"How is Kyo doing?"
Having returned to the base, Gai looked at Kyo lying on the hospital bed undergoing emergency treatment and frowned as he asked the military doctor beside him.
"No good... too much blood loss, plus a punctured lung. And she's been left like this for too long... you know how it is, Gai."
The doctor shook his head regretfully.
"...I see."
He lowered his gaze, clearly distressed.
"Is she still breathing?"
The Shogun beside him asked.
"Barely. But it won't last long. Even forcing oxygen into her now would only keep her going for a few minutes at most. She might bleed out before that."
Even as a military doctor, he had no solution for such massive blood loss. And the unit had very limited blood supplies—everything usable had already been used.
"Hand her over to us."
The Shogun gave Hare and Inori a glance.
"Come to think of it, I never asked—what method do you have?"
Gai asked.
"Gai... did you forget? Hare's Void."
Inori explained.
"...Her Void? You mean that bandage? But... I don't think it'll contribute much. I never sensed any particular use from it."
Gai shook his head.
"She's going to die anyway. Why not try?"
"..."
Looking at the purple-haired girl before him, he sighed and relented.
"Fine. Let's try it, at least."
After glancing at the dying girl, Gai's expression hardened. He gave a brief instruction, then stepped back to leave the space to the three of them. The military doctor did the same.
He wanted to see what this so-called Void healing could do.
"Inori... go ahead. Use my... V-Vo... Void..."
Hare stammered shyly, her face flushing as she spoke the embarrassing line. She straightened her delicate body beneath the thin white school shirt and exposed her chest. Sensing her nervousness, the Shogun stood behind her and, as usual, wrapped an arm around her, ready to catch her when she lost consciousness.
Hum~
Inori nodded, crouched down, and raised her hand, activating the "King" power. She inserted it into Hare's chest and extracted the "bandage." A flash of white light appeared, and the bandage materialized, coiling in her hand.
"Mm...~"
Hare let out a soft, instinctive moan as before. Her body tilted back, leaning into the Shogun's embrace, and the next moment she lost consciousness, collapsing into her arms.
"So this is her 'bandage'?"
Gai narrowed his eyes.
"Yes... a crystallization of gentleness and warmth. A soul that can heal hearts."
The Shogun answered in a gentle tone, her gaze soft as she looked at the peacefully sleeping girl in her arms, lightly stroking the back of her hand.
"I see... that's quite rare."
Gai replied. In a world like this, such purity of heart was scarce.
Inori didn't waste time. She directed the coiling bandage in her hand toward Kyo. In the next moment, the bandage moved as if alive, seeking out her wounds before slowly wrapping around the girl's body, covering her completely.
Hum~
A warm white light spread through Kyo's body, continuously releasing energy as if something was being restored.
"—!"
Gai's eyes widened. Before him, Kyo's damaged skin began to heal at a visible rate. Not only that, the white light seeped into her body.
"Mm..."
The girl on the bed frowned slightly and let out a faint breath, as if she had been granted a second life.
"...Truly remarkable."
The Shogun sighed in admiration. The healing efficiency was absurd. As expected of Hare's Void—how extraordinary.
"I see... it's on par with Inori's Void."
Gai said with a smile.
Such rare talent... he even considered recruiting her into Funeral Parlor for real. But no—that was exactly why he couldn't. A soul this pure was too precious. Better not drag her into the mire.
A few minutes later, the bandage's light weakened and finally faded, returning to Inori's arm. The heart monitor beside them stabilized. The girl's breathing gradually evened out, her brow relaxed, and her complexion improved.
"—! This is—this is a medical miracle!"
The military doctor exclaimed in shock.
A half-dead person had just been brought back to life?!
The Shogun and Inori exchanged a smile before placing the bandage back into Hare's chest.
"Mm... I... right, Miss Kyo—how is she?"
Hare slowly regained consciousness and looked at the Shogun anxiously.
"She's fine now. No longer in danger. Thanks to you."
She replied.
"Really? That's great... I... did I do okay? I didn't let Mio down, right?"
The girl nuzzled against her chest like a kitten, asking softly as if seeking praise.
"What are you saying? I've never placed that kind of pressure on you. Even if you couldn't, I wouldn't blame you. Don't think so rigidly."
She gently stroked the girl's hair.
"Mm... hehe..."
Hare smiled happily.
"This has far exceeded expectations! Gai, why not keep her—"
"No."
Gai immediately cut him off. He knew what the doctor wanted—to keep Hare for Funeral Parlor. Her value was immense. But it wasn't possible. A soul this pure didn't belong here.
"But—"
"Since Kyo is out of danger, we proceed to the next step. You take care of the child. Mio—you and the others, come with me. We're starting a strategy meeting."
Without giving the doctor time to argue, Gai left the room after speaking.
"Blood pressure normal, heartbeat normal, breathing stable... even the lungs have been repaired. Waking up is only a matter of time. Sigh... what a wasted opportunity..."
The doctor muttered as he checked Kyo's condition, sighing repeatedly. If they had that ability, medical efficiency would skyrocket...
"Um... Mio, what is he talking about?"
Hare asked, still a little confused.
"Nothing. Ignore him."
The Shogun glanced at the doctor and shook her head.
She still remembered what Inori once said—the "bandage" was fragile, just like Hare's heart. So... she wouldn't let her face even the slightest danger.
...
Afterward came the strategy meeting where everyone gathered. Hare also attended, sitting beside the Shogun, who was seated at the back, listening absentmindedly to Gai's explanation while gazing at the rain outside.
"...?"
Hare noticed her distraction, smiled gently, and lightly held her hand, giving it a small squeeze.
Meanwhile, Inori stood against the wall with her arms crossed, seriously watching Gai—or listening to his plan without missing a detail.
Although the Shogun seemed distracted, she still grasped the gist of the plan—
The general idea was a strategy centered around Leukocyte. The target was the main control facility of "Leukocyte," located beneath a dam known as Tsukiyose Dam. Their objective was to infiltrate the facility and shut down the control core. That was essentially it.
Leukocyte was controlled via a ground-based quantum encryption system, located 200 meters underground beneath the dam. Its core was housed in a superconducting floating cage. That was their target—shut it down.
However... while it sounded simple, it wouldn't be easy. According to Kido... if the device was subjected to physical interference, it would enter lockdown mode, locking all functions permanently. Since Leukocyte wasn't directly connected to the device, it would also be affected—meaning mission failure.
"So... destroying it is useless?"
She asked.
"Yeah... that's about it."
Kido replied.
So to input a shutdown command, they had to avoid physical contact entirely. In other words, hacking—transmitting a termination program via code, a so-called internal connection.
As for the main members of the mission, aside from the assault force, there would only be four: the Shogun, Inori, Gai, and Kenji Kido.
"But if reinforcements have been cut off—"
"Yeah, I know... so I changed the plan. The casualty rate has gone from 5% to 35%."
Gai inserted his USB drive and had Sextant display the data on the large screen behind him, allowing everyone to review it.
...
"Mio... I know this might sound a bit nagging, but... be careful on the way. And Inori too—don't let her get hurt."
Even if they were injured, she could heal them with her Void, so it wouldn't really matter—but out of concern, Hare still reminded them.
Sitting under a tree sheltering from the rain, the Shogun glanced at her and smiled, nodding lightly.
"We will. And you too... even if you're staying in logistics, stay alert."
Hare would never be allowed onto the battlefield. The Shogun alone would refuse it, so... she could only remain in the rear.
"Mm..."
Hare nodded obediently.
"Mio... it's time to go."
Wearing a raincoat, Inori walked up to them and reminded her.
"Understood..."
She stood up, nodded to Inori, and then, under Hare's watchful gaze, left with her to regroup with the main force.
"Please... both of you, come back safely."
Hare clasped her hands at her chest and prayed softly.
The plan was set to be carried out at dusk after the rain... there were still two hours left to prepare.
Meanwhile...
At the main control facility beneath Tsukiyose Dam—the target of Funeral Parlor—Segai was already lying in wait, communicating with Shuichiro Keido, director of the "Serum" division.
"In four hours, Leukocyte No. 3 will enter its designated orbit. Once that happens, the cage will be complete. Until then, remain on standby."
Once the cage was finished... all of Japan would be like a fish trapped in a jar. That included the rats of Funeral Parlor.
Through the screen, Shuichiro Keido instructed Segai, who sat leisurely in his chair.
"But... unfortunately, it's already too late."
Segai shrugged, looking regretful.
"What do you mean?"
Keido asked in a low voice.
"Very simple. Funeral Parlor will launch their attack in two hours."
He replied.
"...Is that intelligence you obtained personally?"
"No. Just my intuition. By the way, my intuition is very accurate."
Segai smiled pleasantly, tapping his temple. After all, he knew Funeral Parlor's habits like the back of his hand.
"...Sunset, huh? I rather hope you're wrong this time, Major Segai."
Keido sighed.
"I'd say... I hope for the exact opposite."
Segai grinned.
"You have a plan?"
"You could say that..."
He curled his lips mysteriously.
Calling it a plan would be inaccurate—it was more like bait. Because he wanted to see that beautiful light once more...!
"Notify Second Lieutenant Daryl... have him lie in ambush near the core. Authorize the use of live ammunition at critical moments."
...
Two hours later—
"That's a lot of guards..."
Argo observed through binoculars. At the dam entrance, numerous GHQ soldiers stood guard, along with a large number of mechs. Clearly, they had anticipated the timing of the attack.
"What do we do, Gai?"
He asked through the comms.
"Proceed with the infiltration as planned. Even if their defenses are tight, our numbers are comparable. Attacking from all sides will increase efficiency and throw them into chaos. Stick to the original plan."
"Gai... it's time."
Sextant reminded him while checking the time.
"I know. Mio... can you hear me?"
Gai spoke through the earpiece to the Shogun, who would lead the charge.
"Mm... speak."
Standing at the front of the main force, the Shogun tapped her earpiece.
"You'll lead the main assault. I'm counting on you."
Perhaps considering that she didn't like being ordered around, he deliberately used a more tactful tone.
The main force would charge forward to draw attention, while Gai, Inori, and Kenji Kido would take the opportunity to infiltrate the facility. That was the plan.
"Mio... be careful."
Inori reminded her through the communicator.
"You too."
Hum~
The Shogun then drew her Musou Isshin. Lightning surged around her body, radiating dazzling brilliance as she prepared for the next step. The sight shocked the Funeral Parlor members waiting behind her.
Wasn't this... a monster?
Was this something a human could even do?
From the beginning, they had doubted whether she was truly human. Was this also part of the Void Virus? They didn't know. But at this point, it didn't matter. The authority she had established within Funeral Parlor far outweighed their doubts. Since Gai trusted her, that was enough.
Besides, in a world plagued by the virus, they had already seen countless strange things. Inori could tear apart mechs with her bare hands—so they had grown used to the unbelievable.
"Black Swan to all units—commence the operation!"
Gai issued the command to all positions.
Crackle~
The Shogun's eyes glowed with lightning, resonating with the gathering storm clouds above. The clouds swirled into a vortex, forming an abyss-like thunderstorm eye.
BOOM!
A massive bolt of lightning crashed down, accompanied by the relentless rain, striking directly at the center of the GHQ forces!
BOOM!
The lightning tore through mechs and fuel barrels, triggering massive explosions that spread like floodlights across the battlefield. The GHQ troops—already prepared for an attack—were completely caught off guard. No one had expected such an overwhelming opening strike.
"Enemy attack!!" ×N
"What is this?!" ×N
Hum~
As countless bolts of lightning swept across the field, the GHQ forces instantly fell into disarray. Their formation collapsed, and they began firing wildly in confusion.
"All units—charge!!!"
Seeing this, Gai smiled and issued the order.
"OHH!!" ×N
The Funeral Parlor soldiers roared in unison. Argo drove a truck forward, smashing through the base gates along with the convoy behind him, plunging straight into the chaotic battlefield. Some GHQ soldiers were sent flying by the impact as they forcefully broke through the blockade.
Oogumo led ambush units from all directions, emerging to cut down enemies with rifles and rocket launchers. Ayase piloted the silver mech seized from Daryl Yan, charging into the battlefield and wreaking havoc among the machines!
Already thrown into chaos by the Shogun's earlier strike, the GHQ soldiers couldn't recover in time against the overwhelming assault. Casualties mounted rapidly, and before long, their lines completely collapsed.
During this time, Gai had already cut off communications. Together with Inori and Kenji Kido, he took the opportunity to slip into the facility, weapons in hand, moving quickly toward their destination while eliminating the guards along the way.
So far, everything was going according to plan!
At least, that was what Gai believed.
Hum~!
Boom!
A streak of violet light slashed through the wall ahead. The Shogun stepped through the opening, her body flashing with lightning as she instantly cut down the soldiers who hadn't even had time to react. Then, turning into a bolt of lightning, she sped toward the designated location—she would rendezvous with Gai and the others shortly.
Meanwhile...
Gai saw a large number of soldiers already waiting in the corridor ahead. They raised rocket launchers and fired at the three of them!!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A barrage of rockets scattered toward them like a storm of falling petals.
"Tch... Inori!"
He clicked his tongue and called out to the girl beside him.
Hum~
Without hesitation, Inori thrust her hand into Kido's chest and drew out his Void—the gravity gun. A shot rang out toward the incoming missiles.
Bubble-like waves surged from the barrel, swallowing the rockets and stripping them of momentum, suspending them in midair. Increasing the output, the bubbles expanded to envelop the soldiers themselves, lifting them up like the missiles.
Bang!
The adjacent wall burst open as a streak of violet light crashed through. The Shogun appeared in human form and drew her blade in a single motion. Countless slashes filled the space, cutting apart both soldiers and rockets suspended in the air!
"Perfect timing... Mio."
Gai let out a breath of relief.
"Are you hurt?"
Inori asked with concern.
"No... they're not worth the trouble."
She shook her head and flicked her blade, shaking off the blood.
"Figures... we don't have much time. Let's move."
They needed to take the elevator ahead down to the lowest level underground—that was where the floating cage was located.
"Gai... more reinforcements are coming."
Hearing the approaching footsteps in the distance, Inori warned him.
"Damn it..."
"I'll handle them. You go down."
The Shogun stepped forward without hesitation, taking on the task herself. After all, this was what she excelled at. The complicated work could be left to the specialists behind her.
"Mio..."
"Let's go... Inori."
Gai made his decision without hesitation.
"...Mm."
Inori pressed her lips together, then relented, supporting Kido's unconscious body as she followed Gai away.
"..."
Looking at the soldiers now standing before her, the Shogun let out a faint sigh.
"Let me say this first—there is no end to suffering until you turn back. If you don't wish to die, then leave now, and I will spare you."
Whoosh!
She spun Musou Isshin lightly before holding it horizontally in front of her chest. The violet blade gleamed, matching the cold indifference in her eyes. Her voice was as sharp as ice.
Yet whether they didn't understand or simply refused to retreat, the soldiers said nothing. They raised their guns, making their intent clear.
"Haa... foolish. If that is your choice, then don't blame me for being merciless."