Chapter 79

1.

“What do you think is Hiiro’s most important criterion?”

“Criterion? What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about Defenders from last time. Though you guys haven’t mentioned it, Hiiro has been personally recruiting people, right? I’m curious about that criterion.”

“Ah.”

It’s the topic I discussed with Senior Himari before.

What is the most important aspect in human relationships?

Among the values that allow an individual to be highly appreciated in a group, what is the highest? What factor should be most considered when someone must be entrusted with important responsibilities?

I had the same question when I conceived of the group called ‘Defenders’ and evaluated the potential members. What criteria should I use for recruitment?

Funds? Diligence? Ability? Connections?

I would shake my head at all of them.

The answer lies in the authenticity of a person.

Some might call it trust or belief.

“Can you trust them? That’s it.”

“I base my judgment solely on something ‘trustworthy.'”

The ten commandments inscribed in the Bible?

The norms and principles formed by people in society?

The values of right and wrong preached by everyone?

None of it matters.

“All of it doesn’t meet the criteria.”

Such things shouldn’t even be considered.

No, there was never a need for them in the first place.

Our goal isn’t to guide meek lambs into the Garden of Eden.

It’s to protect the weak, liberate the virtuous from the wicked, and act as a bulwark to maintain societal order.

That’s all we do.

“How do you prove this trustworthiness?”

“…It’s a gut feeling.”

“Excuse me? A gut feeling? Intuition?”

“Yes.”

Himari seemed at a loss for words after my response.

But I shrugged and continued.

Well, the memories from my past life are of great help actually.

“Isn’t this the first time I’ve ever been wrong?”

“…That’s really frustrating. But, is it really alright to have such loose criteria?”

“Not exactly. I’m not saying I’ll judge solely based on trustworthiness. There are various criteria, but trustworthiness is the most important among them.”

“So?”

The Defenders I aim to create are vigilantes after all.

But they are world-class vigilantes who get involved in international incidents.

My goal is to bring them to a position similar to the Avengers from my past life.

Thus, inevitably, the methods of the Defenders will resemble those of the Avengers.

“Regardless of whether someone is good or bad, no matter what their past is, I won’t care. It’s usually a motley crew that gathers in hero groups anyway.”

What were the members of the Avengers like?

A soldier frozen in ice for decades.

An arms developer who indulged in debauchery and was eventually kidnapped by insurgents, racking up karma.

A god of thunder who once lived as a wastrel and had his godly status stripped by his father.

A biologist with seven doctorates who carries a ticking time bomb of rage in his heart.

Men and women assassins and mercenaries who caused all sorts of incidents.

It was quite a spectacle.

Some might call it a grand narrative, but objectively speaking, you won’t find a group stranger than that.

Many other heroes who joined later were also far from normal.

Some lacked ethical standards, some weren’t righteous, and others were incredibly calculating.

Yet my goal is still the Avengers.

Therefore, those who I aim to recruit will not be bound by such criteria.

“Isn’t Hiiro’s goal to punish the wicked?”

You’re right, but not quite.

“I’m not saying we should only leave the virtuous in this city. Frankly, one’s character might not even matter. Who can know the heart of others?”

There might be those who hide their wickedness and live.

There might be those who pretend to be good despite their cunning.

It’s possible that a group of hypocrites seeks to satisfy their own desires.

But even so.

The value of good and evil, societal norms and conventions, and ethics — I do believe these are essential aspects of our mission.

So my role isn’t to punish the wicked but to act as a deterrent against evil, not to reform it or promote goodness.

I don’t consider kindness, righteousness, or virtue as absolute values.

“That might be all. Perhaps the concepts of good and evil are irrelevant from the start. There’s no reason to be concerned about it.”

That’s why these values must not bind the members of the group I aim to create.

As we cannot evaluate others, others cannot evaluate us either. Isn’t that only natural?

“The Avengers split due to external pressure, largely due to the ideological differences between Iron Man and Captain America.”

Perhaps the Defenders I aim to create might follow a similar path.

But I’m not particularly worried about this.

“I trust my intuition. And I trust Senior and others. I trust in the decision I’ve made to trust all of you. So I’m not too concerned.”

There’s knowledge others can’t understand, but I possess.

While this knowledge isn’t omnipotent, the memories and traces of their deeds are engraved in my mind.

Moreover, there’s a ‘mentor’ who can unite them all.

“Suspecting them all is as good as falling prey to paranoia. Like someone in Trinity might.”

We save people. We maintain order. We punish evil.

We won’t stand by in the face of injustice.

This level of awareness is enough.

A hero is someone who does what they believe is right.

Not someone who preaches righteousness to others or seeks to prove their own values.

So.

“Isn’t this enough?”

“…Hehe. Yes, it is.”

The hero in my heart is akin to the starlight in the night sky — beautiful and vivid, yet unreachable.

Still, just as humanity has come together to explore the universe, similarly, we will unite our strengths to realize our ideals.

Because achieving dreams is that valuable.

2.

“…So, why are you here?”

Just a while ago, Serika, plunged into shock, was screaming and raising a fuss. Now, with a slightly reddened face, she asked this.

And her expression was extraordinarily serious.

“What?”

Why is she setting such a serious tone?

Looking around, other members of the committee were also watching me with serious faces.

Even Hoshino.

“….”

Could they think that since I revealed I am Silk, they expect an important matter will be discussed?

“Hmm… I just came for leisure.”

“…”

“….”

“What? Stop lying.”

But it’s the truth.

“But… can’t I look for you?”

“Well, it’s not that, but….”

“No, that…”

“Then why reveal your true identity all of a sudden!”

It’s unexpected for me to say something like that, isn’t it?

And why did you reveal your identity?

“No, honestly, wasn’t I moving a little too obviously? When Silk disappeared, I disappeared too.”

Though I’ve been intentionally acting carelessly, to those observing closely, it seemed like an ‘inexplicable altruist’ might be moving this way.

From the start, since the time Silk and I came to Abidos are roughly synchronized, it could have raised suspicions.

Of course, I’ve moved so that only Abidos friends could track me.

External gaze and internal insight are different, after all.

“Plus, even though I came here for a desert investigation, there wasn’t really much to do. In conclusion, while I did capture Binah, it was mostly Silk, not actually Hiiro, who did it.”

“…”

“By disclosing it right away after the incident is over, I thought you all might have suspected me anyway. And I believe you all wouldn’t betray my trust.”

“Well, that’s true….”

“…To be believed is quite a good feeling, no? Hehe.”

Yeah. That’s why I said it. Be happier.

“Young man…! But why now of all times!”

“Because it makes no difference if I reveal it now or later.”

“Ugh…!!”

Serika, silenced by a logical argument, turned her face bright red and began striking my back.

Even if it didn’t hurt, I continued the conversation uninterrupted.

“Of course, I also have the ‘important matter’ you mentioned earlier in mind. But I don’t want to bring it up now. Aren’t you all incredibly busy currently?”

“…Yeah. That’s right.”

“Indeed, things have become busier now that we’re an official club.”

“Ugh~ There’s too much to check with more members~”

That’s why I didn’t bring it up.

When Abidos isn’t stable yet, recruitment is out of the question.

Bringing up complicated stories right now would only cause more headaches.

“So, let’s do it later. I don’t feel like having such a conversation now.”

“Haa, so you really came here for leisure….”

“Yes, it’s true. I said that from the beginning.”

Recruitment? Pfft, I just want to play with you guys!!!!

Make me have fun immediately!!!!

“Entertain me. I’m bored.”

“…Hiiro, please.”

“Why?”

“Every time you speak, the image of Silk in my mind feels shattered. Please close your mouth.”

“…”

I tilted my head and glanced around, finding that not only Serika but others were nodding in agreement.

Hmm, is it really that bad?

“Hm.”

Can’t help it then. It’s time to share that famous quote.

I stood up and whispered in Serika’s ear.

And I shared a well-known sentence with Serika.

“Admiration… is the farthest emotion from understanding.”

“Don’t you dare say such things!!”

As Serika angrily lunged at me, I caught her arms and said the next line.

“Don’t use such strong words… It shows weakness.”

“What are you saying, really…!!!”

“Don’t raise your voice like that. Kuroki Serika. It’s not something to be so surprised about, right?”

“Shut, upppppppp……!!!”

Hahaha.

I burst out laughing and fled from Serika.

Ah, it’s fun. As always, Serika is fun to tease.

Thus, we enjoyed a game of tag for a few tens of minutes.

Well, it was more like one-sided play from my side.