Over the next few days, the other people on the Iron Fortress officially accepted the existence of the Kabaneri. Mumei and Ikoma were not ostracized by anyone else.
On the way to the next station, to strengthen their weapons, Ikoma gave the jet bullet technology he and Biba had developed to the other steam artisans on the Iron Fortress.
He also reinforced the katanas with Kabaneri heart membranes, increasing their strength and making them less prone to damage.
As the people on the train accepted the existence of Mumei and Ikoma, the atmosphere was no longer as tense as before, and the anxiety caused by the Kabaneri attack also eased.
Ikoma was teaching the steam artisans on the Iron Fortress, while Mumei was playing with the children on the Iron Fortress; she seemed to really like children.
Inaba Tsukiyo, with nothing to do, came to the front of the Iron Fortress and stood there, feeling the breeze alone.
The past few days had been too calm, eerily calm, like the calm before a storm, which made her a little afraid.
"Only you are here, Inaba-san."
At some point, Shikomorikawa Ayame stood behind Inaba Tsukiyo and said.
"I thought you were with Mumei-san, but I didn't expect you to be in this place."
"Why can't I be alone? I haven't known Mumei for long, and I can't restrict her movements. Shikomorikawa-san."
Inaba Tsukiyo shook her head, turned around, and leaned against the railing.
"On the contrary, Shikomorikawa-san, why aren't you with everyone else? As the leader of the Iron Fortress, many people need you to lead them."
"Don't make fun of me, Inaba-san. I know very well what I'm capable of. If it weren't for your help, I'm afraid everyone on the Iron Fortress still wouldn't have accepted Mumei-san and Ikoma-san."
Shikomorikawa Ayame was well aware of her own abilities. If it hadn't been for Inaba Tsukiyo's speech last time, the atmosphere on the Iron Fortress would probably still be so tense.
Although the method adopted was a bit direct, it was the best and most effective one.
"...I just like to meddle. And you just haven't grown up yet, Shikomorikawa-san. Your father died at Aba Station, and your every move affects the lives of everyone on the Iron Fortress."
"You are no longer the protected girl you once were; you are now an adult, an adult who bears the lives of everyone. The samurai trust you, the steam artisans trust you, the common people trust you. They believe you can lead them to a safe place, and they believe you can give them the safety they desire."
Inaba Tsukiyo raised her hand, intending to pat Shikomorikawa Ayame's shoulder, but found that the height difference between them was a bit large. Even if she could reach her shoulder, the scene would be very comical.
She pouted a little unhappily, complaining about her height countless times, and instead patted her arm.
"Don't betray their trust in you, Shikomorikawa-san. Don't worry about not doing well; if even you don't trust yourself, then who else can you trust?"
"...I understand."
Shikomorikawa Ayame nodded vigorously, the confusion in her eyes disappearing. She knew what she had to do.
"Then... then what about you? Inaba-san. Do you also trust me, like everyone else?"
"Me? Heh heh~ How could that be? If you want me to trust you, you have to achieve something before I can believe you."
She had only known her for a few days, and she already wanted to gain her trust? She should achieve something first before saying such things.
"Alright... alright. I understand."
Just then, the Iron Fortress suddenly braked sharply. If Inaba Tsukiyo hadn't grabbed Shikomorikawa Ayame, she would have flown out.
The station not far ahead—Yatsushiro Station—was the Iron Fortress's next destination.
Originally, they planned to resupply food and water at this station, but Yatsushiro Station had never resumed the Iron Fortress's whistle, and the drawbridge had remained open.
Having learned their lesson, the Iron Fortress dared not approach easily. It was highly likely that the place had already been overrun by Kabaneri.
"What's the situation now?"
Shikomorikawa Ayame rushed to the driver's cabin to inquire about the situation.
"Smoke signals have been detected inside Yatsushiro Station. There are likely still survivors, Ayame-sama!"
"Proceed immediately to rescue them!"
The situation at Yatsushiro Station was very bad. Traces of rampant destruction were everywhere, all indicating that the place had been attacked by Kabaneri.
Entering Yatsushiro Station, the samurai and common people of the Iron Fortress disembarked one after another.
The samurai were to prevent Kabaneri attacks, while the common people wanted to get some air and understand the situation at Yatsushiro Station.
Shikomorikawa Ayame met with a few samurai and the survivors of Yatsushiro Station to understand the specific situation there.
After understanding the situation at Yatsushiro Station, Shikomorikawa Ayame's expression was a little grim. The Iron Fortress had come to Yatsushiro Station not only without getting supplies but also consumed a lot of food here.
Of course, that wasn't the main point. The observation deck had fallen directly onto the tracks, and because of it, the Hayajiro (fast train) simply couldn't pass.
This was a very difficult situation. The path forward was blocked. If they tried to force the Iron Fortress to smash through, it could easily cause a derailment.
But if they wanted to detour, it would take at least ten more days, and their current food supply couldn't last that long.
After discussion, detouring was impossible; it would never be an option.
The only way was to go to the boiler room and light fireworks, specifically the central steam drawbridge, which would allow them to move the observation deck.
However, according to the survivors, the boiler room seemed to have been occupied by Kabaneri, but as long as they bypassed it via the steam drawbridge, even if they alerted the Kabaneri in the boiler room, they could only attack in rows, so the theoretical success rate was very high.
"Inaba-san, Mumei-san, this operation will trouble you again."
After finalizing the specific action plan, Shikomorikawa Ayame came before Inaba Tsukiyo and Mumei.
For this plan, the combat power of Inaba Tsukiyo and Mumei was very important; they had to act.
"It's fine... Since I'm also riding the Iron Fortress, it's only natural for me to help out."
Inaba Tsukiyo agreed without thinking. Anyway, she still needed to ride the Iron Fortress to the next city, and if the Iron Fortress was blocked here, no one would lead her.
It was just that Mumei's expression was a bit grim; she hadn't been able to speak since earlier.
Just after everyone finished their discussion and left, Inaba Tsukiyo secretly followed Mumei, wanting to see what exactly had happened to her.
In an unmanned corner, a guy who had lost his left leg met with Mumei, and Mumei clearly knew this guy as well.
Inaba Tsukiyo hid in the shadows, eavesdropping on their conversation, and clearly heard Mumei say "Brother," while the other person said that Mumei would be abandoned if she continued like this.
Just as Mumei was about to leave, the Bushi sitting on the ground suddenly erupted, his katana slashing towards Mumei's neck.
Without even turning her head, as the katana was about to strike, Mumei blocked the attack with only the kunai she carried.
Just as the man prepared to strike again, the aura of death enveloped his body.
First, the katana in his hand broke, then a long blade was placed against the man's neck.
"Did no one tell you that placing a weapon against a girl's neck is a very impolite act, Uncle?"
Arriving silently behind the man, just as he was about to pull a small steam gun from his Pregnant to counterattack, his head was violently struck, and he passed out.
"I didn't expect you to be troubled by such a person. It seems my evaluation of you needs to drop a few levels."
"You... why are you here? Did... did you hear everything I just said?"
"If you remember what I told you before, even without my explanation, you should know that I can hear sounds from far away. So..."
Inaba Tsukiyo shrugged. Even without an explanation, Mumei understood Inaba Tsukiyo's meaning.
Their conversation just now had been heard by her completely.
"I can handle this! I don't need your help!"
"Is that so? Indeed, this is your business, and I have no right to interfere. But don't forget, we are friends. If you're in trouble, I will absolutely not stand by and do nothing."
Inaba Tsukiyo didn't know what Mumei's "Brother" was, but she could tell from their conversation that the so-called "Brother" was simply using Mumei.
This old man with the lost left leg was also abandoned because he had lost his usefulness.
"You... what friends! I don't have..."
"You took off my clothes, touched my body, drank my blood, and slept in my arms. Are you trying to deny these things, Mumei?"
For some reason, Inaba Tsukiyo's aura suddenly surged. With each step she took closer, her aura grew stronger.
Finally, after getting completely close to Mumei, Mumei's previous assertiveness completely vanished, like a kitten, shrinking her body, looking at Inaba Tsukiyo with a frightened expression.
However, this person had indeed done many things to her under the guise of being friends during their time together over the past few days.
The daily routine of blood-sucking was one thing, as it was necessary, even though she always tried little tricks, which Inaba Tsukiyo always ignored.
But the subsequent acts of taking off her clothes and sleeping in her arms, she had only accepted because they were friends. If Mumei dared to say they weren't friends, Inaba Tsukiyo vowed she would knock Mumei out right now, tie her to a pillar in the Iron Fortress, and place a cup of blood not far from her, letting her only look but not drink, to see how she would react.
"Remember, you and I are friends. I will never abandon my friends. I don't care who that so-called 'Brother' is; if I find out he does anything to harm you, I guarantee he will die a very ugly death."
After speaking, Inaba Tsukiyo turned and left, giving Mumei no chance, no chance to see her blush.
Actually, even without doing that, Mumei wouldn't have had a chance to see her face. Mumei was completely stunned by Inaba Tsukiyo's words.
All along, she had believed in the principle of survival of the fittest, that relying on others was an act of weakness. Her initial choice to befriend Inaba Tsukiyo was simply because Inaba Tsukiyo was interesting.
She hadn't really taken this matter to heart, and she hadn't expected Inaba Tsukiyo to care so much about it.
For some reason, Mumei felt a warmth in her chest, a feeling more comfortable than when she was drinking blood.
"What the... always saying such nice things."
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