Since he had the right to speak, and it was almost certain that he wasn't very kind to Theon, it was natural.
To be honest, he was at the scene of the conversation and his request was passed so easily. Xion was disappointed. He never dreamed that after the conversation, he would come to Xion with only a few guards.
Rather, now that I was being observed so directly, I accepted it and felt a little more at ease.
"Although there are rumors that he is a ridiculous person, but he investigated so carefully beforehand. Isn't it very diligent?"
"It's my nature to fool around."
If Dean's words from a few minutes earlier were anything to go by, he would have chuckled softly. He seems to have a good sense of humor.
"Besides, it can't be said to be diligent. Except for you and the Supreme Commander, I don't know the names of the other upper-level people."
"What an honor."
He must not have even thought about glory, I guessed, staring at Dean again.
"Well, it's about time I asked you what happened?"
"...It's nothing important, I just want to find you in person."
That said, having a face-to-face conversation like this is Dean's purpose in itself.
"That's not what I should say. Isn't the risk a bit high?"
"Those who have not taken action against the Supreme Commander, who has fewer guards than me, will do no good by taking action against me. And if you take action against me now, it will only make the contract that was just reached in vain."
Indeed, as he said, Theon had no special benefit from attacking Dean.
It is precisely because of knowing this that he has few guards and is calm.
Judging from the story, Dean's purpose has been achieved.
It is said that he was too busy to attend the military academy graduation ceremony, so it is not surprising that he will leave immediately now.
However, I would be a little angry if the other party ended the investigation unilaterally.
"If you want to understand yourself so much, can you chat with me for a while?"
Dean seemed a little surprised when he came to this room at Xion's invitation.
This alone made Theon somewhat gratified.
"...Yeah, it's rare to have such an opportunity. You must talk to him."
"Indeed! If you miss the opportunity to talk to senior officials like this, you may never have it again in your lifetime!"
Cixix and Theon smiled, and Dean on the front also smiled.
However, Dean's smile was probably just a friendly smile. Theon can't talk about people either, so each other.
Although Ajit and Anna could be felt anxiously on the left and right, Theon only stared at Dean.
"That said, we don't have anything in common. How about playing a little game?"
"Oh? What game is it?"
"One party can ask the other party a question, the party being asked answers, and then ask the other party a question. Very simple, right?"
“Although it is very simple, is there any standard for judging whether the answer to the question is true?”
Theon smiled at Dean's question.
"No……"
Seeing Dean's obviously surprised expression this time, Theon's smile deepened.
"Because there is no standard of judgment, it's okay to lie. Because it's a game that includes seeing through lies."
"How was it?" Dean simply replied, "Interesting."
He seemed very happy like that.
"So, here's our proposed game, so the questions start here."
"Thank you then... Let me get straight to the point and ask you, are you an enemy of mankind?"
Faced with the problem that the first shot was too straight, the two guards brought by Ajit, Anna and Dean sitting on both sides of Xion were even more surprised.
Meanwhile, Theon spoke without wavering.
"At least I don't plan to become an enemy of humanity yet."
"oh?"
"I have said it before, and I think everyone should know that I am a human after all. I was born to ordinary human parents and gained supernatural powers through mutation. Because I have many human friends, there is no reason to become a human. enemy."
"Now, what does this word mean?...Ah, this should be included in the second question, right?"
"Just serve. At this point in time, humans will not become my enemies."
Dean looked at him tentatively, and Theon took a sip of black tea.
"I am also a human being, and the safety of myself and my friends is very important. If you humans threaten me, I will definitely fight back accordingly."
"I see, is that what you said when we talked?"
Dean, who seemed to accept it, urged Theon to ask questions with grace: "Please ask."
"As you are promoting the war with the 'other world', why don't you object to having a strange talent like yourself as a helper?"
Even Theon, who doesn't understand politics, knows that Dean is famous for vigorously promoting border wars.
In that case, he acknowledged Theon's reasons for being a facilitator without showing any objection.
It can be said that this is what Xion cares about most.
"It's not that difficult. It's just a matter of comparing the pros and cons and deciding that the advantages are greater."
"You mean, even changing your usual opinions would be beneficial?"
"I have not changed my position."
Dean shrugged, as if it was an accident.
"Welcoming you is just a ploy to gain a favorable position in the border war... Anyway, this is the only source of intelligence about that world."
Although he introduced Xion, who is close to the "other world", he did not want to show his acceptance of the "other world" and the outside world.
All Dean seems to have in mind is how to take down the Otherworld with the information he got from Theon.
"Use whatever you can, even if it involves some risk."
"I see. I know very well that you are the kind of person you don't want to be an enemy of."
"Just take it as a compliment."
After asking each other a question, they all picked up the cup on the table and took a breath.
"It's my turn to ask questions again."
"Yes, please."
"Well, then-"
——Can you kill someone?
This question was as casual as gossip. Except for the two parties involved, one of the four people took a breath.
"Yes, if there is enough reason, I will kill him."
Like Dean who asked the question, Theon answered with the ease of a casual chatterer.
The other four people were quite shaken. Only Dean was not particularly surprised and just nodded at Xion's answer.
"As expected."
"It's a bit complicated to say that. Does my expression look so murderous?"
"Don't worry. If you don't know anything, you'll look like a boy who can't even kill bugs."
Faced with Xion's questioning, is Dean, who is drinking black tea, serious or does he find it troublesome? Having said that, since it's not particularly important, I won't pay too much attention to it.
"Then let me ask you a question. - Will you kill someone for your purpose?"
Hearing Xion's question, Dean's hand holding the cup stopped.
In a few seconds of silence, Theon just stared at Dean.
"Yes, you can kill him if necessary."
"Yeah, same as me."
"Ah, same."
Dean smiled slightly, and Theon smiled back.
At first glance, the atmosphere seemed harmonious, but just when Dean spoke, the electronic sound interfered with him.
"...What a shame. Looks like I'll have to move on to my next job."
"When you are so busy, I still want to retain you."
"No, it's not a bad time."
Dean suddenly stood up from the sofa and asked to shake Theon's hand, and Theon readily agreed.
Holding his hand, the fingers were thinner than expected, and I once again felt that he was not a soldier on the front line, but a strategist-type person thinking behind the scenes.
Seeing Dean and the two guards leaving after a cursory greeting, Theon let out a long sigh.
"...It's really annoying. That's definitely the most troublesome type."
In these dozens of minutes of conversation, Theon's only thoughts about this man named Dean Drake were this sentence.
If possible, I don't want to get involved anymore. But it was Xion who vowed in his heart to avoid him with all his strength.
It has been two days since the negotiations at the Miami base ended.
"Mist" has not set sail yet and is parked at the base.
"Mist" and the mobile armored assault equipped with EC drive are the latest experimental machines.
It was put into actual use about a month ago, and this is the first time it has been used for a long time. As a result, a massive inspection was conducted at the Miami base.
That large-scale inspection was originally scheduled and was expected to be about a week away including today.
During this period, of course "Mistolstan" cannot leave this base, and the mobile armor cannot easily attack.
