Meaningless Wrath (before battle)
Uhh, let's see. First one on the block's...
Heathcliff had already begun flipping through the papers in his hands.
… What an unfamiliar sight.
Right. You, and you there! Inside, now!
Heathcliff the assistant pointed toward Hong Lu and Sinclair.
Hello. One, two, testing. Am I coming through?
As you must be well aware by now, the Peccatula are entities that have failed to even Distort.
…….
It seems like we'll be fighting the Peccatula again.
O-oh, right. I have a question. It's something that's been nagging at me the whole time since I arrived...
... Aren't these tests basically just... us killing people for no reason?
They're all safely contained, which means that they don't pose any danger to anyone...
Why's he being such a bleedin' heart all of a sudden? Oi, we've been slaughterin' countless scores of those sods, so what's the holdup now?
Yeah, but we didn't have any choice back then because we were on a mission. And -
Do you believe that taking a life to live is unlike taking a life for the sake of it?
… I do.
…….
I understand. It seems that human memory is, after all, made to be finite. Save for few exceptional individuals, people are prone to misplacing memories even from yesterday.
So, who are they, Dante? Who do you believe they are, this group you lead?
Given the expected communication difficulties between us, allow me to make this a multiple choice question. One, family. Two, friends. Three, colleagues.
<Um… I guess they're closest to… colleagues?>
Dante says "three, colleagues"~
Hong Lu was practically squished against the containment unit window, holding up three of his fingers. He must've heard us talking.
Incorrect. It's 'none of the above'.
The truth is that they are 'Sinners'. Not family, not friends, not colleagues. 'Prisoners'.
I know…
Ah, but the knowledge of something and the acceptance of it must be distinguished.
I learned that people are prone to forgetting their places when the going gets easy, when life becomes comfortable enough for them to consider the luxury of timely meals to be a certainty. Thus I find these reminders to be quite useful.
These Sinners, bound to Limbus Company, are still fettered by their chains and shackles. Naturally, they have no access to such a thing as the right to refuse.
Or would it be easier for you to accept that fact if I were to suggest that you consider this but a mere extension of your responsibilities?
<…….>
<I know they're Sinners, but you can't talk to them like - >
…….
Ah, translations are unnecessary. I think I get the picture of what was said, given the atmosphere of this room.
Dante, when you agreed to the contract, you must have made a deal of sorts - to gain something to your benefit. Am I correct?
Your memories, your head, and your past…
There must be so much that you would like to know. And perhaps your desire to get them back is what stops you from simply quitting.
<…….>
What I mean to say with this little demonstration is that no one in this room has any right to grumble or refuse.
<Faust, is he usually…?>
Yes, this is his usual demeanor.
Hello, I know I'm not the one to talk, but… you don't exactly have a lot of friends, do you?
Those who rise above their peers tend to attract a certain degree of hostility from others. Now, shall we begin? We are severely behind schedule.
While the combatants do what they do, please pay attention to the following presentation about the Peccatula projected onto this glass panel.
This lecture has been prepared with the assumption that its students have an average level of knowledge; so, if you consider this presentation to be boring or too difficult to understand, then you may consider your knowledge level to be below average.
All this material seems quite elementary to me! Not sure what's so difficult about this!
Yeah, save that for when the lecture actually starts.
As you must already know, there are seven categories of Peccatula. And as far as I am aware, the highest stage of Peccatula you observed was in stage 3. So far, at least…
Wherefore didst thou utter a little muttering of "... so far, at least…" at the end of thy words, good sir?
Sharp. Well, it's simple. We researchers have a habit of avoiding absolutes in all things. Never say never, or so they say.
So you're not ruling out the possibility that we might be running into Peccatula beyond stage 3, huh.
Indeed. We prefer not to put down such arbitrary limitations.
… Anyway, the first type of many Peccatula to be covered today is 'Peccatula Irae' - red Peccatulum of Wrath.
The nature of fire is to burn and burn until there is nothing left to be burned.
I see. They're quite literally burning with rage.
Now that I think back on it, didn't you express something like that before, Sinclair? I remember you screaming so fiercely that you could hardly control your own body.
… Mm.
On the other hand… I don't think I've ever seen you get angry or upset, Hong Lu.
Aha, that's…
Because the realization of meaninglessness extinguishes the reason for the spark to start a fire.
Ohh… I see now…!
No matter how much Heathcliff or Ms. Outis bully me...
… expressing my anger at that is meaningless at the end of the day. … Okay, I did enjoy it a little when I had to 'accidentally' step on Heathcliff's toes, but…
<What… what exactly is the takeaway supposed to be here...?>
Yes. That is exactly how it is.