But Garius waited.
He didn't repeat the question.
He didn't rush him.
He just stared.
Silent.
Unblinking.
A man with infinite patience… until his limits were crossed.
Gilmon's breath trembled.
"I… failed to stop him," he finally managed to say. "I let Edmund pass through. I didn't… I didn't warn anyone. I thought… I thought he could be reasoned with. That maybe… maybe he hadn't fully turned yet."
Garius's eyes remained still.
No reaction.
No anger.
Just listening.
Like a judge hearing testimony.
Gilmon's voice grew hollow. "I… I didn't act. And because of that… Edmund devoured another Celestial. Gurdan… the Halfling King. His entire army… wiped out. I saw it. I couldn't even stand when he activated his power. That thing inside him… it's not human anymore."
Silence again.
Garius closed his eyes.
"I see."
He opened them again.
"But let me ask you, Gilmon…" His tone hardened slightly, making Gilmon feel like his lungs sank. "Why didn't you come to me?"
