Hitzinger repeated his empty words like a parrot.
“As you know, August to the north is gradually encroaching on our territory. While we’ve been downsizing the military, drunk on peace, they’ve been advancing! What we’re doing is defensive!”
“You fool...”
They were giving in to a military provocation. War was but one form of diplomacy. But, it was a fight. When your opponent sets the pace and you echo its mood, it was natural to see the situation as already dangerous.
“Once Wiltia stands tall, we will get approval from many other countries! When they see the power of Verne 1, they’ll rush to us on their own!”
Even if Wiltia made this show of great force and gained vassal states, in order to lead, it would have to maintain and continue demonstrating that force. Wiltia didn’t have that much power. It simply had a larger population, more national territory and greater production capacity.
“So what do you want from me?” Meitzer realized talking was pointless, so he changed the subject. He merely wanted to know why they had taken him captive and why they let him live.
“You’re a hostage, material for negotiation.”
“Huh?” Without thinking, Meitzer blurted his surprise at Hitzinger’s response. “Surely you don’t think if you hold me hostage Noa will take Wiltia’s side.”
Meitzer was the top-ranking officer in the army of the great nation of Noa. His influence extended throughout the whole army.
“Don’t be foolish! It’s a soldier’s duty to defend his country. No nation would go to war to protect a soldier!”
“That may not be true. Noa has long remained neutral, but once it sees the power of Verne 1, they may think differently. Furthermore, if you convince them, it will all go well.”
“You must be either stupid or insane!”
A tower of building blocks would have a stronger foundation. It was one thing not to be choosy about your means in order to secure certain ends, but if the means were too unscrupulous, it would merely generate panic without gaining any allies.
Fear was an effective means of control, but too much could inspire resistance. A cornered rat will bite the cat.
“How long have you been working on this plot?” Convincing them to stop was already impossible. Meitzer accepted that he was unable to make them realize their folly, so he asked one final question.
He had told few others that he was visiting the Association for Space Travel. Only the Wiltian military marshal Elvin, whom he had asked to serve as intermediary to the Association, knew of his plan. However, Elvin was at odds with the Security Division, making him more of an enemy than August in some ways. Yet someone had leaked his activities to the outside.
“You...”
He saw the answer before Hitzinger could tell him. He saw the young woman by Hitzinger’s side.
“Marissa... was it you?”
Sophia’s subordinate in the guards at the Royal Weapons Development Bureau—Corporal Marissa Haven. She had been Meitzer’s guide, and because she had been taken hostage, he let himself be seized without a fight.
“Yes, allow me to reintroduce her. She is an agent of the Security Department, planted in the Weapons Development Bureau. She’s what you would call a spy.”
Hitzinger’s words, spoken as if revealing a treasured secret, surprised Meitzer.
“She informed us of your every move. You even came without a struggle to spare her from harm. I thank you for that, Corporal. As your superior officer, I must express my gratitude.”
Marissa looked embarrassed, while beside her Hitzinger laughed merrily.
“I see. So I’m a fool.” Meitzer sighed and that was all he could say.
“Now, General Douglas Meitzer, you must think calmly about what comes next. The sooner Wiltia forms a firm military coalition the better it is for Noa as well.”
Hitzinger then left, along with his subordinates. However, Marissa stayed.
“Um, General Douglas?”
“Aw, who cares. Argh... I’m old and losing my edge.” Marissa looked troubled, so Meitzer made light of the situation. He was proud in his belief that no ordinary intelligence officer could trick him. So, it was only natural that a very unspy-like spy got the better of him.
No, that isn’t all...
He couldn’t let a girl about the same age as Sven die, even if their personalities were different.
“I’m always like this. Something similar happened before.”
Without thinking, he got a faraway look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t apologize.”
If Hitzinger knew she felt guilty, there was no telling what he would do to her. It was a strange sight to see: Marissa was crying and apologizing now that her identity was known and the man she had betrayed was consoling her.
“Um... at the very least, is there anything I can do?”
“Yes, but what you can do is very limited.”
The cell had no window. Or there had been a window but it was covered. That way the prisoners wouldn’t know where they were.
“You can’t undo these bonds, can you?”
“No, I don’t have the key.”
“I thought not.”
The only other thing he could request was a decent meal.
“Then I want ham and eggs for breakfast. Two eggs.”
“All right, I’ll see to it.”
Seeing Marissa on the verge of tears made Meitzer sad. Marissa probably wasn’t a professional spy. Most likely, she had met someone from a key organization and was either bought with money or pressured into helping. Because of her poverty, she had been enticed to cooperate although she would ordinarily have refused. When Meitzer considered her situation, he found it even harder to hate her.
“Oh, but...”
“Yes?” Marissa continued talking as Meitzer thought. “I can’t bring you a metal knife and fork.”
“That’s all right.”
Only wooden utensils were allowed to prevent prisoners from using the metal to escape. That was basic. There was no need for her to say it. He already knew.
“However, I can bring a paper napkin.”
“Oh?”
Meitzer didn’t know what she was hinting at, so he responded with a perplexed look. However...
“............”
Meitzer noticed something in Marissa’s expression.
“I see...”
Then, with a smile, he made one further request.
“Marissa, would you lend me the pen in your breast pocket?”
She did not refuse.