“You are not being reasonable.”“I know. I’m sorry.”The arguments at the beach did not last long. A few tried to convince Eri otherwise, but his mind was set on his folly. Another attempt was made to persuade the imperial commander to assist him, but this time, Amber adamantly refused.“Even suicide missions have limits. I have five hundred men here. I can’t throw them all away to save a single life, especially one with zero tactical importance,” Amber had said. “I’m not sorry for this decision, but I am sorry for your loss, and I understand your feelings. For what it’s worth, I value our cooperation, and I will not stop you. Do what you have to do.”Eri had gone off after that, ignoring the protest of his comrades. None followed him.None but Dulcina.“I know what you are feeling right now,” Dulcina said quietly, watching him in the corner of his room as he quickly packed his gear and notes.“Do you?” he murmured.“I lost my mother. I lost my sister, Justinina, as well. The death of familial love… The despair, sorrow, and anger are all too familiar to me,” she replied evenly. “That need to do something, to grasp even the slimmest hope of seeing them again… I know it far too well.”Eri closed his eyes. His hands would not stop shaking. “Then you know why I need to do this.”“A lot of us are depending on you. This decision could kill us all.”“No, it won’t. All of you are staying here. Like everyone said, my decision is irrational, so I’m going alone. (...)