Mumei took the bamboo tube from Yomogawa Ayame. The keen sense of smell granted by her Kabaneri nature told her exactly what was inside.
"I see..."
The corners of Mumei's mouth curled slightly, and a warm feeling spread through her chest.
Even though Misono Mika had spoken ill of her Brother, Mumei didn't dislike her. She could sense that Mika's concern was genuine.
She had huddled in the corner earlier instead of returning to the carriage with Mika simply because she didn't know how to face her.
Mumei felt that by choosing to believe in her Brother and rejecting the kindness Mika offered, she was being ungrateful. Yet, she couldn't believe her Brother was the kind of revenge-blinded madman Mika described.
The good news was that Mika hadn't distanced herself. This realization gave Mumei a bittersweet sense of relief.
'But what if... what if Brother really is like what Misono Mika said? What should I do?'
Mumei suddenly felt a surge of panic. She shook her head violently, casting the absurd thought aside.
At that moment, Ayame handed her another bamboo tube. "Lady Mika mentioned you should look for her in the back, but she has gone out for a stroll. You might have to wait a bit. This one is for Ikoma; please deliver it to him for me."
"I'll be right back!"
Mumei gripped the tubes tightly. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to go find Mika.
★ ★ ★
As Mumei stepped out of the control car, she noticed the survivors of Yatsushiro Station looked utterly traumatized, some muttering incoherently to themselves.
"Attacked by Kabane, were you?"
A middle-aged woman brought some dry rations, looking at the emaciated group opposite her with deep empathy.
"Yes... the Black Smoke suddenly lunged at us. Just three days ago, it jumped right over the walls. After that, it was hell..."
One of them explained in a raspy voice, his eyes filled with terror and grief.
Jumped over the walls?!
Everyone nearby was startled. What kind of monster could leap over walls dozens of meters high?
Mumei's brow furrowed, her footsteps slowing instinctively.
What exactly was this Black Smoke? Could it be...
The nearby children, hearing the story, hid behind Mumei in fear. Her train of thought was interrupted. She amusedly patted the head of the girl hiding behind her, teasing, "What's this? Acting like a coward."
"I-I am not! I just... I just happened to walk to this spot! Yes, that's it!" the young girl stubbornly denied.
However, the other children her age heartlessly exposed her lie, causing the stubborn girl's face to flush bright red.
Mumei watched the scene with a smile, but it vanished instantly when her peripheral vision caught a specific man in the crowd.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the latrine."
"Oh, the latrine is over there. Be careful on the way."
A helpful bystander pointed the way for a man with one eye and a prosthetic leg made of a crutch.
"Mumei, I'll wait for you outside."
The man spoke in a low voice as he passed her. Mumei's brow remained tightly knit.
This man was named Enoku. He used to belong to the Ears and Eyes of the Hunters, responsible for intelligence gathering. However, following a certain incident, he was expelled from the group.
Outside the Koutetsujou, in a secluded spot, Enoku leaned against a carriage. He shot a cold glance at Mumei as she followed him. "It's been a long time. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I haven't seen you in a long time either. What do you want?"
"Twenty days ago, the Shogunate purchased a large quantity of weapons. Not for Kabane, but weapons meant for humans. Please tell the Young Master: at the critical moment, I, Enoku, will surely come to help!"
"Even if you go that far, I don't think you can return to Brother's side."
Mumei lost interest immediately. She turned to leave without a hint of nostalgia.
"I haven't heard your answer yet, Mumei!"
Enoku's eyes turned cold. He moved with the agility of a healthy man, drawing a long blade disguised as a crutch and slashing decisively at Mumei's slender neck.
Clang!
Sparks flew. The collision between the blade and her kunai produced a crisp metallic ring.
"Even if you were once Brother's Ear and Eye, if you keep pestering me, I don't mind killing you right now."
Mumei spoke without looking back.
"Hmph, I wonder which side will be the one to die?"
Enoku sneered. His other hand pulled a specialized pistol from his coat, aiming the barrel directly at Mumei's heart.
Mumei sensed the danger, but it was already too late.
"You've grown dull, Mumei. As the Young Master's Claws, the moment you hesitate, you are discarded. Go fulfill your mission while you're still human."
Enoku put away the pistol and slowly sheathed his blade. "This is advice from an Ear and Eye who was once discarded."
He then turned away, leaning on his crutch and leaving the dazed Mumei behind.
'Mumei clearly can't be relied on. I hope to reach Iwato Station before the Hunters by using the Koutetsujou. I'll inform the Lord there of the plan and find a way to kill Amatori Biba.'
'That talk earlier clearly shook Mumei. It seems she already anticipates her own end. Since she's lost her composure, I truly hope she dies here in Yatsushiro Station.'
'That would be one less threat, and Biba would lose a capable assistant.'
As Enoku pondered his future plans, he came to an abrupt halt.
"You... who are you! Are you human or a ghost?!"
Enoku stared at Misono Mika as she stepped out from a corner. Her perfect features looked like a goddess of beauty descending to the mortal realm, momentarily dazing him.
But when he saw the snowy white wings behind her and the pink halo above her head, his heart skipped a beat in shock.
He had long since stopped believing in gods and ghosts, but the sight of this unscientific image made him think he was hallucinating.
"The things you just said to Mumei... they bother me quite a bit."
Mika stared at him calmly. Someone had actually dared to bully her Mumei while she wasn't looking. He certainly had some nerve.
"What?"
Enoku froze for a second before regaining his composure. He speculated, "You want to stand up for her? This incredible getup of yours... you're just playing ghost to fool the people on the Koutetsujou for your own profit, aren't you?"
"Did you think I would be easily tricked by your disguise like those ignorant fools?"
Enoku felt he had uncovered the truth. His tone grew increasingly confident. He scrutinized Mika and remarked, "I must admit, your beauty is unparalleled in this world. I could introduce you to a great personage. Then, you wouldn't need to lie to anyone to obtain unimaginable power and backing."
"What do you think of this proposal?"
"Of course, I said some things I shouldn't have to your friend just now. I will personally apologize to Mumei later."