Rujierd saw Rudeus press his lips together, worry clouding his face. A faint smile touched Rujierd's mouth as he tightened his grip on his trident and looked up at the glittering sea of stars.
"I see. Rudeus really is a strong-hearted young man. Cain was right about you."
"Cain talked about me?" Rudeus blinked and asked curiously.
"He wants to apologize to you, too. He said you would become a great mage someday. He mistook you for someone who didn't care about his family's safety and thought you were coldhearted. He's felt guilty about it ever since. Once we get back, he plans to help you search for your family and introduce you to Dragon God Orsted."
"Please, Rujierd. Don't say any more..."
Rudeus was overwhelmed with regret.
I'm despicable. Cain had never suspected that Rudeus had met the Human God. Not once.
Guilt surged through him. Rudeus shook his head hard and forced his usual smile onto his face, but he couldn't stop his arms from trembling.
He had survived this long because Cain had looked after him at every turn. Cain had always treated the younger people around him with genuine care. Even the staff and magic robe Rudeus relied on were gifts from him.
"Rudeus, what's wrong?" Rujierd had noticed something was off. The boy had been trembling for a while now.
"N-nothing. Let's keep going."
Rudeus forced down his churning emotions, patted his cheeks, and quickened his pace, afraid someone would read his expression.
Rujierd was puzzled. Everything he had said was what Cain had confessed over drinks one night. He hadn't embellished a word.
The group walked beneath the cool moonlight. Ahead of them, Cain and Eris walked hand in hand, smiling together, while Rudeus suffered in silence.
If Cain had spoken ill of him,