In the silent forest, darkness swallowed everything. There was not the slightest source of light, nor was there the faintest sound of birds or beasts.
While humans, fearing for their lives, built Steel Walls and shut themselves inside Stations, the birds and beasts outside had no such ability.
In other words, across this land, nearly all birds and beasts had become food for the Kabane. Even if they could not be called extinct, they were rarely seen anywhere outside the Stations.
However, even without dangerous birds and beasts, this forest was far from safe.
After all, compared to birds and beasts, the Kabane that could pounce on humans at any time were far more terrifying.
Under such circumstances, logically speaking, no one would be willing to walk alone through a forest like this.
Yet at this very moment, someone appeared in the forest.
It was a pregnant woman.
Judging from her swollen belly, she had likely been pregnant for quite some time. She would probably give birth before long.
Unfortunately, Aragane Station had fallen before that could happen.
Thus, the pregnant woman could only enter the Iron Fortress with the child in her womb and drift along with the current.
Of course, that was not the most serious problem.
As long as one was alive, there was hope.
What was more, the Iron Fortress had many warriors, and the eldest daughter of the Yotsuyu Clan was leading them. The future was not so despairing.
At least, that was true for the other people aboard the Iron Fortress.
As for the pregnant woman, she had to face an even more immediate problem.
It was not about surviving.
"For the child in my womb..."
The pregnant woman held her belly, as though she were drawing the child inside into her arms.
Then, she continued onward.
The darkness around her made her heart tremble without end, stirring an instinctive fear within her.
Humans were creatures who feared darkness by nature.
Otherwise, they would not have invented lamps and fire to drive it away.
On top of that, man-eating monsters could appear around her at any moment. It was impossible for the pregnant woman not to be afraid.
But even so, she still had no choice but to keep moving forward.
"For the child in my womb..."
As she said this, the pregnant woman could not help recalling what had happened when she had been praying before the bonfire.
She clearly remembered that, when that man passed by her, he had said this to her.
"If you truly want to give birth to the child in your womb, then come find me."
After leaving those words behind, the man had entered this forest.
Frankly speaking, the pregnant woman understood her own condition and knew that there was not the slightest credibility to his words.
It was no longer merely a matter of suspicion, but whether it could even be done at all.
Yet hope still ignited within the pregnant woman.
Because aside from this, she no longer knew what method she could use to save herself and the child in her womb.
"I have to find him..."
Clinging to that hope, the pregnant woman began looking around.
Naturally, she could not notice it.
Behind her, a figure stood there.
If the pregnant woman had turned around at that moment, she would certainly have been frightened.
Not because of the figure's presence.
But because within his eye sockets, a pair of eyes gleaming with ice-blue light were shining, becoming the only source of light in the darkness.
And the person those Ice-Blue Demon Eyes were watching was the pregnant woman.
No.
More accurately, they were watching something deeper within the pregnant woman's body.
Those Magic Eyes capable of seeing death were now staring at the "death" of the nonhuman existence within the pregnant woman's body.
"Focus..."
That would make what he was watching clearer.
"Lock onto the target..."
That would leave whatever was hidden inside the human body with nowhere to hide.
"There was only one thing to do..."
In his hand, he held the weapon that could accomplish it.
With that, Fang Li could...
"Kill 'you'!"
Thus, as he stared at the back of the pregnant woman walking through the forest, the Slayer in the darkness sprang into action.
The next second, a dagger flashing with cold light plunged into the pregnant woman's back.
Not far from the Iron Fortress, Yomogawa Ayame was discussing their future plans with Kurusu Kunoichi and Kibito Aragane.
"The food and water stored aboard the Iron Fortress will not last much longer." Kurusu Kunoichi said to Yomogawa Ayame, "Lady Ayame, should we decide where the Iron Fortress's final destination will be?"
"As for that, I have already made a decision." Yomogawa Ayame tightened her pretty face and said, "The Iron Fortress's final destination will be Kongo Fortress."
"Kongo Fortress?" Kurusu Kunoichi was somewhat surprised.
"Isn't that the Shogunate's main base?" Kibito Aragane said directly. "The shogun who rules the Shogunate lives there. It is also the center of this country, even the front line against the Kabane. If we go there directly, will they accept us?"
"They will." Yomogawa Ayame clasped her hands before her and said softly, "My uncle is in Kongo Fortress. He currently serves as an Elder Councilor."
At those words, both Kurusu Kunoichi's and Kibito Aragane's eyes lit up.
The Shogunate's highest commander was naturally the shogun.
Below the shogun, the position responsible for assisting the shogun and overseeing all affairs of the Shogunate was the chief elder.
This was an important office in which only one person could be appointed, and only during extraordinary times.
If the Shogunate were compared to a dynasty, and the shogun to the emperor of that dynasty, then the chief elder would be equivalent to the emperor's chancellor.
When no chief elder was appointed, however, all affairs of the Shogunate would be overseen by the Elder Councilors.
In other words, when there was no chief elder, the position second only to the shogun within the Shogunate was that of Elder Councilor.
"If Lady Ayame's uncle truly serves as an Elder Councilor in Kongo Fortress, then with Lady Ayame there, Kongo Fortress will certainly accept us." Kurusu Kunoichi said in a deep voice. "In that case, going to Kongo Fortress truly is the best choice."
"That's right." Kibito Aragane nodded as well.
Just as the three of them were discussing the matter, someone slowly walked toward them.
"Hmm?" Yomogawa Ayame was the first to notice the newcomer and cried out in surprise.
"Mr. Fang Li?"
Kurusu Kunoichi and Kibito Aragane's expressions tightened at once as they looked over.
But all three of them saw it.
In Fang Li's arms, as he walked toward them, lay a sleeping pregnant woman.
Yomogawa Ayame, Kurusu Kunoichi, and Kibito Aragane were instantly stunned.
Seeing this, Fang Li spoke directly.
"Don't worry. She was only frightened."
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