"I couldn't abandon the Convocation. Azem had disagreed with our decision and given up their seat. You believed that giving yourself to Zodiark was the best way to help us both," he whispers. "None of us were willing to compromise. I tried so hard to dissuade you but you wouldn't hear a single word of it. You said that it would give Azem more time to find the cause of the calamity whilst also helping me."

His voice starts cracking again. "That's why I say: you need to think more highly of yourself. You have more to give to the star than your own life."