Patri pulled a stool over to the bedside and sat down, his previously timid demeanor giving way to a more professional air. He reached into his coat, retrieved a small notebook, and flipped it open to a fresh page. For a moment, his hazel eyes scanned the paper before lifting toward Azdin. Despite the formal nature of what was about to happen, there was something almost casual about his manner, as though he were preparing for a routine conversation rather than questioning someone who had brought down a War Empire vessel.
"The official interrogation will begin now. Answer however you like."
Azdin stared at him for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean I can lie?"
Patri let out a small chuckle, seemingly amused by the question.
"Go ahead! It doesn't really matter. My Aspect makes it impossible anyway."
Azdin's expression shifted slightly at that. He leaned back against the pillow, though the movement sent another dull ache through his chest.
'An Aspect that can detect lies? There's one like that?'
Before he could dwell on it, Patri continued, tapping his pen lightly against the notebook.
"It's called an interrogation, but really I'll just be trying to confirm some things that I already know. So there's no need to be too nervous."
He offered Azdin a reassuring smile, seemingly oblivious to how suspicious that last statement sounded. Or perhaps he was perfectly aware of it. Either way, Patri lowered his gaze to the page and prepared to begin, his hazel eyes occasionally flickering back toward his guest as though he were already measuring his reactions.
**
The interrogation didn't last as long as he thought it would, and it wasn't very thorough either. It was just as smooth like Patri said it would be too. All the questions he asked were easy, in which he only gave a yes or no response. There were some exceptions but he didn't describe anything with too much detail. He tried to be truthful, but also as vague as possible without stirring suspicion.
He wasn't too sure about what to keep secret, so for Hugo's sake he didn't say anything about their past, or what happened to them before they reached the island. Patri did end up finding about his memory loss though.
"So this is the story so far."
"You woke up on an island with none of your memories. Where you were forced to survive in the wild, but as resourceful as you and your friend was, you both quickly made the most out of the situation.
While signalling for help, you ended up mistakenly attracting a privateers ship that was contracted with the war empire. However, your genius friend lied about being mundane so he wouldn't be restrained by their essence absorbing cuffs.
While trapped you schemed with another mundane, Lotte, who informed you of the presence of another awakened and planned to recruit them. After breaking yourselves out, you managed to convince the people to rebel with you, and after a hard fought battle in which many had died, you eventually came out on top."
His amnesia was pretty suspicious, but with his aspect Patri could tell that was the truth. Since he didn't expect him to remember anything, he didn't bother trying to ask about his background either.
Patri skimmed through the notes he'd taken, occasionally glancing up at Azdin as though double-checking something in his mind. After a few more seconds, he closed the notebook with a satisfied little nod.
"It seems you've been telling the truth."
Azdin raised an eyebrow, wondering whether that was supposed to be a compliment or simply an observation. Patri, however, seemed more than pleased with the result.
"You're way easier to work with than the other two... If only my job was this easy all the time..."
He let out a wistful sigh, looking almost envious of his own good fortune before slipping the notebook back into his coat.
"Anyhow, that's the interrogation done! One thing's been taken off my checklist."
Just like that, the formal atmosphere he'd established seemed to evaporate. Patri rose from his stool and straightened his uniform, though his expression softened considerably as he turned back toward Azdin.
"Once again, I apologize, truly. What happened to you was simply terrible."
He paused, seemingly searching for the right words, before continuing in a more reassuring tone.
"The Navy will handle getting all the people your comrades saved back home. You'll be rewarded appropriately, too and your medical expenses will also be handled, so you needn't worry."
Azdin stared at him blankly.
'...Medical expenses?'
As if sensing the question forming in his mind, Patri casually elaborated.
"A shattered rib cage, a few punctured organs. You're Awakened, though, so your admission won't be that long. Maybe only a week or two."
Azdin's expression stiffened.
'Thats not what I'm confused about! The hell?? Medical expenses?? You have to pay for people to save your life here??'
He wasn't even expecting anyone to pay him back for saving those people, he did it because he was disgusted at how freedom could so easily be taken and abused.
But quickly he realized that maybe that line of thinking wasn't wrong.
'Not everyone wants to be selfless.'
Even Hugo needed to be convinced for him to see the same vision that he did. Not everyone wanted to risk their life for a stranger they barely knew after all.
Patri's smile faltered. For a brief moment, he looked as though he'd only just realized what Azdin was actually thinking. His eyes darted to the side, and he cleared his throat.
"Anyhow, get your rest. Once your friends have finished, I'll send them over."
He reached for the handle, only to pause abruptly, as though he'd suddenly remembered something important. Turning back, he scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.
"I didn't want to come off as rude, so I left it for last, but..."
His hazel eyes settled on Azdin, and for the first time since entering the room, there was a noticeable hint of genuine seriousness in his expression.
"Three Awakened taking down an Ascended lieutenant is kind of a big deal. So, if you're looking for work... the Navy is always welcoming new talent. With the Disaster Tide coming, too, we need all the help we can get."
He raised one hand in a small, reassuring gesture, quickly adding, "It's fine if you don't accept now, but do think on it, please? The pay is quite good, even for a simple officer!"
Patri seemed to grow more animated as he spoke, his earlier nervousness giving way to the enthusiasm of someone who'd stumbled upon a promising recruitment opportunity. Then, almost as quickly, his expression faltered.
"...Although your free time... Eh! Forget about that!"
He waved the thought away with a sheepish laugh, apparently deciding that the benefits of military employment were best left to the imagination.
"I'll be praying to the Goddess for your recovery! See you!"
With one final, somewhat clumsy wave, Patri slipped through the doorway and closed it behind him.
Silence returned to the dingy room.
Azdin remained staring at the door for a few seconds, trying to process everything he'd just heard. The Navy would cover his expenses, reward him for saving the passengers, and even offer him a job.
All things considered, it wasn't a bad deal.
'A job.. right..'
He needed money.
Now that he was returning to civilization as a blank slate, he would have to quickly relearn and adapt to the rules of society. If there was one thing he needed that was essential to surviving in one, it was money.
He was an Awakened though, so there were plenty of opportunities for him to earn it.
It was then that he could feel his heart tremble.
'Society! People!'
Almost half a million people lived here! Of course he'd be excited! He'd never been around such a large group before!
Before long he found himself fantasizing about what he might encounter the second he walked through those hospital doors. Just what kind of world was waiting for him?
He kept himself busy with thoughts like that until, he tired himself out and fell asleep.