“I wonder where that guy is by now.”

Kail was together with Havella at the back-alley the three of them would usually meet together.

“…”

Havella was acting as if she was somewhere else. Kail could only show a bitter smile about that.

“You are really silent when that guy isn´t here.”

“…Is that so?”

“That´s right.”

“I see.”

And with that, their conversation would end. The three of them would usually be talking to each other without stopping, but now that one of them was lacking, the conversation became in that state. No, it was definitely because Al specifically was there that their conversations would be like that at those times the three of them were together.

“Havella, at the time that guy comes back…. Please, don´t stop me.”

“…?”

Havella tilted her head in confusion. Kail frowned.

“I already know how he returned those five years of good will in cruelty.”

Havella averted her eyes. Without caring about that, Kail continued to talk.

“By using your connections and having you send a request to the a.s.sa.s.sin´s guild… he had the owner of the bookstore and his wife killed. In order to destroy any evidences, they burned the shop. They even prepared a corpse to take Al´s place just to be safe, didn´t they?”

Havella, the accomplice of the murder of the owner of the bookstore and his wife, still didn´t look at Kail in his eyes. Kail continued with his words. To Havella, not being the one blamed was what felt the worst to her.

“It´s no wonder I had been thinking I was taking things too lightly. Wanting to have a day-off my a.s.s. He had everything burn up, had him be forgot from the memories of people and doc.u.ments…. But is that supposed to be how it ends!? Are you kidding me?”

Kail was mad. Havella was feeling guilty.

“It´s really nice you aren´t someone from the military or a guard, Kail.”(TL note: .-. This line is kind of weird. I think Al is saying that because of how Kail was talking about Al having killed the owner and the wife お前が軍や見回り連中じゃなくて良かったよ、カイル)

A voice that was definitely supposed to be impossible to be heard at this time here in this place reached the ears of the two. Shocked, the two turned their heads to the direction of the voice. The one standing there was…

“Yo, how is it, you two? You are even making such stupid faces.”

It was Al, who was supposed to be outside the country doing something by this time. For whatever was he planning to do, the two of them didn´t think he would come back so early.

“Why? Al, didn´t you leave the country?”

Despite Havella usually being very composed, her voice was trembling. Surprise and happiness and many other emotions were surging through her. Seeing that, Al smiled just for the sake of it.

“Who said I was going to be outside for long? I said it was only temporary, didn´t I?”

After jumping down to where the two of them were standing, Al approached them. (TL note: It doesn´t specify where he jumped from.)

“Well, I had enough of that sea of s.h.i.+t. I won´t go through that place ever aga…”

Al made a “good grief” pose (TL note: How a “good grief” pose would be called? I don´t even know how it would be… I guess something that is sort like facepalming?”

“Sorry, Al.”

Kail dived his fist into Al. Being sent flying, Al fell into the ditch. His face became twisted by the pain and the surprise.

“What are you doing!?”

“Those people… They said you were like part of their family. They said that one day, they would let your succeed the bookstore. They didn´t have a son, so they would let you, let you…”

Kail was trembling. What Al had done was something that couldn´t be forgiven. Whether it was by fairness, or in the ethical sense, and obviously so by the laws as well, such thing couldn´t be forgiven. Five years ago, the owner of the bookshop hired Al despite him not being able to even read. To Al, he was a benefactor that granted him knowledge. All the things Al owed to him were supposed to amount to the size of a mountain.

“Ah, they were very nice people..”

While wiping the blood that was at the corner of his mouth, Al muttered in a disappointed tone.

“Really nice people.”

If Al still had regrets about that, it would still be possible to start it over. If he had even a fragment of regret, it would be possible for him to redeem himself.

“They were… very convenient for me.”

If there is no regret…. there wouldn´t be any feeling of awareness of having done a bad thing. Not even the slightest.

“They gave me wisdom. They gave me knowledge. They gave me a place to study. They were very nice people. They have my appreciation. I hope they can live happily at the other world.”

Kail couldn´t recognize who the person in front of his eyes was. Al was someone that aimed for the top no matter what he had to go through. He was someone that wanted to have revenge for his sister. Kail knew that. He understood that. But then, what about the monster in front of his eyes? Wasn´t it simply making everything worse than before?

“The only family I have is Arlette-neesan. The only friends I have are the two of you. Except for that, everyone else has nothing to do with me. Why care about other people? Whether they will be useful to me or whether they will become a step for me to step on; that´s all that matters.”

During those five years, Al became distorted and filled with a certain something. What that certain something is was something that was out of Kail´s expectations.

“It had been that way since ever and it will be from now onwards.”

Al took out an old parchment. That was a doc.u.ment that consisted of only one piece of paper. It was his ticket to the future.

“This… It´s a third cla.s.s citizen ID. How…  did you get it?”

A third cla.s.s citizen. In this kingdom, people that had the IDs from the first cla.s.s to the third cla.s.s all had the privileges of being a citizen of the kingdom. It was a miraculous doc.u.ment that was impossible for a slave to get his hands on even if he was to spend all his life on trying to.

“That´s right, you guys can´t read. This ID… I stole it, you see? From the little Willian-kun from Rus.h.i.+tania.”

Kail and Havella couldn´t read. Even if they were able to recognize that the design of the paper represented that it was a third cla.s.s ID, there would be no way for them to read the name that was written there. That´s why they didn´t realize right away. They didn´t understand that the written name in there wasn´t Al´s name.

“Stolen, you say? Then, what about that Willian guy?”

“Who knows? Maybe he is deep inside a dark hole somewhere?”

Al didn´t show any signs of hesitation in saying that at all. On the contrary, he had an expression that made it feel as if he was boasting about it. Forgetting all his anger, Kail became completely astonished. He didn´t know what he was supposed to say now.

“IDs have the information of the little traits of one´s body; there should be ways to confirm the fingerprint of the owner of the ID. It will be difficult for you to make use of it.”

Havella became surprised for other reason. There were many times that people tried to use false doc.u.ments. However, most of the times, they would get exposed. It was difficult to get your hands on a proper ID even at the most shady of places. Sometimes, the ID of other people would appear for sale at the black market. However, having the ID of somebody else didn´t have any meaning; it didn´t even have any demand for it in fact.

“Yes, you are correct, Havella!”

Al acted as if he was waiting for this question. Al turned his eyes to Havella.

“The identification doc.u.ments of the kingdom are very complex and detailed, and are impossible to forge. If you use the ID of someone else, there won´t be any meaning to it. After all, there is also the problems with the digitals. Even if they are in decline, the seven kingdoms are still holding for their name. However, this isn´t the same for the other kingdoms.”

Kail looked at Al with confused eyes..

“I´ve seen many doc.u.ments in the time I´ve been working at the bookstore.”

Al was happily explaining the reasoning behind his plan.

“All the countries uses identification doc.u.ments for people, but they aren´t the same. Even if there are doc.u.ments that are full of details…. there are others that are simpler. And besides, even among the simpler ones, the ones used in Rus.h.i.+tania are among the simplest. The only things stated there is the name, residence, the gender, age and the social status in the home country and the official stamp of the country; nothing more. And with all that… I won´t be hindered from impersonating that guy.”

It was a method the people of this kingdom had never thought of. Except in business trades, the identification doc.u.ments of other countries weren´t really seen by people. Al knew about the IDs of the other countries. That´s why he was able to think of this plan.

“Rus.h.i.+tania is a country located deep into the mountains. It is a gathering of various communities. They social positions don´t have much disparity, and to begin with, most of them live their whole life in villages anyway. They use identification doc.u.ments for the sake of external affairs, but it isn´t considered very important. That´s why it sucks. It is filled with loopholes.”

Al licked his lips. Among the many Al had been listing until now, the ID used in Rus.h.i.+tania was one among the candidates. During those same years he had been doing his listing, Al had been camouflaging himself as a defenseless youth. It was surprising, but the logic behind it was very simple.

“But I was very tense at the time I went through the gates. If I had done any misstep at that time… Well, I would be dead. But after I was able to get my credentials as a foreigner, all my worries and anxiousness were over. With that, I can finally stand at my starting line to the top!”

Havella gave an applause with an expressionless face.

Al indeed had done great. He was able to obtain something that it would definitely be impossible for a slave to reach out his hand.

“Al, you are wrong.”

However, all his miraculous exploits were gained by stepping over corpses.

“Kail, what´s been up with you? Don´t worry about other people. No matter how many of them die, they have nothing to do with us, you see.”

Havella nodded, agreeing to Al. If Havella had to say, she had the same opinion. To her, the demarcation that separated the ones she cared about from others was very clear; she didn´t care about other people.

Kail gave a sharp glare at her. Havella felt despondent.

“Hey, I didn´t really want to say that, but you know. Because you are a gladiator, you too should already have killed one or two people, right? Havella also had been stealing things. You´ve already done these kind of things. But even so, why is it that only me am to blame? Don´t you think you saying that is a bit inconsistent?”

Kail hanged his head. Seeing, Al snorted.

“…Yes, that´s right. No matter how much that is supposed to be your job, this is definitely something that can´t be forgiven just because of that reasoning. Someday, I will receive my retribution, and probably so will Havella. That´s what karma is.”

Al started to feel gooseb.u.mps. The air around Kail had completely changed.

“But I only wished that you wouldn´t need to enter in this world. You became free after all. I wished you could succeed the bookstore and keep living your life in a honest way!”

Kail moved his hand to the sword at his waist. The instant the blade could be seen out of its scabbard, it became filled with killing intent.

“It´s still not too late. You should live honestly while redeeming for your sins. I was too late to stop you, but there is still time left. This ID… You should use it to live a new and honest life.”

Kail still wished that Al would give up on his ideas. It wasn´t possible to receive punishment by the laws anymore. No matter what arguments one was to present, he would definitely still receive death penalty. That´s why Kail wasn´t going to irresponsibly open his mouth about it. However, he at least wanted Al to repent for his crimes in his heart.

“Jokes, I´ve just started. I will use anything I can! I won´t take any round-about ways; I will crawl up to the top while trampling everything!”

The moment Kail heard that, he drew his sword. In order to put down silly ideas, sometimes it was necessary to use force. It was because Al was his friend that he was going to do it.

Al was trembling. The aura Kail was exerting was completely different from the one at the times he would practice with him. Al had never seen a s.h.i.+nigami before, but even so, he started to a.s.sociate it to how Kail was right now.

“Then so it will be, but until I put a stop to it. I will use my sword. You won´t die… but it will hurt.”

“Stop it, Kail. There is no reason for us to fight.”

Havella tried to stop Kail.

“It´s alright, Havella. I am a bit angry too anyway. You´ve always been scolding me in the high horse… Until when are you intending on act like you are my big brother or something!?”

Declining Havella´s calls, Al also drew his sword. It was a sword from Rus.h.i.+tania that was forged by Willian´s father. It was a masterpiece that is rarely seen.

“It´s a nice sword. Did you steal it too?”

“Yes, it is a little parting gift Willian-kun left for me. You won´t want to face this sword, Kail!”

Al tried to threaten Kail.

“So what?”

A crus.h.i.+ng feeling of calmly being looked down at from a high place a.s.saulted Al. There wasn´t anyone that suited being called someone that does things by force more than Kail. Besides, in terms of experience, Al also couldn´t compare with him. This was the strength of the man called Kail.

“It won´t be my fault if you end up dying!”

Raising his sword overhead, Al charged at Kail. For someone that used to be buried in books, this was a very sharp move. It had rationality backing up those movements, and in addition, there were minute details in the movements. It was a swordplay that matched with Al´s personality. However…

“Don´t worry…. You won´t be able to kill me.”

With the speed that surpa.s.sed Al´s reflexes by far…

“Gh, ha!?”

…Kail hit Al´s stomach with the side of the sword. It had been only one hit, however, the amount of raw strength in Kail´s attack was something of a different level. Being made to yield to the superior swordplay, Al was sent flying to a wall. Even Kail´s techniques were in a higher level. (TL note: By saying the side of the sword, I meant the flat part of the blade^^)

“Give up. You still can start it over.”

“Shut uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!”

Standing up, Al once again faced Kail. He himself was exceptional. He was going to stand on the top.

“This is of no use.”

Such blind confidence collapsed.

As Al was heading towards him, Kai hit him without any mercy. Making the difference between their strength become clear, Kail was. .h.i.tting Al with the side of his sword. In terms of the strength of the blow and techniques used, doing this would make a great handicap for Kail. But even so, Al couldn´t touch Kail despite that. Even if Havella tried to stop them, neither Kail nor Al were able to stop.

“Stop it.”

Havella was crying. Her expression didn´t change. But even so, tears were falling from her eyes.

“How about we stop it already? Havella is crying. We two wish you to be happy. We wish you can live your life in a proper way. Please, understand this, my friend.”

Kail seemed like he was about to break in tears. While looking Al, who was lying on the ground, he felt his eyes swaying in pity.

“Stop, kidding, me.”

But even so, Al stood up and pointed his sword to Kail.

“Be happy? Live honestly? Stop kidding me, stop kidding me, stop kidding me!”

Al was roaring. Those screams were coming from the depths of his heart.

Raising his sword, he thrust his sword at Kail. At that instant, Kail could only block the attack.

Both had their sword locked onto each other.

“Who was the one to steal from us first!? Who were the people that stole all from us!? Is there any reason for us to leave them all alone and just sit through!? We need to kill them all. The guy that killed nee-san, the ones that sold her to him, and the society, who allowed this to happen; we need to kill all of them! Where is happiness supposed to be in this world!? Will you resurrect nee-san? Kail!?”

Throwing a tantrum as if to argue his way through, Al started to act frantically. Those feelings that had been confined since that day now exploded.(TL note: Better way to phrase up this line?駄々をこねるようにがむしゃらに打ち込む .-.)

Kail could only block the attacks. He couldn´t do anything but block them. Parrying Al´s sword, Kail once again hit him with the side of his sword. With his skill, it was possible for Kail to kill Al, but there was no way he could kill Al, who was his friend. (TL note: “Couldn´t do anything but block” in the sense that Kail couldn´t do anything to help his friend, but only block his attacks.)

“If you can´t do it yourself, then don´t try to stop me. Don´t deny my life. I only have you two left. You know what happened with nee-san… Please, don´t deny me.”

Al broke in tears. It was as if that day five years ago had come back to him. A child was now the one standing there.

“Al, you…”

For the first time, Kail saw Al´s inner feelings. His heart was solely set on revenge. It was filled with the feeling of revenge, and Al could do anything for that sake; that was what Al´s life became. Perhaps, there wasn´t anything inside him other than his resentments remaining.

“If you are going to deny me, then kill me. Kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me!”

Because of how straight-forward it was, there was nothing it could be done. To Al, his sister was everything. There was only a little s.p.a.ce for the two of them. All Al pretty much had in his life was his sister, so it can´t be helped that he wants to have revenge.

“If you kill Al, I won´t forgive you.”

Havella took out a dagger from somewhere and pointed it to Kail.

“We are friends… aren´t we?”

After Havella´s words, Kail could only lower down his sword. Even if he was to say anything, it wouldn´t change anything. Even with Al in face of death, Kail wasn´t able to stop him. Kail couldn´t kill his friend.

“Al, I won´t accept this. However, I can´t stop you now.”

Kail sheathed his sword. He went back to the usual Kail. With a expression of resignation in his face, Kail was pondering about something.

Seeing that, Al made a relieved face.

“I will do my best so that Kail can accept me. We are friends after all”

Al´s words didn´t correspond to his true intents at all. Even if both knew about each other´s false intentions in their words, neither of them could do something about it. Even if Al died, he wouldn´t change his mind. Kail also couldn´t kill his best friend. And also, the two of them were close friends after all.

“So, what will you be doing from now on?”

Al´s face became bright once Kail said those words. After also sheathing his sword himself, he once again looked at Kail.

“That´s right. Ah, right…. As to be expected, I guess I need to go to wars in the beginning if I really want to make fame for myself. That was the reason why I got this third cla.s.s citizen ID. I am going to volunteer to the army and go to the frontlines. There, I will get achievements and build a foothold for my rise.”

Al looked at the two with a sad face. By going to the frontlines, he won´t be able to meet them for some time. Depending on the situation of the war, he might not be able to come back for years.

“I see. All I can say is: don´t die. All I can tell you is for keep living.”

“Good luck, Al. We will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you, you two. I will do my best.”

The three were good friends. However, even so, it wasn´t possible for them to understand each other. Even in the cases they were able to do so, there were still things that couldn´t be touched.

“Also, Al. That swordplay from before wasn´t bad.”

Al made a sulky face.

“You say that even though you easily beat me.”

Kail put his hands on Al´s head and started to mess up his hair.

“It´s because I am strong. Still, your skill is quite a bit for the battlefield standards, skinny-kun.”

“Stop it, let me go!”

“Gahaha, as if.”

“…Fufu.”

“”Havella smiled!?””

They went back to the three. The three of them knew that this was only in the surface. But even so, it was exactly because it was only in the surface that the three of them valued it. It was because they knew that this wouldn´t last forever…

“Either way, don´t die, Al.”

“I know that, Kail.”

Al was going on a journey. A journey to rise to the top.

Today was the turning point. If Kail had to stop Al, today was the only day it would be possible to do so now. Kail was going to regret his decisions in the future. He would regret it to the point of wis.h.i.+ng he had stopped Al even if he had to cut his arms and legs. Rather, Kail should have stopped Al much earlier, when the karma still wasn´t weighing down onto him.

However, there are no “ifs” for the past that already happened.

Al went forward. Even if his path was to be soaked in blood, he wouldn´t stop.