"Lin wasn't well-liked within Fire MOTH. His actions and beliefs caused most people to misunderstand him, so even with his outstanding record, he never became a leader or hero in everyone's eyes like Kevin did."
Elysia's smile remained unchanged. "That's obvious, isn't it? But thankfully, everyone was there for him."
"That's also the strangest part. Before joining Fire MOTH, Lin's convictions were all about the greater good—he was willing to sacrifice himself for humanity. Yet within Fire MOTH, because of everything I just mentioned, he gradually lost faith in humanity and even fell into despair, until finally..."
"'He betrayed humanity.'"
After Mei finished speaking, she stared at Elysia. The pink-haired girl brushed aside her bangs, then sighed—
"Mei, how could you think of Lin that way?"
"Isn't that the truth?"
"For the most part, what Mei said is true—his sacrifices for humanity, and the misunderstandings he suffered. But Lin never despaired of humanity from beginning to end, you know~ From the first time I met him, he believed in humanity without hesitation."
"But he killed humans, didn't he? And it happened when he 'betrayed' them."
"...That." Elysia lowered her head, no longer smiling. "Maybe it would be better to ask him directly~"
"It's precisely because he chose to avoid the subject that I came to ask you."
"Then I can't say anything either~ Lin and I made an agreement. As long as he doesn't reveal the truth, I can't tell anyone what happened back then."
In the end, she had still been brushed off.
Mei fell silent for a while and looked at Elysia, who smiled back at her. Both of them tacitly chose not to speak.
"One final question. What is Lin's Signet?"
Mei had seen Lin's Signet many times—the unforgettable emblem shaped somewhat like a clock. She had