Do You Remember? (6)

“Don’t overthink it. That’s all there is to whether someone is an enemy or not. It comes down to whether your interests align. If they do, anyone can become an ally, no matter who they are. If they don’t, even people who are both human can end up fighting. That’s just how it is.”

Kagami wore an expression touched with sadness, as though recalling a distant past. Seeing his face, the Beastfang leader fell into thought.

“Humans have killed many of our kin. And we, too, have killed many. You know this. And yet... even so, you say we are not your enemies?”

“That’s because your kin were killed, and you want revenge, right? The Beastfangs haven’t done anything to me, so I have no personal grudge against them. Well, there are two companions here who are desperate for revenge...”

Kagami glanced at Merry and Yuki, who were glaring at the Beastfangs with unmistakable hostility. Though they understood his intentions, he realized anew that their accumulated hatred couldn’t simply be erased so easily.

The same was true of these Beastfangs. Seeing the hostility in the eyes of those around them, Kagami realized that they had only approached him because they were curious; it didn’t mean they no longer hated humans.

What mattered was whether they could suppress that hatred and move forward. That was Kagami’s conclusion.

“But I won’t let you lay a hand on these two. Fighting won’t solve anything.”

“Solve...? Are those two satisfied with that?”

The moment the question was asked, Merry fixed the Beastfang leader with a hate-filled glare...