“No.
Because I actually care about you.
This is difficult for me too.” Kuzon sighed.
At this point, the young Midas was right in front of Ana, and he held her hands in his.
As his golden eyes reflected her blue ones, he stared at her small face for moments without saying a word.
Hopefully, his intentions would be understood by his much shorter and naïve partner.
“I am coming with you.” Ana stubbornly responded.
It almost drove Kuzon crazy.
“I have a Spell Card that will allow me to escape if it comes down to it, so you don’t have to worry about my safety.” She continued, her determined gaze unfazed.
Despite all of this, Kuzon wasn’t completely convinced.
His conflicted expression conveyed that very clearly.
“But—”
“Even if you have the compass, you probably won’t be able to operate it.
It runs on a unique power that resonates with me.
It won’t respond to your signature.”
“A-ah…”
“Even if I design it to answer to you—which would take more time—the compass’ function will cease to be relevant once you arrive at Beruel’s base.
Are you sure you want that”
Kuzon’s expression turned sullen.
He knew exactly where she was going with this.
“You said it yourself, Mechanics isn’t your forte.
Beruel is an expert in this field.
Isn’t it reasonable to have a partner who can assist you where you’re not so skilled? What if a mechanical problem arises and you can’t solve it? Not everything can be achieved by sheer power.
I believe you understand that, and that is why you had me help you.”
Kuzon nodded.
As much as he didn’t want to, he couldn’t help but agree with her position.
“I know I’m not as strong as you, but don’t you dare think I won’t be useful.” Ana drew closer to Kuzon and elevated her height to the best of her ability by standing on the tip of her toes.
Something about Ana’s determination caused the boy to be curious.
‘I’m desperate to find my uncle, so I need information.
Besides, this Fairy has been bothering me for some time.
But…’
“… What is your motive? Why are you so interested in this mission?” Kuzon asked the young girl.
Their faces were so close to each other—limited only by Ana’s inability to reach further above due to her restrained height.
“I…” Her eyes seemed distracted as she looked away.
She probably didn’t know how to say what was in her thoughts.
It was something embarrassing, as well as something she was fighting against.
How could she say something like that?
“I… want to further my knowledge and research.
Beruel has technology and information I need too.
You’ll probably kill him, so I want to get as much as I can.” Ultimately, Ana lied.
Sure, she wanted all those things, but they weren’t her primary motivation when it came to this particular scenario
Kuzon could easily help her ask the questions she wanted, and he could obtain the technology she desired.
She could even watch what was going on by having an Automaton or a Golem of hers follow Kuzon—instead of going physically.
In essence, her presence wasn’t necessary to achieve her supposed goal.
Thus, there was something else.
Kuzon must have also realized this, but he didn’t say any more.
Understanding that Ana would rather keep her true motivation hidden, he sighed and backed off from her.
“You have the Spell Card, right? Please be ready to activate it at all times.”
Upon hearing those words which were literally synonymous with a ‘Yes’, Ana’s face brightened up.
“We leave in an hour.
You can shower and rest up before then.”
>BZZTTTZZZZZ