The projection of the exchange between Gil and the monsters in the plaza of the New City of Ket Nya, created by Asta, faded away. Rose and Somni remained standing in stunned silence, unable to utter a single word.
"That is Gil as he is now. Whether to lend him a hand or not is for you to decide. If even one of you believes he does not deserve help, I will not lift a finger."
I laid out a choice before the three of them—a decision that would determine Gil's life or death.
"What happens if Master does not lend a hand?"
To Somni's entirely natural question, I revealed the conclusion we had reached earlier.
"Naturally, he will die. Gil cannot even clear the prerequisites for this game on his own. That is the unanimous consensus among my subordinates."
With a troubled expression, Rose asked, "Gil... No, has my brother truly regained all of his past memories?"
"Yes, every last bit," I answered without hesitation. Otherwise, there was no way he could have reached out to Tetor. Without a doubt, all of his past memories had returned.
"Could he be deceiving those monsters?"
Somni voiced his suspicion, his face a conflicted swirl of light and shadow.
"Not a chance."
"Why not?!" Somni pressed, the words tumbling out in a single breath. "He's... a scoundrel to his core! The very incarnation of prejudice, who discarded even his own retainers like trash! There must be countless others whose lives were ruined just like ours!"
"You're likely right. I won't deny it," I agreed.
"Then there shouldn't even be anything to consider! It's unthinkable that he would risk his life to save monsters who aren't even human!"
"I have no intention of defending him, but I believe his feelings are genuine. In the first place, now that his memories have returned, there's no reason for him to risk his life by remaining in this land."
If Gil had chosen to flee after regaining his memories, I had intended to let him go. From the beginning, that too had been a valid option within the trial.
If Gil's words were true, the ability of precognition had awakened within him. If so, he had likely foreseen a future where they were all wiped out by that monster with the head of a sea bream. If he were prioritizing his own skin, fleeing would have been the optimal choice.
Yet Gil had deliberately chosen otherwise, staying behind to protect the monsters. That proved he had chosen their safety over his own.
Above all, since Gil had met the conditions I imposed, it was self-evident that he was risking his life to defend them.
Indeed. The issue lay not with the present Gil, but with the past Gil.
"Even so... I simply cannot bring myself to trust him."
As expected, Somni gritted his teeth, utterly rejecting the idea.
"I imagine not. I only showed you this to give you the facts. You can speak with him directly and judge for yourselves."
Setting aside Rose, who was his flesh and blood, Somni and Tetor harbored deep-seated resentment toward Gil for casting them aside like worn-out rags. It was only natural that they would react this way.
In short, the greatest obstacle was whether Somni and Tetor would still choose to save him once they knew his resolve was genuine. Well, even so...
"Kai, are you—"
Rose started to say something, but bit her lip.
"Whether he lives or dies is up to you. Decide as you see fit."
With that, I tipped my chin toward Asta, who gave a firm nod.
Immediately after—
"Great One, preparations are complete!"
Girimehkala's report regarding Gilbert's final trial arrived.
"Well then, it's about time we set off."
The foolish, arrogant prince had faced his own past. But that did not mean he was forgiven. Rather, there was no way his sins could ever simply be wiped clean. Gilbert had committed crimes that severe.
That was why what Gilbert needed to do now was reclaim the very arms he had severed with his own hands. And through that deed, every monster in Northground would become a citizen of our territory.
Now that they were my family, I wouldn't let a single drop of their blood be spilled. The fools who had run rampant across Northground would receive the retribution they deserved.
After all, someone as short-tempered as me had held back for this long. I would vent every last bit of this festering, pent-up frustration right onto them. Without a shred of compromise, I would be utterly ruthless.
As I raised my right arm, Asta snapped his fingers, and we teleported into the plaza of the New City of Ket Nya.