"Continue," Swamp Dragon said.
Kyle resumed his story.
When he talked about the trade with Horatio, his freedom for the end of the world, Swamp Dragon didn't show any reaction.
Then, Kyle talked a bit about the Cult.
He talked about how they had helped him and how they had increased his Karmic Luck.
Swamp Dragon remained silent.
"Don't you think the weighing of Karmic Luck is strange?" Kyle asked. "I killed 500 Initiates, who were supposed to die anyway, and in exchange, the world decided that I was redeemed."
"Even more, the Desperation Trial that was made in my name just helped 50 people, and that was enough to counteract the death of tens of thousands of Mortals."
"It's about potential," Swamp Dragon said calmly. "The 50 people who were saved in your name might save thousands of mortals."
"Or they might kill thousands of mortals," Kyle answered.
"On average, due to the effects of Karmic Luck, a Seeker is more likely to help people than to hurt them," Swamp Dragon said.
"Then, what about the dead Initiates?" Kyle asked. "They would be killed anyway. There was no potential for harm reduction there. Why did it increase my Karmic Luck?"
"Isn't it strange? I didn't sentence them to death. I was just the executioner, but I still got almost all the Karmic Luck."
Swamp Dragon didn't immediately answer.
He instinctively tried to find a counterargument, but deep inside, he felt like what he would say would feel hollow.
"I do not have an answer for that," Swamp Dragon said after several seconds. "I can't think of a good explanation. The only thing I can come up with is that it is a flat reward for getting rid of dangerous individuals."
"While your execution of the 500 Initiates didn't benefit anyone, for fairness' sake, the reward must be given to retain consistency. The reward has to be consistent, reliable, and pure so that others may rely on the rules of Karmic Luck."
"However, that argument is weak, and it sounds more like an excuse than an actual reason."
"The truth is, I don't know. In such cases, I can only defer to authority. I can only trust that whoever or whatever made these rules knows what they are doing," Swamp Dragon said.
"But do their values agree with yours?" Kyle asked.
"I don't know, and it doesn't matter. I will do what I think is right. Up to now, my morality has aligned with the rules of Karmic Luck, but if my morals ever differ, I will do what I believe is right. Even if it damages my Karmic Luck. "
Kyle sighed again.
He admired Swamp Dragon for his character.
But at the same time, Kyle knew that he wasn't as stalwart in his morals as he was.
Kyle tried to follow his morals.
He tried to help the people who had helped him.
But if his life or future were on the line…
He would prioritize himself.
He was doing the same thing right now.
After all, he was still a member of the Cult of Final Fate.
As Kyle looked at Swamp Dragon, he felt a bit ashamed.
He couldn't do what Swamp Dragon was doing.
"I can't be like you," Kyle said. "I can't sacrifice myself for what I believe in."
"Nobody expects you to," Swamp Dragon said. "People have freedom. People can make their own choices. I realize that my standard for my morals is significantly higher. Just because someone won't go to the same lengths to do good as I do doesn't mean they are worthy of disdain."
"By surviving another day, you may reach a level of power that will allow you to help more people in the future than you will save with your sacrifice."
"My morals are inflexible and stubborn. That is one of my weaknesses, but it is a weakness that I am unwilling to fix."
Swamp Dragon took a deep breath.
"Your betrayal still stings. I trusted you, and hearing that you were willing to betray all of us in the end hurt me deeply."
Then, Swamp Dragon released his sigh.
"But I can understand your actions. I know why you have done what you have done. Many, if not most, people would have made the same choices as you."
Swamp Dragon shook his head. "And if I believe that most people are despicable and worthy of death, what are my morals worth? Am I not saving and helping more monsters than people, in that case?"
"I believe people have the potential to be good and evil, but most of the time, the outcome will be less determined by their choices and more by their circumstances."
"Your circumstances have been dire, and you have done what you believed would get you out of these circumstances."
Swamp Dragon released a deep breath.
"I am willing to trust you again."
Then, he looked deeply into Kyle's eyes, and Kyle could see a flicker of fear and maybe even desperation in Swamp Dragon's eyes.
"Just… please… don't break my trust again," Swamp Dragon said. "You're my friend and I…"
"Don't want to lose you."
Kyle's heart was assaulted with guilt.
Despite Swamp Dragon's stable and stalwart appearance, he was still a human.
He also felt pain, fear, and anger. He just didn't show these emotions very often.
Kyle knew that this was not a promise he could keep.
When his duty as a Parasite changed from growing to information harvesting, he would betray Swamp Dragon.
Swamp Dragon might not be the target, but as a member of the Array of Stars and of this Cosmos, he would be affected.
Kyle looked at Swamp Dragon, keeping his expression under control.
He sighed and smiled sheepishly.
"Thank you and sorry," he said.
"It's fine," Swamp Dragon said. "You did what you had to do, and you've come clean."
"I trust you, Meteor Hammer."
"Thank you," Kyle said. "This means a lot to me."
"I trust you as well."
The two of them looked at each other for a while, their rift finally closed.
There was still some pain the two of them felt, but with time, that would also vanish.
"I will try to talk to Warp Space," Swamp Dragon said. "Maybe she will listen to me."
"I'm not in a position to refuse. Thank you," Kyle said.
Then, Swamp Dragon left.
After Swamp Dragon left, Kyle just released a shaky sigh.
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