Difference in Morals

Joseph calmly lowered his bow and reclined back on his makeshift cart as if nothing had happened. He addressed the shaking girl, eyes still wide from the carnage.

“Well? I’m assuming that was your answer. Are you getting in or are you going to return to them? I hope you’re not so stupid as to think that anything will change with them gone.”

Her fear-ridden eyes slowly sharpened, a glint of resolve replacing the emptiness. Without a word, she nodded and cautiously eyed the cart. Joseph offered his hand, pulling her into the cart. He gave her rations and water, her trembling hands clutching them tightly while Han looked over.

After a short while to calm things down, Han attempted to resolve any lingering issues with Lianhua, especially in regard to Joseph.

“Leader, are you sure about him? I understand the reason, but—”

Han glanced at Joseph. “I know.” He hesitated, then added, “He’s a practical guy. Not a saint.”

Lianhua didn’t hide her disgust. “Practical? He just killed four people.”

Han followed her gaze to the stacked bodies. “I care about this camp and its people too,” he said. “I want people to survive, leave here as healthy as we can manage. But… look at those four—there’s something off.” He pointed at the corpses’ strangely clean skin and the lack of worn marks that honest labor would have left like everyone else in the camp.

“They’re not here because they worked for it. Instead of working, they abused a poor girl and went out looking for trouble — who knows what else. Does that mean they should have been killed? No… but that doesn’t mean I’m overly sad either.”

Lianhua’s face showed visible disagreement, but she still nodded and shot a glance at Joseph. “If I keep the rest in check, can I have confirmation there will be no more ‘accidents’?” she asked.

Han met her eyes. “I’ll see what I can do to limit further bloodshed.”

Though still a little dissatisfied, Lianhua moved on, piling more onto her schedule to ensure a smooth exit for the remaining survivors. Meanwhile, Han took a moment to gather his thoughts before approaching Joseph’s cart.

“Joseph… can we talk?”

Joseph, having overheard their conversation, just looked at Han and smirked. “Am I your child or something? I’m not someone you can just call to the corner of the room for a ‘talk’.

If you have something to say, say it. We’re both men, and you’re the one who wanted me let’s not forget.”

Han sighed and looked back to the camp, then again to Joseph and the girl who warily averted her gaze. “… I know. You’re only doing what you think is right and at the end of the day, our deal was that I wouldn’t stop you from doing that either, but in return you said you would avoid causing a scene if possible.”

Joseph’s face remained uninterested with a hint of annoying in his voice. “I’m aware.”

Han looked into Joseph’s eyes, pleading slightly. “Honestly, I don’t disagree with what you did… while I’m trying to save as many lives as possible, it would be foolish of me to expect to save everyone. Just… at least give me a chance to resolve things next time, if possible, if I can’t convince them or it’s a lost cause… you won’t find me standing in your way. Agreed?”

With Han’s hand extended towards Joseph, Joseph sighed and shook it purely to move the situation forward. “Fine. But if I feel they don’t deserve a chance, if they pose a risk to me or my plans, or if I have a separate valid reason, I will not seek your permission. I can make my own choices, regardless of whether you agree.”

While hesitant, Han nodded and shook on it. He cast one last, remorseful look at the girl before walking away.

Joseph then turned to the girl and caught her worried expression. “If you have something to say, then say it. I won’t deal with you if you can’t speak up when it matters.”

She shook, briefly meeting his annoyed eyes. Gripping her hands tightly, she mustered up a few words. “Are… you in trouble?” she asked softly.

“No—and even if I were, it wouldn’t matter.” Still annoyed at being treated like a child, he forced himself to calm down when he noticed her frightened expression. “A difference in ideals, maybe. Not trouble. We’re partners out of convenience and mutual benefit.”

Staying silent, he calmed slightly and his sharp gaze eased, while he looked over the group. Why am I so annoyed? Sure, he spoke a little condescendingly, but still… ugh, it is what it is, lingering on it won’t change anything.”

Leaning back and closing his eyes, he let his thoughts and emotions slip away until he returned to a neutral state. ‘Maybe killing my first human put me on edge. I don’t regret the decision, but… maybe I’m still affected by the morals and sense of responsibility from back home.’

When he opened his eyes, he looked at the girl. Though he’d already gotten one answer, he still wasn’t convinced she was fully on board—so he spoke.

“Are you truly ready to commit? This won’t be easy—there will be pain, death, and worse. I don’t have much experience, but I’m cautious, and I won’t waste my life on something meaningless. I won’t throw you away or kick you out lightly—I say that with confidence.

But if you join, it’s all or nothing. Do you want a life worth living?”

With his eyes fixed on her, he attempted to gauge her true feelings, weighing her actions against her words, which seemed to serve a single purpose: What does he want to hear?

She fumbled through her thoughts, then sank to her knees. When she spoke, desperation steadied into resolve. “I do. I don’t care how hard it is. I just don’t want to be left alone again.”