'I'm not a normal person, you say, but I'm not a normal person.

　I was about to say that much when I remembered what Kanade and everyone else always said to me.

''Well you're just a bit of an odd beast-tamer, aren't you?''

　I put it that way again.
　I'm not really aware of it but....
　I've heard there are very few Beast Tamers like me.

Hmm?

　Iris looks at me intently.

'You're normal, Mr. Lane? I'd like to question the definition of normal when you say that.
'I don't know if that's what you're referring to... maybe it's special for a Beast Tamer, but nothing else, okay?
Really?
'I don't know what you suspect, but I'm not lying to you.
I see. Has my instincts been dulled, or is it that Miss Lane just doesn't know?

　Iris moved her face even closer.

　Her beautiful face was right in front of me...
　Strangely, I wasn't thrilled, but somehow I felt calm.

''This is just my senses, but Rain-sama is a lot like that brave man.
Yes....

　I'm probably making a really big face right now.

Oh, my God, you look terrible.
'Not even with Arios...'
It's not that we have the same personality, atmosphere, etc. Well, how can I say.......we have a similar soul, if you will.
The soul...?　Doesn't that mean we're all alike in the end?
No, no. No, no, not at all. The soul is the source of a person's being. It has nothing to do with one's personality or mood. It's a reflection of a person's spiritual qualities, so it's not a superficial problem, it's something more fundamental...
'Bad. I don't know what the hard part is.
'Hmph, since we have plenty of time, would you like me to lecture you slowly?
Please don't...

　Iris laughed like a frustrated child and I raised my hand in surrender.

　
　What has caused Iris to become so twisted?

Well, I guess the short answer is 'blood'.
Blood?
The blood in Master Lane's body and the blood in that brave man it's awfully similar.
No....

　Arios is a brave man.
　And brave men are chosen for their bloodline.

　If you say you're like that Arios, that's........

Well, I don't have any hard evidence, it's just a gut feeling. Try not to think about it too much.
I see.

　That being said, it's not easy to forget.
　I don't think Iris has the personality to tell a trivial lie.
　It's not as if there's any benefit to Iris in telling a lie like this...

　Is it true, or is it true...?
　Maybe I'll have to give it some serious thought later.

　...more than that.

　For now, it's about Iris.
　I'm glad we have the opportunity to talk.
　I'm sure we can talk about a lot more than that.
　I want to know more about Iris.

Can I ask you a question?
Yes, can I help you?
Why are you trying to kill people?　No ... why do you hate people?
....
Is there a reason for this?
Oh, dear. Do you ask such a question of me?　It's me, so maybe there's no reason for it?　Maybe he's just trying to pass the time. Well ... like a child squashing ants for no reason.
Iris isn't that kind of girl.
How can you say that when you've just met him?
A hunch.

　I borrowed Iris's words.

'Also, there may be some of my desires mixed in.
....
'I still don't want to fight Iris. Or rather, I'm not sure if I should continue to fight her. I simply can't say for sure that they are the enemy of humanity, like the demon race. I've fought the demon race before and they killed people for no reason, spreading destruction as if it was normal for them to do so.
That's normal. Demons don't recognize any creature other than themselves.
'But not Iris. She seems to have chosen to fight people for some reason. For some strong reason and so he chose to fight them.
....
No?
You are correct.

　Iris admitted, surprisingly easily.

''Rain-sama is right. I'm not a demon. I don't kill people for no reason.
Then....
But if it makes sense I will kill it without hesitation.

　Iris laughs.
　That smile was filled with hatred and madness.

''....Why?''
Yes?
Why is Iris like that?　What's driving Iris?
What are you going to do about it?
I don't know I just want to know.

　He stared at Iris.

'Maybe it's wishful thinking but if we can figure out what's going on, maybe we can make peace with it.
That's impossible.

　He answered immediately.
　He assured me.

　I can feel Iris' strong will.
　I'll never forgive anyone.
　It sounded like he was saying that.

''But........I'm sure Rain-sama won't be satisfied with this kind of answer.
Well, maybe I can't. If I could, I'd like to hear the truth from Iris's mouth.

　A hesitant pause.
　There was a slight, and Iris let out a small breath.

''Whew ... the pushy one. It can't be helped if you say that much.''
Well.....
But don't get me wrong. I'm not talking to you to make you understand me or reconcile with me. I'm trying to get you to know what I have in mind and give up on it. To let them know that there will never be a reconciliation. That's why I'm telling you these stories.
But can you still let me hear it?
''Hmmm... I'm a little tired of talking to you but I don't mind being a pushy lord.

　I chuckle, and Iris pulls away from me.

　He moved on to the outskirts of the village.
　I followed slowly after him.

'Does Miss Lane have any family?

　With her back to me, Iris asked in a quiet voice.

'No. I was attacked and killed by a demon a long time ago.
'Well I beg your pardon. I've heard some nasty things about you.
I don't mind. I've got my mind in order, for now.
That's very kind of you to say.

　I felt like Iris smiled at me.
　Since she turned her back to us, it was only 'like'........

''I think I've figured out one of the reasons for the sense of closeness you have for Rain-sama.
Is that...?
I've lost my entire family.

　I could hear the slightest hint of sadness in Iris's voice.

　It was a very human emotion, and even at a time like this, I felt close to Iris.
　After all, Iris is also sad when she loses her family.
　We're no different than anyone else.

...Is this about the Heavenly Clan?

　I was a little lost, but I decided to step in.

　The strongest species that is said to be extinct.
　Why did they become extinct?
　Why did they disappear?
　It's not clear why they disappeared.

　I wonder.

　What if the reason for the extinction of the Heavenly Clan had something to do with people...?
　If that was the case, then Iris's hatred was understandable.

''Before we talk about me shall we first talk about the Heavenly Clan?

　Iris looked back at him.
　Her face was unnaturally calm.

''How much do you know about our Heavenly Clan, Lord Rain?''
The truth is that I know very little about it. It has been a long time since it was said to have been destroyed, and the reason for its demise is not known either. We don't know anything about it, that's the truth.
'I see. So that's what's going on...

　Iris bit her nails lightly.

'Erase what's bad for us........I see. That sounds like something a human would think of.''
What does that mean?
What do you think that means?

　The question was asked in reverse.

　What does Iris know?
　What have you seen?

　I guessed them and thought about them.
　Eventually I came to an answer.


You're right.