When Hesta appeared before everyone carrying the deer head and the girl, the people of the settlement were so shocked they forgot how to speak. Man Na stepped forward and caught Jahadorei's frail body, listening in stunned disbelief as Hesta recounted what had happened to the girl. Then several young women hurried over as well and, together with Man Na, carried the unconscious Jahadorei to the doctor's residence.
Hesta casually tossed the deer head and bow by the roadside. Victoria immediately stepped forward and led her back to the guest room. The three worked in tacit coordination—Victoria and Hesta went inside while Zoe stood guard outside, refusing to let anyone enter to check on her.
A few minutes after Constraint Time began, Hesta regained the ability to converse. She carefully described everything that had happened that afternoon to Victoria. In the dim room, Victoria listened with bright, intent eyes.
"...So, was there any?" she asked quietly.
"No," Hesta said. "I checked. There wasn't any bleeding... She just passed out. She'll probably wake up after a while."
"It sounds like she was forcibly pushed into Constraint Time," Victoria said.
"Yeah... And I think she knew exactly what the consequences would be. This definitely wasn't her first time collapsing from exhaustion."
"Why?"
Hesta turned her head slightly and looked at Victoria. "During the final stretch of the hunt, she was in a hurry—I think she knew very well that once she crossed a certain line, she would lose consciousness. That feeling may be similar to when we approach the Acheron Moment..."
A burst of commotion came from outside the door. Boheng's voice was at the forefront, and Zoe sounded almost ready to fight him.
"Can you sit up now?" Victoria asked.
"...Barely."
Victoria helped Hesta to her feet, then immediately fetched some