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The only time Louis had seen his father cry like this was when his mother fell ill and never woke again. Since then, Gustaf had grown much colder. He closed his heart and buried himself in work, leaving Catrise to raise Louis.
Gustaf always wore a stoic expression. His face revealed almost nothing. Beneath his glasses were cold eyes, and his short beard hid the rest, making it impossible for Louis to guess what his father felt, or if he felt anything at all.
But now… Louis could see it clearly.
Tears streamed down Gustaf's cheeks, and his face displayed a raw mix of emotions.
Louis was taken aback. His rage faded as he stepped back, shocked to witness his father—whom he had always believed emotionless—like him, human.
"Why… are you crying?" he asked quietly.
"…" Gustaf shook his head. "It's nothing…"
He turned to walk away.
Louis recognized the pattern. He did the same, hiding his true feelings, shrugging everything off, insisting there were no problems.
"I suppose that's something I inherited from you…"
"…?"
Gustaf glanced back at his son.
"I also tend to hide how I truly feel until I explode… We're similar, Father."
"…No, we aren't. Don't talk nonsense, Louis."
"I'm not talking nonsense. Why are you crying?"
"I…"
Gustaf looked down.
"For a moment, I considered hitting you—harming you… I stopped myself. And afterward, I couldn't stop the tears."
"What?"
"I… It made me realize what I've been doing all this time… all the years we've lost… You're right… you're already an adult, Louis… yet I treat you like a child… perhaps because I wasn't there to watch you grow."
"…"
Louis clenched his teeth, fists tightening. He wanted to scream again, but the anger wouldn't come.
Was his father expressing regret? For the first time, was Gustaf finally opening his heart?
"Father, I…"
Louis sighed, falling silent for several seconds.
And then he broke the silence with words not many would believe could have come out of his mouth.
"I'm sorry…"
"…! You're sorry?"
Gustaf looked genuinely surprised. When was the last time his son had addressed him so directly or apologized sincerely? Even with Zorba, it had been obvious Louis was lying.
As an Esper, Gustaf could easily read emotions, especially his son's. But now, Louis wore no mask. He spoke from the heart.
"I was reckless too, but I'm desperate… I just need the strength to save this kingdom. It's the country Mother built…"
"Louis, what exactly are you trying to protect the kingdom from? There's nothing I wouldn't know. We monitor this place constantly."
"I'll tell you once you free Zorba. Please release him. He's a key ally… I need his help."
"Zorba… That man is deeply disturbed, Louis. He killed his own brother in cold blood. He shows signs of Antisocial Personality Disorder—no remorse, unlike you or Mirai. He's dangerous. I worry about you, even if you don't believe me. That's why I don't want him near you."
"I know what he is, Father… but I'll keep him on a leash. As they say, keep allies close and enemies closer. I need someone to keep me sharp—to prevent me from repeating past mistakes…"
"What sort of mistakes?"
"You'll understand when the time comes, Father."
Gustaf met his son's golden eyes. There was no doubt, no fear, no madness.
Only conviction and clarity.
"Heh… you've changed, Louis."
"I have… And I may keep changing. That's what humans do… I still consider myself a dragon and won't abandon my goal of becoming one. But… I've also accepted what I am—a human."
Louis placed a hand on his father's shoulder.
"Do you consider yourself human too, Father?"
"…!"
Gustaf's eyes widened briefly, grasping his son's meaning.
Was he human?
His neglect of his son.
His desire to forget everything except his goal.
Burying himself in his own world…
"I might not be right in the head, son… I've always known it. Schizoid Personality Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dysthymia, and… even PTSD. I've self-diagnosed all of it."
"…"
Louis's mouth fell open. He knew something was wrong with his father, but he never expected such frank admission.
"I struggle… to express what I feel. Your mother always understood without words. She knew through my actions how much I loved her," Gustaf said with a bitter smile. "I'm sorry if it seems I don't love you… Back then, your mother held us together. When she fell into a coma… it feels like we've drifted further apart each year. I… deeply regret it. Yet I could never find the strength to say it. Now, when you finally confront me and stop me from running away… I'm saying it all."
Louis nodded, staring at the floor for several seconds. He finally understood his father's suffering. "I understand… This doesn't mean we're good now, you know. But I finally see what's wrong with you. That doesn't excuse you, however."
"I know," Gustaf replied. "I've always hated how things others find easy become impossible for me… Your mother loved me for who I was—the only person who ever accepted me completely. When she fell into a coma, I became obsessed with bringing her back. It's part of my nature, I suppose. When I immerse myself fully, I can't see anything outside my world. I became agitated, but I'm still furious at you for what you did."
"I suppose we can agree we're both angry at each other," Louis said with a small laugh. Mirai giggled softly while the distant scientists remained silent. This irritated Louis. "What are you doing there? Scram! This is private!"
"S-Sorry!"
The scientists fled the floor entirely. Gustaf smiled at his son, placing a hand on Louis's shoulder.
"Louis, you've proved many things to me in these two days. I'll choose to trust you—not just because of this, but because you're my son and I owe you that. Still, Zorba won't be freed yet. We need assurance he won't lose control."
"So you'll restrain him?" Louis asked.
"Not fully—just insurance in case he goes berserk. Nothing as crude as a chip in the head," Gustaf clarified. "Either way, once I return him to you, will you finally tell me what you're hiding? What worries you so much?"
"Yes, I will," Louis nodded. "Now, I hope you're fine with me continuing daily spars with Mirai."
"Haa, you still want to keep going?" Gustaf shook his head. "What am I going to do with you… Your mother would be furious hearing her son is such a troublemaker."
"Mirai, please…" Louis looked at her with earnest golden eyes. "I need your help."
"Only… it can only be me?" Mirai asked softly.
"Yes, only you," Louis confirmed. "I'll prepare more tonics and injections to heal quickly. My plan is to push myself near death and recover—forcing my body to adapt and grow stronger."
"It's pure insanity," Gustaf sighed. "But if it's in a controlled setting I oversee, I might allow it—with one condition."
"…What is it?" Louis asked.
"Go get some clothes, Louis. You're completely naked," Gustaf laughed.
"Gah?!" Louis gasped, glancing down. "R-Right…"
The Gravewalker had been covering him modestly, but the Incarnation was exhausted and crumbling into dust.
"Fetch me clothes!" he called. Androids entered the floor, bringing fresh garments. "Father, I'd appreciate clothes that can withstand these battles."
"Yes, I'm designing a special uniform for that," Gustaf said. "It should be ready in a couple of months. Be patient."
"Uniform? I see. So you're building an Academy for Sinners," Louis said with a smile.
"…! How did you know?!" Gustaf exclaimed.
"It was obvious," Louis shrugged. "If Zorba proves himself, would you let him join me there?"
"I'll consider it… if he truly proves himself," Gustaf sighed.
After Louis and Mirai changed clothes, they prepared to leave. Gustaf walked away, munching an apple as he returned to work.
"Father, can Mirai come with me? At least allow her around the castle," Louis requested.
"Eh?!" Mirai gasped. "R-Really?!"
"I said she cannot—"
"Mirai needs to experience the outside world," Louis interrupted. "She's clueless about everything. She must see new things. Only then will she grow wiser and understand her powers."
"Are you calling me dumb…?" Mirai pouted slightly.
"Yes," Louis replied bluntly. "You said you'd trust me. I believe Mirai should stay in the castle and have her own room."
"A room?!" Mirai's eyes widened.
"…But she must come here for spars and visit the VPI at least three times a week for checkups," Gustaf stipulated. "Whenever I call her, she comes immediately."
"Understood," Louis nodded, shaking his father's hand.
"Fine… Louis, do what you want," Gustaf relented, shaking his head. "Maybe this is for the best… I agree. She needs to see the world. Keeping her only in the castle should be safe enough."
As he departed, Louis turned to Mirai with a gentle smile, extending his hand. Mirai hesitated, unsure if he wore another mask or showed genuine kindness.
Yet deep down, she found the uncertainty oddly exciting.
"Shall we go? I'll show you your new room, Mirai," Louis said. "Ah, right—maybe we should bring your things. No, wait. I never asked if you wanted this. I can't force you."
"I want it! I want it! I want it!" Mirai exclaimed, doing her best to raise her usually quiet voice.
"A-Ah… okay," Louis nodded, stepping back as she leaned in eagerly. "Then…"
"Yes, let's go!" Mirai beamed. "Louis, you can store things in your shadows, right? Maybe we can bring everything up there."
"We can ask the androids too," Louis suggested. "Andromeda, send a few to help us move her to the castle."
"Understood."
Louis walked toward Mirai's room. It was a vast space where she had been raised since childhood—a completely white chamber with a huge screen displaying images of the outside world.
She had furniture, a bed, toys, plushies, books, comic books, manga, and even a TV, but no computer. It seemed she had only recently been allowed internet access through a smartwatch, though social media accounts remained prohibited.
"It's so messy… I'm sorry," Mirai apologized, slightly embarrassed by the clutter.
"Hah… well, without my servants cleaning, my room would be quite messy too," Louis said. "Though I have to say, you really love plushies of this character…"
"Cutie-chan? Yes, she's adorable. She was the first plushie I ever got—from your mom when she visited years ago…" Mirai explained.
"My mother…" Louis sighed. "What's your relationship with her? Did she raise you too?"
"Not really," Mirai replied. "She visited sometimes, but… I wish it had been more. Though she's your mother, so it makes sense she spent more time with you… Sorry, that was weird to say."
"Hm, it was," Louis agreed. "But I'm past such things. I don't really care. Shall we get going? Pack whatever you want to bring to your new room."
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