Of course, Barn could not simply wait. After everything that had happened, he also needed to consider his next steps...
Ari acted quickly, and Dragon happened to be near the Sabaody Archipelago. Rather than arriving the day after tomorrow as Barn had suggested, Dragon reached the archipelago the following night. Without greeting anyone, he went straight to Barn's door.
Knock, knock...
A tall figure in a loose, dark green robe stood outside Barn's room. He curled his somewhat dirty hand into a fist and knocked firmly twice.
"The door's unlocked."
Barn's voice came from inside. He sounded unsurprised by Dragon's early arrival, as though everything had gone exactly as expected.
Dragon pushed the door open and immediately noticed that Barn had lost some weight.
Barn had never been heavy, so the weight loss was especially noticeable. It seemed that recent events had given him plenty to worry about.
Dragon said nothing. He simply sat down in the chair opposite Barn.
"How have things been lately?"
Dragon broke the silence.
"Not good. A lot of things have been giving me headaches lately."
Barn answered flatly, his brows drawing together slightly as though to reinforce his words.
"So you thought of me."
Dragon's tone was just as flat.
"Exactly. Aren't allies supposed to lend a hand at times like these?"
At Barn's words, a smile spread across Dragon's face. It was not the pleased smile of someone being trusted, however. There seemed to be something else behind it.
"All right, then. Tell me what could possibly give our mighty Asura a headache when he can take on the Marines and the Five Elders head-on."
Barn froze for a moment at Dragon's words, then let out a chuckle.
"I never realized you could hold such a grudge."
"Heh. I certainly dislike people acting