Surviving in the 121st Century - Chapter 68



Only Noblemtl

Jincheol’s face, looking up from below, was covered in dark shadows. Rahiman looked at that face, becoming increasingly frightened as he thought about what was coming to mind, and soon Jincheol let out a voice he had not expected.

“···I surrender, I surrender.”

“what?”

“I surrender! Prisoner! Treat me like a prisoner!”

Even Jincheol was momentarily speechless and blank-faced at the scream-like voice. The bridge where gunfire and swords were being fought also slowly stopped fighting. Aiman, Snow, Haita, and the Rabito officers who were fighting for Rahiman there all looked at him blankly.

Rahiman, who had attracted all the attention on the bridge, shouted again.

“I surrender! Really! So, according to the Treaty of Jasso-Urata, guarantee my safety, my life!”

“···I am not a member of Jaso. Jaso ended when Donchaba died.”

“Anyway, the revolutionary army inherited Jaso’s land! Right now, the revolutionary army represents Jaso’s land and people! Then, it’s no different from inheriting Jaso’s treaty! I will surrender, and you must guarantee my life according to the treaty…”

Sparks flew from Jincheol’s eyes, which had been blank. Jincheol felt true murderous intent for the first time since falling into this era and grabbed Rahiman’s neck. With a short scream, Rahiman’s body was lifted up in his hands.

Jincheol glared at Rahiman’s eyes with eyes that were literally burning brightly and spoke softly.

“At least a few hundred people must have died since the first gunfire today, and you’re the one who caused all those people to die, so now that it’s your turn, you’re going to say something like that?”

“Kkii···”

Jincheol’s grip tightened. His reason and anger clashed violently, heating up his mind. At that moment, Jincheol was in the 121st century and the 21st century at the same time. The general in his grip was a rabbit-like race of Rabito, and the faces of those who had finally started the war in the 21st century overlapped.

Rahiman’s throat began to constrict as if it were being squeezed by a hydraulic device. His face began to blur as his breath and blood flow to his head were blocked.

“Jincheol!”

Jincheol turned his eyes to look at her when she called him. She quickly approached him and continued speaking.

“Not yet! If we want to stop their war, we must not kill them yet!”

“···”

Jincheol also knew what she meant. In the country of Rabito, the general was the ultimate authority and also the one responsible for all the disasters the country had caused.

If we just snapped Iza’s neck here and now, Jincheol’s mind would be at ease, but the rabbit war between the Revolutionary Army and Urata would be prolonged. Not only in this battle, but on all fronts where the commander-in-chief has disappeared.

Then people who don’t need to die will die.

“···Surrender. Yeah, surrender is good.”

Jincheol’s grip slowly loosened. Rahiman, who had finally managed to open his mouth, slumped forward and gasped for breath. However, Jincheol did not allow him to rest. The next moment, he grabbed the back of his head and threw him against the table in front of him.

“Squeak!”

“What are you resting on? Get the microphone and radio your entire ship to surrender immediately. Contact the Revolutionary Army as well.”

“Okay, wait, ma, prepare your mind···”

Jincheol’s grip tightened again. Rahiman felt a chill from the pressure he felt all over his head. He could guess that if Jincheol exerted strength now, his head would be crushed like a cake.

“Stop talking nonsense and do it now.”

“Ha, I’ll do it! I’ll do it now! Squeak!”

Rahiman hurriedly grabbed the funnel-shaped microphone in front of his throne and began to broadcast throughout the ship. All personnel must now refrain from engaging in war, disarm, surrender unconditionally, etc. The broadcast was also relayed to the revolutionary forces, and a bewildered silence followed on the other end of the radio.

Anyway, thanks to that, the gunfire on both sides stopped. Not only the gunfire from the Urata battleship, but also the revolutionary army that was moving quickly like guerrillas and attacking from all sides stopped attacking. And after a long time, they finally sent a radio message.

[···I accept your surrender.]

Rahiman slumped, and the other surviving Rabito officers on the bridge looked at each other with a look of despair, a look of incomprehension, and a look of blazing anger. The anger split again in two. Towards Rahiman and towards Jincheol.

Jincheol faced the anger with an indifferent expression. Jincheol understood those who were angry at Rahiman, as well as those who were angry at himself. This rabbit race was so much like humans. So it was obvious that they would also be like humans in their self-deception. The foolishness of not being able to face the truth of their idols and only getting angry at outsiders. They were rabbits who only picked out the bad points.

At that moment, the revolutionary army’s radio transmission arrived again.

[I will contact the bridge now. All Urata soldiers on board, remain in their positions and stand by.]

With that radio call, Jincheol’s grip also loosened. Jincheol slowly straightened up from the position where he was holding Rahiman’s head down. He let out something like a sigh and headed to a corner of the command center. Then, regardless of whether anyone was watching or not, he leaned back against the corner and collapsed.

When Haita saw that, she tried to approach, but Aiman ​​caught her. Aiman ​​shook his head with a stern face.

Even at the moment when the revolutionary army swarmed into the bridge, and even after the pig doctor Miguel and the leaders of the revolutionary army entered, Jincheol sat blankly leaning against the corner and staring at the floor of the bridge. He just stared silently at the continuous grid pattern made by connecting the square iron plates.

After taking Rahiman and the bridge officers away, Miguel ordered the technicians to check the condition of the ship. When he saw him, he turned to the others.

“What happened?”

“···I don’t know either. I just think it has something to do with Jincheol’s personal history.”

Only Ai said so clearly. Miguel blinked at the answer, and for a moment, he looked at Jincheol in thought. Then he turned around and said.

“The Comintern will interrogate Rahiman. The interrogation will take place in an hour, and Pastel and I, along with the four people who captured the battleship and Battlewing pilot Ramien, can be present at the interrogation. Please convey that message.”

“···Are you talking about the pilot from Jassogun?”

When one of the executives asked in a strange voice, Miguel lifted his chin and said.

“She was a key figure in the victory in the air war. She shot down six enemy planes, and when she ran out of ammunition, she risked her own life to help other friendly planes. I think she is more than qualified.”

“···Okay. I’ll pass this on to the Ramien pilot.”

The officer answered, but his expression did not really take it to heart. It was natural for Miguel to suddenly praise someone who was not originally a member of the revolutionary army and had only joined this morning. And from Miguel’s perspective, who had to lead the revolutionary army while controlling such discontent, it was also strange.

But even after a short conversation, Miguel, who had been looking at Jincheol, simply left instead of explaining anything further.

After Miguel left, the other revolutionary army officers and soldiers began to clean up the bridge. They whispered among themselves as they watched Jincheol sitting in a corner of the bridge, his arms on his knees, staring blankly at the floor.

“···Is that guy the hijacker?”

“He’s a great criminal who crossed the sea from the Western Continent. I heard there’s a huge bounty on his head there too.”

“really?”

“I heard that they raided a lot of airships there too. They’ve raided everything they can from the sky, and now they have nothing left to steal, so they came to the Eastern Continent. Since there are no more airships to raid, they’re finally going to raid the generals’ flying battleships.”

“···Oh my goodness. How did the Kapitan convince such a criminal?”

“It’s a mutual understanding. It’s a strange deal between a madman who wants to hijack a flying battleship and a Kapitan who wants to turn the world upside down…”

“Eh, are all Esais that scary?”

“That’s the average in the western continent.”

You crazy rabbits, I can hear you all. Jincheol buried his head between his knees and laughed heartily. There was no story this ridiculous. Jincheol, who had suddenly become a world-class hijacking criminal and made some kind of deal with Captain Miguel, rubbed his eyes and giggled.

Perhaps that rumor will grow beyond Jincheol’s control. Jincheol really robbed Urata’s flying battleship, and even captured Urata’s general Rahiman himself. A leader of a country and a strategic weapon were robbed by a mercenary from the west. Rumors and legends could not help but arise.

Thinking about it like that, I suddenly had the thought that I should get this ship fee from Miguel. Of course, Jincheol is about to leave again, so receiving a lot would be just a hassle, but the other friends, especially Ramien, Doljumeok, and Maro, aren’t they people who should settle down and live here? I’ve never asked Doljumeok’s opinion, but anyway.

As he thought that and raised his head, he saw four people surrounding him.

Haitha, who was resting her chin on the floor with her knees up like Jincheol, smiled brightly at him as he raised his head.

Ramien had brought one of the command chairs and was sprawled out on it, looking tired, while Aiman ​​was sitting next to him, also hugging his staff. Finally, Snow, unmasked, was leaning against one of the walls, arms crossed, looking at the rabbis on the bridge.

“Are you feeling calmer now?”

Haitah said that while looking at Jincheol. Jincheol chuckled.

“What are you all doing here?”

“What are you doing? Didn’t you hear? The pig doctor told us to come to the place where General Urata was being interrogated. I was waiting for Jincheol to come with me.”

“You waited for me?”

In response to Jincheol’s question, Haita nodded. When he turned his gaze to Aiman, he shrugged his shoulders, and Ramien and Snow didn’t say much.

Finally, Jincheol got up.

“Yeah… It’s better than just sitting here and muttering. Let’s go. Now that the war is over, I don’t know what else you’re going to dig up.”

“Maybe they’re trying to write something like a surrender document?”

“Then I don’t think you can call it an interrogation.”

Jincheol and his group got up from their seats and left the command room and began to move through the battleship. The space that had been running hurriedly until just a moment ago was now quiet. Here and there, revolutionary soldiers with guns and soldiers from Urata being dragged away by them while unarmed could be seen, but there was no longer the vibration of something exploding or being destroyed.

The Urata soldiers all had gloomy and sullen expressions. The expressions of the revolutionary soldiers transporting them were not bright either, and they also looked half-mad just like the Urata soldiers.

It was a natural situation. They had been firing artillery and fighter jets at each other just a moment ago, and then one of the leaders suddenly declared surrender. Both the side that surrendered and the side that received the surrender were equally bewildered. The mechanics who were trying to repair the battleship were more concerned about the immediate future than the confusion, and they were running around with their equipment in hand.

As several Rabito soldiers passed by, Ramien, who was walking behind Jincheol, gently pulled his collar. When Jincheol looked back, she whispered.

“Hey, Dr. Pig, why did you call me?”

“Why did you call me?”

She continued to whisper, keeping an eye on the other group.

“Why am I interrogating Rahiman? You guys took over the battleship and forced Rahiman to surrender, so it wouldn’t be strange for you to be there, but I’m just a Battlewing pilot.”

“It seems like he’s impressed by your performance this time.”

Ramien tilted her chin at Jincheol’s slightly indifferent response.

“Why are you putting me in a position like this…?”

“I understand what you’re worried about, but since you called me, why don’t you come with me? If there’s any other reason, why don’t you let me know when you get there?”

Even though she whispered, the other group walking right next to her couldn’t have not heard. When Aiman ​​interrupted and spoke like that, Ramien became quiet with an awkward ‘Ah, yes…’ answer. She seemed to have a harder time with Camponi Aiman, who resembled Rabito more than Jincheol or the other Esai.

The revolutionary army’s battleship Comintern and the Urata battleship were floating in the air, their backs touching each other. Five or six precariously shaped cloud bridges connected them, as if the two ships had really met in the ocean.

While the other Rabitos were busy going back and forth, Jincheol and his group also crossed the cloud bridge. There was a time when Haita fell behind because his legs were shaking slightly, but soon everyone was able to board the Comintern.

The Comintern crew members who saw Jincheol and his party entering immediately guided them deep into the battleship.

The interior of the Comintern was certainly old and worn compared to the Urarta or the former Donchava battleships. Numerous pipelines were exposed on the ceiling of the passageway, and there were also parts that had clearly been repaired here and there. As I walked through the passageway, I often saw hourglasses, valves, and the like.

The passage was also narrow, tall enough for Aiman ​​and Ramien, but too narrow for Haita and Snow, and Jincheol had to bend down halfway through. Somehow, he remembered when he first woke up in the tribe of Atukai. Even then, the houses of the camponi were too small for his height. Ah, Toby. Are you doing well?

As I continued my way deeper into the winding battleship, I soon arrived at a small, narrow room.

“Are you here?”

Miguel, who had arrived first, said this to Jincheol. Jincheol nodded and went inside, and inside the small room, a room larger than the outside was visible. It was a space that fit the description of an interrogation room perfectly.

There was no furniture in the room, only a table and a few chairs, and behind the table was Rahiman, who had recently gotten himself dressed up. There was a very narrow and slender window in this room, so you could see inside.

“Jincheol and I will go in. The others can watch from here and call us if they have anything to say.”

“···?”

Jincheol tilted his head, wondering why he was being singled out. He wasn’t confident that he could do a good job of interrogating her. He hoped she wouldn’t get so angry that he broke his head.

Still, I thought Miguel might have some thoughts, so I followed him inside. And as if my thoughts were right, Rahiman, who was sitting with his hands tied and a rather relaxed expression, had a sullen expression when Jincheol appeared behind Miguel. It was as if he had met his natural enemy in a place where there was nowhere to run.

Jincheol and Miguel sat down in front of Rahiman. After a brief silence, the first word Miguel spoke was an accusation.

“You fool. What on earth were you thinking, breaking the peace treaty? What could you possibly gain from such a foolish surprise attack?”

Rahiman’s face immediately distorted. He flared his nose as if he was about to say something, then glanced at Jincheol next to him and slumped again. Then he said.

“···I hope to be treated appropriately as a prisoner of war.”

“If you truly want to be treated fairly, then answer the questions we ask you from now on honestly.”

Rahiman nodded. Miguel looked at Rahiman as if he found it pitiful, then spoke again.

“First of all, what I said earlier was true. Why did you launch a surprise attack today, and with only battleships, without any ground forces? Thanks to Jincheol and his other comrades here, no greater casualties occurred, but if you had fought until the end, it would have been you and the Urata battleship that lost. You must have known that.”

“···I had no choice.”

“You couldn’t help it?”

Rahiman’s gaze dropped down. He looked at the table and suddenly trembled slightly. Jincheol and Miguel both looked at him with puzzlement, and the trembling grew more severe.

“···From the depths of the underground world of Rostang, terrible beasts came out. The ground forces were completely destroyed by these beasts.”

“What is that, a horrible beast? What nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden…”

“Those eyeless white beasts would crawl out of the ground at night and take soldiers and workers without distinction. It only took three days for Urata’s elite infantry division to collapse…”

Rahiman raised his head. There was no trace of the relaxed look there, only haggardness, fear, and broken will. But there was a small smile on the corner of his mouth beneath that face. A smile mixed with absurdity and madness.

Nonsense poured out of that smiling mouth.

“But do you know what was even more terrifying? Those evil beasts, those white monsters without eyes, looked so much like our Rabito. Not Esai, Camponi, Ologna, or Baika, but our Rabito. The ‘special envoy’ said those monsters must be Rabito’s brothers… That’s when I realized. That to the special envoy, I was just a beast like those monsters… That the special envoy would deal with me too when this was over… So I ran away. To defeat your revolutionaries and rise again in the land of Jaso, to avoid those white monsters and the special envoy’s clutches…”