After a few rounds of conversation with Ayame and Kurusu, Kaelis finally grasped the situation.
Though they still eyed him with skepticism, their explanation was straightforward enough.
Apparently, the train's internal water tank had been damaged during the earlier escape. Without it, they couldn't maintain proper engine cooling, making it impossible to reach the next station.
They'd decided to stop here, near the water tower, to siphon enough water to cool the engine while conducting emergency repairs.
According to the head engineer, Suzuki, if everything went smoothly, repairs could be completed by morning.
Morning… Kaelis thought. That's an eternity under these conditions.
He glanced around at the temporary encampment—people hauling wood, assembling makeshift shelters, and setting up campfires.
'Seeing as this is an unavoidable circumstance,' he mused, 'I'll retract most of my earlier criticism.'
He couldn't entirely blame them. They had little choice.
Still, as his eyes swept over the crowd, he noticed the subtle signs of fatigue—the hollow cheeks, sluggish movements, and wary glances.
They were hungry. Malnourished. Desperate.
Turning back to Ayame and Kurusu, he asked, "So, what's the plan for the night? Got enough supplies to last the rest of the journey?"
Kurusu's jaw tightened. "Unfortunately, no… we don't."
"The Kabane attack came too suddenly," he continued, fists clenching. "We didn't have time to fully stock the train. We have just enough to keep everyone from dying… but not enough to keep them moving."
Kaelis hummed thoughtfully, though his expression remained neutral.
He wasn't one for empathy—but he wasn't blind either. Especially when it came to the starving children huddled near the fires.
Before he could say more, a middle-aged man approached Ayame.
"Lady Ayame," the man said respectfully, "the preparations for the funeral are almost complete. Is there anything else to be done before we begin?"
Kaelis blinked. Funeral?
Ayame shook her head gently. "No, there's nothing else. Proceed as planned."
"Understood. Please excuse me." The man bowed and departed.
Kaelis raised an eyebrow, turning toward her. "Funeral? What funeral?"
Ayame met his gaze calmly. "Some of the elderly requested a service for their loved ones who fell during the attack. I decided to hold one while we're stopped."
He stared at her blankly for a long moment. "…You're serious?"
"She really said that. With a smile, no less," he muttered under his breath.
Then louder, his eyes narrowing, "So you're gonna risk everyone's lives for a few old geezers?"
Her eyes widened slightly, but she stood her ground. "It's the right thing to do! I… I'll be praying for my father as well."
Kaelis sighed, unimpressed. "You sound naive. The right thing to do in times like this is to stay low and avoid drawing attention. Not light a beacon for monsters."
"I've already decided," she said firmly. "We'll hold the funeral. And that's final."
Kaelis turned to Kurusu, unimpressed. "You're really gonna let your princess lead you all to your deaths?"
Kurusu hesitated, but then exhaled. "Lady Ayame has made up her mind."
Kaelis gave him a long, deadpan stare, then shrugged. "Suit yourselves."
With that, he turned and walked off, waving a dismissive hand over his shoulder.
The group watched him leave.
The hot-headed soldier from earlier clenched his fists. "Lady Ayame! Are you going to let him talk to you like that? We should have him executed for such disrespect—"
"No," Kurusu interrupted sharply. His gaze was serious. "Be careful around him. Lady Ayame, I think we should keep our distance from that man. He gives off this weird feeling. Better to be safe. Let's go."
He looked to Ayame. "We should keep our distance. Better safe than sorry."
Ayame hesitated but eventually nodded. "…Alright, Kurusu."
"Tsk." The man clicked his tongue, glaring at Kaelis's retreating figure as the evening air grew heavier, the sky dimming to dusk…
Kaelis walked aimlessly for a few minutes, taking in the state of the camp.
He saw what could only be a priest, making his way to the front of fire and people gathering around both of them.
[PRIEST CHANTING] Noise.
People have their hands clasped, soldiers standing guard, armed and ready for any possible trouble.
The sadness and sorrow radiating off these people was overwhelming and the tension so thick you could slice it.
But beneath the sound of priest chanting, the voice of a few individuals could be heard clearly by Kaelis.
"You mean it!?"
"Of course it's true. You should believe me, they're pretending to be human."
"They're monsters!"
"Well surely make them pay!"
Seeing something interesting, but before that, he decided to check out the train's interior.
The inside of the train felt more like a moving bunker than anything else.
The walls were thick and covered in dull metal plates, each one scratched and dented like it had seen a hundred battles.
The air, the same as in the station, smelled of smoke and oil, and every step echoed against the steel floor.
It was hot, noisy, and a little cramped — not the kind of place anyone would call comfortable.
Instead of cushioned seats, there were sturdy wooden benches bolted to the floor.
A few passengers sat quietly, children resting by their sides, eyelids quivering from sleepiness.
Overhead, ropes, tools, and spare weapons were tied down, rattling slightly as the train moved.
The windows were small slits covered by thick shutters, meant more for defense than sightseeing.
Lanterns hung from hooks along the ceiling, giving off a dim, orange light that made the place feel even more closed-in.
He ran a hand over the cold metal wall and let out a slow breath.
'It's not clean, cool and it definitely wasn't comfortable, but I guess it wasn't all that made for transporting tons of people.'
He exited that section shortly after, walking along the side of the train before stumbling upon what would seem like an altercation.
Before long, he stumbled upon raised voices ahead—a heated argument breaking out near one of the train's compartments.
"—cluding yours!"
"They're Kabane!"
"Once they attack us, it'll be too late to do anything!"
"Please, Miss Ayame, we have to kill them!"
Kaelis slowed, eyes narrowing. From the tone alone, this wasn't a simple disagreement.
Ayame stood at the center, caught before a group of armed men clutching pitchforks and makeshift weapons—looked ready to strike.
Ayame's voice trembled slightly. "How… how did it come to this?"
Kaelis stepped closer. "What's going on here?"
Heads turned at his voice.
"Sir Kaelis!" Ayame's eyes widened slightly, relief and unease mixing in her tone. "What are you doing here?"
He gave a casual shrug. "Was checking out the train. Weren't you just over by the fire? What's all this?"
Before she could answer, one of the men barked, "Tsk! Stay out of this, kid! This doesn't concern you!"
Kaelis's gaze slid over to him, unblinking. The man immediately stiffened, though he tried not to show it.
Ayame hurried to explain. "I—I saw these people gathering near the train with weapons. They said they were going to kill the Kabaneri. I came to stop them."
Kaelis frowned. "The what now? Kabaneri?"
One of the men shouted before she could respond. "They're monsters! They're just pretending to be human—waiting until we let our guard down!"
Kaelis raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but curious. "So… intelligent Kabane?"
Interesting, he thought. But why would Ayame harbor Kabane on the train? And how exactly do five average joes think they'll kill an intelligent variant stronger than them?
Ayame's eyes flashed with conviction. "No, they're not! They're human! They've saved our lives countless times before! You should be grateful, at the very least!"
Kaelis tilted his head slightly, intrigued now more than ever. All this talk only makes me want to see these 'Kabaneri' for myself.
Without another word, he focused, channeling spirit into his eyes.
His vision sharpened, the layers of steel and shadow peeling away until the train's interior lay bare before him—every compartment, every occupant visible in spectral detail.
And what he saw made his eyes light up.
Two figures within glowed faintly—pulses of energy unlike either human or Kabane.
Fascinating…
A slow smile crept across his lips.
Chapter 7 end.