Footsteps echoed steadily along the polished marble floor of the Imperial Military Headquarters' main corridor. Canis walked ahead, his posture straight and silent. Behind him, Easton kept pace, slipping a folded sheet of notes into the pocket of his long coat.
"Hm," Canis murmured without turning. "Where's Aron?"
Easton glanced briefly to the right, eyeing the tall glass windows revealing the pale evening sky. "If my guess is right… he's at the military hospital. With Lucy. Visiting Shina mariposa."
Canis stopped abruptly. Easton nearly bumped into him.
"Mariposa?" Canis's voice was low and sharp—laced with a rare hint of surprise. "What happened to her?"
Easton raised an eyebrow. "You don't know? Of course, you wouldn't… you weren't there."
He took a breath before continuing. "Lady Shina was injured. In her fight with Cerberus."
Silence.
Canis's gaze didn't shift, but the muscles in his shoulders tensed. "What did you just say…?"
Easton nodded slowly. "Even if it wasn't a complete version—just a fragment of Cerberus's energy. But even that was enough to injure her badly."
Canis remained silent, his stare sharpening. A cold glint passed through his golden eyes—not out of anger, but disbelief. Shina Mariposa, Captain of the Red Star Corps… the woman whose strength he respected deeply, defeated by a mere fragment of Cerberus?
"…How bad is it?" he asked finally.
"She's stable now," Easton replied. "But the wounds run deep. Physically… and perhaps emotionally."
Canis lowered his head slightly, letting his black hair shadow his face. For a moment, the corridor felt colder—like winter had crept in uninvited.
"Take me to the hospital."
---
The military hospital stood still under the pale gold of sunset. Canis and Easton entered through the front hall, approaching the reception desk where a staff officer was stationed.
"We're looking for Captain Shina Mariposa's room," Easton said.
The officer looked up and studied them. "What is your relation to Captain Shina?"
Canis hesitated for a split second. "We're… acquaintances."
But Easton cut in without missing a beat. "Friends. We're friends of hers."
The officer narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry. Visitors need clearance. I can't let you through without proper—"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice came from the nearby stairwell.
"It's fine. I'll vouch for them."
Lucy Mariposa descended the steps calmly, her presence commanding. The officer straightened in recognition.
"They may enter," she added. "I'll take responsibility."
"Yes, ma'am." The officer stepped aside, nodding. After all, Lucy was not only the Vice Commander of the Third Division—she was also Captain Shina's elder sister.
---
Lucy led the way into the dim hospital room, followed by Easton and finally Canis. Inside, Shina lay unconscious on the bed, her head wrapped in clean white bandages. A monitor beside her beeped softly in rhythm with her breathing.
Aron turned toward the visitors and smiled with relief. "Master! Mr. Easton! I'm glad you're alright."
He stood up. "Where were you during the battle with the monster?"
"I was dealing with the Bloodminers," Canis answered flatly. "The ones who summoned Cerberus."
Aron blinked in shock. "Summoned Cerberus…? But that thing—"
Canis interrupted him, eyes never leaving Shina. "How is she?"
Aron's voice softened. "She's still unconscious, but better. The doctors say it's only a matter of time now."
Lucy motioned to the chairs beside the bed. "Please, sit. I'll get you something."
Moments later, they sat together with a small tray of snacks placed on the side table. Lucy looked at them all—then slowly turned her gaze to her sister.
"I'm proud of her," Lucy said quietly. "Shina had a thousand reasons to hate the world. But she never even considered walking down that path."
The room fell into silence. Canis, Easton, and Aron remained quiet—listening.
"She's always been brave," Lucy continued, "so I'm not surprised she faced that monster alone. She believed… that if she used the strength God gave her, maybe those innocent children would get to live peacefully. Even if it meant sacrificing herself."
She turned to Canis then, tears welling in her eyes, but a soft, bitter smile on her face.
"She did her best… didn't she?"
Canis looked away, trying to avoid her eyes. But his voice was certain.
"Yes," he said. "She did her best."
Lucy's voice trembled as she continued. "The only thing I fear now is that she'll break inside… like before. After the Fox Phantom attack… when she thought she had failed to save everyone."
Canis reached out, placing his hand gently on Lucy's shoulder.
"Don't worry," he said. "Your sister… is strong. She'll get through this."
{Chapter 38 end}