Dusk settled in, the sky growing darker as the full moon shone, draping the world in tranquil night.
With no electric lights in this era, villagers always slept early. The legends of man-eating demons only reinforced the habit—once night began to fall, everyone hurried home, doors firmly shut against whatever lurked in the dark.
In Nurarihyon no Mago, night belonged to youkai, but here, it seemed the darkness was the demons' domain. The difference was: at least youkai kept to rules and were bound by their leader's authority. Demons knew no restraint.
That blue-skinned demon had forced its way into Afune's home. It was easy to imagine—if demons ever overcame their weakness to sunlight, they would tear this thin façade of peace to shreds in an instant.
"Nightingale onee-san, you've worked hard again today."
Afune knocked softly before entering, carrying a steaming cup of tea.
Back when she first learned Nightingale's name, Afune could barely pronounce it—she'd been so embarrassed she practiced secretly for days before she could say it naturally like she did now.
"Nightingale onee-san, you're…"
By candlelight, Nightingale was bent over her desk, writing. She only set down her pen and offered Afune a gentle smile as the door opened.
"Thank you for the tea, Afune. It's a drink I quite enjoy—lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, has antibacterial properties, good for oral health… I'm writing a letter, actually."
"A letter?"
Afune's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Is it for someone special?"
When she thought about it, she realized she knew almost nothing about Nightingale.
She only knew her name, and that she was a nurse—a skilled healer. But Nightingale's past, her relationships, why she had appeared in the forest that day… Afune had no idea about any of it.
"If I'm writing a letter, of course it's meant for someone. I want to send it to my…"
Suddenly, Nightingale paused, her crimson eyes clouding with confusion. "My… Who was I trying to send it to?"
"Onee-san?"
"Ah, sorry, my mind wandered a bit… Please forget it."
Nightingale smiled gently, seeing the concern in Afune's eyes. She folded the letter and slipped it into her pocket.
Nightingale understood, more or less, what was happening. Unlike the Berserker-class Nightingale, this Archer-class version's temperament was closer to her student days—before Crimea. Sometimes, she'd unconsciously use the language of a young lady from a noble family, or have the reflex to write letters home.
Fatigue was part of it too—medicine demanded such precision and focus, she often just relied on her body and the instincts embedded in her Spirit Origin. When things quieted at night, she would subconsciously find herself writing letters.
Even if I write these letters, there's nowhere to send them. It's not as if I could mail one to the family of the "real" Nightingale in this world… And at this point in time, the Nightingale of this world has probably just passed away, hasn't she?
It was a little embarrassing. Fenghuang—the Chaldean system she drew on—didn't have the best historical accuracy; she hadn't even known Nightingale's birth and death dates until she integrated the Spirit Origin.
She'd also managed to learn, almost by accident, from the villagers that the current year was Meiji 43—1910.
From the climate and surroundings, she guessed it was just the beginning of autumn.
And according to her own Spirit Origin's memories, Nightingale had died on August 13, 1910. The world might differ, but the details of a legend rarely changed.
Which meant… if she'd arrived a little sooner, she might've even met herself.
No… better not. She was nearly ninety when she died—if I appeared before her, I might just give her a heart attack!
"Nightingale onee-san, aren't you tired?"
Afune's tone was soft with worry as she set the tea on the table, watching Nightingale closely. "You've spent all these days treating everyone in the village. Even when you do sleep, it's only after taking care of your tools and cleaning the house… I don't think I've ever seen you sleep. Do you really sleep at all?"
"Disease doesn't rest—and it doesn't give me time to rest, either. Without iron will, you could never win the battle against illness on the field. For the sake of humanity's victory over disease, I can overcome any hardship, any trial."
Nightingale's words rang with a will of steel. But under Afune's gaze, her expression softened into a gentle smile.
"But rest is important, too. Don't worry, I never push myself beyond my limits. I know very well—if I'm not at my best, it's a betrayal of every patient who trusts me. And more than that, patients need their own rest too, if they're to fight off illness. Enduring suffering isn't my work alone… Humanity will conquer disease. My mission is to move that future forward."
Candlelight traced the delicate lines of Nightingale's face, making her beauty all the more breathtaking—impossible to look away from.
Afune was spellbound. Her eyes shone with admiration, like stars scattered across the night sky.
To fight for the future of all humanity… How amazing!
Children didn't think about complicated things. Afune had never even left her village; her world was simple, innocent—and, in its way, pure.
For adults, the choice to become a doctor might be about money, security, or status.
But for a child, the reason could be as simple as wanting to help people, or thinking it was cool.
At this age, a child could be easily inspired—one fleeting dream might someday bloom into something magnificent.
Many of life's biggest choices are made on a sudden impulse. In this moment, Afune's awe and admiration turned into a burst of determination. Before she realized it, the words were out of her mouth.
"Nightingale onee-san, I…"
But as she met Nightingale's crimson gaze, she froze up, and her bold words shrank to—
"I… Can I stay by your side while you're treating people? Maybe help out?"
Asking to learn to be a nurse felt a little too forward. But just helping—maybe that would be all right…
But before Afune could get her hopes up, Nightingale shut her down immediately.
"No. Saving lives isn't child's play. Every mistake, every oversight, can become a tragedy. If you want to be lucky, if your resolve isn't absolute, you don't belong on this harsh battlefield."
Afune panicked, thinking she'd made Nightingale angry, and didn't know what to say. But the next moment, Nightingale spoke again.
"If you want to help, you'll have to start by learning some basic medicine and nursing. If you know nothing, even with good intentions, you'll only get in the way."
She paused, noticing the lost look in Afune's eyes. "What's wrong? Was there something in what I said you didn't understand?"
"No! Not at all…" Afune shook her head, flustered. "I just… I thought maybe you wouldn't want to teach me those things."
"What are you talking about?" Nightingale frowned, clearly displeased. "Even gods don't know which will come first: an accident or tomorrow. No one can guarantee a doctor will be there when disaster strikes. That's why everyone needs to learn at least basic first aid—so even the simplest skills can save lives and cut down on tragedy! Even if you didn't want to learn, I'd force you! Fighting disease isn't just my job, or any doctor's job—it takes everyone's effort."
Then, with her strictest voice, Nightingale continued: "But since you want to help me, I'll expect far more from you. Get rid of any half-hearted resolve—my goal is to wipe out all toxins, shatter every threat to health. I don't have much time to spare for you, so be ready! I won't even give you a chance to regret it!"
"Yes!"
Afune stiffened, body tensed like a new recruit before a hardened veteran.
Which, to be fair, was exactly what Nightingale was. She might have been a battlefield nurse, but she was tougher than most soldiers—living through the front lines and reaching nearly ninety years old took more than luck or mercy.
Apparently satisfied, Nightingale nodded, then gently patted Afune's head, a bright, flower-like smile blooming on her face.
"Nightingale onee-san?"
Afune relaxed, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"That's a thank you."
It was that gentle, irresistible quality again—the very gentleness that had earned her the title "Angel in White" among soldiers.
"I'm willing to ride beneath cold night skies for the sake of saving lives, to give my entire life for that cause… But my life is short. My strength, too small. That's why… I'm so glad."
Nightingale looked at Afune, her eyes warm and luminous. "When you said you wanted to help… it made me really happy."
Even as a Servant, Nightingale possessed strength no ordinary person could match, but she still wasn't confident she could defeat all illness or pain. And she could never stay in this world forever.
It wasn't until Afune's words tonight that she thought: Maybe I could teach what I know—what "Nightingale" knows—to the people here.
After all, though this was the era in which Nightingale of this world had just passed away, she herself was from Chaldea—a "Super Nightingale" who'd studied medicine and hygiene alongside Paracelsus and Asclepius. Even now, the medical knowledge she held was world-changing.
If she could pass it on—even a fraction—to Afune and the others, it would bring immeasurable good to this world's people.
The more Nightingale thought, the more she believed it was worth trying… But that could wait a moment.
If I don't drink it soon, the tea Afune made for me will go cold.
She picked up the cup and sipped. The bitterness and faint herbal aroma spread through her mouth.
Nightingale was no tea connoisseur. The bitterness reminded her of the old university entrance exams—her teacher once prayed at a temple and brought back tea for every student. She tried it at home, and it was really bitter.
She preferred milk tea, honestly. But her Spirit Origin rebelled at the idea of modern drinks full of sugar and additives.
Of course, this was the very same Santa Nightingale who wanted to turn every sweet in the world into medicine…
Fwoosh!
Afune jumped—Nightingale had stood up suddenly, with a fierce expression on her face.
Afune didn't understand what was happening, but before she could say a word, Nightingale spoke first.
"This feeling… There's a life that needs me!"
A tremendous energy burst from Nightingale's slight frame.
Nightingale didn't have skills like [Clairvoyance] or [Revelation], but she did have A+ rank Luck.
Xuanzang Sanzang's EX-level luck meant she always arrived exactly where she was most needed—even in the Interlude stories, she'd find the source of a crisis simply by trusting her instincts.
Nightingale's A+ luck, paired with her iron will to save every life, meant that sometimes—like now—she'd sense when someone needed help.
Her astonishing drive was on full display.
Before Afune could recover, Nightingale was already gone, dashing from the house like a gust of wind, vanishing into the pitch-black night.
"Nightingale onee-san…"
Afune ran to the door, but outside there was only the suffocating darkness.
"She didn't even take a lantern… Will she really be all right?"
---
T/N: LUCK WORKS LIKE THAT??
Hi this is future me I think someone said something about afune being wrong? i dont remember but guyssssssssss i alreadfy finished this arccc