[ strokes the boy's cheek with his other hand. the tumbleweed shivers. ]

... It's a shame, really. You have something to fight for too, don't you? A desire that burns in your chest so brightly that it blinds you to the truth. Did you never think it was strange? That such an important map was left in such an obvious place? Mmm... it really is a shame that they'd put you directly in the path of the Pine Workshop's ace like this. Believe it or not, I don't like seeing lights like that die. It's why I started climbing in the first place.

[ he smiles. ]

You don't have to, though. Die, I mean. You know where Blossom is being kept, don't you?