Chapter 18

• A long sigh escaped from the young soldier's lips. He rested his back against the cave's wall, still not looking up.
• "I don't expect you to forgive me. This sin, too, will be mine to bear. But, please, if you can… find it in your heart to understand. If things were different, I would have gladly faced that monster to let you escape. But my life… does not belong to me alone. There is an unencompassable duty I am sworn to fulfill. Until it's done, I cannot allow myself to die."
• Sunny laughed.