After Kuzon left with Ana, and our team lost one member, awkward silence took control…

… But only for a few seconds.

“Why did you let him take her? Why does Ana have to pay for your defeat?”

The person speaking was, of course, Lemi.

I sighed at the girl, not knowing if she would understand the reason behind what I did. Perhaps not even Ana would appreciate it at the moment.

‘There’s no point explaining it…’ I glanced at Maria, and her expressionless face spoke volumes.

A glance at Aloe Vida gave me the assurance that at least she was on my side.

“Let’s all calm ourselves.” Neron stepped up.

It was probably a good choice, considering I was tired at the moment.

“It’s been a long day, so why don’t we return to our base and relax?”

“Yeah, good call…” Lemi murmured, finally leaving me alone.

I could tell that she was still angry, though. Considering the fact that Ana was the closest person to her at the moment, I made a big blunder by separating the two.

‘I should apologize later… maybe.’

“Are you feeling okay?” A voice echoed beside me.

It belonged to Edward.

We hadn’t had the opportunity to talk very often due to how occupied he was with training… or gawking at my Half-Elf daughter.

“Not really.”

“Why? Because of Ana, or the fight?”

“I think both…” I sighed.

Despite everything, I felt Edward was still a reliable person I could count on—like a sturdy pillar or an unbreakable wall.

“Yeah, that wasn’t a pretty sight to see—you getting beat up like that. At least now you know how we feel all the time.”

“Hm? What do you mean?” I looked at the buff guy with surprise.

“That feeling of inadequacy you have when you’re pummeled… it drives you to be better, and the restlessness that comes with it makes you push on to overcome your limits.”

“I feel inadequate all the time. I never proclaimed to be the strongest person around.”

“Well, maybe you’re right. But, at least you have one more reason. Besides… I don’t think seeing you lose was a bad thing.” Edward’s lips curled up to form a smile.

“I was beginning to wonder if someone could sucker punch you one day—considering I’ve never seen you lose in a fight.”

“Hahaha, really?”

Edward nodded.

“Yeah. Inadequacy should have a balance. Your position as a sturdy and powerful leader is excellent, but unless you show some vulnerability, your followers will only feel more inadequate.”

I was surprised to hear such profound words from Edward.

“I see… I guess you aren’t such a meathead, after all.”

“Y-yeah, I guess you could say that.” Edward’s gaze shifted in a particular direction, but I decided to simply take that as him being flustered.

Unless…

“Hold on, did someone put you up to this?”

“W-what are you talking about?” Edward looked even more flustered.

“I knew it! You were probably just repeating after them as they telepathically gave you the message. Who’s the person?” I sharply glanced in the direction where Edward looked before and found Maria quickly walking away.

‘It came from her?’

“Edward… whyy…?” I gave my friend a tap on the shoulder and shook my head.

His teary eyes made him look like a baby, and I could see the guilt on his face.

“She… she made me do it.”

“Why did you lie? What did she offer in exchange?”

The boy shyly looked to the ground. For a man who looked so powerful, he seemed so fragile in face of that question.

“W-well… she said… she would help me out…”

“Really? Let me guess, with Lemi?”

“Shhhh! Keep your voice down, man.” Edward looked panicky and jumpy.

‘This dude…’ I nearly sighed.

To think even Edward had fallen this deep. Initially, I was a little upset that my friend was so interested in my daughter.

However, at the moment, my relationship with Lemi was so strained that I couldn’t even consider us family.

‘I am not Lewis Griffith, after all…’ With that in mind, I put my hands on Edward’s shoulders and smiled.

“You can do it. Just be confident. Maybe it’s just me, but I have a feeling she likes you too.”

“R-really?!”

“Yeah. She’s always ogling you with her eyes.”

‘Well, there’s a possibility she wants to use you as her lab specimen, but…’ I decided not to add that bit.

Edward beamed brightly. He must have been overjoyed with the possibility that his feelings weren’t one-sided.

‘Ah, the joy of youth…’ I truly could not relate.

Still… Maria, eh?

A smile spread across my face and I decided to do some thinking.

****************

Looking to my right, I observed Neron and Serah. To my left, there were Ciara and Jerry. Edward was already speaking to Lemi, and Asa was being catered for by Aloe Vida.

To be honest, everyone was so busy forming bonds, but it felt like I simply couldn’t.

‘Even Ana and Kuzon…’ It almost sounded like a dream.

A lot of things had changed, and so many things were still changing.

‘I can’t compromise now, though…’

There was a serious conflict ahead, and romance wasn’t going to fix it.

Still, despite understanding that, why was everyone still giving themselves to their hearts?

‘The logical thing to do is to forego emotional attachments and focus on the challenge ahead… right?’

However, my memories returned to the Celestial War—back when I was still Lewis Griffith.

Upon remembering the special moments I shared with Emilia despite the rising conflict, and how our love was born from war, I realized…

‘… I’m just giving excuses.’

The problem wasn’t the situation, but me.

I was simply afraid of something, or maybe I didn’t want romance, but it was unfair of me.to pin it on the war with Demons, or the current Nether Cult issue.

‘There’s always going to be something…’

In the end, I was just being a hypocrite, wasn’t I?

With a smile on my face, I looked to the sky. Somehow, realizing that about myself made me happier.

‘Thank you, Maria.’