The next morning.
Abihime summoned all the Bird Tribe's core warriors to a meeting in the Castle's great hall.
The three of them were called over as well.
The hall was huge, large enough to hold more than a hundred people, but today fewer than twenty were seated there.
They were all the Bird Tribe's backbone, and every one of them had the strength of a Great Demon.
Abihime sat in the main seat, her expression far graver than usual.
"You all know what happened last night."
Her voice was not loud, but in the quiet hall, it was especially clear.
"Four demons infiltrated the Castle. Their target was one of those three children."
She glanced at Saku.
"To be precise, they came for the 'mark.'"
"The mark?"
An older Bird Tribe warrior frowned.
"Your Highness, what mark?"
"The Moon Eater's mark."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Then a burst of noisy discussion erupted.
"Moon Eater? That Moon Eater?"
"Isn't that just a legend? It really exists?"
"Why are they looking for her?"
"..."
Abihime raised a hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Silence."
The voices gradually died down.
"Now is not the time to discuss why."
"The problem now is that Moon Eater has already taken notice of this place."
"And much faster than we expected."
She paused, looking at every person seated there.
"The four that came last night were only scouting the way."
"The real attack is still to come."
"So from today onward, we double the alert level."
"Add three more patrol shifts at night. No one is to act alone."
"Understood?"
"Understood!"
The warriors answered in unison.
After the meeting ended, Abihime kept the three children behind.
Only the four of them remained in the hall.
"Big Sister Abihime."
Sakura spoke up