The carriage had been "taken" from in front of the Eternal Paradise Faith's mountain gate.
Calling it "taken" was not quite accurate.
More precisely, when Higashino Makoto walked out of the ruins and saw the black carriage parked by the roadside, he reached out and patted the horse's back. The horse snorted, lowered its head obediently, and he climbed aboard as though it were only natural.
"This is Doma's carriage."
Shinobu Kocho stood beside the carriage, her purple eyes glaring at it as if it were something filthy.
"Now it's mine."
Higashino Makoto leaned against the cushioned seat inside the carriage, his golden eyes half-lidded.
"Get in."
Shinobu Kocho bit her lip, but climbed aboard anyway.
Kanae Kocho followed behind her, with Kanao Tsuyuri getting in last.
Momo sat in the driver's seat, holding the reins in her hands as her tail swayed gently behind her.
The carriage slowly made its way along the mountain road.
The rhythmic sound of wheels crushing gravel drifted into the carriage. Higashino Makoto reclined against the soft seat with his eyes closed, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.
The three girls sat across from him. Their bodies were covered in wounds, but they were no longer in serious condition. In fact, their bodies were even better than usual.
Before they boarded, Higashino Makoto had used healing magic. The wounds pierced through by ice crystals were already healing, and the blood that had been frozen was flowing again.
Even some lingering ailments left behind by training had been repaired in the process.
"Lord Higashino."
Kanae Kocho's voice broke the silence in the carriage.
"Mm."
"Why... why did you help us back then?"
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, his golden gaze resting on her.
"Hadn't you already paid the price?"
"Just because of that?"
"Just because