Chapter 17: Interrogation of Prisoners
News of the bandits repulsion quickly spread through Lakeheart Town, prompting residents to flood the streets and gather at the town center square to celebrate.
The next day, Lord Count ordered a victory parade. The troops, organized inpanies, formed square formations and marched in unison along the main street towards the square. A temporary review stand was erected at the north end of the square, where Paul, along with Schroeder, ise, and other senior military officers, reviewed the troops.
As the troops passed by the review stand from west to east, their formations swiftly changed to a march onmand. Each young soldier walked with his head held high and chest puffed out, a mix of pride and solemnity on their faces.
The onlookers gasped in amazement, followed by waves of apuse and cheers. The old knight on the review stand nodded in approval. This peculiar marching style indeed imbued an unstoppable aura. The troops discipline and quality were unmistakably evident, surpassing even what he had seen in his previous service, which couldnt be achieved without prolonged training.
Following the troops, the captured pirates were paraded, receiving not flowers and apuse but rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables. The townspeople of Lakeheart had suffered greatly due to the pirates, with farmers and fishermen constantly in fear.
Recognizing the significance of this victory, on the afternoon of the pirates defeat, Paul and his senior officers hastily devised a temporary system of rewards andpensations, announcing it during the parade:
Those granted temporary military ranks were now made permanent, and based on their performance in the battle, those who sacrificed themselves were awarded first-ss merits, those severely wounded received second-ss merits, and nearly a hundred others disying outstanding performance were awarded third-ss merits. Material and mary rewards varied ording to the level of merit.
Families of those who were killed or severely injured, losing their ability to work, could receive five Ordo gold coins or an equivalent amount in other currencies from the lords mansion. For families in the Northwest Bay area, this was a substantial sum.
You damned nobles The bearded pirate, hands tied behind his back, was dragged into the hall, struggling and cursing. Two soldiers forcefully pushed him to the ground.
So, youre the great Quik I, I presume? Paul looked at the defiant pirate leader with interest. In the previous battle, this big-bearded man had been knocked unconscious by his own retreating men. Just thinking about it brought a sense of deep satisfaction.
Its grandfather!
Make him speak more respectfully.
The pping sounds echoed in the hall as a soldier struck Quiks cheeks back and forth, rapidly swelling them up.
You you The pirate leaders curses gradually faded.
Spill everything you know. How many are you? How much have you stolen? Where are the other pirates?
Id rather die hiss than reveal hiss a single thing. Quiks face was swollen, making it difficult for him to speak clearly.
Quite a tough nut, arent you? Gentlemen, any ideas on how to make him talk?
The officers brainstormed and suggested various methods of persuasion, turning the hall into a stage for a grim y.
They started with whips and mps, then moved to the tiger bench, chili water, and water torture, giving Quik a thorough ordeal. What? Still not talking? If force doesnt work, lets try gentler methods. Tickling his armpits, scraping his feet one by one, these tormenting tactics were used on Quik.
Ah! Oh! Ha ha ha ha ah oh!!! Ha ha ha!!!
With a mix of harsh and soft tactics, Quik was tossed between heaven and hell.
Ill talk Ill talk After enduring a long ordeal, Quik finally gave in.
Its like refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. If only you had spoken up sooner, none of this would have been necessary, the young Count chuckled sinisterly, much like a viin in a movie.
Soldiers, continue interrogating the other prisoners in the jail. Did you note down the methods we just used? Lets see if their boss is as tight-lipped as his underlings.
Yes, Lord Count! Two soldiers saluted with the newly implemented hand gesture, eagerly rubbing their hands together before excitedly departing.
After his sinisterughter, Paul slowly said to Quik, So, great Quik I, tell us everything you know. If your story conflicts with what your men have said, remember, we in Lakeheart Town are known for our warm hospitality. Youll receive even more wonderful treatment.
The bearded pirate on the ground shivered upon hearing this.
Afterpiling the testimonies of the pirates, Lakeheart Town finally understood the enemys situation.
There were three groups of pirates involved in the invasion.
The first group was Quiks gang, which had just suffered a major defeat in Lakeheart Town.
The second group was the Shark gang, led by a pirate named Shark. They were the ones who ambushed old Paul.
The third group was the newlynded Mudfish Gadden gang, the suspicious group in the recent battle who, after seeing Quiks gangs defeat, quietly slipped away, living up to their Mudfish moniker.
The Shark gangnded first, looting along the coast, and, fortunately, defeated the forces of old Grayman. Upon learning that only a young child remained in the Grayman family, they grew more brazen, upying the small port town of Fran and coercing the locals into building defenses, nning a long-term settlement.
Quiks gangndedter, finding the coastal area already piged by the Shark gang, so they headed ind. After plundering some viges and towns, they decided to hit big and headed straight for Lakeheart Town, only to meet their downfall.
Regarding the Mudfish Gadden gang, Quik had just recently joined forces with them and knew little.
However, what worried the people of Lakeheart Town was that these three pirate factions, though small, were all affiliated with a more powerful force dominating the northern seas: the notorious pirate, Walker Edward.
Twenty years ago, Walker Edward rose to power, gradually absorbing various pirate groups in the North Sea. The united pirates caused headaches for the lords of the Northwest Bay. They joined forces in an attempt to eliminate Edward.
However, the campaign was far from sessful. The pirates used hit-and-run tactics on the water, making it difficult for the noble coalition to counter. Whenever the coalitions forces retreated, the pirates would raid the shores, and when the coalitions main force arrived, the pirates would withdraw to sea.
The nobles tried building a fleet tobat them at sea, but their newly formed fleet was no match for the seasoned pirates, resulting in repeated failures.
Eventually, the exhausted nobles negotiated a truce, paying a substantial sum to the pirates as protection money. They also ceded a coastal area (including part of Pauls familynds) for the pirates to resupply every few months. In return, Edward agreed to restrain his subordinates from venturing too deep ind or near the capitals and surrounding areas of the various territories.
Thus, for twenty years, the lords and pirates coexisted in this uneasy truce, with the designated resupply area suffering under the dual exploitation of nobles and pirates.
When Quik revealed this, Lord Count, infuriated, mmed his ss of water, eximing in a curse identical to Quiks earlier outburst. Not only was Quik kneeling below taken aback, but the others involved in the interrogation also exchanged nces.
The butler leaned in and quietly reminded Paul, Ahem Lord Count, please be cautious with your words. Your grandfather was among those who negotiated this agreement. Most lords of the Northwest Bay, including the Graymans, though dissatisfied, had no choice but to agree.
Paul coldly asked, So, if the pirates hadnt overstepped this time, would you all have continued to turn a blind eye?
The people in the hall fell silent, heads bowed, the quiet broken only by the sigh of the old knight, Schroeder
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