Reunited after nearly twenty years, Robin and Saul sobbed uncontrollably. Only once their emotions had settled did Sephiroth slowly approach with the others.
"Mr. Saul, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sephiroth, Robin's companion. Now, please allow me, as her captain, to thank you for saving her life."
Sephiroth's relationship with Robin was not actually as simple as that sounded. But this was hardly the occasion to explain it all.
Never mind outsiders-even from Robin's perspective, Sephiroth was someone who had been "planning this for a long time."
"Dereshishishi! I know! The Great Angel! You're famous!"
Saul laughed heartily as he looked at Sephiroth and the companions who had followed him over.
Of course, the Great Angel was famous in two different respects. Saul knew that, too.
But things had already come this far, and... he had uncovered so much of that old history for Robin's sake...
"You finally found companions, Robin!"
Saul sighed with emotion.
After all, he knew all too well, as a former Marine, how much knowing about the Poneglyphs could draw the World Government's hatred.
"Yes. Just as you said, Saul, I really did find..."
Robin had once viewed her relationship with Sephiroth as nothing more than a transaction.
But then he had collected Poneglyphs at an unbelievable speed, told her "the truth of the world," and given her a treasure as precious as pure gold.
And most of all... today.
"...precious companions who can protect me and help me fulfill my dream."
Robin's smile was radiant.
Perhaps she had endured fewer trials than she would have in her "destined" life. But this was enough. Suffering itself was not worth glorifying.
Yamato and Ulti turned away, tears streaming down their faces.
Hancock gave a faint, unusually coy huff.
Even someone as composed as Issho smiled