Guard's office, Seiryuu City, DesuMachi Planet..
Iona returned to the guard's office and stepped into Knight Thorne's office. The old knight, cheerful and jolly attitude earlier was gone and replaced by an unusually serious expression. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes were staring at the data he wrote earlier, detailing the statuses of Hachiman and his group.
"I'm back, Knight Thorne," Iona greeted, knocking lightly before entering. "Please tell me nothing concerning show up."
Thorne lifted his gaze and let out a hum. "Hmm. No real worries. As we suspected, they are using some kind of artifact to hide parts of their data, but thankfully there are no red flags." He leaned back slightly in his chair. "Just as you thought, they might be a young couple who lost their home or ran off together, trying to start anew."
Iona let out a small sigh, a knowing look in her eyes. "So I was right then…"
"Still," Thorne continued, tapping the parchment where Hachiman's name was written, "there's no doubt they're extraordinary. Especially that boy. He's got the look of someone who's seen battle and survived it."
He stared at the report, remembering how Hachiman instinctively positioned himself around his companions earlier, every movement was protective. "Looking at his skills alone, one could tell he's fought with everything he had just to protect his wife, his child, and his sister. If someone told me that kid was a hero, I wouldn't doubt it for a second."
Iona arched an eyebrow, leaning closer to glance at the data. Her eyes widened slightly at his level and the abundance of combat-related skills listed beside his name.
"No wonder he managed to catch Zena before she fell… he's quite a high level one," Iona murmured softly, scanning the parchment. Her eyes turned to the paper beside Hachiman's name. "And his wife isn't far behind. Not only graceful in demeanor but formidable in battle as well."
A faint shiver ran through her as she recalled the moment Mei's cold eyes met hers, that suffocating pressure rolling off her in waves. The image of Mei's blade pointed at her burned vividly in her mind, how the air buzzing with that merciless lightning dancing around her body, her silence screaming louder than words: If you hurt him, you're done for.
"Poor Zena," Iona whispered under her breath, a small sigh escaping. "Her heart's probably gonna break, realizing her 'crush' already has a powerful and beautiful wife."
"Hahaha! That's life, missy!" Thorne's booming laugh echoed through the room. "The early bird gets the worm! Unless, of course, the missus allows the lad to take a mistress—then that Zena lass might have her chance."
Iona rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Somehow, I don't see that happening. That woman's as protective as they come."
—--
"P-p-please, I-I can e-explain!" Sora stammered, shrinking under the three exasperated stares aimed directly at her. "It's just—ehh—yes! The aunties and uncles kept calling me to look at their items! It's not like I got distracted by new sights or anything! Really! Believe me! I… I never lie to either of you, right? Hachi-nii? Mei-nee?"
Hachiman pinched the bridge of his nose, his sigh halfway between tired and amused. "Normally, we'd believe you—since, as you said, you've never lied to us. But when a five-minute walk from the gate to the inn turns into half an hour because you keep vanishing every time something new catches your eye… it's a bit much, isn't it?"
Sora froze, her lips twitching into a weak smile. "...Maybe just a little?"
"Sora-chan," Mei's tone softened but still held firm authority, "we understand that you're curious and excited about everything new, but running off alone without telling anyone isn't okay. Do you know how worried we get every time you suddenly disappear? Even Patricia-san had to chase after you more than once."
Patricia, standing beside Mei, gave a tired yet fond smile. "I think I lost count after the fifth time."
Seeing Sora's guilty expression, Hachiman crouched down in front of her, taking a wet tissue to wipe off a streak of sauce on her cheek from the skewer she'd just eaten. "We're not mad because you misbehaved, Sora. We're scolding you because you made us worry. Got it?"
Sora looked down for a moment before nodding earnestly. "Uhhmm… yes, I understand. Sorry, Hachi-nii, Mei-nee, Patricia-san… I won't do it again."
Mei smiled and nodded, gently patting Sora's head while Kagura copied her action with a proud little grin, patting Sora too. Patricia let out a small sigh of relief, the tension finally easing.
"As long as you understand and don't do it again," Mei said softly.
"Au!" Kagura chirped, as if seconding her mother's words.
Patricia smiled. "Apology accepted, Miss Sora. And if something catches your eye again, do let us know. I won't mind accompanying you next time."
"Okay," Sora replied with a sheepish grin before reaching out to tickle Kagura, who burst into laughter and quickly hid herself back into Mei's arms.
"Alright," Hachiman said with a faint smile, taking Sora's hand. "Shall we head back and finally settle down at the inn?"
No one objected, so the group began walking down the road toward the main gate. The market was lively and full of chatter; carts rattled past, merchants called out, and the scent of fresh bread and spices filled the air. Kagura's bright eyes move from one sight to another, curiosity flashing in them. When a few passersby noticed her peeking from Mei's arms and waved, she squeaked in surprise and hid under Mei's hair—only to peek out shyly again, drawing soft laughter from those around.
Mei chuckled, stroking Kagura's head. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she murmured before placing a tender kiss on her temple. Kagura giggled and snuggled closer into her embrace.
Hachiman glanced sideways at the two, his expression softening. Watching Mei caring from Kagura so gently stirred something within him, a small sense of warmth and peace he hadn't realized he missed. 'Maybe this isn't such a bad decision after all…'
Suddenly, Sora stopped walking, causing Hachiman to bump lightly into her. When he looked at her, she was staring off toward something in the crowd, her expression strangely blank and unreadable.
"Sora?" he asked, brows furrowing.
"...Please wait a bit, Hachi-nii," Sora said, slipping her hand from his hold.
Before he could ask, she ran off into the busy street. The sudden movement left Hachiman, Mei, and Patricia exchanging puzzled glances.
"What is she—" Mei began, only to be cut off by the sound of shouting nearby.
"What the?! Why the heck are these filthy beasts doing here in the eastern block?!"
Not wasting a second, the three followed the source of the commotion.
"S-sorry!" a small child with cat-like ears cried out, bowing repeatedly in panic. She wore ragged clothes and clutched a few pieces of wood. Beside her, another child with dog-like ears and the same worn outfit trembled as tears welled in her eyes, hastily trying to pick up the fallen wood.
"...S-sorry... Nanodesu..." the second child whimpered, her voice shaking.
"Tsk! What's with those looks?!" the man snapped, glaring down at them. He kicked the wooden bundle from their hands, stomping on it with a loud crack.
"Ah—!" Both children gasped, fear filling their eyes as they watched the wood split under his feet.
"Just what the hell is your master thinking?! Not even putting a proper leash on the likes of you—"
Before he could finish, someone slammed into him, shoving him back a step.
"What the—?!" the man barked, only to freeze as he saw Sora standing in front of him. Her small frame shielded the two trembling children, her gentle eyes narrowed in silent fury. "...Another damn child?!"
"You… what do you think you're doing?" Sora's voice was even, with hints of coldness that were so unlike her usual bright and sweet tone. The warmth she was known for was nowhere to be found, replaced by something different as her anger radiated off her in waves. She wasn't even able to realize it, but a tiny wave of Trailblaze energy burst from her, chilling the air around them. "A grown man bullying children… don't you feel even a little ashamed?"
The man stiffened, color draining from his face before it returned in a furious red. The crowd's murmurs and snickers only fueled his humiliation.
"Y-you brat!" he shouted, trembling with rage. "You dare talk back to me?!" He raised his hand, ready to slap her across the face.
Sora's hand moved instinctively to her pouch, reaching for one of the self-defense items that the crew had made her carry but before she could take it out, someone came between her and the man.
"This is just a warning, sir," Patricia said coolly, her dagger pressing against the man's neck. The burst of her mana spread like a shockwave, silencing the plaza. "Touch the young miss with that filthy hand of yours, and I'll make sure you won't even have time to regret it."
"Wha—!" The man froze as cold sweat trickled down his temple, the cold blade of her dagger digging on his skin.
Then, another voice, deeper, commanding, colder, cut through the tense atmosphere
"As what my sister said," came the calm yet weighty tone that made the air itself grow heavy. "If you're so eager to make trouble, pick someone your own size."
The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path for Hachiman. His steps were slow and confident. His eyes glowed in a dangerous neon indigo that sent shivers to those who looked directly into it. The sheer heaviness of his presence made those nearby lower their heads, wanting to kneel in his reverence, unable to meet his gaze. It felt less like a man walking through the market and more like a king entering his throne room.
Beside him, Mei followed silently her eyes glowing with hot pink light, her presence was no less than Hachiman. Even little Kagura, carried in her arms, glared at the man with a pout that somehow showed her own displeasure.
"So, how about it?" Hachiman's voice carried an authority that made the air heavy. "Can you face me instead, or what?"
He stopped beside Sora, his flat gaze never leaving the man. With a slight wave of his hand, he wordlessly signaled Patricia to stand down.
Patricia nodded, stepping back to stand beside Sora as Mei joined them. The man's knees trembled, his earlier arrogance dissolving under Hachiman's stare. Hachiman's expression hardened further; he let out a snort that didn't hide his disdain, before dismissing the man with a wave. "Yeah.. thought so. Then leave before you embarrass yourself any further."
The man stumbled back, then turned and bolted, nearly tripping over himself as he fled through the crowd. The tension eased, though faint murmurs came from the crowd as they disperse.
Hachiman clicked his tongue softly and turned his attention toward the children Sora had protected. They were small and thin, one with cat-like ears, the other with floppy dog ears, and both wore rags as clothes that barely covered their small frames. Barefoot and shaking, on their necks were collars tightly fitted.
'So they're slaves…' he thought grimly, his jaw tightening.
Sora quickly crouched and began gathering the scattered wood, her hands moving with care. Patricia knelt beside her, helping her to tie the bundle together.
"Here you go," Sora said gently, holding out the tied bundle. "This is yours, right?"
"...T-thank you…"
"Th-thank you, nanodesu…"
The cat-eared and dog-eared girls accepted the wood, their tails wagging hesitantly, eyes filled with gratitude.
"Are either of you hurt?" Sora asked softly, concern clear in her voice.
"No," said the cat-eared girl quickly.
"We are okay, nanodesu," added the dog-eared one, nodding.
Sora exhaled a breath of relief and patted her chest. "I see… That's good. There are a lot of people on this street, so you two have to be careful, alright?"
"Yes!" "Understand, nanodesu!"
they replied in unison, their little voices bright despite their ragged self.
They bowed deeply in gratitude before turning to run off into the crowd.
"Ah—wait!" Sora called, raising a hand, but the two were already gone, their small figures lost among the bustling market.
Her shoulders drooped slightly. The spark in her eyes dimmed just a little.
Sensing it, Kagura squirmed in Mei's arms and reached out toward her. "Auuuu?"
Sora blinked, then smiled warmly and took Kagura's tiny hand. "I'm okay, Kagura-chan. Thank you," she said gently, squeezing it.
Mei and Hachiman exchanged a brief glance. They were proud of how Sora had shown compassion, but they couldn't ignore the faint shadow in her expression, the sadness hidden behind her smile. It worried them that she might have been disillusioned about this expedition because of this world's cruelty.
"…Let's go," Hachiman said after a moment of silence, resting his hand on Sora's head.
"Mm." She nodded, voice small.
With that, the five of them continued their walk back to the inn. The usual cheer was absent this time as their mood maker was silent, her steps just a little heavier than before.
—----
Unknown to Hachiman, a passing wagon went by, its passengers a group of young girls and women, all wearing the same collars as the two children they had just met. Among them, a girl with striking purple hair and violet eyes froze, her eyes locked onto him. Her breath caught as she followed his figure until he vanished into the crowd.
"There's no mistake…" she whispered under her breath, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and hope. "That man… he's definitely Japanese." Her eyes softened as she looked toward the sleeping black-haired girl resting beside her. "Maybe… this is our chance."
Her fingers curled tightly against her skirt, determination replacing her hesitation. She turned her eyes toward the fading afternoon sky, determination glowing in her gaze. "Maybe that person can help us…"
"Arisa?" The black-haired girl stirred awake, rubbing her sleepy eyes and looking up at her. "Is something wrong?"
The purple-haired girl—Arisa—quickly shook her head with a gentle smile and reached out to hold the girl's hand. "It's nothing, Lulu. It's just… I think I finally found our salvation."
The girl—Lulu—tilted her head, confusion mixing with concern. "...Okay?"
"Nyahahaha!! Don't mind it, Lulu-neesama! Just treat it as my usual grumbling~" Arisa said, rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish grin.
"If you say so…" Lulu replied, though her tone held a touch of concern.
Seeing her sister pacified, Arisa turned her gaze once more in the direction where Hachiman had gone. The smile on her lips faded into something softer, almost wistful.
'I don't care which god you are… please, just give me one chance… just one chance to meet that person again,' she prayed silently, her fingers clutching the hem of her skirt. 'So that I can free my sister and myself from this curse and live a normal life once more.'
As her simple wish faded into the wind, the story returned to Hachiman and his group. Kagura, snuggled comfortably in Mei's arms, suddenly sneezed, a tiny, high-pitched sound that startled everyone around her. The little girl blinked in confusion, rubbing her nose with both hands.
"Au?" she murmured, earning soft chuckles from the group.
—----
A few hours later, Hachiman and the others finally settled in at the inn, renting three rooms for their ten-day stay in Seiryuu City—one for Hachiman, one for Patricia, and another shared by Mei, Sora, and Kagura. Although separated by rooms, they made sure to stay connected by installing the 'Anywhere Door: Trailblazer Edition,' a joint invention of Noah and Hajime (with Anisphia inevitably tagging along out of curiosity). Like its name suggests, the door could open to any location simply by turning the knob but this version, infused with the power of Trailblaze, could connect to anywhere in the universe registered in the Silver Rails map.
They used it to move freely between rooms, especially for Patricia whenever Mei needed help with Kagura. Since the inn lacked proper bathing facilities, only offering a backyard well for guests to draw water, they connected the door to their Trailblazer's Tent, where they could bathe and relax comfortably.
During dinner earlier, however, the usually lively Sora was uncharacteristically quiet. She only responded when Hachiman or Mei spoke to her, her cheerful energy replaced by distracted silence. Even Kagura seemed to sense something was wrong. The baby girl tried her best to cheer Sora up, playfully tugging her sleeve and feeding her bits of food, earning a few giggles but behind those fleeting smiles, Hachiman, Mei, and Patricia could see the shadow in Sora's eyes.
She was still thinking about the two beastkin children and the man from earlier. The injustice she witnessed had clearly left its mark on her heart.
At that moment, they were all resting in their rooms. Sora sat at her desk, her pen moving across the page without focus. The homework in front of her was half-filled, though her eyes often went toward the window, watching the streets of Seiryuu City come alive with the night life.
She sighed, forcing herself to look back at her homework as if numbers and letters could drown out her thoughts. Just as she turned another page, a soft clink broke the silence.
"Please have some, Sora-chan," Mei said gently, setting down a tray with a steaming cup of milk and a small plate of cut fruits. "It'll help refresh your mind."
"Hii!!" Sora squeaked, jumping in her seat before spinning around. "M-Mei-nee! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Mei blinked in mild surprise before smiling wryly. "I didn't. You were just too absorbed to notice me."
"E-even still!" Sora puffed her cheeks in protest, grabbing the cup and taking a sip. The warmth of the milk seemed to melt her tension.
"Mmm~ delish!" she hummed happily as she picked at the fruits next.
Seeing Sora's cheer slowly return, Mei exhaled softly, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "...Sora-chan, how do you feel right now?"
"Hmm?" Sora blinked, tilting her head. "I'm fine, though?"
"..... Now I'm definitely getting worried," Mei said, her smile strained. "You sound just like Hachiman whenever he says he's fine even when he clearly isn't."
Mei rubbed her temples, a hint of dread in her tone. "What am I going to do if one day you start slouching when you walk… or begin talking like Hachiman, all gloomy and brooding?"
Sora's cheeks twitched. She looked up with half-lidded eyes, clearly unimpressed. "...Just what are you imagining, Mei-nee?"
"Haaa… it's a good thing I told Hachiman I'd be the one to talk to you instead of him," Mei sighed dramatically, resting her hand on her cheek like a tragic heroine. "Or else both of you will just spiral into glominess or something."
"Talk to me? Ehh? About what?" Sora blinked in confusion, tilting her head.
Mei lightly puffed her cheeks in mild frustration at her lack of reaction before composing herself. "Well… we're just a little worried about you, you know. After what happened this afternoon."
"Ah…" Sora's expression softened as she finally understood. "Sorry for worrying you, Mei-nee."
Mei smiled faintly, scratching her cheek. "It's okay. We just wanted to make sure you're alright. It's already bad enough that Hachiman and I are the emotional, brooding types… we don't need a third one joining the club."
Sora let out a wry smile. "I know you're trying to lighten the mood, but that example… hurts a little to hear, you know?"
Mei's laughter came out awkward and broken. "Ahaha… ahaha… ahaha…" she covered her face in embarrassment, her ears slightly red.
Sora sighed, staring at her half-filled glass of milk as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Still… thank you, Mei-nee, for caring for me," she murmured softly. "I just feel… shocked and a little disappointed at how people here treat others just because of what they are. Using some old excuse about what their race did long ago to justify bullying those who had nothing to do with it… it just feels wrong."
From what they had learned earlier during dinner, Martha, the innkeeper's daughter, who heard about the story of what happened at the market street earlier, told them that a few years ago, a group of hunters and merchants were attacked by beastkins outside the city. Since then, the people of Seiryuu grew to despise them, branding all beastkin as dangerous and treating them as lesser beings.
"It finally sank in for me… just how different their ways are from ours." Sora pursed her lips, turning toward the window, watching the lights outside the streets. "Even if I helped those two kids today, there are still countless others suffering the same way."
"Sora-chan…" Mei said, her voice full of concern.
Sora smiled faintly, though her eyes stayed on the view outside. "I guess… even if we have the power to change everything, if the people themselves don't want to take that step forward… nothing will really change, right?" she whispered.
Her voice dropped even lower, barely even audible. "It makes me wonder… does kindness still have a place in this world? Will anyone besides us ever reach out their hand to help?"
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