75. Self

We still used the unregistered tickets the God Eaters gave us in the end... I have mixed feelings about this.

But thanks to the pass Senko and Vivi activated for us, we could safely leave the heart of the storm even while the Empire is still in flux.

Awakener, you haven't said much since we got moving... Does it have anything to do with that letter Vivi gave you?

... (Letter...?)

Awakener, when you receive this letter, I suppose I'll still be recuperating. After all this commotion, the Church's reputation has taken a big hit in St. Jordan. There are different voices in the Church as a result.

Not only that, but La... Miss Guinevere and her God Eaters are seizing the opportunity to expand... They're certain to become a powerful enemy of the Church.

I've thought about it, and while the Church has made mistakes, I don't believe the God Eaters won't make the same ones. Just as the Church used the name of God to cover up its atrocities, the God Eaters will take advantage of everything for their ideals.

So, I want to rely on my own power to change the Church. Since I have a second chance at life, I can't repeat the same mistakes again or be content to be someone else's puppet.

I've decided... to part ways with Her Holiness and free myself from my manipulator. I'll have a greater role in high-level Church affairs and figure out what I need to do.

...Thank you, my very first friend. I'll use the light you gave me to illuminate the whole Empire, so you can always see it.

(Vivi... It looks like she's made up her mind.)

...What is it? Who are those people rushing over to the convoy?

Looks like some overconfident bandits who think they can profit off the chaos in the Church... What should we do?

Get ready to fight... This will probably be our last battle before we leave the Empire.

Awakener, you seem a little distracted.

Oh, sorry, I'll get it together as soon as I can.

...No, you need to think it through.

Huh?

Two days ago, you made a decision, Captain. You stopped the God Eaters from killing Vivi. That was the morally correct thing to do.

But if it were me making the decision then, I may have chosen to defer to Guinevere and the others, and that's what most other Teslovik members would have done.

Ultimately, this benefits all of Teslovik, and only at the expense of people's feelings.

Hmm...

I'm not condemning you, Captain. But I hope you can think carefully about this, What are you chasing after?

You originally joined us to save your sister, so our interests were aligned. But now, you're tipping the scales in others' decisions.

I'll ask you directly, can we... Can Teslovik still trust that you're acting in our mutual interests? Or have our ideals diverged?

I... don't know. But you're right, I need to think about it carefully. ... So, please give me a little more time.

No matter what you decide in the end, I won't begrudge your hesitation now, Captain.