Inheritance Beyond Time and Space (22)

After learning of Hilliard's death, the knight, whose expression had once faintly revealed madness, now seemed hollowed out entirely, calm and empty. "I came here intending to kill him, to take something from his hands as the first step of my struggle—or die by that old man's hand and bring my ridiculous life to an end."

"I never thought... the commander would simply die like this."

"What right did he have to die like this?!"

The previously calm Patrol Knight suddenly roared. He shouted furiously, "Didn't he tell you the truth? Didn't he tell you what happened during the Dark Moon Turmoil?!"

"Ian, you unlucky bastard—you inherited that old man's legacy, but did he not tell you even a single thing about what mattered most? His life's experiences, his glorious past, his beliefs and dreams, the goal that should have been passed down above all else?!"

He did not care at all about the legacy of the Immovable Fortress in Ian's hands, nor the Extreme Domain research materials. From beginning to end, Weges had only wanted to know one answer.

—What exactly had Hilliard and Inaga II done to meet such an end?

And...

—What, exactly, had Hilliard chosen such an end for?

"Nothing more than going Above the High Heavens."

The youth replied calmly, "He didn't need to tell me. I would do it anyway. He didn't need to explain it to me. I can understand it myself."

"That is why I am the disciple he chose. And you, Weges—you are unworthy."

"Above the High Heavens..."

The Patrol Knight froze. He repeated the words. The knight, who looked rather young on the outside, raised his head and looked toward the sky now filled with night.

He could not see the stars. Who could understand that? Terra's dim night sky