What is a good person? What is an evil person? What is wickedness? What is justice?
Seryu had always believed she knew the answers. She could define them clearly, without hesitation. But now, she felt utterly lost. The world around her seemed to be covered in a thick layer of fog—ethereal, untouchable, and impossible to see through.
Perhaps it had always been this way, and she had simply been stubborn, staring at one tiny corner of existence and declaring it to be the whole world.
Massacring the innocent, taking bribes, framing others to let a piece of human trash merchant escape punishment... Was this truly what Orge, the man she respected as "Master," had done?
Seryu didn't want to believe it, but the evidence in the report was like a bucket of ice water splashed over her face. And that wasn't even counting the folder on Stylist, which she still lacked the courage to open.
"Coro, I..."
"Kiu kiu..."
Seryu's voice trembled. Coro seemed to sense his master's pain and nuzzled against her.
"...Before this, were we doing the right thing, or were we wrong?"
"Are 'good people' truly good? Are 'evildoers' truly evil? I don't know, Coro..."
…
"Hmm? Seryu isn't coming today?"
Wave looked at the only empty chair in the Jaegers' meeting room and couldn't help but wonder. Run took a sip of his coffee and quickly explained.
"She said she isn't feeling very well today."
The others stopped paying attention to her absence. Only Esdeath furrowed her brow slightly, though her expression returned to normal almost instantly.
Standing in the distance, Asahi let out a silent sigh. He knew this day would come; he only hoped Seryu could survive the shock—or at least hold on until she found her own path.
It had taken Asahi half a month of careful prodding to reach this point. He had meticulously arranged for her to "discover" the reports on Orge and Stylist's crimes one by one, like a puzzle. Seryu's combat skills were top-tier, but she lacked any talent for investigation, so he had to lead her by the hand without her realizing it.
He knew that telling her directly would only trigger a defensive reaction and cause the plan to fail. He had to make her feel as if she had uncovered the truth herself.
…
This was Asahi's last day. He brewed a final cup of coffee, placed it on a tray, and headed toward the living quarters. He stopped in front of a specific door and knocked gently.
"Seryu, here is your morning coffee."
"Th-thank... thank you... but I..."
"It's alright, just drink it. I heard you weren't feeling well; I hope this helps you feel a bit better."
Seryu opened the door. Despite having wiped her face, she couldn't hide her swollen, red eyes. Asahi acted as though he saw nothing, calmly handing her the cup.
"Here you go."
Seryu took the coffee, the warmth from the porcelain seeping into her hands. As Asahi turned to leave, she hesitated, then called out to him.
"Brother Asahi, I..."
She choked up. Chaos swirled in her mind, and she didn't know how to start.
Asahi wanted to stay firm, to remain detached, but his heart softened.
"You're doing great, Seryu. But... always keep your eyes on the road ahead to make sure you're going the right way."
Seryu nodded, only half-understanding. Asahi smiled.
"By the way, today is my last day working here."
"What?! Why..."
"I wasn't fired; I'm resigning. I won't disappear, though. I'll just be running my coffee shop in the capital."
"I see... Can I visit you there?"
"Of course. Goodbye for now."
…
Night fell. A black shadow glided across the rooftops, silent as the grave. Since he had officially "left" the palace, Asahi could scout more freely without worrying about his cover as a servant.
Everything was going well. But life has a way of throwing a curveball when you least expect it.
As he approached the central palace—the residence of the Emperor and the Prime Minister—he was surrounded by five black-robed figures. They were incredibly silent, clearly trained assassins of the Empire. A soundless melee broke out immediately.
Snap!
Asahi broke the arm of one attacker after disabling two others. But as he prepared his next move, a razor-sharp blade flashed toward him. His pupils contracted, and he leaped backward, only for an explosive shell to force him to roll to the side.
"Jaegers! Surrender, intruder!"
The one who had swung the sword was Kurome. Leading the charge was Wave, and the explosive shot had come from Seryu. Her arm had already transformed into the "Taizan Justice Cannon."
Crack... crack...
The helmet Asahi wore, which had taken a grazing blow from Kurome, began to fracture. Shards fell to the ground, revealing his face. Asahi gave a wry, bitter smile.
"Tch... and on my last day, too..."
Kurome remained silent. Wave froze in shock. But the most violent reaction came from Seryu. Her cannon arm slumped, and her voice shook with ultimate despair.
"Asahi... why is it you?! It can't be... tell me it's all a... just a... mistake!!"
"Seryu, my cover is blown. But this is the path I chose."
"No!! Why?! Orge, Stylist, and now you... why did everyone lie to me?!"
Seryu raised her cannon, aiming it at Asahi. He hadn't expected things to spiral this far. He had tried to lead her out of the abyss, but it seemed he had only dragged her deeper into a new one.
Seryu was panicking, her finger trembling on the trigger. The roar of the cannon startled even her.
The blast tore through Asahi's chest armor, sending blood splattering into the night air.
"No... no!!! I didn't want this! Why didn't you dodge? You should have moved!"
Asahi coughed up blood, looking at her with a calm, sad smile.
"So... we're even now, Seryu."
His body was thrown backward by the force of the explosion. Seryu lunged forward to catch him, her face a mask of horror. But suddenly, a mysterious, glowing purple circle appeared in the air right where Asahi was falling. As his body touched the light, he vanished instantly.
Seryu collapsed onto the ground, her soul seemingly hollowed out, staring at the empty space where he had been.