In the silent forest, darkness engulfed everything, with no trace of a light source anywhere and no sound of birds or animals calling out.
While humans fortified themselves within the steel walls, building their own fortress, there seemed to be no ability for the creatures outside on the land.
In other words, on this vast land, almost all the birds and animals had become food for the Kabane. Although they couldn’t be considered completely extinct, they were difficult to find outside the fortress.
However, even without dangerous birds and animals, this forest was not a safe place. After all, compared to birds and animals, the Kabane that could attack humans at any time were much more terrifying.
Under such circumstances, logically speaking, no one would willingly walk alone in such a forest. But at this moment, someone appeared in the forest.
It was a pregnant woman.
Judging from her protruding belly, she had been pregnant for quite a long time and would give birth soon. Unfortunately, before that could happen, Aragane Station fell.
Therefore, the pregnant woman could only take refuge in the Hayajiro Train with her unborn child and go with the flow.
Of course, that wasn’t the most serious issue here.
As long as they were still alive, there was hope.
Moreover, there were many Samurais on the Hayajiro Train, led by the eldest daughter of the Yomokawa family so their future was not so despairing.
At least, that was how the remaining people on the Hayajiro Train felt.
But the pregnant woman had to face a more pressing issue.
It was not about surviving.
“For the sake of the child in my belly…” The pregnant woman held her belly as if embracing the child within as she murmured.
And then, she continued to walk forward.
The surrounding darkness made her heart tremble, and an instinctual fear emerged from within.
Humans were inherently fearful of darkness.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have invented lights to drive away the darkness.
Combined with the uncertainty of when a man-eating monster would appear, it was impossible for the pregnant woman not to feel scared.
However, even so, she had to keep moving forward.
“For the sake of the child in my belly…”
Saying that like a prayer, the pregnant woman couldn’t help but recall what had happened when she was praying in front of the bonfire earlier.
She vividly remembered that when the man passed by her, he said those words.
“If you truly want to give birth to the child in your belly, come find me.”
Leaving those words behind, the man had then walked into the forest.
To be honest, the pregnant woman was fully aware of her situation, and she knew that the man’s words had no credibility. It wasn’t just a matter of suspicion; it was a question of feasibility but the pregnant woman still gained some hope within herself after hearing that man’s words.
Because, apart from this, pregnant women no longer know what methods to use to save themselves and save the child in their womb.
“I must find him…”
With this hope, the pregnant woman started looking around.
Naturally, she couldn’t find the person she was looking for in the dark.
Behind her, a figure stood there with almost no emotions on his face.
If the pregnant woman turned around at this moment, she would absolutely be frightened.
Not because of the presence of the figure.
But because in the figure’s eye sockets, a pair of eyes with ice blue iridescent light were glittering, becoming the only source of light in the darkness.
Moreover, these ice-blue Mystic Eyes were precisely gazing at the person they were fixated on, the pregnant woman.
No.
To be more precise, it should be said that these eyes were fixated on something deeper within the pregnant woman’s body.
These Mystic Eyes, capable of staring straight at death, were now focused on the existence within the pregnant woman’s body that didn’t belong to a human but was— ‘Death’.
“Concentrate your mind/energy…”
That would make the thing being observed clearer.
“Lock on the target…”
That would expose what was hidden within the human body.
“There is only one thing to do…”
In his hand, the figure held a lethal weapon capable of accomplishing this task.
In this way, Fang Li could…
“Kill ‘you’!”
And so, gazing at the back of the pregnant woman walking through the forest, the Slaughterer within the darkness made a sudden move.
The next moment, a dagger glittering with a cold light plunged into the pregnant woman’s back.
…
Not far from Hayajiro Train, Yomokawa Ayame was discussing their future plans with Konochi Kurusu and Araka Kibito.
“The food and water reserves on Hayajiro Train won’t last long,” Konochi Kurusu said to Yomokawa Ayame. “Ayame-Sama, shouldn’t we decide on the final destination of the Hayajiro Train?”
“Regarding that matter, I’ve already made a decision,” Yomokawa Ayame tightened her charming face and said, “The final destination of the Hayajiro Train will be Kongoukaku.”
“Kongoukaku?” Konochi Kurusu was somewhat surprised when he heard this.
“Isn’t that the stronghold of the Shogunate?” Araka Kibito interjected, “The ruling general of the Shogunate resides there, and it’s the center of this country, even the front line against the Kabane. If we go there directly, will they accept us?”
“They will,” Yomokawa Ayame held her hand in front of her and said softly, “My uncle is currently serving as an Elder in Kongoukaku.”
Hearing this, both Konochi Kurusu and Araka Kibito’s eyes lit up.
Naturally, the highest leader of the Shogunate was the General.
Below the general, the position responsible for assisting the general and overseeing all Shogunate affairs was the Great Elder.
This position is a crucial official position that is only established during extraordinary times.
If the Shogunate were compared to a dynasty, the General would be the Emperor, and the Great Elder would be equivalent to the Prime Minister by the Emperor’s side.
And in the absence of the Great Elder, all Shogunate affairs would be governed by the Elder.
In other words, in the absence of the Great Elder, the position immediately below the General in the Shogunate hierarchy would be the Elder.
“If Ayame-Sama’s uncle is truly serving as an Elder in Kongoukaku, then with Ayame-Sama present, Kongoukaku will undoubtedly accept us,” Konochi Kurusu said solemnly. “In that case, going to Kongoukaku is indeed the best choice.”
“That’s right,” Araka Kibito nodded in agreement.
While the three were discussing this, a person slowly approached them.
“Hmm?” Yomokawa Ayame was the first to notice the newcomer and exclaimed in surprise.
“Fang Li-San?”
Both Konochi Kurusu and Araka Kibito’s complexions immediately changed as they looked over.
However, all three of them saw it.
In Fang Li’s arms, there was a pregnant woman sleeping peacefully.
Yomokawa Ayame, Konochi Kurusu, and Araka Kibito were instantly stunned.
Seeing their reaction, Fang Li spoke directly. “Don’t worry, she’s only unconscious.”