Had he tried to focus solely on the blind brewer, trying to avoid the girl's gaze entirely, he was now forced to behold her small frame as she stared up at him with her pleading eyes, grabbing his hand. And again, where he should have seen just someone who was in need of his protection, no, rather someone whose need for help was all that should justify his existence, he still could not help but see more something akin to an object.
The hand the girl had grabbed trembled.
Yet, his voice utterly without emotion, he spoke "Very well- girl-" he forced himself to say "You know the layout better, I am lost myself, but no- " he paused, then resumed, the hand the girl still had grabbed in desperation quaking "- no harm shall befall you, as long as you keep near. Tell me the way, and I shall lead you." He felt nothing but self-hate, as if he would straight-up lie.
Why, why was he not capable of feeling fear for this girl's safety, why was he not capable of feeling anger towards any harm that would try to befall her?!