The sound of the wind filled the forest.
Footsteps approached Sasaki's unconscious body.
Someone crouched down beside him.
"Still breathing. That's good."
Sasaki slowly opened his eyes.
He was lying inside a wagon.
His hand immediately reached for his blade.
Nothing.
His eyes widened.
My sword...
"You're awake?"
Sasaki looked toward the voice.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm an ally. You were pretty badly injured."
Sasaki relaxed slightly.
But the moment he did, his wounds began bleeding again.
"Damn it..."
A faint light surrounded his body.
Sasaki looked toward the source.
A small girl had her hand pointed toward him.
She was healing him with magic.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Sasaki suddenly sensed something.
His eyes narrowed.
He closed them and listened.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned his head.
An arrow flew into the wagon.
Sasaki raised his hand.
The arrow burst into flames before it could reach him.
The little girl stared at him in shock.
I need food...
Her eyes widened.
"Do you want some food, Mister?"
Sasaki stared at her.
"...Yes. I'd like some food."
The girl immediately got up and ran toward a nearby barrel.
But before she could reach it—
Thwip!
Another arrow flew through the wagon.
It struck the girl.
Sasaki's eyes widened.
But the arrow stopped against an invisible barrier surrounding her.
The girl wasn't even scratched.
Sasaki stared at her.
An automatic protection spell...
"Aren't you scared?" Sasaki asked.
The little girl shook her head.
"How can someone this young not fear death?"
Sasaki's expression darkened.
"This world is disgusting."
"It's okay. This happens all the time."
She smiled.
"They never hit me."
Sasaki stared at her.
"...You can read my mind?"
"Yes."
Sasaki's eyes narrowed.
Then he opened his arms.
"Come here."
The girl hesitated.
"..."
She slowly approached him.
She stopped directly in front of him.
"Is this a trap?"
"No."
Sasaki smiled faintly.
"I'm not a bad person."
"I know that."
The girl climbed onto Sasaki's lap.
He gently rubbed her head.
"What's your name?"
"It's Vera."
"How old are you, Vera?"
"I'm eight years old."
Sasaki's hand stopped.
His expression changed.
He looked at the little girl sitting in his lap.
Then, with a serious expression, he spoke.
"Vera."
"Hm?"
"I'm going to help you."
Vera looked at him.
"You can't."
Sasaki frowned.
"Why can't I?"
"Because I'm dangerous."
Sasaki stared at her.
Then he pulled her into a hug.
"Don't worry."
He held her gently.
"I'm here."
Vera's eyes widened.
A small spark of hope appeared in them.
"You better keep that promise."
"I will."
Eventually, they reached a small cabin deep within the forest.
The two climbed out of the wagon.
"Alright. We're here."
"Where did you take us?" Sasaki asked.
"I was informed to help her."
The man gestured toward Vera.
"But you were just there, so I decided to take you too."
"How convenient," Sasaki muttered.
Someone tugged on Sasaki's pants.
He looked down.
Vera was holding onto his leg.
"Hey, old man."
Sasaki looked toward the man.
"Can you make some food for the kid?"
"I'm already making it."
The man smiled.
"You want some?"
"...No."
Sasaki breaks.
"Just make me some tea. Thank you."
As Vera rolled around on the carpet in the living room, Sasaki watched her.
For some reason...
He felt sad.
"Hey. The food's ready."
"Thanks."
Vera looked at Sasaki.
"Thanks."
Sasaki glanced at her.
She had copied him.
He smiled faintly.
Sasaki drank his tea while Vera ate.
When she made a mess, Sasaki quietly cleaned it up.
Once she finished, Sasaki handed her a cup of warm milk.
"Want it?"
"Yes."
Vera happily took the cup.
She drank it while Sasaki watched.
Once she finished, Sasaki gently picked her up and placed her on the couch.
Vera's eyes slowly closed.
Sasaki stared at her small, sleeping body.
His hands began to tremble.
What I'm doing is... right.
He closed his eyes.
He took one shaky breath.
Then another.
Fire.
Smoke.
Blood beneath his feet.
Sasaki opened his eyes.
Vera's body lay motionless before him.
His expression was empty.
"Forgive me."
Sasaki reached into his coat and pulled out his worn leather notebook.
He opened it to a blank page.
With trembling hands, he wrote:
Dear Vera,
Sleep well.
Sasaki closed the notebook.
He stood.
Then he walked out of the cabin.
The moment he stepped outside, flames erupted behind him.
Sasaki raised his hand.
"Collapse."
BOOM!
A massive explosion consumed the cabin.
Sasaki pulled his hood over his head.
He stopped.
For a moment, he looked back.
His expression remained empty.
"This is all to find Sister."
His voice was quiet.
"I promise."
Sasaki turned away.
"I'll find you."
The snow continued falling.
Sasaki walked away without looking back.
Poor Vera.