『A new warden...?』
The golem replied with a hint of confusion before nodding as if in understanding.
『Lieutenant Colonel Callis is not a warden... No, just consider her one. It makes little difference.』
“Little difference? Is Lieutenant Colonel Callis a fake warden, just like me?”
It was just a random comment, but the golem shouted back convulsively.
『How dare you make such a comparison! Unlike a level 0 citizen like you, she graduated from the Advanced Military Academy with honors! When you do it, it's impersonation. When Lieutenant Colonel Callis does it, it's an official assignment!』
“Hey, no need to get so angry.”
What, so she's not a warden? Then why did she come all the way to Tantalus?
『The Lieutenant Colonel was visiting in her capacity as a logistics overseer and facility inspector. She was originally scheduled to inspect the area around Tantalus and check on the supply distribution. However, it seems there was some kind of error, and she ended up coming down into Tantalus herself with the supplies.』
I blinked my eyes wide at the unexpected words.
“Huh? Really? She fell in by accident?”
『Correction. It was not an accident, but an error.』
“Same difference. Wow, for someone who looks so strict, she's a real klutz.”
『Negative! I repeat and emphasize, the Lieutenant Colonel entered Tantalus due to an error! She is someone who became a field officer by achieving outstanding merits right after her commission. She is not one to make such a trivial mistake!』
The golem continued, defending the officer's honor to the end.
『In any case, High Command is fully aware of the current situation and is discussing how to respond. Until further orders are given, you are to consider the Lieutenant Colonel the head of this educational facility and follow her commands.』
“Alright, alright.”
I replied placidly with a smile. Things were getting more interesting than I'd expected.
Because the officer hadn't come here by accident or error... but 'intentionally'.
Looks like I'll need to get a proper read on the officer's thoughts.
『...I don't know what you're plotting now, but it won't be easy. Unlike this unit, Lieutenant Colonel Callis possesses considerable martial prowess of her own. Impersonating a warden is also impossible now.』
Seeing my smile, the golem warned me in a low voice.
Honestly, a model prisoner like me can't catch a break. The officer is the one plotting things, but I'm the one getting suspected.
I tucked Captain Abbey under my arm and trudged down the hallway.
If the laborers' quarters were on one side of the 4th floor, the other side housed various facilities necessary for life: a cafeteria, a laundry room, a supply room, classrooms, and so on.
And far beyond a set of broken iron bars was the largest door, which led to the warden's office.
Though their crimes were minor, the laborers were still prisoners. To prevent them from escaping under the cover of night, a large, padlocked iron gate had been installed at the entrance to the 4th-floor stairs. It had been unceremoniously broken during the commotion, but its remains were still there.
It was as I stepped over the broken gate and headed for the warden's office.
Without warning, a dark knight shot up from my shadow and spoke to me.
'Hu. There is a soldier of the Military State in this direction.'
The dark knight spoke in Tyr's voice, which was filled with concern.
“It's okay, Tyr. I'm just going to have a little chat.”
'Be careful. I do not know how strong she is. If her skill is even a quarter of Shei's, the dark knight hidden in your shadow will be no match for her. It would be difficult to even buy you time.'
If a mere lieutenant colonel were a quarter as strong as the Regressor, the Military State would have conquered the world long ago. I waved my hand to show that I was fine.
“I said I'm fine. Don't follow me. There's no telling what she might do if she gets scared.”
'Understood. You must have a plan. Still, be careful.'
With those parting words, the dark knight disappeared back into my shadow. Leaving Tyr's worries behind, I headed for the door to the warden's office.
Standing before the firmly shut door, I brought my mouth close and said.
“Knock, knock.”
“Enter.”
As soon as permission was granted, I quickly opened the door and went inside.
The warden's office wasn't meant as a living space, so all it contained was a sofa, a chair, and a desk. Tantalus was never designed with a warden in mind, after all.
The officer had scattered all sorts of luggage and documents about the empty space. Seeing the wreckage of a broken golem, it looked like she had stopped by the control room outside.
The officer, who had been in the middle of organizing, scowled when she saw me.
'Tsk. I should have made a laborer do this grunt work. Why did the Progenitor protect a petty criminal like him?'
Phew. That's a relief. I almost had to haul all that stuff around the 4th floor.
Praising myself once again for backing the right horse, I held out the golem I had tucked under my arm.
“Here you go.”
“...What is that?”
“It's Captain Abbey. Say hello.”
『This officer must be the first to salute. Put me down.』
I carefully placed the squirming golem on the floor. Standing at attention, it saluted the officer with an open palm.
『Glory to the Military State. This is Signaller Captain Abbey. I am in charge of surveillance and communications within Tantalus.』
Though the golem was only a third the height of a person, its salute was perfect. The sight of its small body trying so hard to salute was almost cute.
But I was the only one who thought so. I heard the officer click her tongue.
'A Signaller. Lucky ones who become captains with no talent or effort, chosen purely for their magical aptitude... Tsk. Another fake officer here, I see.'
Oh my.