[Empathy is probably the last thing that Minegishi wants right now, but regardless, that’s exactly what Liem gives him. The waves of tension he exudes in hazy clouds of cigarette smoke make it clear enough that he’d rather be doing almost anything else right now, and the force behind his objections tells Liem that he takes pride in his ability to tough it out regardless. But it’s a grim ability to have, however he came to learn it. Only a world as rotten as his own could have spit out a boy armed with such hard-won conviction.

But both of their worlds are already dead and gone. In the here and now, the one imposing bitter duties on the shoulders of those who have already lost everything is the same being from whom their Veneran targets have been seeking liberation. If Horos is just as infected as the rest of the worlds in Creation, the Regent seems to be at the heart of that contamination. Minegishi’s stubborn intention to carry out their orders only makes Liem more committed to undermining them.]

That’s why you asked me to come along, isn’t it?

[He keeps his tone even, resisting the urge to offer any more unwanted sympathy.]

I have experience talking to all manner of people, including skittish ones. Besides, if any Pleroma show up while I’m occupied, it would be good to have someone keeping an eye out.