- Retsu and Katetsu remain outside as the sun rises higher. A gentle breeze passes through, and their conversation draws near to an end -

  Katetsu: "My Lady, I'll come back again for your reply."

  Retsu: "Just leave!"

  - Without another word, Katetsu slowly vanishes into the depths of the woods -

  - Retsu turns and slowly walks toward the house, as a deep concern lurks on her face -

  - She enters the house and sees Ryusui in front of her. She instantly masks her concern and wears a gentle smile -

  - Ryusui looks cheerful; it seems he has overcome the fear of his recent nightmare -

  Retsu: "Ohh, Ryusui! You're awake."

  Ryusui: "Hey, where did you go so early in the morning? I've been looking for you all over the house."

  Retsu: "I was tidying up outside."

  Ryusui: "Oh. So, let's have breakfast together."

  - Suddenly, Retsu's eyes widen and she slaps her forehead -

  Retsu: "Ah, sorry! I completely forgot about the food. I'll make it right away."

  Ryusui: "Hey, don't worry. Take your time."

  - Ryusui goes to the hall and sits at the dining table. Retsu heads to the kitchen, prepares breakfast, and brings it back to the table -

  - When Ryusui sees the food, excitement bursts across his face -

  Ryusui: "Wow! Fried eggs and bread!"

  - Ryusui clasps his hands -

  Ryusui: "Thanks for the meal."

  - Retsu eats her breakfast slowly as tension tightens her face, her fingers gently tapping on the table -

  - Because Retsu isn't careful enough to hide it, Ryusui stares at her and notices her tense face -

  Ryusui: "Hey! Is something bothering you?"

  Retsu: "Huh! Noth—ing! Why are you suddenly asking this?!"

  Ryusui: "You look different from your usual self. Are you sure nothing is bothering you?"

  Retsu: "Yeah, yeah! Nothing at all. You should finish your food before it gets cold."

  Ryusui: "I won't ask you anything else, then. If something really bothers you, you can tell me anytime—that's what friends are for."

  - As Retsu stares at Ryusui, her face softens, and her eyes narrow -

  Retsu: (In mind: "How ironic, you think of me as your friend who couldn't do anything for you.") "..."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  - Retsu looks down at her right hand on the table, clenching it into a fist, as if she isn't worthy of meeting his eyes -

  Ryusui: "One last thing..."

  - Retsu raises her head and looks at Ryusui -

  Ryusui: "Please, don't try to confine your emotions only within yourself. If you do, one day it will feel like you're carrying an unbreakable stone in your heart. You can share anything with me, Retsu. I'm always ready to listen to whatever you have to say."

  - As Retsu stares at Ryusui, her eyes soften. But suddenly, she rests her chin on her left hand and her right hand on the table, lost in deep thought as she remembers her conversation with Katetsu -

  Unknown: "It's been a long time, My Lady."

  Retsu: "Stand up, Katetsu."

  - Katetsu stands up -

  Retsu: "Why are you here? What do you want?"

  Katetsu: "I am here to meet Master Ryuma."

  Retsu: "I won't let you see him now."

  Katetsu: "My Lady, I apologize for my rudeness, but how much longer are you going to keep running while carrying Master Ryuma with you?"

  Retsu: "This is none of your concern. I'll protect him until my last breath."

  Katetsu: "My Lady, you must know that the barrier San has created to hide your Spirit Energies from the outside world vanished the moment Master woke up from his coma. That barrier was the only reason they haven't been able to pinpoint your location. Now that it is gone, they will find out Master is still alive very soon."

  Retsu: "And I'll do everything possible to protect him... because he is my partner for eternity."

  - As she says that, she raises her left hand and looks at the ring worn on her left hand with narrowed eyes and a soft gaze -

  Katetsu: "I think you know very well that San will try everything to make Master remember every piece of his past memories."

  - Retsu lowers her left hand and regains her composure, staring at Katetsu with a sharp gaze. Her intense gaze forces Katetsu to lower his eyes -

  Retsu: "I know that better than you!"

  Katetsu: "I am sorry, My Lady."

  Retsu: "But one thing is bothering me... Why is it that I can no longer feel San's presence?"

  Katetsu: "I cannot feel his presence either. However, I believe he is still with Master. I think Master's coma and memory loss may have significantly reduced San's strength. That's the only reason we can't sense his presence."

  Retsu: "I suspect you are right."

  Katetsu: "My Lady, let me tell you one more thing from yesterday that will clear all your doubts."

  Retsu: "And what is it that will clear all my doubts?"

  Katetsu: "Did you know that Master suddenly vanished from the market yesterday?"

  Retsu: "What! He vanished from the market?!"

  Katetsu: "Did Master tell you something unusual? Something that didn't quite feel right?"

  Retsu: "Wait a minute... he told me about a sword shop."

  Katetsu: "Hmmm. A sword shop in a local market? Don't you think that is unusual?"

  Retsu: "You're right, I've been living here for almost five years, but I've never seen a sword shop."

  Katetsu: "That is the point. After living here for almost five years, you have never seen a sword shop, and a sword shop in a local market is not normal. Of everyone we know, only San is capable of doing this kind of unusual thing. He is doing this to awaken Master's memories of the past."

  - A deep sorrow tightens Retsu's face as she bites her lower lip -

  Retsu: "But! If he remembers, he'll know the truth of his identity and the hellish nature of his past. He might have to suffer the same fate all over again."

  Katetsu: "Even so, San will do everything to ensure Master restores his memories."

  Retsu: "To protect him from his hellish past... I will do whatever it takes."

  Katetsu: "But that is not the main problem! The most concerning thing is this: now that the barrier is gone, it is only a matter of time before Akura finds out that Master is alive."

  - Retsu clutches her left arm, shivering as a sudden wave of fear turns her face pale -

  Retsu: "That monster! Don't ever mention his name."

  Katetsu: "We have no desire to speak his name either, My Lady. But for the past couple of years, he has been completely silent."

  - Retsu somehow forces her fear down, regaining her composure with a calm, steadying breath -

  Retsu: "Do you know the reason behind it?"

  Katetsu: "It is only a hunch, My Lady, but we believe he intends to seize the Three Demon Shadows and the Seven Cursed Swords."

  Retsu: "What—What?! What does he want to do with them?!"

  Katetsu: "We also don't know his true intent..."

  Retsu: "Even if the reason is unknown, it will be all over if he claims them!"

  Katetsu: "As I said, it is only a hunch—but it may also be reality. My time is up, My Lady. I need to head back."

  Retsu: "Go, then."

  Katetsu: "Before I go... what do you intend to do now?"

  - Without any words, Retsu looks toward the sky and calmly stands silent -

  Katetsu: "My Lady, I will return another time for your reply."

  - Retsu's gaze becomes sharp and annoyed as she looks back down at Katetsu -

  Retsu: "Just leave!"

  - Ryusui calls Retsu as he notices she is silent and lost in deep thought -

  Ryusui: "Retsu, Retsu! Are you okay? Why are you spacing out in the middle of breakfast?"

  - Retsu snaps out of her thoughts, her eyes widening as Ryusui's voice pulls her back to reality. She quickly moves her left hand from her chin, trying to regain her gentle composure -

  Retsu: "Huh! Wha—What?! Oh! I'm okay. Do you need anything?"

  Ryusui: "I don't need anything. But the look on your face... it's as if your shoulders are bearing the weight of something painful. Did something happen?"

  Retsu: "No, no! It's nothing to worry about." (In mind: "I am sorry! I can't tell you, or you may have to go through hell again. I'll protect you... even if I need to lay down my life.")

  - Retsu stares at Ryusui with a gentle smile on her face -

  - A massive, ancient castle looms in an unknown land, surrounded by giant dead trees. The ground around it is covered in bones and skulls. A heavy mist lurks everywhere as the atmosphere sends a chill through the air -

  - Inside the throne room, the shadow of an unknown figure sits on a throne made of bones and skulls. As he moves, the remains beneath his feet shift and rattle -

  - The mist masks the mysterious person's face, but the sharp gaze of his crimson eyes pierces through the mist -

  Mysterious person: "So... you are still alive, Ryuma Yamamoto! Bahahaha!"

  [ The bloomed flower portrays the beauty of pure love that has the will to defy any fear ]

  Next Chapter: 11 February 2026