"..."
"For example, stall for time. Do everything you can to stall for time."
Chijie was merely insane, not stupid.
"If what you were protecting has already met with misfortune, then you should learn to endure and wait for the right moment, shouldn't you? Otherwise, besides you, who else will remember the people or things you wanted to protect? Throwing your life away meaninglessly... is not what a wise person would do."
"...I was never a wise person."
Chijie gritted his teeth as he said that.
It carried a certain "I am but a barbarian" sentiment, but... Chijie still forcibly suppressed his fighting spirit.
"Mm... so things like 'daring to be the first under heaven' suit you better, Chijie."
"So you mean risking my life for something meaningful?"
"...That really is a simple and brutal interpretation." Liu Bai glanced at Aponia.
Aponia lowered her head in silence. She was now deeply ashamed of having failed in Chijie's upbringing.
—But actually, Liu Bai was surprised that Aponia had taught him quite well. Chijie had actually understood everything he said.
[Chijie Favorability: 20→30]
...No, why was the favorability of a character who looked incredibly difficult to win over rising so quickly and by such a huge amount?
"This subordinate has acted improperly."
Seeing Chijie relax, Jingliu sheathed her blade and apologized to Liu Bai.
"Tch." Chijie made an unhappy sound—clearly, although Liu Bai had successfully stopped him, Chijie still wanted to fight.
"Is Brother Chijie really this obedient?"
Pardo curiously whispered into Aponia's ear.
"...Chijie has always been very obedient."
Aponia spoke an honest truth that went somewhat against her heart.
The honest part was that Chijie truly was "obedient." At the sanatorium, he diligently carried things and did odd jobs.
The part that went against her heart was... Aponia