"Thank you!" Baharo chuckled until tears welled in his eyes. "Thank you for letting me touch the dream of my childhood. Even though I know I don't have the strength to realize it, I'm still grateful."
Baharo's words puzzled Kuyi Tulan. What on earth is wrong with him?
"Seeing your expression, I can tell you're confused, and that makes me happy. Even the high-and-mighty Kuyi Tulan has moments when he doesn't understand!" Baharo was on the verge of bursting into laughter.
"I just want to know, what dream are you talking about? Don't tell me you aspired to be locked in a cage?" Kuyi Tulan deliberately provoked him, sensing this tactic often made people lose their composure.
"You don't have to provoke me; I won't fall for your tricks. However, I will tell you why I made this choice."
"Oh, is that so? Are you feeling regretful, or perhaps you feel it wasn't worth it?" Kuyi Tulan persisted.
"No regrets, nor remorse. I believe it's the proudest thing I've ever done. Even considering the price I paid, I don't feel it was unworthy."
"Oh? That's quite an interesting line of reasoning."
"Did you know? Although this world is supposedly based on Equivalent Exchange, many things are unfair. Some people are rich while others are poor. Are these all instances of Equivalent Exchange?"
"Aren't they? You reap what you sow. You always have to give something to get what you desire," replied Kuyi Tulan. Why is Baharo bringing all this up?
"You're right. You should get back what you put in. It's a very simple principle," Baharo said softly, as if trying to reason with Kuyi Tulan.
"Hmm?" Kuyi Tulan tried to follow Baharo's train of thought but still felt lost.
Off to the side, Elder Rostellum was puzzled. Why on earth was the chief of the Alchemy Workshop having a leisurely chat with a prisoner at a time like this? Shouldn't he be worried about what was happening on the mountain? So many incidents were occurring up there. Why weren't the people from the Alchemy Workshop in a hurry? And Lord Babasha's death—that was a major incident! Why did the Alchemy Workshop act as if nothing had happened? Even worse, they allowed that Dark Wizard, that terrifying Dark Wizard, to go up the mountain with them? Elder Rostellum felt unusually anxious. Perhaps it was because the slow, meandering conversation between Baharo and Kuyi Tulan was so irritating. However, Elder Rostellum was currently a person of low standing in this tavern; it wasn't his place to speak. Even if he somehow managed to get a word in, no one would listen to him. He could only continue to listen to their sluggish conversation.
"Then look at him," Baharo turned his head towards Dastan. "Do you think he deserved everything he suffered?"
"And why not? To obtain greater power, one must make corresponding sacrifices!" Kuyi Tulan retorted.
"So, the Glory Knights didn't deserve to have their own titles?"
"Everything that happens has its reasons."
"Then tell me, why were the renowned Glory Knights stripped of their titles, only to exist in the rumors spread by the Crows?"
"It's not as you imagine. It's a rather lengthy story," Kuyi Tulan answered.
"Lengthy? Story? Are you kidding me?" Baharo raised his voice, incredulous.
"Hey, friend," Dastan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. "You don't need to do this. Kuyi Tulan is just an asshole."
"Senior, you don't understand. It was my greatest honor to stand with you. Besides, I had my own mission at the time. I wasn't just helping you; I was also helping myself."
"Actually, I never had the chance to ask: why did you choose to stand with us back then? Given the situation, our defeat was certain."
"Winning or losing isn't important. What matters is having a clear conscience. Once a decision is made, it must be seen through." Baharo smiled faintly. He didn't regret the choice he made that day.
"It is my honor to stand with you!" Dastan nodded at Baharo.
"Are you two done?" Kuyi Tulan interrupted. "Now, tell me how the person you were protecting managed to slip away from Milo."
"Slip away?" Dastan laughed. "You think too highly of your Alchemy Workshop."
"And you think you could stop my advance?" Kuyi Tulan didn't even deign to look at Dastan.
"Milo's ants may be formidable, but they are not invincible," Dastan said.
"Do you know how to defeat them?"
"I don't, but the Young Family Leader does. He used his Sharkmon to repel the ant swarm."
"But Milo has more than just that one method of attack."
"True, he has many methods, but I'm not just sitting on my hands either," Dastan retorted.
"The greatest weakness of Incomplete Moon is its massive Spirit Power consumption. I suppose that's why your Young Family Leader was defeated and ended up needing you to cover his retreat."
"You're very perceptive, Kuyi Tulan."
"I know Milo's style. He's the type who won't give up until he achieves his objective."
"And so?"
"The current situation indicates that Milo didn't gain any advantage back then."
"He's also quite talkative," Baharo added. It was from this Alchemist named Milo that he had learned that Dastan, who resembled a large rabbit, was once one of the Glory Knights. It was also this Alchemist, Milo, who told him what had happened to the Glory Knights and why Dastan had ended up in his current state.
"Milo is a sentimental person. Seeing you, he must have felt some emotion, so I can understand him being a bit more talkative," Kuyi Tulan said.
"He is indeed a worthy disciple of the Great Mentor. He uses every technique with such mastery. Sometimes, I truly feel it's a waste for him to be following you," Dastan said. He felt Milo was far more qualified to be the Chief Alchemist, while Kuyi Tulan was merely a capable assistant. But why Milo had become Kuyi Tulan's assistant was something Dastan couldn't comprehend.
Baharo had made his decision because of Milo. He had exhausted every ounce of his strength to help Dastan cover the retreat of Stan Sol and the governor's son's group. In that moment, he had seen Milo not only as a terrifying opponent but also as one worthy of immense respect. Baharo had even thought that if this opponent were his ally, he would be incredibly reliable.
But an opponent was an opponent. Although Milo himself hadn't been physically present, his Exchange Beast was like his avatar, incredibly powerful. Even from a distance, its combined attacks could form a devastating offensive force.
In truth, a large part of Baharo's earlier "thank you" was directed at Milo.
Regardless, Baharo's decision had certainly caught Kuyi Tulan's attention.
"I know, you all think I'm the cause of everything. But you need to understand that all of this happened for a reason, and I will tell you that reason. Only when you know the full story, the ins and outs of this whole affair, will you understand my painstaking efforts for the Empire. So now, let me tell you what true sacrifice is, and what true reward is."
Kuyi Tulan flicked his hand, and a piece of Gold appeared within it. He tossed the Gold into the burning fireplace, slowly beginning another lengthy tale.