Jircniv fell silent.
He knew that Higashino Makoto was right.
Although workers and adventurers are not directly governed by the Baharuth Empire, the Baharuth Empire can control them through guilds, laws, and money.
As long as the Baharuth Empire issues an order prohibiting anyone from exploring the ruins within the Re-Estize Kingdom's territory, and provides sufficient justification—
Or a sufficient threat--
Most people will listen.
I will.
He finally said.
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"That's good."
The two remained silent for a moment.
Illya stood behind Higashino Makoto, her long silver-white hair shimmering with golden light in the sunlight, her crimson eyes looking at Jircniv, his face reflected in her pupils.
Jircniv noticed the gaze, turned around, and looked at her.
"Is this your sister?"
"Well, I guess so."
Higashino Makoto didn't deny it; isn't a younger sister still a younger sister?
She seemed very quiet.
"That's just an appearance; she's actually very lively."
Jircniv looked at Illya for two seconds, then looked away.
"Mr. Higashino, I have one last question."
"Explain."
"That 'back Garden,' that human race nation you mentioned, how do you plan to manage it?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"In spite of."
"In spite of?"
"In spite of."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"The flowers in the Garden will grow on their own. I don't need to water them, fertilize them, or remove pests every day. I just need to give them a helping hand when they're about to die."
"Would you lend a hand to the Baharuth Empire?"
Higashino Makoto looked at him.
Do you need it?
Jircniv remained silent for a long time.
He was thinking.
The question is not whether it is necessary, but what "need" means.
"At least not for now."
He finally said.
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"That's good."
Jircniv stood up and put his hood back on.
"Mr. Higashino, I apologize for bothering you today. Thank you for your honesty."
"You're welcome."
Jircniv turned and walked toward the door. After a few steps, he stopped but did not look back.
"Mr. Higashino."
"Um."
"You said you're neither a good person nor a bad person. But I think you're better than most good people."
He stepped out of the hotel.
The door closed behind him.
Higashino Makoto sat in the chair, staring at the closed door, and remained silent for a long time.
"Big brother."
Illya's voice came from behind.
"Um."
Was the emperor praising you?
I feel like I'm being insulted.
I think it's a compliment.
Higashino Makoto remained silent.
He picked up his teacup and took a sip of the now-cold black tea.
In the distance, Jircniv's figure disappeared at the end of the street.
Illya walked over to Higashino Makoto and sat down, her long, silvery-white hair falling over her shoulders.
"Big brother."
"Um."
Do you think Ainz will listen to you?
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Have no idea."
What if he doesn't listen?
"We'll talk about it later."
Illya looked at him, a certain light gleaming in her crimson eyes.
"Big brother, you don't seem too worried?"
"Because I'm worried it won't be of any use."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Ainz isn't a good person, but he's not a bad person either. Many of the things he did weren't things he wanted to do, but things he felt he had to do, things he should do."
He paused.
"So, I don't need to persuade him not to kill. I just need to tell him that the human community is my Garden, and it's fine to pick a few flowers occasionally, as long as he doesn't destroy the whole Garden."
Illya tilted her head.
"And what about his men? Those unruly kids?"
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Those brats... indeed. Albedo, Demiurge, Shalltear... they're all intelligent, capable, and loyal. But they're too loyal. Loyal enough to do anything for Ainz, including things Ainz wouldn't want them to do."
"What should we do then?"
"I don't know at the moment."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"But there's always a way."
He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.
Illya walked to his side, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming golden in the sunlight.
"Big brother."
"Um."
No matter what happens, I will be by your side.
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"I know."
Illya smiled. It was an innocent and radiant smile, her crimson eyes sparkling with joy.
Higashino Makoto reached out and patted her head.
Higashino Makoto spent his last few days in the Baharuth Empire much more leisurely than before.
It wasn't because he liked Baharuth Empire.
The Baharuth Empire is excellent—clean, orderly, and efficient, like a finely tuned machine.
But this kind of "goodness" carries a certain cold distance, making it impossible for people to truly relax.
He liked the Baharuth Empire, but he didn't love Baharuth Empire.
Just like he might like a good knife, but he wouldn't sleep with it in his arms.
Singing Apple Garden became his temporary stronghold.
Every morning, sunlight streams in through the window and falls on his face. He opens his eyes, lies in bed for a while in a daze, then gets up, washes up, and goes downstairs for breakfast.
The proprietress has already figured out his tastes--
The black tea should be strong, the bread slightly toasted, the fried egg cooked to medium-rare, and the bacon crispy.
She didn't know who the man was, but she knew he was a distinguished guest.
Because the Emperor had visited, the Four Imperial Knights had visited, and those usually high-ranking figures were all very polite to this man.
After breakfast, Higashino Makoto would sit at a table in the corner of the hall, drinking tea, reading, and daydreaming.
Illya sat opposite him, her long, silvery-white hair shimmering golden in the sunlight, her crimson eyes fixed on him as if she were looking at something she both loved and hated.
"Big brother."
"Um."
"You met up with Leinas again today?"
"Um."
"Night?"
"Um."
Illya's lips pressed into a thin line.
Higashino Makoto turned a page of his book without looking at her.
Illya stared at him for a long time, then lowered her head and continued eating her apple pie.
Apple pie is delicious, but today, she thinks it's a little sour.
Days passed by like this.
During the day, Higashino Makoto drinks tea, reads books, and teases Illya.
So-called flirting is actually quite simple.
When she's not looking, he'll reach out and ruffle her hair, pinch her cheek, and then withdraw his hand before she gets angry, continuing to read as if nothing happened.
"Big brother, that's enough!"
"Enough of what?"
You keep rubbing my head!
Your hair is very soft.
"That's still not allowed--"
"Knead it again."
"No—you're rubbing it again!"
Illya's face flushed red, her long silver hair was disheveled and draped over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes were wide open, like a cat that had been provoked.
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Big brother, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing."
You're clearly smiling!
"No."
"Have!"
"No."
"Have!"
Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair again.