“……What nonsense are you talking about?”
“J-just what I said…… ‘Gluttony’ demanded…… a s-sacrifice…… in exchange for…… sparing…… u-us…….”
In an instant, a certain picture formed in my mind.
And yet—
Why?
Why did I so desperately want to deny that possibility?
“So…… hehe…… w-we lured her…… We said ‘Gluttony’ had attacked…… and e-everyone was…… dying…… and getting hurt…….”
“Don’t give me that bullshit.”
Growling, I unconsciously lowered my blade toward Alex’s throat.
“The Ghost Sword was appointed overall commander of the Northern Front’s withdrawal operation…… She was supposed to retreat with the main force! At this point, an attack from ‘Gluttony’ means nothing. We were going to abandon this front anyway. We could regroup our formation and counterattack later—!”
“F-fool…… heh, hehe…….”
Alex spoke with a body that could no longer even properly cough.
“That mon…… ster…… never intended…… to do that…… from the beginning…….”
Emotion surged through me, and I wanted to say something, but for some reason the words would not come out properly.
“R-retreat together? Heh…… hehe…… T-that was only…… your wish…… That…