'If you had a strong sense of justice, you would surely want to destroy this refinery immediately out of hatred.'

In truth, I don’t particularly hate this refinery. Human hatred is directed at humans alone. People who get angry at objects are fools—wasting energy on something meaningless. Those who burn with hatred against a nation are idiots, using up their emotions without even knowing what a nation truly is.

In fact, they are all searching for the humans behind it all… Just like I am.

'Destroying the facility and freeing the laborers is the most common choice.'

Regardless of my personal feelings, for now, I follow Jiekhrund’s script. I turned to the Regressor and Historia, who had brought me here as Jiekhrund had planned.

"Let’s destroy this place immediately! If we tear down this symbol of the Military State’s sins and free the laborers, the Military State will suffer a massive blow!”

‘However, anyone who knows the truth of this refinery wouldn’t agree with that proposal.’

Jiekhrund’s script continued to flow seamlessly. The stage he chose provoked a universal sense of anger, and the actors he cast were all moving according to his intentions.

“Hurry! There’s no reason to hesitate!” I urged.

The Regressor, clearly uncomfortable with this place, hesitated at my suggestion.

“Destroy it? Here? Now?”

“Why not now?”

“At this point in time, this alchemic steel refinery is a prison for the worst criminals. Everyone here is a convict.”

In the future that the Regressor had seen, it might hold more than just dangerous criminals. After all, the Military State had been pushed to the brink. But right now, the refinery was only filled with those who had committed the worst crimes. Many of them had done things so heinous that one could question whether they’d even be able to pay for their sins in hell.

An officer who tested new weapons on innocent civilians. A woman who kidnapped children to drain their blood, hoping to become a vampire. A fool who seized control of a conglomerate and hired thugs to build a private army, reigning over people like a king. These criminals were unforgivable, and even offering them a chance at rehabilitation would be unjust. The refinery was a legal hell, designed to bring these criminals unimaginable pain.

“But still! No matter how heinous their crimes, this method is wrong!”

“So what’s your solution? You can’t just let them go without any consequences.”

This led, as expected, to a disagreement with me—another part of Jiekhrund’s carefully written script.

'The Musketeer would never allow these people to go free. Some of them are probably her direct captures. The action she will take is already clear.'

“There’s one way,” Historia interjected as the Regressor and I fell into silence, each pondering our next move.

‘A simple solution to resolve all concerns: kill them all. These people have already been sentenced to death, and the Musketeer has the authority to carry out summary executions.’

“The laborers are controlled by chains connected to bio-terminals. And just in case they ever try to revolt, there’s a device prepared for that.”

“A device made by the Military State to handle a rebellion by the laborers? That doesn’t sound promising.”

“…It’s a device to carry out delayed executions.”

In short, she meant to activate the device and kill everyone here.

While everyone was shocked by the sheer scale of what she suggested, Historia had already started walking ahead.

'The Musketeer has a limited sense of self-preservation. She will protect those within the boundaries she sets for herself, but those outside are easily discarded. The refinery laborers are clearly outside her boundaries. To the Musketeer, the laborers in the alchemic steel refinery are not worth saving.'

So Historia decided that they should all be killed.

Just as I was about to angrily follow Jiekhrund’s script, the Regressor was the first to express discomfort.

“You mean to kill them all? That many people?”

“The laborers here are all Level 5 felons, already sentenced to death. They have no chance of rehabilitation, and even if they did, I wouldn’t allow it. The Military State is just using them before they turn into corpses. If you knew what crimes these people had committed, Huey, you’d want to tear them apart with your own hands.”

I don’t particularly care, but with crimes like that, they’re certainly not getting out alive. If we were back in the kingdom, wandering knights—those who call themselves “execution knights”—would have dueled them in broad daylight under the guise of justice, killing them in a very brutal fashion. The citizens would cheer, and their heads would be proudly displayed.

I don’t know which is better, but still…

The Regressor grumbled.

“But even so, killing them all seems a bit much.”

“Even for you, who wants to prevent a war, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Sure, they could survive for a while with their stockpile of alchemic steel, but without any additional supply, they wouldn’t be able to wage a prolonged war. Sure, they can restore the facility, but… dead people can’t be restored.”

“Ugh. That’s true, but…”

'Whatever conclusion you all reach, eventually you’ll head to the core control room.'

The conversation hadn’t reached any concrete decision. Growing bored with the back-and-forth, Tyr, who had been silently observing, finally intervened to break the deadlock.

[This conversation is going nowhere. If you all have so much time to spare, I could wait for millennia. But weren’t you all in a hurry? Let’s move before wasting any more time.]

Tyr turned to look at Carrafald.

[Guide!]

At Tyr’s call, Carrafald, who had been silently holding his breath, suddenly remembered his role as our guide and responded quickly.

“Uh, y-yes, me?”

[Lead us. That’s your job.]

“Yes, of course! I’ll guide you to the control room!”

'Good actors, indeed. I’m glad last night’s rewritten script wasn’t in vain.'

Thanks for the compliment. You’re quite the scriptwriter yourself. Your observations on humans are impressive.

'Hmm, but if the roles aren’t vacant, I can’t participate in the play, can I? That would be no fun. I think I’ll split the group up a bit.'

As Carrafald prepared to lead us deeper inside, he paused and glanced worriedly at the Princess and Shiati.

“Um, Your Highness, it would be best if you stayed behind to secure the retreat. I’ll take care of things inside.”

The Princess, who had been shrinking in fear at the screams echoing from all around, asked in disbelief.

“Secure the retreat? Are you asking me to stay here… alone?”

“No, you can watch from outside. It’s just that… well, the interior might be… not suitable for you to see.”

Carrafald hesitated, unsure how to explain himself. He didn’t say it out loud, but it was clear what he meant. The interior held even worse horrors, and he was suggesting that the Princess wait outside for her own sake.

The Princess understood the implication.

“Carrafald, are you trying to keep me away because you’re worried I’ll be too shocked?”

“It’s not that, Your Highness! But someone needs to guard the retreat, and you’re the best suited for the task…”

'It’s better to keep the Princess away from danger. Someone who interferes with human emotions directly shouldn’t play a role in the drama. The real emotion comes from well-acted performances on a properly set stage. As for the Princess… I’ll leave her to the machines.'

The Princess was about to insist on going along with us when a terrible scream echoed through the refinery. Terrified, she shrank back, clearly unsettled.

The Regressor shook his head.

“Whether we destroy this place or not, there’s no role for the Princess here. There’s no enemy to fight, so your abilities won’t be needed.”

Sorry, but you’re wrong. I bet there’s an enemy hidden in the core. That’s why Jiekhrund wants to keep the Princess away.

But Jiekhrund’s performance was so smooth that no one, aside from me, suspected anything. Even if I exposed him, no one would believe me.

After all, it would be strange for me to be the one suspecting him. Even Shiati, who had been with him much longer than I had, didn’t notice. So how could I? Revealing my telepathy wasn’t an option either.

“…Well then, I’ll leave it to you…” the Princess finally conceded as everyone nodded in agreement.

As they confirmed their decision, I put on a sorrowful expression.

“…Tyr, Shay. I’m sorry. Could I step out for a moment as well?”

Tyr glanced at my pale face and asked, concerned.

[Hue, you look pale. Are you all right?]

“Yes. It’s just… a matter of the heart. Whatever the outcome, I don’t think I can bear to watch.”

With a slightly downcast gaze and clenched fists, I looked like someone consumed by anger at the refinery’s blasphemous horrors.

Tyr seemed puzzled by my change in demeanor but, seeing no harm in it, nodded understandingly.

[You’ve been running non-stop until now. Unlike a tireless vampire, you might need some rest.]

“Thank you, Tyr. By the way… where’s *"Aji gone?”

The Princess pointed behind us.
“Aji stopped right there at the door and hasn’t come inside since.”
“I noticed there hadn’t been any barking…”

Turning around, I saw Aji hesitating at the door, glancing inside but refusing to take a step further. It was as if there was an invisible barrier holding her back. Every time a laborer groaned in pain, Aji bared her teeth, growling uneasily.

To Aji, who was sensitive to human emotions, this place must have seemed like a living hell, with countless humans being tortured in real-time.

“Well, I couldn’t leave Aji alone anyway. This works out. I’ll stay outside and keep watch with her.”

The Regressor gave a casual nod of approval.
“Sure, go ahead. I didn’t sense any danger outside earlier. And honestly, we don’t need your power for simple destruction. Just wait outside—we’ll handle this quickly.”

With the Regressor’s permission, I hid my discomfort and quickly headed out, as if I couldn’t wait to get away from the refinery.

'I've separated them—the Princess and the strategist. Perfect roles. If I play the strategist’s part, we’ll have quite the show.'

I agree. If you take my place, it’ll make for an entertaining scene. But I’ll also prepare a stage for you. It wouldn’t be fair if you hogged all the spotlight, right?

Clang. The heavy steel door of the alchemic steel refinery shut behind me, sealing off any gaps. I reached out and petted Aji. She was still growling, clearly disturbed by the atmosphere.

“Hey… Huey, sir?”
“Yes? What is it?”

As I soothed Aji, I gave a small smile. The Princess hesitated, glancing at my face before asking.
“You just… suddenly seemed to change your expression. Did something amusing cross your mind?”
“Something amusing? After seeing that hellish scene, how could I find anything amusing?”
“S-sorry…! But, um, your eyes… they looked like they were smiling.”
“What do you know about my expressions?!”
“Eek!”

Smiling, huh? I was supposed to be angry.
Those people down there are heinous criminals who deserve to die. Humans have the right to judge other humans in the name of justice. Those who commit sins should be executed in the name of that justice.

But even criminals retain their dignity as humans. Even if they’re criminals, if they look human, they should be treated as such. That’s only right.

It’s funny, though.
“Isn’t it ironic, Your Highness? These people are bound to die, and yet, just because they’re suffering in chains, we feel pity for them.”

“That… may be true. But if they are to be executed, it should be done properly, through a fair trial, with everyone witnessing their sins and their final moments. This… this is just too much! Chaining them up and exploiting them like cattle…”

The Princess clenched her fists and trembled with anger. It was the first time in her life that she’d been exposed to such cruelty, to the raw malice of the Military State.

“Is there something wrong with treating them like cattle?”
“What are you saying?! Of course, there is! You can’t just treat people like that!”
“And why not? The Military State needs facilities like this, and they have the means to operate them.”
“Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should! There’s always a right way and a wrong way to do things. The failure to recognize that is why… why my parents…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence, so I did it for her.
“Well, your late parents certainly didn’t do a good job running the kingdom. They didn’t ruin it themselves, but it’s clear from experience that they weren’t exactly competent.”
“What?! That’s too harsh!”
“But it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Well… yes, but still! They were my parents, even if I never saw them! You could at least show some respect when speaking in front of me!”

I snickered as I climbed into the automaton carriage with Aji. The Princess, still fuming, naturally followed me inside.

'Really, he has no manners at all! I’m not one to nitpick over etiquette, but there’s not a shred of grace or consideration in him!'
“Just because something shouldn’t be said doesn’t mean it can’t be said.”

I started the automaton carriage. The engine rumbled as the wheels began turning, giving life to the vehicle once again. The carriage, which had been standing still, resumed its rhythmic movement.

The Princess, startled, spoke up.
“Wait, Huey? I thought you were going to stand watch? Where are you going?”
“Words are just sounds shaped by our mouths and tongues. Depending on how we pronounce them and arrange them, they can become things that shouldn’t be said.”

The carriage gradually picked up speed until it reached its maximum velocity. I steered it along the outer walls of the alchemic steel refinery. To my left, a seemingly endless gray concrete wall stretched on and on. The view repeated itself so much that it was hard to tell if I was moving forward or standing still.

“If something can’t be done, it should never be possible in the first place. But we have the ability to do it, don’t we?”
“I see… So, you’re saying that just because something can be done, it means it should be done?”

She caught on quickly. Sharp and intelligent. I could have a proper conversation with her.
“But that’s different. Doing something just because it can be done is barbarism, it’s a sin. The kingdom fell because they couldn’t distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be done.”

“You scolded me earlier, and now you’re blaming your parents?”
“They were my parents, so I’ll criticize them myself!”

The Princess, visibly upset, shouted before looking me straight in the eye and speaking firmly.
“Yes! The kingdom deserved to fall! There are things that can and can’t be done! The execution knights who once maintained order in the kingdom—they traveled the land to carry out justice and duel criminals, to uphold the rules. But over time, those duels turned into public executions that became more and more brutal. Innocent people were falsely accused and executed!”

“Well, that’s the fault of the corrupt knights, isn’t it?”
“But it was the kingdom of knights! The kingdom approved of them, the king—my parents—allowed them, and that’s why they were ultimately overthrown by the people!”

It’s a contradiction, or maybe an irony. The Princess’s words contained a slight flaw, and I carefully pointed it out.

“By your own argument, Your Highness, shouldn’t you welcome the existence of this refinery? Isn’t it better not to destroy it? Someday, this refinery won’t just imprison heinous criminals but will be used to capture anyone who opposes the Military State. And when that day comes, the state will collapse. So hooray for the Resistance, right?