Chapter 81: Kurumi Isn’t a Demon After All
The powerless figure had passed by, and that was that.
Kurumi had been ready to pierce through Horobi's heart with one strike, but seeing what unfolded before her, she was momentarily taken aback.
"Horobi..." Mumei whispered as she gazed up at the woman who resembled a terrifying ghost.
Horobi had already lost consciousness, but for some reason, she had stopped right in front of Mumei.
The Kabaneri Corps was, in truth, an organization that created monsters.
In Soue Arata's lab, beyond the cold iron beds and restraints, there were bloodstained surgical tools and grim experimental records.
To that mad scientist, Kabanes were nothing more than specimens. Unlike Ikoma, who scavenged corpses to study them, Soue Arata, backed by the Kabaneri Corps, could recklessly experiment on the "living" Kabanes.
Even Kabaneri were merely rarer specimens to him.
Because of the unique nature of Nue, most of the young girls brought into the Kabaneri Corps for modification were like Horobi—either driven by hatred after losing their families or lured in through traps set by the hunters.
These girls all shared a deep-seated hatred for the Kabane.
And hatred was the best fuel for their transformation.
In the infectious speeches of Biba Amatori, these young girls were led to accept surgery, convinced that the weak had no right to control their own fate.
Their names were stripped away, leaving only cold, impersonal designations.
Mumei... was the sole survivor among those girls. All her former companions had either become Kabanes or perished at the hands of the Kabaneri Corps.
Horobi had watched Mumei gradually transform into the "claw" of the Kabaneri Corps.
Ten years ago, Biba Amatori had already become a vengeful ghost, consumed only by hatred for his father's betrayal. No one understood this better than Horobi, who had willingly offered everything for him.
And yet... she had always felt a trace of pity for Mumei.
Horobi was, in truth, a gentle and timid soul. She simply offered everything she had to the one she adored.
The pinkish-red blade stopped, perhaps because of her confusion and pity for Mumei, or perhaps because of her fear of Kurumi.
But Kurumi didn't appreciate having someone point a weapon at her.
She lifted her right foot and stepped down.
As if it were by some law of nature, Horobi, who had thrown herself forward, ended up beneath Kurumi's foot.
Black and red shadows spread out from Kurumi, and a steam rifle floated out from the darkness, landing in her hand.
The muzzle was aimed right at Horobi's head.
"Kurumi-nee!" Mumei cried out, clutching onto Kurumi, pleadingly. Horobi was one of the two people in the Kabaneri Corps who had treated her with kindness.
Sigh Kurumi sighed.
"Zafkiel!"
A massive clock, towering twice her height, manifested behind her. The utterly unscientific sight left Mumei utterly astonished.
Is this... a god?
"Dalet - Fourth Bullet."
Kurumi twirled the steam rifle in her hand before placing the barrel against Horobi's forehead. Black and red shadows surged into the gun as she pulled the trigger.
To Mumei's disbelief, instead of shattering Horobi's head, the severed arm nearby was pulled back, reattaching itself.
As if time itself had been reversed, the blood-red armor slowly faded away, revealing Horobi's pale, soft skin beneath.
It was nothing short of a miracle.
It was the reversal of time.
As events twisted and turned, Biba Amatori signaled to the Kokujou outside the city.
The effects of the new drug had exceeded expectations, producing even more power than Mumei had shown. Yet, he hadn't anticipated that Mumei would suddenly interfere, or that Kurumi would be this powerful.
It had completely disrupted his plans.
The Kokujou thundered forward toward Iwato Station. Inside were still hundreds of Kabanes, a grand gift he intended to send to Kongoukaku.
But it didn't matter. He would simply collect a few refugees as they fled Iwato Station, toss in a few Kabanes, and gain a few train cars full of Kabane weapons.
The Kokujou accelerated, charging toward Iwato Station.
The chains connecting the drawbridge had already been severed—there was no one to stop the Kokujou.
Biba Amatori leapt onto the platform at the front of the train, drawing his black-and-red long blade as he gave the order:
"Crush them!"
That infuriating woman stood on the tracks, and although Mumei and Horobi were also there, sacrifices had to be made for the greater cause.
But just as he gave the order, the Kokujou slowly ground to a halt right in front of Kurumi.
"What are you doing?!" Biba Amatori furiously kicked the train door.
The door opened, but the figure that emerged left him utterly horrified—it was Kurumi again.
Biba Amatori raised his blade, pointing it at Kurumi, then turned around in disbelief, only to find that the girl standing on the tracks, stepping on his loyal subordinate, was also Kurumi.
There were even two of them!
He felt as though he was losing his mind. This incomprehensible situation drove him to the edge of madness.
Looking into the train car, he was horrified to see countless more versions of Kurumi inside, all smiling at him with malicious intent. The hunters of the Kabaneri Corps lay slumped haphazardly on the floor.
"Hehehehehe..."
"Hehehehehe..."
The nightmare-like laughter filled the air, surrounding Biba Amatori, as shadowy figures circled around him.
Kurumi even used a bit of illusion magic, pushing Biba Amatori's mind to the breaking point.
In a desperate frenzy, Biba Amatori charged at Kurumi with his blade, only to be knocked down with a single hit from her rifle butt.
In the end, Kurumi didn't kill the pink-haired man. Mumei's distressed expression softened Kurumi's heart.
It's just a "brother," after all. Fine, I'll let him live.
As compensation, Mumei, nestled in Kurumi's arms like a kitten, mewled softly and adorably, calling her "Onee-sama" over a hundred times.
After all, Kurumi wasn't a demon.
The endless bodies of Kabanes and the foul blood continued to attract more Kabanes from the wilderness. But fortunately, the breach in the city wall was small enough to hold them off.
Lord Maeda thanked Kurumi profusely, issuing a gag order. Perhaps in his eyes, there wasn't much difference between Kurumi and a deity.
But rumors still spread.
It was said that a night owl had descended upon Iwato Station. This time, the description of her appearance was more detailed. She was stunningly beautiful, like the legendary princess from the clouds in ancient myths.
The Kokujou was reduced to ashes in the flames, and all the hunters were taken into custody.
As for Biba Amatori, Lord Maeda entrusted him to the care of the Iron Fortress, requesting they transport him to Kongoukaku. His humble and sincere request made it hard for Ayame to refuse.
I want to watch the Tanabata fireworks with nee-sama again.
Holding onto Kurumi's hand, Mumei finally smiled—a smile she hadn't worn in a long time.
"Kurumi-nee… did you really come just to fulfill my wish?"
On the well-maintained Koutetsujou from Iwato Station, now speeding along the tracks to Kongoukaku, Mumei softly asked.
The blue stars of the southern skies shimmered overhead, with the Heart Star sitting directly above in the darkest part of the purple night.
The wind blowing in from the July sea ruffled Mumei's jet-black hair as she sat with Kurumi at the front of the train, gazing out at the dark, undulating waves of the ocean.
Deep and tranquil.
Mumei rested against the side of the carriage, wrapped in her crimson robe, arms hugging her slender, bare legs.
Her entire head was buried between her knees, leaving only her deep crimson eyes exposed. The wind played with the hem of her robe and her hair, making her look like a figurine straight out of an anime.
"Of course, I've never lied to my little Hozumi, have I?" Kurumi's lips curled into a soft smile, her vibrant red eye full of tenderness.
"So… if my wish comes true… Kurumi-nee, will you leave?" Mumei pouted in a dispirited tone, grumbling softly.
"..."
Kurumi stayed silent for a moment, then asked, "Why do you think that, Hozumi?"
"Kurumi-nee… you've been acting strange lately," Mumei buried her head deeper into her knees. "Before, whenever I asked you for blood, you'd always make me do all sorts of weird things."
"Like imitating a cat, or acting spoiled so I could be your pillow… things like that. But lately… you've been agreeing too easily."
Kurumi couldn't help but freeze for a moment, her smile softening as she gently stroked Mumei's back. The girl trembled slightly, just like a cat being petted.
Have I really made it so obvious?
"...Yes, I suppose so."
"Kurumi-nee," Mumei's voice was tinged with a sob as she looked up at Kurumi, pleading, "I don't want to make my wish anymore, okay? Can't you… can't you stay with me?"
That pleading expression, those teary eyes, were as innocent and adorable as any child, nothing like the fearless, merciless girl who had faced the Kabane without hesitation.
"I have no one else but you."
"Hozumi..."
"Time is kinder than anything else," Kurumi murmured as she held Mumei's hand and gazed at the brilliant stars in the sky. Although Tanabata had passed, the Milky Way still shimmered brightly, splitting the heavens in two.
"Even if two people lose the chance to meet…"
"Their sorrow will eventually be healed by the flow of time."
"But time is also more cruel than anything else."
"Even if two people make vows as strong as the mountains and seas, cherishing their love as eternal, that love will one day be weathered away by the passage of time."
Kurumi's voice grew quieter and heavier, filled with a sorrow and tenderness that nearly suffocated Mumei.
Mumei didn't know what Kurumi had been through, but it must have been a long and heartbreaking story.
"Hozumi… one day, you will forget. You'll forget that there was once someone who watched the Tanabata fireworks with you."
Kurumi squeezed Mumei's hand a little tighter, their fingers intertwined.
"And after that, all you need to do is eat well and live a full life."
I won't forget… Mumei leaned against Kurumi, tears slipping from her eyes.
She didn't argue, but in her heart, she made a promise to herself, over and over again.
I'll never forget. I'll remember you forever…
Onee-sama.
After leaving Iwato Station, the journey to Kongoukaku was smooth and uneventful, with barely any Kabanes to be seen.
The title "Iwato Gate" was well-earned.
Kongoukaku, like other cities, was built within high walls. As the capital of the nation, it was prosperous and bustling. Even from the distant mountains, one could see the towering, green-tiled castle keep at its center and the railways snaking between the buildings.
Occasionally, fortress-like trains passed through the city's structures.
The Koutetsujou stopped at the gate of Kongoukaku, arriving via Line Four.
Thanks to the prior notice from Lord Maeda, the inspection process went smoothly.
The one responsible for inspecting the Koutetsujou was none other than Ayame's uncle, a high-ranking official of the shogunate.
Unlike other stations, Kongoukaku's inspection required all passengers, regardless of injuries, to be imprisoned for three days of observation—even Ayame wasn't exempt. However, due to the need to transport Biba Amatori, they were granted a special audience with the shogun.
Kurumi and Mumei had no interest in wasting time on formalities, so after leaving the station, they boldly walked away. Some samurai tried to stop them, but a single glance from Kurumi, along with a bit of magic, left them mesmerized, allowing the two to leave without trouble.
By the time the Koutetsujou arrived at Kongoukaku, it was almost dusk, and the sky was painted with hues of red.
When she was with Kurumi, Mumei acted just like any other young girl, as endearing as little Sakura, evoking tenderness from those around her.
Kurumi had rescued her from the Kabaneri Corps and made her lose hope in her so-called "brother." Yet now, Kurumi was about to leave her alone in this world.
At a roadside stall, Kurumi bought a white fox mask with red markings, gently placing it on Mumei's face.
With the mask tilted slightly to the left, Mumei looked rather playful.
Kurumi reached out and stroked Mumei's hair. The girl, nestled obediently in her embrace, had hair so soft and smooth that Kurumi couldn't help but keep touching it.
In the dim twilight, the sight of these two stunning figures leaning against each other looked like a picturesque farewell. Passersby hesitated to disturb them, and even the peddlers quieted their calls.
Mumei, as docile as a kitten having its fur stroked, allowed Kurumi to pat her head.
A cat only lets its most trusted person do that.
But unfortunately, fate wouldn't allow their peaceful farewell.
In the shogun's castle, the shogun himself was holding a trial for his only son, Biba Amatori.
Down in the court, the ministers and samurai shouted, "Amatori must not waver!"
But the shogun's eyes were like stagnant water. After years of political intrigue surrounding his throne, he had grown to distrust even his own son.
In this way, Biba Amatori and his father were very much alike. Ten years ago, fearing that his son's growing power would overshadow his own, the shogun had ordered the supply lines cut, abandoning Biba Amatori and the army to die in the Kabane-infested wasteland of Kyushu.
Bound tightly in restraints, Biba Amatori knelt on the ground, looking up at his father with a mixture of sorrow and hatred.
He could see his father preparing to execute him without hesitation, and suddenly, Biba Amatori let out a crazed laugh.
The muscles along his back tensed violently, as if something inside him had been crushed. Black and red blood began seeping through his restraints, faintly tinged with gold.
"Farewell… Father."
A deafening explosion rocked the castle, followed by a blinding sword light that slashed down, splitting the castle keep in two. Half of the structure crumbled into ruins.
Ministers and samurai scrambled to flee, tripping over one another, those who fell being mercilessly trampled.
Biba Amatori had no intention of chasing them. He sat alone on his father's throne, recalling the distant days when his father had not yet become shogun.
Back then, his father would take him horseback riding, pointing out the stars and telling him their stories.
Biba Amatori's radiant eyes gleamed like molten gold as he gazed down at the setting sun.
After severing the object of his hatred and cleaving the palace in half, all he felt was confusion.
Humans are pitiful creatures.
They reject what they fear, attack what they don't understand.
People's cowardice begets war.
I understand.
You're afraid, aren't you…
Sitting on the throne, Biba Amatori gripped the short sword his father had given him as a gift, feeling nothing but a deep sense of melancholy.
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