Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 38

In conclusion, Transport Unit 2 was able to successfully complete the supply operation.

When they checked the food supplies Prat had tampered with in the middle of it.

This was because the rat poison was mixed in only about five or six sacks of flour.

Distinguishing the sacks of flour mixed with rat poison was not as difficult as one might think.

If you dragged the sacks out during the day and examined them closely in the sunlight, you could see the scratches.

Additionally, if a case was particularly suspicious.

One could tell by catching a rat and feeding it the flour from that sack directly.

Whether rat poison was mixed in or not.

‘It was tough having to go around catching rats to confirm this.’

Finally, Roden secretly cast a detection spell to cross-verify if there were any other ingredients in the flour sacks.

So it was right to assume that there would be no cases of stomach trouble from eating this.

Just like that, they wasted a whole day distinguishing the sacks mixed with rat poison,

and after that, there was no time to interrogate Zailo as they raised their alert posture and guarded the supply wagons until they reached the main battalion.

In the first place, with the clear culprit, Prat, having taken his own life, there was no reason to interrogate Zailo in a hurry.

So, Havier, along with Jamie, reported the events during the transport operation to the Main Battalion Commander.

“The report was completed safely. I explained to the Main Battalion Commander everything that happened and the subsequent measures we took.”

“Was it alright?”

“He was rather relieved that the damage was minimal. And he was satisfied with how well the follow-up measures were handled.”

“Was that so?”

“Yes. Especially the method of feeding the flour from the suspicious sacks directly to a rat. He was impressed with this method.”

For reference, it was Roden who had proposed feeding the flour directly to a rat.

For Havier, who had been lost in thought about how to distinguish the tampered supplies from the untampered ones, it was a lifeline of a suggestion.

“I finally have some breathing room. That’s why I’m saying this, I intend to interrogate the 1st Squad Leader today.”

It was certainly a matter that could no longer be postponed.

Above all,

“I need to know the full details of this incident to be able to report to the Battalion Commander after returning to the unit. The Main Battalion Commander was also curious about the whole story of the incident.”

For these reasons as well, the interrogation was absolutely necessary.

So, Havier asked the 1st Cavalry Platoon Leader, who was holding Zailo in custody.

“What is the condition of the 1st Squad Leader?”

The reason the 1st Cavalry Platoon Leader was holding Zailo was none other than this.

Because he was the only officer who had no connection to Zailo in this case.

As for the 3rd Infantry Platoon Leader, Roden, there was no need to even mention his relationship with Zailo.

In the case of the 2nd Archery Platoon Leader as well, since his direct subordinate, Prat, had spoken as if Zailo was on his side, it couldn't be said that he had no connection at all.

Anyway, the 1st Light Cavalry Platoon Leader answered.

“At first, he seemed to be out of his mind, but he gradually improved, and now I think he is at a level where there would be no problem in interrogating him.”

At those words, Havier nodded his head.

“I see. Then I will proceed with the interrogation. The rest of you, go back and relieve your fatigue. We have to leave again tomorrow morning.”

Just like that, everyone who had gathered in that place dispersed.

Roden and Chevalier also walked towards the barracks they had been assigned.

This time too, the main battalion naturally lent barracks to Transport Unit 2.

However, it wasn't a barracks that could be used exclusively like before.

It was a barracks for two, which he had to share with Chevalier.

In fact, the last time had been special; this was the norm.

The soldiers of the main battalion also had to use the barracks, as they weren't leaving anywhere tonight.

For Roden, this situation was not particularly uncomfortable.

After all, during the last operation, there had been a time when he had crossed the Jalkan Mountains, crammed together with the soldiers without even being able to properly pitch a tent once.

Rather, he was satisfied that he could sleep on a military cot during an operation.

As they were walking together like that.

Chevalier asked Roden.

“Do you really think Zailo was on the same side as Prat?”

Roden shook his head.

“I don't know. The Company Commander has just started the interrogation. Why do you ask?”

“The platoon's atmosphere is in turmoil because of the story that Zailo might have been on the same side as Prat. Especially the 1st Squad.”

Certainly, the influence of Zailo, who had built good relationships with those around him with his unique affability, was not small.

Among them, in the 1st Squad, that influence was bound to be even greater.

But even so, one could not erase a crime that existed.

If there was a crime, one must pay the price.

That was the only way to maintain order.

However,

‘There’s a high possibility that Zailo did not commit a grave crime.’

Roden thought this way.

The reason was simple.

If he had been as involved in this matter as Prat, Zailo would have taken his own life as well.

But he did not.

Moreover, it wasn't that he survived because he lacked the courage to take his own life.

The proof was that the same potent poison Prat had hidden in his mouth was not found on Zailo.

‘So Zailo was not deeply involved in this matter. At most, he would have only dipped a toe in.’

Of course, how to view this problem and how much responsibility to assign was Havier's choice.

And further, Adriel's choice.

However, it was Roden's thought that the possibility of the punishment leading to a severe sentence was low.

At most, he would probably be sentenced to a short period of imprisonment.

Having organized his thoughts, Roden opened his mouth towards Chevalier.

“The interrogation results will be out soon, so let's think about the platoon's atmosphere again then. Even if the 1st Squad Leader receives a heavy sentence, we'll be able to change the atmosphere quickly once we return to the unit.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Just like that, Roden and Chevalier arrived at the barracks where they would be staying for the day.

Since they had arrived at the main battalion only when evening was upon them, there wasn't enough time to do anything in particular.

For the sake of tomorrow, just going to bed quickly was the best option.

So he tried to go to bed early, but he couldn't.

“Hello, Platoon Leader. I apologize for the late hour. The Company Commander is looking for you.”

This was because he had received a summons from Havier.

***

Just like that, Roden headed to the barracks Havier was temporarily using.

In the barracks, Havier was sitting alone.

It seemed they allowed the company commander to use a barracks alone, at least.

“I called you because I have something to say. Sit there.”

Roden sat on the chair made by cutting a log top to bottom, as Havier indicated.

“A moment ago, I spoke with the 1st Squad Leader.”

“Was the 1st Squad Leader really on the same side as Prat?”

“No. He said it’s true that they were childhood friends who grew up in the same village, but they were not on the same side.”

“Then why did Prat shout that he was a traitor?”

“From what I hear, he seems to have granted Prat’s requests from time to time. He said he only found out later that these requests had other purposes.”

“Requests?”

“He said Prat often asked about things related to the 3rd Infantry Platoon. As if they were having a casual conversation. So at first, he talked without much thought, but later it seems the extent of it became a bit severe.”

“So he asked about things Zailo didn't know well, and when he said he didn't know anything about it, he asked him to find out.”

“That’s right. He said he approached him exactly like that.”

It was a typical method of a spy.

Nothing to be surprised about.

“So did he tell him?”

“He said he did. And as he did, he gradually took on the appearance of being on the same side as Prat.”

“So you mean it was just the appearance, but they weren't on the same side. Was there anything else?”

“I pressed the 1st Squad Leader to speak in detail. What on earth did Prat ask him to find out. Who was behind Prat.”

Having heard up to this point, Roden could understand.

Why Havier was having a private meeting with him.

At the same time, he could also gain confidence in the hypothesis he had been thinking of.

Therefore,

“The thing Prat kept prying about was about me, wasn’t it? But the 1st Squad Leader didn't know exactly who was behind Prat. Am I wrong?”

Roden was able to ask this way.

Havier, who heard this, opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“How did you know that?”

“The fact that Prat targeted the supply wagons of all things became a clue. The person who has to take the most responsibility when something goes wrong with the supply wagons is me.”

“That’s right. Because managing the supply wagons is the duty of the 3rd Infantry Platoon.”

“And looking at it from this point of view… the one behind Prat is one of my brothers.”

Roden said in a strong tone.

Havier nodded his head as if he agreed.

After finishing Zailo’s interrogation, Havier had also reached the same conclusion.

“I think so too. Other than that, there’s no reason for Prat to target you. So what do you think? Does it seem like the 1st Squad Leader is telling the truth?”

Roden thought for a moment and then answered.

“Most likely. If he was really on the same side as Prat, there’s no way only the 1st Squad Leader would be this unscathed.”

“I think so too.”

“What will you do about the punishment?”

“What do you think is best?”

Havier asked back, and Roden spoke his honest thoughts.

“Punishment will be unavoidable. It’s an undeniable fact that the 1st Squad Leader granted Prat’s requests. So for the sake of military discipline, I don’t think we should just let this issue slide.”

“I suppose so, right?”

“However, that being said, I don't think asking Zailo to pay too high a price is a good method either. Personally, I think about a week of imprisonment would be appropriate.”

“When we get back, I will make that recommendation to the Transport Battalion Commander. The issue with the 1st Squad Leader will probably be resolved well. More than that, I’m concerned about your brother who is said to be behind Prat. Do you happen to know who he is?”

Roden, having already realized early on that the succession war was entangled in this matter, had gone through all of Ernst’s memories.

But he couldn't find anything useful among them.

Ernst, blinded by jealousy, had not even paid attention to which unit his brothers belonged to.

However, it didn't matter even if Ernst didn't remember.

Because the answer was simple anyway.

Just like that, Roden answered Havier’s question.

“The brother who belongs to the 3rd Corps with me. He is the one behind Prat.”