Before meeting with Bell and Hestia, Akumo wandered the streets aimlessly, trying to cool his head while on patrol.
Step, step—
"..."
'Sigh... What the hell am I supposed to do now...?'
Letting out a series of internal sighs, Akumo continued to walk through the streets of Orario, watching the scenery in an attempt to soothe his stifled heart.
"That [Little Rookie] brat!! No matter how you look at it...!!"
However, even that small comfort was denied to him. Akumo found his focus pulled toward the conversation of a nearby group of adventurers.
The voices came from a party purchasing potions at the Miach Familia's shop, the [Blue Pharmacy].
"He caused all this chaos over a single monster?"
"I don't care how greedy he was for the achievement, firing magic at his own colleagues is crossing the line."
Swish—
"It's a miracle no one was seriously hurt...."
"Seeing as he even launched a preemptive strike on the Loki Familia, he's clearly just too damn young."
The words of those who seemed to have participated in the previous incident pierced Akumo's ears. He could immediately grasp how Bell's actions were currently being perceived within Orario.
"....."
Step, step—
Even so, Akumo had neither the reason nor the right to be angry with them. No, even if Bell or the Hestia Familia were here, they would have no right to complain.
'Because of Bell's actions, the damage to the city increased, and adventurers were subjected to sudden attacks.'
"It's lucky that things ended where they did. If even one of those Xenos had been truly hostile...."
'There would have been a pile of corpses.'
With those thoughts, Akumo waited for the adventurers to finish their purchase and leave before slowly walking toward the Blue Pharmacy.
Swish—!
"Welcom— Akumo-san?"
"It's been a while, Naaza."
"Akumo, it's been a long time since your last visit."
"It has, Miach-sama."
As he stood before the shop, Naaza and Miach, who were organizing potions, greeted him warmly.
"What brings you here so suddenly?"
".....Just, well. Things have been a bit unsettled lately."
"Ah..... certainly."
'Between the Ikelos Familia incident and the Daedalus Street affair....'
"!!"
At that moment, Miach recalled the information he had heard from Mikoto regarding the talking monsters. He looked at Akumo with startled eyes, as if realizing something.
"I just came to talk. Sincerely."
"....Let's head inside for now."
Sensing that Akumo was not lying, Miach let out a breath of relief and led him toward the back storage room.
"Miach-sama?"
"Naaza, you should—"
Step—
"Naaza, come join us. I want to talk to you too."
"!!"
"Talk... to me?"
Miach had intended to talk to Akumo alone to spare Naaza from the topic of talking monsters, but he was taken aback by Akumo's insistence on including her.
"It's fine. It won't take long."
"..."
Seeing the gravity in Akumo's expression, Miach eventually brought Naaza along into the storage room.
"You know about the incident in Daedalus Street, right....?"
"Ah....."
Naaza looked at Miach in slight confusion at Akumo's words, but Miach simply nodded to her, signaling it was alright.
"I've heard quite a bit from the customers."
"....Then you know most of it?"
"Yes, regarding Bell-san's involvement...."
"Sigh....."
When Akumo let out a faint sigh, Naaza, assuming he was worried about Bell, quickly added more.
"I know Bell-san isn't the type of person to do such things without a reason."
".....Is that so?"
"It's likely because of the debt I heard about before."
"I know it all too well. I also did terrible things to Bell-san because of debt, after all."
Hearing her words, Akumo felt his heart grow even heavier, unable to look her in the eye.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of expression she would make if she knew Bell hadn't done it for money, but to protect the Xenos.
"Then, what about the armed monsters...."
"I've heard plenty about them from the customers as well."
Grip—
As the topic of armed monsters came up, Naaza's hand naturally gripped her sleeve, trying to hide the anxiety within, but she couldn't stop her fingers from trembling slightly.
Tighten—!
"To be honest.... I was terrified...."
"I knew long ago that the surface isn't a paradise...."
The event of monsters ascending to the surface in mass, and the anomaly of them being armed, was enough to instill a deep sense of dread in her, even if she hadn't been at the scene.
"I wondered if monsters could actually possess intelligence.... I couldn't help but think that."
"If such monsters were to appear...."
Tremble—!
"Of course, it's a ridiculous thought, almost laughable."
Despite her shaking hands, Naaza forced a practiced smile.
Seeing this, Akumo finally brought out the one question he had been holding back, speaking with a sliver of desperate hope.
"What if... you could talk to them—"
Snap—
"Naaza....?"
Before Akumo could even finish his sentence, a change came over Naaza.
"Don't say such things.... Haha....."
Clench—!!
"If that were the case...."
'It would be incomparable to how things are now...'
Naaza treated Akumo's words as a cruel joke, but her eyes were trembling at the mere possibility. That tremor soon evolved into a visceral fear of the tragedy that intelligent monsters would bring.
Grasp—!
"Naaza! Calm down...!"
"Huff... huff..."
"It's a joke... It was really just a joke..."
"Ah.... right?"
Only after hearing Akumo's reassurance did Naaza's trembling stop, relieved that such a thing couldn't possibly be true. She regained her usual smile and left the storage room first.
".....Do you think it's possible?"
"Just as tragedy is equal for everyone, I only wish that salvation could be equal as well."
"..."
Leaving those words for Miach, Akumo could only apologize and depart, his heart feeling even more conflicted than before.
"Coexistence.... I see."
Left alone in the storage room, Miach chewed on Akumo's words, falling into deep thought for a long time.
"....."
Clench—!!!
"If that is what he wishes....."
The Siangsloth girl, who had been leaning against the wall outside the storage room eavesdropping on their conversation, also ruminated on the words of her benefactor.
She forced her own trembling to stop, all for the sake of repaying her debt.
"Sigh....."
Step, step—
His mind only more troubled after the conversation with Miach and Naaza, Akumo continued to walk the streets.
"What am I going to do...."
Swish—
"Hm?"
At that moment, a woman quietly approached him.
"Ryu?"
"Akumo-san, let's talk for a moment."
"Sure.... but why....?"
"Just follow me for now."
Whoosh—!
Ryu, dressed not in her Hostess of Fertility uniform but in her adventurer gear, left only those words before leaping onto the rooftops and moving away.
".....?"
'What is this about.....'
Whoosh—!
Though puzzled, Akumo followed her across the buildings without suspicion, eventually arriving at a forest on the outskirts.
"This place is....."
'A graveyard....?'
"There's no place better for a quiet conversation."
"Though it's a bit much to hold a discussion here...."
"!!"
Arriving at the adventurer's cemetery located within the forest, Akumo was shocked to find Alfia and Ardee waiting for him in front of a certain grave.
"Why are you two here...."
Swish—
"I called them."
While he was still processing why Alfia, who should have been looking after Bell, was here, Ryu appeared behind him. Akumo tried to make sense of the situation.
'I know Ryu found out about Alfia during the Elsos incident, but why call Ardee too?'
"I'm sure there's a reason for everything, isn't there?"
Pinch—!
"!!"
"Are you just a man who can't help but surround himself with women?"
"W-Wait...!? Alfia...!!"
Before he could understand, Akumo had to writhe in pain as he received a pinch filled with Alfia's long-standing irritation.
".....Hmph."
Pinch—!
"R-Ryu!? Why you too...!!"
"You're being bad."
Pinch—!
"Ardee!?"
Ryu and Ardee, apparently displeased by something as well, joined in and pinched Akumo's body for good measure.
"Phew....."
'That was uncalled for.....!'
Subjected to the retribution of the three women, Akumo sat on the ground in a state of near-collapse.
"Akumo-san, I will ask you one thing."
"Yeah?"
"Do you know anything about the armed monsters?"
Ryu's blunt question caught Akumo off guard. He looked at Alfia, but she met his gaze with eyes that clearly stated she had never mentioned the Xenos.
'Alfia isn't the type to talk....'
"No, well...."
"Please speak honestly. I think I have a general idea of what's going on."
As Ryu finished, Ardee stepped closer to the flustered Akumo and spoke up.
"I told her."
"!?"
"Of course, I only told her because Ryu asked first."
"She asked first....?"
At their words, Akumo immediately remembered that Ryu and Ardee had been deployed to the 18th floor alongside Bell.
"The black Minotaur that spared the adventurers despite being able to kill them."
"..."
"And the monsters with reason that Ardee mentioned."
Swish—
"Tell me everything."
Unable to withstand Ryu's questioning at such close range, Akumo eventually told her everything.
The truth about the Xenos, and why Bell acted the way he did in this incident.
".....I see."
'Viene.... the Xenos....'
"To be honest, I still don't fully understand it."
"You don't have to understand."
Recalling Naaza's reaction, Akumo didn't want to force Ryu to help, but contrary to his worries, her eyes remained as calm as ever.
"However, if you are going to save them, I will help as well."
".....What?"
Akumo had assumed Ryu would harbor hostility toward monsters after what happened on the 37th floor, but she simply affirmed him with composure.
"I only believe what I see with my own eyes."
"Therefore, I have no reason to despise the Xenos."
She truly believed that.
As someone who had also been saved by a hero, she felt a momentary sense of kinship when she heard about Bane from Ardee.
Swish—
"Likewise, I have no reason to despise Akumo-san or Cranel-san for helping them."
Seeing the heroes currently agonizing over the Xenos, she wanted to be the one to provide them with strength this time.
"Thank you...."
Grasp—
"Truly.... thank you...."
Ryu reached out to help the seated Akumo up. Even after standing, Akumo didn't let go of her hand.
Tighten—!!
"Thank you, Ryu."
"If I can be of help."
Swish—
"Thank you, Alfia."
"Don't brood too much, whether it's you or Bell."
Swish—
"Thank you, Ardee."
"Don't mention it!"
The women became the pillars that reignited the fading hope within Akumo. Realizing he had been away for too long, Akumo headed back toward Daedalus Street.
".....What do you two think?"
"Personally, I think it's close to impossible."
"But if it's monsters like Bane's group...."
Swish—
"".....""
The three remaining women tried to share their thoughts on coexistence with the Xenos, but looking at the tombstones surrounding them, they couldn't easily find an answer.
"Well, there's no need to think so hard about it."
"Pardon...?"
'You just told us not to take it lightly....'
"What do you mean by that?"
Click, clack—
Ryu and Ardee were slightly taken aback by Alfia's mention of 'him' as she walked past them.
"I am simply following in his footsteps."
""!!""
"I suppose you two aren't doing the same?"
With a snort, Alfia—who seemed slightly annoyed that they had approached Akumo earlier—gave them a blatant provocation along with a beautiful smile.
"Fufu, I'll be going now."
"W-Wait!"
"Where do you think you're going!?"
Falling for her provocation, Ryu and Ardee rushed after her demanding an explanation. In a way, it was a fortunate turn, as the heavy gloom hanging over them had lightened considerably.
"""...."""
The scene returns to an alley in Daedalus Street, where Akumo, Aiz, and Bell face one another.
They exchanged silent glances, no words spoken.
"Hm!?"
Whoosh—!
"Hmph!!??"
Apparently displeased that Bell was meeting Aiz, for whom he held affection, Hestia immediately stood in front of Bell and spoke up boldly.
Step—!
"Would you mind moving out of the way, Wallen-whatever-kun!"
Swish—!
"Hey, are you listening? Wallen—"
"Aiz-tan~ What're ye doin'?"
Loki appeared late and stood beside Akumo and Aiz.
"Loki!?"
"Well now, if it ain't the shrimp~"
Swish—
Loki looked at Bell and Hestia before immediately turning to Aiz.
"Aiz-tan, don't be gettin' distracted. Get yer hide over to Finn, quick."
"Okay."
Aiz glanced at Bell one last time before passing them and leaving the area.
"Loki, why did you send Aiz away first....."
"Heh! Just ye wait!"
Whoosh—!
Akumo asked why she had sent Aiz away, but Loki, wearing a smile as if she had found something amusing, walked straight up to Bell.
"Boy~ Ye've gone and done somethin' mighty interestin'~"
"!?"
"I don't know what kind of thoughts were rattlin' in yer head when ye did it—"
Swish—!
"But ye knew yer reputation was gonna go down the gutter if ye pulled a stunt like that, right?"
"T-That's...!"
Grip—!
"How's it feel to have everyone who used to look up to ye suddenly spittin' insults? Hmm~?"
Loki draped an arm over Bell's shoulder, speaking in a pressuring tone. Hestia immediately tried to push her away, and Akumo grabbed Loki to pull her toward himself.
"Loki, that's enough."
"What? It's fine, ain't it?"
"...Loki!"
Grip—!
"Akumo."
Akumo was about to get angry at Loki's behavior, but she grabbed his wrist and whispered.
Swish—!
"Then why don't ye just tell me the truth?"
"!!"
"What're ye hidin' that makes ye treasure that brat so much?"
"I'll tell you later...!"
"Ye think just leavin' him be is gonna work out?"
"..."
"And here I was havin' a bit of fun~"
Loki was displeased with Akumo's constant protection of Bell.
It wasn't just because he cherished a child from another Familia like a younger brother; as a Trickster, she didn't like the way he seemed to be trying to raise a boy with such extraordinary talent as Bell Cranel without any hardships.
"Let's play a bit more~!"
"Nobody asked you to!"
"Let's play~! Stand right there, boy!"
"I told you to go!"
"Let's talk a bit more! I've taken a massive interest in ye!"
"You don't need to be interested!"
"Hey! Oh? Whoa!"
Loki repeatedly tried to approach Bell, only to be blocked by Hestia. In the meantime, Bell managed to leave the scene.
"..."
Step, step—
After finishing their talk with Hestia, Loki and Akumo walked through Daedalus Street toward Finn's location.
However, Akumo's face was still filled with worry, and he finally spoke up.
"Loki."
"What is it, Akumo?"
"..."
"Don't be hesitant, just spit it out."
Loki opened one eye, waiting for Akumo to speak.
"...I don't want to give up on anything."
"Ye're quite the greedy one~"
"They're just people."
"Good grief. If ye think that's right, then ye should just move, shouldn't ye?"
'This brat.... why's he so slumped over, unlike himself?'
"...Even if they're monsters."
"!!"
At his words, both of her eyes snapped open, and the suspicious parts of this incident began to resurface in her mind.
'Armed monsters, the brat's behavior, and even Akumo's actions....'
"Monsters with reason.... Ye serious....?"
"Let's talk just the two of us for a moment."
Grasp—!
"Eek!?"
In response to Loki's reaction, Akumo picked her up and headed toward the top of a building.
Whoosh—!!!!!
"Waaaaah!!!!??"
"..."
Thud—!
"This should be far enough."
Akumo, who had leaped onto the roof of a tall building in the outskirts, set Loki down.
"Why're ye bein' so aggressive!? Did ye want to be alone with me that bad~!"
".....Should I just go back down?"
'Even for a joke, she's being too playful.....'
"Aye! Fine, fine!"
Plop—!
"Sit down here and let's talk!"
Loki sat on the edge of the roof and patted the spot next to her.
It had been a long time since she had a proper conversation with the one child among her followers who entertained her the most and truly resonated with her heart.
"Xenos (Outliers), I see....."
"Yeah. They're probably hiding in Daedalus Street right now."
"..."
"What do you think?"
At Akumo's question, Loki answered calmly but firmly.
"A monster is a monster."
".....As I thought, then?"
"Even if they've got reason, I don't think they're more important than my kids."
"It's not a matter of priority."
"If ye just let 'em go, what's gonna happen to our kids?"
Loki opposed helping the Xenos, knowing Akumo himself was aware of the risks.
"Ye've seen it countless times, haven't ye? How much tragedy monsters have caused."
"And ye, knowin' that full well, are gonna help 'em?"
"Ye're a pillar of the Familia, a symbol of Orario."
"Is a guy like that gonna point his sword at people to protect monsters?"
Thud—!
"That there's an act of betrayal."
To strongly convey her thoughts, Loki struck the floor and spoke seriously, her eyes open—a rare occurrence.
However, Akumo could not back down either.
".....They're just people, Loki!"
"Don't be ridiculous! How're they people!"
"Can't you just think of them simply? As another race that just happens to look like monsters!"
Clench—!!
"Look at reality! They're the ones who turned this street into a wasteland!"
"But...!"
"How can ye trust things that only bring chaos!?"
Step—!
"No! Why do ye even need to care in the first place!?"
Loki's words hammered reality back into him. He lowered his head, rubbing his face with his hands, utterly stifled by the reality before him.
"I know that too....!"
—'Kyaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!'
—'Save me.... please.... save.... me....!!!'
—'This must be a dream....'
"I know better than anyone what kind of existences monsters are....."
The tragedies caused by monsters overlapped in his mind.
The Zeus and Hera Familias, brutally sacrificed to the Black Dragon; Naaza, who fell into despair after losing an arm; and the Astraea Familia, who nearly all lost their lives to the Juggernaut....
Clench—!!!!!!
"Don't take yer own weight so lightly, Akumo."
"..."
If Akumo, knowing all that, were to step forward openly like Bell, Orario would fall into uncontrollable chaos, and those who relied on him as a pillar might crumble.
But even so.
"Humans are the same....!"
"!!"
Akumo wanted to say it.
"I don't know.....! I just want to see them as people..."
Clench—!!!
"Among people, there are disgusting ones, ones I hate...."
"And on the flip side, there are ones I want to save, and ones I want to love...."
"I've lived my life thinking just like that...!!!"
From the moment he was abandoned by his village, from the moment he looked at the sky and held a firm conviction about strength.
"Whether it's Gods, humans, or monsters....!!"
Because he didn't distinguish between good and evil, because he only pursued strength, because he was a greedy man who only wanted what he desired.
"Am I not allowed to feel affection for them...?"
"Akumo...."
"They can be killed by monsters too, and they can feel affection for others...."
"....."
"Tragedy can happen to them just as much.... but I should just ignore it? Just because they're monsters!?"
He poured out the anger stemming from the questions he had held and the pathetic nature of his own contradictions, baring his inner thoughts to Loki.
He didn't care if she, the Trickster, used this against him. No, he spoke because he believed she wouldn't.
Thud—!
"There's no way I can do that..."
'I never even thought I could save everyone.'
"But am I not even allowed to save a child who's begging for salvation right in front of me....."
The follower who always reached out to others, who pioneered the path more strongly and brightly than anyone else, collapsed, showing his weakness for the first time.
Grieving over his own weakness and angry at his own contradictions, he slumped down.
"..."
'Sigh..... what does this make me....'
Grasp—!
"Loki....?"
It pained her. She hated herself for thinking he would always be smiling.
Embrace—!
'I thought it was just the other kids, but I guess I was relyin' on him too....'
"Maybe it's 'cause ye're like me...."
Loki approached the slumped Akumo, matching his eye level, and hugged him warmly.
"I ain't like that big-chested shrimp, so it might not be all that warm."
"I ain't like that lecher, so I can't give ye salvation either."
"So, I'm sorry."
Tighten—!!
"I'm sorry I can't give ye an answer."
The Goddess 'Loki', who always did as she pleased, always pursued fun, and yet cherished her children.
For the first time in a long while, not as a Goddess but as a single person, she smiled warmly at Akumo and comforted him.
".....That's unexpected."
"Is it? Well, I guess a hug from a flat-chested Goddess doesn't feel all that great?"
'Now, if it were Riveria....'
Grasp—!
"....Akumo?"
"I momentarily forgot. That you are my Goddess too.."
Akumo hugged Loki back.
"Eh.....?"
Swish—
"You were warmer than any other Goddess."
".....This brat."
'Well.... it does feel good...'
To the beautiful Goddess who comforted him, he responded with a bright smile.
========================
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