The old man stayed on the island, his gaze resting on Little Loli before him, his expression revealing little.
"Little Loli, normally, you should have gone with them. Staying here isn't really appropriate."
After hearing what the old man said, Little Loli gently shook her head, clearly unwilling to agree. She had already made up her mind.
"No, no, no. Normally, I really would want to go with them."
"But I know perfectly well that if I actually went along, I'd only end up causing them trouble for nothing."
"Not only would I be unable to help them, but I also have my own reason for staying this time: to protect Dragon Island properly."
"Before, when I lived here, I had no idea how to protect Dragon Island. I didn't understand the meaning of my own life, either. I couldn't even find a direction."
"But things are different now. I finally have a clear purpose, and I know what I should do."
"So no matter what happens next, I have to show them what real strength looks like."
"That'll be better for them, and it'll spare them a few unnecessary detours."
Little Loli said she wanted to go, but she had already worked everything out in her mind.
The old man did not try to persuade her again after hearing that, probably knowing he would not change her mind.
At that point, things settled down without much excitement, and everything seemed to carry on as usual.
Just then, a vast bank of dark clouds appeared over the sea ahead.
The sea breeze grew colder, too.
One bank of clouds stretched into another. Just looking at them made their hearts tighten and sent a chill down their backs.
The dark clouds hung low, as though they might come crashing down at