Even while adding that it would be better not to hear it, Ezel continued the story willingly.

“The alien Radel picked up was estimated to be 7 years old. The problem was that Radel hid the alien on the spaceship. For as long as six months.”

“Did you find out?”

“Yes.”

Ezel spoke, unable to hide their disgust and anger. Since the brainwashing they were under wasn’t the kind that completely controlled their mind, the disgust and anger they felt toward aliens at that time remained intact. Just looking at Ezel’s expression, it was easy to guess that something bad had happened then.

In-woo wondered if he should continue listening to this story, but couldn’t stop himself. Because he was curious. Because he wanted to understand even a little bit about Radel’s feelings, who had deceived him for years.

“Radel tried to protect the alien. But hiding an outsider on a spaceship full of top-secret information was clearly a crime worthy of court-martial.”

“A seven-year-old couldn’t possibly mess with classified information.”

“But you never know, right?”

Ezel smiled wickedly.

“Anyway, I couldn’t let Radel associate with aliens. I took the child away saying I needed to interrogate them just in case, and killed them.”

“……”

It was a voice without even a moment’s hesitation or guilt.

“I told Radel that it was pitiful how he was deceived by an alien. Also, I asked how long he thought the alien would like him after he destroyed their planet. I said it would be better to cut off the bud before getting hurt.”

“You psycho……”

When In-woo spoke with disgust, Ezel seemed rather pleased.

“It’s not wrong though. Would they have stayed around happily when all their people were killed by Radel? Besides, growth always comes with growing pains. He was such a good kid until then.”

“……”

“And 12 hours later, Radel left me a letter and erased all his memories.”

Even from just Ezel’s perspective, it was obvious how hurt that child must have been, and In-woo was momentarily lost for words. He barely managed to regain his composure by reminding himself that that child grew up to be Radel, but there was still a bitter feeling in his heart.

“…What did the letter say?”

“Don’t know.”

“Tell me honestly.”

“I really don’t know. It would be troublesome if he left words of resentment, right? It was obvious he would have only written useless things anyway. Since Radel can read my mind, I deliberately didn’t read it and destroyed it.”

From start to finish, it was meticulous and full of malice. Radel was truly nothing more than a perfect weapon to Ezel. As if proving In-woo’s theory, Ezel seemed quite proud of the story of how they raised Radel.

“Radel’s ability is perfect. Even when used on himself. He forgot everything, even the basics. Thanks to that, I was able to raise Radel again in a perfect state. I filled Radel’s surroundings with those who would give their lives for Arkea. So that this time, he could kill aliens without hesitation and lead Arkea to victory.”

In-woo was completely appalled. More than any story he had heard so far, the previous story really made Ezel seem like a monster.

“You must be so proud.”

“Thank you. Until then, I was very proud of Radel too.”

“You sick bastard……”

“This is nothing.”

Ezel responded with a bright smile and brought their face close to In-woo’s.

“You’re not sympathizing with Radel after hearing that story, are you?”

“……”

“There’s no need to sympathize with Radel. The pitiful Radel died about a thousand years ago. After that, he just killed mindlessly while following my will.”

“Because you made him that way.”

“Why think about it like that? Don’t.”

Ezel warned in a deliberately stern voice.

“Do you want to sympathize with and forgive Radel?”

“I just want to know what he was thinking when he did that to me.”

Because he couldn’t understand Radel now, he wanted to understand even a little bit. If he could understand Radel better, he might be able to guess what he was thinking. Why he deceived Kim In-woo for 5 years. Whether he played the lover game for fun. ……Or if he was actually sincere. If he was sincere, what feelings made him deceive Kim In-woo.

Even if nothing would change, In-woo wanted to know the truth.

Looking at the serious In-woo, Ezel suddenly remembered something with an “Ah.”

“If that’s what you want, there should be Radel’s journal.”

“Journal?”

“He tends to record when important things happen. It’s a habit he developed after losing his memories. He stopped writing when his depression got worse but….. When I handed you over to him, I told him to try writing again. He seemed to actually write, and I’m not sure if he wrote until recently….. But at least the story of when he was raising you in the cage should be there?”

“He actually writes that stuff regularly? Radel?”

In-woo couldn’t imagine Radel diligently writing in a diary at all. It seemed dubious, but the current Ezel wasn’t in a state to lie to In-woo. Besides, In-woo remembered hearing Radel mention writing a diary a few times.

“Radel once searched through the minds of 370,000 people who had even the slightest connection to him to try to know all about his past.”

“370,000……”

“That’s a very old story. He went through all that trouble for nothing back then. He records things just in case something similar might happen again. He probably wrote very honestly in the journal.”

Searching through 370,000 people’s minds was such an enormous number it was hard to comprehend. What part of his past was he trying to recover that made him search through so many people’s minds? Was he that desperate? Radel…..

In-woo shook his head. If he let his guard down even for a moment, useless emotions would surface. In-woo suppressed the sympathy that was unnecessarily flowing toward Radel and focused only on the story Ezel had told.

If he was obsessed with memories, he would have recorded the journal in quite detail. So if he really wrote the journal consistently, it would surely show what Radel was thinking while raising a human.

“Is there a way for me to see it?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Only Radel can access those records. It uses a very special security……”

Ezel gave a long explanation, but In-woo couldn’t understand any of the alien technology. It might be easier to introduce 21st century culture to someone from the Joseon era. In-woo cut off Ezel’s words.

“Never mind, then we can’t read it anyway.”

“You can’t steal it. But if you request to read it, he’ll give it to you.”

“…Then ask for it.”

“Alright….. if that’s what you want……”

Ezel answered in a trailing voice and turned around with a sigh. Ezel’s movements were unusually sluggish. Their exaggerated gestures seemed to be begging for attention, so In-woo had no choice but to ask.

“Why do you keep dawdling?”

“Want to know?”

It seemed they couldn’t freely say what they wanted to say because of the restrictions. When In-woo agreed, Ezel opened their mouth with a relieved expression.

“I find it hard to understand you. This isn’t a good choice. Why are you trying to understand the feelings of someone you’re breaking up with? He treated you like a pet. He didn’t even give you clothes at first. That’s how low he thought of your intelligence level.”

“How do you know about not giving clothes?”

“I’m the one who gave you to him as a gift. Radel asked me about everything whenever something strange came up.”

“……”

To think he blabbed everything about him to others. He was angry but didn’t even have the energy to be angry. While it might have been different with the previous Ezel, getting angry at the completely changed current Ezel would be meaningless.

“Radel isn’t doing well. He’s dangerous. The type who would kill not just enemies but allies too if pushed. He actually gave up his position as Sovereign after killing dozens of Arkean soldiers and politicians. And yesterday too……”

“No need to explain everything. I’m not an idiot.”

Cutting off Ezel’s words in disgust, they got angry.

“I was purely giving advice for your sake……”

“I told you not to speak.”

“……”

“Just contact him.”

Unable to go against the order, Ezel couldn’t say anything more. Instead, they stared at the floor while sighing. When In-woo urged them because they weren’t making contact, Ezel flicked their hand as if saying to wait a moment.

After a few minutes passed, Ezel turned to look at In-woo.

“He says he’ll give it.”

“Did you just contact him?”