WUSH—I suddenly sit upright from my sleep. Ukh—
"Hmm?" Rose murmurs beside me.
I turn slowly. Her body shifts slightly, but fortunately I do not wake her.
Ukhhh—my stomach and chest begin to ache again. I reach for the bandages I hide near me and grip them.
I rise slowly and step out of the tent. Moonlight spills inside, but I move carefully, shielding the light with my body as I slip through the half-open entrance. Gradually, both my feet touch the ground.
I walk toward the campfire. My vision is blurry at first, and I yawn repeatedly. The fire is still burning before me.
But someone is there.
Leon still sits by the fire. I conceal the bandages and approach him, then sit beside him.
He opens his eyes.
"Hmm?" he murmurs. "Kid?!" he says. "What is it? Awake?" he asks.
I nod slowly. "Why are you not sleeping inside the tent?" I ask quietly.
"Ah, no need. I can stay here," he replies, then yawns.
"Do not be like that. Half of my tent is empty. Your sister is there as well," I say.
Leon remains silent for a moment.
"Hey, kid?" he says hesitantly. "Do you think… after what I did, my sister will forgive everything?" he asks.
I smile faintly. "Of course. It will happen with time."
"Hmm, I see." Leon stands. "Is it truly alright if I sleep inside?" he asks.
I nod.
He smiles and nods in return. "Thank you, kid," he says, walking toward the tent, yawning again.
I glance back as Leon enters the tent.
I take the bandages I have hidden and remove my sweater. In the cold midnight air, I quickly wrap the wounds, layering the bandages thick enough so they will not bleed through. Fortunately, he gave me a navy sweater.
My previous white shirt would have revealed everything at once.
I put the sweater back on. The wounds are wrapped. It feels slightly better, though a throbbing pain remains.
My thoughts fall silent for a moment.
Is this not the proper farewell for me?
I stand and look up at the moon, surrounded by stars.
Yes. I will leave a message.
I reach into my trouser pocket and take out a sheet of paper and a pen.
From now on, I will travel alone.
There will be no more bond between Rose and me. It ends here.
This is the proper time to part. I will leave behind a single sheet filled with words.
My journey will begin soon—alone. Toward a place I do not clearly know. But beneath the shadows lies the solace I need. I will disappear, heal myself, cross to the nearest land, and head toward the nearest veil.
I will let the world continue as usual, without my presence appearing in the newspapers for some time.
Gaelvorn or Solcendria—one of them is worth considering. But for now, I must race against time—the harbor and a ship.
Goodbye.
SREK—SREKKK—the rustling of bushes reaches Leon's ears from inside the tent.
"Hmm?" Leon murmurs.
KRAK—a branch snaps.
"Kid?" Leon says quietly, rising slowly.
He becomes certain something is wrong.
He approaches the entrance and opens it gradually. Before the still-burning campfire, someone sits there.
"Is that you, kid?" Leon asks as he steps out of the tent.
He walks closer to the fire to confirm Hiro is there.
Receiving no answer and seeing the figure remain seated, he assumes Hiro is half-asleep by the fire.
Leon glances left and right. The moonlight is dimmer than before midnight; it is difficult to discern anything within the darkness.
"E-eh?!" Leon stops halfway to the fire. Something feels wrong.
Indeed—within the darkness among the trees, dozens of pairs of eyes watch.
"No, no, no…"
Leon steps backward. "YOU?!"
The figure near the fire turns with a faint smile and rises.
Clothed in attire not unfamiliar—royal or noble uniform—the person is someone Leon should recognize, yet his scattered thoughts struggle to place him.
"In truth, there is something I intend to set in motion tonight, Leon," the figure says, stepping closer.
Leon continues stepping back. "Damn," he mutters, now realizing who it is.
Between the grand entrances of the noble grounds, Leon steps out as the other steps in—now standing directly before him.
"There is something moving behind the curtain. Even kings are unaware of it. But for you, Leon, it is a privilege. You will know now," he says, stopping.
The sound of hooves echoes behind him. An unusually large carriage arrives and halts nearby.
The figure smiles widely and cynically.
"I present to you a special war soldier. You will not find him unfamiliar. Behold."
---
Leon's glasses lie near my feet now. Yes, during the earlier fight against him, he did not retrieve what he had left behind.
However, I am not sure there will be enough time to return. There is an uneasy feeling—perhaps because I am wearing Rose's sweater, and now holding Leon's glasses; I am not certain.
In any case, time continues to move forward. I still have half the journey left to walk.
His words during the fight were truly perceptive. I never considered that someone cannot plan something far ahead and then execute it within such a short time. So that is my weakness.
I begin to step forward. There is no turning back. I am racing against time now.
---
He raises both hands toward the carriage.
Someone steps out slowly. Even the landing of his foot on the ground reverberates where Leon stands.
From the massive carriage emerges a figure of such size that the space is justified.
The newcomer steps forward.
His entire body is wrapped in bandages—Jiza? No. He wears a war helmet and a soldier's uniform. His build is far beyond that of an ordinary man, his height exceeding two meters.
The noble figure steps aside, giving way to the giant. Leon no longer retreats, as though challenging him.
As he looks closer, Leon recognizes the towering figure.
But—
"Impossible!" Leon says, memories of someone from the past flashing through his mind.
The same size as the man before him. News had spread long ago that that person was dead. Yet now he stands here.
"Bastard," Leon mutters. "PREDATOR!"
His heart is certain—the figure has brought him back from death.