I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

After receiving interrogation permission from Ernst, Daniel headed to the Military Police Corps near the headquarters after work.

Upon informing the administrative staff of his interrogation approval and entering the interrogation room, the interrogator who had been smoking a cigarette startled and stood up in surprise.

“Ah! F, First Lieutenant Daniel! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Sergeant Interrogator Vendelin hurriedly put out his cigarette and saluted.

It was a somewhat awkward posture, but Vendelin’s body was rigid, prompting Daniel to tilt his head.

“Why are you so tense…?”

From Vendelin’s perspective, there was no choice but to be tense.

Who was the First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner before him? A monster who had received two accelerated promotions within half a year of his commission.

Receiving two accelerated promotions at the General Staff Headquarters was virtually guaranteed to lead to a field-grade officer promotion.

Thus, as a mere sergeant, Vendelin was showing allegiance to his potential future superior officer.

However, to Daniel, Vendelin’s stiff demeanor seemed excessive, akin to observing a fresh recruit at a training camp.

Clicking his tongue, Daniel spoke.

“It’s alright, you can stand at ease.”
“Understood!”

Shifting to an ‘at ease’ stance, Vendelin respectfully took a step back.

Since Daniel had received interrogation approval and entered the interrogation room, Vendelin was ceding the interrogator’s position to him.

Regarding Vendelin with a heavy gaze, Daniel faced forward.

Through the one-way glass designed for security, he could see a prisoner sitting handcuffed at a table in the interrogation room.

The disheveled man wearing a worn pair of glasses was named Reginald Harrington.

An Allied officer who had worked in intelligence during his commissioned days, considered an elite.

‘Which means…’

He likely knew methods of contacting the Allied Nations from within the Empire.

Therefore, Daniel’s plan was as follows:

1. Break down the walls of suspicion by developing a rapport with Reginald Harrington.

2. After establishing a certain level of familiarity, express his desire to defect from the Empire to the Allied Nations.

3. Contact Reginald’s information sources within the Empire to plan an escape route.

4. Arrive at the Allied Nations with Reginald and live a comfortable life while receiving proper treatment.

It was a truly perfect escape plan.

Nodding confidently, Daniel turned to Vendelin and asked:

“Sergeant Vendelin. Have you made any progress?”
“Hm? Ah, the guy is tight-lipped, refusing to answer any questions. Even when we tried persuasion or threats, he kept his mouth shut, making it quite difficult.”
“I see. Then may I give the interrogation a try?”

Vendelin nodded.

“Yes. Since you’ve received approval, there’s no issue. I’ll open the door for you.”

Taking a key from his waistband, Vendelin unlocked and opened the iron door to the interrogation room.

Nodding once in appreciation, Daniel entered the interrogation room.

Confirming Daniel’s entry, Vendelin closed the door, prompting the noise-alerted Reginald Harrington to slowly raise his head.

Upon recognizing Daniel, Reginald’s eyes widened.

“You… you bastard!”

Clang! Reginald’s body jolted as if attempting to break free from the chair’s restraints, but Daniel merely brought his index finger to his lips, his expression composed.

He then pulled out a chair and sat across the table from Reginald.

Conscious of Vendelin observing from behind the one-way glass, Daniel retrieved a file from his briefcase.

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

“Name: Reginald Harrington. Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, commanding officer of the Allied Liberation Front’s 107th Assault Battalion. Originally from the Kingdom of Eldresia, hailing from the Vambaril region in the southern part of the kingdom. Is that correct?”

Reginald only glared at Daniel, refusing to answer.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged before extending his hand.

“Alright. Then I’ll proceed with my own method of interrogating you.”

Deliberately emphasizing ‘my own method,’ Daniel switched off the microphone installed on the table.

While turning off the microphone during an interrogation was typically prohibited, by stating his method would be different, Vendelin would not interrupt by barging in to protest.

“Good. With the microphone off, our conversation cannot be overheard from outside. So, without worrying about information leaks, how about we have a more comfortable discussion?”
“…Comfortable discussion while handcuffed? Is this how the Empire jokes?”

As expected, an immediately cordial conversation seemed unrealistic.

In that case, a more direct approach was necessary.

“Reginald. I heard the Northern Front Army made you several favorable offers, but you rejected them all. It seems you still wish to return to the Allied Nations, without any change of heart.”
“A matter-of-fact statement.”
“Alright. Then I can assist you in various ways. If you cooperate well, you might even get to see your wife and daughters back home.”

Beads of sweat formed on Reginald’s brow.

While Daniel had meant it as an offer to help, from Reginald’s perspective, it sounded like a threat using his family as leverage.

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

“…Do you know where my family is?”

Daniel nodded.

“Yes. Not only their current location but also their activities, I know them all. Even the name of the dog you’re raising, ‘Archie,’ right? A Golden Retriever, if I’m not mistaken.”

As Daniel recited the information he had learned from Imperial intelligence, Reginald’s eyes widened.

“How could you know such details…?”
“No need to be surprised. Just as the Allied Nations conducts intelligence activities against the Empire, the Empire does the same towards the Allied Nations.”

As if recalling something else, Daniel calmly added:

“Ah, let me also mention that your eldest daughter, Sophia, has started taking piano lessons. Being a pianist was her dream, wasn’t it?”

Following Ernst’s example, sharing family stories seemed like a good way to build rapport.

‘It’s working.’

From Daniel’s perspective, Reginald was currently suppressing his anger and listening attentively.

To appear more approachable, Daniel offered a faint smile as he spoke.

“Hearing about your family life, it seems you were devoted to them. I wish I had a father like that. Being an orphan, I know all too well the hardships of a fatherless life.”

A bead of sweat rolled down Reginald’s brow.

Daniel’s remark, made without any ulterior motive, sounded to Reginald like, ‘Would you like your daughters to live a fatherless life?’ spoken in a casual, smiling manner.

“I, I…”

Sighing heavily, Reginald raised his hand to his forehead.

After struggling to steady his rapid breathing, he swallowed hard and spoke.

“Give me… time to think. Please.”

Hm? Already? Daniel, who had hoped to further strengthen their rapport, found himself in an awkward position.

Still, Reginald would be staying here for some time, so there would be ample opportunity for future conversations.

Thinking he could continue their discussion later, Daniel rose from his seat.

“Alright. Well… I’ll see you next time. Is there any particular food you’d like?”

Reginald shook his head.

Seeing this, Daniel shrugged and walked towards the door.

The sound of Vendelin unlocking the door with a key could be heard from outside.

As the door opened, Daniel suddenly turned back to Reginald, as if remembering something.

“Ah, Lieutenant Colonel Reginald? Come to think of it, your daughters do resemble your wife, quite lovely indeed.”

While Daniel’s remark was made with pure goodwill, upon hearing it, Reginald became gripped by extreme fear.

‘What does he intend to do to my daughters…?’

Reginald’s heart pounded as if it might burst from Daniel’s loaded words.

The surge of tension and fear had caused his heart to race uncontrollably.

Unaware of Reginald’s distress, Daniel waved with a smile.

“Well, I’ll see you next time. I hope you’ll cooperate properly then.”

Before Reginald could respond, the iron door opened.

Watching Daniel’s departure through the open doorway, Reginald felt helpless, soon succumbing to hyperventilation as tears welled in his open eyes.

‘A, a demon….’

Silently screaming, Reginald thought:

‘That man is surely a demon sent by Satan himself!’

○

The next day.

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

Vendelin had entered the mess hall, seemingly searching for someone, before promptly making his way towards me.

Wondering what his business was, I set down my utensils as Vendelin saluted me.

“Thank you so much, First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner!”

Caught off guard by the sudden expression of gratitude, I was taken aback.

Ernst seemed equally perplexed, staring intently at Vendelin.

Sensing our gazes, Vendelin lowered his hand and explained the situation.

“Right after First Lieutenant Daniel Steiner’s interrogation, Reginald Harrington said he would cooperate with the Imperial forces. He claims he’ll reveal all the information he has!”
“Oh! Is that true?”

While Ernst responded with delight, I could only feel a sense of bewilderment.

‘…Why?’

I clearly remembered the atmosphere being quite positive yesterday.

I couldn’t comprehend it at all.