While Xiao Ran spoke and reflected on the bridge, another conversation was taking place in Bian's office on Hades Island. Shirakawa Shuu, Sanger, and Elsam stood before Bian's desk, speaking with him. Of the four men in the vast office, only Bian sat in his chair; the other three all stood across from him.
Shirakawa Shuu looked relaxed, though he occasionally rubbed his head. The mental impact from earlier had clearly not been insignificant. Sanger had naturally suffered the same effect, but his ramrod-straight posture and calm expression gave no indication that anything was wrong.
Elsam stood slightly behind the other two. Although he had not spoken with Xiao Ran, he had talked with Sanger before coming to Bian's office. He had heard Sanger's thoughts on the exchange and understood what Sanger had experienced, so he remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
Bian sat in his chair and looked at Sanger and Shirakawa Shuu across the desk. "Tell me. What do you think of this 'exchange'?"
Shirakawa Shuu glanced at Sanger, smiled faintly, and shrugged, indicating that Sanger should speak first. Though the two knew each other, they were not actually that familiar at present.
Sanger nodded and spoke directly. "Incredible. The only word I can use to describe it is incredible. I never imagined that people could communicate like this. No language was needed, nor were any actions. During the exchange, both sides' thoughts and aspirations were almost completely open, allowing each side to understand the other's most fundamental thoughts. The moment you sensed them, you knew their thoughts were real."
"Kindness or malice could not be concealed. The most fundamental and purest thoughts in one's heart could not be concealed. You could even sense his mood, parts of his past. Expressions, eyes, movements, and actions could all deceive