The one who pulls you from despair at your darkest moment… will always be the greatest blessing you could ever meet, the one most worthy of trust. From childhood, Fiore had firmly believed this truth. And now, after experiencing it firsthand, her conviction only deepened—she had not been wrong.
That violet silhouette mesmerized her, reliable beyond measure, carrying an air of mystery and grace. It was like the shadow she had so often chased in her childhood dreams—always reaching, but never able to touch. And now, beneath the heavy rain, wrapped in thunderlight, though only a few short meters away, that back felt a lifetime apart, leaving her with an irresistible urge to reach out.
Shogun…
Her heart whispered the name again and again, thoughtlessly, without reason. Simply seeing her back stirred the word from her lips.
"Those who harm my people… shall be slain."
The thunderous words still echoed in the air as Fiore's consciousness began to fade again.
Am I… one of the Shogun's people…?
Heh… that's wonderful… she hasn't… given up on me…
That was her final fleeting thought before unconsciousness claimed her.
Mordred, furious, gripped her blade tighter and stepped once more in front of her Master. Her eyes darted toward the bleeding Kairi, worry gnawing at her even as rage consumed her.
"You bastard!! Playing dirty tricks on us, are you?!"
The Shogun let out a soft, cold laugh.
"Foolish question. An eye for an eye—that is the law of war."
Swish, swish!
Spinning her lightning-wreathed naginata in a dazzling flourish, she leveled it across her body. Then, with casual disdain, she kicked the severed, charred arm at her feet into a nearby puddle as though it were nothing more than a stone.
"This limb is the price for harming my people. I always repay my grudges."
She acknowledged that the Red Saber's reflexes had been sharp. If Mordred had not pulled him back in time, Kairi would already have been cleaved in two.
But even so, the man was gravely wounded. That alone was enough. One strike had been repaid on Fiore's behalf.
"In that case… damn it… then fight me! What glory is there in striking down my Master?!"
"Heh… such hypocrisy."
The Shogun's lips curved in a faint sneer.
"What?!"
"Was it not you who reduced her to this state first? I merely returned the cruelty you inflicted."
"You—!"
"Ugh… Saber! Retreat!"
Clutching the bleeding stump of his arm, Kairi strained his voice to issue the order. To stay here was madness. The magical energy radiating from the Shogun was heavier than even Mordred's—pressing forward would only lead to certain defeat. Tonight had already gone terribly wrong.
He could not gamble his future here. No matter the loss, they had to live to fight again another day.
"Tch! But she—!"
"Retreat!!"
He roared once more, his patience breaking.
"Dammit! Fine!!"
Mordred clicked her tongue in frustration, glaring hatefully at the woman before them. Still, she knew Kairi's condition left no choice. Blood pooled at his feet; he would die without treatment.
Grinding her teeth, she braced her Master's body and dragged him back toward their broken car.
"Cough! The car's finished!"
Kairi gasped through clenched teeth, blood pouring from his shoulder as he reminded her.
"What—?! You bastard! Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
She cursed furiously, then hefted him over her shoulder. With a powerful leap, she carried him away from Sighișoara, retreating under the Shogun's cold gaze.
The Shogun made no move to stop them. Fiore's condition was dire—her injuries severe. If she did not receive treatment soon, her life would be in danger. There was no need to waste more time here. Another day would provide another blade for justice.
Dismissing her Elemental Burst, she sealed away Engulfing Lightning and knelt before the unconscious Fiore. Thankfully, the protective barrier she had placed earlier shielded the girl from the worst of the storm, but her body was still soaked through. Wet strands of hair clung to her back, her pale face marked starkly by the crimson of blood trailing from her lips.
The Shogun reached out, gently wiping away the blood at the corner of her mouth. The touch roused Fiore faintly, her eyes fluttering open.
"Sho…gun… cough…"
Her words came in weak, broken gasps.
[Not good. Her injuries are grave—she must be treated immediately.]
Ei's voice carried a rare trace of urgency.
The Shogun gave a small nod.
"Hush… no need to speak. I'll carry you."
She knew what the girl wanted to say, but this was no time for words.
"Mhm…"
Obediently, Fiore quieted down.
The Shogun carefully unfastened the broken pack from Fiore's back, then gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, supporting the weightless legs that hung limply. With delicate control, she lifted the girl into her arms and slowly rose to her feet.
"Ugh! Hhnn!"
The instant she was lifted, a sharp wave of pain surged from Fiore's back throughout her body, draining the color from her face as a pained cry escaped her lips.
The Shogun cradled her in a princess carry.
In the next heartbeat, their figures vanished into lightning, streaking away from the storm-tossed city.
...
Inside Fiore's private chambers in the Fortress of Millennia—
Clack!
The door burst open as the Shogun rushed inside, carrying Fiore swiftly to the bedside. She laid her down with the utmost care, turning her body gently so she lay face-down upon the sheets.
The maids and homunculi who had followed to assist tried to enter, but they had already been forbidden by the Shogun. Even Caules was barred; too many people would only bring distraction and hinder healing.
The young man now paced anxiously in his own room, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Damn it! If only I'd gone too!"
He crouched down, clutching his head in regret. The very reason he had wanted to follow was to prevent this exact outcome. His sister…
Meanwhile, in Fiore's chamber, the Shogun sat at the bedside, gazing at the girl's back now bared by her stripped, rain-soaked blouse. If there was bleeding, it could be treated easily enough. If not…
Her eyes narrowed faintly. With gentle hands, she slowly lifted the wet fabric from Fiore's shoulders.
"Haa… haa… Shogun… it's fine… take it all off. I'll be alright."
Fiore's frail voice whispered the words.
The Shogun gave a small nod, then carefully removed the rest of her garments, stripping her upper body bare.
Across the pale back spread vivid bruises—deep crimson mixed with bluish blotches, glaring against her fair skin. Reaching out, the Shogun's fingers brushed softly against the injuries.
"Hsshh—ahh!!"
Fiore cried out, her body trembling as pain wracked her again.
"Severe bruising across the back. The internal bleeding from earlier confirms damage to her organs as well."
The Shogun's calm voice carried her diagnosis. She rose, pacing briefly as she contemplated the best method of treatment. The positioning was awkward, and her brows furrowed slightly.
"…Forgive my rudeness."
At last, she slipped off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside the injured girl. Leaning forward, she pressed her slender fingers gently against the battered expanse of Fiore's back.
"Hhhhnn!! It's… it's fine… I don't… mind…"
Fiore understood what those words meant. Despite the waves of pain, she managed a weak smile, her voice quiet and soft. If one looked closely, a faint blush could be seen coloring her otherwise pale cheeks.