บท 161: Chapter 161 – Breakdown [2]

Tristan, or now Isabelle, cried loudly while burying her face in my chest.

The dam in her emotion exploded, and the sadness, fear, and every kind of mixed emotion she buried deep inside came out at once.

I let her hug me, squeezing me tight. Her 70 STR wasn't something to be looked down upon. And added to the bonus status she got from her weapon, her hug managed to inflict pain on me.

However, I stayed still and caressed her soft onyx hair while whispering softly. 

"I am here. I will always be here."

"Aaaahh… sob… Arthur…!"

"You don't need to be scared. I will stay here with you."

I was the worst. Why didn't I realize it sooner? Why did I hesitate to confront her? Did I get scared to confront my past unconsciously? Did I want to forget and leave those things behind just like I initially planned?

Yes. I just wanted to run away. I wanted to die in that last dungeon and never thought I would be able to defeat Ghost Marionette.