After discovering the truth about Sailou's fate, the Casoltins fell into despair as they struggled to accept the tragic reality.
Meanwhile, back on the shore outside the forest...
General Ishimī eventually came across Hinomo, who now stood completely healed thanks to the nature of his Abyssal ability.
"Hinomo."
"How did things go with your target?" Ishimī asked.
Hinomo stretched lazily.
"I killed their Captain..."
"...but the acid user defeated me."
Ishimī rested a hand beneath his chin.
"Hmmm..."
"I was told the boy couldn't control his Abyssal ability."
"Did he finally learn to use it?"
Hinomo grinned from ear to ear.
"No."
"He lost control and went completely berserk!"
"I had so much fun!"
"I want to fight him again!♡"
"...Interesting."
Ishimī turned toward the sea.
"In any case..."
"Let's head back to Fuyu."
"I've had enough of this filthy land for one day."
Hinomo happily followed behind him.
The next morning...
Gentle waves splashed peacefully against the ship's hull as the morning sun illuminated the sea.
Below deck—
"Everyone, get down here, quickly!"
Mika's voice echoed throughout the ship.
"What's with all the shouting this early...?" Djong yawned.
"Let's go see what's going on," Fēlō said as he headed downstairs.
The others followed.
When they arrived, Mika stood beside Tuziku's bed, clipboard in hand, staring intensely at his body.
"You all need to see this."
"Huh?"
"I don't see anything..." Dendelon scratched his head.
"No..."
Juzio stepped closer.
"His wounds..."
"Exactly."
Mika nodded.
"Last night I was too exhausted to treat him."
"So I wrapped his injuries in bandages and went to sleep."
She looked back toward Tuziku.
"But when I checked on him this morning..."
"The bandages were gone."
"And every single one of his injuries had completely healed."
The room fell silent.
"...That's impossible," Djong muttered.
"His entire body was burned."
"I saw it with my own eyes!"
"We all did," Dendelon added.
Juzio frowned.
"...How is that even possible?"
Mika glanced toward the nearby beds where Priora and Kutcher still rested.
"They're both still badly injured."
"So the only explanation I can think of..."
"...is that Tuziku somehow healed himself."
Nobody spoke.
"But his ability is acid..."
Fēlō frowned.
"Could acid really heal someone?"
Djong folded his arms.
"Besides..."
"He's still unconscious."
"Can someone heal themselves while unconscious?"
Just then—
"Augh..."
Tuziku groaned.
His eyelids slowly opened.
"Guys..."
"He's waking up," Dendelon whispered
.
Everyone gathered around him.
Tuziku slowly adjusted to the light.
W...where am I...?
As his vision cleared, he realized everyone was staring at him.
"...What?"
"Tuziku..."
"You're awake."
Mika smiled softly.
"...Where am I?" he asked weakly.
"Below deck."
"You're safe," Juzio replied.
Tuziku turned toward him.
...Juzio...
Then—
Everything came rushing back.
The battle.
The acid.
Sailou.
His eyes widened.
"Tuziku?!"
"What's wrong?" Mika asked.
"You look pale."
He slowly turned toward her.
"...Sailou..."
"...is he...?"
Silence.
Mika lowered her eyes.
"...I see."
Tuziku lowered his head.
So...
It wasn't a dream.
...
I really killed him.
Before anyone could speak—
Juzio stepped forward.
"Tuziku, listen—"
Tuziku suddenly climbed out of bed.
"I'm..."
"I'm truly sorry!"
He bowed deeply.
"I killed your Captain!"
Tears streamed down his face.
"I don't blame any of you if you want to execute me."
"I'll accept whatever punishment you decide."
"I'm..."
"I'm truly sorry!!"
He collapsed onto his knees, sobbing.
The room remained silent.
Juzio finally stepped forward.
He gently rested a hand on Tuziku's head.
"It's alright."
"We forgive you—"
"Hold it."
Djong stepped forward.
"Don't go forgiving this monster on behalf of the rest of us."
His eyes burned with anger.
Tuziku couldn't bring himself to look at him.
"I haven't forgiven you."
"And I'm more than willing to accept your offer."
He slowly walked toward Tuziku.
Mika immediately stepped in front of him.
"What do you think you're doing, Djong?!"
"Mika..."
His expression twisted.
"Don't tell me..."
"You've forgiven him too?"
"He killed our Captain."
"I told everyone from the very beginning this kid was nothing but trouble."
"I will never forgive him."
He clenched his fists.
Before he could move again—
"That's enough."
Juzio's voice cut through the room.
Djong stopped.
"...Juzio."
"Not you too..."
He covered his face with both hands.
Then lowered them.
"Dendelon..."
"Fēlō..."
"What about you two?"
Silence.
Fēlō slowly stepped beside Mika and Juzio.
Tuziku stared at the floor.
Enough...
Please stop defending me...
I don't deserve it.
"I can't believe you people..."
"We're the traitors now?!" Djong shouted.
Fēlō looked directly at him.
"...This..."
"This is what the Captain would've wanted."
"Tuziku wasn't in control—"
"It's not his fault?"
Dendelon interrupted.
The room went quiet again.
He slowly approached Fēlō.
"Then tell me."
"If we can't blame Tuziku..."
"...what are we supposed to do with this anger?"
He gripped his chest tightly.
"Deep down..."
"You feel it too."
"So do you, Mika."
"Juzio."
"Fēlō."
"The anger."
"The frustration."
"The resentment."
"...Don't you?"
Nobody answered.
Because they couldn't.
Tuziku shut his eyes.
He's right...
Then—
"Of course we do!"
Juzio shouted.
"We loved the Captain just as much as you did!"
"He reached out his hand to us..."
"...when nobody else would."
"B-But—"
Djong stuttered.
"This time..."
Juzio clenched his fist.
"...We'll follow in the Captain's footsteps."
Mika smiled sadly.
"I hate admitting it..."
"But Juzio's right."
"If one of us had done what Tuziku did..."
"The Captain would've forgiven us."
Fēlō extended his hand.
"So..."
"What do you say?"
"Dendelon."
"Djong."
"Can we forgive him?"
Dendelon stood silently.
Then turned around.
"...This is pointless."
"I'm leaving the Casoltins."
"Land the ship."
"I'll get off at the next shore."
He walked away.
Djong remained frozen.
Then—
"...I won't hurt Tuziku."
"But listen carefully."
"For as long as I live..."
"I will never forgive you..."
"...for what you did to our Captain."
He looked toward the floor.
"...I'm leaving too."
"Without Captain Sailou..."
"There are no Casoltins."
Without another word—
He walked away.
The room fell completely silent.
Tuziku remained kneeling.
Unable to lift his head.
Unable to speak.
Unable to forgive himself.
CHAPTER 29 END