As he spoke, Cain drew the Red Dragon's Fang. He nodded in satisfaction at its red patterns, then looked at Isolte's cute face and adorably vacant expression with a little amusement.
"Of course, compared to Eris's Ice Shard Fang, it's a little weaker in toughness and hardness. But it can conduct fire magic, so it's a pretty good magic sword. This is the best your master can manage, so don't turn your nose up at it, okay?"
Cain's expression grew a little more serious as he continued.
"Listen, Isolte. There are plenty of men in this world. Don't give up the whole forest for one tree."
"You're a good girl. You'll definitely find someone who's yours and yours alone."
Smiling at Isolte as she stood blankly holding the crimson Tachi, Cain gently ruffled her dark blue hair and handed her a handkerchief.
"Mm..."
The girl simply stared at the smiling black-haired young man. It was hard to tell how much had actually sunk in.
"And while your master might be just a teensy bit short and look just a little young, I'm already twenty-four, you know. You're a little over fifteen, right, Isolte? You've only just become an adult. There's an age gap between us."
"Isn't Eris only a little over fifteen too...?"
"I've been by her side since she was four. That girl spent more than ten years lusting after me, and I promised to marry her, so..."
As he spoke, Cain remembered the many moments he had shared with Eris. He sighed softly and chuckled. Perhaps fate really was a strange thing...
"Anyway, we have a deep emotional bond. It was only later that I gradually fell for that strong, brave, and slightly reckless Eris."
The black-haired young man wore a somewhat dreamy expression, making no attempt to