"Fwaaahhh~..."

With an indescribable voice, Chikano emerged from the room.

"Good work."

Having been waiting outside, Klaha conveyed those words from the heart.

"Oh," Chikano raised her eyebrows upon noticing her, then bowed deeply.

"No, really... Thank you, Klaha. You were a huge help."

"No, I didn’t do much... I just thought, in case you needed anything..."

After it was over—meaning, after Saminato's condition had stabilized again—Chikano had remained inside, talking with the priest about something.

Klaha had initially stepped out at the same time as the first cleric who had been treating Saminato. But she had been too concerned about the situation to leave, so she waited for Chikano to come out.

"It seems you've also been keeping the other disciples away... Ah, um, sorry for coming all the way here on my own."

"Oh, no, that's fine. The reason for keeping them away doesn’t really have anything to do with you... Honestly, I’m grateful you showed up when you did."

Then, Chikano trailed off, looking slightly troubled, as if she were mulling something over.

"If you’re asking if I need anything... Normally, I’d just say ‘I’m fine,’ but at this hour..."

"That’s understandable," Klaha nodded.

It was already quite late. Even if Chikano went straight to bed now, she wouldn’t have much time to sleep before she had to switch shifts with Ziel. And considering how much of her waking time was spent on high-alert for magical beasts, her rest was crucial.

"If there’s anything I can do to help..."

"...You know, I think I kind of understand what Ziel meant."

"...?"

Chikano muttered that she should probably exercise some restraint, then sighed.

"Alright, in that case... Would you mind helping clean up the room?"

"Of course! Ah, but most of the things here are what I brought in, and I know where they go, so... If you just give me general instructions, I can handle it myself."

"...Do you like sweets?"

"Huh?"

"If you do, I’ll give you some konpeitō later."

Klaha was momentarily taken aback, but refusing a gift would be rude.

"Ah, thank you..."

"No, I should be the one thanking you. Alright, just a little help then."

Chikano slid open the door again, and together, they stepped back inside.

After being given a few brief instructions, that should have been the end of it—just a simple "Got it" and "Good night" before parting ways.

But she couldn't help noticing him.

"...Does it bother you?"

"Ah, um..."

"Don’t worry about it. ...Well, since you've helped this much, it would be unfair not to explain."

Chikano gestured toward the person inside the room—Saminato, now sleeping peacefully again.

"I haven’t told the disciples the full details, but... well, he’s on the verge of death."

"What—?"

"The reason I didn’t tell them is because it would lower morale. …It might not seem convincing in his current state, but if you ask who the strongest person in the East is, his name is always among the first mentioned. If word got out that he was on the brink of death after being taken down by a magical beast, it would be... problematic, given the current situation."

Chikano spoke plainly.

"Ziel and I decided this together."

"We agreed to keep it hidden as much as possible... Though we can’t hide it from the clerics."

"Then, should I also...?"

"No, Klaha, you... Well, it’s fine. You seem like someone who can keep a secret, right?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Then the only concern left is your personal morale. But honestly, Ziel is stronger than his father now, and you know that well, don’t you? So, I figured this wouldn’t affect you too much."

Klaha objectively acknowledged that was probably true.

It was a matter of attachment. Compared to the martial artists who had trained under Saminato for years in this dojo, her emotional impact was likely much smaller.

The strongest person she knew... His defeat wasn't something that would shake her.

"Anyway, tonight was just dealing with an episode. If it happens again while I’m not around, Ziel will take over my role. But if you’re ever there when it happens, I’d appreciate it if you could help."

"Understood."

"And..."

Chikano folded her fingers one by one, as if making sure she hadn’t forgotten anything.

"Yeah, that should be it for now. Is there anything you’re concerned about?"

"Ah, um..."

Should I ask?

Something uncertain floated to the surface of Klaha’s mind. She knew that in situations like this, it was usually best to keep such thoughts to herself. And yet—

She felt she needed to understand the situation.

"How often do these attacks occur?"

"Not too frequently. This was the worst one so far. Before that, there were two or three smaller ones..."

But then, Chikano added,

"I think they’ll start happening more and more from now on."

"...Does that mean the poison’s effect is worsening?"

"Nah. It’s just my father’s stamina."

Without much change in expression, she continued,

"His stable condition is only possible because of his inner strength. Old folks tend to be inner-strength monsters, but even they have limits."

That means—

Klaha hesitated to say it out loud. Chikano’s words naturally led to a single conclusion, one that was all too easy to imagine.

But saying it, especially with the person in question sleeping right in front of them, seemed far too inconsiderate.

"Well, as you’ve probably already guessed..."

Yet Chikano, as if seeing straight through Klaha’s hesitation, stated it clearly.

"If left alone, that man will be dead in about two weeks."

"—What the hell is that?"

The voice—

The reaction to Chikano’s words—

Did not come from Chikano. Nor from Klaha. And certainly not from the sleeping Saminato.

But they both knew that voice.

"...Icca?"

The sliding door had been left open. With everyone else kept away, they hadn’t expected anyone to pass by at this late hour. They had let their guard down.

And yet, beyond the doorway—

There stood Icca, beneath the eaves, drenched in the rain.

"Hey—"

Chikano was the first to move.

"What are you doing out there without an umbrella? You’re not a stray dog. Come inside and—"

"What do you mean?"

But Icca didn’t nod at her invitation.

Instead, with his wet bangs hiding his eyes, his trembling hands clutched tightly at his own clothes.

"You just said... Master Saminato is going to die, didn’t you?"

"...Eavesdropping is— No, I should’ve noticed. That’s on me."

Chikano sighed, pressing her fingers against the bridge of her nose as if suppressing fatigue.

"Like I told Klaha, you must not speak of this to anyone—"

"Why did you tell Klaha but keep it from me?!"

A loud, resounding thud filled the room—

Because Icca had stepped up onto the wooden floor.

"It’s not just you. The other disciples don’t know either."

"Don’t change the subject! We’re talking about me right now!"

"That’s exactly why—I was treating you the same as the others."

"But unlike them, I was the only one ordered to stay behind! That’s a lie, isn’t it?!"

"That was a decision based on your injuries—"

Or at least, that was how she had meant to finish the sentence.

But the words never came.

Klaha figured it was because, in that moment, Chikano had seen Icca’s expression.

"...What the hell is that?"

He was crying.

Not out of anger—

But with the face of a child, lost in sorrow.

And somehow—

Klaha felt she had seen those tears before.

"...Icca,"

Chikano reached out to him hesitantly.

"—Even you, Chikano-senpai!"

But with a sharp, painful crack, he slapped her hand away.

"You—!"

He couldn’t finish.

Swallowing back his sobs, Icca bowed his head even lower.

Then, in the next instant, he turned on his heel and ran.

"Stop!"

Chikano called out, but she didn’t reach for him again.

Klaha, too, was unable to react fast enough.

And so, in the midst of the heavy, unrelenting rain, they could only watch as he vaulted over the outer wall and disappeared into the night.

"...Ah, damn it! What awful timing...!"

Chikano was the one who broke the silence.

"Sorry, Klaha! I need to—"

But her hurried words cut off abruptly.

And Klaha knew exactly why.

"Huh—?"

"What—?"

Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang.

The bell rang in sets of four, over and over.

A predetermined signal—an alarm to warn the entire town.

Two rings meant the appearance of a stray magical beast.

Three meant the appearance of a Gate Beast.

Four, naturally, meant—

As the rain poured mercilessly over the town,

Klaha thought she heard, far away, in the mountains, the sound of Ziel swinging his sword.