The Special Interrogator
The Empress looked down at me from her throne and spoke in her usual imperious tone.
“Philion, Grade 5 Administrative Official. I appoint you as the Special Interrogator of the Border Guard.”
“It’s a fucking honor, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said it is truly an honor. Your Majesty’s grace is so overwhelming that I feel like plucking my own eyes out in gratitude.”
“As expected, your loyalty is commendable.”
The Empress nodded at me with a satisfied expression. Her long platinum blonde hair swayed gracefully. Elysia von Condenburg II. She was the ruler I had served for ten years after entering the imperial bureaucracy at eighteen. The saving grace was her hereditary hearing impairment—she couldn’t quite catch my open insults.
“The border is in chaos. We need sharp-eyed talents like you. I expect great things.”
“Fucking hell.”
“What did you just say?”
“I said I will obey with all my heart. I shall uphold Your Majesty’s will and defend the Empire from all threats.”
“That is how a loyal subject should speak.”
The Empress smiled contentedly. As expected of imperial blood, even in her thirties she was disgustingly beautiful. But after ten years in the palace, I knew her true nature all too well. She took what was sweet and spat out what was bitter. My current situation was exactly that.
Transferring me to the border? Sending me on an external assignment after all this time?
I had poured in so many overtime hours for the imperial family. What an ungrateful bitch. One day I’d slap those tits—bigger than her head—with a full-handed rhythm and call it even. But no matter how I fantasized, I was still just a civil servant. What power did a civil servant truly have?
More than you’d think, actually. With virtually no proper oversight, every office was drowning in corruption and graft. A merchant who bribed officials with skill was considered outstanding. I’d taken my share too. It had been delicious while it lasted. Still, this was a class-based society. In the end, I had to bow my head and wipe the asses of the imperial family and nobility.
“Philion! Are you coming back from your audience with Her Majesty?”
“Yeah.”
Lukeli approached me with a friendly greeting. He was my entry cohort from our Grade 7 days. Honestly, we weren’t that close. Every time he suggested drinks, I invented memorial services for my nonexistent mother to dodge him.
“What an honor, what an incredible honor. It’s rare for Her Majesty to personally select someone. Congratulations.”
Is this bastard mocking me?
I had lived my entire life in the capital after entering the palace. And now I was being sent to the Border Guard—a rural backwater where they probably didn’t even have proper toilets.
“Not just any position, either. You’re the Special Interrogator. Isn’t that a dream job?”
“Is your idea of a dream that pathetic?”
“Did your salary increase?”
“Base pay doubled. Performance bonuses are separate, apparently.”
“Whoa! You’ve really made it. How do they calculate the bonuses?”
“They say it’s based on catching major illegal immigrants and extracting information… but it’s obviously just for show.”
“That’s what’s great about the Empire. They always keep their promises about money. Where else on the continent would you find a peaceful nation like ours?”
Then you go to the border instead.
Money was money, but a comfortable position was the real prize.
“I hope I can rise through the ranks like you someday.”
“Getting exiled to the frontier is rising through the ranks?”
“You’re the Special Interrogator. It’s a title not just anyone can hold. The fact that she personally appointed you means Her Majesty truly values you.”
“It’s attention I really wish I didn’t have.”
“She must recognize your keen eye. Haven’t you caught a whole truckload of spies by now? That’s an impressive achievement.”
“I should have just pretended not to notice them.”
I glanced at him sideways.
27-year-old Male / Human
Affinity: ■■■■□
His joy is genuine.
For some reason, I could see things like this. Ever since I reincarnated into this world, strange text would float up whenever I looked at people. I didn’t know why. Maybe it was a reincarnator’s perk. I also didn’t know why I still remembered my previous life in 21st-century South Korea. I wasn’t even sure if this world was one of those common clichés from web novels, manga, or games. Twenty-seven years had passed since I reincarnated as an imperial citizen in this fantasy medieval world, and my past-life memories had long since faded.
“Anyway, do your best, Philion. You’re a full-fledged Interrogator now! Who knows? If you rack up more achievements, Her Majesty might even appoint you to the Imperial Guard someday.”
The text sometimes revealed fragments of the other person’s true feelings. It didn’t work on just anyone, though. The clearer the affinity bars, the better I could read them. That was exactly why I tried not to get too close to people. Once you saw how many wore masks and tried to screw others over with lies, it was hard to enjoy human company. Especially in this palace, where every kind of political scheming ran rampant.
“Promise me you won’t forget your old friend once you become a high official? Come visit the capital on your vacations.”
“I’ll consider it.”
And so my life as an Interrogator in the countryside began.
A month after arriving at the western border checkpoint, I had already gotten used to the work. Hundreds of immigrants poured through the Border Guard checkpoint every single day. The western continent was in complete turmoil due to endless wars.
A single illegal immigrant threatens the Empire!
Severe punishment for smuggling prohibited items!
These brutal posters were plastered everywhere around the checkpoint. Most of the border region consisted of rugged mountains and high walls, making this the only passage through.
“Submit your passport, identification, and declaration form.”
“H-here you are.”
A nervous man stood beyond the glass, scratching his head. Knights and soldiers armed with swords stood densely packed, cutting off any chance of escape or resistance.
“I have relatives in a count’s territory and came to do business with them.”
“Name?”
“My name? Isn’t it written on the passport?”
“Your name.”
“Mir… Miller. My name is Miller.”
“Hmm.”
33-year-old Male / ???
Affinity: □□□□□
He is hiding a secret.
Even innocent people usually tensed up in front of me. But I could tell at a glance. The text confirmed it too.
“You’re from the Magic Kingdom. What did you do before coming here?”
“I was a farmer.”
“What region and what did you cultivate?”
“Well… in the north, I grew… wheat.”
I snapped my fingers. Clack, clack!
Knights in heavy armor approached and surrounded the man.
“W-what is this?”
“Take him to the prison.”
“Wait, I’m not lying! I’m not a suspicious person!”
“The northern region of the Magic Kingdom is high altitude. Wheat cannot be cultivated there.”
“Ugh…! P-please, just this once!”
The man’s resistance was useless. Soldiers firmly grabbed both his arms under the knight’s orders and dragged him beyond the iron door labeled “Containment Area.”
“These are the man’s belongings. I don’t know his identity, but he’s definitely suspicious.”
The knight opened the bag. Instead of farming tools or seeds, several forbidden books emerged.
“High chance he was a dark mage.”
“As expected, Sir Interrogator, your insight is sharp. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival ever since we heard you were dispatched by imperial decree from the capital.”
The knight spoke while looking at the long line of immigrants stretching outside the window.
“We’re severely understaffed. Refugees from the war-torn allied and colonial nations keep pouring in endlessly. It would be disastrous if any elements threatening the Empire slipped through.”
“Keep your eyes open at all times.”
“Will you interrogate the suspicious individuals immediately?”
The sun was starting to set. Immigrant inspections took place during daylight hours. Once it grew dark, it was time to interrogate the detained suspects. We would uncover their identities and intentions, then decide whether to deport or execute them. That was also part of my role as Special Interrogator. In reality, I worked overtime every single day. That damn Empress. I’d make sure to collect my overtime pay by spanking her ass.
“Then carry out your duties.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knight returned to his post with energetic steps. In the past month alone, I had already caught over a hundred suspicious individuals. Most were ordinary commoners using forged passports or IDs just to enter the country. But occasionally dangerous ones like this appeared. Magic users were especially troublesome. Once, a dark mage had tried to blow up his cell and escape before interrogation. He was shot dead shortly after.
This is a dream job?
I felt like sending Lukeli a letter. It wasn’t too late to swap positions and ranks with me.
“Next. Come forward.”
When the soldiers opened the door, one person walked in. They wore a robe pulled low over their face. From the high nose bridge and jawline, it looked like a beauty.
“Submit your passport, identification, declaration form, and list of belongings.”
The woman silently handed over the documents.
“What is your name?”
A simple but effective question. The best way to detect a forged ID. Most people didn’t forget their own names.
“It’s written there.”
“I told you to state your name.”
“Are you illiterate? I’m disappointed that the Empire’s immigration inspectors are only at this level.”
What’s with this rude way of speaking?
“Your surname?”
“Per…”
The woman trailed off. The passport only had a first name. Commoners had no surnames. The fact that she reflexively started to answer a question about her family name meant she was at least nobility.
21-year-old Female / Human
Affinity: □□□□□
She feels insulted.
“Remove your robe.”
“You have no manners toward a lady. If you dare make any lewd demands, know that I will have your tongue pulled out.”
Her speech made it clear she wasn’t in her right mind. Had she come from some culture that didn’t eat beef? Why make such a fuss about her face?
“I need to compare it with your photo. Remove it.”
“Tsk.”
She clicked her tongue and finally revealed her face. Silvery hair with blue undertones flowed down smoothly. Deep ocean-blue eyes looked down at me arrogantly.
Hmm.
I wanted to shout She’s insanely beautiful! but held back. The fact that such a beauty was hiding her identity to cross the border was definitely not a good sign. High-ranking individuals, especially royalty, were always handsome or beautiful. It was only natural for important people to have attractive spouses.
I bowed my head politely.
“Welcome to the Empire, Your Highness.”
The woman’s eyes widened in shock as she pressed her face against the glass. In great excitement, she whispered to me.
“Y-you. Were you one of our citizens? To recognize this princess… it must be so. You must have suffered greatly in this foreign land. I am relieved.”
“Yes, of course.”
I snapped my fingers. As the knight approached, she looked around in confusion.
“Arrest her.”
“Aack! You lied to me! You lied to this princess!”
“Who started it by pulling the rug out first?”
I had no idea what circumstances had driven a princess from some nation to flee all the way here. But she clearly wasn’t very bright.