Chapter 74: Just want to go together

Erick glanced at Zephyr’s face and let out a soft sigh. A mixture of complex emotions flickered in his eyes, along with a faint hint of regret, but above all else, he felt happy.

Happy that Zephyr was so powerful.

He still remembered that day in the prison when he had finally recognized Zephyr. The moment he realized it was him, he had rushed forward and pulled him into a hug.

Ever since then, Erick had always been trying to get close to Zephyr, especially after learning that he had lost his sight.

He was constantly worried about him.

Even when he had to leave to clear a dungeon, he could never completely put Zephyr out of his mind. He did not know what Zephyr had endured during all those years he had not been by his side, nor did he know how he had lost his sight. All he knew was that the world had become far more dangerous than it had been before, and in Erick’s mind, Zephyr, as a blind person, could hardly protect himself.

Even knowing that Zephyr was an Esper, Erick’s belief had never truly changed. He still subconsciously saw him as someone who needed to be kept away from danger, somewhere safe where nothing could hurt him. But deep down, Erick knew that under his concern was something more selfish.

There was pity, but there was also a quiet, secret hope that, now that they had found each other again, Zephyr might come to depend on him. Erick knew that there was something hypocritical about wanting this, but he had never cared enough to question it. As long as he could protect Zephyr and make himself the person Zephyr relied on above everyone else, he had been content to believe that he was doing the right thing.

But today, something had finally changed.

Erick realized how wrong he had been.

Zephyr did not need him to protect him.

He was not someone who needed to be kept away from the dangers of the world simply because it had changed so much.

He was capable of protecting himself.

And, for the first time, Erick accepted that.

Now, Erick no longer wanted to stand in front of Zephyr and shield him from every danger. He wanted Zephyr to stand beside him, to fight alongside him. That way, they could face whatever dangers lay ahead together, watching each other’s backs.

Perhaps, in time, standing side by side through countless battles would naturally bring them closer, first as friends and, eventually, perhaps, as something more.

The thought alone made the corners of Erick’s lips hook upward into a faint smile.

Watching the tall figure before him, he even reached out to help Zephyr toward the area where the Guides were stationed. His voice came out unusually gentle, almost as if he were trying to hide how magnanimous he was being by allowing others to touch him.

"Good that you are fine. Come, I will take you to the Guides. You used far too much energy earlier. That was reckless of you."

Zephyr sensed the approaching presence and instinctively stepped back to avoid him.

His hoarse voice remained calm.

"I can go myself."

Erick’s smile did not fade.

Instead, he let out a chuckle and reached out to pat Zephyr on the back.

"I know that. I just want to go together."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, a frown unconsciously entering his expression.

"Should you not be dealing with the S-rank monsters? I sensed them fleeing earlier."

His tone remained calm, but there was a hint of confusion in his voice. Erick had no reason to be here with him, let alone follow him, when the battle was still raging nearby, especially when the S-rank monsters had fled in different directions across B City.

"Should you not go after them?"

Erick’s golden eyes narrowed. He even let out a playful hiss, deliberately ignoring the S-rank Espers calling for his help as they chased after the fleeing S-rank monsters.

"I need guiding too. I have been fighting for a long time. Once we are done there, let us take on those S-rank monsters together."

Zephyr did not bother responding. He simply turned and began running toward the area where the Guides were stationed.

However, he was not actually heading toward the Guides.

He was heading toward Lucien.

Erick blinked and hurried after him.

"Hey, wait for me!"

To everyone watching, it looked as though Zephyr was rushing toward the area where the Guides were present to receive guiding after exhausting himself completely. With Erick following close behind, they naturally assumed he needed guiding as well. It was just that everyone wondered why Erick was not flying when he could. That was strange.

Amid the Guides, Eleven’s face changed color when a Guide suddenly gave him a push, excitedly telling him to get ready to guide the person running toward them.

He froze.

At that moment, he was the only S-rank Guide present in the area. Naturally, the other Guides assumed he was the most suitable person to guide Zephyr. After all, Zephyr had just consumed a large amount of mana, so they needed a Guide powerful enough to withstand the strain of guiding him without immediately collapsing.

If Eleven became exhausted, the other Guides could simply take over afterward.

And they were more than willing to do so.

Although many of the Guides had initially been frightened after seeing Zephyr’s dark power, once that initial dread faded, it was immediately replaced by anticipation and excitement at the thought of getting the chance to guide someone so powerful.

But Eleven had absolutely no intention of being that first person!

"W-Wait! Why do I have to guide him?!"

Before he could say more, a female Guide behind him suddenly stepped forward, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

"If he does not want to, I will guide him!"

Another taller Guide from B City immediately squeezed in beside her.

"I want to do it too! He is so powerful!"

"Me too!"

"I have never guided someone this powerful before!"

The many Guides began arguing among themselves, their excitement growing as Zephyr drew closer.

Eleven’s face twitched.

At first, he had been more than happy to let someone else deal with Zephyr. The last thing he wanted was to get anywhere near him, especially considering the unpleasant and dark history they shared.

But then he noticed how eager the other Guides were to approach Zephyr.

For some reason, their excitement irritated him.

Why were they acting as though Zephyr were some kind of treasure?

Why did they look so happy at the opportunity to guide him?

Just because he was so powerful?

A strange sense of jealousy suddenly rose within Eleven, and his expression darkened.

Then, another thought crossed his mind.

There were countless people watching.

Zephyr could not possibly do anything to him here with so many eyes on them.

Moreover, if Zephyr had truly wanted revenge, he would have already taken it.

After all, Eleven had mocked him many times, even before they came to B City today, yet Zephyr had never retaliated.

Perhaps... Zephyr was not planning to do anything to him after all.

To someone as strong as Zephyr, he was probably nothing more than a minor nuisance, barely worth his attention.

With that thought, Eleven’s hesitation vanished.

His usual arrogant smile returned, and a hint of disdain crept into his eyes as he looked at the eager Guides around him.

"Back off, all of you."

He sneered.

"You think you can handle such a strong Esper? Most of you would probably faint the moment you tried to guide him. Tsk. I would rather not watch you embarrass yourselves."

The surrounding Guides fell silent and looked at him. Those who knew Eleven were already familiar with his arrogant nature. They also knew he had a powerful brother backing him, so despite their displeasure, they could only swallow their complaints and grumble inwardly.

Eleven folded his arms, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he casually stepped past Sylvia, who was still standing there in a daze.

He planted himself at the front of the Guides and waited for Zephyr to approach, muttering inwardly with disdain.

’So what if he is a powerful Esper? In the end, he still needs guiding. Hmph!’

Not far away, several lower-ranked Espers with good hearing who had retreated toward the area where the Guides were stationed happened to overhear their excited chatter.

They could not help but roll their eyes.

"Why are they so excited?"

"Seriously. They never look that enthusiastic when they guide us."

Monica glanced at the dissatisfied Espers, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

"Heh. Wipe out a tide of monsters like he did, and you will get the same treatment."

The Espers immediately fell silent, exchanging looks with one another.

Well, they definitely could not do that!

No need to rub salt on their wounds!

On the other hand, Zephyr frowned slightly when he noticed that his speed had slowed considerably compared to when he had first arrived. He immediately increased his pace, but just as he neared the small area where the Guides were stationed, he surprised everyone by activating his skill once again.

In an instant, he leaped onto a large stone, which suddenly floated upward, using it as a foothold before quickly launching himself toward the top of a nearby fallen building.

Only then did everyone watching Zephyr notice the slumped figure atop that fallen structure whom they had overlooked until now.

It was Lucien O’Connell.