Chương 60: The Condemned's Final Intel

Ryosuke took a shaky breath, trying to calm himself. The nurse returned from behind the curtain, carrying a clean cloth and a bamboo cup of water.

"Excuse me, Mr. Investigator," she said, bowing.

"May I clean Mr. Kuroda?" Galan moved his chair aside, letting her tend to who Galan considered to be an absolute filth of a man. She worked with quiet efficiency, wiping Ryosuke's face and offering him sips of water.

"I'll leave you to it," she whispered, bowing again before retreating. Galan pulled his chair back.

"Where were we?" Ryosuke, slightly more composed, met his gaze.

"You asked about the attack."

"Right. How did it happen?"

"It was a few days ago. I worked late. I was trying to go home, but I felt… a bit too drunk."

"A bit?"

"I was barely on my feet," Ryosuke admitted.

"But I know I was heading home. Yet I kept finding myself walking deeper into the forest."

"Your feet betrayed you."

"Yes. And then… someone approached me. A figure in massive samurai armor. But it was wrong. All wrong." He shuddered, sweat beading on his forehead.

"The armor pieces were mismatched. Tiger crests, dragon crests… shifting and changing. It was like a grave robber's collection." His voice dropped to a panicked whisper.

"And the body inside… it writhed. Like trapped smoke. I could almost see screaming faces in the steel."

"Calm down," Galan said, raising a hand.

"What about the voice?"

"It sounded like… multiple people speaking at once from behind the mask."

"And then, those voices receded into a single one. Hanae's."

"How did you know?!" Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"From the other reports," Galan noted.

"So what did she say?"

"She said I would be judged according to my sins. And that the spirit delivering judgment would be someone whose life I ruined." Ryosuke trembled.

"Then… the figure removed the mask. And I saw her face. Staring back at me, mocking me. She told me I had to fight for a peaceful end or suffer a fate worse than death."

"I suppose you chose the latter."

"No! I tried my best! But it wasn't enough…"

"How did the fight happen?"

"She threw me a sword. I begged her to stop. I apologized. But she put the mask back on and walked closer. Before I realized it… I picked up the sword and started swinging."

"And?"

"I don't remember," Ryosuke whispered, looking away.

"It was all a blur. I just remember feeling drenched. Like I was standing in the rain."

"But it wasn't rain, was it?"

"No." He sobbed.

"It wasn't." The nurse returned, her face etched with concern.

"Mr. Investigator, perhaps you should let him rest."

"I'm almost done," Galan said. He turned to Ryosuke.

"So the spirit wasn't satisfied. What happened next?"

"I don't want to remember! Please!" Ryosuke screamed, straining against his bonds.

"And after that, you woke up here?"

"Yes! Please, I can't do this anymore!"

"Understood." Galan stood up.

"I'll leave now."

"Promise me," Ryosuke said, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Promise me you'll stop them." Galan's gaze was fierce.

"I promise." He stepped out of the curtained area, leaving the nurse to comfort her patient. He stood in the hallway, watching countless patients coming and going on their gurneys. He's a monster, Galan thought. But I still hope he can turn his life around. And since there's no report of a second attack, maybe he's in the clear. He snapped his fingers, his mindcast sweeping the room, gathering the memories of the other victims. They were all similar stories of cruelty and retribution.

They're all just as bad as him. But maybe they'll find redemption, too. The nurse emerged, looking exhausted.

"I'm sorry for the wait, sir."

"That's alright." Galan sighed.

"By the way, do you need a hug?"

"Eh?!" Her eyes widened.

"It's nothing serious. Just something to help you feel better." She stared at him, confused, then her shoulders slumped.

"I… I guess a small hug wouldn't hurt." Galan stepped forward and embraced her. For a moment, she felt the unmistakable warmth of her father, a miner who had died years ago due to a long illness born from his line of work. The grief she had buried under her work welled up, and she cried quietly into Galan's shoulder. After a minute, she pulled away, wiping her eyes. A profound peace had settled over her.

"Thank you very much, sir. I feel a lot better now."

"Good. I have to leave for the peacekeepers' station. Take care of yourself, Shizue." She bowed.

"I will, sir." Then she paused.

"Wait, how did you know my name?"

"Oh, um…" Galan pointed to her chest.

"Your name badge."

"Oh, right. I forgot it was there."

"Heh. Alright, I'm heading off."

"See you later!" she waved, her voice cheerful.

"See ya." Galan walked away, leaving Shizue to return to her work with renewed strength.