episode_0070

Purpose is the most decisive difference distinguishing humans from tools.

Then, in what way?

Humans, who choose their purpose by their own will and spare no means or methods to achieve it.

And that which is used and exploited by the hands of such humans—that is a tool.

Is that the difference?

No.

Everything was the complete opposite.

Nail clippers exist to cut human fingernails.

That is the purpose of nail clippers, and the reason why such a ‘tool’ exists and was created.

A chair has the purpose of existing for humans to sit on.

From the beginning, it is born, exists, and lives through such a purpose.

Humans, beings called humans, were different.

Humans have no reason to exist. The life lived by a creature called human has no purpose.

—When I opened my eyes as Rain Grey, there was no reason. Or perhaps it was simply unknown. I just existed that way, and no one answered about that mode of existence.

It was the same then. Even after meeting the real Rain Grey, nothing changed.

Ever since I opened my eyes as ‘Rain Grey’, I have not forgotten that fact for a single moment.

Why me? Why did this happen to me? For what purpose? Why? Why?

Countless questions followed one after another, yet I couldn’t answer any of them.

Then, without thinking—I suddenly realized.

There.

In this world.

From the moment I opened my eyes as Rain Grey, all those questions I had asked myself…

Even when I existed as ‘a human from the other side’ and not Rain Grey, they were still questions that offered no answers.

All the questions posed to me when I opened my eyes as Rain Grey were like that.

It was like asking why humans are born, why they live, and for what purpose they should live.

Someone might answer that it’s a purpose at the genetic level, to live for the reproduction of the species.

But no human questions a way of life that gives up reproduction and leaves no offspring.

—.

I look around.

Around me were the members of the Snake, whom Rain Grey did not love, and who unhesitatingly used and discarded things for their own purposes.

They… existed that way from the beginning.

That is why Rain Grey called them ‘tools’ that he used.

Even when I said I ‘loved’ them, he gave such a cold sneer.

I fell silent.

—Then, the Rain Grey over there, what was the meaning of the ‘Purpose of World Destruction’ he spoke of?

I couldn’t tell.

Nevertheless, I vaguely understood.

The difference between a tool that functions for a purpose and a human who does not. The one who asked about it was none other than the ‘real’ Rain Grey who was there.

And he told me no purpose whatsoever.

He didn’t explain any answers or meanings.

That wasn’t all.

「Whether you find your own answer, or continue your endless wandering, it is entirely your freedom.」

「My freedom…?」

「If you cherish the members of the Snake, then you can do that.」

He gave me freedom.

Moreover, strictly speaking, the subject to whom he gave freedom was not me.

It was Rain Grey himself, whom I was imitating.

That was his wish.

“—”

—Nail clippers that cannot cut fingernails have no value in existing.

At the same time, whether a human cuts their fingernails or not, no one cares about such an action.

Because that is the freedom granted to humans.

Even if it is a human who lives as a flawed existence.

The ‘Rain Grey’ right here, right now, was no different.

The human called Rain Grey here no longer lives for the destruction of the world.

He merely flounders without any manual, guidance, or even answers about why he is here, or what he should do with his life.

—Freer than anyone else.

“Freedom…”

I murmured the word silently.

“Huh? What did you say?”

One of the surrounding members asked again. I didn’t answer immediately.

“—A new command.”

I answered after a moment of silence.

“Ha! A new command! Just give the order!”

“Just say the word, Commander!”

In front of everyone present.

“Act freely.”

I said.

I wasn’t claiming that it was necessarily the right answer. It could even be a wrong answer I had presumptuously arrived at on my own. I didn’t care either way.

I had simply realized.

That I, who was here, was free.

In that freedom, I wished the same for the members who followed me of their own will.

“Ha! Act freely, you say!”

Hearing those words, Sandalphon burst into hearty laughter. It was his usual laugh.

“Good, I’ll gladly obey the command!”

He still wished to follow my command, accepting the free action I had ordered.

“Heh heh, of course.”

Freya also smiled and gave an affirmation of the same meaning.

“As this girl’s existence, this girl’s reason for living, and all reasons for this girl to exist—”

Their answers did not change.

“This girl swears eternal loyalty, dedicating her entire self to Rain-nim.”

“My life too!”

At Freya’s words, Sandalphon also laughed heartily.

“…If that is Commander-nim’s command.”

“Yes, Alice will do that too!”

They willingly made that choice of their own free will.

How that choice felt—I didn’t care.

They, all of them, resolved to remain my tools. They affirmed that mode of existence.

Then—I, who love tools, merely affirm their way.

“…Is that so.”

I affirmed, then asked again.

“Then, tell me your free desires.”

A question that was unlikely to change anything.

“—Destruction.”

Aria replied.

Her eyes covered as always by dark, jet-black bandages, she continued calmly.

“I desire the destruction of this world, precisely as Commander-nim wishes.”

That was her desire.

Simply because I desired it.

Now I understood.

There was no longer any need to fear or presume them to be mere members of an unknown, terrifying villainous organization.

They were simply tools. They had been from the beginning, and now was no exception.

—I turned my head.

The conflict between the Holy Kingdom and the Duchy, which had unfolded beyond the horizon, had been suddenly resolved by the ‘Holy Maiden’ who appeared miraculously on the Holy Kingdom’s side.

And none of the kingdom’s soldiers there remembered the ‘hero’ who had appeared beside them just moments before.

As if he had never existed in the first place.

Nevertheless, the hero’s corpse was still there.

—Beneath my feet.

“…”

I turned my head.

I still had no answers. No purpose either.

I still didn’t know what the real Rain Grey wanted or why he made me his stand-in.

Now, it didn’t matter.

Unlike him, who clearly moved, functioned, and existed for the destruction of the world, I understood that the endless ignorance and wandering before me was truly the way of life he desired.

“Our business in the Holy Kingdom ends here.”

I said.

Our task here was finished.

I no longer harbored any doubts about that outcome.

“Well, the hero is dead, after all.”

Before that decision, Jinjo Scarlet smiled.

“It seems there’s no more blood to be spilled either.”

Even if we desired more battles in the kingdom, it would be like wringing out a dry towel. There were no more meaningful results to be gained.

But as long as I exist in this world, my life here will not end.

Of course, my life here will end someday.

Just as all humans in this world will face death someday.

Therefore, what remains is to live until the final act of life arrives.

「I don’t recall cherishing the members much.」

「But if you cherish them so much, that wouldn’t be bad either.」

「—What about Aria?」

「Do you like that child?」

He asked that.

「Then you can do that.」

That was his answer, and that was the extent of their conversation.

“…Let’s go back, Aria.”

I said, on that ridge where a hellish battlefield stretched beyond the horizon, where crows flapped their wings over the dimming sunset, awaiting the coming feast of corpses.

“Yes, Commander-nim.”

Aria silently bowed her head and smiled.

It was a very beautiful and pleasant smile.

“Ah, Alice too! Alice is coming too!”

Alice, following behind Aria belatedly, shouted.

The remaining members also silently accepted and simply followed behind me.

From the beginning, it was just that.