Ethan's gaze remained fixed on Aiko, his words cutting through the air with a raw honesty. "Aiko, please, listen," he implored, his eyes never wavering from hers.
As the words sank in, Aiko's eyes widened slightly, her mind struggling to grasp the implications of Ethan's statement. Her brows furrowed as she desperately tried to comprehend the depth of his message.
"You, Aiko, are the hero of this Kingdom', the sword hero," Ethan continued, his voice laced with a mix of admiration and concern. "It is an honor that you have dedicated your life to, honing your skills and perfecting your craft." His words hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken truths.
Aiko's lips parted slightly, on the verge of interjecting, but Ethan pressed on, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. He turned his gaze away from her, his eyes focused on some distant point as if searching for answers within himself.
