Feren showed a hint of guilt on his face, seemingly realizing that his words may have been too intense and crossed a line. He fell silent and instead chose to express his apology and commitment to the team through action. Quietly picking up a nearby scythe, Feren cast a slightly awkward yet determined glance at Edric and softly said, "I... I'll go clean the armament on the arm." With that, he turned and walked towards the elevator, preparing to complete the task that Edric had been unable to finish due to the sudden shaking of the mech.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, Feren's figure gradually disappeared from Edric's view, leaving a relatively quiet control room. At this moment, only Edric and Ariel remained, with the lingering aftermath of their earlier dispute in the air. Edric stood there in silence for a moment, feeling a hint of gratitude towards Feren's actions. This small gesture from Feren not only served as a compensation for his earlier emotional outburst, but also symbolized his recognition and acceptance of responsibility towards the team.
Edric slowly walked towards the Control room, and sat heavily in the central seat, facing the control panel. His voice carried a hint of fatigue and self-blame: "I... I'm sorry, Ariel. Feren was right, it's me... I haven't shouldered the responsibility of the House of Heraldry, it's me... I'm sorry." Edric's words revealed deep reflection and guilt. He realized that his negligence and self-blame not only affected their relationship, but also could jeopardize the upcoming battle.
In this heavy atmosphere, Ariel's voice once again slowly resonated in the Control room, with an indescribable calmness: "Young master... Archangel has been in service for over ten thousand years, the machine spirit itself is also... a consumable. Our consciousness will encounter inevitable Chao'X in the long years, like human aging... I am very clear, young master, this battle will be my last battle." Ariel's voice held no sadness, only acceptance and peace towards the impending end.
Ariel's words deeply touched Edric and made him realize the preciousness and difficulty of the machine spirit as a comrade. Ariel's understanding of his final battle is not only a summary of his life journey, but also the ultimate manifestation of loyalty to the House of Heraldry. This has strengthened Edric's determination, and regardless of the outcome, he will face it with Ariel, ensuring that Ariel's final battle is filled with glory and dignity. At this moment, Edric is no longer a self-blaming master, but a warrior ready to face the challenge with his old friend.
When Edric heard Ariel accept his fate so calmly, his self-blame weighed even heavier on his heart. He lowered his head, his voice filled with apology and regret: "I'm sorry... I have let you down, I have wasted your time, I'm sorry." His words revealed a deep sense of guilt towards the machine spirit that had been with him for so long, and for the past that may not be able to be compensated, Edric felt immense sorrow.
However, Ariel's response took Edric by surprise. It said in a tone that almost seemed to carry a hint of amusement, "Young master... this doesn't seem like you at all. It seems that these past ten years have changed you. You've become a softer person, rather than one who lives behind a mask... I'm very happy." These words not only lacked blame, but were filled with affirmation of Edric's growth and change, as well as joy for this transformation.
Upon hearing this, Edric was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears welled up in his eyes. In Ariel's words, he found the recognition and understanding he had been seeking for many years. Edric felt a sense of relief and warmth that he had never experienced before, and a smile unconsciously formed on his lips, turning his tears into laughter. In this moment, Edric was no longer a warrior burdened with heavy responsibilities and self-blame, but a person who had received the sincere blessings of an old friend.
This conversation not only relieved Edric of his heavy burden, but also deepened the bond between him and Ariel. Before facing the upcoming challenges, this bond became their most precious strength, allowing them to stand together firmly and face the future storms.
Ariel's voice once again exuded a resolute and unyielding will, as if it was ready to face the final battle: "Let me hold on until the end? I firmly believe I can, young master. The Emperor... will protect us." At this crucial moment, Ariel not only showed its courage and determination to Edric, but also expressed faith and hope that transcended its own existence.
Edric listened and nodded deeply, his eyes revealing trust and affirmation towards Ariel: "I believe in you, Ariel." However, Edric quickly shifted to the harsh reality: "But in this war, it's only us. There won't be an emperor... we can only rely on ourselves." This statement not only gently rejected Ariel's fantasy but also acknowledged the impending challenges.
In this exchange, a profound resonance formed between Edric and Ariel. Ariel's perseverance and faith inspired Edric, while Edric's pragmatism made Ariel understand that they could only rely on each other and their own strength in the face of challenges. This not only highlighted their deep friendship but also emphasized the courage to face reality in adversity. With this understanding, Edric and Ariel prepared together, not for anything else, but to leave their mark in the final battle and prove the glory of the House of Heraldry in their own way.
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