Within the mansion of Crusch Karsten.
Out in the garden, the morning sun gazed upon the earth with its gentle light.
And within this garden, two men were engaging in simple conversation, those being Xenophanes and Wilhelm Van Astrea.
Since Xenophanes was going to be fully physically recovered after this, that meant melee was officially an option for him now.
Something he didn't want to do. Considering himself more of a mid- to long-range fighter, still, it wouldn't hurt to learn how to throw a good punch as a last resort.
So he approached Wilhelm, doing his daily sword practice, to teach him exactly that: basic self-defense.
After a bit of contemplation, Wilhelm agreed to it. While he was a swordsman and nothing else, he could teach the boy a few things.
Thus, Xenophanes stood in front of a wooden training dummy, with Wilhelm to the side.
Xeno: "You want me to punch at full force?" He asked, turning to him.
Wilhelm nodded.
"Indeed, Xeno-dono. I want to know what you're capable of, then guide you step by step from there."
Xeno: "Well... Okay, if you say so."
He flexed his left shoulder, then threw the best punch he could at the dummy's head.
It was a basic punch, clumsy and lacking any refinement. Xeno was a total amateur, Wilhelm noticed.
But what happened next surprised him quite a bit. His punch shattered its head. It's even more impressive when you factor in these were built to be extra durable.
Wilhelm: "Xeno-dono, I wasn't aware of the fact you were a user of the Flow Method." He said, his eyes analytical.
Xeno: "The... What?" He tilted his head in confusion.
Wilhelm: "Have you not heard of it?"
Xeno: "Not really. I mainly focused on training my water magic. Didn't bother reading other stuff until I get proficient at what I'm best in."
Wilhelm: "I see. In that case, allow me to explain. The Flow Method is an advanced technique where a person circulates mana through their body to boost their physical capabilities."
Xeno: "You can do that?" He asked, surprised. But then again, that made sense. It is a basic fantasy setting thing.
Wilhelm: 'He hasn't heard of the flow method, and from what I gather he is fully human yet processes such strength?'
Xeno: "Is this going to be a problem, Sir Wilhelm?"
Wilhelm: "Not at all, Xeno-dono. Now then, allow me to correct your form."
...
From there, Wilhelm guided Xenophanes for an hour, and Xeno, to his own surprise, was getting the hang of things.
It was far from perfect, but the difference was noticeable. Which is good enough for him. Progress is progress.
They continued this for an hour straight, only stopping because Felix showed up, reprimanding them.
Xeno was still supposed to be under medical care, after all. Felix explicitly said not to exert himself at all until he was fully healed. This apparently counted.
In his opinion, it didn't make sense. He was 90% done with his recovery, so it should be fine if he exerted himself just a bit. Then again, he isn't a doctor, so he complied.
Walking away, Xeno noticed one detail he thought was strange. The entire time, Wilhelm never said a word. Xeno expected the fine gentleman to apologize, but nope, he remained composed, staring at Felix.
Anyway, back inside the mansion. Xeno had decided to head back to his room. He ascended the stairs.
Only to meet Crusch herself once again, back in her military outfit. The duchess let out a small smile.
Crusch: "Good morning, Xenophanes."
Xeno: "Ditto, Crusch. How are you doing?" He greeted casually, raising his hand in a way.
Crusch: "Quite well. My preparations are almost complete." She provided the information to see his reaction.
Xeno: "Wonderful. I hope whatever your great scheme is, goes well."
The answer made Crusch pause for a second. But reviewing it again, the response fit perfectly with his character.
Crusch: 'Just like last night, he is interested but not trying to meddle in my affairs. Going as far as to sincerely wish me success.' Once again, she doesn't have to think deeply about his motives.
Because he simply doesn't have any, and meant exactly what he said.
Crusch: "You are a fascinating individual, Xenophanes." She almost sounded amused.
Xeno: "..."
She raised an eyebrow, seeing his pupils had entirely vanished. His empty eyes stared at her, being uncomfortable, creepy even.
Crusch: 'What strange eyes.' It was then she also noticed he had gone still.
Crusch: "Xenophanes?" She called out, but there was no response from him. Sensing something was wrong, she reached out and touched his shoulder.
Just like that, Xeno crumbled, falling backwards like a lifeless doll.
Crusch: "Xenophanes!"
...
A considerable time later.
Xeno lay on the bed, completely blank.
Within the room, Crusch and Rem stood to the side, watching Felix try his best to figure out what was wrong.
Sadly, there was little Felix could do. While helping him physically wouldn't be an issue, his mental state was another matter entirely.
A thought entering her mind, Crusch looked at Felix to voice out her opinion.
Crusch: "Ferris, what is the likelihood of him being cursed?"
Felix shook his head.
"That's not it. There's nyo indication of any interference using mana. It's more like..." He trailed off. His conclusion made no sense, but it was the only one he had.
Crusch: "Like what, Felix?" Seeing her knight's contemplating look, the situation was far more complex than she thought.
Felix: "Well, nya, Xeno-kyun seems to be suffering from... Extreme mental fatigue?" He wasn't sure of it himself.
Rem & Crusch: 'Extreme mental fatigue!?' Both women thought about it deeply, realizing the answer made no sense.
Both of them knew for a fact Xenophanes hadn't done anything for that to happen. So what's going on?
Rem: 'Is it because of his Misama?' That was the only thing that was off. It had suddenly increased.
Crusch had a complicated look on her face as she gazed at Xeno's form.
Crusch: "Ferris, is there anything you can do in this case?"
Felix: "Sorry, Crusch-sama, but there's little I can do here. He'll recover on his own. It should only take a week." He said with a straight face.
Rem: "Crusch-sama, is something the matter?" She noted the duchess was gripping her sword tight.
Crusch stared down Felix with a piercing gaze. The catboy was trying his best not to let up in front of Rem.
Crusch: "Excuse us for a moment. Could we have a private moment together?" She said, but it didn't sound like a request.
Rem was definitely suspicious, not wanting to leave her hero's side, but complied either way.
...
Now alone, Crusch dangerously glared at her knight, Felix, who was sweating buckets under her lady's gaze.
Crusch: "Now, Felix, tell me. Exactly what's going on."
Felix: "I already told you, Xeno is suffering from extreme fatigue—"
Crusch: "That's not what I said."
Felix: "W-What do you mean by that, nya?"
Crusch: "Don't mistake my silence for ignorance, Felix. I know what you've been up to."
Felix remained silent. In that case, Crusch would have to continue.
Crusch: "Felix, I know your water magic better than most. I've seen the report you sent me on his condition. With your abilities, healing Xeno's spine was something you could have done within two days."
Felix: "..."
Crusch: "So answer me... Why did you delay his recovery? And most importantly, is there really nothing you can do to help me? Or is it that you don't want to help him?"
Felix: "..."
There was no point in keeping the information anymore.
Felix: "Truth is, nya, there really is little I can do to help Xeno-nyan right now. At most, I can speed it up by a few hours."
"As for why I delayed his treatment was, uh... Because Xeno's body is special, unlike any I have ever seen."
Crusch: "How so?" She narrowed her brows.
Felix: "Well, if I had to describe it, it would be superhuman. His bones, organs, strength, cells...his EVERYTHING was far stronger and healthier than any patient I had treated, nya. All of this was completely natural as well. So I thought, while he's here, why don't I... study him to further boost our physique like his?"
He admitted while avoiding eye contact with her. Crusch's Divine Protection of Wind Reading confirmed he was telling the full truth.
Crusch: "You used a guest we were contracted to heal as a test subject to satisfy your own curiosity." She recounted coldly.
Felix prepared himself for a reprimand from his lady. Yet it never came, when he looked her from the corner of his eyes, what he saw devastated him.
Disappointment. Complete and utter disappointment from her. Her face had darkened as she turned to leave.
Crusch: "Felix, do what you can to help Xeno right now. I'll go inform Rem the news."
Felix: "Wait, Crusch-sama! I—"
Crusch: "This conversation is finished, Felix." She commanded and left without a word.
Felix clutched his shaking fists, his heart pounding, the memory of her immense disappointment repeating in his mind.
Felix: "..."
...
"Thank you for everything. On behalf of our master, I offer our deepest gratitude for your kindness to this day."
Rem spoke. She would bow if not for holding on to Xenophanes.
Standing across from her, Crusch had come to see them off outside the gates of her manor.
Given Xeno wouldn't be able to recover, even with Felix's help, Rem decided it was better to return home.
Crusch stepped forward, still having a few words to say to Rem before sending them off.
Crusch: "I apologize for being unable to help. It would be impudent of me to call this a fair trade."
Rem: "It's fine, Crusch-sama. There... Nothing that can be done now." Her gaze landed on him. It was easy to tell just how worried she was.
Crusch: "Once Xenophanes wakes up, send him my regards." She nodded.
Rem: "Of course, Crusch-sama."
The moment she said this, Wilhelm had arrived, driving a dragon carriage, sturdy and travel-worn. The preparations were complete.
Crusch: "That's the last long-distance dragon carriage we have. We nearly had to send it out on another errand." She noted.
Wilhelm, getting off the driver's seat, continued the conversation.
Wilhelm: "If you cut through the Lifaus Highway at full speed, you should reach the mansion before midnight."
Rem squinted up at the sun. Judging by its location, it was noon. It would be a long, exhausting trip, but doable.
And when they got close enough, she could send word to her sister, giving her some warning ahead of time.
Though before they could leave, Crusch had another topic that was on her mind.
Crusch: "By the way, Rem, I have a question for you before you leave. I don't mind if you don't wish to answer, as this question is rather tasteless."
Rem: "A question?"
Crusch: "Recently, there have been rumors of the two of you among my staff. Many great things have been said about the two of you, sparking jealousy and even aspiration. So my question is this: how can you devote so much of yourself to Xenophanes? Your relationship is not that of master and servant like... Ferris and mine. Yet I hesitate to conclude that the gaze you cast is that of a woman toward a man... I apologize. Forget I asked."
Rem: "No, that's not it. It's just difficult to explain. I suppose it's because Xeno-kun is special."
Crusch couldn't hide the shock in her eyes. Little did Rem know her words had told everything the two of them needed to know.
Wilhelm: 'What a fortune soul the boy is.'
Rem began to look slightly embarrassed as her grip on Xeno tightened, unintentionally pulling him closer.
Crusch: "My apologies. I was stunned speechless for a moment. Xenophanes is a lucky man."
With one last nod of her face, Crusch and Wilhelm sent off the duo as they set off for the Roswaal mansion.
While Rem braced herself, a long, long journey awaited them.
...
The journey itself was long, passing by in silence as Rem and Xeno traversed the Lifaus Highway. Rem had a hand wrapped around his waist all the while driving the carriage.
This arrangement wasn't too problematic, so the journey went smoothly. Only when it was nighttime did the carriage stop.
Rem took care of the dragon and looked out. The blue oni gathered up wood and started a fire as the dragon was resting next to her while she fed it.
When that was done, she moved on to Xeno. She fed him soup, since he was incapable of eating or even swallowing on his own.
As the minutes went by, Rem had a lot of time to think about her time with Xenophanes over the past few days.
"I know I mustn't let my personal feelings interfere, but I was happy having you all to myself at the Capital. I was happy when we went on our promised date. When you bought me all those clothes, cheered me on, never minded when I was being selfish with you. And when I loved you too much, you were scared that I would hurt myself. Because I can find many faults with myself."
Feeling lonely when he got friendly with Ram. Feeling jealous of how close Emilia grew to him. Thinking it's unfair how much he plays and cooks for Betty. Envying Meili at how much he wanted her to have a family, to show her love. These were all feelings that Rem had in her heart, feelings she wouldn't deny.
"All of these memories, it had made me feel... Wanted again. This past two months' journey, you taught me something. I don't need a reason to be loved. I can just... Exist, and that's enough."
Rem carried Xeno inside the carriage. Resting him on one of the seats, she closed the door of the carriage.
Now, the two of them were truly just alone.
Sitting down next to Xeno, she smiled to herself, resting his head on her lap, running her hand through his snow-white hair.
A tint of red found its way to her face, a gentle smile never leaving her as she looked at Xeno's face.
His blank face was missing two things which made him the most charming in her opinion. His smile and pupils.
She loved when he smiled at her, or in general. It fit his features quite well, always brightening up her entire day.
Then there were his pupils. His eyes were completely hollow, nothing inside to see. That only made his pupils stand out more.
Yes, they lacked any depth or complexity. Yet they made it up by changing shape. His excitement, surprise, disappointment, all of it she could clearly see through his morphing pupils.
There were so many shapes they took, but none held a candle to his prism pupils. The sight of those eyes never left her.
The blending colours that held each emotion he contained, it was like staring into his heart, at what made Xeno... Xeno.
And since that day, she had always wished for one thing.
To see those same pupils of his once again.
...
The next day.
The sounds of footsteps were heard as the dragon carriage was being pulled once more. Despite being on guard the whole night, Rem found herself energized, having a good night's sleep.
So currently, Rem is driving the carriage with Xeno laying comfortably on her lap. This position was more convenient in more ways than one.
Speeding down the rocky path, Rem noticed something unusual. Looking around, she noticed it was quiet... no, it's more accurate to say, dead silent.
Rem: "Something's wrong, it's too quiet."
The next instant, a sharp sensation circulated through her body as Rem suddenly placed her right hand over her heart. Her breathing became erratic, feeling a splitting headache.
This undoubtedly being Synesthesia, both sisters shared. Rem tried to hurry back to the mansion.
Normally, the blue oni strived to remain calm in a situation. But Whenever she became serious about something, she tended to ignore her surroundings. Something Ram warned her about.
And that very mistake is about to bite her.
In one split moment, the earth dragon's head was decapitated as the carriage crashed into the road. Luckily, Rem reacted quickly, grabbing Xeno as she jumped off in time.
She held Xenophanes close, quickly realizing they were surrounded by Witch Cultists.
Suddenly, one of them leaped forward in an attempt to attack, only to meet a morning star to his skull as his body flattened on the ground. Rem clutched her weapon tightly.
Rem felt seething hate flow through her, confronting these people so much that her horn showed itself once more. She let out a yell full of malice.
"Don't you dare come near us, Witch Cult!!!"
Suddenly, the hooded assailants each took out a dagger and threw them in unison. Rem, more than ready, leaped away while swinging her morning star.
Her attacks were devastating, tearing apart her targets, then she moved on to the next while maintaining her distance. She couldn't afford these cultists hurting her hero.
That was proving to be hard as whenever these cultists were killed, more would appear from the veil of trees. Suddenly turning around, she saw a large fireball hurled towards them.
Rem: "Huma!"
With no time to spare, a shining barrier of water formed in front of her. Steam began filling the area.
Rem hissed in pain, the attack far stronger than she anticipated, resulting in her arm being scalded. As Rem's vision cleared, she saw one of the cultists running off with Xenophanes.
Holding on to her morning star, she hissed angrily, while all the cultists targeted large amounts of fire at her.
"You bastards... You stole my sister's horn and my reason to live, but that wasn't enough, now was it? Now you stole my reason to die, too!"
She went into a wild frenzy, slaughtering Cultists left and right while they continued their assault on her, uncaring of their companions' deaths.
Rem: 'Xeno-kun, Rem is coming!!!'
...
With Xenophanes.
In a cave, chains rattled and echoed through the area. Xeno's wrists were restrained. And he was far from being alone.
A pair of eyes stared at his form, poking his face, talking, thinking Xeno is conscious to some extent.
Petelgeuse: "I see... This is certainly interesting. You wouldn't happen to be Pride, would you?" The figure being Petelgeuse, himself.
Xeno: "..."
Petelgeuse: "I guess you're not going to answer me." As the man said that, he placed his left index finger between his teeth, biting down so hard that his blood ran down his arm.
Suddenly, the man stood straight. He turned around and lightly skipped towards his followers.
The moment he got in front, turning again with both arms around his back, he gave a bow, slowly raising his upper body.
Petelgeuse: "I am Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, representing Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanée Conti... DESU!"
Xeno: "..."
Petelgeuse: "Not a word, huh? How comical. What a very, very, very, very, very interesting sight! Truly, truly, truly!!! My brain trembles! Now then, how was he brought here?"
Just as he said that, one of the hooded figures emerged from the ground right beside him. Upon noticing this, Petelgeuse leaned closely towards the individual to hear cleanly. The figure spoke directly into his ear.
"Dragon... Carriage."
Petelgeuse: "A dragon-drawn carriage! Ah, aren't dragon carriages great? They obey diligently, work diligently, and play their role as a species diligently! They're just fantastic!!"
"Killed..."
Petelgeuse: "Of course! Your diligence brought the earth dragon, diligence itself, to the ground! Ah, my brain trembles, trembles, trembles!!! Ah, but a dead ground dragon is the very definition of sloth. Clean the area up. With the day of the Ordeal with us, we mustn't let our existence be discovered. Now what of his friend?"
"Unknown..."
Petelgeuse: "It is unknown if his friend is alive or dead. Unknown if dead or alive, huh? You are truly slothful."
Without a second thought, Petelgeuse slammed one of the members into the ground so hard that numerous rocks went flying. Shortly after, he began to shake the man before punching him relentlessly.
Petelgeuse: "With the day of the Ordeal upon us, you let a potential problem remain! Is this the sincerity you show in return to our Gospel! Ah... this is slothful, sloth, sloth, sloth, sloth! Please forgive the sloth that has led us to betray your goodwill! Love, we must repay love with love."
"..."
Petelgeuse: "Bring the girl here! If they live, kill her. If not, bring me her head. Love, we must repay love with love!!!" He bent far backwards, holding both sides of his head.
His subordinates all began to sink into the ground, until only Xenophanes and Petelgeuse remained.
...
With a smile on his face, the Sin Archbishop turned to Xeno.
He began to stretch his legs, as if warming up. After a few minutes of stretching, Petelgeuse walked over to him, grabbing him by the hair with his left hand, while his right went into his robes, pulling out a small book.
Petelgeuse: "Now, now, now, now, now. You will look into my eyes. Answer me, answer me carefully. Why does such dense love hang so abundantly upon your person? Do you not own a copy of the Gospel?"
Xeno: "..."
Petelgeuse: "It saddens me to be ignored! I'm treating you so kindly and yet, and yet, and yet, yet, yet, yet! In that case, I will change the order of my question."
Just as he said this, Petelgeuse lifted Xeno's chin as he proceeded to lick the young man's face. Going as far as to attempt licking his eyeball, only for his tongue to go inside his sockets.
In wonder, Petelgeuse danced his tongue inside Xeno's left eye socket, licking the air, then the corner of the eyeball before pulling himself back and bending his neck 90 degrees.
Petelgeuse: "Why do these feelings of leniency towards you come from?" He, for once, looked genuinely confused.
Xeno: "..."
Petelgeuse: "No, no, no, no, I truly have my doubts. Why, for what reason, for what purpose do I feel... Attracted to you?" He unsnapped his neck, adopting a thinking position on one leg.
"This feeling... It makes my brain tremble! I understand, of course, I get it, I get it, I get it." He snapped in an epiphany.
"You must be a fellow devoted follower of love! Yes, yes, yes, yes, my brain trembles!!! This dense love is a sign of your devotion to her! That, that, that means... We're kin, fellow devotees of love!!!"
Reaching his own conclusion, the Sin Archbishop looked ecstatic by the idea. Getting dangerously close to Xeno's face, he rambled on.
Petelgeuse: "Tell me, Pride! What brings you here? Are you here to partake in the great Ordeal with us? Tell me! Tell me, tell, tell me." Seeing Xeno still not respond to him, he began furiously shaking him.
Petelgeuse: "Answer me, Pride. Is my love not enough? Have I been slothful in my devotion? Why are you so loved? What makes you so loved? Were my diligence worthy of her? Answer me, answer me!!!" His breathing became frantic, desperate for an answer.
Before Petelgeuse could go further, the sound of rumbling echoed throughout the cave, reaching his ears.
Within moments, one of the Witch Cultists was sent flying in, crushed into the wall. Just as more Cultists emerged from the ground, the sound of chains grew louder and louder.
Stepping from the depths of the cave was a blue-haired Maid, carrying a morning star, sustaining multiple injuries across her figure. Despite that, she stood tall, her horn shining brightly.
Rem had arrived at last.
...
Rem: "Xeno-kun!"
Petelgeuse: "Ah! How fantastic this is! A girl, a lone girl, is so badly injured yet still presses on!"
Rem: "Enough of your nonsense, Witch Cultist! You are a fool to carry out your treachery in Roswaal-sama's domain. In my master's stead, I, Rem, will carry out your death penalty!"
Petelgeuse: "Even in your battered state? You came here to save the boy. Don't say things that only sound attractive."
Rem: "Don't touch him."
Petelgeuse: "Huh? What was that!?"
Rem: "Don't touch Xeno-kun!" She swung her morning star at the Sin Archbishop, which he dodged easily.
Petelgeuse: "Your words just now were great. They really showed your true intentions! Spirit! Love!" A sickly grin plastered on his face.
"You came here purely out of your feelings for the boy. Those are your true intentions!"
Rem went on the offensive once again, while Petelgeuse remained on the defensive for now.
Petelgeuse: "Such staunch belief of love! It's no wonder Pride chose you as your companion. Tell me, Pride's follower. Why is he so loved? What makes him special?"
Rem: "Xeno-kun is special. Special in a way that a cultist like you will never understand. He taught me... You don't have to be special to be loved. That love doesn't depend on what one's capable of. Xeno-kun is special because he loves Rem, not for what she can do, but who she is. Xeno-kun loves Rem!"
She declared without hesitation.
Petelgeuse: "..."
The madman didn't just freeze, he violently locked himself in place. His expression blank.
She didn't have any time to wonder about this, as more Cultists began sprouting from the ground, but Rem didn't give them a chance. She swung her morning star the moment they emerged.
The sound of bones and flesh tearing apart echoed throughout the caves. Giving her morning star back to her side, she charged forward.
This confrontation was looking bad for Rem. While she could take out several of them, some of them would strike her from a blind spot, injuring her further.
But she didn't give up, all for one man.
Rem: "Xeno-kun!" From the corner of her vision, she saw him resting against the wall without any visible injury on him. Much to her relief.
Petelgeuse: "M-My brain trembles! Trembles, trembles, trembles!"
The second his yell reached Rem's ears, it was over. An invisible force latched onto her leg. Rem felt her entire body violently smashed into the ceiling.
Petelgeuse: "How, how, how, how dare you!! To claim love I know nothing about love! When it is you who knows nothing about love!"
He slammed Rem into the walls, floor, anywhere repeatedly, while going on a rant.
"Love is to fully devote yourself, your entire being. To sacrifice all for their name, to diligently work yourself. Your love is vile, rotten, sloth, it's the very definition of slothful. To think that one is simply enough is slothful. To think that you don't need to prove yourself is slothful. Love must be repaid with love. Your love is pathetic, slothful."
He continued his assault, only stopping when he literally tore Rem's leg off. She fell to the ground with a wet thud, blood pouring out of her, most of her bones broken.
It's nothing short of a miracle that she is still alive, right?
Petelgeuse crouched down unconcernedly, mumbling to himself, biting away at his fingers. About love, diligence, and other things.
But what he doesn't understand is why Pride would teach her this. Why delude her with such slothful ideas?
He stopped, straightening up.
Petelgeuse: "I see, see, see, see, so that's your plan, Pride! Hahahhahahaahaha!" He burst into laughter, finally figuring out Pride's "plan."
It's a test. It's all a test. That was what all this is. A test! Pride believes his devotion is so far above his own that he wasn't even worth acknowledging.
And he's here to judge his devotion. Yes, that must be it.
Petelgeuse: "My brain trembles!!!!" He was became excited, he commanded the other cultists.
Petelgeuse: "This place is quite a mess... so I'll take my leave! All right, men! You will resume your duties. Rendezvous with the other fingers. The Ordeal will proceed on the scheduled day. Now then, Pride." He offers one last bow to him.
Petelgeuse: "I'll make you acknowledge my diligence, my devotion, that my love is higher than even yours."
With that, everyone left. With only Xeno and Rem left.
...
Xenophanes continued being chained to the wall, unresponsive to the insanity that just happened.
After the Witch Cult's exit, only one sound remained in the cave, the sound of dragging.
The originator of that sound is none other than a barely alive Rem, using her only unbroken arm to drag her battered body to Xeno's side.
The pain was excruciating, unlike any she had felt before, but she continued to push on. She was determined to reach him.
She failed to save her hero, he would most likely starve to death, here. And she could do nothing about it.
Well, almost nothing.
She rested her bloody head on his lap. If nothing else, she wanted to stay by his side. And with her last breath, she left him some parting words.
Rem: "X-Xeno, I-I'm sorry for... being u-unable to protect. B-But Rem has something to confess." It took everything she had to speak.
And she knew she was going to die in the next few seconds, and she let out those words.
"I-I... L–Love... Y...Y–You."
With those last words, Rem closed her eyes forever. A small part of her felt content for finally saying the one thing she already wanted to say.
Even if she hadn't imagined it would go like this, she was happy.
She finally said it. It was long overdue by this point. But hey, she finally said it.
It's just so saddening, this entire situation, and the fact that...
Xenophanes never heard a single word.