[ The crooked smile he plasters on his face is solely for her benefit. This situation is anything but amusing; however, he would rather she spend her energy worrying about their foe than him, and Joshua has already weathered far more perilous storms than this. ]

I very much do. My brother would never forgive me if I were to let anything happen to you in his absence.

[ Besides, he's feeling a lot more energetic than he has in a long time, something he attests to the fact that Clive is likely not in this world, leaving Ultima to slumber more peacefully within his own body rather than rattling at its prison gates, desperate for escape. The Phoenix's shield doesn't tax him very much either, though he knows he can't maintain it forever.

Fortunately, their foe makes itself known at that moment –a wyvern swooping down, talons brandished, a cry ripped free from its throat. Joshua drops the shield solely so he can tug Jill gently by the forearm to hide behind some more appropriate cover. Namely, a decent-sized tree. ]

It shows no signs of stopping nor slowing down in its fury. Slaying the beast may be our only option if we are to keep the locals safe. How long have you been stifling its flames already?