Concept?"
"Yeah. Tio said it when we were in "Guryuu-en Great Volcano". She said 'isn't it possible that each of the dungeon had its own concept prepared by the "Liberators"?' If that's true, then here is..."
"...To know the misery brought by the Mad Gods... maybe?"
"Aah, I think so, too."
Continuing Hajime's words by muttering the answer, Kaori recalled the spectacle from before, her face once again turned pale, and her body trembled as if she was suffering from a cold.
What made Kaori felt sick was the madness from the soldiers. Their behavior and speech were exactly of those so called "Fanatic" while she also couldn't help but feel disgusted from the killing.
The people continued to laugh loudly in a frenzy even when blood were spraying from their bodied. There were even those who died from gouging their own hearts out, raised it towards the sky as an offering to their Gods. There was also an older brother who stabbed through his own younger brother just to attack Hajime and Kaori, while the younger one laughed proudly. War itself was a place filled with madness, but one they just saw was far too ghastly. And it was wage all "For our God," so...
Seeing Kaori covering her mouth because she couldn't endure it, Hajime sat right beside Kaori and grasped Kaori's hand. He couldn't leave Kaori, who sickened by the madness, alone. Kaori was slightly surprised, looked at Hajime, relaxed, and squeezed Hajime's hand back.
"Hajime-kun, thank you..."
"Don't mind it. I understand... the pain from being exposed to the madness. I felt that when I fell into the abyss..."
"... Then, how? ... Wait, there's no need for you to answer... It was... Yue-san, right?"
"Yeah, it was because of her. If I hadn't met her inside the abyss... I wonder how I would have ended up."
Hajime looked into the distance in affection and nostalgia. He was surely recalling the time he met Yue. Seeing his expression made Kaori felt her chest squeeze.
"It's mortifying. To defend, to protect Hajime-kun... I wanted to do that. But even if I said that, it's not like I can do anything. Since it's me... who I couldn't even protect a promise. Ah~, Yue is a really powerful enemy~."
Kaori joking laughter made Hajime narrowed his eyes again. Kaori's smile was not the usual warm, positive smile because it might have also included self-torment and self-ridicule.
"... You've been apologizing since we came here, and don't make such a smile."
"Eh? Ummm..."
Hajime's sudden words made Kaori raised "?" above her head. However, her smile immediately collapsed and her expression stiffened from Hajime's next words.
"... Listen, Kaori. Why did you follow us here?"
"... That's... am I just a burden after all?"
The downcast Kaori made Hajime sigh, and he didn't answer her question.
"I remember the talk we had under the moonlight while drinking that disgusting tea that day. That's why, honestly, I don't think it's weird that you have goodwill for the current me."
"Hajime-kun, I..."
"However, I have no intention of denying it. I am sure Kaori had things only you can see, and that's what stirred your heart. Thus, there's no meaning for me to deny the decision you made. I have given you my answer, "even so" I think it's a good thing that you favor me. Even Shia didn't even feel discouraged. Rather, she recently made me seriously worry if she was going to attack me in my sleep."
Hajime recently felt the dread as he thought of the rabbit-eared girl with bugged physical strength. Seeing such a Hajime, Kaori made a wry smile in agreement.
"... Un, I think her aggressiveness and positiveness amazing."