That is an attractive proposal but.... it is not possible for me to accept it."
"Why?"
I'm not calm.
For persuasion I should remain calm.
This opponent won't change his opinion even if I raise my voice.
I can also see that there is a hole in my logic.
Just because the job is over doesn't mean he can say hello-goodbye to his position in the royal family.
I see.
Yeah, I get it.
But it would still be good to go back with that kind of excuse.
"Let me ask you why."
"Well... it's unexpected, but even you don't understand."
Of course I don't understand!
No, I need to calm down.
Patiently, be patient.
Surely there is a reason that Zanoba has become obstinate.
I'll stay here and listen patiently until I can unravel his motives.
"...Zanoba, Pax should be afraid of you."
"So what?"
"Because of something like that, that fellow annihilated the rest of the royal family."
Even if Zanoba doesn't hold a grudge against Pax, the other side is underhanded.
It's only natural to be suspicious of someone with such a shady past.
"He could easily have the Death God help him take care of you."
" .... "
"Let's put whether to rescue Pax or not aside.
Even if you help Pax now,
Pax won't come to trust you.
He'll just betray you.
At any rate, once he has a chance he'll kill you.
That isn't the kind of place you should want to rush into."
Zanoba said nothing.
He just looked at me with a sullen face.
"You... Before you said the country would die and there was nothing I could do.
I understand that I could die during war,
but the idea that I will die because Pax is jumping at shadows is laughable.
After all, I am only here because I was called to the service of my country."
" .... "
Zanoba closed his eyes and was silent.
I breath in slowly to prepare my next words with care.
"It's that, Pax is my younger brother... he's my last blood relation."
Younger brother...
Blood relation...
Because of those words I lost my ability to speak with a single blow.
There is nothing I can say anymore.
Despite this Zanoba continued his arguments.
"Just now, I wanted to try to say that kind of thing. I don't know if you can understand but... but Pax is my little brother."
Zanoba is staring blankly at me.
His face has no color in it.
He isn't trying to express anything, not with his face, hand gestures, crying, laughter, nothing.
This is the real Zanoba, looking straight at me.