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“...There’s one more thing I have to tell you,” Klint said as he finished recording his will. The atmosphere was heavy around him—oppressive. Never before had the darkness felt so unwelcoming. Even without speaking, he could feel Asougi’s presence behind him, watching like a hawk.
If only God is supposed to be able to judge you, then what does that make Genshin Asougi?
“And what might that be, my friend?” came the voice behind him. Somehow, there wasn’t even a hint of hatred or resentment in Asougi’s voice. There was only genuine curiosity—consideration for his last wishes. Despite the circumstances, Klint felt a comforting warmth rise within him upon hearing that. He was walking into his grave, but in that moment, he had never felt more loved.
“It’s my wife. She’s expecting.”
“Congratulations.”
Klint couldn’t help but let out a chuckle hearing that. Asougi had said it without even a hint of hesitation, as if this wasn’t the end of the world as Klint had experienced it, and he was just any other father-to-be, excitedly sharing the news of a brighter future. There would be a brighter future, yes, but not for him—not for the child.
“I think you mean ‘my condolences,’ as the poor child will have to live a life without knowing its father’s love.”
“This is a duel.”
Klint let out a long hum, laying back in the chair. Perhaps if he leaned back far enough, he’d be greeted by the face of his savior. “Don’t pretend. We both know you have no intention of letting me walk out of here alive.”
The silence in the room ate away at Klint’s very core. He could feel Asougi’s eyes on the back of his head. “I have a favor to ask of you. I know you are already doing so much for me, who does not deserve any of the goodness you have ever brought to me, but might you let me be selfish, one last time?”
“Anything.”
Again, Asougi does not hesitate.
“I sent my wife away. This child cannot have any connection to the van Zieks name. I cannot let it be bound by the horrible legacy I have chosen to leave behind through mistakes I am entirely to blame for. I am going to tell you where she’s located. I need you to ensure the child’s safe delivery. Please.”
“Of course. Any family of yours is family of mine.”
The guilt has never weighed heavier on Klint’s soul. He stood up, turned around, and came face-to-face with Asougi for the first time. The man’s features were stern, yet soft. He was strong, yet welcoming. His stance was one of a man who has seen the darkest horrors of mankind, yet his eyes were nothing but compassion.
This is a duel, yet only one of them is a net positive on the world. One of them brings justice to the world, making London a better place for everyone and leaving behind nothing but light and love in his wake, and the other is Klint van Zieks. Nobody has ever deserved to live more than Genshin Asougi has.
He approached Asougi and placed his hands on his shoulders, leaning into the man’s ear and whispering his wife’s location, as if somehow, someone could hear them. It was only them alone in this room, but he felt as though all of London was watching him, and this was a secret only his friend could know.
He withdrew, but kept his hands on Asougi’s shoulders, their faces close. Asougi nodded curtly, his expression grim. “I understand. I will do everything in my power for them, I swear it.”
“Thank you.” He gripped Asougi’s shoulders even tighter. “This means so much to me—more than you could ever know.”
And then he leaned forward again and kissed Asougi on the cheek. When he withdrew, he could see that Asougi’s eyes were beginning to look wet.
“Klint…”
He stepped back, preparing himself for the end of his life. “Now then, Genshin, I think it’s time for a duel.”