Chapter 96

Masato’s intelligence network on Earth had kept him abreast of events across the world, both in public and behind the scenes. Through it, he’d learned of the deeply unethical practices Keine employed on the battlefield. Her moral philosophy vastly differed from society’s. Masato couldn’t begin to make heads or tails of it, but given how highly Tsukasa valued human rights, he likely found her all but repugnant. “We were always kind of an oddball crew. You’ve only ever known us as a group, so this might come as a surprise to you, but if not for us crashing here together, you’d never have seen us all workin’ as one.” “Roo never knew…” “Still, I’m not a monster. I’m not just gonna let Ringo and Prince hang out to dry. Even if things turn ugly, I want to at least use my position with Neuro to get him to spare their lives. With things the way they are, though, that’s probably as much as I’m gonna be able to do for ’em…” Masato glanced down with a hint of sadness in his eyes. “If you’re upset with me after hearing all that, you don’t have to keep tagging along.” “Roo would never leave!” The little girl shouted at the top of her lungs. “You bought Roo as a slave, and Roo is gonna stay right here! Roo’s gotta learn lots more stuff from you to buy her mommy and daddy back!” she declared. “Well, all righty then,” Masato replied, grinning. Roo stuck to her contracts, and she was honest and direct about what she valued. Both of those were admirable qualities for a merchant to have. “That’s what I like to hear. Remember, if you don’t know what you want, you’ll never get anywhere.” The young girl’s eyes never strayed from their target, and nothing was going to sway her. With the kinds of talents she possessed, it wouldn’t be long before she made that dream of hers a reality. And that would only be the beginning. Once Roo realized the power she had at her disposal, she wouldn’t be able to help herself from testing its limits, just as Masato had. I’ve got dreams and desires of my own to fulfill. Masato turned his gaze to the eastern sky and his thoughts to his age-old foe who waited somewhere in that direction. Excitement welled up in his chest.