"So troublesome..."
After a round of verbal sparring, the bartender finally took double compensation and returned backstage with a bewildered look on his face, preparing drinks while also getting ready to clean up the mess that had just been made.
"Whew—!"
After draining the contents of his glass in one gulp, the numbing effect of the alcohol noticeably dispelled some of the deathly despondency surrounding Kalle. He even seemed rather approachable now.
"What do you think of this city?"
I thought you went through all that trouble to find me for something important, and this was what you wanted to ask?
"Not bad."
He thought of the passerby who had apologized after bumping into him earlier, the construction workers who had patiently warned him, and the bartender who had bravely stepped in just now. The people here had standards comparable to the "hero game" world Primum had fabricated, leaving Ash with a genuinely good impression.
"Though everyone here was actually dragged in by you people. Hmph! At least it's better than the last time, when you almost used the people you captured as sacrifices for a cleansing."
"Stop talking about that. That was Dust's decision alone."
As Kalle gestured for the bartender to clean up later and fill his glass first, he spoke with an irritated expression.
"You have no idea how furious Light was when he found out that nearly happened. He was so angry he almost changed from a Giant of Light into a Reionics."
"You sure were quick to wash your hands of all responsibility."
"Say whatever you want."
"Then why was he so different from you?"
"Because he was a perfect creation that possessed all of your memories, whether beautiful or painful."
Kalle let out a soft sigh. It was impossible to tell whether he was