After a while, Covenant went on, “Bannor, you’re practically the only person around here who hasn’t at least tried to forgive me for anything.” “The Bloodguard do not forgive.” “I know. I remember. I should count my blessings.”
The absence of forgiveness is not the presence of justice.
Covenant (after some reflection, 'cause he certainly didn't think this during and immediately after raping Lena) has decided that 'rape is wrong,' and feels uncomfortable in the presence of nearly universal forgiveness of nearly everyone in the land.
He notes that Bannor's lack of forgiveness is a blessing.
It's telling that Covenant never makes a single move to seek justice for Lena.
Regarding suicide as a way to expiate guilt, it's valid in Japan... so there is that, but it has to be done as an expiation of guilt,…