Compared to the Aragane Station Hayajiro, the Hunters’ Hayajiro presented significant differences on the inside, creating a stark contrast in ambiance.
While the Aragane Station Hayajiro retained a semblance of life, the Hunters’ Hayajiro exuded a mechanical atmosphere that evoked an exceptionally cold sensation within someone’s body.
Led by Mumei, Fang Li ventured into the depths of this Hayajiro, treading through dimly lit compartments that emanated an eerie stillness. An unusually quiet atmosphere enveloped their surroundings, and despite encountering numerous Hunters’ Samurai along the way, neither side exchanged greetings.
Mumei herself refrained from engaging in conversation with the Samurai, and Fang Li, accompanied by Mumei, advanced under the watchful eyes of these silent warriors.
The tense atmosphere persisted, stemming from a minor disagreement between Fang Li and Mumei the previous night. In light of this, Fang Li saw no reason to initiate a banal conversation, opting to let the atmosphere linger in its strained state.
Eventually, the pair arrived in front of a door, their journey culminating at their intended destination. Mumei halted, without glancing back, and softly announced, “We’ve arrived. Ani-Sama is inside. Go in by yourself.”
Fang Li wordlessly nodded, before he stepped forward and placed his hand on the doorknob. At that moment, Mumei hesitated before speaking up once more.
“Make sure you don’t say anything hateful anymore,” Mumei’s voice dripped with gloom as she further spoke, “I don’t know why, but Ani-Sama seems to care about you. I don’t understand his intentions, but Ani-Sama is not as kind-hearted as Lady Ayame. If you make a mistake, he will not hesitate to punish you.”
Fang Li paused, his actions momentarily suspended, as he absorbed Mumei’s cautionary words. Slowly turning around, he directed a self-deprecating smile toward Mumei’s somewhat innocent countenance and said. “So, you finally realize that your Ani-Sama isn’t as benevolent as you thought.”
“You’re truly exasperating,” Mumei averted her gaze, as if unwilling to meet Fang Li’s eyes any longer, and muttered, “Regardless, you better not do anything hateful.”
With those words left hanging in the air, Mumei departed abruptly, leaving Fang Li without any further response. He simply chuckled softly, amused by Mumei’s stubbornness.
“Indeed, how can the female protagonist not be adorable?” Fang Li mused to himself, appreciating Mumei’s straightforward and honest nature, which only added to her charm.
Unbeknownst to him, such musings would surely ignite Mumei’s ire if she knew them. Pushing aside the thought, Fang Li pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
…
In comparison to the preceding compartment, the lighting within this section of the car appeared even dimmer, casting elongated shadows on the surroundings.
Facing away from the entrance, Amatori Biba stood with his back to the door, engrossed in the meticulous maintenance of his long sword as he gently wiped its blade with a cloth.
The sound of the door opening reached Amatori Biba’s ears, prompting him to cease his actions and pivot, fixing his gaze upon Fang Li.
Perhaps it was due to the inadequate lighting but Amatori Biba’s countenance no longer exuded the same sense of familiarity as before; instead, an aura of coldness and intimidation enveloped him. Nevertheless, a faint smile still persisted on his face.
“You’ve come, Fang Li-Kun,” Amatori Biba nodded towards Fang Li and spoke, “I apologize for summoning you at such a time.”
“Let’s get straight to the point,” Fang Li cut to the chase and said. “Is there something the General’s son desires from me?”
“Well, there are indeed some matters to discuss, although I didn’t anticipate addressing them so promptly. Since we’re here now, let me ask you this directly,” Amatori Biba sighed lightly before resuming his smile and speaking. “Fang Li-Kun, you seem to possess a unique talent. Would you be willing to engage in a conversation about it?”
“A special talent?” Fang Li’s heart shook but his face displayed a genuine perplexity on it as he spoke. “To what aspect are you referring to?”
As Amatori Biba fixed his gaze upon Fang Li, who was clearly lying through his teeth, he maintained an outwardly composed demeanor.
Casually, he responded, “According to Mumei, it appears that you possess the ability to penetrate the Kabane’s hardened skin with only an ordinary knife and accomplish extraordinary feats, such as eliminating the Kabane virus within a person’s body. I must admit, I am somewhat intrigued by this.”
However, Fang Li could sense that Amatori Biba’s interest extended beyond mere curiosity. It was not solely a mission for knowledge that prompted him to stare with eyes that seemed fixated on prey.
“I wonder if there’s anything you cannot kill,” Amatori Biba’s smile widened slightly as he spoke, “For instance, can you eliminate the steel walls that people rely on for survival within the stations? Can you render them powerless as well?”
Fang Li’s eyes narrowed in response.
At that moment, a realization struck Fang Li— a question that had been taken for granted, but one that could easily be overlooked by others.
Why had Mumei appeared in Aragane Station?
Whether in the original story or the current circumstances, it seemed as though Mumei had naturally arrived in Aragane Station on the day the plot commenced, setting the events in motion.
But upon closer examination, as a member of the Hunters, Mumei had no apparent reason to depart and venture alone to Aragane Station.
Could Mumei’s journey to Aragane Station be considered an inevitable event?
For instance, was she there under Amatori Biba’s directives?
If she was then what exactly was Amatori Biba’s objective?
While others might remain oblivious, Fang Li knew that Amatori Biba harbored a single objective in his heart— Revenge.
He sought vengeance against the General who had betrayed him and the leaders of the Moderates faction.
However, if Amatori Biba had severed ties with the general and had become his enemy, it would be impossible for him to infiltrate Kongoukaku and exact his revenge on the shogunate’s people.
In such a scenario, Amatori Biba required assistance.
Assistance in what?
Opening the gates!
Opening the gates of Kongoukaku!
In the original story, Amatori Biba successfully gained entry to Kongoukaku with the aid of the Aragane Station Hayajiro.
However, if Aragane Station had not fallen, the Aragane Station Hayajiro would not have been able to set sail toward Kongoukaku.
Therefore, without the Aragane Station Hayajiro, Amatori Biba would have been unable to infiltrate Kongoukaku.
Consequently, it was evident that Amatori Biba had premeditated a plan to exploit the relationship between Yomokawa Ayame and the Shogunate Elder, thereby smoothly infiltrating Kongoukaku. Sending Mumei to Aragane Station was undoubtedly a part of this preparation.
Taking a bolder leap of speculation, could the fall of Aragane Station and the subsequent Kabane invasion brought about by Fusoujou be integral parts of Amatori Biba’s calculated scheme?
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Fang Li’s gaze toward Amatori Biba underwent a gradual transformation.
…
