The ferocious wind howled, sweeping across the moving Hayajiro and engulfing its roof in a tempestuous storm, shaking it with tremendous force.
Amidst this chaotic scene, Mumei stood on the Hayajiro's roof, straddling Fang Li's body. Her grip on a kunai tightened as she held it threateningly against Fang Li's neck, her eyes burning with an intense fury directed at him.
The world seemed to freeze at that moment, and all other sounds faded into oblivion. Only Fang Li and Mumei existed, locked in their respective positions, their gazes fixed upon one another. Fang Li wore a calm expression, unfazed by Mumei's anger radiating from her entire being.
As the initial shock of the sudden attack subsided, the cold touch of the blade pressing against his neck became more pronounced.
Despite the proximity of Mumei's beautiful face, Fang Li seemed unaffected and offered a faint smile as he spoke, "I never expected you to come looking for me. You've saved me the trouble of finding you."
His words carried an air of casualness and it was as if he were greeting an old friend, completely out of sync with the tense atmosphere surrounding them.
Naturally, Fang Li's nonchalant demeanor only served to further fuel Mumei's rage, leaving her in a state of disarray. "Answer my question!" She shouted, her voice resonating loudly. "Why would you do something like this?!"
Fang Li maintained his unwavering expression and calm tone as he replied, "What do you mean? Are you referring to my opposition to your so-called Ani-Sama? Or the actions that led to the downfall of the entire Hunters?"
"Both," Mumei couldn't help but tighten her grip on the kunai, pressing it closer to Fang Li's neck. Her voice lowered to a menacing growl as she demanded, "Tell me why!"
Fang Li's response was concise, devoid of any remorse. "No reason," He stated. "They wanted to kill me, so I returned the favor. Isn't that reason enough?"
"You…?!" Mumei's delicate face contorted with a mix of emotions and she could no longer contain her anger.
Suppressing her fury, Mumei continued with a hint of desperation as she contained her anger, "Because of your actions, everyone died. How can you remain so calm?!"
Fang Li fell silent upon hearing her words. Indeed, many lives had been lost due to his actions. Regardless of the fact that those individuals had sought his demise or that Fang Li's desire for revenge seemed justified, the undeniable truth that he had killed many people still remained.
For a student who had never taken a life before, it was unfathomable for him to remain so composed after committing such deeds.
But that was Fang Li.
A person incapable of experiencing emotions toward 'Death'.
In response to Mumei's words, Fang Li offered a chilling explanation that pierced her heart. "They are dead. That's all," He coldly stated. "Believe me when I say this that the number of lives they would have taken would only continue to rise. You understand that better than anyone."
"Massacring the innocent may be labeled as evil by others," Fang Li continued, his words devoid of remorse. "But killing those people… I don't consider it an evil act at all. Because compared to me, their hands are undoubtedly stained with a lot more blood, not less and that includes your Ani-Sama."
Mumei's heart skipped a beat, her composure shaken by Fang Li's words.
Unyieldingly, Fang Li proceeded to unravel Mumei's perception of her revered Ani-Sama. "In fact, you already knew the kind of person Amatori Biba was, yet you blindly idolized him as Ani-Sama, refusing to acknowledge his sins," He stated, his gaze piercing into Mumei's eyes as he spoke. "But I understand why you did so. You're just a child, unable to discern right from wrong. Anyone can see that. However, it's time for you to wake up, isn't it?"
Mumei's voice trembled as she mustered the strength to refute Fang Li's claims. "Th-that's not true!" She almost couldn't help but speak up. "Ani-Sama is a hero! He has no sins!"
Fang Li's smirk widened, his penetrating gaze seemingly able to unravel Mumei's inner thoughts. He locked eyes with her and spoke deliberately, his words piercing through her defenses. "Do you truly believe that?" he challenged.
"I refuse to believe that you have never questioned Amatori Biba's actions," Fang Li continued, his voice steady. "Let's consider, for instance, when Amatori Biba killed his own comrades."
Mumei's breath caught in her throat. It was a visceral reaction that only occurred when her deepest secrets were touched upon.
"If you're unwilling to admit it to yourself, then let me enlighten you," Fang Li's tone remained calm, almost detached from everything as he spoke. "Amatori Biba is not a hero in any sense. A true hero would never mercilessly slaughter their own comrades. Yet, Amatori Biba did so without the slightest hesitation, simply because his comrades were deemed disposable and were hindering his progress."
Having delved into the intricacies of the original story, Fang Li was privy to a certain event that haunted Mumei.
It was an operation conducted by the Hunters to exterminate the Kabane. During that time, one of Mumei's companions, a fellow Hunter, sought her assistance after sustaining severe injuries.
However, instead of extending a helping hand, their comrade, a Samurai, callously ended their life with a single bullet to the heart.
This untold tale remained buried in the depths of Mumei's heart, shaping her values under the influence of Amatori Biba.
"…They died because they were weak," Mumei gritted her teeth, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ani-Sama made it clear: 'Survival in this era belongs only to the strong, and the weak have no privilege to survive. Only the strong can live.'"
That was why Mumei was so unyielding in her fight against the Kabane. The young girl refused to succumb to weakness and be forsaken. Although a faint desire to reclaim her lost humanity flickered deep within her heart, it was overshadowed by this new value.
"That's right, they died because they were too weak!" Mumei exclaimed, her eyes blazing with conviction. "They died because of their weakness, and that's the harsh reality!"
Fang Li's laughter erupted, filling the air with a bitter irony. Then, he spoke, his tone laced with a touch of biting sarcasm. "Well then, I am equally innocent here. Your so-called companions died because they were too weak, and that's all there is to it. They have no one to blame but themselves. Why are you questioning me?"
Mumei was utterly stunned, her words caught in her throat.
Fang Li's intense gaze never wavered as he continued, his words cutting through the silence. "Having convictions is commendable," he stated, his voice unwavering. "But if your convictions fail to convince even yourself, what right do you have to persuade others?"
His words left Mumei speechless, and the kunai held against Fang Li's neck gradually shifted away.
However, at that precise moment, Fang Li's pupils contracted and a sign of alarm rose in his heart. He noticed another figure silently approaching them from behind Mumei.
"Pū Chī!"
The sound of tearing fabric sliced through the air.
…