'So.' Rudolf said, somehow still having enough strength in him to utter a weak chuckle. 'In old Westerns, the quiet guy always turns out to be the psychopathic one, right?'

Genji stood in front of him, holding the rifle by his side. There was a small bandage on his chest where he had stabbed himself - but not too deeply. His clothes were bloody, drenched and faded, and his hair was soaked to the skin, but that same, neutral, robotic expression haunted on his face.

'I'm not a psychopath,' Genji said.

'Yeah, you are,' Rudolf said, watching the rifle in Genji's hand. He was aware he was going to die. Killed at the hand of a servant in the background. It wasn't a good death.

'I'm sorry,' Genji said, the perfect servant, his arm ascending. 'I apologise for the distress I've caused you.'

'Yeah, no fucking shit,' Rudolf said, finding himself staring down the full nine millimetre barrel of darkness. 'But there's one thing I don't get. Why did you do it?'

'Why not?' Genji said.

'Why why not? I would've thought mass murder wasn't exactly the job of a head butler, you know?'

'Not in this world,' Genji agreed. 'But this world doesn't matter. The result, is what comes next.'

'What?'

'My duty has always been to the Ushiromiya family,' Genji said. 'Today is your day of release.'

'You know, the funny thing is, I actually understood that,' Rudolf said. 'Hey, can I ask you for one last favour?'

'Anything you wish.'

'If Battler's still alive, don't kill him. That boy deserves a chance.'

'I apologise,' Genji said. 'I am unable to accede that request.'

Well,' Rudolf said, his head hanging down, his legs preparing to spring. With luck, a well-timed lunge would take Genji completely by surprise. Already Rudolf was working through the motions in his head. It wasn't good odds.

Genji slid back the bolt, and Rudolf knew it was now or never. With one last cry he launched himself upwards, his good arm curled into a fist, aiming for the gun nestled in Genji's hands.

Genji corrected his aim and blasted Rudolf's face off. He watched the body fall with barely a blink, and swiftly reloaded. The shell dropped onto the floor, echoing throughout the empty hall.

'G-genji...'

Battler was standing at the main door, staring at where Rudolf's face should have been. His face was entirely white. Genji turned slowly, and raised the rifle.

'W-why...' Battler said, falling to his knees.

'I did it for her,' Genji said, and fired. After that, there was only one bullet left in the chamber. He saved it for himself.

When the seagulls cry, none are left alive.