"That is not a punishment."
Soroko stated pointedly. He did not wish to condemn Momochi too heavily, but no matter how he looked at it, the two men in front of him were not being punished. They were being offered an opportunity that normal people could only dream of having, and for what? For committing murder on their holy steps.
"For these men it is, they have a mission, you see."
Momochi explained.
Kuraka looked back and forth from him to Soroko venomously, unable to believe that the other monk was genuinely considering Momochi's decision.
"Step forward."
Soroko spoke, ordering Gengyo and Kitajo forward.
Reluctantly, Gengyo did as he said. He held no trust for their cryptic reasonings – talk of light and dark and other such religious dealings, they were not something he wished to involve himself in.
