This chapter has more changes in setting and character perspective than usual, marked by lines/breaks.
Sitting alone on the train, Star summarized from the assignment file under her breath as she flipped through it.
"…on the path in a field surrounded by forests between two towns. Several travelers and townspeople walking the path between the two towns. They encountered the phenomenon. Since then, the people have disappeared without a trace…."
Star sighed exasperatedly, slapping the mission dossier into her lap and dropping her head against the seat. She tipped her gaze toward the window and watched the forested, hilly scenery roll by.
"Why did it have to land in such a conspicuous place…"
"You talking about the Innocence the Chief sent you after?"
Starting a little and raising her head, Star looked up and saw Lavi standing next to the empty aisle seat beside her.
"Yes. Thinking out loud. It's a habit. The Innocence might be putting these people in danger. I'm concerned."
"I know. I don't know many of the details. From what I did hear, we don't even know if the people who encountered the Innocence survived it."
"They did survive."
"How do you know?" Lavi said.
"Because if Innocence killed, then what would be left for it to save."
The train stopped and Lenalee came around to collect them.
"There you two are."
"Already?" Lavi said.
"Yes," Lenalee said, "seems like we have to get on a boat. Then, because no one will get too close to the place where the Innocence landed, we'll have to get a ride part of the way and walk the the last leg. Let's get going."
"Right," Lavi said.
The sun was slowly waning from the sky as their group left the train for a ferry to cross the water.
Allen was getting onto the boat with the last of their people when he heard raised voices from the rear. Star Johannes and a group of Finders were back there.
"What's wrong with wanting save people and save people's souls! What even is the point of saving lives if souls don't matter, too!" Star said, eyes shining with angry tears.
"I'm not an Exorcist and I can't see the souls of Akuma so I can't say much about that," one Finder argued back heatedly. "But don't talk about
Allen Walker and Suman Dark to me like they're saints. I don't wanna hear it!"
Allen froze, triggered by the feelings and flashes of memory that Suman Dark raised in him. Johnny Gill and a few others had thanked him for trying to save Suman after he became a Fallen One because they knew the whole story. Others…were not so thankful. And they have their reasons, but I don't regret it, Allen thought. I had to try to save Suman.
"When Allen saved Suman Dark, he was doing the right thing," Star said. "I don't have a single doubt about it."
"Dark was a traitor," the Finder argued bitterly. "They tried to keep it hushed up but there are rumors. 148 confirmed dead, Johannes. Don't preach to protect him."
Many of the Finders nodded and voiced their agreement, giving Star hostile looks.
Passionately, Star retorted, "Suman Dark was at best coerced into joining the Order, wasn't he? Even had he refused, there's every chance the Order wouldn't have given him a choice because he was born with a parasitic Innocence on his arm, just like Allen. In no way was what Suman did right… But you could say the Order, as an organization that press gangs Exorcists, reaped what it sowed. Humanity's servants and a lot of innocent people paid the price with their lives."
Shaken from his thoughts and his tangled emotions at walking in on this conversation so suddenly, Allen stepped forward towards Star and the Finders.
Star was so worked up she couldn't even remember how this all started with the Finders. More than a few had nearly spit at the sound of Allen's name.
None of them seemed to know what to say to her last words but their anger and distrust hardened their faces and hearts. It held their tongues and they turned away, ignoring her.
Allen tried to save him… Allen didn't let Suman die alone in disgrace and pain. He did everything in his power to save him from the fate his Innocence judged.
"Even after the horrible thing Suman did, I can't say I would've left him alone, suffering and afraid. Not if I could've helped."
Star heard footsteps behind her and someone touched her shoulder. Allen was standing there when she turned around.
"Allen…"
"It's okay, Star. Thank you."
His smile was soft and filled with understanding and gratitude. Still heated from the argument but cooling down, Star found herself blushing over the fact that Allen had caught her arguing about him so fervently.
Lavi walked over to them.
"What's going on, Allen?"
"Nothing. Let's go inside, Star. Lavi."
As Star and Allen left, Lavi was waylaid by the appearance of his master, Bookman.
"When did you get here, old man?"
"Just a moment ago." Eyes circled in their trademark black markings, his shrewd and yet unreadable gaze followed Star as she and Allen found a place to sit in the passenger area.
"You know what those three are, Lavi," Bookman said. "The Exorcist and the two Finders that arrived at the Black Order with her. You've at least sensed something about her. The knowledge is hidden deep in your Bookman memories which is why you don't realize it. The truth is there all the same."
"Hidden? We record the hidden history. How can history be hidden from us?"
"You need more training."
"Just what are you trying to tell me—or not tell me-about Star? Hey, you're not going to warn me that as your successor I shouldn't get involved or get too friendly?"
Bookman turned and walked away towards the less crowded end of the boat.
"I don't have to," Bookman said. "Not this time."
Now I'm definitely confused, Lavi thought.
"What… Hey, come back here! What do you mean, you old panda!?"
Bookman gave no answer and Lavi sighed in frustration.
Looks like I'll have to figure it out myself.