On the hotel staircase, Kiana and Doctor Maki had just managed to put some distance between themselves and their pursuers.
Kiana hurriedly treated Doctor Maki's leg wound.
"Phew..." Kiana said between gasps. "That should stop the bleeding for now."
"So tired..."
Seeing Kiana panting so hard, Doctor Maki could not help feeling sorry for her.
"Miss, you should run on your own. That demon will soon follow the blood trail and catch up."
"No, I'm taking you with me!" Kiana said, wiping away sweat.
"No..." Doctor Maki shook his head. "I can't walk anymore. Without Valkyrie powers, you're just an ordinary girl now. There's no way you can carry me out of here..."
Doctor Maki closed his eyes. "Sorry. I originally wanted to help you... but now Fal has put you in danger."
After a brief silence, Kiana grabbed Doctor Maki by the shoulders and helped him to his feet.
"Old Grandpa, thank you for your concern, but I won't leave you behind."
Kiana's gaze was resolute. "It has nothing to do with whether I have Valkyrie powers or not... This is my own choice."
"I swore long ago that I would give everything I had to protect every single person!"
As Kiana spoke, Doctor Maki suddenly seemed to see a shadow before his eyes.
In Kiana, he saw the shadow of his granddaughter... Lin.
Back then, when she had just become a Valkyrie, she had said the very same thing.
She had become a Valkyrie... to protect others.
Doctor Maki stared blankly at Kiana. Then... he could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes... and tears streamed down his aged face.
"Lin..."
Realizing his loss of composure, Doctor Maki quickly covered his face and wiped away his tears.
"What a... fool."
Doctor Maki said, "Are all you