I thought deeply, then resigned myself and spoke to the Beggars’ Sect Leader across from me.

“…I’ll give up.”

“So soon? Why?”

How should I even explain this?

The truth is, I cannot follow the Beggars’ Sect Leader.

To erase one’s presence, you must first empty your heart. But…

In my heart, there is already the Zaha Inn, the fire, and the madness. I am a man who cannot empty his heart–and a man who never forgets. Ultimately, it was because of these emotions that I encountered the Zaha Divine Arts. If I were to empty my heart, the Zaha Divine Arts would vanish as well.

That cannot be allowed.

I didn’t use the Zaha Divine Arts when fighting the Leader of the Heavenly Alliance, but if we had fought to the end, I surely would have resolved it with those arts.

I had no intention of emptying my heart and throwing away the final stronghold that is the Zaha Divine Arts.

I tried to convey this honestly.

“I am an emotional person. I don’t forget the past. I hold on, I remember, and I take revenge. That is who I am.”

The Beggars’ Sect Leader across from me let out a quiet laugh and nodded.

“That’s who you are. Each of us must do what we’re best at. That’s fine.”

I glanced around the bridge and suddenly asked the leader,

“By the way… does Noshin often vanish like this?”

“He does. He likes to poke around and meddle.”

I relaxed my previously hunched posture and sat properly, crossing my arms. With the wooden sword at my waist, there was no chance of getting handouts anyway. Something uncomfortable was writhing in my chest, so I pondered deeply.

…Could I have misunderstood?

As I sat with my arms crossed and settled back into my usual energy, passersby immediately began walking in a wider arc around me. These ordinary folks sensed nothing dangerous from the Beggars’ Sect Leader, yet from me–they detected killing intent.

Even the Sect Leader tilted his head curiously and asked,