“In the past, I would have thought anyone opposing me was evil to be defeated. I don’t know how many times I’ve judged people simply based on one-sided opinions,” he said. I recalled when Witch had framed me. I wondered what might have happened if Itsuki and Ren had read the situation better back then. When I thought what Trash and that stinking Witch would have done to Ren and Itsuki if they had known the truth though, I couldn’t imagine a good outcome.

“I don’t think you can generalize,” I said. Things could have turned out a whole lot worse—like being down a holy hero or two. Considered in that light, the seemingly rash decision that Itsuki had made didn’t look too bad in hindsight. It was hard to accept, but that’s just how bad that situation had been. “There are lots of people who wouldn’t have been saved without your justice—Rishia among them,” I said. Itsuki was definitely the only one who could have saved her from that particular situation. I had basically been on the run, and Ren had only been interested in getting stronger. Motoyasu might have been able to save her, but with Witch around, there was no guessing what was going to happen next.

“Thank you. Just hearing that makes me feel so much better,” Itsuki said. I turned to look at the same scenery as Itsuki. The lights of the castle town . . . everything so different from Melromarc and from Siltvelt, was really driving home how far we had come. I was meant to be the Shield Hero, but now I was the Mirror Hero too. “I’ve learned not to make judgments based solely on what I personally feel. Without that, I may have ended up like Miyaji. You always need to have a discussion, even with people who appear completely evil,” he told me.

“Decide whether to fight or not after talking first,” I agreed. Indeed, Itsuki had talked at length with our foes this time. Talking to determine someone’s nature was never a bad thing.

“Rishia always says that it takes a fine hero to call someone out when they are wrong, but pushing your justice onto someone is—probably—a different matter entirely.” Rishia really had come a long way to be able to say such things to Itsuki now. The “probably” was also just like her.

This all reminded me of when Yomogi had confronted Kyo, demanding to know if he had done something wrong. That was bravery—it felt like. Kyo’s reply had been half-assed, and he hadn’t shown any repentance for his actions. But Yomogi had worked out what the right to do was and proceeded to aid us.

“I know Rishia will teach you all about justice, but you should also talk to a woman called Yomogi here in this world. She’s a good person and a straight shooter,” I said.