The next day.

The camp was peaceful today, with no sign of any magical beasts nearby.

However, it was already breakfast time, and neither Yuxie nor Makoto had seen Chiyo's presence.

The two of them became worried and went to Chiyo's tent.

"Chiyo, are you up?" Makoto called out, waiting for a moment but hearing no response.

They exchanged a glance, a bit puzzled.

Considering that Chiyo might still be resting, Yuxie waited outside the tent, while Makoto entered.

However, after a while, no sound came from inside the tent.

Just as Yuxie was about to ask Makoto, she emerged from the tent, her expression filled with concern.

"Chiyo is gone."

"What?" Yuxie froze for a moment at the news.

The two entered the tent. It was tidy inside, without any signs of disturbance.

Chiyo could not have gone out without telling Makoto. If she had, she would have informed her.

And it was impossible for someone to have sneaked in and kidnapped Chiyo under the heavy guard of the camp — that would have made noise, and there would be traces.

So, the most likely explanation was that Chiyo had left on her own…

But the cursed aura shouldn't have acted so quickly. How could Chiyo have left so quietly?

Could it be...?

Yuxie briefly recalled the conversation between him and Makoto the previous night. Had Chiyo overheard them? Was that why Chiyo chose to leave quietly?

"Makoto, I'll go search for Chiyo. You stay here at the camp and wait for news," Yuxie said decisively.

Makoto hesitated for a moment. She wanted to go with Yuxie to search for Chiyo, but she knew she was the backbone of the team. She couldn't afford to run off. The camp needed her presence.

"Be careful," Makoto said, her worry evident.

"Don't worry, I'll bring Chiyo back," Yuxie said with a faint smile, and then summoned the soldiers. "All teams, gather up — one, two, three, and four!"

In a moment, four units lined up in front of Yuxie.

"Units one and two, while I'm away, ensure that the Shogun is well-protected!" Yuxie ordered.

"Rest assured, Captain! As long as there are still soldiers in the first and second units, the Shogun will be safe!" came the response.

"Units three and four, follow me!"

....

In the nearby forest outside the camp, Chiyo was crouched in a corner behind some grass, hugging her knees.

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Last night, she had planned to rest early, but she couldn't fall asleep. So, she thought she'd go talk to Yuxie instead.

However, when she arrived outside Yuxie's tent, she overheard a conversation between Yuxie and Makoto about her.

It turned out she had already been tainted by some cursed aura...

She looked down at her hands, her red pupils clouded, as if veiled by a mist.

In just one night, she could already feel that foreign aura inside her, slowly eroding her mind, as another personality gradually began to awaken.

If things kept going this way, she would eventually lose her sanity and become a "beast."

Soon, she would no longer be herself, not recognize Yuxie, not recognize Makoto, not recognize anyone.

Perhaps in the end, I will truly turn my sword against everyone.

If Yuxie is the one to end my life, preventing me from hurting innocent people, perhaps that would be a better outcome...

But...

I still can't bear to part from everyone. I want to live with them, to spend peaceful days with them.

I want to wait until the spring after the war ends, and once again go beneath the cherry blossom trees with everyone, enjoying calm and joyful times together.

Even if it's just the mundane everyday life.

But it seems, that opportunity is already lost…

Suddenly, it started to rain.

Raindrops fell onto the leaves, creating a rustling sound.

A little squirrel noticed Chiyo hiding behind the grass and curiously stared at her.

"It's raining, go home quickly. Stay away from me, I might hurt you," Chiyo whispered to the little squirrel.

The rain gradually became heavier, the drops falling faster and more densely.

The little squirrel scurried off quickly, disappearing from sight.

Chiyo's clothes were gradually soaked by the rain, bringing an intense coldness.

No moment of cold had ever been more piercing than this one.

Suddenly, Chiyo heard someone calling her name.

"General Chiyo—"

It was the soldiers searching for her.

She hugged her knees, lowering her breath as much as possible, not making a sound.

After a long while, the soldiers gradually moved away.

Chiyo stood up and began walking toward a mountain foot.

Her clothes were soaked through, the biting cold enveloping her entire body.

From the base of the mountain, she walked up to the peak, her gaze becoming more and more dim.

She reached the edge of a cliff. From here, she could see the dense forest below and the distant camp.

She sat down and let the rain pour down onto her face.

"I'm sorry, everyone. I may not be able to go back."

"You're going back!" Yuxie's voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the rain.

Chiyo turned around abruptly. Yuxie was standing a distance away, watching her, panting lightly.

"Yuxie, how did you...?"

"It took some effort, but I finally found you." Yuxie slowly walked towards Chiyo. "Come on, let's go back."

"No!" Chiyo stood up and faced Yuxie. "I'll soon stop being me. Going back will only cause more trouble for everyone."

"What are you talking about? You're not a trouble. To us, you are General Chiyo, and to the soldiers, you are their leader!"

"Don't come closer!" Chiyo raised her voice, her emotions unstable.

Sensing Chiyo's agitation, Yuxie stopped in his tracks.

"Chiyo, listen to me, don't overthink it. You're just sick. It can be cured."

"Don't try to comfort me, Yuxie... I overheard what you and Makoto said last night." Chiyo lowered her head slightly. "This isn't an illness. Unless I die, that evil energy will never be purged."

"There will be a way." Yuxie said, "We haven't even tried yet. How can we just give up? Chiyo, come back with me. When the war is over, we'll go home together."

The rain grew heavier, and Chiyo couldn't tell if what was on her face was rain or tears.

She shook her head, forcing a faint smile for Yuxie.

"Tell Makoto and everyone else... I'm sorry, I won't be able to go cherry blossom viewing with everyone again."

With that, Chiyo slowly turned around and started walking in another direction.

But in an instant, her hand was grabbed by another strong hand.

Yuxie had crossed through the rain and reached her side.

"Are you crazy? Your body isn't fully recovered yet! If you keep this up, your body won't be able to handle it!" Chiyo said, both worried and scolding her.

"If you don't come back with me, I'll have to act shamelessly." Yuxie gasped for breath. "If you don't come with me, don't even think about me letting go."

The sound of rain continued, and the puddles on the ground reflected their figures.

Past memories flashed through Chiyo's mind, like beautiful scrolls.

In those scrolls, there were cherry blossoms and laughter.

"I... can I really go back?" Chiyo's voice was broken and uneven.

"Of course you can. I'll make you better." Yuxie spoke softly.

Chiyo said nothing more. She cautiously stepped closer to Yuxie, collapsing into his arms, silently sobbing.