"That is up to you, Mr. Freeman,” the Red Witch said. "I've done my job. The Cult generally doesn't force things on you unless you have explicitly agreed to it beforehand. You may return or try to get back to the Main Dimension."
Kyle sighed. "I had a plan for going back to the Main Dimension. The reason why I left half of my wealth on my Planet was so that random people could find it and benefit, generating a bunch of positive Karmic Luck. I planned on escaping to the Hell Dimension, leaving the Secondary Sector, and waiting until my Karmic Luck improved."
'Guess that plan won't work anymore. While I didn't directly kill them, I was partially responsible for two Immortals dying. I don't think some donations can fix that much negative Karmic Luck.'
Kyle thought back to the Cult. 'They haven't treated me horribly. I agreed to become a Parasite, and they even amended my contract with them due to my doubts.'
Kyle sighed. again 'It's actually crazy. My relationships with any of the Peak Organizations are either negative or neutral. At this point, I can say my relationships with the Array of Stars and the Contrast Empire are negative, while my relationships with the Grand Exchange and Inner World are neutral. Although my relationship with Inner World might have changed since I shared their secrets, that's my fault, not theirs.'
'The Cult is the only Organization that I have a positive relationship with, which is ironic since they're working on destroying all of existence. Doesn't the antagonist usually treat their minions horribly, while the protagonist treats their people well? Why is it the other way around?'
Kyle thought about his options 'Even if could go back to the Main Dimension, it would be a stupid and suicidal thing to do. I'm almost definitely a criminal, and if the Array of Stars finds out that I'm still alive, they will also try to kill me. One of their Immortals has died, and if they find me, they will capture and investigate me. I don't think I could keep things secret from Immortals and Lords. They probably have all kinds of methods to pull my secrets out of my brain.'
'They will probably also pay the Grand Exchange to tell them about my whereabouts if they ever see me. Inner World probably wants to kill me anyway by now.'
'There are more Peak Organizations, but I don't think any of them are willing to offend three other Peak Organizations for me.'
'It's funny. My goal was to leave a large impact on the world, and I did just that. As a mere Crusher, I managed to deeply offend three Peak Organizations to the point that they want me dead.'
'Becoming a Legendary Crusher will be the easiest thing in the world, but my future in the Supreme World is cut off.'
I could try growing stronger on my own, but that's not realistic. I need some kind of backing, Guess I'm stuck with the Cult again.'
"Thank you for your help, and thank you for helping Sebastian," Kyle said.
The Red Witch just smiled, "Karmic Bonds are not green or red," she said "A Karmic Bond is often filled with both grudges and gratitude. Life is complex, and it's up to the individual to decide whether a Karmic Bond is green or red. I don't think this will be our last meeting, Mr. Freeman."
"Whether you decide to look for me when you have the power to kill me or decide to look for me to ask for help, one way or another, we will meet again."
Then, the Red Witch vanished.
Kyle took a deep breath.
At that moment, Sebastian hit Kyle's shoulder. "Lighten up, will you?" he asked with a smile "We see each other again after a long time, and you just keep sighing like a regretful old man. The Kyle I remember had a lot more energy and cheer!"
"Sorry, it's just that a lot has happened," Kyle said. "My entire world was turned upside down."
"So what?" Sebastian asked "You just gotta get back up and fight. Life is a constant struggle, and if you stop struggling, you die. Don't tell me you've never been through something like this before.'
Scenes shot through Kyle's head.
The time he fled from the Winterfire Kingdom. Back then, he felt like he had been hunted by the entire world. It felt like there was no escape.
The time he had become Overseer. He also had felt like there was no escape.
The time he had been declared a criminal. Again, no escape.
And yet, I've always escaped,' Kyle thought, 'I think Sebastian's right.'
Then.
Kyle punched his own face as Sebastian's brows rose.
"You're right!" Kyle shouted. "Constantly complaining and lamenting won't get me anywhere. Actually, I have to do something if I want to change something!"
Sebastian laughed, "That's right! That's the Kyle I remember! Anyway, how about we catch up a bit? I wanna know what happened after I left."
"You don't know?" Kyle asked.
Sebastian shook his head. "Nope. The Red Witch just said that you joined the Cult."
Kyle snorted "That's her doing. The way she recruited me was special."
Kyle told Sebastian about the things the Red Witch had forced him to do, and Sebastian's expression became more uncomfortable.
His relationship with her was quite good, but he couldn't deny that what she had done to Kyle was horrible.
"That's. yeah, I can see why you're not the biggest fan of her," Sebastian said.
"Was she better to you?" Kyle asked.
Sebastian nodded. "Yep. She always treated me respectfully and never forced anything on me. My current power is also thanks to her. I consider her a close friend."
"Even now?" Kyle asked.
"Of course," Sebastian said "You two are adults. Whatever beef you have is between the two of you. If you two want to kill each other, be my guest. I won't stop either of you, but I also won't support either of you.'
Kyle raised a brow. "You're acting like this is an equal conflict and not one vastly more powerful person forcing things on weaker person."
"I think you misunderstood,' Sebastian said "You have to keep in mind that the Red Witch has given me tremendous help. She has changed my life for the better several times. I am extremely grateful to her. If anyone wanted to do something to her, assuming I had the power, I would stand by her side."
"If she hadn't done something this horrible, I would be on her side right now. The fact that I'm neutral, after all she has done for me, shows that I definitely view her as the aggressor."
Sebastian shrugged "It's just that it doesn't really concern me, you know? I have her as a friend. I have you as a friend."
Kyle felt like he was looking into the past.
The things Sebastian had said sounded exactly like the things Kyle would have said in the Tertiary World. It was an attitude of indifference.
For just a moment, Kyle felt like Sebastian had changed.
But then, he realized that it wasn't Sebastian who had changed.
It was him.
Once more, Kyle saw the difference between Swamp Dragon and Sebastian.
"Actually, fair enough," Kyle said "Our conflict shouldn't involve you. You're right."
Just because Kyle admired Swamp Dragon's personality didn't mean that Sebastian wasn't right.
'I want freedom, and if I don't allow other people to have freedom as well, I will just be a hypocrite.'
'Well, unless their choices endanger me, in which case I will make the free decision to beat the shit out of you.'
tg://resolv?domain=StrongestHammerGod
The author's patreon. If he gets more than 1000€ per month, he will increase the number of words in the chapter.