Fear? Hatred? Confusion, and a trace of... gratitude?
Lancer was no longer the inexperienced rookie he once was. His heart was no longer so easily affected (self-proclaimed). Lancer even felt that if he had his current mindset and appeared in that scene back then, he might have chosen to strike directly (self-proclaimed), after all, he knew better than anyone how much blood was on his hands and how many innocent people were among them.
The achievement named 'Executioner' constantly reminded him of what he had done.
Therefore, he was extremely familiar with both fear and hatred, but what puzzled him was why the opponent felt confused? Was it because he let them go back then? And what about gratitude? Lancer did control his rationality and did not take action against the opponent's mother, but so many years had passed since then, and given their respective positions, feeling grateful towards him for such a thing—Lancer himself didn't know how to express his confusion.
However, Hinami Fueguchi on the other side was also at a loss.
Hinami Fueguchi once had a very happy family. Her father was a doctor, and her mother stayed at home, wholeheartedly taking care of her, but no one had expected that everything would be so abruptly torn apart one day.
The man called 'Jason' killed her father, and she and her mother managed to escape but were discovered by the CCG. Later, the two were captured and became the man's slaves. At the time, the innocent her didn't even understand the relationship between men and women. She simply disliked and even hated the man because he made her mother look sad.
She was like a small animal baring its teeth at a tiger, trying to protect her injured mother, and after being brought back by Touka Kirishima and the others, she once believed that her life could gradually return to normal, but it was at that time that she profoundly understood one thing—it was no longer possible for her life to return to a normal environment.
If the existence of 'Ghouls' was something of a rumor for most ordinary people, after all, not many ordinary people who saw a Ghoul could live, then Ghouls seemed to live in the shadows beneath the normal world. They were everywhere, yet known to no one.
But Ryouko Fueguchi and Hinami Fueguchi were an exception.
The fact that the two were captured by the CCG was nothing in itself, after all, at least dozens, if not hundreds, of Ghouls are captured by the CCG every year, but what truly made them famous was that the two of them actually returned later, and what was even more unbelievable was that the CCG did not capture them.
The opponent seemed to have tacitly approved their existence.
This aroused the curiosity of the Ghouls, as so far, no Ghoul whose identity had been exposed had been able to avoid capture by the CCG. It could even be said that even the Owl, if her whereabouts were exposed, could still be suppressed if the CCG sent Kishou Arima with the help of other Special Class Investigators.
The two of them were nothing more than the most ordinary Ghouls, with neither influence nor power, so what did they have?
A good appearance?
Although no Ghoul would attack the mother and daughter due to the protection of 'Anteiku,' because some Ghouls had already paid with their lives for their foolishness. One must know that 'Anteiku' had the duty of maintaining order in Ward 20 after cooperating with the CCG, and they happened to use those Ghouls to establish their authority.
After that incident, she discovered that not all 'Ghouls' in this world were good people. Only the people in 'Anteiku' were good, and it was precisely because of this that she started trying to understand, or rather, interact with ordinary people.
And it was from this time that she began to realize how incredible Lancer actions were back then, especially recently, as she grew older, she could be considered a lovely girl, rather than the LOLI who would only attract the interest of certain special preference gentlemen back then.
However, even though she knew how 'special' Lancer actions were back then, she didn't pay too much attention to it, after all, the opponent had been missing for more than two years, and even the CCG internally believed he had died in a surprise attack by a Ghoul. But what Hinami Fueguchi hadn't expected was to see the man who had deeply influenced her life when she went to 'Anteiku' as usual.
Hinami Fueguchi carefully watched Lancer from behind Touka Kirishima, and Yoshimura Kuzen also stepped forward to shield Touka Kirishima, whom he regarded as his daughter, and Hinami Fueguchi, who had also lost her father.
"Mr. Lancer, we are willing to accept the suggestion you mentioned earlier."
There was no doubt that Yoshimura Kuzen intended to use this 'serious matter' to change the subject, but Lancer himself had no interest in the girl, so he naturally wouldn't point out the opponent's intention.
"Then, 'happy cooperation.'"
'Cooperation, huh...'
Yoshimura Kuzen did not say much, but the complicated expression on his face was enough to show his current mood, but Lancer did not bother with the opponent. After all, his goal was to eliminate the opponent's daughter, so what was there to say?
"Let's discuss the specifics next time. I've been at 'Anteiku' long enough. Although I don't know if the CCG will have people watching me, it's better to be cautious."
Lancer wholeheartedly trusted his teacher, his friends, and his companions.
However, having seen too many dirty deeds, he did not trust those professional bureaucrats, so as he said, caution was best in all matters.
Furthermore, the atmosphere in the shop at this time seemed a little too serious. Although he didn't mind, he didn't like it either, so he naturally wouldn't stay long.
But just as he was leaving with his briefcase, Touka Kirishima suddenly called out to him.
"Mr. Lancer, what are you planning to do next?"
"What am I planning to do? Naturally, to fulfill my duty as an Investigator."
It could be said that Lancer had made his purpose very clear, and it was precisely because she knew what Lancer was saying that Touka Kirishima's expression seemed somewhat complicated.
After saying that, Lancer directly pushed open the door and left 'Anteiku.'
Through the glass, everyone in the shop watched Lancer gradually disappear into the night, looking heavy-hearted. Yoshimura Kuzen even announced the early closure of the shop, and Touka Kirishima took Hinami Fueguchi and walked towards the house she had rented.
Touka Kirishima was silent the entire way, and the sensible Hinami Fueguchi seemed to know that Touka Kirishima's situation was not quite right at this moment, so she also followed behind Touka Kirishima without a word. Suddenly—
"Hinami, why do you think Investigator Lancer... helped us?"
Touka Kirishima had never been able to figure out this question, but she stopped thinking about it after the opponent 'went missing' because it was meaningless, but now the opponent appeared in front of her again, which undoubtedly made her involuntarily think of this question again.
But unfortunately, Hinami Fueguchi was just as confused as her...