Still, We Press On (7)

“It’s true that I’ve interfered with your plans time and again. But I did it because I didn’t want either side to die. And yet... even knowing the risks, you refused to give up on killing the Beastfangs. You chose to fight knowing I might get in your way. I won’t say I had nothing to do with what happened, but... wasn’t this the result of your choice? You could have chosen not to fight, but you chose this path. And now... I’m in no position to call their deaths meaningless just because you failed to accomplish anything, but... isn’t that an insult to those who died? Maybe that’s why they called me a disappointing hero, too.”

Even so, Kagami couldn’t accept that definition. The idea that killing them counted as an achievement, while failing to kill them made their deaths meaningless, struck him as selfish—as childish as throwing a tantrum because things hadn’t gone one’s way. The living were the ones who gave meaning to the dead. At least, that was what Kagami believed.

“Maybe you’re right. But we’re human! We chose to fight because humans want a world for humans! Is it really so strange for us to long for a world where humans can live comfortably?! Killing those who try to stop us—isn’t that only natural?!”

“Are you fighting just to kill them? ...No, you’re not.”

“...That’s enough. Don’t say another word, traitor.”

Perhaps she had given up on getting Kagami to admit he was wrong. With a cool gaze, Merry pressed the button on the small Digder in her hand.

Silence filled the tent. What was going to happen? Though they knew it was a small Digder for contacting others, everyone except Yuki held their breath, waiting for something to happen.

But even after several seconds, nothing happened. It seemed to catch Merry by surprise, too. She tilted her head, then pressed the button again.

“W-Why isn’t it working?”

Still, there was no response. Merry grew frustrated and began pressing the button over and over...