I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 282 [6K1] John's conservative stance warrants his removal from power; Krauser angrily criticizes his stupid teammates.

Late at night, in the interrogation room of the Imperial First Prosecutor's Office.

The interrogation room had smooth, sound-absorbing black walls on all four sides, with only a metal table and two chairs in the center.

The light poured down from above, devoid of warmth, illuminating everything in a stark white.

At this moment, John's hands were cuffed with a pair of silver handcuffs, and he sat quietly in the interrogation position.

But he seemed oblivious to his current predicament, maintaining a calm and composed expression, his dark eyes staring steadily at the locked door in front of him.

He seemed to be pondering something.

"Tap, tap!"

With a soft sound of boots stepping on tiles, the interrogation room door silently slid open.

The blond, slicked-back-haired young prosecutor who had greeted John earlier walked in slowly under John's gaze.

The other party did not bring any attendants and always had a faint, polite smile on his face.

Then, under John's scrutinizing gaze, she slowly took her seat.

"Squeak!"

"General John Maslow".

The young prosecutor smiled and spoke to John, his voice steady and professionally approachable, but in the interrogation room, it was more unsettling than any roar.

"It is a pity to meet you under these circumstances. I am Krauser Valendner, a second-level interrogator in the Imperial Prosecutor's Office, in charge of your case. I hope you will give me your guidance."

Krauser slowly placed the documents in his hand on the table, then crossed his hands and relaxed his posture.

Her azure eyes were leisurely sizing up John in front of her, her gaze filled with a mixture of curiosity and doubt.

It seemed to him that this trial of the general, who had recently distinguished himself in Faoken, was a case of treason.

For him, the outcome was not important.

Of course, this is also an established fact.

Krause graduated from the top ten of the 60th class of the Imperial First Military Academy and, through his family's factional influence, successfully entered the Prosecutor's Office as a Level 3 Interrogator.

As the scion of a long-established conservative family, he understood far better than those mindless members of his faction who thought they could simply eliminate John, this newly emerging military aristocrat of the reformist faction, the true purpose of their detention of John Maslow.

Uninteresting partisan strife, uninteresting political maneuvering, uninteresting framing and slander.

As a brilliant interrogator, Krauser himself was not interested in this matter and had no intention of getting involved in the conflict from the beginning.

He only became interested after hearing that the person he had imprisoned was John Maslow, whom countless people had called the 'legend of the academy' during his four years of study at the First Military Academy of the Empire.

"However, compared to how he was in the academy, this legendary senior seems to have changed a lot?"

Was it the baptism of war? Or was it due to the two years of experience they had in the Commander-type Magic Soldier Training Program after graduation?

It really makes me curious...

Krauser raised an eyebrow, but sensing the watchful gaze from outside the door, he knew that if things continued to be so calm, the idiot outside would probably be unable to resist interfering.

Thus, this trap set by party leaders for the reformists ultimately turned into a defeat for their own side due to the arbitrary actions of some idiots.

So Krauser stopped remaining silent.

Before he could even figure out how to start the conversation, John, sitting opposite him, spoke first, and his very first words left him stunned.

"Klaus Valendner, I remember you, the freshman representative of the 60th class of the Imperial First Military Academy, the Minister of the Inspection Department of the Intelligence Department Student Union, and you always sat in the third seat of the first row during the open class on tactical simulation, right?"

Meeting Krauser's surprised gaze, John, retrieving the information from his memory, spoke calmly, but then a sharp edge appeared in his voice:
"What, are you starting to 'deduce' things in a different way now?"

"I'm truly honored that you still remember me!"

Upon seeing John reveal his identity, Krauser's smile deepened slightly, but he quickly changed the subject:
"While your machine-like precision in reading memories is truly astonishing, as you said, battlefield simulations determine the life and death of soldiers, but the simulations here determine... well, something more."

Krauser calmly picked up the pen beside him, then with a slight movement of his fingertips, without using any magic, he made the pen move and spin on his fingertips, like a butterfly fluttering in the air.

But after spinning it a few times, he took it back in his hand, then tapped it lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

"Boom!"

Immediately, meeting John's calm gaze, a playful smile suddenly appeared on Krauser's face.

But his voice was icy cold, like the biting wind of deep winter, sending chills down one's spine the moment one heard it.

"For example, the continuation of a family, or the fall of a 'hero'?"

"..."

John didn't speak, but a subtle, enigmatic smile appeared on his lips.

It was as if, through the performance of the interrogator and junior student in front of him, he had already figured out the truth behind this frame-up and detention incident.

Klaus was not surprised by John's performance.

After witnessing the other party's performance during their studies, with their almost superhuman perfect scores in all subjects, he had long realized that his interrogation skills were nothing more than showing off his limited abilities in front of the other party.

Instead of showing off in front of him, it's better to follow the procedure and finish this boring interrogation. After dealing with that idiot outside the door, I can then start asking this legendary senior about the 'forbidden seal' that he most wants to know about this trip.

Thinking of this, a glint of light flashed in Krauser's eyes. He then slowly opened the notebook beside him, following the procedure, and began to speak:

"Alright, dear John, let's leave the boring reminiscing aside and get straight to the point to save each other's time."

"After all, barring any unforeseen circumstances, tonight's night will be exceptionally short, so it's best to avoid bringing up uninteresting things."

Krauser spoke meaningfully, then glanced briefly at the notebook. After seeing the contents, he read them verbatim:

"Accusation 1: According to the testimony of our informant, General John Maslow, during the Battle of Iron Horse Mountain, you implied that your magic troops repeatedly obstructed Imperial soldiers from carrying out normal spoils inventory, and directly instructed your adjutant named Wendy Brown... to directly threaten Imperial soldiers with force, and afterwards protected her, using demotion as punishment to downplay this extremely serious mutiny incident."

"General John Maslow, your excessive leniency towards the orcs of the Saga Kingdom, coupled with your extreme harshness towards the Imperial soldiers, makes it hard for us not to suspect that you seem to prefer showing more mercy to foreign lands than loyalty to the Empire. What are your thoughts on this?"

After saying that, Krauser looked at John with a smile, waiting for his reply.

"First, I want to clarify that I did not obstruct the normal loot inventory mission. Second, the actions of the magic force were actually in accordance with post-war military management regulations, preventing their own soldiers from committing violence against civilians in the managed area. This behavior complies with Article 37 of the International Law of War regarding the protection of civilian human rights..."

However, before John could finish speaking, Krauser immediately interrupted him, his tone remaining calm:
"So, you admit that you instructed your soldiers to obstruct Imperial soldiers from taking inventory of war spoils, is that right?"

"To reiterate, Second-Class Inquiry Officer Krause's job is to stop the violence, not to obstruct the counting of the spoils."

John stared blankly at Krauser, completely ignoring the verbal trap the other had deliberately set, and then retorted without holding back:
"If you are not proficient in Imperial language, or if you really can't understand normal Imperial language, then I suggest you relearn our language."

"That's sharp! No wonder you had such poor interpersonal relationships during your school years; it seems there's a reason for everything~"

Klaus didn't care at all about John's sarcasm. He just smiled at John and continued flipping through his notebook. Then he took out a few photos that he had tucked inside beforehand and placed them under the incandescent light.

"Accusation number two: seizure of power by force."

Klaus pointed to Colonel Max, whose face was bruised and swollen and whose body was bound with ropes, and Major General Tony, whose condition was not much different, in the photo. Then, he said to John in a playful tone:

"Based on the photos and testimonies provided by our informants, we have ample evidence to prove that on the night after the Battle of Iron Horse Mountain, you sent people to attack Major General Tony, and impersonated Major General Tony to meet with five officers under the 1st Division, and then, as a major, forcibly seized power."

"This photo, taken at great risk by our informant, shows you imprisoning Major General Tony and Colonel Max. Do you have any explanation for this, Senior John?"

"...It's just a new type of treatment, is there a problem?"

Seeing Krauser's astonished expression, John's lips curled into a slight smile, and he uttered words that silenced the other:
"I have already mentioned this matter in the post-war military intelligence report I submitted. Due to the attack by the orc forces at night, Major General Tony suffered serious physical damage and fell into a coma."

"Therefore, based on the opinion of Lieutenant Wendy, who was then the chief medic of the 1st Magic Battalion, we initiated a conservative treatment plan called 'Binding Therapy' for the seriously injured Major General Tony out of humanitarian considerations."

"The principle is that by binding and tightening the rope, blood flow to other parts of the body is effectively restricted, allowing more blood to concentrate in the brain, thereby attempting to dislodge blood clots in the brain and promote the brain activity of the comatose person, so that they can try to regain consciousness."

"Moreover, the treatment plan was remarkably effective. Major General Tony regained basic consciousness after only a few days of treatment. However, after being diagnosed by the elite physician, Lieutenant Wendy, who, based on her five years of medical experience, concluded that the plan needed to be implemented long-term for the Major General to fully recover." "Colonel Max, on the other hand, fell down the stairs at night, landing face-first, which caused a severe concussion and led to his coma."

"Given that Colonel Max and Major General Tony had similar symptoms, after consulting with Lieutenant Wendy, I decided to use the same binding therapy on Colonel Max, based on the principle of ensuring the patient's complete recovery."

"Therefore, the so-called power grab is completely fabricated. What is shown in the photo is actually our efforts to treat patients. It is an evil frame-up against Lieutenant Wendy, our professional physician, by fabricating false information!"

Seeing Krause's silent expression, John spoke with absolute certainty.

It was as if the two unfortunate souls, whom he had ordered to be fed only two bowls of Dianming porridge a day under the pretext of saving food, so that they wouldn't starve to death, while their hands and feet were tied and their mouths were gagged the rest of the time, were really patients receiving treatment, rather than prisoners being imprisoned.

As if oblivious to Krauser's barely concealed smile, John, as if remembering something, added insult to injury:
"By the way, considering that the witness you mentioned filmed Lieutenant Wendy's personally developed, yet unpublished, secret treatment plan and disseminated it, according to Imperial law, this constitutes theft of trade secrets and is undoubtedly an infringement of personal technological rights."

"Therefore, as Wendy Brown's superior, I have an obligation to bring a lawsuit against her to ensure that the rights of my soldiers are not violated, and to make her provide Wendy Brown with corresponding compensation for the infringement in accordance with the provisions of Imperial Law!"

Bondage therapy?
He actually wants to sue for copyright infringement?
They even want the witnesses to seek compensation?

This……

It must be said that you are the first person in the entire empire to be able to tell a lie so smoothly without changing your expression.

He's an absolute genius!
Looking at John, who was spouting nonsense without batting an eye, Krauser couldn't help but marvel.

However, he didn't refute anything on the surface. Instead, he gave John a playful look and added:

“I have heard your demands, and I will consider forwarding your lawsuit after this case concludes. However, let’s return to the trial concerning your ‘treason’.”

"Wow!"

Based on John's performance, it seemed he realized that this person was the strongest among all the people he had ever met, whether in academics, cunning, or even shamelessness.

Klaus didn't continue following the pre-written accusation process in his notebook. Instead, he quickly flipped through the notebook, examining the intelligence he had obtained by coercing soldiers from the Lyra family faction under the 1st Division, intelligence that could be used to launch an attack.

However, after confirming that this intelligence consisted of trivial matters with little practical value, they decided to investigate further.

Klaus immediately closed it without looking at it again.

He was pondering how to make John reveal some weaknesses so that he could gain some public approval and conclude the interrogation openly.

And they await the end of the confrontation between the two, or even three, most powerful figures who are now likely in the cabinet and engaged in a power struggle between the two parties.

When his superior also gave him the order to release the person.

The next second, accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, followed by an impatient voice, Krauser heard:

"Second-level interrogator Krause, I'm not questioning your professionalism, but frankly, the current interrogation efficiency seems a bit too low."

"Of course, I can understand this considering your alumni relationship with the prisoner, but I think that prioritizing the interrogation objective is what we should be doing."

"So, if possible, could you please move to the rest area and wait? Just give me ten minutes, and I will be able to get to the bottom of the prisoner's treasonous crimes. What do you think?"

The speaker was another middle-aged man in an interrogator's uniform. He was slightly overweight, and his gaze toward John was full of gloom and disdain.

In his view, since the person had already been taken into the interrogation room, the so-called interrogation and questioning were completely unnecessary.

You can simply force the other party to sign a confession and put their fingerprint on it.

Let alone the fact that the other party is just a lieutenant general from a commoner background, even if he were a general.

Within the Imperial Prosecutor's Office, whether someone has committed treason or not is simply a matter of a single word from them.
If they refuse to admit it, then use torture to force them to confess.

Why go through all that trouble with Krause, listening to his nonsense and rambling on? It's a complete waste of time!
Sure enough, the great nobles love to put on this kind of superficial show!
It's absolutely inefficient!
The fat interrogator cursed inwardly. Then, just as he was looking at John with a cold smile, intending to wave his hand and have his men, who were already waiting, rush forward to torture the prisoner and force him to sign a confession, he was about to leave.

The next second, a loud slap rang out from the interrogation room:
"Snapped!"

"!"

The fat interrogator, who had fallen to the ground sometime earlier, was covering his burning cheek, staring blankly at Krauser, who was looking down at him expressionlessly.

It took him a long time to recover, and he was suddenly filled with unprecedented anger and humiliation.

Before he could even question why the other party had suddenly attacked him, the next second, Krauser's icy, dagger-like voice exploded in his ears:

"Did I give you permission to come in, you idiot!"

Before the other person could react, Krauser flashed forward, grabbed the other person's hair with one hand, ignored the screams coming from the other person's mouth, and lifted the other person off the ground.

The faint cracking sounds of hair follicles bursting from being pulled repeatedly echoed from the interrogation room. Combined with the fat interrogator's screams, the already chilling interrogation room became even more like a living hell.

The ever-smiling expression that Krauser had when facing John had long since disappeared.

Instead, a chilling coldness filled the air. At this moment, a terrifying killing intent flickered in his azure eyes, and his expression was ferocious, like that of a monstrous beast. Although his voice was utterly calm, it sent shivers down one's spine.

"As a piece of trash sent by the Thomas family to gain prestige, I'm already giving Earl Thomas enough face by letting you listen in. But how dare you, you idiot, interfere with my interrogation? Hmm?"

Seemingly growing angrier the more he thought about it, Krauser kept slapping the other man's face with his free right hand as he spoke. For a moment, the entire interrogation room was filled with the sound of slaps and the fat interrogator's pleas for mercy.

The other person's pleas for mercy gradually faded away, and after being beaten black and blue and completely unconscious, they finally stopped.

Krauser's anger finally subsided. Under the trembling gazes of his two attendants at the door, he casually tossed the humanoid creature at their feet, his voice icy:
"Get out of here with this idiot, right now!"

"...Yes, Sir Krauser."

The two attendants immediately responded, then quickly carried the unconscious fat interrogator away from the troublesome place as if fleeing.

"Phew, I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Senior John."

After the two attendants had completely left with the stupid pig, Krauser first used his blood-stained right hand to tidy up his hair, then walked apologetically to the interrogation table, sat down, and put on the same gentlemanly smile as before.

It was as if he wasn't the one who had just been enraged and attacked his own allies, but someone else entirely.

John was surprised by this stark contrast in his behavior, but more than anything, he was puzzled.

But considering the veiled hint given at the beginning and the attitude the other party displayed during the interrogation, John seemed to understand something, and a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

"That's right, just as you thought. Detaining you was just an excuse. The real focus was on the meeting of the big shots. Therefore, the outcome of this incident is not important. Of course, it's impossible to complete the so-called trial based on those unconvincing testimonies."

"Moreover, the two newly joined legions of the empire need your stabilization, and His Majesty William's wrath is beyond the capacity of the Valendner family to withstand. Therefore, the so-called treason was doomed to fail from the very beginning."

Seeing John's shifty eyes, Krauser immediately understood that the other party had guessed the truth, and a smile immediately appeared on his lips.

He enjoys talking to intelligent people like this; with just a few words or even a gesture, the other person can easily guess his true meaning.

Instead of being like that stupid pig he just threw out, who was blinded by immediate gains and unable to guess the thoughts of those in power, leading to the collapse of the whole situation through his own clever actions.

For Krauser, being with that kind of idiot for even a second longer would be torture.

Fortunately, it's finally peaceful now.

Although I will definitely be scolded by my father afterward, such a trivial matter is not important.

Because right now he has more important things to understand...

A glint of light flashed in Krauser's eyes, followed by a near-perfect smile as he slowly spoke to John before him:

"Senior John, we haven't received any notification from above yet, so I'm afraid I have to retract my previous statement. Tonight is likely to be a very long night."

"Would you be interested in having a casual chat with me?"

"For example, the 'forbidden seal' incident within the academy back then?"

"To be honest, I've always been extremely curious about this taboo event that those involved never mentioned back then."

……

(End of this chapter)