Chapter 43

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After the reinforcements from the labyrinth management department arrived, the remaining monsters that had escaped by hiding in the labyrinth were hunted down, and the dungeon break safely converged.

Right after the reinforcements came Sumeragi, who was demoted to Sakurabito, and ended up creating more confusion; but ultimately, the only casualty ended up being a single member of the explorer party, that reported the abnormality earlier.

The incident was wrapped up as having being dealt by an Ousei – who was coincidentally at the scene.

◇

“You did well.”

In the break room on the 10th floor, Ritsu was talking to Utayo.

“Well, it was a good experience.”

Ritsu smiled awkwardly and brought a glass of water to his mouth.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“No, well, the people of this region tend to fuss a lot about the other person’s status, don’t they?”

Ritsu spoke, while thinking back on Izumi, Sumeragi, and Sayuki.

“Really? I don’t really know about the previous world, so I can’t really say.”

Utayo muttered, while gazing at the scenery outside.

“I’m sure that has a lot to do with Ritsu-kun being a high-school student.”

Igarashi enters the room.

“Does it?”

“Yes. Once you’re an adult, you start measuring all human relations with how much you gain from them. I think one of the great points about school, is how you can get along even with almost nothing to gain.”

“Is that so…”

Reflecting on the city outside the window, Ritsu pondered.

“Essentially, meeting people is exchanging business cards. I haven’t attended that many so I’m not sure, but apparently exchanging business cards is considered normal during mixers.”

Igarashi places his hand on his chin, as if recalling.

“I wonder if I’m just abnormal.”

“That’s not it at all. For better or worse, Ritsu-kun hasn’t changed one bit. The world encasing Ritsu-kun is what has changed.”

“That’s right. Honestly, I can’t imagine ever getting held down while wearing my sword. Even though I never know when my life might be threatened. If you end up being looked down upon in this world, it’s over. Conversely, defying a greater power than you also means it’s over. So it’s difficult.”

Utayo shrugs his shoulders.

“It’s more modern here. No, modern isn’t the right word. The ethics of the previous world still apply here.”

“The violence, discrimination, persecution, as well as public disorder, is incomparable towards the mainland, as compared to here.”

“That just means power is everything here. He who doesn’t have power, can’t put forward his opinion. Can’t earn his freedom either. Living day-to-day then takes precedence over morality.”

Igarashi says, as he placed his hand on Ritsu’s shoulder, who was gazing at the city.

“You can’t fill your stomach on morality, after all.”

Utayo adds, frowning.

“Showing compassion to others, is possible because you have the leisure to do so. We should always act morally, but enforcing that on someone struggling to survive day-to-day, might simply be arrogance. That is, unless you can grant them all the same leisure.”

Igarashi stares at the city, next to Ritsu.

“That’s, right. I cannot save everyone… However, and I may be simplifying here, I think compassion is most needed, precisely when you can’t afford it. Losing that, would make us no less than a monster.”

“Precisely when we can’t afford it, huh. The only one who can accomplish that, is either a truly good man, or a desperate idiot. It’s not something easy for sure.”

Utayo replies while shaking his head.

“Yeah… A person’s true nature is tested right when they are cornered by a crisis. Taking it like that, we may be getting tested by the world. Unable to withstand our greed, will we turn into monsters? Or remain human?”

“I want to be human at heart. I want to be kind to others. But was this heart itself born out of leisure? I, in my own leisure, cannot know.”

Ritsu gazed at the blooming cherry blossoms in the plaza, as if he was peering into dazzling light.

◇

“Ritsu, well done. I didn’t think something like this would happen so soon.”

Ryugen told Ritsu while sitting on a chair.

“Yeah. Honestly, I was surprised. But that has allowed me to realize a few things.”

“That so. That’s great. I’ve heard that ya can’t reach the peak of martial arts, if even one of yer mind, technique, or body is lacking. If you’ve come to a realization, then that’s a great thing.”

“Yeah. That’s why, I wanted to talk for a bit.”

Ritsu stood up, and walked to Ryugen’s side.

“What?”

“I want to see this world more clearly. Is it okay if I go to the mainland?”

Surprised at Ritsu’s words, Ryugen replies after softening his eyes.

“The mainland is wider than what you expect. It also has sights which make ya want to avert your eyes. Will you still go?”

“Yes. I want to take it all in, without averting my eyes.”

Ritsu looked at his grandfather with clear, penetrating eyes.

“…..I see. It’s like warrior training. Fine, see it to your heart’s content.”

Ryugen smiles, sensing a change inside Ritsu.

“Thank you.”

“That said, the sects also require an explanation, so it’ll be a few days before you leave.”

“I know.”

Ritsu’s eyes were shining, as if he could see the distant future.

“Seriously…”

Ryugen muttered while staring curiously at Ritsu.

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Thanks for the wait. This was the last chapter of the 2nd arc of this series!

I appreciate all of you that read it till here.

I’ll be back on a regular schedule starting October, so please be patient till then.

Yume Migusa is another name for “Sakura” in Japanese. That’s why I kept it like that.

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