By one of the bonfires, the sounds of chatter gradually faded away. The originally rowdy environment suddenly grew quiet as everyone, whether intentionally or not, cast their gaze in a certain direction.
'Is it her...?'
Shino seemed to realize something. Supporting her bulging belly, she hurriedly stood up and turned to look.
Under the low-hanging night sky and shimmering starlight, a pink-haired girl strolled elegantly through the darkness. She was dressed in a white, princess-style outfit—pure as the moon and elegant as a poem. White stockings clung to her slender legs like a moonlit stream, quiet yet soul-stirring.
The pink halo above her head spilled out like a galaxy, echoing the stars in the night sky; it was a beauty as ethereal as a dream. Her gait was light, each step appearing to tread upon the stars themselves, radiating an enchanting glow. Her pink hair danced with the wind like a night elf blooming with a unique splendor in the darkness.
At this moment, regardless of whether they liked her or not, everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to Misono Mika's powerful presence.
Shino was no exception, especially since she had been waiting for Misono Mika to appear. She nervously tugged at her sleeve, ensuring the wound on her wrist remained hidden.
'This is our last chance...'
Shino gently stroked her unborn child, a flash of firm determination crossing her eyes as she prayed in her heart: 'My child, I hope the Great Goddess is willing to favor us.'
Fixing her gaze on Misono Mika not far away, Shino walked toward her with a steady pace.
"Miss Shino, where are you going?" someone nearby asked, watching her back.
Shino didn't answer. Her figure soon left the group as she approached Misono Mika alone. However, hampered by the many eyes and ears around them, Shino didn't know if it was appropriate to speak now.
"I think we can find a quieter place to talk privately."
Seeing her troubled expression and sensing the surrounding gazes, Misono Mika gestured with her hand.
"Yes, Lady Mika!" Shino cast a grateful look toward her.
"Follow me."
After saying this, Misono Mika turned and walked toward the riverbank. Shino followed hastily, terrified of losing her. Curious glances followed them, but seeing that the leader was Misono Mika, everyone abandoned the idea of trying to eavesdrop.
"That person..."
Mumei, just stepping out of a carriage, paused. She frowned as she watched Shino's departing back.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" Ikoma stepped up from behind, following her line of sight.
"...No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it," Mumei replied, taking a deep breath and shaking her head.
Despite her words, her eyes remained fixed on the direction where Misono Mika and Shino had disappeared.
★ ★ ★
Silvery moonlight blanketed the earth, and the sound of gurgling water echoed through the mountain forest. The surroundings were exceptionally quiet, save for the sparse chirping of insects.
"The environment here is quite nice; it gives one a sense of relaxation. Don't you think?"
Misono Mika stopped by the river. She spread her arms, feeling the cool breeze brushing against her face. Shino, standing behind her, did not share this relaxed state of mind.
Thump!
Shino knelt directly behind Misono Mika. she kowtowed forcefully, her voice trembling as she pleaded: "Please... please save me..."
"As I thought—no one comes to the temple without a reason. What is it? Were you bitten by a Kabane?"
"...Yes." Shino kept her head low, not daring to look up.
"Next question: if only one of you can live—you or the child in your womb—which would you choose?" Misono Mika watched the flowing river, posing the question casually.
'Why ask that? Could it be that Lady Mika truly has a way to save my child?!'
Shino looked up, her face filled with joy. She said without hesitation, "If it's possible, please let my child be born safely into this world!"
"What a selfless yet cruel answer."
"Eh...?"
"To let the child live, you are willing to die; that is indeed the selflessness of maternal love. But to make a child lose their mother the moment they are born... the father must be gone already, otherwise you wouldn't be the only one here pleading with me."
Misono Mika turned around, crouching down to stare into Shino's eyes. She questioned, "Born without parents, in a world where anyone can be attacked by Kabane at any time—how long can they survive? The most critical question is: who would be willing to raise a parentless burden?"
A child starting life with such a "heavenly curse" would be a miracle just to grow up. Even if they survived, the suffering they would endure is beyond ordinary imagination.
"...Am... am I supposed to give up on my child? I can't do it, Lady Mika... I really... can't..."
Shino's body trembled as heart-wrenching tears rolled down her face. She didn't want to see her child become unhappy. Reason told her that not insisting on giving birth might be the right choice; that way, the child wouldn't have to face this cruel world alone or live a life of fear.
But she simply couldn't find the heart to give up on the baby. She couldn't do it. Shino fell into a deep state of confusion and self-reproach.
"I understand."
Misono Mika reached out and patted Shino's thin shoulder, asking no further questions. She had posed such a difficult dilemma just to see Shino's reaction to her own choice. The actual answer wasn't important to her, because the future held too many possibilities and uncertainties.
"So, since you've decided to have this child and don't want them to be alone, work hard to stay alive and walk beside them."
Having achieved her goal, Misono Mika decided to stop troubling her.
"Eh... eh?"
Shino seemed dazed by the sudden turn. She asked with a bewildered expression, "Lady... Lady Mika... what does that mean?! Didn't you just say only one of us could live?"
"That was just a hypothetical. You didn't actually take it seriously, did you?"
"A... hypothetical...?!"
"Let's get back to the main point. You must have heard stories about me from others, so you should understand that I won't help you for nothing."
Misono Mika stood up again and continued, "The problem with your body is easy for me to solve, but everything has a price. This time is no exception."
Her expression was grave and serious. Shino listened intently, holding her breath for fear of missing a single word.
"I will offer you a price you cannot refuse—a price you can also afford—"
Misono Mika said solemnly: "Give me the right to name your child! If you agree, I can treat you right now."
Shino: "..."
Th-that's it?
Was she sure this was a price, and not a blessing?
To have one's child personally named by Lady Mika—what an honor! It might even become a legendary tale in history! She had absolutely no reason to refuse.