Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

She began to doubt whether she truly possessed the talent that Pantalone claimed, and whether her power was insignificant compared to Ajax's.

“You once said that you thought I had talent and ability that you could use, which is why you decided to take me in.”

"But to that guy named Ajax, who wasn't much older than me, I didn't seem to be much different from everyone else."

"I can't do anything right, and that's exactly the kind of person you need, Dad, isn't it? If I can't do anything, then what can I possibly do?"

Witnessing Ajax's overwhelming strength firsthand was an incredible experience for a girl who was only twelve years old.

She began to doubt whether she truly possessed the talent that Pantalone claimed, and whether her power was insignificant compared to Ajax's.

Pantalone simply listened quietly to the girl's outpouring, pondering her thoughts and feelings.

In fact, he had already anticipated and guessed this, but he may have underestimated the impact this matter would have on the girl. He did not expect that this matter would have such a great impact on her.

But upon closer reflection, it seems perfectly reasonable, given that someone suddenly appears in front of you.

Other people's children are more talented and stronger than me.

It is perfectly normal to feel a sense of crisis and self-doubt.

This also gave Pantalone a general idea of ​​what Yola was thinking.

Generally speaking, this is a reasonable approach when faced with a girl who is feeling sad and down.

What he should do now is comfort the other person and tell them not to overthink it.

But Pantalone has no intention of doing so.

Perhaps this statement is too utilitarian and carries a strong sense of purpose, but Pantalone still has no intention of changing anything.

His intention to adopt the girl never changed. To him, the girl was his daughter in the eyes of others, but in Pantalone's eyes, she was first a pawn that he could use, and only secondly his daughter.

This has never changed. Even if he gives the girl some attention based on his second identity, his true intentions toward the girl have never changed.

So he gave this answer to the girl's confusion.

“I won’t say any comforting words like I would to other little girls, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

Pantalone leaned back on the sofa, his fingers interlocked, gazing into the girl's eyes, and said softly.

"Perhaps that kid named Ajax is indeed much stronger than you are now, but so what?"

"A starting point at one time doesn't determine anything. If you give up on everything, even others can't help you. When you don't intend to climb the difficult peaks but start to doubt whether you can climb and cross them, then you are just a loser no matter what."

"If you don't do anything, nothing will change, but if you do something, then something will change."

Pantalone's gaze fell on the girl's face, making her feel like she had nowhere to hide.

Not knowing where to look or focus her gaze, she also didn't know what to say.

He hesitated, wanting to say something but then fell silent.

Seeing the girl's hesitation, Pantalone decided to go for it.

"Don't forget the promise you made to me in the first place. Didn't you say you would take revenge on me? What, then, is the true nature of 'revenge' to you?"

Is it a bleak situation? Or an unfortunate past? What does "revenge" mean? Is it seeking justice for oneself? Or plunging one's enemy into an abyss of suffering?

“I won’t advise you to be magnanimous or let go of things. In my view, revenge is the oldest axiom in the world. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, that’s what I believe in.”

"So what should you do? What revenge means to you is entirely up to you. Only when you have made up your mind will you be qualified to talk about taking revenge on me."

Pantalone looked at Yora, who had fallen silent after hearing these words, and then decided to turn around and leave.

That's all he has to say; he has done everything he could.

If his daughter doesn't change, it means he has lost her most important value to him, and the worst outcome is simply giving up.

Pantalone did not linger and chose to leave.

Watching Pantalone leave, little Yora couldn't help but recall the meaning behind the words spoken by her seemingly irresponsible father.

"Was it...my own choice...?"

What is the true nature of her so-called "revenge"?

Is she planning to take revenge on the family that betrayed her?

Or is it revenge against Pantalone for causing her to fall into this predicament?

Reclaim your family's glory, win the awe of mortals, and return to the pinnacle of rule...

In her mind, none of these things mattered.

She never experienced any so-called humiliation; instead, she suffered greatly from her family's torment.

They tried to break free from heavy shackles, but found it difficult to gain the world's recognition.

Compared to those so-called cumbersome rules and doctrines, the constraints imposed on her by Pantalone, her greatest enemy in every sense, were far less severe than those imposed on her by Mondstadt.

So he asked himself again, was this so-called "revenge" really an intention to take revenge on his nominal father, or was it an intention to meet his expectations?

Perhaps it's the latter?

Compared to so-called revenge, compared to so-called family hatred.

What she really wanted was to meet that person's expectations of her, right?