Lubbock crashed through the bushes and leaped into an oak tree. Mine's blood ran down the branches in thin streams.
Not far away, members of the Imperial Police shouted, "The blood trail ends here!"
After putting some distance between them, Lubbock glanced back at Mine and asked urgently,
"Mine, are you alright?"
Mine's face was pale. The wound on her back was not especially severe, but blood continued pouring out uncontrollably.
"I won't die but the wound on my back won't stop bleeding. There's something wrong with that bastard's sword!"
"Lubbock, stitch it up with your wires first. At this rate, we'll expose our location."
Lubbock nodded. After hiding high in the canopy, he pulled Mine into his arms.
He tore away the ruined fabric on her back. Torn flesh pulsed with each heartbeat, pumping out bright red blood.
Lubbock's expression darkened at the sight of the gruesome wound.
Even if he closed it, blood would still pool beneath the damaged tissue.
As the pressure built, the pain would become unbearable.
Several metal threads flew from the spool strapped to his back.
Lubbock said softly,
"This will hurt a little. Bear with it."
Without giving Mine time to react, his hands moved swiftly. Steel wires threaded through muscle and flesh, cinching each torn fiber together like a rag doll being sewn back together.
Mine's fingernails dug into the bark.
Muffled cries mixed with blood bubbled from her throat.
"Mm... tighter!"
The agony made her petite body tremble uncontrollably.
.........
Gore carried Sheele over to Uesugi Ryu and asked with some confusion,
"Uesugi-sama, the Imperial Police have arrived. The one leading them is Seryu, Ogre's disciple."
Uesugi Ryu glanced at the unconscious Sheele and calmly ordered,
"Throw this assassin into the hidden chamber. Have the doctor treat her injuries."
"And let the Imperial Police in."
Gore nodded. After instructing the guards to admit them, he personally took Sheele to the hidden chamber.
As the Imperial Police filed into the estate, their boots crushed the remaining white camellia petals scattered across the ground.
The orange-haired girl at the front immediately surveyed the ravaged garden, now full of craters and trenches.
Moonlight gleamed off the dark violet blade.
Blood dripped slowly down its strange patterns.
Seryu saluted Uesugi Ryu and asked,
"Hello, I'm from the Imperial Police, Seryu Ubiquitous."
"There was a flash of fire here just now. Was it those villains from Night Raid?"
Uesugi Ryu smiled warmly.
"Seryu? Right, you're Captain Ogre's prized student."
Seryu's eyes lit up immediately.
Looking at Uesugi Ryu's bare upper body, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Yes. Uesugi-san knew my master as well?"
Uesugi Ryu let out a long sigh, looking deeply saddened.
"What happened to Captain Ogre was truly heartbreaking. I never expected that after murdering my friend, Night Raid would target me as well."
Then he looked at Seryu and said gently,
"You don't need to be so formal. Since you're Ogre's disciple, just call me Uesugi-san."
Seryu was almost too easy to fool.
Uesugi Ryu did know Ogre, though only through bribery and mutual benefits. Their relationship was strictly business.
The Empire legally permitted the existence of red-light districts, and on the surface, Uesugi Ryu operated entirely legitimate enterprises.
Besides, Ogre spent nearly every day off drinking himself senseless in the red-light district. Seryu naturally knew that.
To Seryu, a lawful businessman like Uesugi Ryu was automatically one of the good guys.
Her gaze shifted repeatedly between the bloodstained sword embedded in the lawn and Uesugi Ryu himself.
Bare-chested, alone in the garden, with the aftermath of battle all around him, it was obvious who had driven off the attackers.
Seryu instantly looked at him with admiration.
"As expected of Master's friend! Uesugi-san, did you repel those Night Raid villains yourself?"
Uesugi Ryu nodded. Rubbing his abdomen, he showed a trace of pain.
"More or less. Unfortunately, they escaped. Otherwise, I could have avenged Ogre today."
Seryu's eyes filled with emotion.
She thought to herself, "As expected of Master. He was so respected. I need to work even harder!"
She stepped forward eagerly, intending to inspect Uesugi Ryu's injuries.
But one of the guards immediately extended an arm to block her path.
Uesugi Ryu waved casually.
"No need to worry. It's only a superficial wound."
Seryu's warm breath almost brushed his face as she stared at him intently.
"Please tell me their distinguishing features! This is vital information in the pursuit of justice!"
Uesugi Ryu discreetly stepped back two paces.
After all, this was only a clone. Being touched by Seryu would be inconvenient.
Looking at her excited expression, a faint smile curled at his lips.
"There were two attackers. One had purple hair and glasses. The other had pink twin-tails."
Seryu pulled out a wrinkled wanted poster from her pocket and carefully compared it to his description.
"The purple-haired one must be Sheele. The pink twin-tailed one is someone new."
Afterward, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Uesugi-san, for the information. I will apprehend these villains as soon as possible."
"Justice will cut down the claws of evil!"
Seryu was so focused on hunting Night Raid that she failed to notice Koro's unusual behavior.
Koro hid behind her, wearing an unhappy expression.
≡(▔﹏▔)≡
Just as Seryu was about to leave with her men, she suddenly felt resistance.
Looking down, she saw Koro clinging to her leg.
She bent down and picked him up gently.
"Koro, what's wrong?"
Koro shook his head lightly, then buried himself in her arms.
Watching this, Uesugi Ryu raised an eyebrow.
His thoughts stirred.
"Sharp senses. It even noticed the traces of my aura I left behind."
After soothing Koro, Seryu turned back to Uesugi Ryu.
"Uesugi-san, goodbye!"
Uesugi Ryu waved in return.
"Of course. If you need my cooperation later, come find me anytime."
Seryu nodded vigorously, then departed with Koro in her arms and the Imperial Police behind her.
As she left, she could not help thinking,
"Uesugi-san really is a good person."
Her expression hardened.
Killing intent flashed in her orange eyes.
"Damn Night Raid!"
"They killed my beloved master, and they even targeted a good man like Uesugi-san. I absolutely won't allow them to continue their evil!"