At Kael's assessment site, the corridor had completely collapsed under the ferocity of their attacks. Bright sunlight poured down onto the shattered terrain.
"This…" Lucy stood at the edge of the massive crater, her mouth agape, staring at the two figures frozen in tense standoff within the pit.
She had never imagined that Kael could push a battle against Gildas to such extremes. Though Kael staggered, barely holding on, Gildas's cloak had vanished, and a few scars marked his body. Just from this, Kael's strength was already clear.
"Damn it… am I really never going to… earn his recognition?" Kael panted, her stamina nearly exhausted.
Yet as she looked at Gildas—his clothes torn, scars lining his body, his expression serious—her heart sank. That desperate yearning for acknowledgment had weighed heavily on her throughout the battle.
What she didn't know was that Gildas's solemn gaze wasn't disapproval. This was the first time he had seen such brutal, physical combat combined with flawless card magic. The gusts from her punches reminded him of the oppressive winds from the Black Dragon's wings. Though still far from that scale, it was enough to make him recognize Kael's skill.
Thinking this, a grin split Gildas's face, revealing perfect white teeth. "Not bad at all… each generation surpasses the last. This round? You've passed."
Kael froze. Her head lowered slightly, shoulders trembling, and tears fell freely. She had been waiting to hear those words for so long.
"Eh? Eh? Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" Gildas panicked immediately, his heart aching unexpectedly. His hands flailed, unsure how to comfort her.
"Kael, don't you have something important to say to Uncle Gildas? Now's your chance!" Lucy called out from the pit, hands cupped around her mouth. She gave Kael a thumbs-up, smiling and encouraging her.
"Important… what I need to say? To you?" Gildas looked back and forth between the two girls, confused, finally fixing his gaze on Kael.
Kael's trembling ceased. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, shy and hesitant. Though she had long rehearsed these words in her mind, now, at this crucial moment, she didn't know how to start.
"Actually… the real reason I came to this guild… was to find my father."
"And… that person… is… you—Gildas."
Her voice faltered as she revealed the final name. Pausing, she inhaled deeply, clenched her fists, and shouted the words.
For a moment, the entire forest fell silent.
Gildas froze, staring dumbfounded at Kael.
Lucy, seeing Kael finally speak her truth, nodded repeatedly in encouragement.
"Eh! Eh! Eh!" Gildas cried out.
"Wait… wait a second… whose daughter are you?" Panic flashed across his face as he scrambled to match her with all the women he knew.
"It's hard to believe… I… I am—" Kael began, about to speak her mother's name, when Gildas's mind raced through possibilities:
"Naomi… Cleia… Fina… Mary… no, no, wrong hair color… Emma… Leia… Sherry…"
He crouched on the ground, trying to match names, oblivious to Kael's expression darkening with each guess.
"So my father really was a hopeless flirt…" Kael muttered, magic surging around her, coalescing around her right fist. Armament Haki flared high as she stepped toward Gildas.
Before Gildas could fully process, he nervously lifted his head. "I… I know now… you're Siluphia… you…"
But before he could finish, Kael slammed her fist into the ground right in front of him.
"I'm furious!" she roared, pounding the earth. The already shattered terrain splintered further, and Gildas was sent flying into a heap of rubble.
Kael had intended to strike Gildas directly but couldn't bring herself to hurt him at the last moment. This was her way of expressing her anger while holding back.
"Anyway… that's everything I wanted to say. I've said it. From now on, let's just be like normal. That's it, Lucy, let's go!"
Kael turned, her voice tinged with lingering sadness, waving to Lucy as they prepared to head toward the final gathering point.
But Gildas reacted quickly, pushing aside rubble, rushing forward, and pulling Kael into a heartfelt embrace. "You are Conelia's child. There's no mistake! I'm so sorry… I didn't recognize you right away!"
"Let me go~" Feeling her father's concern and apology, Kael's usually strong demeanor softened. Her voice, too, grew gentle.
"Conelia was the only woman I've ever truly loved… the only one I married. I'm sorry. If I had spent more time with her… she wouldn't have left, and I wouldn't have learned of her passing… I just… I never imagined we had a daughter. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner. You are my daughter."
Gildas's body trembled as he held Kael tightly, tears streaming down his face, dripping onto her head.
"It's okay… I purposely didn't let you know. Your recognition alone makes me happy."
"But let me say it one last time: I'm so glad I have you as my daughter, Dad!"
Kael lifted her head, beaming with happiness, and shouted to Gildas.
Gildas felt as if an arrow had struck his heart, a bitter-sweet ache swelling within him. His tears, already flowing freely, now seemed unstoppable. He held Kael tightly again, guilt and love in his voice:
"Please… give me another chance. From now on, whatever happens, I will always be by your side."
"Mm~" Kael nestled happily in his arms, nodding softly in response.
Lucy, watching from the side, wiped her own tears of joy.