Chapter 7: A Chance Meeting

Kiyoto waited for almost an hour inside the Commander's office. Though he doesn't mind it since the Commander's aide is keeping him company. Her name is Prelati, she looks like she's someone who's already in adulthood. Despite how she's open with almost everyone, Prelati also gives an atmosphere of a strict Secretary, the glasses she wears also helps.

While in the middle of their conversation, the door opens up, revealing Commander Gwyn on its doorsteps. Prelati and Kiyoto stood up in unison and gave him a proper greeting.

"Welcome back Commander, Kiyoto-kun is here as per your command." Prelati gets out of their way and went to prepare something for them to chew on.

Gwyn sits down comfortably in his chair, it might be too late for Kiyoto to notice, but he can't see his mask anywhere. Not that he's actively searching for it. After a brief moment of silence, Gwyn crossed his arms and finally spoke with Kiyoto.

"They said you took down a strong foe despite it being your first day here. Impressive, I must say." There was no hint of sarcasm in his tone so Kiyoto can tell that he's being genuine. Gwyn however, followed up on his statement.

"I said that but, why help us? You don't have any background that you can remember right? If that is the case, you should have no such reason to join a fight that you have no benefit for. Hm, don't tell me someone put you up to this? Or someone threatened you."

Kiyoto did not expect a barrage of questions. To add, Commander Gwyn seems to become more intimidating than before. It's like he is telling Kiyoto that he will know if he lied with his answer, he's measuring his character. It would be obvious by now, but Gwyn's strictness is much different than the others, even with Akafuyu. He tends to be more vigilant about accepting a stranger of unknown origin into their organization.

Kiyoto felt Gwyn's intimidating presence. He doesn't want to get on his bad side, so since Gwyn clearly states what he wants to hear which is pure truth, Kiyoto decided to give it to him.

"Your suspicion is warranted Commander. But I swear I want to know my past, as much as you do. The reason I fight is…for myself."

Gwyn narrowed his eyes down upon hearing his answer.

"It might somehow be related to my past. But my instinct is telling me that I have to fight, like back then in the Hospital…or from the previous one in the Eastern branch. My principles are telling me to fight back against an adversity that threatens the safety of anyone. It might not be the best you wanted to hear, but that is my honest answer."

"Naive. But to a point where it's tolerable."

Gwyn rummages through his desk and pulls out a document. It was the new commandments of the [Swords] which Akafuyu wrote herself. There are revisions of some rules from the past commandments, but the important pillars are unchanged. Gwyn lent Kiyoto the document and lets him read it.

While reading through the whole document, Kiyoto noticed that the commandment is written with compassion and it has a heavy emphasis of having to avoid skirmishes as much as possible and if it happens, it should be resolved with a method that does not hurt anyone. It, of course, would ultimately lead to a peaceful resolution, but there's a problem.

"Surely you get the gist of it already."

Gwyn fixes how he was seated and rests both of his arms over his desk. He leans his head forward and asked Kiyoto:

"What if an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"

"....."

Of course Kiyoto cannot comprehend this kind of questioning. He knows there is a hidden meaning to this question, but he does not want to answer hastily since he might have the wrong impression.

Not expecting a response, Gwyn answered his own question. Though he does not really mind. "If that happens, the surroundings will get destroyed instead. Destruction of incomprehensible level will follow the aftermath without those two factors getting overwhelmed by one another."

Kiyoto looks like he already understood what Gwyn is pertaining to after hearing his answer. To give it meaning: the immovable object is Akafuyu's or rather the [Swords] principle, meanwhile the unstoppable force is the [Scythes] method. Resolving it with peace as possible as it can be, versus an act of unrelenting violence.

If the opposing side still went on with their unstoppable violence while the other stayed on their indestructible peaceful wall, then the losing side will be the innocent surroundings, the bystanders who are getting pulled into the fight. Individuals who did not sign for whatever is happening within. Therefore, one of the factors should be taken out one way or another.

Realizing that Kiyoto understood what he is pertaining to, Gwyn continued.

"In order to attain true peace, one needs to weed out the factors that can disrupt it. Even if it means resorting to a different principle. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I admire how Miss Akafuyu manages her territory. Surely, not every city is fortunate enough to experience such harmonious living. It's only attainable with a mindset like hers after all. I don't know your reason for telling me this Commander Gwyn. Your reasoning is justified, because there is necessary violence…but there's something wrong with it." Kiyoto immediately retracted.

"And that is?"

"Obtaining something through unhinged violence will only temporarily do good. But the darkness that it will cause afterwards will permanently envelope the hearts of those involved. I don't want to see Miss Akafuyu become like that."

Kiyoto answered with all his heart. It's like he speaks through experience. Once he finished his sentence, Kiyoto lowered his head for a moment due to slight embarrassment since it felt like he just gave a speech in front of a high ranking officer. After a while, he raised his head once again and what he saw surprised him.

Gwyn is smiling genuinely. It's as if he's already satisfied with the result of his brief interview.

"On behalf of the Swords, I thank you for showing your utmost support for Akafuyu. She needs all the support that she can get. Hence, I now officially welcome you as a member of our humble Organization."

Gwyn offered his right hand to Kiyoto for a formal handshake. Kiyoto did not dare to keep him waiting and shook his hand immediately. He then expressed his gratitude and relief:

"Thank you Commander Gwyn, I hope not to betray your expectations of me."

In response, Gwyn nodded. He then requested something to Kiyoto:

"Please continue to be by her side. If you see her struggling through a tough decision, help her. I on the other hand shall bear the weight of something else."

"Commander Gwyn, you mean-"

"Yes, after all there are times that violence will be necessary. And not just the necessary ones. I can't let Akafuyu bear that weight."

Kiyoto respected Gwyn's resolve. His whole expression of him changed a lot after their brief interview. Gwyn suggested Kiyoto like what Akafuyu suggested to him back then: to be a covert patrol and be partnered with their ace, Johan. Thus, Gwyn ordered Kiyoto to be on standby at the moment as his supposed to be partner is still on his way back from a mission.

Without anything to talk about anymore, Gwyn already excused Kiyoto as he left the office afterwards. Meanwhile, Prelati glances at the window, observing the leaving Kiyoto. She then ambled towards Gwyn and they exchanged smiles.

"The Commander said that I'd be on standby for the moment…but I have no idea what to do next."

As soon as he said that, Kiyoto puts on his hood and walks out of the establishment, planning to visit a small town for a breath of fresh air. After walking past the gate, he went off the road so that he could keep a lower profile.

Few minutes passed, Kiyoto finally reached his destination. It was a small town, yet the people there were lively and cheerful. The smell of fresh bread and sweet fruits linger in the streets, even reaching the nearby establishments.

Seeing the people of the territorial city like this even with the recent attacks of the [Scythes] makes Kiyoto's resolve to improve. It's as if this is the thing he wants to see the most so that he can boost his motivation.

After observing for a long while, Kiyoto decided to leave. As he walked down the alley, he stumbled upon two journeymen. It was a figure of a young girl wearing a thick white coat. She has long black hair, tinted blue in the back, her eyes were closed, she was accompanied by a man who looks the same age as Kiyoto, who is also wearing the same coat as the girl. He has the same white hair like Kiyoto but it doesn't seem to be natural.

Noticing the two, Kiyoto pulled his hood down to hide his mask. As they passed by each other, it's as if the sun shone down their paths. It's what they call, a chance meeting. Although the two parties have no idea about each other, there will surely be another chance in the future.

The girl looked back unconsciously. By the time she did so, Kiyoto has already disappeared. The man beside her observed her expression. The man then took a step forward and intended to follow Kiyoto, but he got stopped by the girl who pulled the sleeve of his coat. He observed her again…

The girl does not show any emotions...but the man felt something…

And the day passed without any incidents.