"Oh, my dear, why are you so devoted to the word 'elegance'?"
After hearing Coleman's explanation, Ku'er Ya felt a little surprised and curious.
Wasn't killing supposed to be bloody?
Why was this man trying to make it elegant?
Even he only appreciated the final work of art.
As for the process, it didn't matter.
After all, there wasn't a single clean or beautiful thing about humans.
They ought to be grateful to have their broken bodies turned into dolls.
Cold and even arrogant at heart, Ku'er Ya had never thought there was anything good about humans.
Oh, no. Perhaps they did have their beautiful moments.
For instance, when they became stiff yet artistic dolls.
"Because killing is an elegant act in itself."
Coleman set down his teacup, a perfectly measured smile on his lips.
Noble and dignified.
Like a royal Earl.
Every gesture exuded arrogance.
He was very kind, and Coleman was willing to enlighten this lamb who had lost his way.
"You should have eyes that can recognize beauty. Don't look at beauty from only one side."
Colorful flowers and rainbows arcing high across the sky—that was beauty.
So were corpses that had met untimely deaths, yet wore smiles.
The blood-soaked ground and the strangely arranged bones.
Wasn't that beautiful, too?
Horrifying, bizarre.
But beautiful all the same.
Hope was beautiful.
Despair was beautiful, too.
Scenes of happiness inspired longing.
Desolate scenes were even more intoxicating.
Wasn't that so?
Once you stepped outside the world, you would see how beautiful everything was.
So why not try looking at the world from a different angle?
You might seem unusual, even utterly eccentric.
But if you thought about it that way, everything would look different.
For instance, in this shifting world, everyone else was muddleheaded.
Only you—only you were different.
You were awake. You stood above them.
Looking down upon the world.
In that moment, you and I would both be gods.
So why couldn't you appreciate everything those insects did?
"Sir, if you truly wish to break away from the so-called human collective, you should first try to affirm them."|endoftext|
Coleman spoke with meaning beneath his words. He knew exactly what this man was going through.
He was changing from an irrational madman into a rational one.
Coleman decided to give him a hand.
It was a transformation of thought.
He didn't mind having one more interesting kindred spirit.
Besides, wasn't helping a madman grow even more interesting?
Ku'er Ya frowned, unable to understand. "Why should I affirm the actions of a bunch of idiots?"
"No, no, my dear. You need to step outside it. How should I put this? For example, would you care how a colony of ants moved house? Would you care how two pigs fought? Would you care why birds flying toward the horizon attacked each other?"
You wouldn't, because those things didn't matter to you.
"If you really want to break away from this group, you should treat them as you would those inconsequential things."
As if luring him in, Coleman laughed freely.
His blood-red eyes glinted.
Like a demon staring at him.
Utterly wicked.
White hair, a perfectly measured smile.
Impeccable manners, politeness that put everyone at ease.
A kindly air about him.
A handsome face, with eyes that gleamed but never felt too intense.
Everything was just right.
Like an angel who had wandered into the human world.
Yet he whispered a demon's words in your ear.
"Give it a try. You won't lose anything. Who knows? You might feel more at ease."
Once you had left this great collective behind, you could look back and see how some of their actions were as ridiculous as a clown's.
Utterly incomprehensible.
Ku'er Ya's gaze grew momentarily clouded, but in the next instant, he came to his senses.
He licked his lips without thinking.
This kid...
Wasn't half bad.
Leaning back, he spoke with heartfelt admiration.
"Not bad, kid. You almost led me into a trap of faulty reasoning."
As he spoke, he clapped, his gaze full of appreciation.
The lazy middle-aged man had vanished, replaced by a face Coleman knew all too well.
It was the look shared by many madmen.
His eyes were bright, yet shadowed.
He smiled, yet remained warm and refined.
At first glance, Ku'er Ya seemed like a bold yet gentle gentleman.
At last, the dollmaker who revered the art of the human body began to take the child across from him seriously.
"Dear Mr. Coleman, congratulations. You passed the test. I believe it won't be long before you become an excellent speaker."
Sitting up straight, Ku'er Ya spoke with a smile.
"Please forgive my earlier rudeness. If you're willing, I think we can begin our exchange now."
Looking straight at the white-haired child across from him, Ku'er Ya treated him with a respect far beyond his years.
He smiled and spoke. "About your dollmaking, in exchange for my information on Nen Abilities."
Coleman smiled and nodded, then held out his hand.
"It's my pleasure to do business with you, Mr. Ku'er Ya. Please forgive my earlier rudeness as well. I hope we work well together."
Ku'er Ya held out his own hand and clasped the pale, slender one.
"Let's work well together."
Before you continue