Konbini Ossan Volume 10 Chapter 6 — Interrogation Begins
We brought the captured Nomura to the rear and began interrogation inside the base facilities set up by Otogi Trading.
Naturally, we had equipment to measure both mana pressure and mana particle density. In addition, we brought in various other measurement devices.
By using these instruments while interrogating Nomura, we aimed to analyze Naitō’s skill more precisely.
The interrogation would be conducted by four of us: myself, Metidovan, Shuri-kun, and Matsuriya.
“Well then, shall we begin? Your name is Koichi Nomura, correct?”
“Yeah, that’s right! So what about it, huh?!”
Even though he should be suffering significantly from the debuffs caused by the restraints, his defiant attitude remained unchanged.
I glance at the other three in turn. They are monitoring the instruments, but all of them shake their heads. It seems there was no particular reaction.
We proceed with the interrogation.
“This advance. The military action against the Kingdom of Runegard, centered around the Barometz Duchy, was led by Naitō Takashi, correct?”
“Damn right it was! Otherwise, there’s no way I’d want to fight in a life-or-death war like this!”
This response also yields nothing. No reaction.
“Then, you have no intention of ever invading the Kingdom of Runegard again, correct?”
“Of course I don’t want to! But it doesn’t matter! It’s because of that bastard Takashi’s skill!”
This time, there is a reaction. Both mana pressure and mana particle density change, confirming that he is under the influence of a skill.
Moreover, despite saying he doesn’t want to, he begins struggling violently, trying to break free from his restraints.
From his behavior, it appears he is being forced to act against his will.
We continued the interrogation after that.
As a result, we learned that he is being forced to harbor hostility toward the Kingdom of Runegard and to act on it.
Additionally, while the exact conditions that trigger the forced actions are unclear, it appears that whenever he expresses an intention that denies hostility toward the Kingdom of Runegard, the skill forces hostility upon him.
In other words, if he obeys the order to invade Runegard, he can proceed without issue.
But if he resists the command, the skill compels him into action anyway, forcing him to march forward against his will.
“So that’s the conclusion. Does anyone have any thoughts?”
When I ask, Matsuriya speaks first.
“Even considering it’s a cheat skill, the effect seems excessively powerful.”
“Yeah. No matter how you look at it, twisting the will of tens of thousands of people at once is absurd. It’s more natural to assume there’s some kind of mechanism behind it.”
Shuri-kun adds to Matsuriya’s observation. I nod, and then Metidovan speaks.
“It is unlikely that this Naitō is continuously maintaining control through his skill. Mind control skills typically require an enormous cost to sustain. It is hard to believe he is constantly affecting the entire army.”
He then elaborates on his reasoning.
“Therefore, it is more plausible that the mind control itself is activated under specific conditions.”
“Conditional activation, you say?”
As I ask, Shuri-kun explains.
“You know how some skills have really strong effects but strict activation conditions? I bet Naitō’s skill works like that.”
“Indeed, that seems likely.”
Metidovan agrees with Shuri-kun.
“Most likely, the mind control effect is first applied to targets only under certain conditions, and then further restricted so that the control manifests only when additional conditions are met.”
“If that’s the case, then applying mind control to such a large number of people at once might not be impossible.”
From Metidovan and Shuri-kun’s words, I begin to see a new possibility.
“In that case, if we can break those prerequisite conditions, the situation could change.”
“Indeed. It is likely that the mind control effect itself would be nullified.”
It seems we may have found a glimmer of hope.
“We’ll keep interrogating Nomura and dig deeper into the exact conditions.”
“If we can trace back to the circumstances when the mind control was first applied, we should be able to figure out how to break it.”
Shuri-kun and Metidovan volunteer to continue the investigation themselves.
“Understood. I’ll leave it to you.”
“Leave it to us, Otogin! There are plenty of prisoners besides Nomura, we’ll figure everything out from start to finish in no time!”
At Shuri-kun’s confident declaration, both Metidovan and Matsuriya nod.
With these three handling it, there should be no problem.
Which means, I should focus on what I can do as well.
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E/N:
Were it continuous activation of the brainwashing, I would assume that Naitō's magic stat was near infinite and that the target won't be able to speak against the brainwashing at all.
It seems lax and with conditions?
Stay tuned!
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