As they rode on their chariots toward the village of Kurohama, the journey was weighed down by an unspoken silence. Joseph, typically lighthearted and talkative, was now withdrawn, his usual demeanor replaced by a somber expression. The weight of their previous encounter in the city of Iwakuni lingered heavily over him. Yoshi and Lyra exchanged glances, both recognizing the pain etched on his face. Joseph had lost something irreplaceable: his XPT—Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb.
Unable to bear the tension, Yoshi nudged his horse closer to Joseph’s chariot, hoping to lift his friend's spirits. With a cheerful but careful tone, he broke the silence. "You’re really missing it, huh? If it weren’t for you and your tech, saving both Lyra and me would’ve been a whole different story," Yoshi said, offering a warm smile.
Joseph, however, remained unmoved. His gaze shifted to Yoshi, his expression tinged with sarcasm.