"What is it, Guide?"
Noticing Ian's gaze, he turned around as well and met Ian's eyes face-to-face. Smiling, he said, "We were able to resolve the crisis within the Southern Sea Ruins this time thanks to your efforts. Without question, without your power, the will within the Brood could never have been destroyed."
He was clearly extremely confident in Ian's strength, so much so that his words carried an air of utter inevitability.
Bishop White Mist had apparently never even considered the possibility that Ian might fail.
"So."
Ian spoke slowly. "You recognized him back then, didn't you?"
"Of course." Without the slightest hesitation or pause, Bishop White Mist answered smoothly, as though he had long known what Ian would ask. "He knew that I had recognized him as well, which was why he did not wish to meet me—Light of Light's Embrace will never mistake one person for another. Every person is a unique torch of the heart, releasing their own distinct Heartlight."
"Just like you. After inheriting the Ancient Flame, you are now a young flame burning fiercely. We will not forget you either."
Sha Sha could not understand those words. Isengard could not understand them either. Master Gose understood, while Andor vaguely sensed that this was an extremely important conversation—and forced himself not to understand it.
Ian and Bishop White Mist came to the other side of the corpses along the shore, closer to the Crocodile Dragon's body. Ian and Bishop White Mist looked at each other. Both were very calm.
"So even if my teacher is wanted by the Empire, you would not help the Empire arrest him?"
Although he had already guessed as much, receiving confirmation from the other man's own mouth still left Ian feeling somewhat dazed.
*So anyone could recognize Hilliard and the