After answering with a smile, Felix pursed his lips. Looking at Lacus, his voice grew several degrees heavier.
"I'm leaving."
Lacus froze at his words, then hid the worry in her heart and smiled as she nodded to Felix.
Felix pressed the disconnect button, ending the call. After hanging up, Felix felt as though all the strength had been drained from his body, and he slumped limply into his seat.
For a long while, he gave no orders.
Sensing their captain's current state, Yalik did not disturb Felix. He sat in his seat and began working on his own. Once he learned that everyone had returned to the Athena, he gave Joss an order.
"Set sail. Destination: Lorentz Military Base."
Joss replied at once.
"Yes!"
Hearing Joss's response, Yalik turned his gaze toward Felix. Feeling Yalik's gaze and thinking of his responsibilities, Felix quickly adjusted his state.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm fine."
"Captain, I understand how you feel right now. When I parted with my wife, I was just like you."
Yalik looked at Felix, recalling his own parting with his wife as he spoke. Hearing Yalik's words, Felix turned to glance at him.
But Yalik continued speaking to himself.
"It is a kind of fear—the fear that you might leave and never return."
As he spoke, Yalik suddenly paused. He turned to Felix, comfort in his expression as he continued.
"But that fear can also become strength—the strength that supports you and makes you determined to return alive. So, Captain, don't think about never coming back. Think about how you must return.
If you think about how you must return, you can turn that fear into strength.
You can drive away the fear in your heart."
Hearing the consolation, Felix smiled at Yalik in thanks.
"Thank