After seeing Illymoyas off, Annan gave Joan a once-over and sneered. "I underestimated you, Joan. You actually dared to run away with Illymoyas behind my back."
"Heh-heh..."
Joan tried to play dumb, but Annan wouldn't let it go. "Well? What were you thinking?"
"It's just... some birds aren't meant to be caged..."
"I wrote that line. You're using my own line on me?"
"Heh-heh..."
Annan dropped the teasing, his expression turning a little serious. "Are you unhappy in Free City?"
"No, it's just..."
Joan was about to make another excuse, but when she met Annan's gaze, she fell quiet. "I spent my whole life struggling to survive. Then I came to Free City and spent all my time working. I could've kept going like that, but Miss Blue Dragon suddenly gave me a chance to live a different life."
Back then, she had lain on the dragon's back, with clouds beside her and the earth below. She had felt as free as an elf.
"I used to do whatever I wanted and wander wherever I pleased... Back then, I dreamed of making lots of money and owning a shop. Once I had one, I didn't know what to do next, so I just kept doing what I was best at..."
"I understand."
Joan, who had been speaking without much order as each thought came to her, asked in confusion, "What do you understand?"
"What do you think of Captain Reyne and his people?" Instead of answering, Annan looked toward Reyne, who was talking with his team.
"I don't know. I've known them for less than ten minutes. But they seem... like good people with principles?"
"Do you want to join them?"
"Me?"
Joan pointed at herself and waved her hands in alarm. "No, no, no. They're battle-hardened mercenaries..."
"So? Aren't