"Grandpa, are we bad people?"
Once the Estwyn people returned to their town and settled into their homes, Selina, who was lying on her bed, questioned in an innocent tone.
Tobias, who heard that question, stared at his granddaughter with a complicated look on his face. This entire time, Selina had been silent. Tobias knew that the little girl had a lot on her mind, but…
To think her innocent question would be so difficult to answer…
"The Hero helped us, but we sent him away…
Grandpa, are we bad people?"
The little girl repeated her question.
"Didn't you say we should always welcome people with love and happy smiles?"
"There are situations where we cannot do anything even if we want to, Selina. You will understand that when you grow up."
Tobias tried to answer, but the girl didn't back down.
"The Hero said I was wise."
"It means I am good at understanding things. Did he lie to me?"
"No, you are wise. The Hero was correct. You just… need to be even wiser to understand what I am saying…"
"Does it mean you are wiser than the Hero?"
At that question, Tobias turned silent. His mind was filled with complicated thoughts, but in the end, he closed his eyes and answered,
"Yes. I am wiser than the current Hero, but I am sure the Hero will get better and better."
"Does it mean he will surpass you?"
"Yes, he will definitely surpass me."
Tobias smiled. Then, his smile turned heavy and,
"He needs to surpass me… surpass all of us…"
Unable to face the little girl's questions anymore, Tobias gently patted her cheeks and,
"Now sleep, it is already late."
Tobias spoke, his tone sterner.
In the end, the little girl closed her eyes, and once Tobias ensured that she was asleep, he stood up with a heavy sigh and walked towards his room.
However, the instant he walked in, his body froze.
"Your granddaughter once told me something very interesting, Tobias."
The Hero, who was currently sitting on his bed started.
Before Tobias could react or say anything, Kael continued,
"She said when her town was happy, she used to ride a Magic Beast and fly in the sky. She also mentioned how the beast had beautiful purple feathers and how its lightning didn't harm her because that Magic Beast loved her."
"Tobias, do you know what subject interested me the most when I first came to this world?"
Kael questioned with a light smile on his face. Then, without waiting for a response because he knew he wouldn't get one, he answered.
They interested me the most.
For personal reasons, I wanted to know everything about them, so I continued to read about them every time I got the chance and because I invested so much time, I learned quite a lot about them.
I also learned that the total number of Common-Ranked Flying beasts that also have a special element like lightning is extremely limited."
Kael's eyes then fell on Tobias.
"And Stormveil Roc is one such beast.
Common Rank, ability to fly, control over lightning and wind.
Ticks all the checks."
"Why are you telling me this…?"
"Where is your Stormveil Roc, Tobias?
Why didn't I see you use such a useful ally in the battle today? Why did you only use the Wind Wolf, which is clearly your second Bond and was much younger?"
Tobias answered in a solemn tone.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, he died a few months ago."
"I do not wish to recall it, it still pains my hea—"
"Is that the sob story you told the townsfolk? It is quite surprising that they bought it."
Then, however, he shrugged.
"But then again, not many would be able to recognize a corrupted Roc and accurately say that it was indeed a Roc they once knew, especially when their entire being is trembling in fear at just the sight of it."
"W-What are you talking abo—"
"It is pointless, Tobias."
Kael shook his head as he stared at the man in front of him.
"Do not forget, my eyes are special."
He pointed at his eyes, which had now turned golden.
"Don't force me to go around the town and ask if they know any Stormveil Roc named Laughter."
Kael spoke, and hearing the name of the Bond he once cherished even more than his life, Tobias's heart squelched in pain.
"Because if I get an official confirmation, things will not end well, neither for you nor for…"
Kael glanced in the direction of the room Selina was sleeping in and,
Kael's voice was tinged with worry.
Yes, he really did care about Selina.
Tobias was the same. The old man clenched his fists in frustration, but in the end… he lowered his head and,
He questioned directly.
It was already over. The Hero already knew.
He knew that the Roc that came after his life and put the entire town in danger was… in fact, the Town Head's Bond.
Kael questioned directly.
Now, he wasn't an expert at reading people, but Kael knew one thing—Tobias had nothing to gain from this.
Could it be that he wanted to keep 'ruling' the town? Ruling a border town that would be deserted soon didn't sound like much fun. Not to mention that Tobias himself didn't seem like the type who would do all this just to rule.
The old man lived a simple life with his granddaughter. He knew every single nook and cranny of his town. He knew the conditions of the gates. He knew the total number of injured soldiers. He knew the men who could fight in emergency situations, and he himself had spent countless nights coming up with ways to save his people from the beasts.
He seemed like an exhausted man who had pushed himself to the limit and was about to fall.
Was he doing all this just to keep up the act?
While it was possible, Kael still found it hard to believe, so he decided to directly confront the man,
And Tobias decided to answer his question.
"I had no other choice."