The group split at the center of the village.
Kyon and Momo nervously led the larger group toward the local inn.
Neon was already asking questions.
Anis was examining every food stall she passed.
Javelin was fascinated by the architecture.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki headed uphill.
Beside him walked Kaguya, Akagi, Kaga, Belfast, Yorktown, Enterprise, Illustrious, and Nayuta.
The atmosphere around them was noticeably different.
No longer tourists.
No longer travelers.
They had questions.
And somebody was going to answer them.
The chief's residence sat atop the highest hill overlooking the village.
It was impossible to miss.
While most villagers lived in modest homes with weathered roofs and repaired walls—
This estate was immaculate.
Fresh paint.
New timber.
Decorative lanterns.
Stone walls.
A large gate.
Servants moved in and out carrying crates.
The contrast was glaring.
Even Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Well."
Enterprise glanced toward the estate.
"That's suspicious."
"Very."
Yorktown quietly agreed.
Below them the village struggled to grow carrots.
Above them the chief lived like nobility.
The math wasn't difficult.
Several guards immediately stepped forward.
Rabbit-eared men carrying spears, shields, and swords blocked the path.
"Halt."
The leader narrowed his eyes.
"State your business."
Yuuki smiled politely.
"We're here to see the village chief."
The guard frowned.
"No one sees the chief without permission."
"We can wait."
"No."
The guard seemed remarkably committed.
Yuuki sighed.
Then glanced toward the others.
"You know..."
The girls immediately recognized that tone.
"...we're really in a hurry."
The guard blinked.
"What?"
Yuuki nodded.
A very small nod.
That was all it took.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Several nearly silent shots echoed.
Before the guards could react—
Tiny tranquilizer darts struck their necks.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
The rabbit men froze.
Confused.
Then swayed.
Then collapsed.
One after another.
Fast asleep.
The leader managed half a sentence.
"Wha..."
Thump.
Face first into the grass.
Silence.
Enterprise calmly lowered her Falcon Automatic pistol.
Yorktown did the same.
Illustrious smiled pleasantly.
As though she hadn't just participated in an infiltration.
Belfast quietly checked her weapon.
Then returned it to concealment.
"Target neutralized."
Yuuki looked down at the sleeping guards.
"They'll be okay. The tranquilizers isn't that strong."
Belfast nodded.
"They shall awaken in approximately three hours."
"Good."
The commander had no interest in hurting innocent villagers.
Or are they?
The ears looked kind of fake.
Even if they were currently guarding the wrong person.
Nearby, Nayuta stared at the unconscious guards.
"Remarkable."
The silver-haired Nikke looked impressed.
"No blood."
"No injuries."
"Only slumber."
Enterprise shrugged.
"Commander prefers that."
Nayuta smiled softly.
"A noble habit."
Kaguya meanwhile was staring at the mansion.
The fox woman's eyes narrowed.
She could feel it.
The greed.
The corruption.
The misuse of authority.
This place was supposed to protect the villagers.
Not exploit them.
Then she sighed.
"'Tis fortunate these guards sleep."
Akagi glanced at her.
"Why?"
Kaguya's smile returned.
The dangerous one.
"Because they serve under false pretenses."
A pause.
"Had they knowingly abused my people..."
Even Akagi felt slightly concerned for whoever was inside.
Yuuki stepped over the sleeping guards.
"Let's go."
The large wooden gates stood before them.
Beyond them lay answers.
Perhaps evidence.
Perhaps corruption.
Perhaps something worse.
Belfast calmly opened the gate.
The hinges creaked.
The estate grounds stretched before them.
And somewhere inside—
The village chief remained blissfully unaware that his unexpected visitors had just bypassed the front door.
"Ufufu..."
Akagi's smile did not reach her eyes.
"If I were handling this matter..."
The fox carrier looked around at the luxurious estate.
The polished floors.
The expensive decorations.
The imported furniture.
The extravagant wealth.
All while the villagers below struggled to grow carrots.
"...I would burn this entire place to the ground."
"We are not doing that, Nee-sama."
Kaga answered immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without discussion.
The carrier already knew where that train of thought ended.
Akagi pouted.
"Muu..."
Nearby, Kaguya hid a smile behind her fan.
"My, my."
The Arcane shipgirl glanced around the estate.
"I find myself sharing thy sentiments."
Yuuki sighed.
Of course she did.
The great hall was even worse.
The moment they entered, the contrast became obvious.
Long banquet tables filled the room.
Fresh fruits.
Roasted meats.
Imported wines.
Expensive silks.
Servants hurried back and forth.
Meanwhile, below the hill—
Villagers worried about feeding themselves.
The sight immediately soured everyone's mood.
Even Illustrious frowned slightly.
A rare occurrence.
At the center of the hall sat the village chief.
A plump rabbit-eared man dressed in expensive robes.
Several armed guards stood nearby.
The chief was in the middle of a luxurious meal.
Until the doors opened.
Then everything stopped.
The chief blinked.
Once.
Twice.
His fork froze halfway to his mouth.
Because entering the hall were perhaps the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Belfast.
Illustrious.
The room itself seemed brighter.
For a brief moment—
His brain completely stopped functioning.
Then his eyes lingered.
Far too long.
Far too obviously.
And Yuuki immediately noticed.
The commander's expression did not change.
Not outwardly.
But the girls felt it.
The slight shift in his heart.
The possessiveness.
The irritation.
The silent jealousy.
The simple thought that immediately crossed his mind.
Stop staring at my girls.
The shipgirls felt it instantly.
Their linked hearts made hiding such things impossible.
Yorktown's lips curved upward slightly.
Enterprise looked away to hide her amusement.
Belfast smiled faintly.
Illustrious seemed positively delighted.
Even Akagi's tails swayed.
Because while Yuuki rarely said such things aloud—
Moments like this revealed exactly how much he cared.
How protective he was.
How much he treasured them.
The chief, meanwhile, remained completely unaware.
Still staring.
Still admiring.
Still making a terrible first impression.
Then Yuuki stepped forward.
One step.
The chief finally noticed him.
And immediately looked disappointed.
The room's temperature seemed to drop.
Ever so slightly.
The village chief coughed.
Attempting to regain some dignity.
"Ahem."
His eyes moved between the visitors.
"Who are you people?"
Yuuki smiled politely.
The kind of smile that usually preceded trouble.
"We're travelers."
The chief frowned.
"Travelers do not normally enter my estate uninvited."
"True."
Yuuki nodded.
"Your guards weren't very accommodating."
Several nearby guards immediately reached for their weapons.
Enterprise's hand drifted toward her concealed pistol.
Yorktown remained calm.
Belfast looked entirely unbothered..
The one that usually preceded someone's life becoming significantly more complicated.
The chief leaned back.
Attempting to appear important.
"You have some nerve."
His eyes drifted toward Illustrious again.
Then Belfast.
Then Yorktown.
Then Enterprise.
Yuuki's smile vanished.
Instantly.
The chief finally noticed.
And for the first time—
A small feeling of unease appeared.
Because suddenly the man before him no longer looked friendly.
No longer looked relaxed.
No longer looked like a tourist.
Instead—
He looked like someone evaluating a problem.
And deciding how best to solve it.
The atmosphere inside the great hall had already become tense.
Then Yuuki casually walked forward.
Ignoring the guards.
Ignoring the chief.
Ignoring the growing hostility.
He simply pulled out a chair.
Turned it around.
And sat down.
The action alone stunned everyone present.
The village chief stared.
"...What are you doing?"
Yuuki rested one arm against the chair.
Completely relaxed.
"I came here to make demands."
The chief blinked.
"What?"
Yuuki smiled.
The dangerous smile.
"The village."
A pause.
"You'll give it to me."
Silence.
Utter silence.
The chief's face immediately turned red.
"You!"
He slammed both hands onto the table.
"You walk into my home—"
Then pointed dramatically.
"And demand my village?"
Yuuki shrugged.
"Pretty much."
The chief nearly exploded.
"GUARDS!"
Several armed men rushed forward.
"CAPTURE HIM!"
"THROW HIM INTO A CELL!"
The guards immediately reached for their weapons.
Then—
Yuuki glanced sideways.
"Girls?"
The answer came instantly.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Pfft.
Pfft.
A series of nearly silent shots echoed throughout the hall.
The guards froze.
Confused.
Then collapsed one after another.
Fast asleep before they even reached their targets.
Several servants screamed.
One man managed three steps.
Then face-planted into a carpet.
Silence returned.
The chief stared.
Then stared harder.
Then looked toward Belfast.
Enterprise.
Yorktown.
Illustrious.
Each calmly lowering concealed pistols.
As though this happened every day.
"..."
His brain temporarily stopped functioning.
Yuuki sighed.
Then looked around the hall.
The guards.
The servants.
The supposed rabbit men.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"I happened to notice something."
The chief remained silent.
Yuuki pointed.
"Your men are humans."
The room froze.
Several servants visibly paled.
Then Yuuki continued.
"No rabbit ears."
"No tails."
"No Tsukimimi."
A pause.
"Just fake disguises."
The chief's face immediately darkened.
Yuuki slowly stood.
Then looked out the window.
Toward the struggling village below.
"The people outside can barely grow food."
Then toward the luxurious feast.
"You seem to be eating just fine."
The accusation landed heavily.
Then Yuuki looked directly at him.
"You came into their home."
"You used their traditions."
"You used their fears."
"And then you oppressed them."
His expression hardened.
"You've got a lot of nerve."
The chief immediately pointed at him.
"You have no idea who you're talking to!"
The man stepped backward.
Trying to regain confidence.
"Do you know who protects me?"
Yuuki remained silent.
The chief grinned.
"Lady Kaguya."
That name immediately made the others smile.
A very unpleasant smile.
The chief continued.
"I am her envoy!"
"I represent her authority!"
"I carry her mandate!"
The room became quiet.
Very quiet.
Then—
A familiar voice echoed from the entrance.
"Ah."
Everyone turned.
Kaguya stepped into the hall.
Akagi beside her.
Kaga beside her.
The illusion disguising her vanished.
Fox ears appeared.
Then one tail.
Then another.
And another.
And another.
Until—
Ten magnificent tails spread behind her.
Golden spiritual energy filled the room.
The servants immediately gasped.
Several dropped to their knees.
The chief's face turned white.
Kaguya calmly surveyed the room.
Then the unconscious guards.
Then the luxurious feast.
Then the chief.
The fox woman's smile never changed.
Which somehow made it worse.
"There thou art, dearest."
Yuuki nodded.
"Found him."
"Clearly."
Kaguya lightly tapped her fan against her palm.
Then looked around.
"It appears every man within this estate is human."
A pause.
"And wearing fake rabbit ears."
The chief stumbled backward.
One step.
Then another.
His confidence was evaporating rapidly.
Then Kaguya looked directly at him.
The smile vanished.
Instantly.
"Nay."
The single word echoed throughout the hall.
"We sent thee?"
The chief froze.
"Lady—"
"Since when?"
Her voice remained calm.
Dangerously calm.
"We requested no tribute."
"N-No—"
"We demanded no harvest."
The pressure in the room increased.
Even the servants were trembling now.
Then Kaguya slowly stepped forward.
Each step deliberate.
Measured.
Royal.
"I departed these Isles ten years ago."
Her tails swayed behind her.
"To protect them."
Another step.
"I entrusted their care unto worthy hands."
Another step.
"And whilst I wandered elsewhere..."
The fox woman's eyes narrowed.
"Thou used my name."
The chief visibly shook.
Then Kaguya opened her fan.
"And for what?"
She gestured toward the feast.
The estate.
The wealth.
The servants.
The luxury.
"To enrich thyself?"
The man fell backward.
Landing on the floor.
"You..."
His voice trembled.
His face had gone completely pale.
His eyes fixed on the ten tails.
The ears.
The overwhelming spiritual pressure.
The sheer presence.
Everything matched the legends.
Everything matched the stories.
Everything matched how he remembered the stories.
The realization finally struck.
This wasn't an impersonator.
This wasn't a traveler.
This wasn't a coincidence.
The real one had returned.
"Y-You..."
His voice cracked.
"Lady Kaguya...?"
The fox woman looked down at him.
Then softly smiled.
A beautiful smile.
A terrifying smile.
"Aye."
The room became silent.
Then Kaguya gently closed her fan.
"I believe."
A pause.
"We have much to discuss."
The village chief's face had become completely pale.
His mind raced desperately.
Trying to find an escape.
Trying to find an excuse.
Trying to find some way out of this disaster.
But there wasn't one.
Because standing before him was not a rumor.
Not a legend.
Not a name he could hide behind.
The real Kaguya had returned.
And she knew everything.
Five years ago, the old village chief had died.
A kind elderly Tsukimimi woman.
One of the caretakers Kaguya had personally entrusted with the Autumn Isles.
The moment she passed away—
He had acted.
Arriving with a group of human followers.
Putting on fake rabbit ears.
Claiming to be an envoy.
Claiming to carry Kaguya's authority.
And because the Tsukimimi were trusting people—
They believed him.
The tribute began.
Then taxes.
Then harvest quotas.
Then fees.
Then punishments.
Little by little—
The wealth of the village flowed uphill.
Into this estate.
Into his treasury.
Into his pockets.
And now—
The woman whose name he had abused stood before him.
Kaguya calmly looked down at him.
Ten tails swaying behind her.
The chief could barely breathe.
Then the fox woman smiled.
A beautiful smile.
The kind one might mistake for kindness.
Until one looked into her eyes.
"Now."
Her voice echoed through the hall.
"Thou hast heard mine husband's demands."
The chief trembled.
Yuuki quietly folded his arms.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then Kaguya continued.
"Hand over the village."
The fan snapped shut.
"Quietly."
The pressure in the room intensified.
"Gather thy men."
"And leave."
The chief immediately shook his head.
"B-But—"
Kaguya's eyes narrowed.
The room instantly became silent.
"Did I stutter?"
The question landed like a hammer.
The chief immediately stopped speaking.
The fox woman stepped forward.
Just one step.
Yet it felt like a mountain moving.
"Thou arrived as a traveler."
Another step.
"Thou shall depart as a traveler."
Another.
"No title."
"No authority."
"No tribute."
"No village."
The chief visibly wilted.
Then Kaguya glanced toward the estate.
Toward the storerooms.
Toward the treasury.
Toward the wealth extracted from generations of trusting villagers.
Her expression hardened.
"Furthermore."
The chief immediately looked ill.
"Empty thy treasury."
His eyes widened.
"W-What?"
The fan tapped lightly against her shoulder.
"Every coin."
The smile returned.
Dangerously sweet.
"Every crystal."
The chief looked ready to faint.
"Every crate."
Then she pointed toward the village below.
"Return it unto the Tsukimimi."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The chief slowly turned toward Yuuki.
As though hoping the Commander would be more reasonable.
More negotiable.
More forgiving.
Instead—
Yuuki simply shrugged.
"You heard what she said."
The answer came immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without compromise.
The chief's shoulders slumped.
Because somehow—
The human commander seemed even less willing to negotiate.
Nearby, Akagi smiled.
"Oh?"
The fox carrier folded her arms.
"I think Lady Kaguya is being generous."
The chief froze.
Kaga nodded.
"I agree."
Enterprise sighed.
Yorktown looked disappointed.
Belfast remained perfectly composed.
Illustrious simply smiled.
The combined effect was somehow terrifying.
Because none of them looked angry.
They looked like people who had already decided the outcome.
Then Nayuta finally spoke.
The silver-haired Nikke quietly observing until now.
"'Tis a mercy."
The chief looked toward her.
Confused.
Nayuta met his gaze calmly.
"Many rulers would have punished thee more severely."
The implication settled heavily.
Because everyone in the room knew she was right.
Five years of exploitation.
Five years of theft.
Five years of abuse.
And the punishment was merely exile.
The chief slowly lowered his head.
Defeated.
Broken.
Cornered.
There was no argument left.
No authority.
No protection.
No lie powerful enough to save him.
Not when the very person whose name he had stolen was standing before him.
Then Kaguya softly sighed.
The anger had faded.
Replaced by disappointment.
Perhaps the deepest wound of all.
"I left these people a home."
Her gaze drifted toward the village.
Toward the orange forests beyond.
Toward the floating islands she once protected.
"And I returned to find them suffering. If weren't for my husband, this one would kill thee."
For the first time—
The chief couldn't even meet her eyes.
Outside—
The wind carried orange leaves across the hills.
The villagers continued their daily lives.
Unaware that at this very moment—
The false ruler who had oppressed them for years had just lost everything.
And before the day ended—
The Autumn Isles would belong to the Tsukimimi once again.
The group exited the mansion.
Only to stop.
And stare.
The front courtyard looked like a battlefield.
A very one-sided battlefield.
Roughly fifty men were scattered across the yard.
Some sat tied to posts.
Others lay groaning on the ground.
A few hung upside down from nearby trees.
Every single one had been disarmed.
Every single one had been captured.
Every single one looked thoroughly defeated.
The fake rabbit ears they had worn were scattered everywhere.
The illusion of legitimacy had completely vanished.
Now they looked exactly what they truly were.
Bandits.
Pirates.
Opportunists.
Yuuki blinked.
Then blinked again.
"What happened here?"
The answer came immediately.
Eugen waved casually from atop a crate.
"Teddy Bear."
The cruiser looked entirely pleased with herself.
"Don't mind the mess."
The tied-up men groaned.
One pirate attempted to glare at her.
Then immediately looked away.
Apparently he had learned something valuable.
"What mess?"
Yuuki asked.
Eugen pointed.
"These gentlemen tried to attack us."
A pause.
"So we educated them."
The Iron Blood cruiser smiled brightly.
The pirates collectively looked traumatized.
Nearby, Hipper sighed.
The heavy cruiser kicked aside a broken sword.
The blade snapped completely.
"Honestly."
She folded her arms.
"What were they thinking?"
Several damaged weapons lay nearby.
Swords.
Spears.
Shields.
Every single one ruined.
The chief visibly winced.
Those had cost money.
Hipper glanced at the shattered weapons.
Then toward the unconscious pirates.
Then toward Yuuki.
"Trying to fight shipgirls with medieval swords."
The cruiser shook her head.
"Idiots."
Even Takao quietly nodded. She didn't even need to draw her blade.
The outcome had never been in doubt.
Atago meanwhile had discovered the fake rabbit ears.
Several of them.
The cruiser held one up.
Examining it.
Then smiled.
"Oh my."
She looked toward the chief.
"These aren't villagers."
The rabbit-ear disguise dangled from her fingers.
Then Atago's smile became colder.
"They're pirates."
The statement landed heavily.
Several villagers who had begun gathering nearby immediately gasped.
Pirates.
The word spread quickly.
Whispers traveled through the crowd.
The truth was finally emerging.
The former chief visibly sagged.
Because there was no denying it anymore.
Not now.
Not after everything had been exposed.
Yuuki looked at him.
Then toward the tied-up men.
Then back again.
The pieces finally fit together.
Not administrators.
Not caretakers.
Not village officials.
Pirates.
Using a peaceful village as their personal treasury.
The commander's expression hardened.
"You're their captain."
The chief didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Everyone already knew.
Yuuki pointed toward the mansion.
"Empty the treasury."
Silence.
Then the commander pointed toward the village below.
"Give everything back."
The villagers froze.
The pirates froze.
Even the servants froze.
Because nobody had expected the stolen wealth to actually return.
The chief slowly lowered his head.
Defeated.
"..."
Yuuki's voice remained calm.
Then afterward—
"Leave."
The single word echoed through the courtyard.
A simple sentence.
A final verdict.
The pirate captain looked years older.
Then Yuuki raised his hand.
A familiar glow appeared.
The air distorted slightly.
Several villagers stepped back in alarm.
Then—
THOOM.
Ten figures descended into the courtyard.
Metal boots struck the ground.
Armored legions stood in formation.
Each carrying enough firepower to conquer the village by themselves.
The Tsukimimi immediately stared.
Mouths open.
Ears standing upright.
Children pointed.
Adults forgot how to breathe.
The Iron Legion soldiers stood silently.
Awaiting orders.
The pirate captain looked ready to faint.
Again.
Yuuki pointed toward him.
"Follow him."
The soldiers immediately moved.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the estate.
Then Yuuki continued.
"Locate the treasury."
Another pause.
"Remove everything."
The metallic warriors nodded.
"Every coin."
"Every crystal."
"Every tribute."
The commander looked toward the village below.
"Return it to the Tsukimimi."
The Iron Legion immediately obeyed.
The villagers watched in stunned silence.
The same people who had spent years scraping together tribute.
Years struggling to survive.
Years fearing eviction.
Now watched as armored legions marched into the mansion to reclaim everything stolen from them.
Some couldn't believe it.
Others began crying.
Several simply stood frozen.
Unable to process what was happening.
Nearby, Kaguya watched quietly.
Her tails swaying behind her.
For the first time since arriving—
Some of the tension left her shoulders.
The fox woman looked toward the villagers.
Then toward Yuuki.
A faint smile appearing.
"Dearest."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
"Yes?"
Kaguya's eyes softened.
"Thank thee."
The words carried genuine gratitude.
Not as a ruler.
Not as a powerful shipgirl.
But as someone who had entrusted her people to others.
Only to discover they had suffered.
And now—
For the first time in years—
The Autumn Isles were beginning to heal.
Yuuki smiles and pats her head which Kaguya leans in. She might disappeared for ten years from the island but, she cares for her former territory.
News spread through the village faster than wildfire.
One moment, the Tsukimimi had been preparing another tribute payment.
The next—
The false chief had fallen.
The pirates had been exposed.
And Lady Kaguya herself had returned.
The older villagers arrived first.
Elders.
Farmers.
Caretakers.
People old enough to remember the years before the pirates arrived.
The moment they saw Kaguya standing atop the hill, many froze.
Then tears appeared.
Several immediately dropped to their knees.
Others bowed deeply.
Not out of fear.
But gratitude.
Relief.
Recognition.
One elderly rabbit woman stepped forward.
Her ears trembling.
"Lady Kaguya..."
The fox woman immediately moved to help her stand.
"There is no need."
Yet the old woman shook her head.
"There is."
Tears ran down her face.
"The previous steward was kind."
Her voice shook.
"We lived peacefully."
Others nodded.
"We had enough food."
"We helped one another."
"The harvests were plentiful."
Then the expressions darkened.
"But after she passed..."
Silence followed.
Because everyone knew what came next.
The pirates had arrived.
Claiming to represent Kaguya.
Claiming to be her envoys.
Claiming tribute was required.
The Tsukimimi had believed them.
Because they trusted.
Because they were honest people.
Because they never imagined someone would abuse the name of the woman who once saved them.
That betrayal hurt far more than the stolen wealth.
Kaguya listened quietly.
Her expression unreadable.
Yet Akagi and Kaga could tell.
She was furious.
Not explosive anger.
Not battlefield rage.
Something colder.
More personal.
The anger of a protector who discovered her people had been mistreated.
Below the mansion—
The Iron Legion worked tirelessly.
The gold-masked black-and-white armored soldiers emerged from the estate carrying heavy crates.
One after another.
Then another.
And another.
The villagers watched in disbelief.
The amount of wealth was staggering.
Coins.
Jewelry.
Trade goods.
Precious crystals.
Rare materials.
Years of stolen tribute.
Years of exploitation.
Years of theft.
All carried out into the open.
The pirate captain looked increasingly ill.
Because every crate revealed the extent of his greed.
The Iron Legion simply continued.
Silent.
Efficient.
Unstoppable.
One box after another was stacked in the village square.
The growing pile became impossible to ignore.
Yuuki quietly observed.
Then asked one of the elders.
"How many people live here?"
The elder bowed respectfully.
"Approximately three hundred."
The commander blinked.
Only three hundred.
The village suddenly seemed much smaller.
Yet despite their numbers—
The fields surrounding the settlement stretched across multiple terraces.
Dozens of floating gardens.
Hundreds of cultivated plots.
Then Yuuki understood.
The Tsukimimi were farmers.
Exceptional farmers.
Generations of experience.
Knowledge passed down through centuries.
Even with poor soil and exploitation—
They still managed to survive.
The realization only made the pirates' actions worse.
Nearby, Takao folded her arms.
Her expression unusually stern.
"To exploit farmers."
The swordswoman shook her head.
"There is little honor in such actions."
Atago nodded.
The elder sister's smile had vanished entirely.
"The weak entrusted them with authority."
Then softly—
"And they abused it."
The offense clearly struck a personal nerve.
Akagi's tails swayed behind her.
Not playfully.
Dangerously.
"The Sakura Empire values those who cultivate the land."
Her voice carried unusual seriousness.
"The farmers feed everyone."
Kaga nodded.
"They should be protected."
Not exploited.
Not threatened.
Not robbed.
The carrier's eyes drifted toward the tied-up pirates.
Needless to say—
Neither fox was impressed.
Meanwhile, the villagers slowly realized something.
The treasure was being returned.
Actually returned.
Not redistributed.
Not taxed.
Not inspected.
Returned.
The Iron Legion carried crates directly to the village square.
Where elders began identifying what belonged to whom.
A farmer recognized jewelry that had belonged to his family.
A merchant found trade goods confiscated years ago.
Another villager discovered savings taken as tribute.
One by one—
Pieces of their lives returned.
The atmosphere gradually changed.
Fear disappeared.
Hope replaced it.
Children laughed.
Families embraced.
The elders cried openly.
And for the first time in years—
The village felt alive again.
Kaguya stood quietly watching.
The wind moved through her ten tails.
Orange leaves drifted around her.
For a brief moment—
She looked exactly like the guardian spirit described in the old stories.
The protector who descended from the heavens.
The savior of the Autumn Isles.
Then an elderly Tsukimimi approached.
Bowing deeply.
"Welcome home, Lady Kaguya."
The fox woman froze slightly.
Home.
A word she rarely used.
Rarely thought about.
Then she looked across the village.
The people.
The fields.
The shrines.
The floating islands.
And finally smiled.
A genuine smile.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Not mischievous.
Simply warm.
"It's good to be back."
And around her—
The people of the Autumn Isles cheered.
The return of the stolen treasure alone would have been enough to make the day memorable.
Yuuki wasn't finished.
The commander stood at the center of the village square.
Watching the enormous mansion overlooking the settlement.
The symbol of five years of exploitation.
The symbol of greed.
The symbol of everything wrong with the village's recent history.
Then he calmly tapped his communicator.
"Jarvis."
"Yes, Commander."
"Send down salvage drones."
Several villagers tilted their heads.
Salvage drones?
A few moments later—
Tiny lights appeared in the sky.
Dozens of them.
Hundreds.
The drones descended from above the clouds like a metallic flock of birds.
The Tsukimimi immediately gathered to watch.
Children pointed excitedly.
Adults looked confused.
Even Kyon and Momo had no idea what they were seeing.
The drones surrounded the mansion.
Then blue beams of light appeared.
At first nothing happened.
Then—
The building began to dissolve.
Not explode.
Not collapse.
Dissolve.
Wood became particles.
Stone became particles.
Metal became particles.
Everything broke apart into streams of raw material.
The villagers gasped.
Several children screamed in excitement.
One elderly rabbit woman nearly dropped her cane.
The process was astonishing.
Walls vanished.
Roofs disappeared.
Decorations broke down into reusable resources.
Every piece of the estate was carefully dismantled.
Nothing wasted.
Nothing destroyed unnecessarily.
Within minutes—
The mansion was gone.
Completely.
The enormous estate that had dominated the village for years simply ceased to exist.
Leaving behind only a flat patch of earth.
The Tsukimimi stared.
Speechless.
Then the drones changed tasks.
The streams of reclaimed material shifted.
Moving toward damaged homes.
Toward broken roofs.
Toward weakened support beams.
Toward aging structures.
And suddenly—
The village began repairing itself.
Like magic.
Damaged houses restored themselves.
Broken walls became whole again.
Weathered roofs became new.
Cracked foundations repaired.
Support beams replaced.
The drones worked with impossible precision.
Within an hour—
Homes that had suffered years of neglect looked new again.
The villagers watched with tears in their eyes.
Kyon stared at her house.
The roof had been repaired.
The walls restored.
Even the small garden fence had been fixed.
The rabbit girl's ears trembled.
"It's..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Momo wasn't doing much better.
"It looks like when I was little."
The woman covered her mouth.
Trying—and failing—not to cry.
Meanwhile—
The pirate captain watched from a distance.
Looking utterly defeated.
His mansion.
Gone.
His treasure.
Gone.
His authority.
Gone.
Everything he had stolen was returning to the people.
The irony was not lost on anyone.
The Iron Legion soon escorted the pirates toward the lower paths leading off the island.
The armored soldiers marched in perfect formation.
The pirates shuffled along miserably.
The journey would be long.
Very long.
Because the Orca had spared Yuuki's group from climbing.
The pirates would not receive such generosity.
They would walk.
Every step.
Every staircase.
Every mountain path.
All the way back down.
One pirate glanced at the legion soldiers.
The towering armored warriors didn't even look at him.
Yet everyone understood.
The warning had already been given.
Try to fight.
Try to escape.
Try to return.
And the outcome would not be pleasant.
The pirates wisely kept walking.
Back in the village—
The atmosphere had completely transformed.
Fear was gone.
Laughter returned.
Music began appearing.
Families reunited.
Food was brought out.
The recovered wealth meant people could finally breathe again.
For the first time in years.
Then one of the elders approached Kaguya.
Followed by another.
Then another.
Soon half the village seemed gathered around her.
The fox woman looked slightly confused.
"Ara?"
The elder bowed.
"We wish to celebrate."
Kaguya blinked.
"Celebrate?"
The elder smiled.
"The return of our guardian."
Another villager nodded eagerly.
"A festival."
"A proper one."
The idea immediately spread.
Children cheered.
Adults smiled.
The entire village seemed energized.
Kaguya looked around helplessly.
Then toward Yuuki.
Then toward Akagi.
Then Kaga.
Then back toward the villagers.
The fox woman slowly smiled.
A genuine smile.
One she rarely showed.
"Very well."
The entire village erupted into cheers.
As preparations began, Yuuki noticed something else.
The Tsukimimi's opinion of humans had changed.
Not for the better.
Several villagers watched the departing pirates with visible distrust.
Others whispered among themselves.
The wounds left by five years of deception would not heal overnight.
To them—
Humans had arrived.
Lied.
Stolen.
Exploited.
And abused their trust.
The damage went deeper than lost treasure.
It touched the heart of the community itself.
Yorktown noticed it too.
"So that's the problem."
Yuuki nodded.
"The pirates didn't just steal money."
The commander watched the villagers.
"They stole trust."
The carrier quietly agreed.
And that would take much longer to repair.
Fortunately—
As the Tsukimimi looked toward Kaguya.
Toward the shipgirls.
Toward the people who had helped them without asking for payment—
Perhaps that healing had already begun.
And as festival preparations filled the village with excitement once more—
The Autumn Isles finally felt like a home again.
"That was tiring."
Anis stretched her arms as they walked through the village.
The Nikke looked toward the distant hill where the mansion used to stand.
Or rather—
The empty patch of land where it used to stand.
"Hard to fight in a kimono."
Rapi nodded in agreement.
"Movement is restricted."
"See?"
Anis immediately pointed.
"Rapi understands."
The silver-haired Nikke simply adjusted her sleeves.
Still not used to traditional clothing.
Neon looked considerably happier.
"Still fun though."
The energetic Nikke grinned.
"It's a shame we couldn't use real firepower."
Enterprise immediately looked at her.
Neon coughed.
"Within reasonable limits."
"Better."
The memory of the battle still lingered.
The pirates had clearly expected easy targets.
Instead—
They encountered shipgirls.
Nikkes.
And several very motivated maids.
Ade quietly adjusted her kimono.
Trying very hard not to think about the fact she had thrown three grown men into a pile.
Soda wasn't helping.
"You were amazing."
"Ade."
"You really were."
"Ade."
The maid's face reddened.
Meanwhile Cocoa nodded enthusiastically.
"One pirate flew."
"He did not fly."
"He flew a little."
"He fell."
The smaller shipgirls had enjoyed themselves far more than they should have.
Javelin had somehow turned tranquilizer pistols into a game.
The Bulins had been supervised at all times for obvious reasons.
Laffey had fired accurately despite looking half asleep.
Unicorn mostly stayed behind the adults.
Though she still managed to help.
The destroyers considered the entire event a success.
The adults were slightly concerned by that.
The adult shipgirls were considerably simpler.
Most of them simply used their fists.
A pirate would charge.
A shipgirl would punch.
The pirate would reconsider his life choices.
The process repeated itself roughly fifty times.
In the end—
The pirates were gone.
The treasure returned.
The homes repaired.
The village restored.
A surprisingly productive morning.
Above them, the last salvage drone rose into the sky.
Its engines glowed briefly before disappearing into the clouds.
Returning to the invisible Daedalus waiting high above the Autumn Isles.
Soon the skies looked normal again.
As though none of the impossible technology had ever been there.
With the immediate crisis solved, Yuuki turned his attention toward another problem.
The farms.
The villagers.
The unhealthy crops.
Something still didn't add up.
The pirate tribute explained the poverty.
But it didn't explain the poor harvests.
"Momo."
The rabbit girl immediately looked up.
"Y-Yes?"
"Kyon."
The younger villager perked up.
"Can you show me the water source?"
The two exchanged glances.
Then their expressions fell slightly.
"Of course."
The group followed them beyond the village.
Past the repaired homes.
Past the terraces.
Past the orange forests.
Toward the upper farming districts.
The further they walked—
The more obvious the problem became.
Dry soil.
Stressed crops.
Shriveled vegetation.
Even Yuuki could see it.
And he wasn't a farmer.
Eventually they reached the reservoir.
Then everyone stopped.
"...Oh."
Yorktown frowned.
Enterprise folded her arms.
Belfast's expression sharpened.
Even Kaguya looked surprised.
The reservoir was enormous.
Far larger than expected.
A vast circular basin carved into the mountain itself.
Ancient stone walls surrounded it.
Channels extended outward toward dozens of farming terraces.
Clearly designed to supply the entire island.
And it was almost empty.
The basin lay cracked and dry.
Only a few shallow puddles remained.
Barely enough to reflect the sky.
The stone channels were equally dry.
Dust gathered where water should have flowed.
The sight explained everything.
The poor harvests.
The dying crops.
The failing farms.
At the center of the reservoir stood a massive well.
Ancient.
Decorated with faded carvings.
Old enough that even Kaguya looked thoughtful.
Momo lowered her ears sadly.
"This is our reservoir."
The villagers behind them nodded.
"We used to have enough water."
Kyon kicked a loose pebble.
"More than enough."
Then she pointed toward the empty basin.
"But for years now..."
Her voice became quieter.
"The water keeps disappearing."
Kaguya slowly walked toward the edge.
Looking down into the dried reservoir.
Her expression became serious.
"Disappearing?"
"Aye."
Momo nodded.
"The rains still come."
"The mountain springs still flow."
"But the reservoir never fills."
That immediately caught Yuuki's attention.
Because that wasn't normal.
Not even remotely normal.
Water didn't simply vanish.
Not on this scale.
The commander approached the ancient well.
Looking down into the darkness below.
The air felt cooler here.
Older.
Almost... unnatural.
Beside him, Esche suddenly fluttered nervously.
The fairy's wings slowed.
"Hmm."
Yuuki stood at the edge of the ancient well.
Then glanced down into the darkness.
"Dried out."
Esche landed on his shoulder.
"You think something's wrong?"
"Maybe."
The commander rolled his shoulders.
Then activated his armor.
VROOOM.
Blue thruster flames erupted from his hands and feet.
The Tsukimimi immediately gasped.
Several took steps backward.
They had seen strange technology today.
This was still impressive.
Before anyone could ask questions—
Yuuki stepped off the edge.
And dropped.
"COMMANDER!"
Neon immediately rushed forward.
Only to see him slowing his descent using controlled bursts of thrust.
The blue flames illuminated the ancient shaft.
Esche flew beside him.
The fairy glowing softly.
Turning the darkness into silver twilight.
Down.
Further down.
Past ancient stone.
Past old carvings.
Past layers of earth.
The well was much deeper than expected.
Yet there was no water.
Not even a trickle.
Eventually Yuuki reached the bottom.
His boots touched dry stone.
The sound echoed throughout the shaft.
Silence followed.
Esche floated around.
Examining the walls.
The floor.
The stone.
Everything.
Then she frowned.
"It's completely dry."
Yuuki crouched.
Touching the ground.
The earth beneath was compact.
He noticed it. The well was sabotaged.
Those damned pirates.
They really created a situation to further press the bunnies.
Then, he noticed something.
He could feel moisture much deeper below.
Far beneath the surface.
Interesting.
Several minutes later—
Blue thrusters illuminated the shaft again.
Yuuki rose back toward the surface.
Esche beside him.
The villagers immediately gathered around.
"What happened?"
Kyon asked.
"Dried."
Yuuki answered.
"But not dead."
The commander looked toward his shipgirls.
Then smiled.
"Purin."
The middle Bulin immediately perked up.
"Bulin?"
Yuuki pointed toward the well.
"Can you drill deeper?"
The Bulin's eyes sparkled.
Finally.
A task perfectly suited for her.
"BULIN!"
The small engineer immediately activated her equipment.
Massive twin drills unfolded from her rigging.
The villagers collectively stared.
The drills were almost larger than she was.
Then—
She jumped.
VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
The entire reservoir shook.
The sound echoed across the valley.
Birds scattered from nearby trees.
Several Tsukimimi covered their ears.
Purin descended into the well.
Drilling.
Deeper.
And deeper.
And deeper.
Then suddenly—
Something changed.
A distant rumble echoed from below.
The ground trembled.
The well vibrated.
Then—
BOOOOOM.
A massive column of water erupted upward.
The reservoir exploded with cheers.
Water.
Real water.
Crystal-clear mountain water.
Bursting from the ancient well.
Decades of trapped groundwater suddenly finding release.
Before the excited villagers could rush forward—
Yuuki pulled Purin back out of the well.
The Bulin emerged looking triumphant.
"Bulin!"
She raised both fists.
Mission accomplished.
Then the commander reached into his inventory.
The villagers immediately watched.
Because by now they had learned that whenever Yuuki reached into that mysterious inventory—
Something impossible happened.
A small metallic capsule appeared.
No larger than a backpack.
The Tsukimimi looked confused.
"What is that?"
Momo asked.
Yuuki placed it beside the well.
Then activated it.
CLICK.
WHIRRRRR.
The capsule unfolded.
Expanding.
Growing.
Transforming.
Until a sophisticated pumping and filtration station stood beside the well.
The villagers stared.
Mouths hanging open.
"What..."
Kyon blinked.
"What?"
The machine hummed to life.
Digital screens illuminated.
Pumps activated.
Filters engaged.
The entire system began operating automatically.
Then the water surged.
High-pressure streams rushed from the well.
Flowing into the reservoir.
Faster.
And faster.
And faster.
The dried basin began filling before everyone's eyes.
Cracked stone disappeared beneath rising water.
The channels connected to the farms slowly filled.
Ancient irrigation routes awakened for the first time in years.
The Tsukimimi couldn't believe it.
Kyon ran to the edge.
Then pointed.
"Momo!"
The rabbit girl's ears stood straight upward.
"It's water!"
The older villager immediately rushed over.
Her eyes widened.
The channels were flowing again.
Actually flowing.
"It's water!"
Kyon nearly cried.
The younger girl grabbed Momo's hands.
"Look!"
The two watched clear water race through the irrigation system.
Toward the farms.
Toward the fields.
Toward the terraces.
Toward their future harvests.
Around them—
The villagers erupted into celebration.
Children laughed.
Adults cried.
Several elders openly wept.
Years of drought.
Years of failing crops.
Years of uncertainty.
Gone.
Kaguya quietly watched the reservoir fill.
The fox woman smiled.
A warm smile.
Not the smile of a ruler.
Not the smile of a legendary shipgirl.
Just someone happy seeing her people smile again.
Yorktown folded her arms.
Looking toward Yuuki.
"One day."
The carrier laughed softly.
"You're going to make me stop being surprised."
Yuuki shrugged.
"Good luck with that."
Nearby, Esche hovered above the water.
Still looking thoughtful.
The fairy watched the well.
Then the growing reservoir.
The celebration around the reservoir had barely begun when Yuuki reached into his inventory again.
Several villagers immediately noticed.
By now, that motion had become synonymous with miracles.
Whenever the strange traveler reached into that seemingly bottomless storage space—
Something impossible usually followed.
"What now?"
Anis asked.
Yuuki pulled out a metallic container.
Simple.
Compact.
Unremarkable.
At least until he opened it.
Inside was a fine silver-green powder.
The shipgirls immediately recognized it.
Not the exact product.
But the technology behind it.
Yorktown smiled knowingly.
Enterprise folded her arms.
Belfast looked interested.
Because they knew where it came from.
Yuuki's world.
A world forced to survive alongside Tiberium.
A world where humanity had learned to adapt or perish.
"This fertilizer is specially made from where I come from."
The villagers blinked.
Fertilizer?
That didn't sound nearly as impressive as flying machines or magical inventory spaces.
Yuuki walked toward one of the struggling carrot fields.
The same field Kyon had shown them earlier.
The soil was dry.
The crops weak.
The harvest disappointing.
Then he sprinkled a small amount over the earth.
Only a handful.
Nothing more.
The villagers watched.
Waiting.
Nothing happened.
For approximately three seconds.
Then—
The soil shifted.
A tiny green sprout emerged.
Then another.
Then another.
Then dozens.
The Tsukimimi collectively froze.
The plants grew.
Rapidly.
Leaves expanded.
Roots deepened.
Stems thickened.
Orange tops emerged from the soil.
Kyon rubbed her eyes.
Then rubbed them again.
The carrots continued growing.
Within moments—
A fully mature crop stood before them.
Large.
Healthy.
Perfect.
The kind of carrots farmers dreamed about.
The entire field had transformed.
Silence followed.
Absolute silence.
Then Momo screamed.
"IT GREW!"
The rabbit girl ran forward.
Immediately grabbing one.
Then another.
Then another.
All perfect.
Every single one.
Kyon looked ready to faint.
"It..."
The younger villager stared at the harvest.
"It shouldn't..."
She looked at Yuuki.
Then back at the carrots.
Then at Yuuki again.
"It grew."
Yuuki smiled.
"The fertilizer accelerates growth."
The villagers listened carefully.
"Normally these crops would take weeks."
He held up a carrot.
"Now?"
The commander shrugged.
"About four days."
The Tsukimimi stopped functioning.
Four days.
Not four weeks.
Not a month.
Four days.
Several farmers immediately sat down.
Unable to process the implications.
The water reservoir.
The irrigation system.
The restored homes.
The returned treasure.
And now—
A way to dramatically increase food production.
Kyon looked at the field.
Then at the villagers.
Then at the field again.
Tears appeared in her eyes.
"We can grow enough."
The realization hit her all at once.
No more shortages.
No more rationing.
No more failed harvests.
No more fear.
Momo hugged her.
The two rabbit girls nearly cried from happiness.
Around them—
The rest of the village reached the same conclusion.
Farmers immediately began discussing planting schedules.
Families talked about expanding fields.
Merchants started calculating trade possibilities.
The entire community suddenly had a future again.
Yorktown watched quietly.
A gentle smile on her face.
"He really can't help himself."
Enterprise laughed softly.
"No."
"He can't."
Nearby, Rapi observed the villagers.
Their expressions.
Their relief.
Their excitement.
Then nodded.
"This will change their lives."
Nayuta smiled.
"Aye."
The silver-haired Nikke looked upon the gathering with warmth.
"'Tis rare to witness hope take root before one's very eyes."
Kaguya stood at the center of it all.
Watching her people laugh again.
Watching children run through the fields.
Watching elders smile for the first time in years.
The fox woman's eyes softened.
Five years of suffering.
Gone.
In a single afternoon.
Then she quietly moved beside Yuuki.
Looking across the restored village.
The filled reservoir.
The thriving fields.
The repaired homes.
The celebrations beginning to spread.
Her voice became unusually gentle.
"Dearest."
Yuuki glanced toward her.
"Hm?"
Kaguya smiled.
A genuine one.
Not teasing.
Not playful.
Simply sincere.
"Thou hast repaired more in one day than I did in ten years."
The commander looked around.
Then shrugged.
"That's what happens when people stop making your villagers pay tribute."
Kaguya laughed.
The first truly carefree laugh since arriving.
And as the sun drifted across the orange skies of the Autumn Isles—
The Tsukimimi celebrated.
Not merely the return of Lady Kaguya.
Not merely the defeat of the pirates.
But the return of something they had nearly lost.
Hope.
And for the first time in many years—
The future looked bright.
As the celebrations continued throughout the village, Yuuki quietly stepped away from the crowd and looked across the Autumn Isles.
The immediate crisis was solved.
The pirates were gone.
The water had returned.
The houses were repaired.
The villagers had their treasure back.
But that wasn't enough.
Not for him.
Because Yuuki wasn't interested in solving today's problems.
He wanted to solve the next ten years.
Standing atop a hill overlooking the village, he watched farmers excitedly discussing future harvests.
Children ran through the fields.
The reservoir slowly filled.
The Tsukimimi smiled again.
Then he began calculating.
The fertilizer would help.
The water pumps would help.
The irrigation system would help.
But none of that mattered if nobody maintained it.
Drone hives required supervision.
The farming drones would eventually need maintenance.
The water systems required monitoring.
The sprinklers needed calibration.
The villagers would need training.
Trade routes would need to be established.
And eventually—
The island would need representation.
Yorktown approached first.
"Hana."
Yuuki smiled.
The carrier joined him quietly.
"You look like you're planning something."
"I am."
Yorktown laughed softly.
"Of course."
Soon the others gathered as well.
Enterprise.
Belfast.
Illustrious.
Kaguya.
Akagi.
Kaga.
Nayuta.
Yuuki pointed toward the fields.
"In one month."
The group listened.
"The fertilizer and farming drones will stabilize food production."
Then toward the reservoir.
"Water problem solved."
Then toward the village.
"Housing problem solved."
Kaguya nodded.
Reasonable.
Then Yuuki continued.
"Two months."
The commander began tracing imaginary routes in the air.
"The village starts producing surplus food."
Enterprise immediately understood.
"Trade."
"Exactly."
The carrier nodded.
The floating islands were isolated.
Food exports would become extremely valuable.
"Six months."
Yuuki pointed toward the skies.
"Regular export routes."
Then toward the cable systems.
"Transportation improvements."
Then toward the village.
"Tourism."
The girls blinked.
"Tourism?"
Neon asked.
Yuuki nodded.
"Look around."
Everyone did.
Orange forests.
Floating mountains.
Ancient temples.
Shrines.
Waterfalls.
Golden clouds.
Beautiful architecture.
Rabbit-eared villagers.
The place practically advertised itself.
"People would pay to visit this place."
Anis immediately agreed.
"I would."
Then looked around.
"Actually I am."
The others laughed.
Yuuki continued.
"We can create guided tours."
"Festivals."
"Markets."
"Cultural exchanges."
The possibilities kept growing.
Soon even Kaguya looked interested.
Then the fox woman noticed something.
The commander wasn't smiling anymore.
Instead—
He looked thoughtful.
"Dearest."
Yuuki looked toward her.
"What troubles thee?"
The commander sighed.
Then finally voiced the problem.
"I won't be here."
Silence followed.
The girls immediately understood.
Two days.
Then Laurelin.
Then the Mother Whale.
Then the rescue mission.
Then countless other responsibilities.
The Autumn Isles couldn't travel with them.
Someone needed to stay.
Someone trustworthy.
Someone who understood logistics.
Agriculture.
Community management.
Infrastructure.
People.
Someone who wouldn't exploit the villagers.
Someone who would genuinely care.
Kaguya folded her fan.
Then smiled.
"Aye."
The fox woman immediately realized where his thoughts were heading.
"So."
A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.
"Which of thy ladies art thou about to assign?"
The others immediately became alert.
Very alert.
Akagi narrowed her eyes.
Kaga folded her arms.
Enterprise looked curious.
Yorktown raised an eyebrow.
Belfast simply waited.
Because they all knew that look.
The one Yuuki wore whenever a plan was forming.
The commander looked down toward the village.
Watching the Tsukimimi celebrate.
Watching children run through the restored streets.
Watching farmers excitedly discuss future harvests.
=========
While Yuuki was busy planning the future of the Autumn Isles, another miracle was quietly unfolding near the village square.
It began with a single patient.
Then ten.
Then fifty.
Then seemingly half the village.
Vestal had originally intended to perform a simple checkup.
Nothing more.
Just helping a few villagers while the celebrations continued.
Then she noticed something.
The Tsukimimi rarely complained.
They endured.
Worked.
Smiled.
And continued moving forward.
But many carried untreated illnesses.
Old injuries.
Chronic pain.
Conditions that should have been treated years ago.
Akashi noticed it too.
The green-haired repair ship immediately abandoned her plans to browse village markets.
"Nya..."
Her ears drooped.
"They're sick."
Nearby sat a rabbit-eared mother holding a young child.
The child's breathing sounded strained.
The mother looked exhausted.
Years of stress and poor nutrition had taken their toll.
Vestal knelt beside them.
"May I?"
The mother looked nervous.
Then nodded.
A soft blue light appeared.
The familiar GIZMO beam activated from her gauntlet.
The villagers gasped.
The child blinked.
Then blinked again.
The discomfort vanished.
The fatigue disappeared.
The fever broke almost instantly.
The mother stared.
Then touched her child's forehead.
Then touched it again.
Tears immediately appeared.
The child smiled.
The first truly healthy smile in who knew how long.
That was all it took.
Word spread.
Rapidly.
Faster than the news of the treasure.
Faster than the repaired homes.
Faster than the restored reservoir.
"There are healers!"
"They can cure sickness!"
"They healed little Mia!"
"The doctors from the heavens!"
Suddenly—
The line appeared.
Then another line.
Then another.
Vestal blinked.
Akashi blinked.
Then both looked at the growing crowd.
"Oh dear."
Vestal adjusted her glasses.
The line stretched across the village square.
Akashi stared.
"Nya."
A pause.
"Nyaaaaa."
The villagers continued arriving.
Elderly farmers.
Children.
Pregnant mothers.
Workers with old injuries.
People suffering from conditions they had simply learned to live with.
Soon the line extended around an entire block.
Fortunately—
These were not ordinary doctors.
Vestal immediately entered professional mode.
Akashi followed.
The two repair ships had spent years treating shipgirls.
Compared to that—
This was manageable.
GIZMO beams illuminated the square.
Soft blue lights danced between patients.
One by one.
Injury after injury.
Illness after illness.
The treatments continued.
An elderly rabbit man who had suffered chronic back pain for years suddenly stood upright.
A young girl with breathing problems began running around without difficulty.
A farmer with an old leg injury nearly cried when he realized the pain was gone.
The reactions spread through the village.
Soon people weren't merely lining up.
Entire families arrived together.
Yuuki eventually noticed the commotion.
Looking down the road.
Then stopping.
"..."
The line was enormous.
"What's happening?"
Neon asked.
Yorktown laughed softly.
"I think Vestal discovered patients."
The group followed his gaze.
Then immediately understood.
At the center of the crowd—
Vestal looked completely at home.
Professional.
Focused.
Calm.
Akashi was slightly less professional.
Mostly because she kept accepting vegetables as payment.
"Akashi."
Vestal sighed.
"Nya?"
"We're not charging them."
"But they insist, nya."
The repair ship pointed toward a growing pile of carrots.
Several grateful Tsukimimi had apparently ignored her objections.
The pile continued growing.
Eventually Vestal made a decision.
"We'll need additional facilities."
Akashi immediately grinned.
"Nya!"
Moments later—
A portable medical station unfolded in the village square.
The villagers collectively gasped.
Again.
Then came the med bay.
A compact version.
Not nearly as advanced as the ones aboard Daedalus.
Yet still centuries ahead of anything the villagers had ever seen.
Critically ill patients were immediately brought inside.
Those with severe conditions.
Those requiring surgery.
Those who had suffered for years.
The results bordered on miraculous.
One elderly woman emerged from the med bay without the cane she had relied on for nearly a decade.
A child suffering from a congenital condition walked out healthy.
Several villagers openly wept.
Soon the line became even longer.
"Nya..."
Akashi looked toward the crowd.
Then toward Vestal.
Then toward the crowd again.
"There are more."
Vestal sighed.
Then smiled.
A gentle smile.
The smile of someone who had found exactly where she was needed.
"Then let's keep going."
And as evening approached—
The village found itself receiving not one miracle.
But many.
A restored reservoir.
Prosperous fields.
Returned treasure.
Repaired homes.
And now—
Healthcare beyond anything they had ever imagined.
The Tsukimimi would remember this day for generations.
=========
The medical station had quickly become the busiest place in the entire village.
Far busier than anyone expected.
The Tsukimimi had spent years enduring ailments they simply considered part of life.
Old injuries.
Poor eyesight.
Joint pain.
Lingering illnesses.
Nutritional deficiencies.
Conditions that would have been treated long ago anywhere aboard the Daedalus.
Akashi's ears drooped.
"Nyaa..."
The line stretched halfway across the village.
"There are more."
The repair ship looked genuinely overwhelmed.
Then toward Vestal.
Then toward the crowd.
Then toward the crowd behind the crowd.
"Nyaa..."
"There are too many."
Vestal sighed.
Though there was warmth in her expression.
"Two of us aren't enough."
The healer adjusted her glasses.
Another patient had already arrived.
Then another.
And another.
"We could assist."
The calm voice came from Belfast.
The head maid stepped forward.
Ade, Soda, and Cocoa beside her.
The four had already been observing the procedures for some time.
Vestal immediately nodded.
"Thank you."
Soon the medical effort expanded.
The portable med bays handled the serious cases.
Belfast organized patient records with frightening efficiency.
Ade comforted nervous patients.
Soda kept spirits high.
Cocoa somehow became popular among the children.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki quietly opened his inventory.
Then produced several GIZMO repair guns.
Advanced medical devices normally used by support crews.
Anis blinked.
"Commander."
Yuuki handed her one.
"Congratulations."
"What?"
"You're a nurse now."
Anis stared.
Then stared harder.
Then pointed at herself.
"I have absolutely no medical qualifications."
"Neither did Neon."
Yuuki handed another one over.
"Hey!"
Neon protested.
Rapi simply accepted hers without complaint.
As usual.
Soon the three Nikkes were helping under Vestal's supervision.
To everyone's surprise—
They were actually doing well.
Nayuta joined as well.
The silver-haired Nikke moving from patient to patient with surprising gentleness.
Her old-fashioned speech made many villagers nervous at first.
Then comforted them shortly afterward.
"'Tis merely a small procedure."
The elderly rabbit woman looked terrified.
Then Nayuta smiled.
"Fear not."
A soft healing beam activated.
The pain disappeared.
The woman immediately burst into tears.
Nayuta panicked.
"Oh dear."
The elderly woman hugged her.
Nayuta froze.
Completely unprepared.
The nearby shipgirls laughed.
Elsewhere—
Nimi had somehow become crowd control.
The destroyer organized waiting lines.
Patient registration.
Treatment schedules.
And managed to prevent complete chaos.
Javelin helped.
Though she was admittedly less organized.
Unicorn worked with the children.
Calming nervous patients.
Keeping families together.
Helping wherever she could.
Laffey meanwhile...
Was being Laffey.
The sleepy destroyer somehow ended up sitting beneath a tree surrounded by children.
Nobody knew how.
Nobody knew when.
The children adored her.
Laffey simply accepted her fate.
"...Laffey is now babysitter."
Nearby—
Prince of Wales assisted with logistics.
Avrora helped elderly patients.
Sandy entertained waiting children.
The Bulins transported supplies.
Somehow with alarming efficiency.
Even Hipper was helping.
Though she denied it every time someone pointed it out.
"I'm not helping."
The rabbit child blinked.
"But you're carrying medicine."
"I'M MOVING IT."
The child nodded.
"Helping."
Hipper nearly exploded.
The atmosphere gradually transformed.
What began as a medical station became something more.
A community effort.
The villagers.
The shipgirls.
The Nikkes.
Everyone working together.
Akashi wiped her forehead.
"Nyaa..."
She looked around.
The workload had finally become manageable.
Then smiled.
"Thanks everyone."
Vestal nodded.
"Thank you."
The healer genuinely meant it.
Without the others—
They would have been treating patients until tomorrow.
Some villagers still seemed hesitant.
Particularly around Kaguya.
The fox woman had been helping where she could.
Healing.
Comforting.
Listening.
Yet many still viewed her almost like a divine figure.
Several elderly Tsukimimi would rather suffer in silence than inconvenience her.
Kaguya found this mildly frustrating.
"Dearest."
She sighed.
"They fear disturbing me."
"That's because you have ten tails."
"A minor detail."
"No."
Yuuki replied.
"A major detail."
The fox woman pouted.
Then—
Nayuta suddenly froze.
The silver-haired Nikke had been scanning the crowd absentmindedly.
Watching patients move through the line.
Observing faces.
Monitoring the gathering.
Then her eyes widened.
"Nayuta?"
Rapi immediately noticed.
The silver-haired Nikke didn't answer.
Instead—
She stared toward the far end of the queue.
Two figures stood together.
Hidden beneath travel cloaks.
Faces partially concealed.
Trying very hard not to draw attention.
Which only made them stand out more.
Nayuta immediately recognized them.
Her synchronization with the original.
Her recovered memories.
Her search mission.
Everything clicked into place.
"No..."
Nearby, Anis followed her gaze.
Then froze as well.
Neon looked.
Then nearly dropped her medical tool.
Ade gasped softly.
Soda blinked.
Cocoa stared.
Even Rapi's eyes widened.
The two cloaked figures slowly realized they had been spotted.
One of them visibly tensed.
The other sighed.
As though knowing this moment would eventually come.
Nayuta stepped forward.
Almost disbelieving.
The crowd parted slightly.
Then she spoke.
Quietly.
Carefully.
As though afraid they might disappear.
"...Mary?"
The first figure froze.
"...Pepper?"
The second figure lowered her head.
Around them—
The medical station gradually fell silent.
Because several Nikkes had just recognized two people they never expected to find.
The very Nikkes Nayuta had originally come to the Autumn Isles searching for.
And somehow—
They had been standing in the treatment line the entire time.