The giant, dressed in white gold-rimmed robes, walked calmly. It was his palace, his ship, and one of the many cages he had built for himself.

There was no longer half a figure in the golden hallway, and the Janissaries had evacuated everyone in advance, lest they would witness an original figure emerge from the banquet hall in a menacing manner, causing unnecessary trouble.

The giant actually knew that Conrad Coz had no ill will towards mortals, and his mood was fairly stable now. Moreover, even if he loses control, I'm afraid he won't hurt the innocent.

But he's a genomorph after all.

Moreover, he is Conrad Coetzes. Ordinary people would tremble at the first sight of him from the instinctive fear born of flesh and blood, something that could not be changed.

Wearing his mask, the giant walked silently down the hallway.

The mirror-like ceiling is carved with meticulous and delicate lines, so that the giant doesn't have to look up to know that his laurels will reflect the dazzling brilliance as he walks.

The person who designed the corridor was Mildre, and her family and herself were honored by the great honor. When the corridor was completed, Mildri vowed never to sculpt, build, or paint for anyone again.

"My hands will dance only for the emperor of men." She said.

The giant still remembers this phrase, and he will always remember it.

At that time, he wore a mask and stood on a high platform with a blank face, and expressed his gratitude to Mildri, who was kneeling and weeping and choking, amid the cheers of the crowd.

"I thank you, Mildre."

But what is he really trying to say?

"No, don't waste your talent. It's not worth it. ”

He couldn't speak.

He could only watch as that brilliant artist died in a frenzied depression at the end of his life due to the conflict between faith and instinct.

Her bones were burned to ashes, mixed with paint, smeared into his portrait, and then treasured for eternity to be worshipped for generations to come.

They looked upon him like a god—again.

Is it in human nature to defend a god, whether that god is false or not?

He didn't want to think any longer, so he stopped and stopped in front of a door.

This door, like the rest of the ship, has a uniform design. The giant double-headed eagle ornament stared coldly and mercilessly at the door.

The giant closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he pushed them open and walked in.

It was dark inside, and a shadow watched in the corner. The room was large enough, even excessively large, and the furniture was readily available, but the shadow still chose to crouch in the corner.

"Spirits." Neos hissed. "Please don't leave."

“...... Do you speak Nostramo? ”

"I will."

"How did you do that?"

"I've learned a lot of languages, including this one."

"Have you learned Nostramo?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever been to Nostramo?"

"Nope."

"And how did you learn it?"

"Once upon a time...... Humanity is a fairly interconnected whole in the galaxy. ”

Neos closed the door and stood in front of it, calmly answering the ghost's question. He didn't look at the latter, but he knew that the latter was watching him.

"They settled on many planets and developed unique cultures. Although it was different from their home planet, I thought it was a good thing, and I learned a lot of languages. ”

"A long time ago?"

"Yes, a long time ago."

"Have you lived a long time?"

"I ......"

Neos was silent for a moment and shook his head: "No, I have died many times. ”

"I don't understand."

"It's right not to understand, ghost. It's an abstract concept, and it shouldn't be understood......"

"So, what are you doing with me?" The ghost hissed, his tone a little urgent.

Hearing this urgency, Neos's memories of Nostramo finally began to revive - it was a reluctant move, his memories were too complicated, too large.

His memory is a huge cemetery, in which many people and things that only he remembers sleep with.

The Nostramo language that Neos remembers is for the most part a poetic language, passionate and confident with the people who created it and who used it, who were born poets, romantic and upright.

But not anymore.

Now, it hisses and has a sharp tone. The poetry remains, but it is brutally poetic. The people who use it have also changed from decent people to murderers, unwitting anti-humans, and workers who are struggling to survive in pain.

How sad.

He was silent before answering the ghost. He knew that silence would make the questioning more intense, but he had to—remember...... Swept.

“...... I tried to apologize. Neos said.

"Apologies again?"

The ghost's tone became sharper. "I don't need to apologize."

"So, at least you need an explanation?"

“...... No, I don't need to. The ghost replied stiffly.

Neos finally sighed.

"I don't talk to you because you don't need me to teach you anymore. He has done everything he can to tell you everything you need. ”

An unfamiliar, aching father stared at his strange son and spoke softly.

"You already have a father, you don't need me."

Silence, silence again. When it came again, the ghost realized that he was already somewhat familiar with it, and this time, he had to break it himself.

“...... Conrad Coetze. The ghost spoke in a low voice, asking abruptly. Why did you name me? ”

Neos did not answer.

His vision was frozen, painfully icy.

"There are a lot of gargoyles in Quintus, I've seen many. I numbered them in turn, but I didn't name them. ”

Names are extremely important, Caril said. If you give an object, or a person's name, you take responsibility for taking care of it. Because it will always be changed by the name you give. ”

"I didn't name the gargoyles because I knew I couldn't take care of them, I couldn't do it. Carlil didn't give me a name either, he called me the Midnight Ghost. I asked him why, and he just said he couldn't help it. ”

"I don't know why he can't help it."

"And you gave me the name, I don't like it, but if you want, I'll take it. Luo Jia may be annoying to me, but he is right about one thing, I can indeed feel the blood connection between you and me. ”

"But if ...... If you don't want to ......"

In the darkness, the ghost asked with all his might, in his calmest voice. “...... Then why are you giving me a name? ”

Because I used to think, because I used to be able too.

Neos closed his eyes, and his voice sounded like a whisper in the wind: "...... Because of responsibility. ”

"Responsibility?"

"I have a duty to you." Neos said.

His eyes were still closed, unwilling to open them. But, as he said, responsibility is calling. It's not the father's responsibility, it's another.

The mask whispered calmly in his mind, trying to cover his bloody face again. Neos refused, he needed a little more time.

As long as this amount of time is fine. He said to himself.

"I don't know if this responsibility includes the love of a normal father for his children. My emotions and thoughts are divided, ghosts, you can't understand them. No one but me could understand it. ”

"So I bind myself with responsibility, and I must give you the name—it's an anchor, ghost. It evokes my ...... Sentiment. ”

......

......

In the darkness, someone said in High Gothic. "I need you."

Other than that, there was no answer.

Neos lowered his head.

"Thank you." He said in a deep voice. "Thank you, Wraith."

"You can call me Conrad Coetze." Said the man in the dark.

-----------------

Carlil could hear the roar clearly.

If he hadn't seen Lorja Aurelian in person, if he hadn't been one of those who had witnessed the dinner, perhaps he wouldn't have taken the roar for a human voice.

But he saw it with his own eyes. Not only that, but he was the source of this roar.

It's so much fun...... He thought.

The power of the demigod, the shell of the demigod, is so noble that ordinary people can't look at it directly...... The inner spirit is weak enough to be easily torn apart by such words.

Faith?

A true fanatic doesn't care about the gossip of unbelievers.

He turned.

The door of the ballroom was slammed open with a thud by a giant, his golden skin, on which the characters danced brightly, while his countenance was distorted to the point of horror.

"Apologize to me!" He shouted. "Otherwise, even if you are Conrad's adoptive father, I will have to pay the price!"

"I'm not his adoptive father."

Carlil replied calmly, ignoring the giant's wrath - if anyone else watched it, he would not be puzzled, after all, he was a giant now.

"I've said it many times that I'm just partners with him."

"You have insulted my faith!"

Lorga roared, completely indifferent to Carlil's explanation, as if she hadn't heard it at all.

"You don't know anything about me! You don't know what kind of light I see, you're just a mere one-"

He paused abruptly, and abruptly stopped what he wanted to say.

"Mortal?"

Carlil smiled and added for him. He didn't mind it.

"You always speak this word with a bit of high-minded compassion and self-righteous arrogance, as if mortals are inferior. And now, at the moment when I am taller than you, you have fallen into silence again. ”

"I do have mercy on them!"

Luo Jia shouted again. "But I don't think they're inferior! They are just lost lambs in need of be saved! ”

Karil sighed in weariness, he didn't want to be entangled with the so-called demigod any longer.

It doesn't make any sense, there is still a lot of work to be done on Nostramo. The man who was the Emperor had given him and the Wraith a lot of support, including an entire legion on their way.

Corps. He thought. Interesting statement.

Carlil's eyes flashed at the tall, armoured warriors.

So, it's that kind of legion...... A whole one, it seems that there is a bit of a surplus for Nostramo.

"Luojia, calm down! You've said enough today! ”

A voice rang out at the door, with a palpable irritation, interrupting his thoughts.

Carlil looked up, a little surprised.

He thought it would be that Roger Dorn, but he didn't expect it to be the giant who had been silently supporting Fogham at the dinner.

Ferus Manus? He silently recited his name.

Iron, hand...... The former refers to character, and the latter refers to the fact that he will lend a helping hand to many people? Or is it just to indicate the pair of silver arms?

Carlil quietly prepared to wait and see, but he didn't expect Ferus Manus to burn the fire on him in the next second.

"And you, Mr. Carlil Lohars, I ask you to calm down and don't use that power again......"

The giants with silver hands spread their arms sincerely, and they sparkled. "They make me feel uncomfortable."

"Really? I'm sorry, but I only use it when necessary. ”

"You've just used it to silence all of us - I knew early on that you couldn't be just an ordinary person, but I didn't expect you to be so powerful."

Ferrus said, a deep wrinkle between his brows.

In Carlil's opinion, his demeanor at the moment was actually quite similar to that of Rog Dorn, but compared to the cold and direct of the giant, Ferus Manus still retained a little room for maneuvering.

"Powerful is just a false adjective."

Carlil said noncommittally. "Nobody is really powerful, because the meaning of the word doesn't exist in the real world at all."

“...... I have reservations on this point. Ferus said slowly. But, please forgive Luo Jia for being rude—"

"-rude?!"

Luo Jia roared again, the anger of the original body was extremely amazing, and the golden characters on the skin brightened violently.

He thought that Ferus would support him, but he didn't expect his brother to say such a thing!

"He's the one who is rude, Ferus! He didn't care about his father's kindness, he had such a strong power and let our brother live in that kind of place! ”

Luo Jia trembled and looked at his brother, angry, disappointed, and aggrieved.

"How can you call me rude?! I love our brother, and I speak for him! He's had suffered enough on Nostramo, and it's obviously all thanks to this man! ”

"We haven't even seen Conrad for a day, Luoja, we don't know anything about what happened on the Nostramo, why do you come to such arbitrary conclusions?"

The depth between Ferus's eyebrows began to become more pronounced and more intense. His expression was serious, but Carlil caught a glimpse of the vague anger in the heart of the giant whose name was iron.

Yes...... Another psychologically problematic.

It seems that there is only one person who can be considered normal. Carlil thought helplessly.

"We already know enough!"

Roja cried out, no longer growling, but waving his arms like an orator, trying to convince his brother, very sophisticated and gifted.

He used this talent very naturally, and he had no idea that he was using it.

"We know that Conrad suffered, that he was visibly malnourished, didn't we? We know that he only has a tattered garment to wear, and we also know that he believes in this man with all his heart! ”

He turned his head and glared at Karil with genuine anger in his eyes.

"Carlil Lohals! Do you dare to say that you did not deliberately manipulate our brother so that he would mistake you for what a kind father you are? You're just trying to use him for your advantage! ”

"You have so much power and yet you let him live in such a house and put him in such a horrible environment! He's the Emperor's heir! You hypocritical and shameless person! ”

Luo Jia opened her arms violently, and her posture was like that of a martyred saint.

"Now, are you satisfied?! You've come aboard the Imperial Dream, you've set foot here, and there are countless people in the galaxy who yearn for such an honor, and you! You despicable little man, you are standing here because of our brothers! ”

"If you still have a conscience, you should go and confess to him now! Tell him your true intentions, your true thoughts! Then beg Him to forgive you! ”

Ferus Manus slowly clenched his fists and creaked.

He couldn't take it anymore, he couldn't understand why Luo Jia had to choose this time to do such a thing—not to mention that his subjective assumptions were too obvious.

If Karil Lohals really was such a person, wouldn't their father see it?

If he really was, would their father really talk to him alone? How could they leave the banquet hall and let them solve the problem?

He took a deep breath, intending to speak an admonishment, and was ready to do it.

Luo Jia had done enough wrong things today, and he couldn't let him go on any longer.

However, there was one man who was faster than him.

"I'm sorry." Carlil said sincerely.

Ferus stopped in disbelief, and Lorga let out a loud laugh, not realizing that the sorry was addressed to Ferus.

And then—

"-I can't take it anymore, I thought I could, but your words really made me ......"

Carlil sighed, and the blue light came again, and this time, he didn't hold back.

“...... I'm furious. ”

The blue light is fleeting.

-----------------

In the majestic hall, two giants are talking face to face.

"I'm sorry to hurt your son." Carlil said. "I apologize to you for that."

"Everyone has moments when they are dominated by emotions."

Neos said noncommittally. "Luo Jia is dominated, so he falls into an undeserved rage, he blindly looks at the truth he wants to see, and speaks nonsense about you—he really deserves to be punished."

"Well, I should too." Carlil said calmly. "I'm also dominated by emotions."

“...... Are you tempting? Neos frowned. You know my attitude, and you know that I don't care about that. ”

"You should care."

Carlil shook his head solemnly: "An outsider has injured one of your sons on your ship, is it possible that you should be indifferent to this?" ”

"He did something wrong, he made a mistake—"

—he seemed to him right, and his love for his brothers was real. Also, I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I can't help it. ”

Carlil took a deep breath.

"You can't just focus on big goals and plans, I bet you've never revealed them to your sons, not even once, when you made them, right?" he said quickly. ”

"They won't understand."

"You don't even think they will understand?"

"They're just kids."

"Kid?!"

Carlil's voice suddenly became high, and his face showed anger. "You gave them great strength and noble status, and then you call them children?!"

"Aren't they to us?"

"What about the others?"

Carlil shook his head. "What are they to others, to those who are far inferior to them?"

"Do you think it's good that you hide all your purposes and hide and be a father who only talks to a few? Isn't Loja Aurelian's problem obvious enough? ”

"He has cut off one side of you and kept it in his own heart as a god and his own Savior! Once he finds out that you're completely different from this, what do you think he'll do? ”

“...... He'll understand for himself, and I can't change his will. ”

Cooler silently raised his hand, closed his eyes and rubbed his brow.

He was suddenly tired.

It was a long time before he spoke again.

“...... I would have thought that someone like you would be a conscientious pragmatist, a realist, but I never expected you to be an idealist. ”

Carlil looked up tiredly.

"You don't want to change everybody with your own words, because you feel like those words are like a command to them...... You think they can figure it out on their own, don't you? ”

"They can." Neos said firmly. "I believe in them. They have all the virtues of all the humans I've ever seen. ”

"Yes, and all human beings have shortcomings."

Carlil said expressionlessly. "Like inherited from your stubbornness, you brought four sons, all of whom have this problem. What about the others? Will it be better, or worse? ”

“......”

"Let's get down to business." Carlil remained expressionless. "For example, the specifics of that legion, and what my future work will be...... There should be many planets waiting to be recovered, right? ”

Neos nodded, and he could only nod.