[Temenos's eyes widen slightly when Beelzebub speaks up again. He hadn't even considered how susceptible to pride he'd made himself until now. He wouldn't have even solved the string of murders back home if it wasn't for the help he had received along the way.

Those...he had lost along the way.

Perhaps that is why he went in alone- and why he placated Lobelia as he did. He didn't want to lose anyone else, for how well that worked out for him.

He exhales slowly, bringing a hand up to put on top of Beelzebub's.]

I truly doubt people need me in that manner. You all have more than proven yourselves to be quite capable already, with or without my input.

[If anything, he feels like he has put himself in such a rut in this place. He's never lost sight of himself this deeply before.

But he is nothing if not determined. He'll claw his way back, so long as he remembers he doesn't have to do it alone.]

Still, I would like to continue to help in any way that I can. I intend to step back from now on, but I will always be within reach.