Looking for Fujimoto

Dicarik 's forest stretched before them, a labyrinth of mist, roots, and ancient trees. The wind blew cold, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of crows.

Pair 1: Yuuki and Filna

The two walked along a narrow path, surrounded by broad leaves and branches that scratched their clothes.

"If it weren't for you, Alisiya would already be under our control," Yuuki said , with a sour tone.

"We would have extracted all the information she's hiding from her," he continued . Yuuki .

Filna maintained a steady gaze, but a serene tone.

"You speak as if torturing someone is justice," he retorted . Filna .

"And you talk as if forgiving aberrations makes them better people." Yuuki crossed her arms, annoyed.

Filna let out a tired sigh.

"Let's keep walking. Our focus is on finding clues about Fujimoto , not discussing morality," he said . Filna .

The silence between them became heavier than the air in the forest.

The sound of leaves rustling beneath their footsteps was the only noise that could be heard as they continued on their way.

Pair 2: Lysandra and Yumi

They walked side by side through a more open area, where sunlight filtered through the treetops.

Lysandra noticed the other woman's insistent gaze.

"Is there something about me bothering you?" he asked , without stopping walking.

Yumi raised an eyebrow.

"You sleep next to a monster and you still have the nerve to call him your boyfriend?" she replied . Yumi .

"I can't do anything if we love each other... and if I'm the only one capable of setting limits for him," Lysandra replied in a cold voice.

"Limits?" Yumi gave a wry laugh.

"Is this what you call love?" he continued. Yumi with the mockery.

Lysandra didn't answer. She just looked ahead, maintaining the same firm step.

The distant sound of birds echoed among the trees.

Pair 3: Gerald and Shouta

They walked through a swampy part of the forest. With each step, mud clung to their shoes, and the air reeked of mold and decay.

" Argh , I'm going to get my clothes and body dirty," Shouta complained , grimacing.

"You seem to care too much about your appearance," Gerald commented, laughing.

"Actually, this mud is hindering my movements." Shouta lifted his foot, trying to clean the sole.

"It's not easy to maintain balance with all this," he continued . Shouta .

Gerald watched him from the side.

"You seem like the type of person who pretends to be naive, but you're much smarter and stronger than you let on," said Gerald.

Shouta looked away, somewhat surprised.

— Thank you... I guess. — he said gratefully . Shouta .

A moment of silence.

— If it were you... would you have saved Alisiya ? — then Shouta asked.

Gerald hesitated.

"It's hard to say. She's an enemy and has committed atrocities, but what Hiroshi did to her... was inhumane," Gerald replied .

Shouta nodded.

"Hiroshi has always been cruel. Only the way he shows it changes," he said . Shouta .

They both continued walking, the sounds of frogs and insects echoing around them.

Pair 4: Himeno and Koharu

Standing before a small clearing, the two rested for a moment.

Himeno stared intently at Koharu .

"We're going to find Fujimoto , no matter what it takes," she said with determination.

"After we find him, I'll take care of him... and confess," she continued . Hymen .

Koharu's eyes widened in surprise. She turned her face away and began to bite her nails.

"Do whatever you want," she replied curtly.

Himeno smiled slightly.

"Don't forget that we must work together," she said . Hymen .

"I know that," he replied . Koharu , taking the lead.

The two walked along the trail, side by side, without saying anything more, but the tension between them was palpable.

Team 5: Max and Hiroshi

They were walking through a darker area of the forest, where the light barely penetrated.

Max was still under the control of Hiroshi's ENSLAVE ability.

"Which member do you suggest I enslave?" Hiroshi asked , bored.

"Just a reminder that Lysandra only authorized me to use my ability on men," Hiroshi continued .

Max thought for a few seconds.

— Master, perhaps Shouta .

"I understand," Hiroshi murmured , smiling.

Max raised his hand.

"Sir... may I ask a question?" Max said .

"Maybe. But I hope it's something interesting," Hiroshi replied , in a lazy tone.

"I'd like to know why you don't simply disobey Lysandra and try to enslave women as well," Max asked .

Hiroshi let out a low laugh.

"I don't do that because I realized I can have any woman for myself by blackmailing them... and then using sex as a form of control," he said , with a tone of cold pride.

Max looked at him for a moment and then smiled, admiringly.

"You're a genius," said Max.

"Thank you," Hiroshi replied .

"But before I think about Shouta , I want to take Yumi for myself. I have an old debt to settle... and I intend to make him pay for every second of it," Hiroshi said .

Max nodded.

— Understood. — said Max.

Hiroshi smiled contentedly and continued walking, whistling softly, as if nothing had happened.

An hour later, all the pairs returned to base.

No one had found a single clue about Fujimoto .

Aioze listened to the report in silence.

His gaze was serious, and his hands were clenched on the table.

"No trace ... That 's worrying," he murmured .

Yuuki looked away.

Lysandra maintained a calm expression, but inwardly she also seemed uneasy.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi simply crossed his arms, a cold smile on his lips.

— (If he's still alive, there's not much time left...) — Hiroshi thought.

Cold winds blew between the stone columns, and the distant sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors.

Shana entered through the main door, dust still clinging to her boots, her eyes tired.

"Leader Aioze , I'm back," she said , breathless.

Aioze looked up, his gaze previously fixed on the maps on the table.

"So, Shana ... did you manage to find anything in the skies?" he asked . Aioze .

Shana lowered her head.

Dicarik forest riding a transmoon ... all the way to the edge of the Tamarin Desert ," he replied . Shana .

She hesitated for a moment.

"But I haven't found any sign of Fujimoto ," he continued . Shana 's voice broke.

Silence filled the room.

Each seemed to absorb those words differently: Yuuki bit her lower lip; Koharu crossed her arms and looked away; Lysandra remained motionless, but her clenched fist betrayed her tension.

Aioze sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"So we have three possibilities," he said, his voice low but firm.

"He may have been captured, killed... or perhaps he reached another city, " he continued . Aioze .

Himeno stood up abruptly, her hands trembling .

"Don't say that! He's alive! I know he is!" she cried , tears beginning to stream down her face.

Aioze maintained a calm tone.

" Hymen , we need to keep our heads. Tomorrow we'll think of a plan to find him," she said . Aioze .

"Tomorrow?! What if it's too late by then?!" she exploded.

Yuuki approached, trying to restrain her.

" Hymeno , calm down. The leader knows what he's doing," he said . Yuuki .

But Hymen broke free.

"How do you expect me to calm down?! Fujimoto could be alone, injured... or worse!" she shouted . Hymen .

Aioze , with a firm look, made a gesture with his hand.

" Yuuki , take her to her room. She needs to rest," he ordered . Aioze .

Yuuki nodded silently and placed her hand on Himeno 's shoulder , guiding her outside.

The sound of the door closing echoed through the hall, along with the weight of unspoken words.

Aioze looked at the group.

"I know how shaken everyone is, but we need to stay focused. This afternoon, we'll do strength and coordination training," he said . Aioze .

He stood up, placing his hands on the table.

"We need to know our limits and weaknesses if we want to survive what lies ahead," he continued . Aioze .

A few hours later…

The smell of food filled the cafeteria.

Yuuki and Himeno went down together. Himeno , with swollen eyes, approached Aioze .

"I'm sorry... I lost control earlier," she said softly.

Aioze smiled slightly.

"Everything's fine. You care about him, that's what matters. Just... don't let despair steal your strength," she said . Aioze .

They were all gathered together, eating in silence, squeezing between short sentences.

Gerald tried to lighten the mood with a joke about the bitter coffee, but nobody laughed.

Only Hiroshi, who smiled slightly, murmured something that Lysandra pretended not to hear.

When they finished lunch, Aioze stood up.

"We're finished here. Let's go train now," he announced. Aioze .

The group followed him to an open area behind the base, a wide, rocky field marked by battle circles.

The wind was blowing harder there, stirring up dust and leaves.

"We'll form pairs. I want you to fight each other with complete seriousness, but without killing. Let's see what your skills and current levels are like." Aioze raised his voice.

— Yuuki and Yumi . Lysandra and Filna . Gerald and Shouta . Me and Himeno . Shana and Max. Hiroshi and Koharu . — He announced the lineups.

The names echoed among the rocks.

Each looked at their partner, some with confidence, others with tension.

Lysandra exchanged a quick glance with Hiroshi, as if to say, "Don't mess around."

Koharu simply crossed her arms, feigning indifference.

Filna adjusted her hair, maintaining a calm expression, but her eyes shone with determination.

" Fujimoto trusted us, even when the world seemed against him. Don't let him down. Today... you will fight as if your lives depend on it," Aioze concluded.

The group took a stand.

Training was about to begin.