"The reason is that the mental disorder I suffer from, which is loneliness, does not afford me any feedback from society, nor do I need any feedback from social individuals."
"This is a typical symptom of many suffering from loneliness – they do not give or receive emotions, no response, no feedback."
"The most significant point in their symptoms is that they don't have the necessity to exchange emotions with others."
"So, what people often refer to, that so-called loners are amoral, is not accurate. The need for socio-humans to exchange emotions precedes the 'morality' that constrains each other to respond emotionally. Without the need, there is no morality."
"I do not participate in emotional exchange, thus naturally, I do not need to partake in societal rules. That's why from the beginning to the end, Shiller was never a social human."
Shiller gave a light sigh, took a sip from his water cup, wet his throat, and continued to say: "So next, let's talk about your second question of interest - why do I want to eat my own kind?"
Upon hearing Shiller speak this sentence so plainly, Bruce couldn't help but cover his eyes with his hand.
"Those with loneliness aren't devoid of feelings, it's just that, their mode of receiving and understanding emotions differ from ordinary people, but they too crave emotional stimulation- it is human nature."
"As I mentioned before, since I do not engage in emotional exchanges with any social humans, I cannot derive emotional stimulation from any ordinary person. Their attachment or fear or admiration means nothing to me."
"The way they exchange emotions is something I can't empathize with; thus, when I see them crying on the ground, it reminds me of pigs rolling in the mud, failing to meet my emotional needs."
"However, very fortunately, I am not an individual, but a class. In such a large world, there are always a few individuals similar to me, their emotional pattern is common to me, hence, I can derive the emotional stimulation I want from them."
"But we, who aren't herd animals, can't possibly establish a new system of emotional exchange, form new rules, and create a new society in order to meet our needs. That's something we cannot adapt to."
"The ways ordinary people use to understand each other have been tamed through social rules and laws. And I, being untamed, am more inclined to understand my peers in the most primitive way possible."
Shiller gave a light sigh. His tone didn't waver as he spoke, as dry as a lecture, but if one understood what he meant by every sentence, it would be horrifying.
"Appetite is a rather peculiar thing." Shiller shook his head slightly, revealing a smile as he spoke: "It's not hunger, it's not the body reminding you to get nutrients."
"Hunger will make people swallow everything in front of them, but appetite is the guard blocking the path of crazy gluttony. If something can't stimulate a human's appetite, they won't eat it even if their body is starving."
"Appetite is quite careful and restrained. In order for food to stimulate the taste buds and promote saliva secretion, it must give you the illusion of its taste through color, shape, smell, and so on."
"And when you taste the food in your mouth, you will evaluate whether it fits your imagination, then swallow it, wait for it to digest, provide you with the required nutrients, and then convert these nutrients into the fuel of life."
"This process is long and wonderful. It's the first pilgrimage path that people have built beyond just surviving. It has a very special significance."
"Before the food in the stomach turns into nutrients, the imagination of the food's flavor driven by appetite is the pinnacle of human understanding, empathy, and imagination."
"Therefore, I naturally wish to offer my most passionate moments to those few of my kind in the world."
When Shiller finished speaking, Bruce's hand against his ear was starting to hurt, but he had actually heard what Shiller said, because it was Harley's ear he was pressing against.
At this moment, Bruce felt that his biggest progress was being able to accurately gauge a madman's logical consistency and decisively choosing to give up when his persuasive ability was greatly surpassed by the madman's logical consistency.
This is a magnificent ability. The anger that is blocked out by this ability can make one live many more years.
Bruce sat down in front of Shiller, looked into Shiller's eyes and said, "I'll take Valentine away, treat his wounds, and then let him stand under the law."
"It's not because I value the law so much, but because you can't kill him, let alone eat him."
"Bruce." Shiller called his name, refocusing his gaze on him and said, "I hope to hold a banquet, so I need abundant ingredients."
"I won't kill pigs, nor will I kill people." Shiller stood up, walked over to the table, picked up the jar that had just held the eyeball, examined it under the light, and then said:
"But regardless of whether you judge the evil of this act by the rules of social humans or not, you can't stop them from tearing open their chests, willingly, voluntarily, and giving me what I need."
"Stop using your professional skills to hurt others." Bruce turned to look at him and said: "Don't do this anymore, Shiller."
"When the banquet is held, I'll remember to send you an invitation." Shiller said while looking into Bruce's eyes.
Bruce took a deep breath, feeling his molar teeth clench so tightly. He joined his hands together, leaning his fingers on his nose, feeling dizzy.
As Shiller said, at any time, self-harm is not illegal. If normal people are incited, one could argue it's unethical.
But actually, Shiller did not incite anyone. He only revealed the tip of his mad iceberg to those madmen, telling them all the answers are at the top of the mountain. The madmen, who feel no fear or pain at the bottom of their hearts, don't care about death, will scramble to serve themselves up. Valentine is just an example.
And Bruce doesn't know how to stop all this yet.
Just as Bruce was thinking, the phone behind the glass screen wall rang. Seeing that Shiller had no intention of answering the phone, Bruce had no choice but to get up, walk over to the phone, pick up the receiver, and heard Gordon's slightly anxious voice on the other end:
"Shiller, Rhomann Sionis has escaped prison! He is likely heading towards you, be careful!"
"Bang!"