The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 127: First Contact

Tanabata, here we are~

- ワイアード

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Lemurian Empire Covenant Eastern Military Base HQ Military Tribunal, 10th Territory, Second World

A disheveled man dressed in ragged clothes walked down a long corridor, his arms firmly held by military police officers. Although he was already handcuffed, leaving him no chance of escape, the man silently continued down the hallway.

That man, former Lieutenant Colonel Razeph Loew Moore of the Lemurian Empire Covenant's Eastern Frontier Expeditionary Army, was contemplating the punishment he was about to face.

'I let the enemy escape... There's no way the judgment will be lenient. At best, ten—no, fifteen years of forced labor. At worst, a firing squad. If only I could at least be granted the mercy of writing a letter to my family, but that's probably too much to ask.'

Oddly enough, those driven into a corner can remain surprisingly calm. Moore reflected on this as he quietly continued walking down the corridor, illuminated by the steady light of the magical lamps embedded at regular intervals in the ceiling.

・・・

The room they entered was quite spacious. A fixed table arranged in a C-shape seated several men with stern expressions, including the presiding military judge, military tribunal members, Covenant Military Bureau officials, and high-ranking officers of the Lemurian Empire's military.

Moore was guided to a chair placed before them and took his seat. Around him, guards armed with pistols stood at attention.

"Lieutenant Colonel Razeph Loew Moore. Do you have any objections regarding the act of allowing an enemy heretic to escape, despite being a soldier of the honorable Lemurian Empire?"

In response to the judge's words, Moore simply replied, "I do not."

"I see. So you admit it, then? In that case, why did you take such action?"

One of the tribunal members posed the question, to which Moore replied without hesitation.

"He was young... and unarmed. I couldn't bring myself to kill someone who was defenseless. I take pride in being a soldier. To needlessly slaughter someone who poses no resistance would tarnish that pride. That's what I believed."

"And did you not consider the possibility that the spared youth might later take up arms and rise against us? That your actions could have led to the deaths of your comrades?"

The words from a Military Bureau official made Moore cast his gaze downward.

He had thought about it. As a soldier, he was aware of such risks; it was an inherent part of their duty. He knew he could apply the same reasoning to himself. However, when it came to others, he couldn't make the same sweeping assumption.

He could not bring himself to reply with certainty.

"...Alright. Next question: you are married to a woman from the 11th Territory and have two children. Could this personal connection have influenced your decision to aid the heretic?"

"...I cannot say it had no influence."

"Ah, I see. Honest of you. However, have you considered that your actions might make others who have similarly married locals feel ostracized in light of this incident?"

".........I deeply regret that possibility."

"...I understand. Thank you."

The interrogation continued with various questions. Moore alternated between giving direct answers, lowering his gaze in silence, and offering words of apology.