Chapter 113: A Child, a Cow, and a Cat?

In the reception room at the Hunter Association Headquarters in Swadani City, Pariston began with an annoying, sinister smile.

"Long time no see, Sora! Hmm, you were beautiful when we first met, but aren't you even more beautiful now? Is it because your hair has grown? By the way, isn't your eye color different from before?"

"Yeah, I've known I was beautiful since I was born. I'm grateful to my parents; they are the carriers of my genes."

"If you're talking about my eye color, it's the same as always. 'This guy' is the only color I have for you, and I'll continue to do so. Isn't that just your imagination?"

Gon and the others were safe. I had passed the player exam for G. I. After I went to play for a few days, Sora had been thinking about Butch, but that man who continued to propose in the worst direction—"I want to torment the person I like"—made a request that I understood well, as Sora had good taste as a person, so Sora reluctantly came to attend the detailed meeting about the work, though I knew, I immediately regretted this request.

Unlike last time, Biscuit did not bear the brunt of it, so Sora dodged what the other party said with his usual playful words and actions, but the other party also said, "I'm not interested in you." I completely ignored the second half and replied, "Is that so? You have good parents."

It wasn't a conversation between two people to begin with, so naturally, they were distracted, but because both of them were deliberately ignoring inconvenient things, they couldn't stand the room, which had air circulation but a strange feeling. The clerk who brought it out said, "Excuse me!" and then left the reception room.

The culprit who felt pity for such a clerk first took a sip of the coffee that had been brought in carefree, but culprit number two was not cautious; he didn't want to talk for so long that he needed a drink. "What? Work? Do you have the detailed information?" He had no preamble, reached out his hand, and demanded it be handed over quickly.

However, that request was rejected by my angry, bright smile.

"Sorry. Honestly, I didn't know until I sent it to you via family code or email."

"……Hmm?"

Sora heard the unapologetic, outrageous insufficiency and raised his eyebrows in disgust.

Moreover, far from being meaningless, just like Hisoka, he seemed happy to say it, but even so, even if he tried to hold back what he wanted to say, it would only lead to stress accumulation, so Sora was sarcastic, or rather, just spoke his frank impression.

"You've been sending me requests for almost two weeks, and you still haven't gotten that much information? Did I reply to your email saying please?"

Honestly, I don't trust the information collected by this troublemaker who wants bad luck, but this person doesn't lie or deceive people; instead, he combines vague facts with fragmented facts well. There is no falsehood in the information he brings because he is the worst kind of liar, encouraging the other party to misunderstand on their own.

This is a landmine that can be avoided if you stay vigilant from the beginning, so I think it's better than zero information, so I requested it, but this person seems to prioritize his hobbies and what he wants to do over his status and public image.

However, this man named Pariston is as selfish as Hisoka, but unlike Hisoka, he is not short-sighted and only sees himself; his vision is broad and he looks far ahead, so his temperament is even worse.

"Well, although I'm busy, I think I'm doing my best for Mr. Sora, but in any case, Mr. Atalante said, 'Unless I meet you in person and talk to you, you can't trust me,' and didn't tell me anything."

"? Atalante? Who?"

Even if he shows a blasphemous apology from time to time, Pariston does not admit his negligence or mistakes and easily pushes the responsibility onto others.

He probably doesn't care about his status or public face, but even so, this man's truly bad nature is that he sets up a solid line of defense so as not to be hurt by his own words and deeds, so he doesn't suffer a loss.

Moreover, this line of defense is not for self-preservation; the other party is waiting for the destruction that breaks the line of defense, and the worst part is that no matter how Pariston walks, he is the most profitable.

Although he had only met him once, Sora, who had a deep understanding of this point, was tired of it, so he shifted his thoughts from Pariston to the person he named "Atalante."

Perhaps that person, judging by her name, is the real client.

After investigating the incident, he realized that the situation was beyond his control and required an Exorcist. When I touched it and said the bowl had been sent to Sora, Sora guessed it when asking.

If you can figure it out, for the sake of efficiency, Atalante would not hand over the information and outline of the case he collected to the middleman Pariston—"Unless I face him, I won't hand it over." —telling him in person that I can trust him. It can be seen that the reason he said this is because he is absolutely an anti-Pariston faction member like Sora, Ging, and Kaito.

That is to say, the moment he was introduced by Pariston, Sora was considered a member of the Pariston faction, and Sora felt his vigilance toward him, falling further.

"Atalante-san is Mizaistom-san's disciple and one of the Zodiacs, like me, it's time. You, a single-star, are an excellent climbing Hunter, expected to be certified."

"He is excellent, but he is a bit too serious and inflexible. She is as beautiful as Sora-san, and her personality is also very unique."

Looking at the depressed Sora, Pariston spoke with an even happier and more blissful demeanor.

Considering Pariston's personality, he might jokingly reply: "I just got in touch that Mr. Sora would come today, so it will take a few days." I had to go out and say I would collect it.

Fortunately, Pariston seemed to understand that if she harassed her like that, she would never care about him again. Giving a sensible answer.

And just as Sora was checking the time on his Mobile Phone, the door to the reception room opened.

"Vice Chairman, Lord Mizaistom and Lord Atalante have arrived."

The clerk who had escaped to serve tea because he couldn't stand the air told Pariston who the guests were, holding the door so it wouldn't close, welcoming the two of them.

The man who entered was wearing an outfit with a cow theme... or rather, a man who could only be considered to possess the concept of a cow itself, the contradiction of dignified nobility and sharp wildness harmoniously integrated. A person slightly older than Sora.

The man is probably Mizaistom of the Zodiacs, and the beauty is his disciple Atalante. By the way, Mizaistom should be the Ox in the Zodiacs. In a sense, if I were different in this outfit, I don't know what I would want to do more than Pariston.

Pariston said to the two Crime Hunters who had just entered, "It's been a long time for both of you." When it came to Atalante, he hummed and turned to leave.

As for Sora, when he saw the two people who entered, he opened his Aogyoku eyes, then rubbed his eyes twice with his fists, and then stared at the other party... Atalante.

When Atalante realized he was being stared at, his expression was mixed with confusion and displeasure, and he said, "What's with that rude look? If you have something to say, then say it."

Since he had long expected to deal with salt, Sora didn't seem to care about himself; she lowered her eyes and responded to Atalante's words: "... I thought I had rested enough, but am I still tired?"

As expected, Atalante's reaction and response were more incomprehensible than that unexpectedly disrespectful look.

However, only Atalante himself did not understand what Sora's reaction meant.

"You can see it in your ears. That hairstyle."

"What!?"

"Oh, this hairstyle is nice! It would be better with a hairstyle, wouldn't it? I don't know if it's a hairstyle, serious ears, or if I saw a dangerous hallucination, but at least I can see others are right!!"

Pariston said directly what Sora didn't say, and Atalante immediately pressed his hair bun... a deformed bun, not a hemispherical one, the hair was cleverly tied into a triangular pyramid shape. He glared at him, but Sora, unusually, perhaps for the first and last time, felt relieved by Pariston's words.

With Sora's reaction and words, "What are you talking about!?" He looked uncomfortable hitting me, but I really wanted to know if he thought it was a good opportunity.

"... Atalante. I don't think it has any special meaning or significance to you, but that hairstyle... is like the personality of our Zodiacs... more specifically, it makes you look like a cat. I couldn't help but want to see it with my own eyes."

"And I don't know what else to say... maybe because it looks good, or maybe because it doesn't feel uncomfortable, at first glance it really looks like long ears, worrying about my eyes or my head... I'm actually particular about it, I wanted to tell you before, if you don't have it, don't do it again."

"Master! Is that so!? Or tell me from the beginning!!"

Atalante was in tears, telling the shocking truth he learned from his teacher.

Seeing the master and apprentice clashing like this, Atalante, the culprit in tears, murmured in surprise: "You didn't even realize..." and then turned his gaze to Pariston, announcing.

"Then, how long are you going to stay?"

"Wow, Miza-san and Atalante-san are both salty, but Sora-san's reaction is the most direct and salty. Or rather, is there no nuance at the end? Isn't it?"

"If you know so much, go back seriously."

Sora expressed with 100% saltiness that if someone came to talk about work, he would be finished, but Pariston showed his toughness and didn't care how coldly he was treated. Not only Sora, but Mizaistom and Atalante were somewhat surprised by Sora's words, sighing wearily.

"……Too amazing, you."

"Or rather, I feel the same way. In fact, you know very little about this matter, and you may have nothing to do with it. You have finished your role as a middleman, so go back to work. What's the matter with the 'busy' you often talk about?"

After Mizaistom expressed his impression of genuine admiration for Sora, he urged Pariston to leave the room with a hint of sarcasm. Refusing to step down.

"There's no helping it; as soon as I meet classmate Sansai and people I know, it's over, and whatever happens after that is irrelevant. Are you saying I should act as an intermediary?"

"Mr. Biscuit, who is usually the intermediary introducing classmate Sora, is very busy right now, so if I take on the role of mediator, I must hear everything to the end before I can see Mr. Biscuit. You win; I have no face to show off."

"Ah, it's not that I don't trust the two of you. However, no matter how good they are, it's difficult for Sora, a newcomer who just passed the exam this year, and two veterans, so I should be here as an intermediary to buffer things, right?"

"I want to treat this guy as a person who doesn't exist and continue telling the story."

Although I knew this was absolutely not Pariston's true intention, I couldn't say it, because this was the most correct argument on the surface. However, remarks that deliberately ruin the atmosphere become refreshing in this situation, and the two immediately raised their hands along with Sora.

"You guys are terrible!" The protesting voice was ignored in accordance with the unanimous opinion, and except for the absent Pariston, the two Crime Hunters each exchanged greetings with Sora.

"It's a bit late, and I think you already know, but let me introduce myself again."

"I am Mizaistom. As you can see, it is the Ox of the Zodiac. Today, I came to accompany my disciple... lest he intervene too much, though it seems my worry was unnecessary."

"My disciple, Atalante. Although I could seek help, because I did not provide any information, I was rude and impolite. Please allow me to apologize. I am truly sorry."

While saying their names, the two extended their right hands, requesting a handshake. It was probably not a greeting, but a handshake, because he felt he was a "comrade"!

Of course, Sora also exchanged a powerful and firm handshake.

Especially Sora, who had thought Atalante was on Pariston's side, found that this was not the case at all, and the look and expression directed at Sora softened a lot.

Sure enough, I didn't want to be hated for the misunderstanding I wanted least, so Sora smiled easily, accepted the handshake and apology, and also began his self-introduction.

"No, I'm sorry my initial reaction was strange."

"My name is Sora. Nice to meet you. Also, if I disappointed you, I'm sorry, but to be precise, I am not an abolitionist, so if you knew the details of my work, you might find that I am actually useless. At that time, I was really sorry."

However, with Sora's answer, the gaze and aura that should have softened became as sharp as a knife, like a wild beast.

The hand still holding Sora's hand was full of strength. She asked, and while Atalante still gripped Sora tightly, she lacked the ability to express trust and friendship with the comrade she identified, but had the ability to stop the other person from escaping.

"... I heard from the beginning... but let me confirm again."

Accompanied by the preamble, the noble, beast-like beauty asked.

"Could it be that you are not omitting or abandoning your 'Nen', but killing... and not even 'Dead Nen' is an exception?"

"Yes."

Noticing the increase in Atalante's grip on his hand and the resulting impact, Sora immediately responded with a calm face.

Even though he was aware that his reaction had caused the grip to increase until his bones creaked, and the anger and hostility he was hit with, Sora didn't say anything else and continued to look straight at his opponent.

"Atalante."

When Mizaistom called his name as if accusing or rebuking him, the disciple apologized with one word, "Sorry," and released Sora's hand.

Atalante's Handprint, as delicate and soft as Sora's, was clearly visible on Sora's slender hand.

"Sorry. Are you okay?"

"Don't worry."

However, Sora himself didn't seem to care about the bruises on his hand at all; he sat on the sofa as if nothing had happened and urged the two to sit face-to-face.

And from the number of seats and the fact that Pariston introduced them to Atalante, Sora looked really disgusted that Pariston would come to him... or conversely, even if he was scolded by his teacher, I continued Atalante's anger and hostility, which was not suppressed or Hidden.

"So, it's almost time, but can you talk to me?"

"In the case of 'parents of children who committed suicide', what do you want me to do? Who don't you want me to kill?"

He asked, even though he could almost guess what Atalante was angry about and what caused his hostility toward him.

That reaction probably didn't have any Malice, but because it was similar to Pariston's way, Atalante's hostility deepened, and Mizaistom sighed reluctantly.

However, although she was angry, she seemed to have high expectations for Sora, glanced at Pariston who seemed to enjoy being ignored, and then sat down calmly and began to speak.

"The reason I realized that these two people had something in common, a series of events, is because of the deaths of these two people... no, the four of them."

Saying this, she took out four photos from a thick envelope, which probably contained the Material she had collected, and placed them on the table.

There were two photos of boys around seven years old. The other two were adult photos, one a woman in her 20s who looked like a hairdresser with slightly deep makeup, and the other a man in his 40s with a good build and gentle eyes. Atalante divided the four photos into two pairs of adults and children and continued to explain.

"These two groups are father and son, but according to my investigation, they had no acquaintances, no common friends, and no acquaintances."

"Their only commonality is that they both had children but no spouse, except that this mother and child didn't know who the father was from the beginning. As for this father and son, his wife died a few months before the incident. As you can see, every detail is different."

"However, both of them killed their own children in the town of Grangaslan and then committed suicide in an unusual way."

After listening to Atalante's explanation of the various premises, Sora crossed his arms and asked with a puzzled face.

"Abnormal suicide?"

"Even if the details are different, if there are so many common points, why didn't you publicly question this case?"

"... Regarding the suicide, I will explain it step by step."

"In fact, there was no suspicion of a connection, or rather an event; the child murder and suicide happened about three months ago for the mother and child, but about a year and a half ago for the father and son. The time between them was too long, and although both methods of suicide were abnormal, at first glance I couldn't find any commonality, so it was almost a Miracle that I realized the two things were connected."

"Likewise, it is not unnatural to kill a child in the same town, as both the mother and child were residents of that town."

"The father and son happened to be traveling there, and after killing their son in a fit of convulsions, they fled to a neighboring country."

"... As far as I know, the timing of killing the child was clearly unnatural, but the reason his wife died was that the child had no Malice, and it seemed that after he lost his wife, a minor prank turned into the worst accident. 'I talked to a friend about things that were harsh and annoying to the child.' At first, I also thought it was just a Coincidence of 'killing a child in town'."

After Atalante calmly supplemented Sora's question, she told how she realized the connection between the two cases of infanticide and suicide.

Staring pitifully at the photo of the father and son.

"... This father was an amateur, but he worked in the same line... I worked with him a few times as a Hunter. As far as I know, he was a good husband and a good father who valued his wife and children above all else, and his skills as a Hunter were honest. There is nothing to say about that, but I respect him as a person."

"Hehe, except for children, I hate almost everyone, and Atalante-san, who hates men among them, is rare."

Looking down at the photo with deep regret, pausing for a few seconds, Atalante told him that he knew the father, and the ignored Pariston teased him with a smile.

Although he knew he would lose if he reacted, his playfulness was too annoying, and Atalante glared at him like a threatening cat, but Pariston accepted the threat with a grin.

That smile made Atalante's nerves tremble again, and he almost stood up, but his teacher scolded him, "Atalante!" I barely held my breath and sat back down.

And just at this moment, Sora, who had been ignoring Pariston beside him, spoke up.

"If you are an acquaintance, although you are a caring wife, you also know that you are a child, and I heard that you killed my child, you won't believe me."

"... Is it a mosquito and another... 【text truncated/garbled in source】... escape Dead Nen... 【text truncated/garbled in source】... add stomach, search..."

By the time Sora told her father she had met Atalante, she had already guessed what Atalante wanted to say and what she had done.

So she skipped what she already knew and went straight to the point.

"Did you really kill the child? Are you clutching at straws, hoping this is a false accusation?

And you were the one who found the abandoned building where his father was hiding, right?

... Atalante. What did you see there?"

He looked straight at Atalante and asked.

Even while asking, Sora had already guessed. If you know your specialty as an abolitionist, there is no reason not to be predictable.

There was no need to ask in the first place.

However, there is one thing I do not understand.

Sora turned his gaze to the table, and then to another pair of photos placed on the table, a pair of parents and a child.

Since this pair of parents and child were rarely talked about, it seemed that neither the mother nor the child knew Atalante directly.

Although they had some things in common, the details were vastly different, and despite the large time gap between them, Atalante realized that this was not a strange Coincidence, but a continuous event.

I don't know what made me realize this.

Sora still did not understand the "unusual suicide method" connecting these two sets of parents and children.

Hearing this question, Atalante's originally angry blood suddenly dropped.

He recounted the abnormal death that occurred before him, which he recalled from the way the mother committed suicide, although he had never met him, he knew from the news.

"... When I walked into the abandoned building, I found him alive when I found him. He was dying. He was committing suicide.

... He... his own minutes and his own minutes' neck squeezing eyes hand death cormorant when death hand stomach rice field."

Hearing Atalante's answer, Sora, of course the grinning Pariston, and Mizaistorm, who should have heard it long ago, opened their eyes wide, at a loss.

The silence lasted for about ten seconds, and Sora said expressionlessly.

"... Is that possible?"

"If it's just theoretically speaking, it seems possible. Even if the heart stops beating, the muscles themselves are alive for a period of time, so I have heard theories about how reflex reactions work.

Well, this is obvious, but I can't do experiments to see if it's really possible, so this is just an empty theory. Also, if it's normal hanging or being strangled by someone else, it's possible to tighten the carotid artery and make people faint, so it won't be too painful, but if you strangle yourself, the only way is to close the trachea, so this is what you said. It would be a painful way to die."

Sora inadvertently inserted a rather vulgar sentence into Atalante's description of his father's suicide method, and although he knew Pariston would be ignored, he added it with Harassment disguised as kindness.

Atalante frowned in disgust at the remarks of the two, but except for Pariston, Sora's questions were unpredictable "anomalies", so he had a feeling of wanting to escape. I knew my questions had no Malice, so I continued to speak, just glaring at Pariston.

"When I clearly saw that he was about to die, I wanted to stop him, but I thought he would commit suicide, but I didn't expect him to commit suicide in such a way, and I witnessed this scene. Unfortunately, I panicked, I couldn't use my 'Nen' well, I couldn't stop it...

But, no matter how panicked I was and unable to use my ability, I was at least able to maintain 'Gyo'. I could have subdued an Amateur Hunter who was not a psychic, but I couldn't do it.

... He should have been a layman, because his 'Nen' had not been usable for a long time, but for some reason, he also had a kind of 'rubbing' aura at that time.

Because of this, even though I tried to Constraint him, I was repelled, and I realized that the method of suicide was not the only strange thing, so I tried 'Ken' for a while, but I fell into a panic again when I saw it there, and that was it. I couldn't stop him from committing suicide, and as a result, I let him die.

He was strangling his own neck with both hands, the force was just right, but if you 'focus' on it, it was a white mist almost the size and shape of a child, and I saw the lump strangling him with my hands.

... It seems like the death of a child was killing him.

... And when his father died, that aura disappeared like mist. That's why I thought the child killed by his father had cleared his resentment.

It was cleared, and I thought that was the end of it. It's a pity that my child died, and I dirtied my hands in the form of revenge, but I thought it was still a good thing if it ended without someone unrelated. I thought it was a tragic event and it ended just like that.

But three months ago, I learned about the death of this mother and child from the news... I thought maybe everything hadn't ended yet."

Finally, the reason for asking Sora for help was explained.

Sora, who knew the reason and the method of death, rested his chin on the armrest of the sofa and continued to skip the story.

"... Atalante. Perhaps you noticed, and you have studied and confirmed, that the common point of 'parents who kill children will commit suicide' is that the parents teeth child Accompaniment when the same characteristics death to direction you mean."

Atalante did not respond to Sora's slightly cramped, dry smile, nor to his expected unexpected denial, but rummaged through the thick envelope he had placed aside for the contents.

Then he took out the list and handed it to Sora, and only then did he finally speak.

"... I hate people, just like the person who was just absent said, but I like children. I think their smiles and happiness are the treasures that need to be protected the most, so the event of sacrificing children will remain in your memory even if you don't like it.

... He strangled his child, and then strangled himself.

I don't know if the child was intentional or accidental, but hot oil was poured from the head and died. A week later, I heard the news that the mother had passed away after pouring hot oil on her head.

It's an abnormal way of committing suicide, just like strangling yourself with your own hands. Isn't it more natural to think that the person being killed is doing it for revenge rather than voluntarily?

That's what I thought, and then... I wanted to convince myself that this was the worst Coincidence, so I investigated further and found that the town where he killed my child and the town where this mother and child lived were the same. I knew... I hoped someone would deny it, I should have been investigating it all along because I wanted to confirm it was wrong... but that list proves my worst imagination might be correct."

Sora looked at the list while listening to Atalante.

It contained brief profiles of seven pairs of parents and children, including the two pairs Atalante knew and their causes of death.

"... As you said before, the common point is the list of children killed by their parents, or children who were likely killed by their parents, and the list of parents who committed suicide in the past three years.

Among them, the father and son Atalante noticed and the other pair were not residents of the town, but tourists."

Mizaistorm did not explain Atalante, but explained what the list was, but Sora, whether he was listening or not, continued to look at the list without objecting.

From his appearance, it was obvious that he was not ignoring him, so Mizaistorm continued to explain on behalf of the disciple, who must have been a little bored.

"There are four cases of suicide that are not so unnatural, such as cutting the throat with a Kitchen Knife, drowning in a pond, or jumping into a highway or railway, but the rest are similar to what Atalante described, he committed suicide himself. This is as abnormal as realizing that he had a brain contusion only after repeatedly punching and kicking her in the face.

In all these seven cases, within ten days of the child's death at the latest, the cause of death was suicide in a way that the parents would kill the child. If you look at such a list, it is clear that this is not just a Coincidence, but there are about two cases every year, and half of them are not unnatural as a means of suicide, so they may not have noticed."

Mizaistorm had already said so much, but Atalante, who had dug up and explained his own trauma, seemed to have recovered slightly and spoke to Sora according to the master's words.

"For more than ten years, I have checked all the records of child abuse deaths, and also investigated the surrounding areas to see if similar things have happened outside Gram Guslan, I was going to commit suicide in the way of death.' This has only happened in this town in the past three years.

I heard that you have the ability to specialize in the thoughts of the dead. What do you think of this incident?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't meet your expectations, but 89 of the 9 parents' deaths were not suicides. As Atalante saw, the dead, lifeless thoughts of the children are killing the parents."

To Atalante's stubborn question, Sora's gaze moved away from the list and answered simply and cruelly, while Atalante bit her lip and answered softly "... Is that so?", and then fell silent.

Mizaistorm sighed deeply, looking at the disciple who kept her head down, staring only at her clenched fists on her knees, but he did not force her to continue questioning.

Because he knew very well why his disciple hated those who were not children, how much they cherished and treasured the existence of children, the answer the disciple didn't want was the least, he must have felt it was cruel to let the deaf question and answer session continue.

But of course, there was no reason for the story to end like this, so Mizaistorm turned to ask Sora.

"If this is the revenge of an abused child, then, how likely is it for a child who died out of vengeance to take revenge in the same way?"

"I wouldn't say it's zero, but it's effectively zero. It's not strange to want the person who killed you to suffer the same amount, so if it were about once a year, it might be a bad coincidence, but as expected. 7 incidents in 3 years is too painful."

"First of all, if you feel your shoulders are heavy, or if you continue that level of mental Harassment for a long time, you can make the other party sick and lead them to commit suicide; the public has strong feelings about this. They died, so after all, they were seven people who were abused to death. It is strange that they all became Deadmind."

The problem Mizaistom spoke of was the glimmer of hope Atalante clung to, and the expectation that these were seemingly related but actually independent events without a chain reaction; Sora almost denied it, but still kept staring at the list. I tried my best.

At this, Atalante kept her head down, biting her lip harder, but when Mizaistom began to speak, she raised her face and started to protest.

"I think so... Sora. I want to ask you again."

"! Wait! Master, wait!! I will go find the abolitionist master myself! So, so please wait! Don't ask her!!"

Atalante suddenly hugged her master who was sitting next to her to protest, and Sora also moved his gaze away from the list, looking at him with a blank expression.

However, as if these two constellations could foresee Atalante's reaction, Mizaistom sighed deeply and turned to face his disciple.

"... Atalante, stop. I know why you are reluctant, but it is disrespectful to her to say that after she came all this way. I believe you know you cannot find me."

Atalante hesitated for a moment under Mizaistom's warning, but she continued to struggle, "But...".

However, as if to cover up his own distress, Mizaistom had long since thought of the "culprit" of this matter, which he had imagined without verifying with Sora, who was already accustomed to the thoughts of the dead. I told my disciple again the fact that I couldn't do it.

"Atalante. If this is not a Coincidence, the culprit is not a victim of these seven abuse-death cases, but the first or an earlier victim is very likely the one who 'killed the parents who killed my child in the same way.' will kill you."

As she said, the chance of all victims dying is very low. And for a child who did not have the ability to directly interfere and kill the other party while alive, besides the death boost, it is necessary to make a Constraint and a restriction.

This is why children without these restrictions may no longer have any personality or self. Hatred and revenge themselves, persuasion is useless. Conditions are conditions, the frequency is definitely not high, but the more time given, the more victims there will be."

"... Victims?"

Atalante's anger erupted because of her teacher's words.

She dropped the honorifics, slammed her fist on the table, and screamed in anger.

"Why should I kill the real victims while saving the Demon that killed my child!?"

It is not the parents who killed the children that should be saved, but those children who became the desire for revenge without knowing what they were doing after being killed! At least I became a Crime Hunter and studied under your guidance to save such a poor child!

Because I am who I am, I cannot give up the hope and future I cannot let go of, I cannot give up, I will fight until I die!!"

Let alone a living child, I won't let you kill a dead child!!"

Mizaistom knew clearly what kind of rebuttal would appear.

I couldn't even refute these words.

The words he tried to use to persuade Atalante were just a public appearance. Even Mizaistom only sympathized with the victims' parents, except for his father, who was an acquaintance of Atalante.

Rather than parents who brought retribution upon themselves, the dead child who became a system that executes the sinner parents while digging into the wounds of their own death, holding a resentment that cannot be eliminated even after death. I feel sorry for you and want to save you.

However, since Atalante has already investigated it, this matter has become superficial, although among some Hunters.

Moreover, far from being able to fight against the spirit of the dead, there is a famous exterminator known as the strongest clown, but dare not use her, and finding another exterminator who can compete with the dead is nothing more than a waste of time for those who only want results and do not understand the situation, and wanting more victims is also of no avail.

The man in front of him who is looking at the list Sora handed him will definitely use this suspicion.

If only Atalante and Mizaistom would be harmed by the misuse, then it would be fine. The reason Atalante said this is because he was already prepared to do so, and Mizaistom was also willing to use it as a punishment for not being able to admonish his disciple.

But this monster beast will not be satisfied with the degree of torture of the opponent who made such an auspicious resolution. The damage will definitely expand to Chairman Netero, and in the worst case, it may develop into a responsibility issue for the organization itself, the "Hunter Association".

Atalante, after repeated explanations and persuasion, thought he was convinced, but when he accepted the request again, he would inevitably find himself on the other end of the spectrum, completely stifling his own desires. Killing the child's dead heart." Because he knew that failing to meet the request caused an outburst, Atalante looked a bit embarrassed after shouting, but he still glared at his teacher with teary eyes and said his words, not backing down.

Mizaistom sighed heavily again at such a disciple, and just as he was about to speak to rebuke Sora for being too rude, he said.

"Or rather, it might be because the child is killing the parents, but I think the culprit is a living person."

According to the conclusion of the majority vote, I intended to ignore it, but as expected, I could not ignore the content, and my teacher and disciple turned their attention to Pariston, whose remarks overturned various assumptions.

Then, before the teacher and student said: "What are you talking about?", look at the list and say

"Although it is annoying, I agree. This is not a case where a specific child's dead mind kills the parents who meet the conditions, but it is very likely an incident caused by someone with the same ability as an 'Inugami'."

Responding to Sora's answer, Atalante parroted: "Inugami?"

"!?" This must be the ability of the culprit you solved with Ging and his apprentice earlier this year... or rather, the victim's ability.

Of course, even if you think it is an ability close to that, this matter is enough to be established, but is it possible? If so, what is being used is not a dog, but a child... and that is not an infant, but a child of self-reliant age, even if they are young, do you know?"

Now, thanks to Sora, he has been freed from the Curse of the "Inugami User", but out of consideration for Kiyohime's daughter who possesses overly brutal power, news of incidents related to "Inugami" spread within the Hunter Association. It should have been little known, but as expected, it was brought up by Pariston's colleague, and it could have been said to be a case in his own field, so Mizaistom had a rough understanding of the case and his ability, which is why he asked in disbelief.

"Like an Inugami, it is impossible to send someone to kill, but if the child being used has a reason to kill, that is enough, and it might be easier to induce."

And from Mizaistom's question and Sora's answer, even Atalante, who knew nothing, guessed what kind of ability "Inugami" was, and her face turned worse, "What on earth are you talking about?" I demanded an explanation.

Pariston, not Sora or his teacher, answered the request. With a cold and cheerful smile that had not changed from beginning to end, he said clearly.

"At the beginning of this year, when I met Sora-san, someone requested an incident where there was a person with the ability to 'artificially create and use a dog's mind after the dog dies.', perhaps this is also a person with the same ability, isn't the culprit?

In this case, what is being used is a human child."

Atalante glared at Pariston, Pariston had already guessed the information Atalante least wanted to hear, his face was pale, but he still smiled and gladly accepted her disgust and hatred.

Atalante's frustration was amplified because the result was to please the other party instead of promoting goodwill, but even if she was angry, it would only make the other party happy, so she ignored Pariston again and asked Sora, "Why do you think so?" he asked.

"The town where parents kill children is limited to Gramgasland, but it is not always the town where parents die, all seven people who died said, 'Whether they definitely abused or not.' I am very suspicious,' and I am worried that the child's cause of death is everything I think is directly involved.

If you think that a person with an Inugami-type ability is doing this, instead of mechanically killing parents who meet specific dead conditions, these three points can be explained."

Sora immediately answered Atalante's question, took back the list he handed to Pariston, placed it on the table, and first pointed to the name of the Amateur Hunter whose death Atalante witnessed.

"He didn't die in Gramgasland, but in a neighboring country. From this, he is definitely not of the Earth Spirit system. One is the range, the range is too wide to be constrained."

But if you don't limit the area of activity, it's strange that I went to the neighboring country once a year and a half ago, and now I'm staying in Gramgasland again. As far as I can see, it's normal for a mass of hatred to wander around looking for prey to the point of losing oneself.

In addition, two tourists visiting the town killed two children, which is stranger than the total number of victims. Let's face it, an abusive parent takes their child on a trip?

In the countryside where bodies are easy to dispose of, there might have been a plan to kill and throw them away from the beginning, but Gramgasland is a booming city, full of tourism, casinos, circuses, and show business.

... Besides these, none of these 7 families died from abuse due to negligence. I'm worried there isn't.

I'm just asking, but aren't these 7 families the only children who died in this town?"

Answering Sora's tentative question, Atalante immediately shook her head with incomparably sad eyes.

"... Ah. Although it is a heartbreaking story, even if it is limited to certain things, there are about three situations. If you don't have evidence, you will commit suicide due to repeated moral Harassment and neglect. There are also some things I will do directly."

"However, these are the only seven cases where parents committed suicide due to the same cause of death as their children."

Sora nodded at Atalante's answer and continued speaking.

"If the conditions were met, it should have activated automatically, so it should apply to such families, but these seven groups all 'have signs of suspicion and abuse, and it is highly likely they had direct contact with the children'."

"... If the child killed by the parent is a Dead Spirit, and the ultimate hatred is the Constraint, then detailed restrictive conditions are meaningless and unnecessary. Conversely, it would be more natural to expand the definition of abuse and apply the condition of 'killing the child' to accidental deaths caused by the parents' faults, even though this was by no means intentional."

Although he had only been a resident of this world for four years, the stranger, who perhaps understood "Dead Spirits" better than anyone else in this world, figured this out from Atalante's story and the information on the list, then compared it with his own knowledge to point out the unnatural parts that had already been highlighted.

As the topic continued, the expressions of Atalante and Mizaistom gradually changed from admiration to pity, while Pariston, who had been ignored by them, had a smile on his face that grew deeper despite being ignored.

From the beginning, Pariston knew.

The two investigating Hunters had already figured it out.

What Sora wanted to say was that this matter was by no means "parents who killed their children committing suicide by the same cause of death."

This is an incident that has made me fundamentally sick from the start.

"'Inugami' is manipulating the post-mortem consciousness of a dog, stripping away its reason, starving it to the limit, and driving it mad.

This is not like being able to freely control the dog itself. Focusing only on hatred and hunger, it is an ability that confuses the distinction between the original target and other people, killing the other party through misidentification of the target."

Sora explained again what the ability called "Inugami" was.

Pariston did not take over the explanation, but instead interjected from the side, announcing another possibility with a murderous smile.

"In other words, it is not that the parents killed their own children out of pure will or impulse, but that a third party, because of the child's longing for the deceased, persuaded the parents to kill the child, which was then stained with hatred. 'Inugami'. It is very likely him."

In the heavy air, Pariston's bright and cheerful voice made the air even heavier.

A man can happily tell a story that isn't even embarrassing; I am far from angry, I don't even want to be angry and tell him to shut up.

"... If you have an ability similar to 'Inugami', it is very likely a Manipulation-type ability. No.

However, no matter how skilled the manipulation ability is, it is impossible to make someone do something they truly hate, such as committing suicide or hurting someone important to them, without tampering with their brain.... Conversely, if you don't really hate it, if you eliminate the restrictions on what you often do, perhaps hypnosis using pure technique rather than a Psychic would be enough."

In the oppressive atmosphere where it was difficult to even open one's mouth, Sora continued to speak, perhaps judging that if he remained silent, he would become the culprit of the atmosphere.

Looking straight ahead, everyone except Pariston would rather look away unconsciously, and she spoke and faced it.

"If you are a person who is easily angered and gets involved, it is easy to remove the limiter because it is something you often do, even if you love your child from the bottom of your heart, sometimes you hate or dislike your child, because parents are human too.

With such true intent, very few people can resist it; it is just that a small portion of them are hinted at and boosted.

... In this matter, if your guess is correct, as Atalante said, the victims deserved it, so it's still better. If this is my guess... even the parents, or at least this father, must be a pure victim."

"Wait! I know this matter is very likely caused by someone with an ability similar to 'Inugami', but since that's the case, why would you do such a complicated thing!?"

"If he used the child's dead consciousness like Inugami, there should be other unrelated victims, but according to my research, no one else died by strangling themselves. I don't have it, if there were others who died like this, it wouldn't have to be discovered by me or the Hunters!!"

Atalante leaned forward, Sora speculated that if someone created the child's dead consciousness in the same way as "Inugami", then no incident occurred with the dead consciousness.

However, Sora's response was to click his tongue and throw it away.

"That's why my chest is terrible."

As I said at the beginning, if you use humans, it is easy to amplify your hatred for people you hate and mislead them into thinking they want revenge, but it is wisdom that directs this hatred toward a complete stranger. It is difficult because it is high. First of all, the kind of hatred that makes you feel dead when you kill your parents is likely to disappear, and you will not be able to maintain your appearance or self. If you want to use it like Inugami, then killing the enemy who is the reason for your existence is a bad idea.

So... there are two possibilities.

One is the experimental stage, I am adjusting my own limits, etc., on the premise that I will use it like Inugami. The child's sense of death was not fully utilized, the parents' death was a failure, or was it a safety device to prevent the child from becoming a target of hatred?... The time between the child's passing and the parents' passing is too short, it should be the former.

But more likely..."

Sora scratched his hair as if irritated, held his head with both hands, and hesitated for a moment.

Although he didn't want to say it, Pariston explained in a lighthearted manner the possibility that it was more appropriate than a failed experiment, as the reason it did not become an ability similar to "Inugami", despite spending 3 years making the mouths of 7 groups of victims.

Of course, this is not a kindness trying to say something difficult to say.

"I think this is an interesting killer killing time."

He just said what he was doing.

Despair struck me.

The despair Pariston faced made Atalante's face turn pale and unable to speak.

When I faced an incident I couldn't give up or forgive, I felt shocked and overwhelmed because my beliefs, wishes, and pride made me who I am.

In some ways, this is exactly what Atalante wanted.

That is why what Atalante is facing is despair itself.

I don't want to kill my child.

Even if he is already dead, even if his little hands are stained with unforgivable sins, he is undoubtedly a victim of cruel reality, and because he is a victim, he became a perpetrator, so at least he is dead. I want to protect him from the ending of being killed again.

Even if this child has become an evil spirit that everyone fears, unless the abolitionist in front of him has already killed him, he cannot believe that killing is liberation or redemption.

Atalante's wish came true.

If the possibilities Sora and Pariston spoke of are true, then the hateful child Demon does not exist.

As I saw, when they killed the parents they hated, they all disappeared, unable to retain the dead spirit that made them "ghosts".

There are no more Demons.

However, the perpetrator is not the only victim who is too cruel.

Because many children were killed, the victims became perpetrators.

If the parents were selfish, that would be better.

It is almost certain that all 7 victim families were abusing their children, but because they went to consult and seek advice, they did not want to hurt their children, and they also wanted to change themselves who hurt them. Many people know this because they acted with wishes.

This is not self-inflicted; it is love and reason that stop hatred. Absolutely a victim.

Although I know that even the parents I thought were self-righteous are very likely to be victims, I realize that everyone is already in a place where Atalante cannot save them. Despair.

If there is really no child in the revenge system Atalante wanted, then the child is not the only victim who cannot be saved, realizing that he does not want to save the child, he only wants to protect things that are convenient for him, Atalante collapsed on the sofa as if he had lost all his strength.

"Well, this is just a guess.

As Atalante and others thought, it is possible that there is a specific deceased person, so please don't be depressed!"

Mizaistom rebuked the disciple who sat like a puppet with limp limbs, a pale face, and hollow eyes: "Hey! I know you are shocked, but be strong! You are a Professional Hunter!" Pariston wasted the effort his colleague was putting into scolding him.

Knowing that any kind of possibility would plunge Atalante into despair, Pariston further exacerbated the wreckage of her beastly nobility, without hidden joy.

Mizaistom, the gentle and intelligent one among the Zodiacs, had lost patience with his filthy words and deeds; I seriously thought about throwing him away, but fortunately, someone else acted before Mizaistom.

Sora stood up, leaned forward, and suddenly grabbed an envelope filled with undisclosed information placed next to Atalante opposite him. I smashed it into Pariston's face with the power of a good voice.

Mizaistom, along with the dumbfounded Atalante, watched this natural and sudden movement, could not help but widen his eyes, and gave a thumbs up in his heart, "Well done!!". The reason the two of them were great was simply because they did not actually take action.

And Pariston, who was hit by an envelope full of contents, covered his slightly red nose and said with his unusual, slightly protesting expression and voice.

"……Student Sora."

"Hmm, it was noisy a while ago, were there flies flying around?"

"Are you going to continue ignoring me!? Or rather, it's impossible regardless! Mr. Sora, you 'licked' that envelope and hit me! If I hadn't used 'Flow' and guarded, I'm pretty sure my nose would be broken!?"

"Ah, sorry Atalante. I used the Material you collected to eliminate the flies."

However, Sora dutifully stuck to his originally adopted Suggestion and apologized to Atalante, ignoring the noise or the flies flying around him. I hope you use it more and more instead of doing this.

"Haha! I will let you do that."

Sora responded to Atalante's true intentions with a smile, so Pariston covered his head with his arms, trying to stop him a second time.

Just as he had suggested, just like when they first met, Sora no longer thought of Pariston.

So Sora stood up with the envelope and asked for confirmation again.

"Is this all the Material?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes. For now."

"Yes, thank you."

Alone upon hearing this, she walked out of the room so naturally, calmly, and heroically, with the envelope still in her hand. This was Mizaistom.

"!? Wait a minute! Where are you going!?"

"Hmm? Gram Gasgramland."

Mizaistom did not stop to ask Sora, because he did not know what Sora was doing, nor did he know where he was going.

Just as he had imagined, Sora turned around with a face that seemed to say, "What are you doing now?" and answered immediately.

He continued, "……We haven't made a request yet, you know?"

"Because I want to go, I will go, and because I want to finish it, I will finish it."

He answered with a very refreshing, sunny smile.

Everything was as expected. Mizaistom thought this girl would answer this way, even though they had met for less than an hour and had barely discussed any topics.

But I don't know why I would think so.

If you mourn the victim of such a likable criminal "killing time" as this ignored Vice Chairman, and resent that you cannot forgive this criminal, you could not possibly have such a sunny and beautiful smile.

In fact, when she explained it to Atalante, her face twisted in extreme discomfort.

However, Sora at this moment had a smile that lived up to its name.

It was not bluster, posturing, or emptiness.

Sincere, she said with a happy smile.

"For those picky flies, this is a disgusting case that makes me believe I am lying; I don't know the details of this case."

Well, personally, this is easier than the pattern you initially envisioned. I have no intention of forgiving the perpetrator, even if he is a child, and I remain rational when facing the victim. Oishi.

I am an inexperienced person who cannot even time travel, so I don't want to struggle for what has happened. This is just the energy driving me now.

Pitiful, pitiful, it is precisely because I want to save them that I act.

... I will crush it and kill it. If you are doing this because you have free time, I will ruin his life and destroy the tragic stage set for you.

Only acknowledging the bad-taste machine god of tragedy breaks out because damn it, I saw what I wanted to see.

A happy ending that concludes with "the villain has been eliminated, and peace has arrived."

Even when talking about Pariston and the criminal, his smile never faded.

The unpleasantness of the unforgivable trash, and the anxiety from knowing the other party's bad nature, were not there; even when talking about the other party, they were not taken into account.

What she saw was what she said she wanted to see.

I want to believe it is commonplace, I want to believe it is natural.

This is why Mizaistom realized that even if he heard a story that was too embarrassing, even if he realized this might become awkward, he could smile happily, smile happily, and he also smiled a little.

What he said was quite disturbing, but this was the "dream" that Mizaistom himself had aimed for, but eventually forgot after being repeatedly broken by reality.

He was young and clumsy, which is also why he was so dazzling and precious.

"…………If it is the pattern you envisioned, what do you intend to do?"

The disciple sitting on the sofa next to Mizaistom turned and asked, discovering something more fundamental in Sora than his original intention.

"If this is what we initially envisioned…… what if a certain deceased person ends up killing a child!?"

Although that possibility has not yet disappeared…… why are you still smiling?"

Atalante asked if the culprit was not an "interesting criminal with Inugami-like power," but a "dead child who lost his personality and self-esteem."

This sentence seemed to criticize Sora's expression and behavior as frivolous, but his voice and expression were far from criticism or anger.

As if holding onto a glimmer of hope, she asked Sora.

Because Sora never wanted to imitate killing a dead child again.

Because, like me, she wanted to save her child.

So she persisted.

Tell me if she found the salvation she could not find on her own.

Sora hummed his request.

"You ask this?"

"Hmm?"

Atalante could not understand the answer, nor could she understand the fact that she was being mocked, so she looked back at Sora and sighed.

"Didn't I tell you from the beginning? I am not an abolitionist; I am not ignoring it, nor am I neutralizing it. I am killing, so I can only kill the child.

By the way, of course I don't want to actively kill that child, but if I or my precious partner were to accidentally become a target, I would kill him without hesitation. Unfortunately, a child I don't know who is already dead is not that important to me."

Sora's ruthless words seemed to cut through Atalante's tightly clenched hands, and the light of hope that had reignited in her eyes vanished silently once more.

But before the light completely disappeared, before he fell into despair, Sora grabbed Atalante's head with both hands without hesitation, forcing him to lift the head he had been keeping lowered.

"So this is your job, not mine."

"Huh?"

This time, he suddenly shouted sternly, and just as Atalante was filled with inexplicable confusion, the people beside and behind him erupted.

Atalante was merely amusing himself with his own ugly appearance, so he ignored his back and turned his attention to the master beside him.

The meaning in that gaze was neither protest nor shame, but confusion and doubt.

He knew that even if he saw his disciple's ugly and pathetic figure, he would never mock him.

Just as Atalante thought, the master did not mock his disciple.

He said, holding back, because it was purely hilarious, he was about to laugh.

"Uh... Atalante, she is right. Have you already forgotten what you said?

What did you say you would do instead of asking her out?"

"A—"

Listening to Mizaistom's words, Atalante understood why he was being mocked, why Sora was angry with him, and why his request was laughed at, and his face flushed red.

Just as the teacher said, I know that coming to Sora like this is disrespectful to Sora, but I said I wouldn't ask her.

Instead, he remembered he insisted on finding an abolitionist who would not mourn the death of a child at any cost.

Not knowing how difficult it would be, and not just sticking to his own stubbornness and words.

Knowing how difficult this was, Atalante had no choice but to search and search. Otherwise, Atalante would lose the meaning of living until now and the meaning of living in the future. Because of this possibility, he completely forgot his determination and resolve, realizing that he had become completely dependent on another person, Sora, clinging to him, and was struck by a sense of shame that made him want to squirm on the spot.

The reason she didn't actually struggle was because she understood that doing so would increase the shame, and the reason was not consumed by shame... Sora realized from her response.

"... Are you okay?"

Sora said, Atalante, you and I know that "a person's job" is an idealistic theory, nothing more than something reckless and beautiful.

Because of this, Atalante suppressed the shame in her heart and asked Sora again.

"I don't know if the Exorcist I'm looking for is definitely more special than you. I am looking for such a thing, of course, but if you do nothing because I am looking for it, even you. Will you be convicted?"

"Who said nothing?"

However, Atalante's question was mocked again.

This time, not only Atalante, but even Mizaistom widened his eyes because he did not understand Sora's reaction, and Sora said triumphantly.

"Until you find an abolitionist who can keep your Deadmind alive and free you from hatred, I will do my best to stop you from activating Deadmind, not meeting the conditions to activate the ability.

I will make the number of deaths by abuse in Gram Guslan zero! If that is the case, people have no reason to complain about it!!"

"Huh?"

The teacher and student involuntarily made a silly sound at the same time, and Pariston behind them was amused by this reaction.

The two were so startled by Sora's triumphant answer that they didn't even care about that kind of annoying laughter as they usually would.

This woman declared that she would realize an ideal more beautiful than Atalante's, so I had no choice but to be dumbfounded.

However, Atalante inadvertently whispered, "This is too unreasonable...", and Sora raised her eyebrows in anger and immediately replied.

"If you think it's unreasonable, right? After all, is your 'I want to save the child' just like that?"

Hearing this, Atalante's eyes widened.

Usually, Atalante, who viewed it as an insult and had a low boiling point, would be furious, but this time he knew that the one being insulted was not the other party, but himself, so he smiled bitterly, as if mocking himself.

Atalante replied with a bitter smile.

"Is that so?!"

Even with a self-deprecating bitter smile, a bright light flashed in his eyes.

It was completely different from the anger and hostility toward Sora, who claimed he could only kill the dead; that light, far more powerful than that, was the same as the light in Sora's eyes.

A light of will that could not erase any difficulty, an intention that would never acknowledge or see anything other than a happy ending.

"That's good!!"

Sora replied in a voice as passionate and satisfied as Atalante's, and reached out her hand.

I took it and said,

"By the way, Atalante.

Atalante was stunned by the words asked, and then questioned the true intention of the extended hand.

It was just for a moment, I was stunned. I was just surprised, I didn't hesitate.

I know in my mind. If the culprit does what he said, not for fun, but for the child's death, there will never be enough time.

For Atalante, looking for an abolitionist master might be harder than finding a grain of gold dust in the desert, and it hasn't been decided yet, but if you really want to find it, I will do my best from now on. I know I should spend all my sleep looking for it.

But still—

"I won't be satisfied with just hitting you!"

"I agree!

Atalante held Sora's hand.

Picking the invitation to "let's go together."

If the culprit is not a likable criminal, even if he knows that this decision will bring her a greater burden than his own, but if Sora herself still gives him this choice, then there is no reason not to accept it.

So Atalante chose.

I want to see a beautiful ending, so even if it is self-satisfaction, Atalante will kick and punch at those things that can never be forgiven, standing up to shake off the regret of being unable to save them.

I choose to go with Sora.

"... Honestly, I went without even discussing the application fee."

Perhaps inspired by Sora, Atalante flew off with Sora, as if he had not only forgotten Pariston, but even forgotten the existence of his master.

The words themselves took Sora by surprise, but the floating voice and expression were truly gentle.

He spoke as if he were very grateful.

"Well, Mr. Atalante will notice this later, and he will get in the way.

Even so, Mr. Atalante is quite exquisite. I didn't expect it to sink so deep, so I panicked."

However, even as he continued to be ignored, Mizaistom's peaceful time was forced to end with words of Iron will that he did not want to respect.

Like Sora, he wanted to ignore her from beginning to end, but Mizaistom, who was not as bold as her, turned to face Pariston with a look of genuine disgust.

"Ah, you are the one who keeps posturing with glass; please do not get involved with my disciple in the future."

"Uh, please do not say such absurd things. I am the Vice Chairman; of course, I cannot favor a certain Association member, let alone take action against them.

To me, the members of the Association, whether veterans or newcomers, are important Companions who should be protected, relied upon, and trusted."

Hearing Pariston's words, his face pale, he clicked his tongue: "To you, 'Companion' is synonymous with 'toy'."

"Mizaistom, that's terrible!" she said with a straight face, but she did not deny his words.

Unable to accept Pariston's farce, Mizaistom said, "It's terrible, never mind," and stood up to try to go home, but Pariston continued the farce.

"Uh... I have been enduring such equality. Honestly, today, I also wanted to follow Sora's work."

"... Do you like her?"

No matter how others persuaded me, I wanted to ignore it and go home, but Mizaistom inadvertently stopped, turned around to ask, and in the end, I threw out information I didn't want to know.

Hearing Pariston's declaration, Mizaistom tilted his head and continued:

"I am surprised you like it so much. Although she is the same 'I can't imagine what she is doing,' she is more like Ging than the Chairman."

"... Please do not put Ging and Sora Together."

Although it was only for a short time, Mizaistom felt he was the closest among acquaintances, and Mizaistom was surprised by these words from Pariston: "If possible, I want to support Sora."

Then, hearing Mizaistom's words for the first time, Pariston demanded a retreat with an unhappy expression and a serious voice, his eyes widening further.

No matter what was said or done, the guy with the eerie smile and composure would not lose it; extremely dissatisfied with that impression, he removed the smiling mask he had always insisted on, and with an angry momentum, he spoke of the difference between Sora and Ging.

"Absolutely not! Not at all!

Indeed, neither Ging nor Sora sees me, but unlike Ging, who looks down on me and doesn't even look at me, Sora thinks I am above her. I don't care. Below, even if it jumps in front of me, I am the type of person who physically rejects it and struggles forward!

If I step forward to block the way, Ging will see me and deal with me, but no matter where I am or what I do, he only sees what he truly wants to see!!"

"You, why would you fall for a woman who isn't that far away?"

Mizaistom inadvertently asked a colleague who was passionate about the difference between Ging and Sora, or rather, how unimportant he was in Sora's eyes.

Actually, I knew he was a super masochist, and many orders were disguised as super-sadism, but I didn't expect him to be a pervert who complicated things to the point where I couldn't understand, so Mizaistom withdrew.

However, I don't know if Pariston didn't realize his colleague was being pulled in over and over again, or if it was a big deal, but he still answered the question asked flatly.

"I am looking forward to her meeting me, because I haven't been treated that much."

"Do you think your face must look like a cockroach?"

He answered ecstatically, and Mizaistom said eloquently, "I shouldn't have asked," and then left the living room with a simple conclusion.

Of course, leaving behind the disgusting Pariston who continued to be ecstatic.

... Mizaistom no longer knew if that action was right or wrong.

He was mistaken.

A person named Pariston expresses love, oppressing the masochist; he is sympathetic to his understanding of Sora, but he does not know that masochists and sadists can actually both be seen as cute.

That is why all I could think of was "Let's get Sora away from Pariston as much as possible."

I don't know if it was because he knew Mizaistom had left, or because he didn't care if he was there, but he seemed happy and talked fluently about Pariston's way of expressing love and the end of love. If he had listened, he would have noticed, but it was too late.

"... Unlike Ging, she is strong, so no matter what difficulties and hardships she encounters, she will not give up, but will push forward without giving up. I am a person who sees things through to the end."

I Stick to the true meaning of her brilliance, because I found her weakness rather than her strength beautiful. The monster continued to talk to himself with sweet eyes and voice, as if dreaming.

"I am looking forward to seeing what kind of expression someone like me, who burns his own life like a meteor, will make when I am forced to let him in and see me.

I can't wait to see what kind of expression she will make when she is exhausted and unable to stand. That is why I want to watch it up close from a special seat.

When those eyes that are afraid of giving up... how desperate must they be?"

Sweet, charming, ecstatic, he temporarily endured his own imagination.

If I took action directly, Beyond would definitely remove Pariston from the "plan" and cut him off.

Beyond, who knows his personality like the back of his hand, would not bother to get involved in the form of revenge, and would choose to "ignore," which is what Pariston hates most.

If I could destroy Sora as I wished, it would be nothing shameful if she were excluded from the plan, but the stage for her despair is not yet ready.

In the end, the stage is not destroyed but ruined, removed from the plan, and being outside the mosquito net is the ultimate torture for Pariston, so I can endure it for now.

"... So please do not despair."

He recommended Sora as the protagonist, saying: "Without salvation, there is no salvation." The event story, enduring as a bystander in the moment, the monster Pariston smiled.