Mu and Badgiruel's Conversation

"What do you mean, what would I do..." Mu instinctively evaded the question, his jaw taut without the slightest sign of hesitation.

Natarle did not yield in the slightest because of his evasiveness. Her pale fingertips unconsciously curled into a fist, and the deepest light in her eyes resembled dying embers. "...Do you intend to fight the Earth Forces?"

Her voice was soft and slow, as though she were desperately seeking confirmation, yet it cleaved straight into his chest. It was as direct as a poisoned blade, piercing the deepest part of his heart.

If he casually gave her an affirmative answer at this moment, denied the absurd yet self-confirming thought in her heart, or wrapped his true decision in lies... what judgment would she make? What abyss of collapse would she fall into?

The instant she asked, a clear premonition surfaced in Mu's heart.

He knew Natarle understood him too well. Any deceitful answer from him would inevitably be pierced through by her ice-pick-like insight—ultimately, it would only make her feel even greater pain and disgust at having been "righteously" deceived.

He had neither the time nor the reason to keep hiding or trying to comfort her. After all, facing cruel reality was an unprecedented yet unavoidable predicament for this flock of fallen birds.

There were no lies that could excuse the battle between a soldier's loyal oath and one's own will.

Since choosing to evade it was no better than openly summoning the will carved into his soul, Mu's gaze did not retreat in the slightest. Instead, he looked straight into Natarle's ice-lake eyes, where his own reflection lay.

"Yes."

The two words he gave were light and even, as ordinary as a breath that required no thought. Yet the resolve and decisiveness within them were like a