The desolation in those blue eyes was beautiful, like an expanse of azure sky.

But it also made it very easy for others to spot flaws.

For example, the tiny changes in his pupils.

This indicated that Hannah was right.

"You wanted to kill me, but found you couldn’t defeat me. After spending some time together, you started to think I wasn’t the kind of demoness who kills without blinking. So you decided to follow me, to investigate the truth, right?"

Desolation remained silent, gripping the sword in his hands tightly.

Hannah pretended not to notice his change, lifting her head to appreciate the night sky, her dangling legs gently swinging. "Do you want to know if it was the Wanderers who destroyed your homeland, or even annihilated your planet?"

She stated as gently as possible.

The burden of blame on the Wanderers was not light.

In some ways, the Wanderers were like the Lost Realm, a place constantly filled with garbage and dark waters.

It’s because those who claimed moral superiority did shameful deeds that they needed someone to take the fall.

Hannah wasn’t surprised; she never thought about clearing the air.

Because it was pointless, and there was no need.

Desolation did not respond, but his grasp on the sword loosened.

"I am glad that you, overwhelmed by hatred, have managed to regain your sanity," Hannah clapped her hands, jumping down from the rock. "From now on, you have plenty of time to investigate the truth."

Nearby, the Wanderers who had been sleeping soundly were now standing up.

Arnold was among them.

Upon seeing Gregory unconscious, he understood.

He understood Hannah’s plan.

It was calculated by her from the beginning.

Desolation understood as well.

Why Hannah kept fiddling with the watch on her wrist in the cave on Mount Walters.

And why the vulture had been able to find them so quickly.

"What about Arnold?" Desolation suddenly spoke up as he brushed past Hannah. "Did you consider what will happen when he wakes up?"

Hannah stopped, didn’t turn back, but simply said, "This is my own matter."

"Your own matter?" Desolation watched Hannah, "You say this is your own matter?"

Hannah didn’t look away from his gaze.

"We’ve been through life and death together, escaped from the white fog of the Blackwood Forest, crossed the snow mountains, trekked through the deserts, and in the end, you say this is your own matter?"

Hannah just looked at him, "Desolation, I always thought you were a very cold person."

She didn’t expect that Desolation would consider her a friend.

"Cold?" Desolation found it funny, "Hannah, the cold one is you."

How could there be someone like her who keeps all emotions at bay, forever standing atop the walls of a fortress, denying entry to anyone?

You can’t guess what she’s thinking.

Nor fathom what lies beneath those eyes.

Sixth Hoffman had already carried the unconscious Gregory away, and Arnold was taken as well.

Arnold wanted to say something but ultimately chose silence.

"Desolation, what you don’t know," she smiled, as warm as when they first met in the snow mountains, "A lot of the past I walked alone, faced death alone, accepted death alone, experienced death alone. My feelings for Arnold are real, and I sincerely consider you and Gregory friends."

"But some things, I will face alone."

It was "will," not "want to."

It was "as it should be," not "out of necessity."

Since she was five, she knew that one must learn to face things alone.