Time flows back and forth, yet only you remain by my side.
Boom!
Lightning flashed once more, and the Shogun stepped out from it in human form, casually dusting off her hands.
"Let's go."
She spoke offhandedly.
"..." ×N
Everyone stared at her blankly.
"Hm? Is there a problem?"
She asked in confusion.
"... (shaking heads)!" ×N
A synchronized wave of head-shaking followed.
"If there's no problem, then we'll return the way we came."
Emilia and the others should be halfway there by now, right?
"Yes." ×N
They answered obediently.
[Heh... you scared them.]
Ei chuckled teasingly.
'Haa...'
She sighed and shook her head helplessly.
On the other side...
BOOM!!
The explosion on the horizon drew Emilia's attention as she rode in the dragon carriage toward the royal capital. Hearing the thunderous echo, she immediately stood up and hurried to the edge of the carriage, looking up.
"...Shogun."
Gazing at the fiery clouds in the sky, she softly murmured that name in her heart. The hand resting on the window frame tightened unconsciously.
"Big Sister... is everything alright?"
Behind her, the blonde girl named Petra tugged gently at her sleeve. Her voice was as soft as a kitten's, yet her eyes carried a maturity beyond her years.
Emilia snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at the girl beside her. Smiling reassuringly, she sat back down and lifted Petra into her arms so they could sit side by side.
"I'm fine... What about you?"
She asked gently, brushing a hand across Petra's forehead.
"I'm fine too. Big Sister is already working so hard. I'm still so small..."
Petra thought for a moment before shaking her head lightly.
"I don't want to cause trouble for you sisters either."
Emilia stroked her hair.
"...Mm. Such a good girl."
"Why not sleep for a while?"
She asked.
Aside from Petra, the other children were already lying in the carriage under blankets, sleeping soundly—though their sleeping postures were less than ideal.
"No... I want to stay with you. I feel like Big Sister has something on her mind."
Petra shook her head. That small display of maturity left Emilia momentarily stunned, making her sigh inwardly at how well-behaved the girl was.
"...Haa."
She exhaled softly and looked at the scenery drifting past outside. Not only their carriage, but a long procession of dragon carriages ahead was also heading toward the royal capital. It was afternoon now, and most of the passengers were dozing off, leaving the surroundings unusually quiet.
"Big Sister..."
"...Hm?"
Hearing her call, Emilia turned back.
"Are you thinking about the other big sister? The purple-haired pretty one..."
"Eh? How did you... figure that out?"
Emilia was startled. Could this child—
"Intuition."
Petra smiled like a little adult.
"..."
This child is really something... heh...
She laughed bitterly inwardly.
"I—?"
Just as she was about to explain, a familiar light appeared in the distance—a pale violet streak as beautiful as a falling star. The light descended from the sky, flying straight toward her carriage!
"!"
Instinctively, she hugged Petra tightly, bracing for impact. But the expected collision never came—
"?"
She turned her head and saw the light slow abruptly just before striking the carriage. It dissolved into flowing particles of light and slipped inside, gathering into human form opposite her.
"...Sorry to keep you waiting."
The Shogun's eyes still shimmered with lingering divine violet light. Even the ends of her braid glowed faintly. For a moment, Emilia and Petra stared in awe—the radiance was dazzling, beautiful, and warm.
[For a moment, I thought you'd crash straight in.]
Ei teased.
'I'm not that reckless. Unlike you, who can't control your flight strength.'
She replied flatly in her mind, taking the chance to jab back at her mother's old habit.
[That's mean.]
Ei pouted in mock grievance.
"Big Sister, welcome back!"
Petra greeted her brightly.
"Mm..."
She smiled at the child.
"Ahh~ I'm suddenly sleepy... I'm going to nap~"
Petra deliberately feigned drowsiness, slipping past Emilia. As she did, she gave her a quick wink—clearly saying, I'll give you two some space.
"...///"
Emilia's face flushed red. She wanted to say something but found herself unable to form the words. Awkwardly, she moved to sit beside the Shogun instead, nervously smoothing her skirt.
"Where are the others?"
She asked.
"Behind us."
The Shogun gestured to the rear. Emilia looked and saw a plume of smoke in the distance—clearly the trail of a marching army. Felix at the front waved enthusiastically from afar.
"Pfft..."
For some reason, Emilia couldn't help but laugh before sitting back down.
"What are you laughing at?"
The Shogun asked in confusion.
"Nothing~"
Emilia shook her head, her tone teasing.
"...Haa."
She chose not to press further and simply sat quietly, gazing at the passing scenery.
"What about the Witch Cult near the village?"
Emilia asked.
"You'll never see them again."
She answered vaguely.
"Including the one who killed Subaru? What was his name... Petel...geuse?"
"He had it worse. You're better off not knowing."
The Shogun let out a faint scoff at the memory before replying.
"Haa... I see. At least everyone will be safe for a while."
Emilia visibly relaxed. No matter what, the danger had been removed. The past few days had exhausted them—rushing back to the mansion overnight. Thankfully, they had made it in time. Otherwise... it would have all started over.
Her gaze drifted across the carriage and settled on Petra, who had truly fallen asleep. Unlike the boys' messy positions, Petra slept gracefully on her side, small body curled slightly, fingertips resting near her lips, chest rising and falling softly.
"Shogun..."
"Hm?"
Lost in thought, she looked up at the call.
"Do you like children?"
Emilia suddenly asked an oddly abrupt question.
"..."
The Shogun paused, thinking briefly as she glanced at the sleeping Petra. Then she sighed.
"Haa... depends."
A vague answer.
"Depends? What do you mean?"
Emilia tilted her head.
"I like children who are obedient and don't cause me trouble. Not the kind of brats who stir up problems. And they must be girls."
She stated her conditions plainly.
"...Pfft. I see, hehe~"
Emilia began laughing, clearly amused.
"Why are you laughing?"
She folded her arms, sounding mildly dissatisfied—though her voice remained gentle.
"Nothing. It's just that hearing you say something like that makes you sound a little childish yourself, Shogun."
Emilia shook her head.
[You got laughed at, Shogun.]
Ei chimed in at just the right moment.
'Well, excuse me~! I got laughed at~! I've embarrassed you~!'
She retorted loudly in her mind, as if arguing back.
[You really have become more human.]
Through these exchanges, Ei felt her daughter had completely shed the stiff nature of a puppet. No... perhaps that change had begun long ago.
How wonderful...
Isn't it, Makoto?
Bang!
Suddenly, the carriage halted abruptly, as if encountering an emergency. Not only theirs—every dragon carriage ahead stopped in succession.
"What happened?!"
Emilia sprang to her feet.
"Lady Emilia! Lady Raiden!"
The driver jumped down and hurried over.
"What is it?"
The Shogun asked.
"Something's wrong! Lady Crusch's army has been attacked!!"
The driver shouted, face pale.
"What?! Attacked?!"
Emilia gasped.
"..."
The Shogun frowned and immediately leapt down from the carriage.
"Wait—! Shogun!"
Emilia hurried after her.
Why?
Why would they be attacked? The threat to the village had already been eliminated.
And how did they know Crusch would take this route?
Was it merely coincidence?
When they arrived at the scene, what met their eyes was complete devastation.
Large numbers of soldiers lay in pools of blood, their bodies soaked crimson. Some were reduced to shattered limbs. The dragon carriages that had once transported the White Whale were now wrecked, broken and lopsided on the ground. The White Whale's corpse itself was gone—only its massive skeleton and scraps of entrails remained, as if something had devoured it.
In short—casualties were catastrophic.
The returning troops hurried to carry the severely wounded onto the dragon carriages. Reinforcements from the royal capital were summoned as well, and the injured were transported back to Karsten Castle.
By the time they reached the capital, it was already around nine in the evening.
Unlike the usual tranquility, the front courtyard of the Karsten estate was filled with the groans of the wounded and screams born of agony.
Torches had been lit all around, illuminating the dim grounds. Medical personnel dressed in white uniforms rushed about constantly. The earth was covered with injured soldiers, and from time to time stretchers carried others away. The sight was harrowing.
"..."
The Shogun stepped into the courtyard filled with wails, her expression complicated as she looked at the wounded on the ground. Beneath her gaze, blue glimmers of healing magic flickered everywhere like stars scattered across the dark grass. Yet though it was the color of hope, it was steeped in sorrow.
"Hold on!!"
"Ughhh!!"
"Doctor! He's not going to make it!"
"Damn it! We can't keep up!"
"Do we have more hands? It's not enough here!"
Shouts from the medics rang in her ears.
Tap... tap...
Emilia walked up beside her, face pale, staring at the same scene.
"It's too tragic... What exactly happened?"
Her hands were clenched tightly before her chest, her voice trembling.
There was no doubt they had been ambushed—but by whom?
"No—!!!!"
A heart-wrenching cry drew their attention.
It was... Felix?
They looked over and saw Felix collapsed over Crusch's unconscious body. Her face was deathly pale, like that of a corpse. Tear tracks covered Felix's face as he sobbed uncontrollably against her chest.
The Shogun led Emilia through the surrounding soldiers and crouched beside them. The lively spirit Felix usually carried was gone. His eyes were dim, as though he had lost all hope.
"How is she?"
Though the question was harsh, she asked it anyway.
"..." (shakes head)
Felix suppressed his sobs and shook his head.
Everyone understood at once.
"Her heart... it stopped..."
He answered through tears.
"What?!"
Emilia shuddered.
"Ugh...! Waaaah...! Lady Crusch, I'm sorry... It's my fault. I couldn't protect you."
Felix clung to the valiant woman's body, pressing his lips lightly to her forehead, murmuring in deep guilt.
"..."
The Shogun frowned slightly at the sight. Then she moved around them and knelt on the other side, gently lifting Crusch into her arms.
Felix stared blankly but did not stop her.
Perhaps... there was still hope?
The Shogun held Crusch close, placed her fingers beneath her nose to test for breath, then leaned down to listen to the silent chest. Biting her lower lip, she pressed her palm against Crusch's heart.
She carefully calculated the output of lightning element—enough to stimulate without damaging the body.
Zzt!
A flash of electricity coursed through her hand. Crusch's body jerked upward.
Zzt!
Another discharge.
Her body arched again.
"..." ×N
Everyone held their breath. Felix clasped his hands in prayer. Emilia stared without blinking.
"Haa..."
The Shogun exhaled softly. This time, a sigil of Electro appeared in her palm, guiding the lightning more precisely into the heart.
Zzt!
The final shock.
"..." ×N
Silence fell.
She lowered her head once more to listen.
...Thump... thump... thump-thump...
"..."
A flicker of relief appeared in her eyes. Slowly, she lifted her head and met Felix's gaze.
She gave a small nod.
"!!!"
Felix hurriedly embraced Crusch, listening for her heartbeat and checking her breathing before bursting into tears again.
Clap... clap... clap clap clap! ×N
The surrounding soldiers began applauding the purple-haired woman at the center. Their eyes shone with gratitude and reverence. She had saved their lord—she was nothing short of a hero.
The Shogun looked at the applause and the admiring gazes without a trace of self-satisfaction. She merely shook her head slightly and rose, intending to leave.
"Wait... Raiden dear."
"?"
Hearing Felix's tear-stained voice, she turned in confusion—only to be suddenly embraced. Startled, she instinctively stepped back half a pace.
"Thank you... Raiden dear. You're our benefactor. Felix and the House of Karsten will always stand open to you. I'm sure Lady Crusch would say the same. We're honored to be your allies."
At such close range, Felix looked at her, tears still sliding down his face as he spoke in a trembling voice.
"Haa... there's no need—"
"No, there is, meow~! It's the Karsten family rule, understand~?"
Felix puffed his cheeks in mock insistence, the cat ears atop his head twitching.
"...Understood."
Helpless against his persistence, she finally nodded.
"Sorry... My earlier behavior must have made you uncomfortable, right?"
After releasing her, Felix remembered his identity as a man and blushed slightly, covering his mouth with a delicate gesture that looked no different from a girl's.
"...It's fine. I understand."
She shook her head gently, her tone softening.
"Mm... that's good, meow~"
Felix winked sweetly before returning to Crusch's side.
The Shogun shifted her gaze to the other wounded—and to the exhausted medics still rushing about.
She wanted to do something for them. With her own power.
[You want to use Musou Isshin to save them?]
Ei guessed immediately.
'...May I?'
She asked.
[Of course. You don't need to ask me for permission. Don't be distant.]
Ei's voice softened.
'Mm.'
She stepped into the center of the courtyard and drew the divine and resplendent blade from her chest.
Every time Musou Isshin emerged, it brought a sense of comfort that made her narrow her eyes slightly, savoring the warmth from within.
Divine radiance enveloped everyone present. All eyes were drawn to the beautiful woman standing with her blade raised high.
"!" ×N
They stared in stunned silence. Even the medics paused instinctively. The wounded, Emilia, everyone—none could look away.
The entire courtyard was bathed in dreamlike violet light, enchanting and unreal.
From Musou Isshin drifted gentle particles of light, scattering into the bodies of every injured soldier present.
Under that warm glow, their wounds began healing at a visible pace.
"!!" ×N
Gasps spread throughout the crowd. Some medics even stumbled backward in shock.
Hummm—
The light gradually faded.
Hell had turned into paradise.
Where broken bodies once lay, whole and restored soldiers now stood—or slowly rose—staring in disbelief.
Hummm—
She sheathed the blade and released a quiet breath.
"Incredible...!"
"What was that just now? A healing spell?"
"No, it was nothing like healing magic. It felt like... like a blessing from a god!"
"Is she a goddess?"
"Can someone that powerful truly exist in this world?"
The soldiers began whispering among themselves.
"Shogun..."
Emilia stared at her back, her eyes now holding a trace of inquiry.
Just who was she, really?
Was she truly nothing more than a princess from a distant land?
No matter what, the Shogun had earned the trust of everyone present.
No—perhaps not just trust.
Faith.
After all... nothing inspires belief more than being saved at the brink of death.