Several People Recovering from Their Injuries

After a while, Lisanna sent a signal. Ed, who had been about to leave with Mira and Elfman, suddenly sensed strange magic gathering in the sky.

"Hmm?! What's that?" Watching a circular cloud formation gradually take shape in the sky, Ed took Mira and Elfman back to town first just in case and entrusted them to the doctor. Once he had made sure they were settled, he returned to the spot. Looking at the now perfectly normal sky, Ed felt somewhat puzzled.

"What was that just now? Hmm? Who's that? Mystogan?" Looking at the departing figure, Ed thought for a moment before deciding to follow him.

"Hmm? Ed? Why are you here?" Mystogan asked curiously as Ed caught up.

"Mira came nearby for a job, so I came along. Did you see that thing in the sky just now? It seemed like some kind of strange magic," Ed replied.

"It was merely weather magic. I've already dealt with it; it's nothing special. I have things to do, so I'll be leaving now." With that, Mystogan left directly.

Ed bid farewell to his strange companion and returned to town to begin caring for the others.

After a night of rest, everyone was doing much better. Lisanna had already begun helping care for the severely injured Elfman, while Mira looked like she would wake up soon as well.

Watching the doctor examine Elfman, Ed decided to check on Mira.

"Lisanna!! Ed!" The moment Mira opened her eyes, she let out a loud shout. Only afterward did she realize she was lying in an unfamiliar room.

Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, Mira felt as though none of this was real. Then she struggled to get up and head outside. Just then, the door opened, and when Mira looked up, she saw Ed entering.

"Ed! Lisanna! How is Lisanna?! And Elfman!" Mira anxiously asked Ed, her body instinctively leaning forward as she nearly fell out of bed.

Ed quickly stepped forward to catch Mira and helped her back onto the bed. "Don't worry. Lisanna and Elfman are both fine. I saved her before she was hit. She's over there taking care of Elfman right now."

"What about Elfman?" Hearing that Lisanna was safe, Mira instantly relaxed. Then she asked how her brother was doing, since before she had passed out, he had looked ready to rampage until the end of time.

"As for Elfman... he should be mostly fine. Mainly, in order to pull him out of the Beast King's Take Over, I might have hit him a little too hard... He's still unconscious right now... but with some time to recover, all of his injuries will heal." Ed scratched his head awkwardly as he spoke.

Once Mira heard that neither her brother nor sister was in mortal danger, her entire body relaxed. Looking at Ed before her, she could no longer hold back the fear in her heart. She threw herself into his arms and burst into tears. "Waa... I thought... I thought Lisanna was going to be... because of Elfman... Thank goodness for you, Ed... Waaah..."

Seeing Mira sobbing uncontrollably in his arms, Ed gently wrapped his arms around her and slowly patted her back as he spoke softly.

"It's okay now. It's okay. You did well. It was because you remembered how to use the kunai I gave you that I was able to get there and save Lisanna in time. That was all thanks to you. Rest easy. Your brother and sister are my brother and sister too. As long as I make it there, they won't be harmed."

"Ed..." Mira looked up at Ed through tear-filled eyes. The man before her, her lover, had saved her when she had been at her most desperate.

Unable to hold herself back, Mira wrapped her arms around Ed's neck and kissed him directly. Ed returned her embrace and gently responded to her kiss.

After a long while, their lips parted, a glistening thread connecting Ed and Mira's lips. Mira gazed at Ed with a flushed face, while Ed looked back at her affectionately. The two drew closer again.

"Ahem, ahem...!" Suddenly, a cough came from the doorway. The two hurriedly separated and looked toward the door.

Lisanna stood at the doorway with an awkward expression, looking off to the side as she said, "Um... Mira, you're awake... The doctor said Elfman's injuries have stabilized. He'll probably wake up tomorrow, but after that, he'll likely need to stay in bed for a while. Ahaha... Um... you two carry on. I'll go back and take care of Elfman first."

Watching Lisanna walk away stiffly, moving her arms and legs in unison like a robot, Ed could not help laughing.

"You're still laughing!" Mira said, embarrassed and indignant.

"What's wrong? We've been dating for so long. It's not like we've never kissed before. Why are you so embarrassed?" Ed teased Mira.

"That was always when no one was around! This is completely different!" Mira lay down and pulled the blanket over her head. "Go away~ I'm going to sleep."

"Careful not to suffocate yourself~"

"Go away!" Amid Mira's embarrassed shout, Ed left the room to check on Elfman.

After Ed left, Mira sat up. Thinking back over the events of the job, she could not help feeling lingering fear. Because of her carelessness, because she had not investigated the Beast King's strength beforehand, things had ended up like this.

If Ed had not arrived, Lisanna might have been seriously injured or even killed. Elfman might have been completely consumed by the Beast King, and Mira herself likely would not have fared well either.

At that thought, Mira could no longer remain calm. The overwhelming guilt nearly consumed her soul.

"I'm sorry... Lisanna... I'm sorry... Elfman..." Accompanied by suppressed sobs, Mira felt a trace of disgust for the version of herself who had always charged into battle without thinking whenever she encountered an enemy.

Meanwhile, Ed had already confirmed Elfman's condition with the doctor. Once Elfman woke up, they could leave, but to prevent lingering effects or hidden injuries, it would be best for him to rest for a while longer after returning home.

After seeing the doctor off, Ed said to Lisanna, "Good thing Mira remembered that kunai at the critical moment, or I wouldn't have been able to arrive in time. Otherwise, you would've been done for. What were you thinking? You actually dared to stand in front of the rampaging Beast King's Soul?"

As Ed lectured Lisanna, he poked her forehead over and over with his finger.

"I'm sorry... I thought I could wake Elfman up..." Lisanna said, looking somewhat wronged.

"You're talking back! I can see you haven't learned your lesson at all." Hearing that only made Ed angrier, and he pressed harder with his finger.

"That hurts!" Lisanna clutched her head and crouched defensively. "I know I was wrong! I won't do it again!"

"You still think there'll be a next time?!" Ed grew even angrier.

"Mira, save me!"

"She's lying in bed too!"

"Waa... You're bullying me!"