Richie suddenly felt reluctant to finish the mission so quickly. If everything went this smoothly, it would only make his father leave them sooner.
No, that wasn't right, Richie suddenly realized.
His father having them become Imperial Scholars was only the first step of Operation Strix. The mission's true purpose was to get close to Desmond.
Becoming an Imperial Scholar was merely a stepping stone. Even if he became one, his father wouldn't necessarily leave them.
Only when the world truly achieved peace, with no more wars, would his father's mission end.
After thinking it through, Richie became even more determined to help Twilight complete his mission quickly.
After all, he didn't have much time.
Just as Si Ang had said, his body had already begun to deteriorate.
He had to help his father finish the mission before he could no longer get out of bed.
With his mind made up, Richie suddenly brimmed with motivation again.
Before the competition began, Richie ate plenty of high-calorie foods, constantly stuffing candy and chocolate into his mouth.
Twilight even tried to stop him at one point. Eating too much candy would ruin a child's teeth.
When the afternoon events officially began, Richie enthusiastically warmed up off to the side.
Yor and Anya still didn't know that Richie had signed up for an athletic event.
Twilight, however, took Richie's little hand. "Richie, did you sign up for the long jump?"
"Father, how did you know?" Richie blinked his big eyes.
"The long jump is about to start. Doesn't warming up now tell me you signed up for it?" Twilight furrowed his brow.
Richie grinned. "Father, Richie just thought it looked fun. I'll only jump a little. Trust Richie."
"Just do your best, and don't get hurt." Twilight smiled and released Richie's little hand.