It's...

　I was speechless.

　In the battle against the Demon King, the majority of the Heavenly Race died.
　It's no longer the same as before, and rather than protecting the humans, even the survival of the species is at stake.

　Even though we're in such a state, even if we're asked to protect them as before.......
　No way.
　It's too absurd a request.

　What were the people thinking back then?
　Asking the Celestial Race for something outrageous...
　Did they expect that to pass?
　Did he think that was acceptable?

　And I wonder what Iris would have thought when she heard that?
　What would the celestial race have thought?

What do you think is wrong with us?
Did you say no?
No, no. I tried to be the same as I always have been, a guardian of the people.

　The words came out unexpectedly.

'Why?'
'Do you wonder?　Well, it's weird for me too. Maybe we were all crazy in those days. The survival of our species is in jeopardy, and yet you still try to be the guardian of humanity...
Could it be that... that's the reason for the existence of the Heavenly Clan...?
I'm sure you're right.

　Iris laughs.
　It was a somewhat self-mocking smile.

'We, the Celestial Race, were created to protect humans. I know of no other way to live.''

　I don't know any other way to live.
　That seemed to be a very sad word.

　There seems to be freedom and no freedom at all.
　It's like being a bird in a birdcage.
　I can't believe I can only do the role I've been given...

　As I say this, I think I'm broken in some way.

'You look bitter,'
Well....
What did you think?　Could you give me your honest opinion?
"...strange, I felt. I don't have a will of my own or, for lack of a better word, I feel like I'm dependent on someone else for a way of life.
Depends......

　Again, Iris let out a self-mocking smile.
　Seeing that lonely smile made my chest tighten in pain.

''We were a race of celestial beings who performed a mission given to us by the gods. We were given a mission by the gods, and our way of life was to fulfill that mission. Hence, we have been unable to choose our own path.
That's ... sad.
'Yes, it's a lonely way to live... but we acted in those days, believing it to be the best thing to do. Well, partly because we didn't know any other way to live...
By saying so, you've accepted the people who want you to continue to protect them, right?
Yes, we've accepted that. We have always tried to be the guardians of humanity, even as our numbers dwindled. And as a result, well, guess what happened?

　Such a question was asked.

　What happened.........?
　You can't be a guardian of people in the normal course of events.......right?
　The number of individuals has decreased drastically, and the remaining Heavenly Clans are all women and children.
　They can't exert their power as before.

''........Can't protect them anymore, right?

　I gave such an answer, even though I wasn't sure what to say.

''Hmmm ... half right, let's just say...''
Isn't it?
''You're half right. We, the surviving Heavenly Clan, didn't have much power left. Even if we tried to be the guardians of humans, we were overwhelmingly lacking in strength. We are no longer able to protect humans from demons and eliminate demons like we used to.
It's a normal thing to do, isn't it...

　If so, what does the term "half right" mean?
　What's the other half of the truth...?

The correct answer is that we are no longer able to protect the humans and we, the Celestials, are to be denounced.
Nah....

　Speaking of too much, I'm at a loss for words.

The humans blamed us for losing our powers and not being able to move as much as we used to. Why don't you help us?　Do you enjoy seeing us in pain?　You don't really mean to protect them, do you?　...and a lot of other things they said to me.

　To be treated like a traitor by something you trusted...
　I wonder how much despair and disappointment the Heavenly Clan would have at that time?
　I can't even imagine.

　Is that why Iris has given up on humans?
　Why did you come to hate humans?

　No ... there was still a feeling that there was something to it.
　That alone shouldn't be enough to have such a strong hatred for him.

　If that's the case, what more...?

"A lot of things have been said and done, but we still foolishly tried to be the guardians of the human race. There is no other way to know, but a part of me believed that one day our thoughts would reach out to each other. I hoped and believed that we would be able to communicate with each other, and I did what I could to make that happen.
Can I hear the results of that?
Yes, sir.

　The expression disappears from Iris' face.
　With a face that doesn't reflect any emotion, she murmurs a small, single word.

"I've been betrayed.

　What does that mean?
　What kind of things have people done in the past?

　I'm afraid to ask.
　I'm afraid to face the sins of others.

　But if I escape here, I'll never be able to face Iris again.
　I brace myself and continue my story.

'Can you tell me what happened?'
''At that time, not only the Heavenly Clan and I were on the verge of extinction, but also the humans were on the verge of destruction. Everything had been devastated by the long-running battle with the Demon King, so we needed to do something about it. The humans at the time thought. The human body was too fragile to live in this desolate world.......then what should we do?　What answer do you think the humans came up with?

　I had an incredibly bad feeling about this.

'The answer is a very simple one, my dear. If you don't have the power, then take it from the powerful. Hey ... it's a very simple answer, isn't it?
No way....
The humans said. "The humans said, 'We're sorry for the terrible things we've said. We were wrong. We would like to entertain you as the least possible apology. Will you come?
....
We were delighted to hear those words. At last our thoughts were understood.... or so we thought. And so we were invited to go to the city of men where we were detained.

　Iris's face, which had been expressionless, was dotted with hatred.
　There was no other emotion in sight.
　Just a strong hatred.........

　Just barely.
　He clenched his fists so tightly that he felt like he was going to bleed.

'We who were captured by the humans... well, let's skip this part. It's not a pleasant story for either the listener or the speaker. Anyway we were captured by the humans and turned into experimental subjects. What is the source of the Heavenly Race's power?　Can't humans get the power of the celestial race?　Can't we harness the power of the celestial race?　One by one my people died, one by one, as they were subjected to various experiments for that purpose.

　What would you like me to say to Iris?

　I think about it, but I can't.
　I can't find the words.

''Maybe we were stupid. We only indulged them and never tried to be true equals. All we did was to move forward foolishly, and then we blindly believed that one day we would understand each other. I don't blame you for calling me stupid...but.... But!

　Iris's tone is rough.

　Maybe she's remembering what happened back then.
　Her clenched fists shake...
　She bit her lip, revealing her anger.

'To have to suffer such a betrayal... such a cruel fate!　We may have been stupid, but we have done nothing. We didn't do anything wrong. And yet, our friends were treated badly and all of them were killed. How could I ever forgive them for that?
"...Iris...
''I was lucky enough to escape, and I was finally able to wake up. A human guardian?　The mission of the celestial race is to protect humans?　It's all a trick. As the last of the Heavenly Clan, my mission is to avenge my family and friends. I will kill and kill and kill and kill and kill as long as I have the strength to do so.
"...when people who live in the present have nothing to do with the past?
Yes, I'll kill you even if you don't care. I already hate, detest and regard the human race itself as my enemy. After what he did to you, can you forget that the past is the past?　I, unfortunately, am a child, so I can't do that.
'Yeah, well if you can divide it up, it's not hard to do.
Well, I'm glad you understand.

　I finally understand why Iris hates people.
　And ... I can't help but sympathize.

　I've lost my family once.
　I've lost my father, my mother, my friends I've lost everything.
　It's not like I didn't think about revenge at the time.

　Maybe it's because I was so busy living that I didn't have time for it, but...
　If I could afford it, I would be thinking about revenge.

　That's not all.

　What if we were all lost?
　Kanade, Tania, Sola, Luna, Nina, Tina....
　What if they were all killed inexcusably?

　I don't think I'll ever be able to keep my cool.
　I would definitely think about revenge.

　So I ... I sympathized with Iris' thoughts.
　I felt pity for her.

''Hmph.......Excuse me. I was a little distraught.''

　When he finished telling me everything, Iris smiled her usual smile.

　But I know.
　I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.
　

That's all I can tell you. Oh, I'll just add that I was freed, and then I took on the power of vengeance, and while I was going around killing people, I was called a demon and then I was sealed away, so that's where this all leads. So that brings us to the present.
Thank you. For telling me something I don't like to talk about.
Not at all. It's a favor from Miss Lane. Well, to make you realize that reconciliation with me is impossible.
It's...
Well I have one question for you, if you don't mind.

　Iris looked at me.
　Still, as if looking into her eyes, she comes face to face with me.

''After listening to me ... and getting to know me ... what do you intend to do about it, Rain-sama?