[ Truth be told, Alphinaud cannot judge; the act was horrifying and cowardly at best, and although he interfered with Himeka's raging fury, he too felt it. That night he hardly slept, and underneath the anxiousness that kept him awake was a bubbling anger.

He has enough of a grip not to act upon such feelings, though, and instead released those emotions into matters more productive. It's not that it's thoroughly gone, but the intensity of it has lessened.

But that aside. ]

Indeed. Unfortunately, I do not know any more now than I did on that day. [ ... ] I too now bear its mark—a fact that will surely bring no comfort to you, but whatever is in store for us, you will not be alone in.