"If the Section Chief has regained her senses, even if the situation is dire, her character wouldn't lead her to hide from anything."
As Harumasa finished speaking, Tsukishiro Yanagi beside him nodded.
"Indeed. Regarding Miyabi's character, her parents should understand her best."
Miyabi's mother also nodded, her gaze turning to Hoshimi Souichirou. It was true—Miyabi wasn't the type to evade responsibility.
"You're right, but that sword..."
Hoshimi Souichirou frowned, hesitating before speaking.
"That sword has never had this kind of effect on Miyabi before. While it was indeed a cursed blade long ago, Miyabi seemed able to suppress it. That's why no accidents ever occurred."
Hearing Hoshimi Souichirou's words, Tsukishiro Yanagi and Harumasa exchanged glances. Indeed, in all they knew about Hoshimi Miyabi, there had never been any sign of her losing control. That night of the fireworks festival had been the first time.
Only now did they finally understand what made the blade in Hoshimi Miyabi's hands so special. Before this, they knew their Section Chief wielded a unique sword—but they hadn't known just how unique it truly was.
"Perhaps this incident is connected to Zane..."
Tsukishiro Yanagi fell into thought, murmuring softly to herself. She didn't have many clues about this matter, but at that time, only one person should have been with their Section Chief—
that mysterious companion of theirs.
"Hm? Yanagi, what did you say?"
Harumasa, who had been lost in thought about that day, raised an eyebrow in confusion upon hearing Tsukishiro Yanagi's voice.
"Nothing."
Tsukishiro Yanagi shook her head. It was only a guess, not something she could say aloud. If she drew the wrong kind of attention, the consequences might be troublesome.
Still, she wasn't particularly worried about Hoshimi Miyabi. In fact, the moment she received the news, Tsukishiro Yanagi had recalled their experience in the core of Hollow Zero. Maybe because this too involved Zane, she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of reassurance.
After chatting for a while longer, they still had no new progress on Hoshimi Miyabi's case. Eventually, Tsukishiro Yanagi and Harumasa stood up, preparing to leave.
Soukaku, who had been snacking nearby, quickly wiped the crumbs from her mouth and stood beside Harumasa.
"Head of the Hoshimi family, there are still many matters we need to handle. We also want to help find the Section Chief, so we'll take our leave now."
Hearing this, Hoshimi Souichirou nodded. He naturally shared their determination to find Hoshimi Miyabi.
He wanted to see them off, but after Harumasa politely declined with a wave of his hand, Souichirou simply watched them depart under the butler's guidance.
Once their figures disappeared from sight, Hoshimi Miyabi's mother let out a soft sigh.
"The other person involved in this incident..."
She knew about the connection between Miyabi and that man named Zane—his identity uncertain, yet during the previous meeting, he had been the central figure.
And now...
Still, the turmoil among those people was ultimately a minor concern. What she wished most was for Miyabi to return safely. Come to think of it, that sword shouldn't have caused any problems. After all, back then...
"Worrying won't solve anything. For now, we just need to do what we can. Don't forget—she's my daughter!"
Hoshimi Souichirou stood, his voice resolute. He had always been proud of his daughter and firmly believed Hoshimi Miyabi would be all right.
She was, after all, New Eridu's youngest Void Hunter!
...
Somewhere in New Eridu, within a concealed dark chamber.
"This vessel... thankfully, it was preserved. Otherwise, even though she left that time, whether it could stabilize would still be uncertain..."
Tyce murmured softly to himself, preparing for what came next.
"But I never expected those believers to hold such influence. It's made things much easier for me."
"Next, I just need to reclaim the other minor hollows, then reclaim Hollow Zero. Once I gain initial control over the surface's power, I can bring it here..."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze directed toward a distant point—as if he could pierce through countless barriers to see the full moon hidden behind the clouds.
By now, the soul within Tyce was no longer the original one. Tyce was merely the name of this shell.
"But before that, I need to see whether they can find him—or her."
Tyce's crimson eyes flickered faintly. Of course, he was referring to Zane and Hoshimi Miyabi. Though one was presumed dead and the other had fled, he still harbored deep caution.
Unlike the contempt he had once shown, after what happened on the river, he had become far more careful. He didn't believe Zane could be destroyed that easily.
If he couldn't find him, then finding the human who had gravely wounded him would suffice—she was bound to know something.
In the end, his focus was no longer on humanity's extinction, but on eliminating Zane first.
"As long as he lives, I can't rest..."
With a quiet sigh, Tyce slowly closed his eyes, returning to his recovery.
Under the dim glow of the few weak lights in the vast chamber, countless traces of Ether Substance lay scattered across the floor.
These were his nourishment...
...