The Self-Binding Angel began to tremble.
She shook her head, desperately shaking it.
"No... no, no... that's not how it is. It can't be..."
"That's the reason!"
"I don't believe you!"
The Self-Binding Angel lunged at him in anguish. She punched him to the ground, then, tears streaming down her face, hauled him up and raised her fist toward his face again.
But this time, she simply couldn't bring it down.
Because she saw the sorrow in his eyes.
What kind of emotion was that-a mixture of betrayal, deception, and a gaze that faced death without fear?
Suddenly, she seemed to realize something. Her pupils widened, and she slowly loosened her grip on him, instinctively retreating two steps.
"No... that's not right."
"You're still lying to me... you're not grieving over the outcome you described..."
Images kept flashing through her mind: the sorrow buried deep in his eyes whenever he looked at Lynn over these past decades. For decades, he had stood guard before the Sanctuary's gates, never leaving Lynn's side, even during those brief moments when he awoke. It was like a farewell, like keeping someone company and watching over them in their final days.
Because if they had to die, they would die together.
Because if it were merely that Lynn was certain to die, then, knowing that fixed outcome could not be changed, he would no longer grieve.
Because every one of them had once sworn a silent oath.
If, at some moment, he had to walk alone down that road to certain death, then his family would never simply watch from afar. They would follow him. Even if it meant facing that inevitable death together, they would never let him bear it alone.
Because that was what family meant.
"But you're still grieving..."
She backed away