Misono Mika knew that Mumei never truly wanted to fight the Kabane. She harbored a deep-seated fear that one day she would die at their hands—or worse, become one of them.
However, as the claws of Amatori Biba, Mumei lacked the luxury of choice. To cease fighting was to lose her utility, and to lose utility meant being heartlessly discarded by Biba.
To Biba, a Kabaneri was nothing more than a consumable, a mere tool for his revenge.
Throughout her journey, Mumei witnessed several 'comrades' reach their physical limits. The moment they teetered on the edge of turning into Kabane, they were summarily executed.
Mumei often mocked others as cowards, yet she failed to realize she was the biggest coward of them all.
She couldn't see a future. No... she simply couldn't envision a future where she remained alive.
The fates of her 'comrades' remained vivid in her mind, a constant omen of her own end.
She feared that conclusion, but she feared losing the sanctuary Biba provided even more. If she lost her status as a Kabaneri, she had nowhere left to go.
Furthermore, such a choice would be a betrayal of Biba and the Hunters. Traitors rarely met a peaceful end.
"I understand your concerns and your thoughts. So, do you need me to help you take care of Biba and the Hunters?"
Misono Mika flashed a gentle, kind smile and spoke with casual generosity. "It's perfectly fine to be a little selfish to survive. I won't ask for anything in return this time; you only need to nod, Mumei."
Mika's voice was like a demonic whisper, instantly snapping Mumei's nerves taut.
"Brother is not a bad person! Please don't hurt him! And everyone in the Hunters is very kind!" Mumei blurted out.
As the 'Claws' of the Hunters, her loyalty to Biba remained steadfast. Naturally, she felt compelled to defend them.
"You aren't wrong. Biba has led the Hunters at the front lines against the Kabane for years, reclaiming several fallen Stations. Combined with his status as the Shogun's son, he has certainly won the hearts of the people."
"Why do you know so much about this, Lady Mika? Were you active in other Stations before?"
"Mumei, that's not the point... I understand Biba better than you do. That mask of his might fool everyone else, but it doesn't fool me. Deep-seated hatred doesn't just vanish with time; sometimes, it only festers."
Mika patted Mumei on the head.
As a child, Biba watched his own mother be killed because of a mistaken belief that her wound was a Kabane bite. In reality, it wasn't.
Biba's father had simply killed her out of a momentary lapse of terror.
The man felt no remorse afterward. After all, she was just a woman. With his status, he could have as many young, beautiful women as he desired.
Then, the moment Biba reached adulthood, he was treated as a disposable pawn, sent along with an army of four hundred thousand to serve as fodder for the Kabane.
Any person with a shred of spirit would find it impossible to forgive the Shogun. They would want nothing more than to see him dead.
"Biba has reached the point of no return. He will sacrifice anything for his revenge. And you, in the future, are destined to be consumed by him."
"That's not true! Brother has already forgiven his father. I heard him admit it myself... I even promised to help him fix their relationship!"
Mumei was completely distraught. Her expression looked as if her world were collapsing; she couldn't bring herself to believe Mika's words.
"I can only say so much regarding Biba. As for whether I'm telling the truth, you'll have to judge that for yourself."
Mika knew pushing further would only be counterproductive. She reined it in and brought the topic back. "Now, tell me your choice. My blood can purge the Kabane virus from your body. This is your last chance. If you refuse, I won't offer it again. Think carefully."
Mumei: "..."
★ ★ ★
Mumei refused.
This was within Mika's expectations.
On one side was the 'Brother' she had lived with for years; on the other was someone she had known for only a few days.
Anyone with a sense of gratitude would choose the former.
Without concrete evidence, Mumei couldn't possibly betray Biba.
However, the goal was already achieved.
Mika had shaken the perfect image of Biba in Mumei's heart. The seed of doubt was planted.
Biba's plan was reaching its final stages. The arrival of the Koutetsujou provided the perfect opportunity—a way to enter the capital, Kongokaku.
Because the successor of the Yomogawa family was on board.
In the original timeline, Biba used Yomogawa Ayame's identity, pretending to be a captive of the Koutetsujou to get close to the Shogun and complete his revenge.
But things were different now.
'The master key of the Koutetsujou is still with me. Biba has no way to bypass me...'
Mika wondered what tactics Biba might employ to ensure his revenge if he realized he couldn't win by force.
Hostages?
'Well, it's a bit cliché, but it is effective. While I wouldn't mind taking out the enemy along with the hostages—since I can't risk myself just to save others—still...'
Mika tapped her head, a look of helpless frustration on her face. 'I'd rather the people I care about didn't die for no reason. It really is a headache.'
With so many people on the Koutetsujou, she couldn't protect every single one of them.
'There's no sense in waiting for a thief to strike. Should I just take out Biba and the Hunters ahead of time?'
Mika considered this permanent solution but quickly dismissed it.
Even if she eliminated them early, would the Shogunate stop targeting her?
Unlikely. Kawakami Shunsuke was a perfect example, currently "enjoying" his stay in the brig.
The world was full of people willing to take a gamble.
Besides, if she dealt with Biba now, wouldn't all the effort she put into Mumei go to waste?
She still wanted to see Mumei truly grow up!
'If I can't block every move, I'll just change my approach. No one is without a weakness, not even Biba.'
A brilliant idea struck Mika. She stood atop the empty carriage, facing the wind. 'So, why don't I just threaten Biba instead?'
How did that saying go?
'You wouldn't want to lose your chance at revenge against your father, would you?'
It had a very "local" flavor to it. She supposed this was her way of following the "when in Rome" philosophy.
It seemed like it would be quite fun.
Inside the carriage, Mumei curled into a corner, hugging her legs like a frightened animal. She remained unmoved by Yomogawa Ayame's concern, lost in her own world.