[ ...Maybe M is right, but Howl feels compelled to push back on such defeatist thinking. Brainwashed as he is into remembering what happened to him as a necessary evil (at worst), his experiences have convinced him that actions can carry consequences in this world, and he has no idea what consequences may be in store for M if the Regent finds out his Shard is infected by none other than the Pleroma itself.

He sighs. ]

If I were you, I'd still endeavor to keep it to myself. If there's no need for others to know, then there's no reason to tell.

[ But surely, the opportunistic demon who bested Estinien is crafty enough to navigate that truth...? Unless. ]

...Unless you have reason to believe it will make itself known?