Chapter 86: Salvation

The cross tattoo on the forehead.

Possessing a head of jet-black, beautiful hair, making one feel even younger than imagined.

Everything is as the person she spoke of said.

"Is this the head?"

"Aren't you young?"

Kurapika stood dumbfounded before the corpse of Phantom Troupe leader Chrollo Lucilfer.

When reports said the Zoldycks had killed the leader of the Phantom Troupe, I simply couldn't believe it.

He knew that those who looked like Killua's father and grandfather, as well as other assassins, were far superior to himself, but Kurapika had nothing to do with the reasoning; I simply couldn't believe it.

Not deciding whether to give up or not, if Kurapika hadn't dirtied his own hands, how good it would have been that the person he hated most was already dead; it was neither reality nor luck.

Unacceptable. Unbelievable. I don't want to believe it.

Because if you accept it as reality, it loses its meaning.

So easily, even if I did nothing, the Brigade's leader and others would die, half of the Phantom Troupe would die, and the organization known as the Phantom Troupe would likely be wiped out.

If I didn't need to do anything, if there was no need to participate, then, then—

(—Then why did she have to dirty her hands!?)

She suffered such great harm because she didn't want Kurapika to kill anyone, and she is still suffering.

Carrying a permanent sense of guilt, she had to fall into the hollow Abyss she had escaped from, even if one day she collapsed to that point and vanished.

Why did Sora commit murder?

Sora's actions were likely not meaningless either.

Even Kurapika could understand this result, because he had already killed Uvogin, who was considered the strongest in combat power.

I am sure that, in the end, this is the ending Sora wanted most.

However, Kurapika did not believe it.

Making meaningless "hypothetical" assumptions.

If the leader died so easily, if he hadn't killed Uvogin but left it to the Zoldycks, the same ending would have occurred. Rejecting reality by fantasizing about meaningless hypotheses.

Even if it really existed, it wouldn't be my own. Kurapika lived in that world, but I am jealous of it, I am jealous of it, even though I know hatred is meaningless, I cannot express it anymore, right before my eyes. Bumping into the corpse.

(... Does she bear an eternally unforgivable sin for someone who died so easily, for an event that ended so easily?

It is because of these guys, and because I have always held hatred for these guys, that I made Sora kill!?)

No matter how hatefully Kurapika glared at him, Chrollo's corpse did not react. It was confiscated as a "thing" regarded by the Mafia for revenge and showing off.

The hatred that escapes reality has completely forgotten the reality it claimed it least wanted to believe or admit.

Realizing no one would wait for his answer, Kurapika began to run with hatred.

I know that if I just stand here without moving, I will waste all the future she gave me through everything she did and everything she did for me, making it meaningless.

So he ran, and we met again.

"Everyone, keep it up, it's the last day!! This is the final item, it's a disgrace!!

One of the seven most beautiful colors in the world!! It is the 'Scarlet Eyes'!!"

For five years, he has been the person I most wanted to see, and at the same time, the person I missed the most.

"Now that the Kurta Tribe has perished, only thirty-six of them remain!! This is an excellent item, in which a strong scarlet color remains!!"

Even after death, my kin continue to be stripped of all dignity, trampled upon and humiliated.

"So, ha, starting at one hundred million Jenny!!"

No one thinks this is a part of a human who lived like them five years ago.

Unidentified.

No one knows how those eyes got to the present, nor how much pain, hatred, and despair were stained into those scarlet eyes, but everyone treated them as "objects."

In reality, except for Chrollo's corpse, he did not want to see more, wanting to deny it; Kurapika suppressed the urge to run away right then and there, snatched the eye, held it, and at least returned it to the land of his hometown. = Contacted Nostrade.

"Boss, Boss, is that you? It's Kurapika. I'm sorry. My misreading of the Phantom Troupe Spider's leader killing or long live... the Auction is proceeding as planned."

"What!?"

When he truthfully reported his mistake and told him that his daughter's target, the Scarlet Eyes, were being auctioned, Light breathed a slight sigh of relief, stating that his budget had no limit and to bid at any cost. Kurapika ordered.

This answer made Kurapika breathe a slight sigh of relief.

I still cannot bring those eyes back to my hometown. However, the only salvation is that they will return within my reach.

"310 million out!! Come on, next thought!?"

"350 million!!"

Just as Kurapika was told, he immediately raised the price, ignoring the money.

Together with the Phantom Troupe, they paid the price for their kin, and the person they hated most did the same.

I know, but even observing carefully, I cannot tell whose eye that is.

Whether it is Dad's, Mom's, an elder's, a friend's, or someone I am not very familiar with, there is no guarantee that these two eyeballs belong to the same person.

It is even possible that because of their appearance, another person's eyes were soaked in formalin like a One Pair.

... However, this is definitely the corpse of a kin, and the worst souvenir.

"Nostrade family, congratulations on your winning bid.

The goods have arrived, haven't they?"

"............ Oh."

If Kurapika had looked at nothing but the Red Eyes, if he had even a little room to notice the surrounding environment, he would have started to feel the dissonance in the Auctioneer's pronunciation and realized that Hisoka was among the staff packing up behind him, but Kurapika could see nothing.

I didn't even see the pair of scarlet eyes I had won the bid for.

I did not see it.

"Why are you still alive?"

"If you would rather be humiliated like this, please step on me now."

"Did you treat your own kin as 'things' and then offer them to others?"

He seemed to be reproaching himself like this, though I could not tell.

I am not the type of person to spit out such words. This is why I know that loss is never buried, and pain never disappears.

These accusatory words made Kurapika feel repulsed; he knew the Scarlet Eyes he hated were his own eyes.

So, the reason I ran away is because I cannot truly look at it, because those eyes did not tell me anything. I do not want to be reminded that I am nothing more than a "thing" that has been transformed; perhaps I was just looking away to buy time, so I washed my face and took off my contact lenses, Kurapika thought.

Just like when he discovered Chrollo was dead and saw his own corpse, even though he had won the Red Eyes and finally recovered one of his kin, he felt nothing.

No satisfaction, no sense of accomplishment.

Perhaps it is because I have not yet truly regained it in any meaningful sense, but I do not even think I am one step closer to my goal.

Seeing that even he, as one of his kin, did not know to whom those eyes belonged, Kurapika realized that no one in the Kurta Tribe treated them as "people" anymore, so he asked the same question again. Head.

(... Why did I become a Hunter? Did I become a Hunter just to buy back my kin at such a price, to offer them to those who trampled on their dignity?)

... I... I... I... what is your purpose?... Living on alone, I cannot decide whether to prepare for revenge or to give up on revenge and be happy... I am always hurting the people I want to protect... What am I doing?

--What am I doing, having taken everything from empty hands!?)

Carrying the Scarlet Eyes soaked in formalin, I asked myself earnestly on the way home.

With the realization of my long-term goal, I questioned the inner emptiness born from the loss of support; Imaginary Uro simply devoured everything of Kurapika and dissolved it.

Nothing is produced.

The emptiness that devours everything without producing anything spreads, swallowing not only Kurapika's questions but also other things.

"............ You, do you think you can go home like this?"

The guilt of the man who fought to the end of the match, and the anger at the words insulting me, have all vanished into thin air.

I do not even remember who my opponent was.

"Stop. I will blow your head off."

(... Enough)

Everything falls into nothingness, into the Abyss, and finally, sinks, melts, and disappears.

Human ethics and guilt.

The true reason I wanted to become a Hunter. I also made a promise to my best friend.

No matter how bitter, no matter how regretful, even if it turns into a Curse, I cannot give up; even the things I cannot let go of have been swallowed.

"----I don't care anymore."

Facing Kurapika's muttered words, the bald man Shanzhi did not mind tearing open the wound Kurapika had struck on his face; blood rushed to his head, and he roared at him.

"Damn it............"

But the words stopped halfway.

It stopped.

The blood that rose because of "it" suddenly gushed out, the blood that rose because of "that" suddenly dropped to the limit; even though the arm holding the pistol trembled incessantly, my legs twitched, and no matter how much my intuition beckoned me, "Run!" did not move.

This is not "killing intent" or "murderous intent."

It is not that pretty.

The raised face, those Scarlet Eyes, did not recognize the opponent in front of them as a "person" at all.

No prey, nothing at all, no meaning or value. All swallowed by the void, dissipated.

It is just something in front of nothingness.

It can only be swallowed by nothingness.

For Kurapika, for Kurapika's "past," whether it is special or not, whether you are a good person or a bad person, whether you are a living thing or an inanimate object, or even an intangible concept, it will surely end one day. For me, it is the same.

He does not even know what kind of person he is. I cannot find meaning in this information.

I cannot understand anything.

Everything I have done and all the futures I could have had.

Finding no meaning or value in himself, because he achieved his purpose without doing anything, he reached out his hand, replacing the emptiness in his heart.

(... It doesn't matter anymore. Anyone will do.)

If you cannot find any meaning, you should leave it alone, but I tried to destroy "it" in front of me, to destroy it.

(There is no meaning. I can't do anything. I am just forcing her to bear all the sins I should be bearing.)

Although it is said to be indifferent, and everything should be meaningless and worthless, that small part of "Kurapika" not replaced by nothingness is there, searching for meaning.

(In that case, at least, the same "place lets us fall into)

I demand it because I know that if I achieve that "meaning," I will no longer be "Kurapika."

Entering completely into nothingness, into the Abyss, into the extreme, in order to be the same as her————

《Kurapika》

From the nothingness, it is scooped up.

Losing its shape, losing its meaning, letting what should have melted and disappeared revive.

There is no meaning, I cannot find any meaning; I should have already lost all the meaning that should have existed, because of my weakness and hesitation.

That day was the happiness I had dreamed of.

The future I wanted to reach.

"Very well. You are safe."

A voice without tension.

Soft, long and narrow, blue eyes.

A brilliant smile, making one feel at ease.

Fluttering in the Wind... long white hair.

What you want to see. The future I want to see, the future I want to obtain.

Happiness itself.

Should turn to nothingness, should disappear, should lose its meaning.

"……………………Sky?"

The thought, fished up and revived, asked: "Why are you here?"

I even think it is natural for her to appear here now.

Because she, Sora, always, always reaches out a helping hand when she is needed most.

So, whether it is a Dream World or an illusion, it is fine.

Not until being swallowed by nothingness, falling, melting, did I let go, because I could not give up.

Rather than losing it, it is better to choose to hold it, to fall into nothingness with myself, even more so than losing it.

As long as she is there, it will never be lost.

As long as she is there, I, Kurapika...

"…………Ahhh!!"

"!?"

Shanzhi witnessed what was called a destructive impulse, not even killing intent, and not a lukewarm "death." By regaining what had been swallowed by the void expanded by Kurapika, Kurapika regained his humanity, his self, and retrieved what could not be lost; the extreme tension was relieved.

However, what was paralyzed in a state of sleep paralysis instinctively perceived the end of existence itself, far from a living thing, which made him unable to understand. Feeling "fear," he suddenly panicked and pointed his pistol at his own hand. While holding Kurapika, he shook his arm.

It had nothing to do with aiming, and it might have just been a finger cramp; he had no intention of firing.

It didn't matter. The fact that the trigger was pulled did not change.

Only a dry sound vanished into the pitch-black night of Yorksin, and calm was restored after the auction ended.

I did not hear a painful groan.

Of course, Kurapika, and even the man who had been pulled down and pinned under "Sora" before the shot was fired, did not speak.

A bald man named Shanzhi fainted instantly.

Kurapika just watched that scene, his gaze returning to a color other than scarlet.

Pulling the trigger, before the Bullet could fly from the pistol aimed at him, he grabbed the arm holding the pistol, made him fire toward the sky, then wrapped that arm around his back, restrained him, and pulled him down. I am watching the scene of harvesting consciousness at the medulla oblongata with a Hand Sword.

That scene filled Kurapika's mind with one question.

(Who is that child!?)

I thought it was Sora.

Judging by his actions, he must have saved me, but before he realized this, all sorts of strange things assaulted Kurapika; I had grabbed it long ago.

That was a figure only Sora could see, but to Kurapika, everything was too strange.

Her strength was indeed powerful, but not to the point of being able to overwhelmingly and quietly overpower an opponent in an instant.

She did not want to kill, but she was merciless to those she identified as enemies, especially if she did not go to provoke those who made her angry, "attacking Kurapika," she could not have done it with minimal damage. Even if you don't intend to hurt them, you shouldn't relax.

Even if she was immobile, she would immediately shout "Kurapika!"

Most importantly, there was no Sun, star, or moon Tattoo on the back of his right hand.

Most Most Most... Kurapika could not understand what those pale scarlet eyes looking up at him meant.

And when the other party spoke, Kurapika's doubts grew even greater.

"It's very sudden, but I would like to introduce myself, may I?"

"………………Yes?"

It expanded, but at the same time lost its power.

Sora's face, eyes different from Sora's, a grave and serious face completely different from Sora's, a male voice completely different from Sora's, it was what I wanted to do, but... something was wrong.

Kurapika prepared his words: "Who are you?!" I raised my voice almost meaninglessly, but for some reason, the other party took my words as approval, and just like that, I really started to introduce myself.

"I am a Lancer Servant contracted with Sora. My true name is Karna."

"……Wait, what did you just say!?"

... Kurapika later said:

"That person in the sky, Karna, I cannot communicate with you!!" When.

"It's okay, we'll meet here and put them in the car."

In the car parked in the parking lot, Kurapika contacted the guards and told them that Sora had been retrieved.

Not telling Kurapika that Sora had escaped, I was a bit dissatisfied, but even if I said he was in the assassination squad, I could tell from Kurapika's mental state at the time. And the others they no longer needed to worry about.

In fact, Kurapika glared at the "individual" through the rearview mirror, because he thought that if he was angry, it was because he had escaped, rather than those who did not realize he had escaped.

However, the person wearing Kurapika's Mantle sitting in the back seat politely did not understand why Kurapika was staring at him, and he tilted his head at the mirror.

Kurapika was angry; although everything was different from Sora, his behavior was similar to Sora's.

"Ah, I see, if you give me the Scarlet Eyes, I will send her back to the Hotel, so please ask the boss."

For the time being, Kurapika finished a simple meeting to discuss how to deceive the boss after escaping and bring her back to the Hotel, then hung up the phone.

"……I'll ask again. Sora is safe."

At first, I managed to overcome the confusion and bewilderment caused by that weak self-introduction, and then I confirmed the question I had originally asked again.

"Ah. Don't worry anymore."

If the Master changes him, he will have a fever again, which is simply exhausting. The Magic Aura is not as hot as before due to high consumption. As long as you get enough rest, you should be able to recover without any problems.

After answering, Karna said with a look of regret: "... Although I wanted to lighten the Master's burden, I am still permitted to use this body. You have been disqualified as a Servant." He mocked himself.

Kurapika immediately responded to this self-deprecation.

"Instead of regretting adding a burden to yourself, you should first regret going out dressed like that, and reflect on yourself!!"

"It goes without saying."

"If I hadn't told them, what would others have said!?"

While screaming in the car, Kurapika recalled Sora's outfit, that thin, white garment provided by the Hotel... In other words, in order to take off the see-through pajamas on his head, Kurapika had once hit his forehead against the steering wheel. He lay down, continuing to lie there for a while until the heat on his face subsided.

If you think about it calmly, having Karna, who possesses a "male" personality, take care of you might be a luxury, but even so, until you arrived here, no one noticed or recognized it because it was "Absolute." Even so, Kurapika had no intention of forgiving Karna for walking around in clothes that were supposed to be knelt on Sora's knees.

Just in case, Kurapika noticed, immediately draped the Mantle he was wearing over himself, and pointed it out, but Kurapika's face turned pale: "... I am sorry, my Master, how can I make it up to you?" So, from the personality of Karna she spoke of, I believe the remorse is not a lie.

However, when I asked him, "Why didn't you notice?" he replied with a straight face: "Master's chest is small, so I didn't think he was using a woman's body." I thought to myself, "I want to hit you." Or rather, he should be defeated by Sora.

We haven't had much interaction yet, so I don't know if Sora's partner is more like a saint than a good person, but there is another Heroic Spirit Sora mentioned, named Karna. I don't want to know the facts I don't want to know from that short and rare conversation, but I ended up understanding it to the point where I hate it.

Kurapika was very serious, and Sora often started the car, admiring his ability to communicate with him.

While driving, I heard the story of Karna.

"... I have many things I want to ask you, is that okay?"

"I don't mind. You have this right."

Even if rejected, I didn't want to back down, but Karna readily accepted.

Recalling this, Kurapika remembered what Sora said: "Basically, even if it's a request from someone other than the Master, I won't refuse." First, ask the basic questions.

"First of all, as a Servant, why did you sign a Contract with Sora?"

"I heard that Heroic Spirits, especially Demi-gods like you, cannot be summoned or maintained without the support of the Holy Grail?"

"I cannot answer."

"... Do I not have the right to know?"

"Yes, but I myself do not know why I am in this state."

"So even if you have the right to know, I have an obligation to tell you, I am sorry, I cannot answer you."

"Speak first!!"

However, the other party is truly too difficult to communicate with before becoming a "Charity Hero."

Sora said he was "incoherent," but Kurapika's impression was that Karna's choice of words was strange from the start. Why didn't "I'm sorry, but I don't understand" come first? I think it would be bad to let people have expectations, so I told them it was impossible, but that would certainly be smarter.

"... Enough. Next question."

"... Karna. With your superficial personality, are there any disadvantages or risks to using Sora's body?"

"Yes."

Kurapika was even more irritated by Karna, who endlessly answered straightforward, simple questions.

Although realizing this frustration was an outburst, I managed to express my uncontrollable emotions by gripping the steering wheel firmly, and further urged for an answer: "Specifically?"

At Kurapika's prompt, Karna calmly told Hisoka and Illumi, "I, Karna," he talked about the risk of his personality consuming Sora.

The more Karna said, the more Kurapika understood the risks involved.

I know. Karna is not bad.

Karna is not possessing Sora of his own will. On the contrary, he is only worried about Sora. Although he has a certain self, he is not satisfied with having to keep that self asleep inside Sora. He has no intention of stealing Sora's body; those two-colored eyes conveyed it sincerely, those eyes looking straight into the rearview mirror, indifferent and ruthless.

I know this frustration is a completely unreasonable outburst.

I really know the risk is not Karna's fault, but my own.

"... Although you understand the risks, why are you 'here' now?"

"... I am sorry to answer your question with a question, but what does that question mean? Is the answer you seek from me not just a raised fist, but a word to punish you?"

Recalling those straight eyes looking at me, they were not knotted.

Kurapika clicked his tongue and turned the steering wheel with some force, remembering Sora's claim that his insight was enough to act as a lie detector and could see through people's hearts.

Although he saw through the other party's true intentions, he didn't understand why Kurapika was angry, nor did he understand why he ignored it?

Karna was expressionless, and without waiting for Kurapika to answer, he answered Kurapika's question.

"I am sorry, but all I have is the truth."

"Knowing that Master is at risk, I am still here because Master is in a situation where it is better for me to come out. The accuracy of the Master's 【Instant Death Evil Eye】 is already approaching the limit... or rather, it has exceeded the limit. Anyway, because the accuracy has increased too much and there is too much contact with 'Death,' the Master is falling into the ' ' I am familiar with."

"Master is struggling desperately to surface, but at the same time, she wants power. A power that will move now and defeat any enemy that might appear."

"So, most importantly, she is struggling and trying to escape to the surface because of fear, but at the same time, she is also trying to get the power she wants from that ' '. That high fever is because while struggling to surface, she is constantly trying to sink into a deeper contradiction."

"The mental software specifications do not match the physical hardware, causing a short circuit due to an attempt to force a start."

"Therefore, I played the role of software to operate the hardware the Master wanted. Although his ability is not as good as what his Master truly hopes for, at least he can burn his body and mind like he is. It was done."

I know, but Karna's clumsy explanation, unlike Hisoka and Illumi, and Kurapika who has considerable knowledge of Magic, is mostly meaningless.

However, I felt that I frowned at some disturbing words I understood a little, the meanings of which were related to the body and what it is.

I wanted to ask further what you meant.

But not a single word could come out.

I couldn't understand most of the meaning, but the only meaning I understood was that it was blaming Kurapika again, so I couldn't say anything.

Kurapika ran.

As if to escape from something he couldn't look at directly, he said: "... Enough."

"... Enough. I don't want to ask you anything anymore. So, Karna. Go back and return that body to Sora."

Such a blatant deception, even someone other than Karna could understand, like there was nothing left to ask.

How he got here, what happened before he got here, etc.

I know this is just a meaningless way to buy time, just like when I was told to join the assassination squad.

But I don't want to hear it yet. I can't make up my mind.

"I cannot do that."

However, Kurapika's overly selfish and pitiful complaints naturally made him proud. The warrior Kshatriya does not allow it.

Karna looked straight at Kurapika through the mirror as usual and said.

"I have not yet fulfilled the 'wish' that Master helped you with."

Karna did not forgive.

But he is the warrior Kshatriya, not acting as a Servant, but as Sora's Servant.

Most importantly, Kurapika's face was full of pain, as if he had been stabbed, and he said words he did not want to hear right now, clear and straightforward, just like his eyes.

I know.

I don't even need to ask why Karna escaped from the Inn and appeared before me.

I don't even need to think about why Sora wants something, power from the "" that should have been escaped.

I knew from the beginning that this was all my fault.

In fact, she is enduring so much pain that she could stop breathing at any moment.

Although it is better than that, it might be that I took too dangerous a risk to come here.

I know she tried to give Kurapika a future and happiness in my place, and I did nothing, nothing at all, and could not make up my mind.

This is the reason Kurapika cannot face it.

For Kurapika, who is powerless and full of guilt, Sora's madness and humanity as his last resort are simply too dazzling and precious.

Whatever Sora does, whatever she does, whatever she gives, is always what Kurapika truly wants, so he feels guilty and inferior because he is always being given to and cannot repay, which makes you feel helpless, makes you feel unnecessarily cowardly.

And because he knows he is just using Sora as an excuse for his own weakness, his self-loathing cycles continuously, but at the same time, Kurapika's currently irrational, dirty negative emotions are stuck in my chest.

(... In the end, I couldn't make Sora say "help me," but I can always "help.")

It is jealousy.

For Kurapika, facing the reality of being unable to protect the person he wants to protect more than anyone else, regardless of whether there is danger or not, Karna's existence is both hateful and enviable.

Theoretically, I understand that comparing Heroic Spirits, especially Demi-gods, would be strange, because they are non-standard existences. So, when I heard this story, I had already concluded "I don't like it a little."

... If you already "don't like it a little" when hearing it, seeing it with your own eyes naturally makes it impossible to hold back your emotions.

Even if we theoretically know that this is not a matter that can be compared by effort or talent, our emotions will spit out resentment.

For someone who is always protected by Sora and not relied upon, the person who is relied upon by Sora and shows he has the ability to help Sora, is far from a delusion; it is just a prank. I know.

This is why Kurapika has no choice but to run away.

I don't want to be in pain anymore.

Kurapika averts his gaze from this fact, so as not to win Sora's trust, and Karna, who is in the ideal position he wants to be in, will not erupt with jealousy, envy, and hatred.

"... You have already saved me enough. If you hadn't appeared, I would have killed that person in despair, and you would have protected me from that person's Bullet.

Besides, honestly, if I brought you back instead of Sora, it would only cause trouble; I'm sorry, but it's annoying. Now switch to Sora."

"It is indeed troublesome and annoying, but that is not the real reason you want me to disappear."

However, no matter how Kurapika avoids his gaze, Karna will face Kurapika with the things he wants to escape and does not want to see.

Kurapika does not want to strike at his sincerity because he knows that all his negative emotions toward Karna, such as resentment and jealousy, have nothing to do with Karna, and it is a waste, rubbing Kurapika's nerves.

Kurapika's frustration, far from subsiding, intensified, and in desperation, Kurapika drove harder and harder, shouting: "Then how on earth are you going to save me?!"

However, since it is a luxury car of the Nostrade Group, it is much larger than an ordinary one, but even so, in the narrow, enclosed space, Karna remained motionless even when scolded. Thinking.

"Yes. Actually, this is the biggest problem. Sorry Master, I cannot think of any way to save you."

Along with that answer, the anger that was about to erupt dissipated all at once, and at the same time, it became even more frustrating.

While thinking that this mentality of never collapsing to one's own rhythm is actually quite enviable, he said weakly: "... Then give up, let's go home."

However, this Servant is called the "Charity Hero," basically a saint who does things for others even if it is disadvantageous to himself; at least there is a priority as to whether to follow a request.

Of course, from the Servant's standpoint, his first priority will not be shaken.

"So you are saying it is impossible."

Without considering Kurapika's request at all, Karna immediately replied from the back seat.

Although able to see through the other party's true intentions, Karna completely failed to notice their feelings and worries, because the negative emotions and impressions brought about by this, strange to say, made me feel more at ease than before.

However, this Servant was just told by Sora that "the cause of death was too holy, and communication problems are also a big factor," so he really did not look at the situation according to his own rhythm.

"However, if things go on like this, it will indeed only cause trouble for Master and you.

... This is useless. Shall we compromise a little on Master's wishes?"

On one hand, he shows an incomprehensible stubbornness, but essentially he has a personality that puts others first, to the point that he is too selfish, so even if he realizes that Kurapika's previous words were an excuse to hide his true intentions. If his personality returned to himself, talking to himself, and then drawing a conclusion, it would be difficult to explain.

And Karna's conclusion, whose words and actions are far higher than Sora's, was too terrifying for Kurapika in many ways, so Kurapika looked through the rearview mirror, his face slightly pale: "What are you doing to me?" "What do you want to do?" he asked.

"Yes. First of all, this is just a confirmation."

Karna answered the other party's question simply as always, leaned out slightly from the back seat, and "confirmed" with Kurapika.

"Kurapika. Do you, Sora, want to die?"

No accident, what a Miracle.

Hearing Karna's words, understanding what he said, I let go of the steering wheel, tore off the seatbelt, turned around and leaned forward, saying that I did not grab the opponent, even if he was another person, more important than anything else, even if he was helpless, and therefore he had been getting hurt, but he was still the person I wanted to protect from the bottom of my heart.

Because Karna's words were from someone with the opposite desire.

So, unlike me barely maintaining my composure, I was determined not to put her in danger, so I changed lanes, avoided the traffic, and stopped at the end of the road.

After that, Kurapika kept clutching his chest, took a deep breath, trying to calm his surging breathing, and found it meaningless.

He unbuckled his seatbelt, turned around, grabbed the neck of Karna's own cape, and pulled him toward himself.

"... Are you asking this question seriously? Should this be confirmed now?"

"It seems I want to let her die for you!? Dying so broken, having lost everything, still in pain and lost, yet still alive!?"

Kurapika pulled him in with a strength that seemed to have forgotten that the body belonged to Sora, but Kurapika knew that as long as he didn't strike him, he wouldn't have to be responsible for the body's owner.

This is why I cannot let it go.

"Or is this what you want!?"

"Are you trying to tell her to give up such a painful life, that one day she will have no choice but to fall and die to make life easier!? You ask me because you want me to say that!?"

This sounded like nothing more than a comment from someone wanting to become the most reliable person she wants to be, even if she is where she wants to be.

It does not matter what you do to help yourself. However, Kurapika will not allow anyone to give up or abandon Sora's wish.

Because that wish, that struggle, brought her to me.

So I will never allow it.

"...... I'm sorry, Kurapika. It really seems I don't have enough words."

"I have no choice but to answer this question. It is natural for you to be angry. Let us speak again."

However, Karna seemed not to care at all about Kurapika's fury or the chest being grabbed, starting to apologize for the obvious and asking again.

"Kurapika, if Master wants to die, do you want that too?"

Kurapika was about to say something, but no sound came out.

Her scarlet eyes were wide open, and she could not speak.

"...... This is a hypothetical story; if you know her, this is impossible."

"However, considering her situation, this is by no means an impossible hypothesis. But can the current Master at least understand that this is an impossible existence?"

No matter what Karna said, Kurapika could not count on Sora dying.

So, no matter what words are added or modified, if the fundamental question is "Do you want Sora to die?", the answer will never change.

"There is no Spiritual Power in Master's eyes, but the brain perceives 'death' and perceives it as Sight Vision information. Because I cannot perceive 'death' like Master can."

"... Do you understand? The warrior Kshatriya, she continues to fight like a monster, has taken many lives, has seen death, and even I who have died, even I who have experienced death, cannot perceive 'death'."

She herself, her loved ones, and even this world do not allow her to forget that "one day it will end." When she says she is happy, don't you think it is painful to see her smile?

But that is fine. No matter how painful, if she can say she is truly happy, it is rude for others to interfere.

"...... However, if the other party does not say they are happy, and the Master wants to die and end it by their own will, what would you do, Kurapika?"

Lucky or unlucky, it depends on the person. However, there are some ways of life that, no matter how you look at them, cannot be called happy.

It is said that Karna's life, both during his lifetime and after becoming a Servant, was blessed with continuous good luck. He acted very positively on a somewhat attractive level, but looking from the side, he gave as much as he gave, but what he took was what he took. It was broken, nothing left, nothing at all, just a tragedy that received no reward.

Like Karna, as long as the other party is satisfied, it is fine.

Even if you take the other party to act, if you are not satisfied with the result of that action, it is nothing more than futile effort and self-complacent emotion.

However, if someone who felt happy until now is actually in a miserable state, or if she regained justice and became unhappy?

What if Sora wants to die?

If you want it to end, if you give up on continuing to struggle.

What Kurapika wanted at that moment was—

"............ I.................."

The hand gripping Karna's neck was weak, or rather, it was clinging tightly.

Except for the reddened eyes, his complexion was bloodless.

I shouted to squeeze it out, but it did not follow.

It was not that there was no answer.

The answer was already decided. There was no other. No. So Kurapika—

"...... Don't blame yourself so much. Don't worry. If that answer is sinful, I am equally sinful."

I do not have to say the answer.

Just as Karna himself said, he knew what kind of reaction Kurapika would have. This was actually just another word of confirmation.

This is just a premise I want to tell you.

The answer is already decided.

"Me too."

"Even if Master wants it, even if Master has no way to make things easier or happier, I do not want Master to die. As a Servant, I know this is an untimely, arrogant wish, but even so, no matter how much I am hurt, I can only think that I want my Master to live."

Karna answered in Kurapika's place.

Yes.

A wish that will not change, whether Sora wants it or not.

Looking at his painful appearance, although I thought it would be better if I died, I firmly refused, saying: "This is what I do not want."

Too selfish, a wish that cannot be fulfilled.

This is the lowest hope you wish for, because you are the person who is more important than anyone else, and also the person who ignores that important person the most.

Such a wish, a desire, has always been in Kurapika's heart.

So Kurapika

Never.

"...... Kurapika. I cannot fulfill your Master's wish. I cannot save you."

Kurapika gripped Kurapika's right hand tightly, the Command Spell carved into the right hand, Karna declared.

The reason why Sora's wish cannot be realized.

He quietly recounted why Kurapika could never be saved.

...... But that is another story.

Kurapika knew it without being told.

I cannot save myself.

It is impossible for Karna to save himself.

After all, if Kurapika had a girlfriend, whenever he had free time, Kurapika would...

"You were saved from the very beginning.

As long as your master is still alive, you will be happy, so there is no room for me to save you.

At the same time, this kind of salvation makes you unhappy.

If you cannot be saved, then save yourself. Sky Mastery, no matter how hurt you are, as long as you are alive, even if she is unhappy, you will be happy. If you cannot reciprocate happiness the same way as things do, you should at least be as unhappy as things are; that is why you cannot be saved. Kurapika."