Chapter 532: I thought you kept him around for laughs
Hugo wasn’t the first person to question Benjamin’s position in Zoren’s life. Others had questioned him in the past, and some even went as far as to humiliate and degrade Benjamin, saying he didn’t deserve the position.
But Benjamin was still working for Zoren even after all of that. He wasn’t there just because Zoren protected him or kept him around, but because, despite the criticism, Benjamin had proven himself to Zoren countless times.
"He may not be as perfect as others who do the same work. He’s grumpy, speaks out of turn, and exaggerates. He’s easily riled up and emotional, too," Zoren continued, voicing the thoughts in Hugo’s mind. "But he’s also a kind person — a good person, who isn’t afraid to take accountability for his mistakes and correct them."
Zoren paused and offered Hugo a smile. "Above all, Benjamin never changed for the worse. Despite working with me for so long and in this environment, he never let it change him. You, of all people, know how our environment can change people, having been to war yourself."
Hugo nodded, pleased with Zoren’s explanation of why he kept Benjamin by his side.
"In other words, you keep him around to keep you grounded, huh?" Hugo muttered, and Zoren nodded slightly. "Yeah, I know how environments can change people."
One could easily say: [While fighting monsters, hope that you don’t become one yourself.]
As someone who had been to war, Hugo had seen how it changes people. He had witnessed the eyes that once shone with life grow dim. He’d seen those who used to be so brave almost succumb to the battles in their minds left by the war. There were many stories of how environments change people.
Although Zoren wasn’t on a literal battlefield, there were some similarities. Instead of guns and grenades, he faced conspiracies and schemes. Worse, he was fighting with his own family. Zoren needed someone like Benjamin to help him avoid becoming like those who had come before him.
"I thought you kept him around for laughs, but it seems I’m the shallow one," Hugo quipped. "I like you."
Zoren smiled in satisfaction but didn’t say anything more. He returned to listening to the voice in his earplugs, continuing his work. As he did so, he noticed his phone light up nearby.
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