"Us?" Yuichiro asked, puzzled. "Where are we going?"
"To a crucial location." Tetsu no Sosuke handed Yuichiro the materials he had prepared long ago. "Your research into Mechanism Arts is already nearly on par with mine. These are the mechanical traps I've developed lately. The supplies are ready, and the site has already been prepared. Muichiro will protect you on the way. I want you to set up every trap in these blueprints as quickly as possible! Our lives depend on this. Can you shoulder that responsibility?"
Tetsu no Sosuke's expression was grave.
Yuichiro shook off his bewilderment as well. He knew what had kept Tetsu no Sosuke so busy lately.
His own inability to help had left him frustrated and worried.
He had never expected that, in the end, the most important task would fall to him.
The pressure settled onto his shoulders in an instant, leaving him almost breathless. Yet he was not afraid, because he had enough confidence in his abilities.
He had already learned so much from Tetsu no Sosuke.
That meant the task his teacher entrusted to him had to be one he could accomplish.
So he nodded earnestly. "I can!"
"Good." Tetsu no Sosuke looked at the two brothers before him and sighed softly. "The time has come for you to stand on your own. It's a little sooner than I expected, but at this point, there's no turning back. There should still be some time before the final deadline, but I can't say exactly when it will come... Yuichiro, all I can tell you is to devote every spare moment you have to this task. Once it's finished, you can get some proper rest. Don't let us find you with nothing ready when we need you."
"I understand."
Yuichiro nodded firmly.
Tetsu no