Randy and the others led the enemies away from us, leaving two separate battles. I wasn’t worried about the others since Randy was there. And I didn’t think he was concerned about me. After all, he agreed to let me fight solo.

Diego, the enemy, stood before me. His face was awfully hairy, with a messy unibrow and an untrimmed beard. Along with his disgusting face, his body was inhumanly large. His arms were the size of my head, and his legs resembled the thickest tree stump in the world. His overall appearance made him seem like a mythical beast.

“A petite woman willing to fight me alone. Is it courage or delusion?”

I didn’t answer. I stood still. His sword impaled the ground next to his empty hands. It was strange. Why wasn’t his weapon in his hands?

Whatever. I shouldn’t overthink. Bend the knees and explode forth once the timing is right. His body was vast, making it an easier target. I could create an opening and sneak a strike in his blind spot.

“Let’s have a chat before fighting,” he suggested. “I prefer to familiarize myself with my opponent before their death.”

I couldn’t stay quiet forever, so I had to respond.

“The opposite for me. I prefer doing my deed in silence.”

“Like an assassin? You need all senses to work simultaneously without error. Doesn’t the eyepatch prohibit your full senses?”

I was nothing like an assassin, but I didn’t feel the need to correct him.

“The eyepatch doesn't concern you.”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

His curiosity forced my eyes to roll.

“It’s none of your concern,” I bleated. “So are we going to have at it or what?”

He raised his hand to head height, showing his rough palm. “Loosen up. We have plenty of time. I’m trying to understand you before we fight.”

“What’s there to understand?”

“A woman of your size challenging me one-on-one. It’s admirable.”

“How so?”

“Hmph. Well, let’s see, normally, when I go against someone, fear plagues their faces. Breathing patterns change, and their hands become shaky. They can’t stay still. Eyes zoom in every direction. You, though, do you not fear me?”

I smirked. “Why should I fear you? You haven’t posed as a real threat. You claim to possess the power of God, but that is nothing but talk. To me, you’re just another obstacle to shove out of my path.”

“Out of my path,” he repeated in the form of a question. “Am I in your way for some desire?”

His intuition was sharp.

I had two options: speak the truth or drag the conversation elsewhere. Option two was definitely more ideal, but whenever I get a chance to express my dream, I will do so with a voice overflowing with pride.

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“I wish to unite outsiders and Ionians. That is my dream, my desire, a life I’ll follow until it happens. I will not rest until I see the world she envisioned.”

His smile diminished, and his boulder shoulders sunk low along with his body. It was like I had said something off. I didn’t. I simply stated my dream. Perhaps he opposed it?

He gently shook his head. The reason was unknown. Maybe he shook away a thought.

He puffed a heavy breath. “May I ask why?”

His curiosity made me smile a bit. It wasn’t a forced smirk or grin. This one was genuine.

“The person who envisioned that beautiful world is no longer walking. I dug my feet into her shoes and walked the path she couldn't. It’s a beautiful, selfless dream, isn’t it? The world could use more people like her…”

“Do you mean to unite them in Ionia?”

That was a strange question. Why would anyone choose to not live in Ionia?

“Where else?” I asked. “Ionia is a place better than Heaven. It’s a paradise to the highest order, beyond anyone’s imagination. Anyone would choose paradise over this miserable, outside world?”

He palmed his bald head and strained his face. Slowly, he locked eyes with his trembling palm and squeezed.

“You take the outside world for granted. The City of Ionia, on paper, is a beautiful place. Its concept is revolutionary for a utopia. But again, that’s only on paper. The city you envision isn’t as beautiful as you think it is.” He picked up his sword, which was impaled to the ground, and rested it over his shoulder. “In an ideal world, your dream, or whoever dream it is, is nothing short of wonderful. But, you state your dream gives all the more reason to ensure you don’t see tomorrow.”

“What’s wrong with creating a world where both outsiders and Ionians can live together?”

“It just is,” he replied. “Ionia isn’t the place you imagine it to be.”

“If this is a sorry attempt to talk me out of my dream, then I have to say that it isn’t going to work. My dream is absolute. My promise is absolute. No one will take it away from me. The only person to strip it away is her.”

Which was impossible. The dead could not speak. Therefore, I’ll pave through any road in order to fulfill what I promised.

Raphtalia, your dream will become reality, I said in my head.

“It’s depressing to see a prisoner shackled to a dream, yet astonishing how protective you are for it. You’re willing to lay your life for the impossible. As the old saying goes, ignorance is bliss. You should keep your ignorance and play around. Dream in your head. Don’t fight for it. Don’t push for it to become reality. Otherwise, it’ll cost you your life.”

“You’re saying all of this, yet you claim I won’t see tomorrow. Doesn’t really make sense,” I replied while playing with my dagger.

“True. I don’t understand why I’m saying all of this. Maybe it is because I had a dream of my own that I tried to bring to life.”

“What was your dream?”

He chuckled childishly. “To get stronger.”

“Huh? To get stronger? Meaning?”

The mood was awfully light before the battle. It almost put me at ease. I wasn’t on guard or looking around in case of an ambush. The conversation in place was genuine.

“It’s stupid. I was a twig, struggling to gain weight. I took something in order to make myself bigger and stronger. It cost the life I once had.” He sulked once again, perhaps reminiscing.

The life he once had, huh? I repeated internally.

“There’s no reason to dwell. Whatever happened happened. The only thing I can do is prevent your dream from taking place,” he said.

Odd. First, he was here under the Three Heads of Despair to trample over camp over the Zen situation. Now, he wanted to prevent my dream. Which was it?

“You never explained why my dream isn’t good other than that it’s impossible. I don’t live using that word. I’ll plow through any mountains to get where I need to be.”

“An explanation would be frivolous,” he insisted, “I would much rather not have to go down that path.”

He pointed his sword at me and leaned into a stance. I waited for him to make the first move.

“It was a pleasure speaking with you. Now, you will die with a sense of pride.”