In response to the girl's question, Sanmori Reiko answered in a nearly rejecting manner.

"I can't answer that."

"Are you one of them too?"

Although the girl's question was a bit confusing, Sanmori Reiko understood that she was not an outsider who knew nothing about it.

But even so.

"I can't answer that either."

Sanmori Reiko still had no intention of answering.

"If you can't answer, then you must be treated as an enemy."

Saying that, the girl's eyes became even more alert than before, no, it should be full of hostility, sigh... I guess that's how it is?

Sanmori Reiko couldn't help but sigh.

"Is this alright? That person has been poisoned, and if we delay any longer, there will be no hope."

"..."

Hearing this, the girl's eyes immediately softened, and she naturally shifted her gaze to the boy in front of her, regardless of whether the stranger in front of her would suddenly launch an attack.

Since she said it herself, it was only natural that she was very clear about the fact that the target was poisoned.

They had to act quickly and omit any unnecessary trouble.

Therefore, Sanmori Reiko decided to get straight to the point.

"Anyway, hand that boy over to me."

"I refuse. Since you came at this time, it means you are aware of the plan, which also means you are likely to be one of the dark forces in this country. I won't hand him over to someone of unknown origin like you."

The girl firmly refused, showing no room for negotiation.

Even though she was almost powerless at the moment, the girl should be well aware that she had no chance of winning if they were to fight.

But even so, she still firmly refused.

Seems like it's more troublesome than imagined. I'm running out of time here. I have no choice but to resort to some dirty tricks...

"Well, do you have a way to save him?"

"..."

Sanmori Reiko's question silenced the girl.

"If things continue like this, there won't be any change in the outcome. Instead of that, why not hand him over to me? Maybe things will change."

"Do you have a way to save him?"

The girl didn't answer, but further expressed her doubts.

To this, Sanmori Reiko could only answer like this.

"I can't guarantee that."

"..."

"And, since this boy is most likely not going to survive, handing him over to me wouldn't make much of a difference. The worst-case scenario is still death, and it's no different from the current situation."

That's right, when you have reached the end, continuing forward won't yield any results. If you choose a different path, the worst-case scenario is still no worse than the former. Regardless of how you measure it, it's not a bad decision.

And...

"And it was because of you that this boy ended up like this. Handing him over to me, even if the boy unfortunately dies, the result wouldn't change much, but at least... at least you wouldn't feel so guilty, after all... you can put part of the blame for his death on me, or simply blame me for all the responsibility. I don't mind, how about it? It's not a bad decision."

With that being said, Reiko Sanmori couldn't help but wonder. Is she being too circuitous, doing so much unnecessary things when she is clearly pressed for time? But the girl that follows next...

"What a joke."

She just lowered her head and yelled loudly.

"What..."

Reiko Sanmori was taken aback by the girl's angry yell, not expecting to be rejected like this, but this was only the beginning.