Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [296]
“Let him go?”
“Are you just going to let him get away with this?”
Wataru blinked, uncomprehending. “What do you mean? What is he getting away with?”
“What isn’t he getting away with!” Kutz slapped the railing with the palm of one hand. “Think about it. What has he done? What is he doing? At Triankha Hospital, in Sono, he used his magic to kill dozens, maybe hundreds of people. The port town of Sono lies in shambles because of him. What do you think about that?”
Wataru was flustered. It felt like the carefully laid pieces of armor he had put over his heart were coming undone. “B-but…”
“But what?”
“At Triankha—he had to do that. He was up against those fanatics. If he hadn’t struck back, they would’ve killed him, and neither of us would’ve been able to get out of the magic barrier they created.” And… and… Wataru’s mind raced, looking for more excuses. “He’s done good things too. Like in Maquiba. He used his magic to put out a wildfire there. If the fire had been left to burn, the whole town would have been ruined.”
But then Wataru remembered how Mitsuru had turned down the Precept-King of Dela Rubesi’s request. He simply didn’t have time, he said. Yet he did find the fugitive—not to capture him but to use him to cross to the north.
“If he’s such a powerful magician, then I’m sure he could have found more subtle means to achieve his ends. If he wanted to, I’m sure he could have found a way without hurting and killing people from Vision and destroying our towns. Why didn’t he?”
Wataru took a step back. Kutz pressed on. “Let me answer for you. It’s because this Mitsuru kid doesn’t care a lick about Vision. As long as he reaches the Tower of Destiny and meets the Goddess, he’s happy to leave and never look back. I doubt he’d ever set foot in our world again. That’s why he thinks it doesn’t matter whom he hurts or what trouble he causes. Even if he should leave a mountain of corpses in his wake—as he has—who cares? Advancing toward his goal by the fastest possible means is paramount to all other concerns.”
Kutz reached out, grabbing Wataru by the shoulder. “And you’re okay with this? Do you think what he’s doing is right?”
Is it right? Is it wrong? I don’t think…
“Mitsuru is my friend,” Wataru said in a small voice. No matter how deep he reached, that was the only answer he could come up with.
“I didn’t ask you that. I asked whether you agreed with the methods he’s chosen.”
Kutz pushed Wataru and turned away from him. Wataru staggered back and grabbed the railing for support.
“After he’s gone to the north, I’m sure he’ll keep doing what he does, you know. If something stands in his way, he’ll rip it up from its roots and toss it aside. Even if he has to walk over a mountain of rubble and dead bodies, he’ll keep walking without a moment’s regret.”
“B-but Mitsuru…” Wataru spoke haltingly. “I think he has to do what he does…that’s how much he wants to change his fate! His lot in life was so bad, he’ll do anything…He’s much more determined…much more determined than I am.”
Kutz whirled around so fast her hair spun up behind her. “And that justifies any means? You’d forgive him what he’s done? If it’s to get back something you’ve lost, to make amends for something bad that happened to you, does it not matter what you do to anyone else? Think of what you’re saying! I’ll ask you again. Do you think he’s right? Can you forgive him?”
Wataru didn’t have an answer. Not an ounce of pride remained in his heart.
“The Northern Empire is a serious threat to us, yes. But there are many people living up there, same as here. Not all of them agree with the policies of their emperor. Some of them have been beaten down; they’re suffering. You said Mitsuru did what he did at Triankha because he had no other choice, because he was dealing with those fanatics? So, by your reasoning, he’s free to do whatever he likes to the people of the north? They are mostly believers in the Old God too, you know.”
The darkness around them grew deeper. Stars now filled the night sky, but the brightest lights came from Kutz