第１７７０堀：事情聴取開始 (Part1)
Chapter 1770: The Interrogation Begins
Side: Tori
"Alright. Everything is ready now."
"Yes. We are prepared to depart at any moment."
I am reviewing the documents submitted by my goblin subordinates.
The preparations to head to the southern town and out into the southern wilderness to construct a fortress are complete.
"What about the status of Tsuna-i’s subordinates?"
"They seem prepared as well, but they are waiting for authorization from above."
"Same as us, then. Well, the schedule hasn't slipped, so we might as well take it easy. We were ready from the start, anyway."
"It’s mostly on Tsuna-i’s side. Communicating with the southern town takes time."
It can’t be helped, I suppose.
Since our only means of communication is by horse, just waiting for a round trip takes over four days.
Well, if we just took the troops and left on our own, it would only cause confusion on the other side, so it’s unavoidable.
"But, I wonder about Stasia? Those soldiers in the army are still hanging in there, aren't they?"
"Indeed. They are reaching the point where their food supplies will run out, but they are still holding on."
"I wonder why. There’s no sign of reinforcements, right?"
"No. In fact, we have confirmed that there is no sign of any military movement from the countries they intended to send envoys to."
"Oh, you were able to scout that far?"
"We had the time, so per the General's instructions, we claimed it was to support the Ohe side, who were planning to send envoys."
"Yuki-san, you’re so thorough. But if that’s the case, doesn't it make the enemy's resistance even more pointless?"
As I tilt my head in confusion, Stasia enters the room to answer that very question.
"It appears that some high-ranking individuals from the demi-human exclusionist faction have infiltrated the enemy ranks, making it difficult for them to surrender easily."
"Oh, Stasia. Did something happen?"
"Yes. Finally, professional soldiers—not conscripts—have begun to surrender. Though, they aren't from the main army; they are private soldiers of local lords."
"I see. So, the ones with the least power are dropping out first, literally."
"Exactly. It seems the ones leading the main force forced the issue to gather food. Because of that, the local lords are eager to surrender to us. The soldiers who surrendered are acting as intermediaries."
"Heh. Feels like things are finally moving. Still, they seem completely oblivious to their current situation."
No matter how much of an exclusionist they are, they’ve clearly lost, so I’d think surrendering immediately would be the obvious choice, wouldn't it?
As I’m thinking this, Yuki-san walks into the room.
"The thing is, they’re saying that if they surrender, they’ll just be killed anyway, so they’re talking about taking one last shot at the enemy or committing suicide."
"Ugh..."
Too much trouble.
"They probably think that what they’ve done to others is going to be done back to them."
"Well, they aren't wrong."
"If anything, isn't it just natural?"
They slashed at mothers, snatched up children roughly, and tried to execute them right in front of us. I don't think they have any room to complain if they face the same fate.
Besides, I heard from the people who were held hostage that those who couldn't keep up during the march were simply abandoned. Who are they to be complaining about anything?
"Calm down, Tori."
"I understand your feelings, but if you retaliate, you’ll be no better than them."
"...Phew. I know. I’m fine."
It seems my anger was showing.
This is exactly why I’m not really suited to be a general or a commander.
"So, since Yuki-san is here..."
"Yeah, I have a proposal for you, Tori. Since we have the interrogation of those soldiers, and the local lords are surrendering tomorrow, why don't we depart after we’ve gathered information from them?"
"I see. I certainly want the information, but what about the Ohe side?"
"Oh, they’ve agreed to wait, saying they’d feel more secure once we’ve consulted and gathered information."
"Then that’s no problem. I, too, want to hear even a little bit about what’s happening on the northern side."
Having to worry about my rear while defending the south is a pain.
In the worst-case scenario, the fortress could become a place of refuge, so I want information on the north.
Well, if the fortress does become a refuge, Yuki-san and the others will likely mobilize everything to prepare for it.
"Then, follow me."
"Understood. I’ll leave this place to you."
"Understood. Please take care, General."
"Yeah."
With that, we leave the room together to begin the interrogation of the enemy.
However, it won't be us doing the questioning; it will be a male soldier under Stasia’s command.
Apparently, they are worried that if a demi-human does the questioning, the prisoners won't talk.
Honestly, they invaded a demi-human nation, so that seems ridiculous, but we need the information regardless.
Before the interrogation begins, I decide to confirm the information from the goblin assigned to me.
"Say, Yuki-san. By the way, I heard you confirmed the status of the countries Ohe wanted to send envoys to?"
"Yeah. Initially, the plan was to have Weed guards accompany the envoys, but since we had time, I had the drones, familiars, and—not that they’re surplus—the goblin scout units move in to confirm."
"And I heard there were no signs of the enemy deploying there either?"
"They weren't moving any armies. Well, I don't know what’s happening internally."
"Internally?"
"Well, the enemy is attacking Ohe. It would be strange for the neighboring countries not to know about it."
"Ah, that’s true."
It is strange that a neighboring country would show no movement when an enemy army is attacking Ohe, their trading partner.
It’s natural to assume something is going on.
"But wouldn't they have been helpless if the northern town, the only gateway to Ohe, was blocked?"
"In terms of the situation, they were just provoking them; they weren't actually laying siege. If they didn't go to Ohe as a large group, they could have slipped in, right?"
"That’s true. Information on how our trading partner is faring is something we’d want. But could they have been waiting to see how things played out after learning of the approaching enemy army?"
"If they had sensed it beforehand, they would have sent an envoy to ask what was going on. It seems the neighboring countries were interested in Ohe’s specialty goods, too."
Yuki-san easily refutes Stasia’s counter-argument—or rather, the reason why the trading partner wouldn't send an envoy.
Hearing that, it’s clear that a country that profited from trade would be damaging its future relationships by failing to send an envoy in this situation.
"Hmm. If Yuki-sama can dismiss it so easily, it’s highly likely that something is happening internally, which is why they aren't sending envoys to us."
"Exactly. In that case, I want to get information before we send our own envoys. If our envoys were to be harmed, it would be even more troublesome. There’s a possibility that’s exactly what the enemy is aiming for."