Questions

"Are you the traitor?"

"No."

Azura glared at Shiro.

"What? Also wouldn't it make more sense to question me when Gris is around? Since he has his lie detector talent?"

"Gris is also under security. So I'm relying on my own intuition."

"Damn...I mean good luck with that. I'm not much of a detective so I am not even going to bother with the whole 'who is it?' search."

"You seem awfully unbothered about this. You're the one at risk."

"I know but what am I going to do about it? There is no way I'm going to 'out spy' your spies. All the political games. Why bother? I got to focus on getting these weapons up and running. The rest I leave to you."

Azura pulled out Shiro's notebook.

"In addition to your world's language, there are drawings, but there are other symbols in here that look like language but are distinct from the main one."

Shiro looked over at the page Azura was pointing at.

"That's math."

"...some pages have drawings of the rail cannon. Could someone find the matching words and then translate your book?"

"Maybe? Our spoken language is the same, so it's not impossible to translate it but it's also not a one to one text."

Azura placed the book back down.

"That last attack against the Ssarok. It came from the light rail cannon. What was it?"

I knew this question was coming eventually.

"You're tensing."

"It's umm... hard to explain."

"You're a horrible liar or a good one who's intentionally pretending to be one."

"Well..."

"Payload delivery using chemical propulsion generated by an exothermic reaction."

"I regret teaching you those words..."

Azura didn't answer, instead she kept her eyes locked on him.

In the end, Shiro let out a reluctant sigh.

"... It was thermite. A simple exothermic reaction. Far from what those words mean but still a step closer than I'd like."

"Why did you make it then?"

"I heard you get hit. I wanted to help. It was just instinct."

Azura remained silent for a moment before answering. Her glare intensified.

"That's all it takes to bend your morals? I wasn't even in danger. Nor am I someone who cares for you. How would those beliefs of yours hold up if someone you cared for was in serious danger?"

"HUH?... A simple 'Thank You' would be nice!"

"For what? You put yourself in harm's way to play the hero. Either steel your resolve or start developing these weapons for Vermilionne."

"These weapons are what Revorgress wants."

"To wipe out demons. Why is that a bad thing?"

"Or wipe out humanity."

A long moment of silence passed between the two.

It's easy for her to say all that when she doesn't know what weapons from my world are capable of...

Azura finally dropped her glare.

"You need to stop sitting on the fence. You keep going back and forth, running in circles. If you wish to limit yourself, that is your choice..."

For a moment, Shiro saw a softer expression on her face.

"... Innocent lives will be lost in the present because you believe it will save future lives. If you're sure of that and you can bear the guilt, then I won't stop you. But you told me that you believe a man can change his stars."

"I'm building the rails cannons. Next is the airships. What more do you want?"

"For you to be less passive."

That's not helpful at all...

"Wait till you see the inverted battleships. If you believe it's still not enough, then... I don't know. I'll step it up or something."

Azura held his gaze.

“Then promise me. If the rail cannons and airships aren't enough, you stop holding back."

"I'm not going to give Revorgress the weapons he wants."

"Don't. But don't limit everything else. Don't refuse simply because you're afraid of what it might become.”

Shiro was silent.

The airships will be enough. We'll have the technology lead. It will be too late by the time the demons figure it out. A world of Fantasy won't die if airships get added

"Alright. Azura, you have a deal."

"Good. I'll keep you to it."

Another long moment of silence passed between the two. This one somehow felt more awkward than the first.

"So umm. Where are the others at? Have you all been taking shifts or have you been staying by my side the entire time?"

"I...! Of course we have been taking shifts!"

Where did that come from!?

"In fact, Geraltavin and Johnaquil are both late! They are due here any moment!"

"Ah, I see. Ok..."

A knock came at the door.

Perfect timing! Thank you!

Geraltavin and Johnaquil stepped into the room.

"Shiro, you're awake. Glad to see you made it."

"Was worried yer wouldn't see the work we've done while you were out."

"Yeah I'm doing well, just some pain. Good to see you two are as well."

"I was mostly unharmed, and Geraltavin is pretty hardy, so he was back to work after a few days."

"Really?! Hate to break it you buddy but you messed up. You should have rested when you had a chance, because we got a lot of work to do!"

Geraltavin brought up a clenched fist, shaking it as he looked at Shiro grumpily.

"I'ma knock him back out."