"Line, Remilia, Lloyd, Anju... I told you I'd come back."
Eiji stood before the tombstones, mourning each of his departed companions in turn.
"I've avenged you all. May your souls rest in peace."
Perhaps their souls had already reincarnated by now—maybe there weren't even any lingering spirits left.
This was just the living comforting themselves with empty words.
After paying his respects to the dead, Eiji turned his gaze to the elven girl beside him.
"Everyone's waiting for you to come back."
Eiji spoke slowly, "Ais, Tiona... they're all worried about you."
"I'm sorry."
Lefiya nodded calmly.
"My selfish actions have caused trouble for everyone, but that ends today. I'll apologize properly when I return."
Hmm.
"Why are you being so distant?"
Eiji frowned.
This overly self-aware version of Lefiya felt unfamiliar to him.
The innocent smile she used to wear was gone, replaced by a much more mature expression. The sudden tragedy had taken her closest friend overnight, stripping away her former naivety and forcing her to grow up.
But often, people don't want this kind of growth.
Whether it was good or bad was hard to say.
"That's not it. I just think continuing to be so careless would be unfair to everyone in the Familia."
Lefiya shook her head, her straightened posture as if she were shouldering a great mission.
Come to think of it, Lefiya had reached Level 4 now.
In Loki Familia, reaching Level 4 meant joining the second division and becoming a candidate for Familia leadership—a position that inevitably came with heavy responsibilities.
"I no longer have the right to live so carelessly."
After experiencing Filvis's death, Lefiya had come to this realization.
If her own mistakes led to the loss of another Familia member like Filvis, the pain would be unbearable.
Eiji understood.
She was tightening herself like a drawn bowstring, refusing to allow even a moment of slack.
Whap!
So Eiji smacked her upside the head.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?!"
Lefiya staggered, blinking back tears as she glared at Eiji.
Did he not realize his own strength anymore? Did he forget he wasn't Level 1 anymore?
That hurt!
"Good."
"Good? What's good about that?!"
Lefiya pouted indignantly.
"The old you is back. I think that's good."
Eiji nodded in satisfaction.
"Ugh, stop teasing me!"
Lefiya's cheeks puffed out in frustration.
"Who's teasing you? I'm dead serious right now!"
Eiji rolled his eyes.
"Listen up, Lefiya. If casualties happen during an expedition, that's on us—the current officers. Not you candidates who are still growing. If a Familia starts blaming its reserve officers for casualties, that Familia is already doomed."
"...Says the guy who's junior to me in seniority. Who are you to lecture me?"
Eiji silently rolled up his sleeves.
This little girl could occasionally say some sharp words!
Lefiya quickly covered her head, putting on an obedient expression that practically invited a scolding.
"We all know how much Filvis's death hurt you."
Lefiya's expression froze, her eyes dimming slightly.
"I don't know what position Filvis held in your heart, and I wouldn't dare claim to stand equal to her."
Eiji shook his head, speaking with great seriousness: "But I want you to understand that your companions were never just Filvis alone!"
Companions.
Or perhaps family, kindred spirits.
In a sense, this was the thing Eiji valued most in this life—aside from his ideal of becoming the world's strongest.
"While you were grieving Filvis's death, everyone else was also grieving the potential loss of you. I just hope you don't forget that."
Eiji paused before continuing, "If you keep making everyone worry about you like this, then you're not fit to be a vice-captain candidate."
These were harsh words.
Yet Lefiya didn't get angry—she just suddenly froze in realization.
That's right.
She had always been in the position of being protected. Whether it was Ais and the others or even Eiji back when he was just Level 1, they'd all protected her from dungeon worms.
If she kept making everyone worry about her, what right did she have to shoulder the responsibilities of a vice-captain candidate?
When it came to losing companions, Eiji had felt the same pain.
Hadn't he also been wracked with guilt for failing to save Line and the others from the dungeon?
The difference was that Eiji had moved on within half a day, actively challenging the dungeon afterward. As Finn said, his mental resilience was strong—he didn't need others to heal his wounds.
"...You're younger than me, so how do you understand so much?"
"Age isn't the key—experience is what accumulates wisdom!"
Eiji rolled his eyes again.
And if we're talking mental age, I'm more than twice yours!
"Alright, now that you've figured it out, let's head back."
Seeing her look of sudden realization, Eiji smiled.
"Today's the day of Dionysus's public execution. You should come witness the evil god's end too."
He turned and began walking toward the city center.
In response to the impassioned demands of adventurers who'd lost companions and civilians who'd lost family members, the Guild had finally decided to hold the public execution of the evil god Dionysus at the base of the Tower of Babel, open for all to witness.
Even the Guild, which normally revered gods, had bowed to public will this time. From the perspective of protecting Orario, it also served as a warning to others.
Of course, they'd obtained permission from the Divine Assembly and Ouranos first.
Just as he turned, something heavy pressed against his back.
Eiji froze momentarily before realizing what was happening.
"Sorry, this is my last act of selfishness... let me hold on for just a bit."
Lefiya's slightly muffled voice came from behind.
Eiji said nothing.
His silence served as tacit permission for her action.
There's just no winning against this person.
Lefiya let out a long sigh in her heart.
She'd already decided to stop overthinking this matter, but the more she tried to let go, the deeper she seemed to sink. She couldn't shake the feeling that from now on, she'd be helpless without this guy watching her back.
Conversely, it was precisely because he always stood by her side that she'd been able to feel so secure all this time.
'I'm sorry, Miss Ais...!'
She harbored an unreasonable admiration for Ais.
So unreasonable that sometimes the mere thought of forming a family with Miss Ais could make her giggle foolishly.
But recently, for some reason, she no longer clung to Miss Ais's side as she used to, and had even begun to find that person somewhat annoying.
'I really do like this person!'