The first English class had begun, and Shidou found himself in attendance, though seemingly lost in his own thoughts, perhaps lost in a daydream.
"Today is really cold," Shidou murmured, his gaze fixed on the window.
Abruptly, a high-pitched noise shattered his reverie, jolting him back to reality.
"That's... right," Shidou's grip tightened on his booklet as realization dawned.
"Mom... I hope you're alright," he muttered, tidying up his area.
A text message flashed on his phone: "Important Notice - Kaiye Kizitisho Hospitalization."
At that moment, Shidou knew he had to leave the moment his morning classes ended.
"Damn," he gritted his teeth, sprinting towards the campus exit as fast as he could.
Breathless, Shidou realized the hospital was 20 kilometers away, and he still had to commute. Thankfully, he made it just in time to catch the bus.
"You shouldn't have overworked, Mom," Shidou spoke softly, hidden sadness tainting his words.
As he stepped onto the bus, he snapped awake, panting.
"How are you, Lord?" Deiou asked, concern etched on his face.
Gradually calming down, Shidou replied, "I'm fine... that was quite a dream."
Addhu offered tea to help Shidou relax, placing the cup in front of him.
"Thank you," Shidou accepted the cup and sipped, calming his nerves.
"Where did we leave off?" he inquired between sips.
"Mass killings," Addhu replied, and Deiou and Arrne readied the table again.
Speechless, Shidou struggled to comprehend the situation.
"Show me out," he commanded firmly.
Without another word, Addhu, Deiou, and Arrne bowed and led Eiyyu out of the shrine. It was a gate Eiyyu had always seen but never passed through, now venturing into the unknown outside world.
"Negative Magic: Torii Release," Deiou intoned.
A deafening bang pierced Eiyyu's ears, followed by a ringing silence. To Eiyyu's surprise, the shrine had vanished, leaving only the torii behind, and they were now atop a mountain.
"What the—" Eiyyu gasped in shock.
More shocking was the devastated village a short distance away, bearing the brutal imprint of the Kotokotokai kingdom's destruction.
"The outside world feels strange," Eiyyu observed, waving his arms.
Feeling lighter and more alert, Eiyyu approached a man picking fruits, who was stunned and helpless, surrounded by death.
"PLEASE, NO KILL! I NEVER PICK HERE AGAIN! I NO TELL, I HEART!" the man pleaded tearfully.
Eiyyu, flanked by his men, approached calmly, offering reassurance.
"Don't worry, we won't harm you. Where do you live?" Eiyyu asked gently.
Trembling, the man stammered, "Hut... under... mountain... I... pick... food..."
Guiding his men, Eiyyu followed the man deeper into the woods until they reached a small house.
"Would you like a seat, my lord?" the trembling man offered.
Eiyyu, fatigued from the mountain trek, staggered.
"The walk took its toll," he mumbled, nearly collapsing.
"My lord!" The men rushed to support Eiyyu, displaying swift grace.
Addhu caught Eiyyu in an instant, leaving the man astounded.
"Prepare his bed," Addhu instructed Arrne firmly, and Deiou followed suit.
The man, increasingly amazed and intimidated, hurriedly made tea out of instinct and fear.
"Six hours... not bad..." Eiyyu murmured before drifting into a deep sleep.
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CHAPTER 3 END