Endless Debt

Aimou didn't think much about it and spoke directly.

"Yeah, a good person."

"Is it because I took you out? So I became a good person?"

Bologue couldn't help but laugh, but after a couple of chuckles, he fell silent again and said.

"Humans are complex and multifaceted. You see me taking you out, so you think I'm a good person, but you've never seen how brutal and cold-hearted I can be to those people..."

Bologue felt this was a good moment, the atmosphere was right, and he rarely opened up about his feelings.

"I was greatly influenced by a friend of mine. She is a devout believer, and while I don't believe in religion, I was still influenced by her, and these influences have shaped my code of conduct.

The basic idea is that evil begets evil, and if no one punishes those people, I will replace fate and punish them."

"Sounds pretty good, like a dark hero?" Aimou recalled the novels she had read.

"No, actually, I am also a villain, but I possess greater power, so I can decide the fate of other villains," Bologue said, "Of course, I am not troubled by good and evil. On the contrary, I find it great and cool."

"But one day, that friend of mine told me, God does not only descend fire upon sinners, He also brings redemption to good people."

Bologue's words became hesitant.

"I am not good at helping others; I am better at punishing those villains. But sometimes I wonder if perhaps I could try some... good deeds?"

"So tonight, it's just because you want to try a good deed, is that it?" Aimou asked.

"Yes, do you think it's hypocritical?"

"No, regardless of your intentions, at least you're taking action, and I'm very happy, and that's enough."

When Aimou said these things, she was as thoughtful as a real human being; Bologue was momentarily confused.

"But, why me? Bologue, you could try good deeds with many people, why did you choose me in the end?" Aimou asked curiously.

"Why didn't you refuse me then?"

She turned her head to look at Bologue; the light was dim, making it hard for Bologue to see her face, and even if he could, Aimou often showed no expression.

But the blue halo in her pupils was clearly visible, no longer having the previous panic, the halo quietly oscillated back and forth.

"Maybe it's about shared empathy…" Bologue whispered.

"Shared empathy?"

"Don't be fooled by my appearance now, I'm actually almost ninety years old. My former friends, family, world... everything has already become unfamiliar, turned into dust and faded away.

Remember when you mentioned memory anchors? I can clearly remember everything from the past, as if it was just yesterday, but I can no longer find their existence, even the traces have disappeared as if my past life was just a dream, and once awakened, everything vanished.

I am like a ghost that has traveled through time to arrive here, and indeed, I have lived like a ghost until now. I'm unsure if this is the sentimentality of old age, or if on this holiday, emotions are inevitably more sensitive..."

The battlefield he once fought for has turned into Oubos, familiar old friends have long been sleeping in cemeteries, and Bologue had thought of seeing his hometown, but familiar Greenfield Town has become an industrial town shrouded in black smoke.

He feels like an outsider facing a world that is familiar yet strange.

"I think we're quite alike, the Undead having lost the past, and the newly born Alchemy Puppet, I believe we should have much in common.

That's it, any more questions?"

"No more."

The two sat silently on the Cliff, the cold evening breeze blowing, before the midnight bells rang, Aimou spoke.

"Happy Vow Festival, Bologue."