An Extra’s POV

~I have incomplete information, so there's the possibility that you will be misguided and act on bias when you inevitably encounter him. I deduced you would eventually figure out that Adrien was here, and responsible for the demise of so many Elves, so I wanted you to witness it yourself and form your thoughts on them before hearing my report on the matter.~

"I don't think that's enough justification, though…" Rey responded to Ater with a harsh tone.

~Perhaps. But, I believe it would be preferable for you to confront Adrien without much of your preconceived notions—especially regarding the boy.~

"Are you telling me to trust him?!"

~No. But… give the opening for that trust.~

"What does that mean?"

~Have you ever sat down and listened to Adrien? Maybe if you did so, and the both of you conversed at length with as minimal biases as possible… the conversation could end up becoming very fruitful.~

"You want me to calmly converse with someone responsible for Mass Genocide?"

~....~

"Answer me, Ater!" Rey raised his voice a little higher than normal, and the calming effect swiftly took over and soothed him.

All of his growing anger and frustration with Ater instantly vanished.

~Master… do you truly believe that there is not a chance in the world that you could ever be in Adrien's position?~

"What?"

~Is there nothing that you would be capable of going to any lengths to accomplish… even if it meant taking the side of Monsters?~

"...." It was now Rey's turn to be silent.

He creased his brow and thought hard about what Ater was implying.

~You killed the members of the Underworld back then because you determined them to be a danger to the United Human Alliance. What if you found out the Elves were the same?~

"But they're not!"

am saying is that Adrien must at least have a reason for doing what he is doing. It all hinges on the

you want me to give him the benefit of the doubt

be

his frown slowly dissipating from his

sympathetic role

could push him to the edge. When he faced The Oracle, he actually even considered

Rey finally

very much,

that mean he is aware

don't need to worry about that, Master.

"Ah… okay."

**************

going on in the Capital, and how it was being handled—Rey

constant rollercoaster that it was a chore just to keep

at him at such an absurd

everything off and eliminate all the fatigue that

~Master…~

over him like

and she serenity of

her, this

~Hey… Emil~

fright. Her jelly-like body danced as she screeched, turning back

her. No one else was in

~Over here, Emil…~

her attention drawn

facial feature of any kind, her sour mood was obvious from the way she

you want, Ater?~ She recognized the voice, and she also knew the only one who could reach

was certain it

~How cold, Emil…~