"Hello, everyone, hope everyone is still alive," Yamikani exclaimed while entering the bunker.
"Welcome back, my Lord. How was the meeting?" Laurentia came to greet her master, Amisha following behind her.
"The usual, I couldn't care less. Although I do have an important task right now," Yamikani took off his coat and began to move towards Molly and Stanley's room. Laurentia stood before her master, stopping him on his track. "My lord, I must inform you that these individuals are members of the Followers of The One, those who seek to destroy the 12 rulers, including yourself."
Yamikani stared at Laurentia for a brief moment, displaying an exaggerated expression of shock. He covered his mouth with his palm, as if he was hiding his shock. Yamikani gazed upon Amisha and pointed at her, asking with a ridiculing tone, "Is she also a member?"
Amisha was startled by the question and was looking for a way to defend herself before Lauretia responded, "No, I do not think so."
Yamikani changed his expression again, this time out of disappointment. "Laurentia, my dear, your sense of humour should be further refined. Of course, I already know all of that."
Laurentia was visibly confused. "Why did you decide to save them then, my lord?"
"I still have a use for them; it just so happens that it coincides with the task that has just been given to me. Ah, yes, it reminds me of what happened at ELANOR," Yamikani said as he walked past Laurentia. "Now then, you must excuse me, I have work to do. I do not wish anyone to bother me." Yamikani entered Molly and Stanley's room and closed the door.
Laurentia was stiff as usual, while Amisha was worried. "What does Yamikani plan to do with Molly and Stanley?" Amisha thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a baby crying. Both Amisha and Laurentia came to attend the monster. "Is he hungry?" Amisha asked Laurentia. "Perhaps he hasn't been breastfed yet," Laurentia replied while taking the baby to her arms. She began to breastfeed the baby like a natural mother. Amisha was rather surprised at how calm and experienced Laurentia seemed to be. Laurentia noticed Amisha's gaze and sighed. "Lord Yamikani recently had a son, Kyle. Unfortunately, the mother, my lord's wife, died during the birth process, thus Kyle didn't have anyone to look after him. Lord Yamikani is still grieving; it is my responsibility as his servant to take care of his son in the meantime."
"Oh... I see..."
Amisha couldn't help but wonder how cryptic this Lord Yamikani is. To Amisha, he seemed like a careless man who does things just for the fun of it, but something tells her that there is more to that. The fact that he knew about Molly and Stanley, yet still chose to save them, something is off...
Her thoughts drifted away as the baby seemed so innocent, just like a normal baby. He did just blow up a person to pieces, but besides his purple eyes, everything about him seemed so... normal. "It is very unsettling," Amisha thought to herself. "I wonder what master would do if she were here..." Hours go by, Amisha sat down on a chair and closed her eyes for a bit, trying to ease her fatigue, letting out a sigh. Laurentia saw that and couldn't help but empathise with Amisha. From the looks of it, Amisha was still quite young. The things that happened in two days were enough to overwhelm anyone. But Laurentia knew it was far from over.
The sound of the door opening caught the attention of both of them as Yamikani stepped out of the room. Amisha gazed at the tall figure and noticed he was holding an unsheathed sword, and it was pouring blood.
"Well then, I should be going. I am taking my elite force with me, like I said, a glorious task is waiting to be done," Yamikani left the place without elaborating anything else. Laurentia wanted to ask, but she knew better not to. Amisha ran towards the room only to see the bloody corpses of Molly and Stanley. Blood soaked the room red. They were tortured for hours. Their screams were covered by the illusion that was cast by Yamikani himself. Amisha fell on her knees, finally breaking down in tears. It was just too much for her. "It doesn't make sense, nothing makes sense!" Amisha cried. Too many people died, too brutal, too inhumane, in too short a time. "Why? Why? Why?" Amisha kept asking herself. Her entire body was shaking. She was scared, confused, and lost until Laurentia held her shoulder, patting her back gently.
"Because this is war, Amisha," Laurentia said as she looked her in the eyes.
"When it comes to war, everyone is tempted to see the world as nothing more than a disgusting conflict," she said, "While there is some truth to that, it is important to remember that no war truly lasts forever."
Laurentia wiped the tears from Amisha's face. "Do not let it overwhelm you. Do not fall into despair. You will need all the strength and will to get past all of the tribulations. Many have fallen, and many more will join them. Nothing can be done about it. So stand up," Laurentia lifted Amisha from the ground, supporting her so she could stand straight. "This too shall pass."
As the chapter ends.