This last remark sent a shock through Brian's heart.
"You...?"
His eyes widened, his shock now even more intense than before as he stared into Reiger's eyes.
"Yes," Reiger nodded, very calmly, "That night, I encountered the vampire in the forest and fought with her."
"It's just, I didn't expect you to be there and, because of that battle, to end up like you are now."
"So, if we must speak of it, am I partly to blame for your current state?"
Despite his words, there was not a hint of apology on Reiger's face.
It was to be expected.
"Who asked you to be a thief at that time? Consider it karma, perhaps?"
Reiger curled his lips into a smile and said this to Brian.
"It's fine to want to become stronger, but you must think carefully about how to do it, or else this is what happens."
Leaving those words behind, Reiger turned and no longer paid attention to Brian.
"This is as far as I go, the rest is up to you," Reiger said to Gejiev, "No problems, right?"
