Xia Xi found a flat patch of ground and settled the four of them there.
Then he prepared medicine on the spot and bandaged them one by one.
Tomioka and Dingqi had long since lost consciousness.
After seeing Xia Xi arrive, Persimmon's taut nerves abruptly relaxed, and he soon drifted into a heavy sleep as well.
Only Kozō-whether because the boy had a strong constitution,
or because practicing martial arts since childhood had given him a greater tolerance for pain-
somehow managed to cling to consciousness.
He even had enough strength left to joke with Xia Xi.
"Lord Dawn Hashira, after this mission... could we get another promotion...?"
Xia Xi kept working without looking up. "You're still thinking about promotions at a time like this? Recover first. Everything else can wait."
Having said that, Xia Xi felt he probably shouldn't dampen their enthusiasm too much.
So he amended his words.
"Don't worry about promotions. You're one of my people in Kūmachiza."
"If I say the mission succeeded, then it succeeded."
"If I say you did a splendid job, Headquarters won't find a single fault with it."
"Once we get back, I'll have Little White notify Headquarters. Besides, even split four ways, the credit for killing a Lower Rank is enough to promote each of you by one rank."
He could even put in a few extra words with the Ubuyashiki to get these four children more allowances and medical leave.
To kill a Lower Rank above their rank...
Honestly, they had done even better than he had expected.
"Hehe... heh, cough, cough, cough..."
The young man laughed and coughed, tugging at his wounds, yet the light in his eyes remained undimmed.
"It's really wonderful... serving under Lord Dawn Hashira..."
"Oh, right, Lord Dawn Hashira. If I get promoted... could you