Fujimaru Ritsuka opened his eyes again.
"...Huh?"
I'm... not dead?
Or is this...
Hell?
"Please don't move."
Fuuma Kotarou's solemn voice reached Fujimaru Ritsuka's ears.
"Please, do not move. Forgive me, my lord. You suffered such severe injuries, yet I only found you now. I deserve death for this."
"Though I used the Fuuma clan's secret ointment to rapidly heal your wounds, you appear to be suffering from serious blood loss."
As he spoke, Kotarou glanced to the side.
There was a huge, horrifying pool of blood there.
Without a doubt, it was Fujimaru Ritsuka's blood.
"Please rest for a while. Just lie still. Do not force yourself."
"I'm alive?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka felt his vision blurring.
He did his utmost to look around and discovered that not only was Kotarou there, but Sakumura was standing nearby as well, his expression dark.
Sakumura was examining the pool of blood on the ground.
There was no other possibility—the aura of an oni could only have been left behind by Shuten Douji.
"You're alive."
Kotarou trembled slightly as he held Fujimaru Ritsuka's hand, guilt written across his face.
"What time is it now?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka tried to sit up—but the agony in his abdomen made movement impossible.
"It's still nighttime, so you can rest easy. Take a break first; there's no need to set out immediately."
Musashi wore a smile, though her face was somewhat pale as well.
That pool of blood... A human had lost so much blood and yet still survived. Musashi dared not imagine what kind of torment Fujimaru Ritsuka had endured.
"Kotarou, let me take a look."
Kotarou nodded and gave up his place to Sakumura.
Sakumura gently pressed on Fujimaru Ritsuka's abdomen and bit his upper lip.
"His internal organs are, for the time being, all still in