EP.88 The Military Nation's Officer
"Hello, Captain Avi! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
The golem bound by shadows raised its head at my words.
The golem was in a terrible state. Dozens of whips made of pure black shadows were pulling the golem's body around like a toy. If the pulling forces hadn't maintained an exquisite equilibrium, the golem's entire body would have been torn apart.
The way to sever shadows is fire. I ignited flames on my fingers with formal magic and cut the shadows one by one.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I had to step out for a bit, so I tied your legs for a moment in case you fell out of the closet... But you're tied up much prettier than back then? Which kind soul did this for you?"
Now, let's see what answer comes to my teasing words.
When I placed a speaker into its empty mouth, an unpleasant noise began to echo from afar.
『Grrr... Click...』
"Wow. The golem is grinding its teeth! It's grinding its teeth even though it has no teeth!"
The golem ground its teeth as if grinding me up wouldn't be satisfying enough.
But irreplaceable resources are always precious. Permanent teeth are one of them.
After waiting a while, the golem stopped grinding its teeth and spoke in a halting, fragmented voice.
『...This unit... will never forget... your actions.』
"Ah, why so serious? I did it out of consideration so you could stretch while I was gone."
『Click... Because of that, this unit...』
It's fun, but not being able to read thoughts makes it less enjoyable.
Let's stop teasing here and get to business.
"So, just because I dug up an escape method, why would you immediately call an officer? You acted so coldly, so I had to respond in kind."
『You dare speak of affection after shamelessly trying to extract escape methods right in front of this unit?』
"I could be curious. You were curious about how to get out of the closet too, weren't you, Captain Avi? That's why you negotiated with Tir... Though you were a step too late."
"Then we're equal. Neither this unit nor you managed to find out the escape method."
Maybe it's because of its experience as a signalman, but it doesn't yield a single word.
I can't read its mind, and it's sufficiently wary. Will poking around yield anything?
Let me try poking anyway.
"Seeing as you won't tell me even when I ask, it must be a method that even a petty criminal like me could attempt?"
『Declaration. Impossible. The Abyss is not a place where petty criminals like you can escape from. This unit recommends abandoning vain hopes.』
It sounds like it could be the truth, or it could be a threat.
Is the escape method truly a mystery that anyone can reach if they know how, or is it a ruthless filter that weeds out the incapable even if they know?
I don't know. Because I can't read the golem's thoughts.
"That's interesting."
Indeed, talking with the golem is somewhat fun.
I can't read the opponent's thoughts, let alone their expressions or gestures, so there's a thrill in imagining and guessing. It's similar to the feeling when looking at a crossword puzzle in a newspaper.
But Captain Avi probably doesn't feel that way, right? It would be tiring to deal with. To her beyond the golem, I would be just one of many problems existing around.
『How... exactly did you win over the Progenitor? The Progenitor Tirkanjaka was an apathetic being who didn't even resist when being transported to the Abyss, yet she moved for a mere petty criminal like you.』
"Curious?"
Not wanting to voice its desperation, the golem merely nodded. I grinned and answered with the brightest expression in the world.
"I won't tell you~"
『Grr...!』
"Haha. Just kidding. I'll tell you. If she's apathetic (无心)... wouldn't becoming passionate (有心) work? Hahaha!"
『...Your joke level is truly high. I mean the age group that would enjoy it!』
Sometimes people don't believe you even when you tell the truth. I did make her heart race, you know?
Well, if you can't believe it, that's your loss. You're the only ones missing out.
"Even without all that, wouldn't you become close after spending a few months together in an isolated space? Like the two of us?"
『You yourself mentioned a counterexample. Regardless, confirmed.』
The golem seemed to think I wouldn't say more and obediently withdrew its question. Instead, it stood up on its own legs and looked up at me as it spoke.
『Request. Please guide this unit to Lieutenant Colonel Callis.』
"Lieutenant Colonel Callis? You mean the real instructor who newly arrived this time?"
『New instructor...?』
The golem responded with a hint of doubt, then nodded as if understanding.
『Lieutenant Colonel Callis is... not an instructor. No, please think of it that way. There's no significant difference.』
"No significant difference? Is Lieutenant Colonel Callis also a fake instructor like me?"
It was just a throwaway comment, but the golem cried out reflexively.
『Attach what should be attached! Unlike you, a Level 0 citizen, she graduated from the Military Academy with outstanding grades! When you do it, it's impersonation, but when Lieutenant Colonel Callis does it, it's an official appointment!』
"Ah, no need to get so angry."
What, she's not an instructor? Then why did she come to this Tantalos?
『Lieutenant Colonel Callis visited in the role of supply monitor and facility inspector. She was originally scheduled to inspect the surroundings of Tantalos and check the distribution of supplies. However, there seems to have been some misunderstanding, and she ended up coming directly down into Tantalos carrying supplies.』
At the unexpected words, I blinked my eyes wide.
"Huh? Really? She fell in by mistake?"
『Correction. Not a mistake, but a misunderstanding.』
"Same difference. Wow, despite looking strict, she's quite airheaded."
『Denial! To emphasize again, the Lieutenant Colonel entered Tantalos due to a misunderstanding! The Lieutenant Colonel is someone who achieved outstanding merits immediately after commissioning and became a field-grade officer. She's not someone who would make such a trivial mistake!』
The golem saved the officer's dignity until the end and continued.
『Regardless, the current situation is fully recognized by the military upper command and countermeasures are being discussed. Until separate orders come down, consider the Lieutenant Colonel as the training commander and follow her orders.』
"Got it, got it."
I answered gently with a smile. Things were turning out more interestingly than I had thought.
Because the officer didn't come here by mistake or misunderstanding... but 'intentionally.'
I think I need to properly read the officer's thoughts once.
『...I don't know what you're plotting again, but it won't be easy this time. Unlike this unit, Lieutenant Colonel Callis possesses considerable personal combat prowess as well. Impersonating an instructor is now impossible too.』
The golem gave a low warning upon seeing my smile.
Seriously, an exemplary prisoner like me feels so wronged. The officer is the one scheming, but I'm the one under suspicion.
I tucked Captain Avi under my arm and shuffled down the corridor.
If the laborers' quarters are on one side of the 4th floor, the opposite side contains various facilities necessary for life. Dining hall, laundry room, supply room, training room, and so on.
And far beyond the broken iron bars, the one with the largest door was the instructor's office.
Though their crimes might be light, laborers are still prisoners. To prevent them from escaping under the cover of night, iron bars with large padlocks were installed at the entrance to the 4th-floor stairs. Though they were broken unceremoniously during the commotion, their debris still remained.
It was when I crossed the broken iron bars and headed toward the instructor's office.
Without warning, the Black Knight rose from my shadow and spoke to me.
'Phew. There is a soldier of the Military Nation in this direction.'
The Black Knight spoke in Tir's voice. Her voice was full of concern.
"It's okay, Tir. I'm just going to have a talk."
'Be careful. I don't know how strong she is. If her abilities are even a quarter of Shey's, the Black Knight hidden in your shadow won't be a match. Even buying time would be difficult.'
If a mere lieutenant colonel were a quarter as strong as the regressor, the Military Nation would have conquered the world long ago. I waved my hand to signal that I was fine.
"I said I'm fine. Don't follow me. If she gets scared, who knows what she might do."
'Understood. You must have your reasons. Still, be careful.'
The Black Knight left those words and disappeared back into my shadow. Leaving Tir's worries behind, I headed for the instructor's office door.
In front of the firmly closed door, I brought my mouth close and spoke.
"Knock knock."
"Come in."
Once permission was given, I quickly opened the door and went inside.
Since the instructor's office was not a living space, it only contained a sofa, a chair, and a desk. This was originally because Tantalos was not designed with the assumption that an instructor would be present.
The officer had scattered all sorts of luggage and documents chaotically in that empty space. Seeing broken golem debris as well, it seemed she had stopped by the management office outside.
The officer, who had been organizing for a while, scowled when she saw me.
'Tsk. I should have made a laborer do this kind of menial work. Why did the Progenitor shelter such a petty criminal?'
Phew. Thank goodness. I almost had to carry that stuff back and forth on the 4th floor.
I gave myself praise for drawing the line well and pushed forward the golem I had tucked under my arm.
"Here you go."
"...What's that?"
"It's Captain Avi. Say hello."
『This unit should salute first. Please put me down.』
When I carefully placed the struggling golem on the ground, the golem standing at attention held out its palm toward the officer and saluted.
『Long live the Military Nation. I am Signalman Captain Avi. I am in charge of surveillance and communication within Tantalos.』
Though it was a golem only a third of a person's height, its salute was perfect. The sight of it struggling to salute with its small body was almost cute.
However, I was the only one who thought so. A clicking sound of a tongue came from the officer.
'Signalman. Lucky ones who became captains purely due to magical aptitude, without any talent or effort... Tsk. There's a fake officer here too.'
Huh?