Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. The methods of prisoner interrogation have changed over time. In the past, interrogations relied on physical torture, but in modern times, they seem to use drugs like truth serums. Of course, all this knowledge comes from manga and movies.
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“Now then, let's get some answers, shall we?”
After a slightly awkward breakfast, I was interrogating an Itachi tribe officer.
The officer looked up at me with disdain, seeing me in my lizardman suit.
“Hmph, do you think soldiers would easily spill information? That’s what’s frustrating about stupid lizards.”
“As expected, imperial soldiers are admirable. Their demonic beasts and tanks are quite something.”
I mentally translated the annoying Itachi words and spoke back to him in the newly acquired Itachi language.
It’s difficult to speak with a human mouth, so as usual, I used my ventriloquism skill to assist.
“That’s right! The invincible demonic beast corps bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor trample knights, and the special vehicle unit crushes golems like mountains! Truly, our empire is unbeatable!”
“The rapid invasion of the Makiwa Kingdom is unprecedented.”
“Of course! That bald strategist is insufferable, but he’s the only one who can realize His Majesty’s vision...”
I let the officer ramble while interjecting appropriately to extract the information I wanted.
Instead of truth serum, I supported the interrogation with three mental magics: “Honest One,” “Speaker,” and “Foolish Field.”
These, combined with the maximum “Interrogation” skill, created a synergy that made him spill even things I didn’t ask for—very convenient.
“Oh? What kind of vision is it? It must be wonderful, surely?”
“Of course! The Kurogane steam carts connect cities and transport supplies and soldiers to the front lines! With excellent logistics, a demonic beast corps powered by screws, and the demon eater scientific special vehicle unit, neither the Shiga Kingdom nor the Saga Empire stand a chance!”
The “special vehicle” must refer to tanks.
The demon eater is likely a magical device generating a field that nullifies magic, as reported by my comrades.
I couldn’t secure any intact ones, but from the wreckage, I could understand the basics of how it works.
We’ll need to prepare countermeasures soon.
Still... those steam carts must really be steam locomotives.
According to Mukuro from the labyrinth’s lower levels, advancing scientific civilization would offend the god’s taboo, but why is the Itachi Empire unharmed?
Mukuro said, “The radio towers and railways incurred the god’s wrath.”
I should go consult him once the interrogation is over.
“By the way, do you know about the god’s taboo?”
“As expected of a lizard. Repeating the same ignorant things as those stupid priests.”
The officer’s face twisted in displeasure as if he were a child tiring of a lecture.
“There is no taboo.”
“—Really?”
The confident officer received a doubtful expression, and I made him explain.
“It’s been ten years since we started science. No divine punishment has fallen.”
—That long ago?
I understood the reasoning: no taboos because no divine punishment has occurred—
“Did you develop science expecting divine punishment to come?”
“The great Emperor would never put his subjects in danger. We had puppet states—rebels, really—test it first, confirming no taboo before bringing it into the empire.”
I see, they prepared an experimental zone first.
By the way, that puppet state—the Guft Republic—isn’t on the Shiga Kingdom’s tourism ministry maps nor mentioned in related documents.
According to the officer, the puppet state was disposed of five years ago after turning against the empire.
“By the way, why did such a great imperial army invade a mid-sized country like Makiwa Kingdom?”
“Hmph, lizards are so slow-witted.”
For a moment, he gave a “Don’t you get it?” look, then gave in to the charm of “Speaker” magic and continued.
“To capture the four treasure staffs necessary for His Majesty’s plan and to conduct practical experiments with the demon eater and special vehicles, naturally.”