Hans! You did it!!

The injuries Noah suffered didn't reach any of his vital organs either...

...so he should be fine after a few days of rest.

Huh?

......

Noah!!

I told you not to leave your room, didn't I?!

Hans.

First of all, I have to thank you for defeating Yugreia.

But, it's just so unfair!!

I'm always one step behind you! I couldn't even beat my bitter enemy!

Am I really that much of a disappointment?!

Why were you able to pull it off?!

Why you, and not me?!

Just what have I been fighting for...this whole time...?!

Taken by surprise... Couldn't find Yugreia's weakness...

It's the same thing all over again!

In the end, I haven't changed one bit since the first time I faced that monster!

Noah!

Shut up!!

Noah! Listen to me!!

This time, just like before, you did whatever you could!

If I hadn't sent you off on that mission, then--!

Elise, that's...that's got nothing to do with it. It's because I wasn't strong enough...

...that my squad perished. The fault for that lies with me, the commander.

No! It's my fault for being completely useless!

You're wrong! I was just too weak!

L-Lord Owen!

Noah, go back to rest. Elise, go with Noah.

Y-Yes sir!!

......

Noah, you must grow stronger.

...?!

Admitting your own weakness is but the first step to recovery.

Or am I mistaken?

Grr...

...Fine.

I'm sorry for causing a ruckus.

Noah, let's go.

It would seem that the tension between those two is finally dissolving.

The reason as to why Noah always fought alone...

...is because he couldn't handle the responsibility that came with losing his comrades in battle.

Adding to that the fact that though Elise was part of the same squad, she was unable to fight.

It was thus that Elise came to think of herself as the reason for Noah's suffering.

But now that they were able confess their own helplessness to each other...

...they have each come to know how the other feels.

They're not concerned about how they feel themselves, but worry about hurting each other's feelings even more instead.

It's easy to blame oneself for something.

But there are things that still hurt even when one doesn't take the blame for them.

...Hmm. How unlike me to preach a sermon like this one.

I may be picking up bad habits from that Elder...

Hans. You've done us a great service slaying Yugreia.

This changes our plans somewhat, but we will make any necessary arrangements on our side to get back on track.

You have a curious look on your face.

Well, I'm afraid that Yugreia's defeat has only served as a catalyst for our current situation.

In time, even stronger demons are bound to appear.

Either way, I have promoted both Noah and yourself.

The missions you'll receive from now on will be harder still.

Hans, don't content yourself with your current condition.

I am sure this is not the limit of what you can accomplish.