SSMDTSKKYIKSSKS – Chapter 1. [Interlude 3]

Chapter 1. [Interlude 3]
“Interrogation.”

 

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Ludio Lambert entered a room in the military basement.

Only the unreliable light of a candlestick illuminated the small room.

He was in a stone room with only a simple table and chairs.

[I’m sorry. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Second Lieutenant Maildia.]

[……]

Lying face down in a chair was a bespectacled elf woman.

The appearance is very well-developed but not that noteworthy from an elf’s point of view.

As a soldier, her combat skills could only be described as average, and from Ludio’s point of view, she was not a particularly interesting opponent.

[So, can we get right to it and talk about the disappearance of Second Lieutenant Miriam Stasis of ……?] 

[…… Yes.]

Looking very tired, Lattice spoke in faltering tones about what had happened to her and her best friend, who had disappeared late at night a few days earlier.

[You say you were walking the streets together late at night when suddenly something unusual happened?]

Lattice nodded silently.

Her hands are crossed on the table, clasped tightly together.

[Second Lieutenant Stasis mumbled something cryptic and then attacked you. And when you lost consciousness, you found yourself being carried into the military?]

[Yes, that’s right ……]

[I don’t understand, is that it? Do you remember any specific words? Please speak as you remember them.]

Lattice looked at Ludio with cold eyes and then muttered.

[‘There are not enough drops’: ……]

[A drop, is it? Does that word ring a bell?]

[What calls for wings ……]

Lattice’s eyes are as if her soul has slipped out of her body. She has a pair of eyes that are as dark and dark as the sun’s reflection in the sky.

She and Second Lieutenant Miriam Stasis were best friends. That may not be surprising.

[A drop calls for wings, does it? I see. Anything else?]

[……]

[Do you remember anything? Then do you have any idea where Second Lieutenant Miriam Stasis went?]

[……]

Lattice was found the day after she lost consciousness and woke up the same day.

However, since she could not answer any of their questions, it took some time before they were able to interview her.

Is it still difficult to tell everything by the looks of it? Or does she not know anything anymore?

[Well, all right. That concludes today’s hearing.]

[……]

Ludio snapped his fingers in a casual motion.

It’s a simple technique of destruction.

He suspected that she had been subjected to hypnosis or brainwashing techniques just to be sure, but she showed no reaction.

[You are to report to the High School of Magic immediately after this. I say “surrender” only for a detailed examination, since there is a possibility that you may still have residual effects from Second Lieutenant Stasis ‘ attack.]

[…… Yes.]

[There are many renowned magicians there. They can heal you, of course, but they are also powerful enough to keep you out if someone tries to attack you. You can rest assured.]

[…… Yes.]

[That is all. The rest will be taken over by others, so follow their instructions.]

With that, Ludio quickly left the room and the two military men who replaced him forced her to stand.

From their rank insignia, it appears that both are colonels.

[Walk quickly.]

[……]

[Don’t make trouble, not at all.]

The men leave the room and begin to climb the stairs, dragging Lattice halfway up.

[I don’t understand why I have to do this. This is not an elf charm.]

[Well, it can’t be helped. The lieutenant general is incompetent. He’s called a hero because he played an active role in the war against Zenan, but in reality, he can’t do anything except fight.]

[I can’t stand it when everything from slave traders to investigating the mansions of the nobility is going nowhere.]

[I can’t imagine such a half-elf as commander in chief. I wish all the elves who are disappearing now would disappear somewhere.]

[No difference.]

The soldiers continue to discriminate against the elves despite Lattice’s presence.

It has been 100 years since the alliance was formed. It was an improvement in the treatment of elves in the empire that elves were awarded knighthoods or became officers in the military.

However, many did not take kindly to it. This was no different in the imperial army, which is based entirely on merit.

[The first thing to do is to make sure that you have a good idea of what you’re doing. I wonder if that’s what they’re doing, enslaving them.]

[The scale is too large for that, though. They may be surrounded by the great nobles of the imperial capital.]

[Heh, it’s nice, isn’t it? Elf slave. Hey, did you say Lattice? It’s funny that only one of the both of you was taken and you have no use for them. What do you say, you wanna be my slave? Hmm? I’ll make you feel good.]

[……]

[You should leave it at that. It is a felony to keep an elf slave. Human slaves are bought and sold with impunity.]

[You’re right. You’re so stuck up. Get ahead and walk!]

Lattice remained silent and continued to walk with faltering steps.

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