Iyeyasu brought this family into the warehouse.
He simply threw them onto the ground.
Then he continued kneeling before Artoria.
If their other companion saw him like this, she would certainly feel as though she no longer recognized him. But after experiencing something like that, who wouldn't undergo such a tremendous change?
Even Sayu, who had always worn a gentle smile, would become completely different.
Artoria glanced at the family, who had suffered little harm, and seemed somewhat surprised.
After all, Iyeyasu had been subjected to such cruel treatment.
Even if he didn't torture them in return, it wouldn't have been strange—or even entirely reasonable—for him to take some revenge.
But now.
None of them was missing an arm or a leg. They hadn't even been punched or made to spit blood.
"Don't you hate them?" Artoria asked.
"Hate them!" Iyeyasu lowered his head and spoke with tremendous weight. "But I hate myself even more, for so easily believing their disguise and being unable to protect even my companions! Compared to that, they're nothing more than insignificant dregs in this cruel world."
Iyeyasu still hated himself—or perhaps this world.
When he gained strength.
He suddenly realized.
Even killing this family wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't even dispel the hatred in his heart.
Artoria nodded slightly.
She understood Iyeyasu's feelings.
This was actually a good thing.
If he only saw this family as the target of his revenge, then the moment the mission was completed, no new wish—or rather, no true wish—would be born. At that level, there was no possibility of becoming a Chamber Member.
Artoria said nothing more. She merely turned her gaze toward the family huddled together on the floor.
If anyone else saw this scene, they would definitely believe that they were innocent.
The fearful and helpless