"How was it? Did you get your answer?"
Number 0's voice came again, and only then did the Grenadiers realize they had returned from the sacred throne to that cart.
"...I never thought it would be like this..."
The Grenadier who had argued with Number 0 covered his face. He did not know how to face Number 0, nor the strange feeling in his heart.
"So, will you still choose death as atonement?"
"No... I have a new goal. I want to live. That is an ideal worth fighting for."
"Good."
Number 0 nodded. He knew that Aquila icon had to be useful somehow.
Grenadier 19 held a small golden flower in her hand. Against her black greatcoat and the dim interior, it looked utterly out of place.
"The Emperor... gave me a flower."
The Grenadiers turned to look at the golden flower in Grenadier 19's hand. They watched it quietly, without saying a word.
"This flower must be useful, just like the Aquila icon I wear. You must protect it well."
"Mm, I will."
Grenadier 19 tucked the golden flower into the inner lining of her greatcoat, over her heart. Unless she died, she would never let such a treasure be lost.
Number 0 turned his head and looked around. Realizing the black-robed people had returned, he hurriedly had everyone lie down and chained them back together with him.
Just as Number 0 finished all that and lay down on the cart, he saw the tightly shut doors open once more.
The black-robed group entered and pushed the cart away. Seeing the Krieg soldiers had given up struggling, the black-robed figures let out sinister chuckles.
"Heh heh heh, that's more like it. Struggle less, resist less, and everyone can finish sooner. Once we get you onto the trucks, we've