"Liber wasn't at fault in that war. Moreover, as the head of a country, it is the most correct decision to put the peace and tranquility of the country first. To be honest, it's not like I haven't resent Liber and resented all this...... But it was this country called Liber that gave me a chance to be born again, and the people here taught me what it means to be friendly and simple, and dissolved the resentment and ice in my heart. It is up to you to govern this place to bring endless peace and tranquility like a country in a fairy tale, and for me, who regards Liber as my second home...... Naturally, there will be no more resentment towards you. ”

"Joshua ......" heard that the young man's unpretentious, sincere and simple words, and the queen, who had always been extremely determined, and could calmly deal with it even in the face of thousands of troops, actually felt that her eyes were a little moist - as the head of a country, she had already realized that even if she did not get people's understanding, it didn't matter, she had the courage to bear all the blame. But in front of him, as the direct victim who is most qualified to blame himself, Joshua used sincere words to unknowingly melt the ice in the queen's heart.

"Joshua! Istelle! Heliga! As expected, the companions who got the news also rushed back as soon as possible. Although less than three days have passed, how hard it has been in the past few days, how scared it is, and how natural it is.

"I know you're okay...... But ......" Fei threw herself into Haliga's arms, "but she was still worried......"

"Alright, alright...... I know. It's all my fault. Heliga was moved and guilty—not only because he had decided to climb the airship without permission, but also because he was still hiding from the girl in front of him who had no reservations about him, "When the matter is over, I will definitely make it up to you...... Well, I'll buy you all of Storega's sneakers. ”

“…… A sucker. Fei whispered. It's not like that at all - as long as you come back in one piece, that's enough for me - as long as you, as long as you're around.

The others were also inevitably reunited, and their companions were in groups of three and two in the Queen's Palace, talking and laughing as if they had just climbed to the top of the dome after a difficult climb. The queen didn't stop everyone, just smiled and stood silently to the side, making room for everyone.

Everyone said a word, teasing Helicaa and Feta, caring for Estelle, and saying hello to Joshua, whom he hadn't seen for a long time—all of which seemed incredibly peaceful.

"Your Majesty, forgive me for being rude." At this moment, a calm middle-aged man's voice sounded outside the door. Accompanying the voice came the commander-in-chief of the Libel Kingdom Army, Cassius Bright.

"Brigadier General Cassius, thank you for your hard work." The queen said kindly, "Have all the instructions been given?" ”

"Yes, it has been handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Sid over there, and I am relieved to have his help." Cassius nodded politely, and then his gaze fixed on Joshua, "But I must do a little bit of my duty as a father. ”

So saying, Cassius walked up to Joshua. Both of them have experienced different kinds of exhaustion, so when the two tired people stare at each other, there is a sense of comicality.

"We had a conversation yesterday, but it's been a long time since we've had such a face-to-face conversation." It was Cassius who spoke first, with nostalgia in his voice, "You have confessed everything to me a long time ago, so in a sense, I am also an accomplice." Although you don't need to apologize...... But I have to fulfill my obligations. ”

With that, Cassius slapped Joshua in the cheek - a slap that was hard enough, especially in the palace that had suddenly fallen silent. Joshua didn't shout or scream, but slowly raised his hand and gently covered the painful side of his cheek.

"Boss, dad, what are you!?" Looking at the scene in front of her, Estelle was angry and wanted to ask Cassius for accountability, but Joshua stretched out his hand to stop her.

"It's okay...... For a son who ran away from home...... This is the punishment that deserves. For some reason, Joshua smiled with relief and looked at Cassius' slowly lowering arm, "I always thought that people like myself were not worthy of everyone's affection, but now it seems that this idea is really wrong. ”

"Hmm...... People do not live alone, and everyone's life will be influenced by countless other people. On the other hand, it is precisely because of people's survival that there are all kinds of bonds of mutual trust and mutual dependence. This is the "edge" - with the deepening of the "edge", the "bond" is formed. Seeing his son's performance, Cassius finally smiled, "And once the 'bond' is formed, it will never be interrupted." Whether it is a long distance across the ocean or a different position, it will exist in each other's minds in various ways...... Do you feel the strength of this power now? ”

"Hmm. I was too contemptuous of it before. I didn't notice anything before. Joshua admits nonchalantly.

"Hehe, if you can understand this, this trip away from home is not in vain." Cassius finally had a frank happy expression on his face, and he took Joshua in his arms: "Joshua, my stupid son, is finally back." ”

"Oh, this foolish father and son." General Morgan chuckled and said that the evaluation was exactly what everyone present thought in their hearts—but, as a friend, and as a member of the "bond" that Cassius called it, everyone had only blessings at the moment.

However, what was supposed to be a light-hearted, joyful and warm moment of reminiscence was broken by a message brought by Captain Yulia. As if the association had calculated not to let everyone rest, Joshua's side of the matter had just come to an end, and there was a new problem.

"The Tower of Four Wheels? I and the kid over there expected that. Cassius pointed to Helika, "So the cruise route was specially arranged...... The airship should arrive soon, right? ”

"Yes...... But...... "Yulia grimaced," the patrol guard boat tried to approach the investigation, but immediately fell into a state of cessation, so it had to evacuate the scene. And ......"

"Is it another phenomenon of stopping? And what? ”

"And the land reconnaissance units sent were also repulsed. And it seems that it is all done by a very small number of people alone...... I'm afraid it's the executors. ”

"They're not something that ordinary soldiers can deal with. Father, let me go. Joshua stepped forward to deal with his former colleagues in the association, whom he had considered his part in the first place.

"Wait, are you going to go alone again? Forgot the agreement we just made? Istelle said immediately.

"Hmph, don't always think about one person taking all the credit, boy." Agaté laughed heartily.

"I'll go too. I still have some personal grievances that need to be resolved. Shelazard stroked the ends of her hair.

"Me too." Kim clenched his hands into fists and his eyes were determined.

"Everybody...... Then let's go without further ado, let's do it together. Joshua opened his mouth and realized that he had no reason to refuse—besides, everyone was now a reliable companion.

"Looks like you've already decided. I made a request to the guerrilla association. Please investigate and resolve the changes that have occurred in the Tower of Four Wheels. This is an official commission from the army. Cassius's expression was as if it had already been settled.

"That...... Grandmother. Looking at the crowd eager to try, Klos made a decision in her heart.