Klavier seemed as single-minded as Albedo himself was. No problems there. As long as Klavier didn't delve deeper down this route, Albedo could play the game. As long as it remained a game. The smile remained, and Albedo held up a finger. "Now, now. You've got it wrong. What I said was, I wouldn't harm him. There was no 'them' in that sentence. And it would have already been a lie. I tried to kill Nigredo yesterday. To bash his head in with a rock. Instead he stabbed me through the temple. And then the nurses intervened."

Nothing like a dose of reality to shake one up. The boy's expression was pointedly calm and casual. This was everyday occurrences to him, and he wanted Klavier to understand that. He wanted him to understand. And perhaps to shift or crack from it, something fun just like that. If not, there were other games. Albedo tilted his head at Klavier, almost pleasant. "We're made for it," was the smug last line. "Now. What's your next letter?"