There is Only One Thing to Do

In the silent forest, darkness devoured everything, with not a single ray of light nor the slightest sound of birds or beasts.

When humanity, in a state of panic, forged Steel Walls to trap themselves within stations, the birds and beasts outside lacked such ability.

In other words, across this land, nearly all birds and beasts had become food for the Kabane; even if not entirely extinct, they were rarely seen beyond the stations.

Yet, even without dangerous wildlife, this forest was no safe place.

After all, compared to birds and beasts, the Kabane that could pounce on humans at any moment were far more terrifying.

Under such circumstances, it stood to reason that no one would willingly walk alone through a forest like this.

But at this very moment, a person appeared within the forest.

It was a pregnant woman.

Judging by her swollen belly, she must have been pregnant for quite some time, and the child would likely be born soon.

Unfortunately, before that could happen, Aragane Station had fallen.

Thus, the pregnant woman could only carry her unborn child into the Iron Fortress, drifting with the tide.

Of course, this was not the most serious issue.

After all, as long as one was alive, there was hope.

Moreover, the Iron Fortress housed many warriors, led by the Eldest Daughter of the Yotsuyu Clan, so the future was not entirely despairing.

At least, that was how the other refugees in the Iron Fortress felt.

As for the pregnant woman, she had to face a far more practical problem.

Not for the sake of survival.

"For the child in my belly..."

The woman cradled her stomach, as if embracing the child within.

Then, she continued walking forward.

The surrounding darkness made her heart tremble, stirring a primal fear.

Humans were inherently afraid of the dark.

Otherwise, they would never have invented fire to drive it away.

Coupled with the fact that a man-eating monster could appear at any moment, the woman could not help but feel terrified.

Yet, even so, she had no choice but to press on.

"For the child in my belly..."

As she murmured this, she recalled what had happened earlier while praying by the campfire.

She clearly remembered that moment when that man passed by her and spoke these words.

"If you truly want to give birth to the child in your belly, then come find me."

Leaving that remark, the man had walked into this forest.

To be honest, knowing her own condition, the woman understood that the man's words held not a shred of credibility.

It was no longer a matter of mere suspicion, but of whether it was even possible.

Yet, she still clung to that hope.

Because, aside from this, she had no other way to save herself or the child in her womb.

"I must find him..."

Clutching this hope, the woman began to look around.

Such a woman naturally could not notice.

Behind her, a figure stood there.

If the woman turned around at that moment, she would surely be startled.

Not because of the figure's presence.

But because, within his eye sockets, a pair of eyes shimmering with an ice-blue iridescence glowed, becoming the sole source of light in the darkness.

And those Ice-Blue Demon Eyes were fixed on the pregnant woman.

No.

To be more precise, they were fixed on something deeper within her.

These demon eyes, capable of gazing upon death itself, were now staring at the "death" within the woman's body—something that did not belong to a human.

"Focus..."

That would make the object of his gaze clearer.

"Lock on target..."

That would leave nothing hidden within the human body.

"There is only one thing to do..."

In his hand, he held the weapon that could accomplish this deed.

Thus, Fang Li could...

"Kill 'you'!"

And so, staring at the silhouette of a pregnant woman walking through the forest, the Slayer in the darkness struck.

The next second, the dagger gleaming with cold light plunged into the pregnant woman's back.

Not far from the Iron Fortress, Yomogawa Ayame was discussing future matters with Kurusu Kunoichi and Kibito Aragane.

"The food and water stored on the Iron Fortress won't last much longer," Kurusu Kunoichi said to Yomogawa Ayame. "Lady Ayame, shouldn't we decide on the final destination of the Iron Fortress?"

"About that, I've actually already made a decision." Yomogawa Ayame tightened her pretty face and spoke. "I've set the final destination of the Iron Fortress as Kongo Fortress."

"Kongo Fortress?" Kurusu Kunoichi was somewhat surprised.

"Isn't that the shogunate's headquarters?" Kibito Aragane said directly. "The shogun who rules the shogunate lives there. It's also the center of this country, even the front line against the Kabane. If we go straight there, will they accept us?"

"They will." Yomogawa Ayame clasped her hands in front of her and said in a low voice. "My uncle is in Kongo Fortress, currently serving as an Elder Councilor."

Hearing this, Kurusu Kunoichi and Kibito Aragane's eyes both lit up.

The supreme leader of the shogunate was, of course, the shogun.

Below the shogun, the position responsible for assisting the shogun and overseeing all shogunate affairs was the Grand Elder.

This was an important post that could only be filled by one person during extraordinary times.

If the shogunate were compared to a dynasty, and the shogun to the emperor of that dynasty, then the Grand Elder would be equivalent to the chancellor at the emperor's side.

And when no Grand Elder was appointed, all shogunate affairs were managed by the Elder Councilors.

In other words, when no Grand Elder was in place, the position second only to the shogun in the shogunate was the Elder Councilor.

"If Lady Ayame's uncle truly serves as an Elder Councilor in Kongo Fortress, then with Lady Ayame here, Kongo Fortress will surely accept us," Kurusu Kunoichi said in a deep voice. "In that case, heading to Kongo Fortress is indeed the best choice."

"That's right." Kibito Aragane nodded as well.

As the three were discussing this matter, a person slowly walked toward them.

"Hm?" Yomogawa Ayame was the first to notice the newcomer, letting out a surprised sound.

"Mr. Fang Li?"

Kurusu Kunoichi and Kibito Aragane both tensed their expressions and looked over.

But all three of them saw it.

In the arms of Fang Li, who was walking toward them, lay a sleeping pregnant woman.

Yomogawa Ayame, Kurusu Kunoichi, and Kibito Aragane were all stunned.

Seeing this, Fang Li spoke directly.

"Don't worry, she's just frightened."

(Requesting collections! Requesting recommendations! Requesting clicks!)