Juan realized that ‘that time’ referred to when Gerard Gain had stabbed the emperor.

“So you weren’t certain, but still wanted to kill me. Why? Is it because I was worshiped like a god among the humans? That’s what Nienna told me—that your hatred of gods led to you developing a hatred for me as well.”

Juan recalled Nienna telling him about the theory that Barth is fine with dead gods, but not a living god.

In fact, Barth didn’t really care whether the people of the empire worshiped dead gods with indigenous faith. His hatred was only focused on living gods.

Barth snorted.

“I can’t say that it’s completely unrelated to that. However, if that was all, I might have just left your side in the first place, since there are still many gods to kill beyond the boundary and in the Crack. But…”

At that moment, Barth stopped—he seemed quite hesitant to continue answering.

“If I committed an injustice against you, don’t hide it and just tell me. Doesn’t a sinner deserve to know his sins?” Juan asked as if he was rushing Barth.

“...The biggest problem is that you didn’t do any injustice against me. You are innocent.”

“What do you mean?”

“I guess you can be considered a sinner if being born into this world itself is counted as a sin. Your sin wasn’t committed by you—just like Gerard Gain.”

Juan couldn’t understand why Barth mentioned Gerard Gain’s name in this situation....