"I'm telling you I'm going to do everything in my power to win," Satou corrected. "But I'm also telling you that if the worst happens, the settlement needs to continue. You, Urgak, Grimnir, all of you can keep building what we started. The laws are in place. The systems are working. You don't need me for that."
"But I need you," Lyra said, her voice cracking. "Not as the chieftain or the demon lord candidate. I need you as Satou. The person who makes me want to be more than just an administrator. The person who makes me feel like I matter as more than just my usefulness."
Satou stood and pulled her into his arms. "You do matter. More than you know. And that's exactly why I'm telling you this. Because if I die, I need you to remember that you're strong enough to continue without me. You always were. I just helped you see it."
