10/1/2024, 3:45 AM
Skill: Guardian
Only the quiet drip-drip of residual moisture from an earlier rain shower sounded in the cave. She called his name, and he turned his head to hold her gaze with an unreadable expression.
Failure.
Not hers - his failure.
He had not kept her safe. Izumi had nearly died due to his negligence, his complete and utter lack of awareness to their surroundings when it had been his duty to guard the borders - and more importantly, the Empress herself.
The situation had been entirely preventable, and it was all his fault.
Izumi seemed more withdrawn since the incident, more terse than she had been before, and why shouldn't she be? If the crane had one iota of mercy less than she possessed, she would have cast him from the pack outright. No; if this was to be his future in her presence, he would endure the punishment with dignity. It was enough she allowed him to stay, not that he deserved it.
Her question caught him by surprise.
Cold silver met frosted lilac, and the warrior knew he could never lie to her.
Osamu bowed his head.
Failure.
Not hers - his failure.
He had not kept her safe. Izumi had nearly died due to his negligence, his complete and utter lack of awareness to their surroundings when it had been his duty to guard the borders - and more importantly, the Empress herself.
The situation had been entirely preventable, and it was all his fault.
Izumi seemed more withdrawn since the incident, more terse than she had been before, and why shouldn't she be? If the crane had one iota of mercy less than she possessed, she would have cast him from the pack outright. No; if this was to be his future in her presence, he would endure the punishment with dignity. It was enough she allowed him to stay, not that he deserved it.
Her question caught him by surprise.
I?Osamu asked, as if there were any other souls around them. His mouth went suddenly dry.
Cold silver met frosted lilac, and the warrior knew he could never lie to her.
How I have failed you,he said, his voice low and pensive.
私はあなたの許しを求めません。 私は価値がありません。
Osamu bowed his head.
私はこの重大なエラーを解決するためにサービスで私の人生の残りの部分を過ごすことになります。
![[Image: ZvwmV36.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZvwmV36.png)
