Amon seemed lost in thought when he noticed Klein occasionally casting worried glances his way. Turning to him, Amon asked abruptly, "What are you fretting about?"
Caught off guard, Klein gave an awkward smile but answered without hesitation. "Mr. Amon, this might be forward, but… is Lil' Amon still there?"
"…Lil' Amon is me. You didn't know that?" Amon said, adjusting his monocle.
"I know, but it's still different…" Klein said, looking at Amon. "Don't you also refuse to see the True Creator as the Sun God?"
Amon paused, glancing at Klein. "Lil' Amon and I share the same personality… This is just a temporary visit. He'll still be himself afterward."
Klein visibly relaxed.
But Amon pressed on. "And you?"
"What?" Klein asked, confused.
Amon adjusted his monocle again. "You're not from this era, nor the original owner of that body. I don't know the specifics of your identity, but you must have family now. How do you see them? How do you see yourself? Do you truly believe you're Klein?"
It was a sharp question, but Amon's curiosity was genuine, not malicious.
It wasn't surprising Amon knew Klein was a transmigrator. With a father from the Old Days and access to Lil' Amon's memories, it'd be odder if he hadn't figured it out.
Klein fell silent, finally saying, "I'm not Klein Moretti, but I'm not purely Zhou Mingrui either… I'm Zhou Mingrui fused with some of Klein Moretti's emotions and memories. That makes me unable to let go of my past while instinctively seeing this era's family as my own."
"Sounds like a mental patchwork monster." Amon said, his assessment cold.
"…Maybe that's exactly what I am." Klein said with a bitter smile, not denying it.
"Do your family know this?" Amon asked, his question even sharper.
"…No, they don't." Klein said, his voice dry.
"Why?" Amon asked, then answered himself. "Because you're scared. Scared they'll abandon you once they know the truth. Just like you see me as different from Lil' Amon, you know you're not Klein."
Klein was silent again.
"So you see, that's humanity…" Amon said, a triumphant smirk aimed at Alaric. "So base, so cowardly."
Alaric didn't refute him. He just looked at Klein, his gaze free of judgment, as if waiting for something.
"What, you think this escapist will give a different answer?" Amon said, clearly picking up on Alaric's intent. He turned to Klein, his eyes cold and appraising. "This is humanity... basking in what isn't theirs, fleeing from what might hurt them, even if that avoidance hurts others. How are they different from me?"
"…No wonder the Sun God found you such a headache. You don't misunderstand humanity... you just fixate on its ugliness." Alaric said, almost chuckling. "I'm better at seeing its beauty. That's our biggest difference."
Amon didn't comment.
He wasn't easy to sway. Though Alaric's words had stirred him, his worldview... however skewed... remained firm.
He'd pursue humanity for the Sun God's sake but still question it.
"…I'll tell them the truth." Klein said suddenly, lifting his head with a smile that was both self-mocking and resolute. "I'm a cowardly, base guy. I knew all this but chose to run… In that sense, I'm pretty awful."
He looked at Amon. "Thank you for waking me up, Mr. Amon."
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. Countless nights, Klein had tossed and turned, uneasy about his secrecy. At first, survival demanded silence; later, fear kept him quiet.
He was, after all, just an ordinary man.
But Klein was Klein because he never fled forever. He feared the truth of his transmigration yet sought it. He dreaded facing the Celestial Worthy but stood up, becoming the Lord of Mysteries for others.
Cowardice and courage coexisted in him... a contradiction, but humans were contradictory.
In this moment, Klein refused to run any longer. He chose to face the truth, whatever the outcome.
Amon fell silent, clearly unprepared for Klein's response. After staring at him for a few seconds, he said, "Even if it means losing them?"
"It's what I deserve." Klein said without hesitation, then added, "I should've done this sooner. They deserve to know their real family member's fate. I can't... won't... replace the real Klein."
Amon watched him, his thoughts unreadable. Then he scoffed, "Foolish."
Klein didn't take offense. Turning to Alaric, he said apologetically, "Mr. Lucifer, I can't play Medici right now. Can I take some time off?"
"Of course." Alaric said, unsurprised by Klein's choice. He nodded. "Need me to send you back?"
"…Thank you, Mr. Lucifer." Klein said, managing a faint smile.
Alaric didn't delay, promptly sending Klein back to Tingen. Respecting his privacy, he merely dropped him off and watched as Klein boarded a trackless carriage to leave.
"I don't understand." Amon said after Klein was gone, breaking his silence. "That wasn't a smart choice."
"No, you do understand." Alaric said, turning to him with a smile. "Otherwise, why reject the True Creator?"
"Is denying the True Creator as the Sun God a smart choice for you?"
Amon fell silent.
Alaric looked into the distance. "That's humanity... both base and beautiful."
***
Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I just wanted to let you know that right now I'm working on a really good and promising naruto fanfic. If you're interested in reading it, feel free to give it a try:
[Naruto: Pathological Liar]
Synopsis:
After reincarnated as a worthless member of the Hyūga branch family...
Fate handed me the worst possible script, but that's fine... I was born to be the greatest actor.
Are you ready?
My name is Hyūga Kumokawa.
I'm going to weave one enormous lie.
And make the entire ninja world dance to it.
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