[ With a heavy sigh, he closes his eyes. It was finally time to reveal what he'd done. He hadn't tried to hide it, but... even he was not immune to the fear of rejection. No, he was especially not immune to that.

If Altria walked away after this, he wouldn't blame her. That's what it means to shoulder these sins. ]

Centuries [ This might be the time Altria realizes exactly how old the Wanderer is ] after it all happened, I planned revenge against them. For the betrayal I thought I suffered, I destroyed their clans through methodical planning over the years. Every one of the five smithing clans of Inazuma—I attempted to ruin them all.

[ How many lives were lost in the process, he wonders. He never tried to keep track of that. ]

I got them killed in various incidents. I tarnished their reputations. I sabotaged blueprints, and sent them fleeing out of the country. Three of them I successfully ruined. One is all but ruined now, and the last one is the only practicing clan.

[ The fall of the Raiden Gokaden, orchestrated by one bitter, mislead puppet. He leans back, a sorrowful smile on his face. ]

Get it now? I'm no innocent puppet. I chose to destroy lives in an act of revenge. I've killed many more for other reasons. I'm dangerous. You...

[ ...shouldn't have gotten close to me. But he doesn't voice it, looking away instead. ]