The elevator stopped.
The doors slowly opened, and the light outside was much brighter than inside the elevator.
A straight stone passage led into the depths. At its end, the outline of a vast underground palace was visible.
Masamichi Yaga did not immediately step out of the elevator.
He stood where he was, his back to Wangchuan, his voice calm but carrying a distinct weight.
"I won't deny that I dislike the way those people do things."
"But disliking them is one thing. Taking it upon yourself to kill people is another."
"Jujutsu Society has its own rules and order."
"Even if that order has plenty of problems, it isn't something you alone can overturn and rewrite as you please."
He turned around and looked at Wangchuan.
"You've changed a lot lately."
"You used to do plenty of things that crossed the line, but at least you never went this far."
"But... now."
"When you mention those lives, you sound as casual as if you were talking about how many ants you stepped on today."
"That kind of change... I find it hard to imagine."
Wangchuan met his gaze, the smile still on his face.
He neither argued nor explained.
He merely thought of one thing.
I was never human to begin with.
I'm a demon.
I'm not on the path to becoming a demon. That's what I am by nature.
Those humans' lives and deaths really aren't much different from ants' to me.
I've stayed here, in this world, for so long, not because I love humanity.
But because this world is interesting. Interesting enough to make me willing to linger a little longer.
But he did not say any of that aloud.
He simply smiled at Masamichi Yaga.
"Don't worry, Principal Yaga."
"I know what I'm doing."
Masamichi