"At the same time, Gyro rescued Zazan from our grasp and planned to build his own empire in Meteor City."
"So, we had no choice but to focus entirely on our battle against Gyro's forces. As for what happened after… you all know the rest."
Despite the weight of the conversation, Germain handled it lightly and changed the subject.
"Since I've already learned what I wanted to know, please answer my companion's question next."
Shalnark shook his head and said, "I don't have anything I want to ask."
"Alright." Germain nodded at Shalnark, then turned to Kurapika, who had remained silent the entire time. "Kurapika, you must have many questions, don't you?"
Kurapika did have countless things he wanted to ask the man in front of him.
His original plan was to use the Judgment Chain to pierce Chrollo's heart and force out all the answers he sought.
Why did they target the Kurta Clan?
What exactly did they do to them?
Who were the ones responsible?
But suddenly, he realized—there was no longer any need to ask.
What filled Kurapika's mind now were the fearful yet trusting gazes of the elderly, women, and children.
He recalled how Chrollo had pleaded with Germain earlier, asking for all the hatred and consequences to fall solely on him.
And finally, he remembered the moment they avenged Sarasa.
It was so sudden—Kurapika no longer had anything he wanted to ask.
Instead, what surfaced in his mind was a story Germain had told him on their first night meeting.
"In a world of endless snow and ice, there once was a man who received the 'Blessing of Rebirth.' He lived in a village plagued by famine, alongside his younger sister..."
"...He said he repented for his past sins. He suffered. He wanted to start anew. And those children, standing protectively before him, their eyes filled with love for their adoptive father."
"What can 'Flame Fist' do? I can't just burn these innocent children to charred corpses with my flames, can I?"
"Besides, isn't the enemy already repenting? 'Flame Fist' believes that the enemy might not be an evil person; he just didn't want to leave behind a bloodline of cannibals..."
Even after several months, Kurapika still remembers asking his teacher, that so-called "Flame Fist," what he ultimately did.
The teacher's answer was simple: "He did what you did. He turned around and came back."
So that's what happened.
Teacher Germain had foreseen today.
Kurapika understood now.
He didn't want to empathize with Chrollo, didn't want to understand why Chrollo had done what he did to his people, and he didn't want Chrollo to express regret for the events of the past.
It was meaningless.
Kurapika had no right to forgive or pity Chrollo. All those who had the right to do so were already dead. He had just helped arrange their funeral not long ago.
All the grudges, all the hatred, should end with Chrollo. Let the likes of Shalnark, Machi, and Pakunoda rebuild Meteor City. This was the greatest concession Kurapika could make.
Let it end here.
So, he answered, "Teacher, I don't have any questions left."
Kurapika had once planned to pierce Chrollo's heart with his silver chains and take vengeance with his own hands, but now, he had lost all interest in that.
He only felt exhausted, holding his forehead, letting out a long breath.
Germain was not surprised by Kurapika's reaction.
The mastermind from back then was Chrollo. The one who had figured out how to force the Kuruta people to reveal their scarlet eyes was Feitan, who was skilled in torture.
The ones who carried out the brutal killings were Feitan, Uvogin, Phinks, and Franklin.
The rest, including Hisoka, Shalnark, Machi, and Pakunoda, were more responsible for controlling the situation, making sure the Kuruta people couldn't escape.
He had already asked Kurapika earlier and confirmed his thoughts. The question just now was to ensure that Kurapika's thoughts hadn't changed.
Since Kurapika didn't have any questions to ask and showed no intention of acting, Germain shifted his gaze back to Chrollo.
Chrollo understood his decision from Germain's look and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He clearly knew that Kurapika's Scarlet Eyes were related to the Kuruta Clan.
When Kurapika appeared on the train to the Kakin Empire, Chrollo, of course, didn't let the opportunity to investigate this young man slip by. He had managed to uncover quite a bit of information in the end.
When he saw the image of the "Scarlet Eyes," Chrollo soon remembered the events from back then and understood why Kurapika was now by Germain's side.
After returning to Meteor City, Chrollo knew that sooner or later, Germain and Kurapika would come looking for him.
They were very clear that in a place like Meteor City, as long as Chrollo was alive, he would definitely be inside. Anyone who came to Meteor City would be able to find him.
Chrollo knew that he was as good as dead, but the lives of Shalnark, Machi, and Pakunoda still had a chance, depending on what they and Meteor City were willing to give.
Chrollo had already completed his revenge and had witnessed Meteor City's salvation from its greatest crisis.
At this point, he had little left to cling to, and he could calmly accept death.
It seemed, however, that Kurapika wasn't willing to take action himself. So, like with his big sword, Chrollo gathered his Nen to form an "arm" and reached into his robe.
Chrollo took out a uniquely shaped knife, known as the "Ben's Knife," which was his favorite weapon.
Shalnark, Machi, and Pakunoda all watched this scene, their hearts tightening.
Pakunoda even considered rushing forward to snatch the knife from him, but Shalnark stopped her, shaking his head.
Shalnark had yet to speak, and it was Chrollo who answered in his place.
"Stop. Let me leave like this, and end everything once and for all."
"Please..."
The "Ben's Knife" was raised high by Chrollo. In the end, he looked towards Germain.
"Hisoka will come for you eventually, but right now, there's no need to worry about you. The one who should be worried is him."
The "Ben's Knife" quickly slashed across his throat, and a jet of blood shot out with a hissing sound, similar to a gas leak.
The blood stained the floor red.
After attending the brief funeral of the old priest, Germain, Shizuku, and Kurapika left Meteor City.
They stood at the boundary, handing over the situation to the Hunter Association members and informing them of the general circumstances inside.
Shalnark stayed in Meteor City.
Kurapika looked melancholy, feeling none of the satisfaction he had imagined he would after revenge.
Shizuku, however, after stepping out of Meteor City's borders, turned back and grabbed Germain's hand.
"Thank you."
Germain also turned around, then clasped Shizuku's hand tightly, both of them looking towards the direction of Meteor City.
In that direction, the most noticeable sight was still the gray sky and the rising heaps of garbage. But now, no one knew where Meteor City would go from here.
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