A metallic clang echoed belatedly. Silence followed, leaving only the low rumble of the train to fill the void. Beyond the windows, the fiery glow breathed by the Hatchlings spread like a sunset.

By then, the train had already reached full speed. It was too late to turn back.

“Ms. Rebecca.”

“…”

“Just now…”

“…That was a mistake.”

She uttered a lie she couldn’t even believe herself. Then, forcing herself to look away from the window, she continued.

“She wouldn’t have died. The Hatchling’s flames would have targeted the larger group.”

“…”

“Right. She surely… she must have sought shelter somewhere safe with Mrs. Lopez.”

“…”

“Lope. If you intend to blame me, that’s your right. But…”

“Ms. Rebecca.”

I halted her surging emotions. Then, I spoke in a flat voice.

“We could have taken her with us.”

“I know.”

“At the very least, we didn’t have to leave her out there.”

“I know. It’s just…”

“…”

“…I need to check the train’s condition.”

Ms. Rebecca ultimately avoided my gaze and headed toward the front of the train. Only then did Saya emerge from the driver’s cabin, approaching me in complete ignorance of what had just happened.

“Lope. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Did something… happen with Ms. Rebecca?”

“That’s…”

Instead of answering, I cast my gaze toward the window. Through the rapidly passing scenery, the burning city of Bellentel came into view. The people’s prophecy that it would one day become a second capital was being fulfilled in a twisted manner.

Perhaps if I looked down, I might catch sight of the girl collapsed by the railway. Driven by that faint hope, I glanced back, but the only things visible were the gravel bouncing wildly in every direction. 

I eventually let out a sigh and slumped into my seat as if collapsing. Blood of unknown origin dripped damply down my body.

“Haa…”

“Lope. What happened?”

“That’s…”

“Rebecca pushed the Student Council President, Saya.”

Before I could finish, Haru spoke up first. She tightened her loosened blindfold and gave a slight nod in my direction.

“Isn’t that right, Senior?”

“Yeah.”

“So… Erika was following behind? And she just pushed her?”

“Yeah. So she couldn’t board the train.”

“That’s…”

“The reason is obvious.”

If Erika boarded the train, she might become a potential rival. Bringing her here in the first place was meant to separate her from the group. When the situation turned strange, Rebecca must have feigned a mistake to eliminate her from the party.

It was a painfully obvious story without needing to spell it out. Saya and Haru seemed to share the same thought, falling silent for a moment.

Eventually, Saya cautiously broke the silence.

“Lope.”

“Yeah.”

“You can’t save everyone.”

“I know.”

I never intended to in the first place.

It had been the same at the Academy. While it was true that I had helped many students escape the island, that was merely a byproduct. My original goal was to go to the Land of Elves with the people precious to me.

Besides, Erika was never included among them. Our relationship began as a bitter entanglement, and I had never once considered her someone precious. So, at first, I had deliberately pushed her away to avoid giving myself false hope.

If anything, Ms. Rebecca had done far more for me than Erika ever had. During our days at the Academy, during our escape from the island, and even after escaping, she had been my mentor and steadfast supporter. She had given me so much that I was just beginning to slowly decide who should receive the remaining Marks.

Logically speaking, that was the truth. Thinking rationally, as I always did, it was the right call. 

But…

…

Even so, I was helpless against the unsevered emotions overwhelming my reason. Whenever I closed my eyes, the image of Erika from moments ago flashed behind my eyelids.

Along with the sight of Ms. Rebecca ruthlessly pushing her away.

That scene forced another horrific imagination upon me. What if it hadn’t been Erika standing there, but Saya? Or Haru? Or me?

Would the same thing have happened?

What if. What if Ms. Rebecca were to view Saya and Haru as rivals for the Marks? What would she do then?

Would I…

…

Would I have to doubt even the benefactor who saved my life?

“Lope. Are you okay?”

“…No.”

I answered honestly without realizing it to Saya’s sudden question. At least to these two, I didn’t want to lie. Even if the world were collapsing around me, I wanted to be my true self in front of them.

Having lived as a loner without a single precious thing to my name, these were bonds I could only grasp after surviving the apocalypse. Having embraced people far beyond my worth, I never wanted to lose them now. 

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I instinctively grabbed their hands. Saya’s soft and warm hand. Haru’s small, rough hand. Saya silently supported my heart, while Haru opened her mouth with her usual biting tone.

“Senior, you’ve lost a lot of weight.”

“Have I?”

“I can feel nothing but bones.”

“…”

“…Ah, damn it. I’ll go talk to her.”

Haru abruptly bolted from her seat and headed toward the driver’s cabin. I hurriedly tried to stop her, but my strength gave out, and I slumped back down. Soon, Saya’s hand covered my eyes.

“You need to rest, Lope. You’re exhausted.”

“…I don’t have a fever or anything, do I?”

“You’re fine. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I see.”

I murmured my response and closed my eyes. Instead of darkness, a crimson red filled my vision. Perhaps it was because I was drenched in Dragon’s blood. Saya continued to wipe my face as if trying to wash it away.

But it was already too late. Even if the blood was washed away, the traces of another’s blood would remain bruised into my very bones. Amidst endless anguish and wandering thoughts, I finally voiced the words I had kept locked in my heart.

“This is hard.”

“…Uwek.”

…

“Ugh…Uwek…”

…

“Cough…Ugh…”

…

Every time I emptied my stomach, a pitch-black mass spilled out. It was likely a mixture of oil and clotted blood. The rapidly depleted mana was backflowing, simultaneously tearing at my throat and the machinery inside me. 

I almost spilled everything onto the floor, but fortunately, there was an empty bucket in the driver’s cabin. I had no idea what its original purpose was. Perhaps it was a makeshift toilet for the driver’s emergencies, or just a simple trash can. Either way, it was a stroke of luck for me. At least I could hide this from the kids.

But no matter how much I threw up, it wouldn’t stop. The Gauntlet’s influence must have been significant. Unlike other weapons, it wasn’t something where the output could be adjusted. Furthermore, perhaps due to the shock earlier, it had fused to my hand, and I couldn’t take it off anymore.

I suppose I had to slowly accept it. My body had crossed its limits a long time ago. The military doctors had originally predicted I wouldn’t survive the year.

And right now, I was desperately struggling to bring that prediction even closer, sweeping away everything in my path.

The male students who passed by me at the school gate.

The genius girl of the Academy whose face I hadn’t even known.

Even the Student Council President who had always respectfully followed me.

I had struck them all down just to save my son.

For my child, whose life or death remained unknown.

…

“Ugh…”

Recalling that thought, blood seeped from my mouth once again. The countless faces I had abandoned kept flashing through my mind. When I decided to get this prosthetic arm, I should have first replaced the plaster filling this skull of mine.

Just as I was drowning in those thoughts, the door suddenly opened.

“Hey, Rebecca!”

“…!”

Fearing it might be Lope, I hurriedly shoved the bucket into the corner, but fortunately, it was Haru. Despite being blind, she pretended to look around before spitting out in a stiff tone.

“What were you doing?”

“I was just…”

“Doesn’t matter. Senior is struggling again because of you. Because you go starting trouble on your own.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Honestly, I didn’t like you from the start. I should have just taken you out back then. Why do you keep making things difficult?”

“Sorry…”

“Good grief.”

She suddenly sniffed the air. Then, frowning, she spoke in a dry voice.

“Looks like you threw up blood. So what. Am I supposed to feel guilty about that?”

“That’s not it.”

“Where is there anyone here who isn’t hurting? Who here doesn’t have a tragic past?”

“I know that too.”

“Then why do you keep causing trouble so selfishly?”

“I’m sorry…”

“…Ah, shit.”

Haru, having spewed out a barrage of irrefutable truths, twisted her lips and flopped down right on top of me. Then, she aggressively bumped her head against my chest.

“If you have a problem, move. My legs hurt and I can’t stand anymore.”

“No problem.”

“Then stop flinching. It’s annoying.”

“Okay.”

At my response, she pouted and leaned her body against mine. A warm aura radiated from her tiny frame.

She was a good child. A twisted past and a brutal world had crushed her body and mind, yet she had never become a villain. A soft, tender sensitivity still remained within her heart.

Perhaps it was because she was still immature. It was the same for Lope and Saya, but Haru was particularly young to be forced into adulthood. However, the world demanded that she become a mature child, and she had no choice but to comply. That must be why she still maintained a fabricated cheerfulness in front of Lope.

Still, she was a young child, so subconsciously she must have been looking for someone to indulge her dependency. And that person was me. She could shake off that instinct without guilt toward a sinner like me.

…

And perhaps the same was true for me. I also wanted someone to rely on me. I wanted to confirm that somewhere inside me, the undeserved title of ‘mother’ still remained. So, without realizing it, I had…

…

It wasn’t the first or second time I had treated her like my own child.

“Cough…”

Guilt was vomited out once again as a cough. Haru perked up her ears and asked bluntly.

“What. Are you going to die soon or something?”

“Probably.”

“Because of the prosthetic arm?”

“No. I’m just someone who has to die.”

“Then just stay alive until we reach the destination.”

“…Understood.”

In the end, the corners of my mouth lifted slightly. Her constant prickly demeanor kept reminding me of my son. For a moment, my vision blurred, and reality and fantasy mingled without boundary.

“Ah…”

In that moment, I almost stroked Haru’s head without realizing it. But I desperately suppressed that urge and clenched my fist on my lap. Haru quietly sat leaning against my chest.

The desire to protect at least this child swelled softly in my chest. It was arrogant to harbor such a wish after having struck down so many children until now. Nevertheless, I prayed with my sinful hands. 

Please, let me be able to protect this child.

…

And let there be no committing a sin against this child for my other crimes.

Folding hands devoid of flesh, I prayed earnestly.