Chapter 57- Right And Wrong (Part 3)
Rin fell into a dilemma over her request. He really didn't know whether he should kill these creatures or not. Rin still didn't quite grasp many things about this world and one of them was the demon race.
No matter where he went, everyone hated demons to the core as they were 'creatures of evil, born from evil and serve evil'. However, that didn't mean that he totally swallowed that idea. The reason for that was the things he heard from Lina, the demon he fought in the Lava Mansion dungeon not that long ago.
He was sure that she wasn't a sane person at all but he couldn't forget what she said. Her childhood was passed running from one place to another after she lost her family because of the human race. He had no idea whether it was the actual truth but he was sure of one thing…
'I have no grudge against these creatures. I don't even know if they were the actual evil creatures or not.' He felt a myriad of emotions run through his head.
Were the humans really the victims? Were they really the advocates of the good? Is it really the truth? Questions like these assaulted his mind as he became more and more confused by the second
Maria, seemingly catching that reaction of his, spoke out.
"Why the hesitation, Rin? You know that they are evil, right?"
"I mean… I didn't really see them doing something bad with my own eyes. I can't guarantee that I'm killing creatures that deserve death."
Maria's eyes widened in what seemed like a surprise. Her beautiful lips then curled into a small, innocent smile. But, the words that came out of her mouth next made him forget about that smile immediately.
"Are you stupid?" She asked.
"Huh?"
"Look around you, Rin. What do you see?"
Then, she extended her arms in different directions as if she was welcoming something into her embrace.
"Look at them. These filthy things aren't even worth keeping alive. Yet, our benevolence ended up preserving their miserable and completely useless lives."
"How do you even call this benevolence? They had been trapped inside a dark shithole for the past 250 years. 250 years! That's worse than dying hundreds of times." Rin retorted.
"Pfft! That's just naive, Rin. These creatures killed humans before. Their hands are soaked in the blood of your kin. Are you saying they are worth forgiving?" Her voice was rising ever-so-slightly the more she talked.
"I never said that. But, I just don't think that pure evil exists in this world. There is no complete black or complete white… there is only a grey color. That also includes humans."
"Huh? What are you even saying? Big sister? Are you going to stay silent? Aren't you going to tell him what happened to mother?" Maria changed her focus from Rin to Elise.
The latter kept her cool and didn't reply immediately.
"I think his words are right, Maria. History is written by the victorious. We can't be sure that they are really indeed the creators of destruction as they were drawn to be in front of the population."
"Even you, big sister?"
"Listen Maria. I understand that you hate demons and that's totally fine. But, I would rather not kill anyone that doesn't wish for my misfortune. It's not my way of things."
Chuckling lowly, Maria asked him.
"Then what? Are you going to return the dagger to me, then?"
"I would prefer we come to an agreement in our negotiations if possible. But, if things came down to it, I will give it back to you."
"..."
"So, what do you say?"
Maria kept silent and instead walked toward one of the random demons that were sitting there. When she was close enough, she pulled out a sword from somewhere. After that, in a swift motion, she stabbed the creature in the neck.
The latter made a small, inaudible groan before they died quickly. Their empty eyes lost whatever light was left in them and succumbed to the grim reaper.
"See? It's not that hard. Why can't you do it? Look, it didn't even dirty my sword. My blade is cleansed by the holy water of the church so it automatically cleans itself from anything evil or tarnished. Look, it's as clean as it was before I pulled it out."
"Sigh, just stop it, Maria." Elise intervened with an exasperated sigh.
"I CAN'T STOP!!!" Maria shouted at the top of her lungs. Her eyes were glaring at Elise and Rin.
"Did you quickly forget how mother died, Elise? She died by the hands of these things." Using her sword, she lifted the creature's shin to show it to Elise.
"Mother's life ended quickly and viciously. They took her away from us yet you don't have an ounce of hatred toward them. Are you even her daughter?!"
Elise was left speechless, she really didn't know how to reply at all. Obviously, she was aware that their mother died at the hands of demons many years ago. But, even then, she really didn't feel any attachment toward this deceased mother of hers. She was not even her real mother, technically, since this Elise isn't the same Elise of the past.
But, she obviously can't say this to Maria as it will only make things complicated.
"I'm sorry for your loss. I understand how you feel…"
"Sorry? Understand? How will you even understand?! You will never know my pain." Maria was seething with anger at Rin. However, what she didn't notice was that tears started trickling down her face.
Rin, on the other hand, merely smiled at her. The smile made her freeze in her place. She didn't know why, but through that smile, she saw many things. Deep sadness, regret, hope, and ambition, all these emotions somehow coexisted in his eyes and reached her.
"Trust me… I know." He replied in a small voice.
After that, he looked at the dagger in his hand and then continued.
"Will you find it in your heart to give me the dagger on a whole other condition? I swear to keep this as a favor that I will never forget."
Falling silent, Maria looked down and didn't say anything. Her anger weirdly vanished and instead, a sense of calm filled her heart.
"Just take it…"
"Hm? What did you say?"
"I said, just take it."
"Really? Just like that?"
Surprisingly, Maria chuckled and replied in her usual happy tone.
"Do you want me to regret giving it to you?"
"No! I deeply appreciate it." He thanked her quickly.
"Sigh, sorry for the unsightly behavior I showed. I always get worked up… when such a topic comes up."
"I don't blame you. You rightfully can mourn the death of a loved one as much as you want. However… I want to tell you something."
"What?"
"See that hatred in your eyes. You can only deal with it in two ways."
"Hoho? What are they?" Maria exclaimed amusedly.
"You can either let it consume you and then fall into a dark abyss where the only fuel for you to advance is revenge and then end up completely destroyed beyond repair. Or…"
"Or?"
A glint flashed in Rin's eyes as he continued his words.
"Or you can control it and make yourself turn into a better person that understands how life works. That's when you will realize the thing you have always been missing."
"And what is that thing, Rin? Mind telling me?"
"It's not a 'missed thing' for no reason. You have to find it yourself. When you do, you will come to thank me."
"Fufufuf! That sounds so profound. Do you perhaps write books by any chance, Rin?"
"No, not really!"
'I did try in my previous life to do that but someone commented on my book 'Your book was so bad on so many different levels that I could only be amazed. You aren't cut for this thing, author-san :3' After that, I never wrote a single word ever again.'
[Wheez.]
'What did you say, system?'
[Nothing, host. You are imagining things, as usual.]
"Anyway, I think we should end our talk here. It's getting way too late and I have to go back before dawn."
'If Aria finds out I left the house, she will skin me alive.' He shuddered at the mere thought of facing an angry Aria in the morning.
"It was nice talking with you, Rin. I had sooo much fun. I was really right on the mark when I said that you are really one of a kind. Isn't he, big sister?"
"..."
Elise didn't say anything at all in that regard. Rin didn't expect her to say anything either as he already knows her way too well… to a certain extent.
After that, the trio left the prison and returned to the treasury together.
(A//N: It will sure make you hesitate on which side you want to take: the demon's side or the human's side. It will be fun.)
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