Robin wanted to pull back when he catches the giant's eyes if only he could bear to leave Lucy alone in the face of the giant in front of them.

Unless that angry man is …. "… her Papa?"

George's hand no longer curled into fists, "Hah ...?" Far too startled by Robin's question about the undeniable relationship between him and Lucy.

Not seeing George's not-so-subtle reaction, "You ... you are her Papa, right?" Robin repeated his question, still not sure whether the man in front of him come for the cute girl in his lap or to kill them both.

George paused for a moment to think for an answer. This is the first time anyone has questioned his relationship with Lucy like this.

Previously, most of them had only used his daughter as a kind of shield to force George to back down. A decision that always ends badly for them.

Therefore, seeing the woman's actions and Lucy's slowly stabilizing condition, George could only assume one thing with a hint of terror.

"... are you her friend?" His voice trembled with concern. Afraid that he might have chased away his daughter first friend, something George thought was essential to his only daughter's development.

Friend? Robin tilted his head in confusion as to where that assumption came from. Maybe he meant ... conversational partner? Believing George is more intelligent than he looks, Robin laughed awkwardly, "Yes ...?" Then answered with doubt.

An answer that made George freeze. What have I done!? He screamed inside his head, "For ..." And started trying to amend his mistake by saying a word he hadn't spoken for so long.

Of course, he failed at the first try, only finishing his sentence in the gentle breeze.

A long silence filled a gap between them, with George thinking that Robin does catch his words while Robin still waiting for a follow-up from George, "For?" A follow up he now demands.

George shuddered with surprise as the long-standing fear of making mistakes in social situations creeps back up to him. Braving himself up, George swallowed hard, swallowing an imaginary pill that helped him continue.

He quickly bowed, "Please forgive me!" With a movement so fast that a gust of wind flew from his direction, surprising everyone, including Robin, who didn't understand why the giant apologized.

Robin could say nothing in reply, still baffled by George, who continued with a question, "She had another episode while eating, no?"

"Another episode ...?"

George nodded and straighten himself up before knocking himself down to the floor so he could sit there and take a closer look at his daughter as he talked.

"Someone cursed her." George explained, "Making her suffer more and more with each passing day." Taking his child's hand away from Robin, "And this is all I can do for her." And feel the still worsening intense heat there as he steels his resolve.

Listening to George explanation, Robin can't help but fell deep into thought, "So that's the reason you go on an adventure together?" Before finally managed to link the story of George and Lucy into a coherent one.

"That's right." George answered with a chuckle as he nods and reveals the horrible truth he and Lucy are in, "But no matter where this foot goes ... nothing can erase the curse."

And Robin could only stay silent. He didn't know what to say to George, to the desperate father in front of him. After all, he knew very well that he was definitely no more knowledgeable than the man before him.

However, if that's really true, then Robin's hope of returning to his parents' house is nonexistent.

Realizing that, "... the center of the world doesn't work either?" The young man threw a question to the giant, who was confused by Robin's question.

George averted his eyes from his daughter, "The center of the world ...?" As he stares straight into Robin's eyes, trying to find lies as hope grew within his heart.

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Seeing that, Robin nodded.

Unable to find lies within Robin's eyes, "What even exist in the center of the world ...?" George raised his eyebrows in curiosity. This is the first time he ever heard of such a place, after all.

Hearing the question, Robin opened his mouth to answer, but the sound of the restaurant door being smashed stopped him.

"The Storm!" There, the form of his panting and angry father appeared, "Why did you run!?"

George's expression changed completely, "My name is George, friend." He put on an arrogant smile as he slowly stood up, "And I'm already bored." Moving his body to lift Lucy and then Robin from the restaurant floor to carry them both.

Responding to George's action, two shouts of surprise from father and son came out simultaneously.

Arion questions why his son is here, "Robin!?" Believing that Robin had left the capital yesterday and at worst is already dead. Because now, this is the worst.

"The Storm!?" Robin inspects the big man closely. Trying to catch any clue of the giant's identity to be sure that his father wasn't lying.

Everyone has heard of the Storm and his daughter, but no one would've thought that they would be picked up and carried by the Storm for some unknown reason.

With that in mind, "Wait, wait, wait!" Robin protested and try to get loose.

Unfortunately, "See you soon, people." George ignored him. The giant's simply put on a solid stance, contracting his muscle with enormous power, then he jumped.

With tremendous might, as if the lightning from before has given him supernatural power, George creates a second hole on the restaurant hole as he escaped from everyone eyes into the sky.

While his posture has been created with the two passengers' safety in mind, George has failed to realize that Robin was afraid of height.

As such, during the entire journey down, all Robin does was gripping deeper into George's chest and close his eyes, waiting for George to land.

Fortunately, he doesn't have to wait long. A slight shock travels through his body just a moment after, allowing him to open his eyes and realize he was now being lowered to stand on his own.

Then, after carefully putting him down, George started walking out into the city gate, "Now, tell me about the center of the world." While continuing their previous conversation as if nothing had happened.

Trying to run away from the absurd reality he lives in, "Ah, yes!" Robin jog to follow the man and continue their conversation

As best as he can, "At the center of the world is someone who can grant any wish." Robin answered with information that he only got from his dreams.

George repeated his two last words in disbelief, "Any wish?" A feeling that was apparent in the man's eyes as he stares Robin down, full of doubt and suspicion.

With no other option, Robin stood his ground and nods with confidence, fully believe in this only chance of a reunion with his parents.

Seeing that, "Do you want to go there?" George asked a follow-up question.

Robin's steps stopped, "Yes!" Then he answered loudly with gusto to the giant who was no longer beside him.

Now confused, Robin looked around and finally realized where he was.

In front of him was the eastern gate of the capital, and beyond that gate was the outside world.

There, "Then." George reached out, "What are you waiting for?" Inviting Robin to step off through the gate.

The man was already on the other side, outside of the city walls he so loved. Each brick was whispering to him, memories after memories as if trying to stop him.

Just like the scream of his father, "Robin!" Who came to chase after George, who only had a confident smile on his face.

Robin is given a choice. To either wait for his father to reach him in the hope that he will be forgiven or going with a man he doesn't know to a place he only recognizes from a dream.

And Robin chose.

His legs moved to run, "Robin!" Ran away from his father, who tried to stop him, to accept the giant's offer.

And when he did, his chest ached with horrible pain as he saw his father just standing there behind the eastern gate with eyes full of disbelief.

Robin clenched his fists, holding back his pity and desire to say anything to his old man. He had made his choice. And like a man he wanted to become, he was now ready to face any consequences from that decision.

George turned around, letting Robin linger alone. For a moment, the young man stood there in silence, burning his father image to the back of his mind, before finally following the giant's steps onto their journey to the centre of the world.

---

Arion stood for a long time in front of the eastern gate, regretting his actions. One by one, his soldier abandoned him with a pat to the shoulder until he was all alone.

Yet, he was too busy thinking about his son to realize they are gone, only hoping that that flesh and blood of his would not be torn apart by disaster before he could return home.

Then finally, "I will be waiting for you, honey." Arion turns around as rain begins to fall on the capital, shooing him home. Toward a house where his wife will wait full of anger for him.

And sure enough, "Stop dodging, you bastard!" His wife's digit was injured from anger that is directed at Arion.

For no matter how many times Arion dodged, "I don't want to die, Ether!" she keeps punching without much care.

Seeing that, Arion finally relents and stays in place and now just parry each punch.

And Demeter was clearly displeased by that too, "Stop parrying too!" As she shouted another order, "You will not die!" Promising Arion that he won't die today, "Our son will ..." Then stopped, "... will ..." As she yet again thinks about their son.

Arion dropped his guard. He can't help but want to reach out toward the love of his life; if only he didn't know she would punch him still if he moves closer to her.

Still, he wanted to do something. And so, "Ether, I'm sure he ..." Arion tried to persuade his wife from a distance, "Shut up!" Only to be cut off by her words and furious look.