Chapter 1125 – The Kind World and the Kindness of the World

000

[System, restart complete. Check the damage to the suit… Complete. Damaged area, about 74 percent. Confirmed that normal battle continuation was impossible. Retreat is recommended.]

Oldburn slowly opened his eyes as he heard that mechanical voice ringing in his head.

A feeling as if something is weighing down the whole body, to the point where the whole body cannot move properly.

Pajik, Pajik. The reason why sparks are flying is probably because Emmet’s power source near his chest was broken.

Originally, the internal auxiliary cylinder should move so that even Old Burns, who have lost strength due to aging, can easily handle the suit.

As the power source is damaged and energy is not supplied properly, the cylinder has no choice but to stop moving.

‘This is something.’

As Old Burn thinks so, he looks at the red ceiling beyond his broken helmet, just like his power source.

Why is he lying down looking at the sky?

The reason was simple.

Exchanging fists with Cleon again and again.

In the end, the armor covering his entire body was broken by Cleon, and the power source was also damaged.

How could a man break a suit made of steel with his bare hands?

However, the blood on the broken part was not his own.

＂Haa… Haa…＂

It must not have been that long that Oldburn was unconscious.

He could tell without looking away.

The fact that there was Cleon, looking at us with blood pouring from his shattered hands.

＂I guess I was wrong…＂

Regarding the current situation, Oldburn had no choice but to say that.

＂What…?＂

Cleon could only ask back as if he could not understand the first words he spoke after waking up.

“I saw it wrong. Who would have thought that you were not a magic swordsman, but a gorilla in human clothing…”

＂…＂

“Do you know? It is said that the punching power of a gorilla is about 600 kg. They say the human limit is around 200 kg…”

The young man would cut off the old man’s words as if they were absurd.

“That’s not what I need to say now.”

And to Cleon’s words, Oldburn also responds with a laugh.

“Then what should I say? My thoughts haven’t changed. The reason I’m lying like this right now is not because I was defeated by you ‘in my heart.’ The only causes are the inevitable aging of the body and the damage to equipment. If it weren’t for those two, I would still be swinging my fist at you.”

If Oldburn answers like that, Cleon will sigh ‘Haa’.

＂Elderly…＂

And, in response to that answer, the one who gave a sad voice was Kshat, who was standing supporting Cleon.

“Elder, can you please think again? Of course, this world may be cruel to kind people like you… But I am sure you will be able to overcome it.”

＂…＂

Despite Kshat’s appeal, Oldburn remains silent.

To him, Kshat continued his words, endlessly persuading him, and just wishing that he would understand.

“You saw it too, right? You already have many colleagues. And they will definitely believe that even if the young lady is in danger…”

＂Kkkk…＂

However, as Kshat continued to say such things, Oldburn could not stop and burst into laughter.

Rather than mocking it, should we say that this situation itself is ridiculous.

It was because I thought that Kshat, who could say such a thing, really ‘knew nothing.’

＂Kkeuk… Ahaha…! Haha…!! Ah… Kshat. After spending time with Fleur, you have become just as kind as that child.”

Was that a compliment or a sarcasm?

From Oldburn’s next words, that will become clear.

＂Kshat… If you truly say such things… I must truly regret appointing you as that child’s bodyguard and butler.＂

＂…!＂

“Think about it. Malice means not knowing when, where, or how to show your teeth. How foolish and belated would it be to react after something has already happened?”

To Oldburn’s words, Kshat responds.

＂No matter what happens, if you prepare for it-＂

“That doesn’t mean anything! Prepare!? Preparation!? How many walls do you have to build around the child and make him alone to be completely prepared for something like that?”

And the old man shouted.

“Have you ever imagined something invisible flying in and piercing that child’s heart? Imagine digging into that child’s good intentions and cutting off his head with a flying blade!? The worst thing you can imagine is a wounded soldier falling into a state of confusion and having that spear pierce his stomach and create a straight hole all the way to his back…!!”

As if unable to overcome his anger, he clenched his fist and struck the ground two or three times.

＂You just need to prepare?! So does that mean I should have lost his wife and son because I neglected the preparations? This is a meaningless and reckless story! The world’s and humanity’s malice and tragedy cannot be stopped with such things!”

Eventually, it wasn’t the ground that was hitting, but it suddenly became his own chest.

I guess so.

He was regretting it.

He feels regret, responsibility, and guilt for losing the person he should have protected.

And he was caught up in it and came to hate the world and everything.

＂Haa… Haa…!＂

He was spouting out passion, but before he knew it, he showed a bit of calm as he wiped the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth with her hand.

It may be that his anger was relieved to some extent by letting out the pain he had been harboring in his heart for such a long time.

For a moment, everyone in that place was surrounded by silence.

And once again, it was Oldburn who spoke up.

“… Okay. Surely, just like that child, you are children who trust people and are kind to the world.”

[It’s not like that for Cleon…]

[I’m being quiet.]

Cleon waits for Oldburn’s next words while mentally criticizing Galatea for saying something pointless.

“But. Not the world. To those of you who are kind to the world, the world is not kind. In the end, it is the numerous humans that make up this world. This is because humans are imperfect and anyone can harbor evil intentions. I don’t want Fleur to live in that kind of world. It is my duty to create a truly kind world for that child… And for failing to protect that child’s father and my wife. So…”

[Recognizes emergency power supply start-up command.]

Next moment.

The backpack on his back bursts into flames once again, forcing his fallen body to stand up.

As if it wasn’t over yet, Old Burn somehow confronts Cleon with his tattered suit while clenching his fists.

Cleon will talk while looking at Oldburn.

＂The power source would have been destroyed…!＂

“I’m sorry, I knew you didn’t know much about machines, so in some ways this development seems like a trick… The armor that covers this body, ‘Emet’, and the backpack that forms the wings on the back are separate parts. So, the backpack has a separate power source to operate the backpack.”

If you kindly answer Cleon’s questions, the wings of plasma will glow on his back.

“Elder! If you raise your body at the same speed as before, your bare body will not be able to endure it!”

“Maybe so. However, for men, there is a thing called ‘the moment when you have to do it’. That was the moment when a ‘wall’ that I had to risk my pride, fate, and everything to overcome stood in my way.”

Old Burn’s eyes – he had not yet lost his bravery and recklessness when he was sailing the sea over the waves.

He has the power of action and bold determination.

Until now, he has been carefully carrying out the ‘Adam Cardmon’ plan without being discovered by Adam.

Even Cleon could not help but acknowledge that persistence.

That’s why, even if it’s an enemy, even if it’s an old man who doesn’t listen to what he says.

If something stands in your way as a man.

Cleon also tore his clothes and wrapped them around his tattered fists in place of bandages.

Since I couldn’t make a proper fist, this was the best.

Cleon secures the knot with his teeth and responds to Oldburn’s challenge with his eyes.

＂Wow, even Cleon…!＂

“I’m sorry, Kshat. Now that it’s like this. In the end, I think we will have no choice but to resolve this.”

If even Kshat failed to persuade, there is no one who can stop Oldburn now.

It is impossible for me to ‘persuade’ him.

Yes.

The sadness of losing a loved one may be something we all harbor within ourselves.

In the end, persuading people to understand and accept ‘other people’s pain’ is ultimately.

Since it is a ‘stranger’, it is impossible.

Take your stance.

Lower your waist.

Put your feet out and bend your fists back.

The challenger is the other person, the one who accepts it is this one.

It’s as simple as swinging your fist at an accelerating enemy with just the right timing.

Crackling.

Old Burn’s backpack with unstable flames.

This is really.

It’s really the last time.

We understood each other.

The one who falls here loses.

It is not an ‘ideological’ defeat, but a physical defeat.

And the weak one – cannot protect Fleur.

With that determination in mind.

3… 2… 1…

＂Come! Old Burn!!”

＂Kaaaaa!!!＂

It was the exact moment when Cleon raised his voice like that and Oldburn let out a long shout and tried to rush in.

[Backpack removal]

＂?＂

At the sudden sound of that voice, Oldburn’s backpack fell off his back.

He could only watch as he passed by Cleon at high speed and got stuck in the wall.

＂What-＂

Cleon also made a similar sound, and it was at that moment when he looked at Oldburn.

＂Eh, eh!＂

Poop!

Old Burn’s body is pushed away with a strong impact and falls to the side.

＂Keuuk!＂

Rolling on the ground and rolling over again.

Eventually, Old Burn fell completely to the ground, and the tattered pieces of his suit completely fell off.

I could not help but watch as the power source attached to his chest lost its last light and went out.

And, Cleon sees.

I don’t know who he learned it from, but he was the one who knocked down Old Burn’s body with a drop-kick with great form.

Oldburn’s beloved granddaughter and everything to him.

＂Fleur…!? Are you okay!?

Cleon couldn’t help but worry about her.

One of the reasons why Cleon can stand like this now is because she received support from Fleur with her magic power and physical strength.

As a result, she collapsed from exhaustion and lost her mind.

Fleur nodded, getting up from her knees.

“Yes, yes…! Oh, Kshat…”

If you say that, Cleon must have looked back at Kshat.

She nodded, looking a little more haggard than before and sweating.

“I lent my stamina to you through engraving.”

In other words, what Kshat did to Cleon, this time Kshat did it to Fleur.

Of course, Kshat would have several times more stamina than Fleur, so even if Fleur’s stamina was full, Kshat would have ended up just a little tired.

＂F-Fleur… Do you want to use violence against this girl…?”

And then, Oldburn slowly stands up in disbelief and looks blankly at Fleur.

Fleur responded with a sad face to the sight as if she had seen the world turned upside down.

“… Yes. I used it. To my grandfather.”

And Fleur nodded, as if she had no intention of excusing her actions.

At that moment, something passing through Oldburn’s mind.

＇Memories that exist. ＇

From the time he was born until now, he has always smiled at himself.

Never once did I say ‘I hate him’ or ‘I hate him’.

Fleur’s growth record that did not show any negative side (Oldburn Intracerebral Edition).

＂Uh, why…＂

“That. It’s because my grandfather is a ‘fool’.”

Coo!

After hearing the next words, Old Burn felt like he had been hit on the head with a 10-ton hammer.

It was such a shock that tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.

Oh, you idiot?

Did you just tell this old man that Fleur is an idiot?

“What makes this old man so stupid?”

“Ha, grandpa, you don’t know anything about me…!”

To Oldburn, who seems in disbelief, Fleur tells the cruel truth.

“Well, that can’t be possible! “There is no one who knows you better than this old man!”

As he spoke confidently, Fleur shook her head and said,

“Well, the first one. I don’t need a kind world…!”

＂What…＂

“If there were a world where everyone cared about each other and were kind to each other, it would certainly be a wonderful world… But I have never once thought that I would like to live in such a world. I like this world we live in now. There is Kshat, and there is Cleon. Befriending Attis and living in Eratus. I like the world as it is now.”

Old Burn couldn’t help but show a puzzled expression as she spoke while extending one of her fingers.

＂Two, for the second time…! Well, I’m not as good a kid as you think! There were many times when I stayed up all night reading a book, and there were many times when I secretly left the mansion with Kshat…! And… Ha, while my grandfather was away, I also climbed the adult stairs…!”

＂Big…!＂

In those words, no matter how old she was, she had no choice but to pour out her blood.

… For some reason, Cleon was pricked by his conscience.

“That, and the third. I have never once thought that the deaths of my parents and grandmother were my grandfather’s fault or responsibility.”

And at Fleur’s next words, Old Burn appeared so shaken that his shoulders shook.

＂When did I ask my grandfather, why are my parents not here, and why did my grandmother have to pass away? Have you ever asked or questioned your grandfather?”

“Well, that’s because you’re a kind kid…”

Even if you deep down think it’s Oldburn’s fault, it’s probably because you didn’t talk about it.

Of course, Fleur had never even thought about that.

“No… Not me. I was always grateful to my grandfather. Obviously, I was born and raised in a much better environment than other people, and I was able to live without any shortcomings. That’s thanks to my grandfather. I was proud to have a grandfather who was respected by the people of the city.”

Even though they didn’t know the truth, and Fleur at that time was the same.

Nevertheless, even if we look at Fleur separately from his family attachment.

I respected the man named Oldburn, and I never once blamed him.

＂Stop it, Fleur… This lady… Is not someone you should respect that much.’

Oldburn responded to Fleur’s words with an expression of regret and shame.

“Obviously, my grandfather is a member of the returnees… And has committed many evil deeds. But still… I am part of your grandfather’s family. My grandfather is my only remaining family member.”

The family we are talking about here goes beyond simply staying together.

The most basic and special relationship for humans, connected by blood and roots.

“Think about it. Did your father ever say to your grandfather, ‘Why didn’t you protect her mother?’ And are you the kind of person who will blame your grandfather, saying, ‘Why didn’t he protect his son?’

＂…＂

“I can understand that your grandfather was heartbroken over the loss of three people. When everyone loses someone precious, they want someone to take responsibility for.”

As for Oldburn, it is ‘the malice of the world’. Furthermore, he was directed at himself for not being able to protect those three people.

So, in the world, people with malicious intent – including Oldburn himself – must disappear.

So, I ended up thinking about it.

＂Fleur, I…＂

Old Burn cannot speak properly and opens his mouth.

It was like Fleur pretended to be embarrassed by people’s eyes.

“In the world I like… Of course, my grandfather is also there.”

So, Fleur said that and approached Oldburn once again.

“… So, grandfather. Let’s go back to the mansion together. Come with me to apologize and atone for everyone who has done wrong. Of course, there are people who will not forgive you. But… Still, I have to endure it.”

＂…＂

At Fleur’s words, Old Burn lowers his head.

When his gaze was directed to the ground, he could see a transparent liquid, different from blood, falling on the ground.

“Of course, my grandmother, my father, and my mother… Were all kind people. I’m sure you’re hoping for that. … If it’s the people my grandfather loved.”

The pain of ‘others’ cannot be fully understood because they are ‘others’.

But. It is different when it comes to ‘family’.

So, the voice that Cleon and Kshat could not reach could reach Oldburn if it was Fleur’s.

Fleur was the only brake that could completely stop Oldburn.

Cleon also looked at those two people and decided not to intervene anymore.

However, one thing that must be made clear is that Fleur is not responsible for the deaths of the three people.

As she said, there were still many sins left in Oldburn.

To atone for all those sins – it wasn’t right to die here and now.

Fleur, more than anyone else, would not want that.

He needed a suitable place and opportunity for atonement.

Death may be the final result that comes afterward.

‘To those who are kind to the world, the world is not kind.’

As Oldburn himself said, even after this.

It is a truth that Fleur will experience again and again as she pays the price for her sins to the world.

However, there is no need for the ‘world’ to be kind to oneself.

Just one person.

If only there was someone who was kind to me.

Because it would be worth more than the kindness of the world.