439 435. Isolated.txt (1/2)

Before he knew it, Kanami was up on deck.

With relaxed movements, she sat down at a nearby table.

The way she is completely relaxed even though she is sailing on the ”Blood Land” makes me feel as if she is the only one living in a completely different timeline.

That Kanami joins me and Glenn's discussion of Seldora--

The 'unconsciousness' of Seldra, the 'stealer of nothingness,' is ordinary happiness. It's like a cup of coffee on a pleasant morning, for example: ......

It was the 'answer' to the whole process that flew by.

No, from Glenn and I, it just looks that way, and I'm sure Kanami has properly worked his way through the story, page by page, to get to the 'answer'.

She's just trying to share that achievement with us out of kindness. But that's just it, no other intentions, I can tell from the kind look on his face ...... too many things are too far apart.

'Coffee ......?'

Feast your eyes. It's a special drink from another world.

When Glenn asked me about it, Kanami took out a coffee set from his 'belongings' with a bit of pride.

I know that it was a souvenir from the 'original world', so I'm not surprised, but he was a little wary of a device he hadn't seen before.

Kanami, naturally, magically runs the electricity through the pot and heats up the water Glenn has prepared and finishes brewing an out-of-place quaint beverage (coffee) for this 'blood land'.

For three people to feast on.

It was placed in front of an empty chair, along with a beautiful tea set.

Glenn and I, who were treated to the tea, could not hide our bewilderment as we each took our seats.

Kanami confirms this and sips from her own cup, proving that it's drinkable.

'...... haha,'

I sipped my coffee and let out a slow sigh of mixed admiration and contentment.

It's a delicious drink.

It was just so creepy to me.

After all, I know that Kanami hates coffee.

Ever since he was trained as a child by his spartan parents to be able to drink everything with a smile, I'm sure his dislike of it must have been in him ever since he was trained by his spartan parents to be able to drink everything with a smile, but I don't feel ...... a shred of it.

Perhaps it's the skill ”writing” or ”acting” that makes him ”love coffee”.

What's important here is that it's not forced or unnatural.

He can include the ”contradiction” of ”I don't like it, but I like it” without any difficulty. That's Aikawa Kanami, the 'stealer of reason' who was born with the nature of the 'moon' but has mastered the attributes of the 'dimension'.

Glenn and I sat down, but we couldn't reach for our coffee cups.

Kanami didn't mind that and proceeded to talk about it.

In a very light tone, as if chatting.

'I finished The Trial of the One Who Stole Nothing and saw his life. I knew then that Seldra, like everyone else, wanted a little happiness, and now I'm helping him do that.

'Mi, like everyone else ......?　After what you did, ......?

Glenn was upset, but he couldn't seem to miss it.

He was supposed to be sweet to his brother-in-law, but he even exuded anger.

...... For a long time, Serdra was 'born different' and didn't really understand the idea of right and wrong. He just looks around, learns, and pretends to know. A thousand years ago, we spread misery in enemy territory because there was no one in the 'Northern League' to stop it.

Kanami speaks freely of the information he possesses.

We found out that Seldora's strengths do not have a mental brake, but we were not too surprised, as we had been expecting that to happen.

It's ...... somewhat obvious to me, too. But birth and environment are no excuse. There's no end to what you can say about it since you can't be born equal.

Glenn replied, as if he had been prepared to do so.

At that moment, his gaze was directed at his own left arm.

Since I'm aware of it, Kanami must naturally be aware of it as well.

Whenever Glenn blames Seldra, he also blames himself.

'Right now, Seldra is trying his best to be a kind person in his own way ......, no?

Kanami, you're naive. All murderous villains are always lying with impunity. As soon as they go out of sight of the officials, they will repeat their misdeeds. Of course they'll betray you one day.

...... Yes, I know. That's why me and Serdra made a 'contract'. It's a 'contract' that allows me to kill Seldra at any time, that I will keep an eye on her - and if she lies, misbehaves out of sight, or tries to betray me - I will intervene immediately. Now we can truly 'feel safe' with each other.

............!

Glenn gasps. Like me, he seems to have made eye contact with 'the one who steals the reason for the dimension' and looked into those black eyes.

Those 'eyes that seem to see through everything' are no longer a metaphor.

There is no room for falsehoods in the current Kanami.

There is nothing that she can't see.

There is no way to betray her, even if she wants to.

That's why such a joke of a 'contract' has been concluded with Kanami.

'Still, Kanami-kun. Even if Seldora could change, there's no way to get it back. Even if Seldra saves many more people in the future, the regret of the former victims will not disappear. The same souls will never be the same in this world. You can't just add the amount that was subtracted and then write it off ....... Subtracted souls will never forgive Seldora for living in obscurity.

'That's ......, I agree with you. Seldora thinks so too.

Kanami doesn't deny it.

As if she knew ahead of time that she was going to have this conversation ...... no, she must have already 'foreseen' it. I'm going to return the answer I had prepared as well.

'Still, I don't want to give up before I try to atone for my sins. Even if it's wrong, I want to support Seldra in her attempt to atone for her sins. Maybe if Seldra keeps trying and not giving up all the time, maybe someday we will reach an ending that everyone will be happy with. All the ”drawn souls” that have been sacrificed until today will be saved, and the remaining ”thieves” may be able to have an even better ending. I want to continue to aim for such an ”ideal” future as much as possible. I'll do my best so that there will be no regrets...

That's sweet idealism.

You have failed to refute Glenn's claim.

'If you were wrong, you should have no remorse: ...... and redemption: ......'

But Glenn was at a loss for an answer.

It was probably because he too was thinking in the corner of his mind that that was an option.

Perhaps, but the two good-natured people were similar at their roots.

That's why it's so easy to understand each other when you go head to head with each other.

The conversation was balanced, stagnant, and quiet on the deck.

Only the sound of the wind, mixed with the smell of blood, could be heard.

It was just when I thought it was over.

'-What do you think?　In fact, the cleaners who were affected by Seldora,

Kanami looked at me.

I ask her about Serdra, just as I did when we were talking about Fafner.

The question seems to bother Glenn as well, and he silently looks at me with interest.

'...... me, is it?'

I'm asked, and I think about it for a moment.

I can see both sides of the argument.

It's a common story, two valid arguments clash and it's like a parallel line.

In this situation, the one who talks the most wins.

If you don't like it, go out and kill each other, the one who is stronger wins.

I think that's the truth of the matter ...... but they really want to hear my opinion as a party.

To be honest, I'm stumped.

At any rate, I'm different from the two of you in terms of premise.

--In the first place, I don't consider Seldra to be a sinner.

Sure, the means may have been atrocious.

But I can't be lenient in waging war.

Serdra is taking the best choice as a single general to meet the demands of the times.

He never makes sacrifices from his own people, and is thorough and ruthless to the enemy people - he has firmly brought results to the ”Northern League” while maintaining a balance between hobby and practical interest.

That is why he was praised as a great general of ”Northern League” for a thousand years afterwards.

There is no such thing as a bad person in any situation. The opposite is also true.

Depending on how you look at it, it could be argued that Serdra contributed to the technological development of the entire continent by pouring out his private funds.

To be clear, there is no difference between Lady Helmina and Serdra.

If there is, it's only the expression on her face during her research--

But that's a bit of a hard air to say.

'From my point of view, the institute was very rich in those days ......, and so, well, what can I say, ......'

I stuttered and let my gaze wander to ask for help - and on the way, I found something moving on the deck.

It was a tall woman who was supposed to be asleep in her bed, swinging her long golden hair and doing a large absent figure.

'...... Ah.'

I don't miss the little murmurings of the Sith as they wake up even more.

'Hmm ......, this smell ....... Hmmm ......?

Rubbing my eyes, I was about to leave the bed.

As it is, I quickly sit up when I see her approaching the table we are at with the unreliable gait of a baby bird. I walk up to her, take her hand, and lead her to the table where this tedious story is on.

'Kanami, what's this ....... Is it time for breakfast?

Sis asked, looking sleepy as she took her seat.

The table was in the middle of another conversation right now, but Kanami knew that ignoring her would cause her to sulk in a nasty way, so she had no choice but to respond.

'Well, I'm sure you're well aware of the fact that the smell of blood is so tight. ...... would you like something to eat?

I need to eat ....... If you don't eat, you won't have much energy. Give me something good to eat.

I'll make some toast. I'll make some coffee.

The bread cooker (toaster) is taken out on the table in time with the coffee. Kanami watches Glenn-san as he prepares the breakfast.

'In case you want to bake some for Glenn-san and me, too: ......

Meanwhile, the Sith reached out and took the cup of coffee that Glenn hadn't touched.

He then unguardedly took it into his mouth and his eyes widened at its strong bitterness.

''--Well, bad (bad) taste!　What the hell!　It smells good, but it tastes terrible!

He drinks something that doesn't sit well with his mouth and seems to be fully awake.

The Sith looks around to check his current situation.

Glenn, who has been seen, also has no choice but to start serving, just like Kanami.

It was just as I had planned.

”Sith-sama. If you don't mind, here's some water. It's called coffee, and it's a special drink in Kanami-kun's world: ......

Oh, thank God. Let's see, you can go to ......, huh?

'This is Glenn Walker. By the way, this is the deck of the 'Living Legend' and we're almost at Fafner's, Master Sith.

Yeah, yeah. You're the local guide for example: ....... You mean, what?　So isn't that the end of a lot of things?　How long have I been asleep?

'It's just for one day. Luckily, they met up with me early, my primary target, and our plans were moved up significantly.

'Yes, yes ....... Then I'm glad. ...... No, rather, isn't this a lucky thing?　It was perfect before this me coming in contact with the 'Blood Stealer'!

Is the Sith master still the secret weapon?　If so, it certainly happened at a very good time.

”Phew. ....... Yes, I'm a secret weapon. I've been preparing a lot of things for that for quite some time--

The air that had been tense earlier loosened at the sound of Sith's noumenal voice.

Glenn is hesitant to dig up Seldra's story in front of her, but he listens with a wry smile on his face.

The Sith happily explains how his power is useful - and a few minutes later, the toast is cooked and another voice is heard.

Not on the deck.

A familiar voice comes from the other side of the door leading into the ship.

It's a slightly gruff, yet amused, talking voice.

It was the voices of Kounel and Serdra.

''--Mmmm!　What's that smell?!

I told you.　He said it would be just fine if I woke up now. Sleeping until the last minute is what lazy people do.

'Yes, yes, I appreciate it. But please don't wake me up again. I'm so surprised to see Master Seldra's face when I wake up in my sleep that I'm ready to die.

...... Huh. You're really merciless with me, aren't you? This is still hurting me in a very low-key way.

The two men, who looked like they had just woken up, opened the door to reveal themselves.

Serdra's grooming was neat to the tips of her hair, but Kounel was covered in sleeping habits and her eyes were dull. From the conversation, it was clear that Seldra had woken up first, preventing her companions from oversleeping. With the appearance of those two, it seemed that the air would be even more relaxed - but Glenn's expression hardened.

It was obvious from a sidelong glance that he was dragging out what he had just said.

Kounel ignored that delicate air and went to the table at a small run.

''I knew it, the chairman was baking bread!　Master Sith is awake too!

Seldora was walking behind them, putting on a somewhat protective face for Kounel.

If it weren't for the Seldora discussion earlier, it would be a very smiling scene.

-- only Glenn continues to stare at Seldora with a frozen expression.

I can't continue like this.

Although I am a 'bystander', I make up my mind.

And I start to move to settle the Seldora discussion.

I get out of my seat, pass Kounel, and approach Seldora behind him--.

Excuse me.

Geez.

I kicked him in the shins.

”What?　...... Hey, why did you just kick me?

It's too hard, and on the contrary, it's damaging to my leg.