Medusa stood still, staring at the waterfall.
The reflection of his face shimmered faintly on the surface of the water.
He tried to calm his restless mind…
After a moment, he slowly turned toward Sota and spoke in a low voice—
"Maybe… expecting something from someone is pointless."
His voice was quiet, yet the disappointment in his eyes was unmistakable.
Sota met his gaze…
and within that depth, he felt a strange, suffocating silence.
He nervously cleared his throat.
"Sir… Medusa… did I say something wrong?"
Medusa hid his frustration and replied calmly—
"No… I just realized something."
Sota hesitated for a moment before asking softly,
"What did you realize?"
Medusa looked at his hand and slowly clenched his fist.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath…
"I can't change your way of thinking… with my words."
Sota didn't fully understand.
He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"If my thinking is wrong…
then it's not my fault, sir…
it's this world's fault."
Medusa opened his eyes and watched the birds flying across the sky.
"This world hasn't only been cruel to you, Sota…
it tests everyone."
Sota frowned slightly, confusion lingering in his expression.
"What is he trying to say…?"
After a short pause, Medusa spoke again—
"We're not going to Nemulois City anymore."
Sota lowered his head in surprise.
"What…? But why?"
"Because until your thinking changes…
we won't go there."
Disappointment lingered in his voice.
Sota forced a faint smile.
"Okay, sir… then where are we going now?"
Medusa stood up, droplets of water lightly touching his face.
"The Ottelo City."
Sota quickly stood up as well, excitement returning to his voice.
"Then when are we leaving?"
Medusa placed a hand on his head and said calmly—
"I have no intention of wasting time."
His voice had returned to its usual composed tone.
Silence spread through the jungle once again…
only the sound of the waterfall echoed in the distance.
And in that silence—
Sota's soft laughter echoed quietly…
while Medusa said nothing.