"Yeah. Jinba-san pulled some strings for me, and thanks to that..."
"They took into account that my mind was warped by the power of the Demonic Sword. I’m still basically on parole, but I’m just so happy to be able to work at the shop like this!"
This was Batz, En’s childhood friend. He was the man who had previously lost himself to a Demonic Sword and gone on a rampage that nearly destroyed this very shop. After Yugo and Melt defeated him, the Security Force had taken him into custody for questioning. Yugo hadn't expected to see him back on his feet so soon.
However, since Neid—the true culprit behind the magic swords—had also been arrested, it stood to reason that Batz would receive some leniency. His actions were clearly the result of a mental break caused by the sword's influence. Jinba must have gone to bat for him as well. Yugo was just thinking he should thank the captain when Batz suddenly gripped his hand, startling him.
"I know it’s a lot to dump on you so suddenly," Batz said, his grip tightening as emotion welled up within him. "But I’m so grateful to you both. Thank you for stopping me...!" "Even if it was the sword’s fault, I still hurt so many people. I almost killed the friends I care about most. If you hadn't been there, I would have become a murderer. You're the reason that didn't happen. Thank you...!"
"Batz..." Tears filled the young man's eyes. He clearly understood the gravity of his crimes. While he hadn't killed anyone, he had hurt many people in his desperate attempt to "save" En. When his crimes were exposed, he had even slashed his other childhood friend, Sanga, and tried to level the building. If Yugo and his friends had arrived even a few minutes later, Batz would have done something truly beyond redemption.
"You can't erase what happened, and I know it's going to be a long road," Yugo said. "But as long as you understand the weight of your actions, you'll be fine." "We're rooting for you, Batz," Melt added. "Don't let En down, okay?" "I won't. I promise! Oh, I'm being called. I have to get back to it. Let's talk more later!"
Batz hurried off to join a middle-aged man dressed in a sharp, professional suit. "En," Melt asked, "who is that man talking to Batz?" "That’s Garando-san. He’s a Probation Officer from the Security Force. He stops by to check on Batz every now and then." "I see... so he hasn't been fully pardoned yet." "Of course not," Yugo noted. "But Batz will be okay. He’s got friends looking out for him now."
Mary had been listening to the exchange in silence, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke. "Wait... was he a criminal, too?" "Yeah," En replied with a faint, self-deprecating smile. "Me too. I’ve got a record. Not exactly something to be proud of, but it's the truth."
Mary bit her lip, falling silent again. Raiha leaned in toward her. "Mary-san, do you really believe people like them should be purged by Kurotobari as well?" "I... I don't know. But Lord Kurotobari never overlooks sin. So—" "Perhaps," Raiha interrupted gently. "But even if Kurotobari acts in the name of justice, I don't believe he has the right to condemn others based on his own whims." She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It’s only natural that you feel rage toward the person who killed your mother. But it is wrong for Kurotobari to take a life just to satisfy that anger. Your anger belongs to you, Mary-san. If you can only find closure through someone else’s violence... then perhaps that revenge isn't the 'precious past' Ryuga-san was talking about."
En chimed in. "I know it sounds rich coming from an ex-con, but people trip and fall. That doesn't mean they can't get back up. What Kurotobari is doing... it feels like he's just stealing their future away."
Mary lowered her head, hiding her face. She was clearly wrestling with her beliefs. Just as a heavy silence settled over the table, the door swung open. "Yugo! Sorry I'm late!" "Jinba-san? Don't worry about it. Did you find out anything about the Society of Friends of the Night?" Jinba was gasping for air, his face pale and grim. "The Society... Yugo, things have taken a turn for the worse."
Yugo waited for him to catch his breath. Jinba looked him in the eye and began to explain exactly what had happened.