The entire place fell deathly silent for several seconds.
Optimus Prime stared at Ratchet, who had cast aside his usual gentle manner. For the first time, a long-held belief deep in his heart was completely overturned.
He had fought for millions of years, always believing that protecting meant being there to pick up the pieces, and that rescuing others was his true calling. But Ratchet's words had bluntly torn through war's most helpless illusion.
Mending the fold after losing a sheep could never compare to preparing for trouble in advance. Eliminating danger was the ultimate protection.
After a long moment, Optimus Prime's tense shoulder plates slowly relaxed. The shock faded from his heavy optical lenses, leaving only relief and respect.
He sighed softly, breaking the silence with a steady voice full of genuine approval.
"I was too bound by the old rules, Ratchet."
"For hundreds of years, you silently bore the helplessness of dealing with every aftermath, yet never said a word about it. Since this is the path you truly want, as your leader and your comrade, I respect your choice unconditionally."
There was no attempt to dissuade him, no counseling, no forcing some supposed duty to protect on him.
Optimus Prime finally understood that the medical officer before him was not acting on impulse or simply tired of logistics work.
He had thought it through completely and found a brand-new path of his own as a mech.
With his leader's approval, Ratchet's long-tense frame relaxed slightly, and most of the heavy burden hidden in the crevices of his body vanished in an instant.
Rimuru, who had been watching the drama unfold and snarking furiously to himself the whole time, immediately brightened and floated half a step forward.
His soft little face was entirely serious, his earlier playful teasing