[ it's irreconcilable. this is the part where she splinters off from the black armor — where through the tears, the helmet might have forced her to see as humans do, where the shape of the gauntlets would have twisted her limbs into the form of the people's warrior. ushi gozen was never meant to be separated from the pain and comfort of that armor.

and now she cannot see, she cannot feel what shousetsu feels. she cannot understand her rage, her distress.

and most of all, she cannot understand the way her master falls to pieces when there is work to be done. ]

Shousetsu.

[ the depth of her voice punctuates that name with heavy clarity. ]

Even your expert magecraft will waver under these conditions.

[ the screaming, the unstable emotions— ]

Ah, but to answer your question.

[ again, that smile lifts her lips, as though it would create levity where her words drop like stone. ]

Of course I was.

[ of course she would, in due time, reveal everything to her, the master whose delicate heart she had answered, who she had done everything for— ]

My Master, I went through such great pains to win the Ritual for you. But your wish could only be granted one way. You must understand this by now.