Section 14: Sakamoto Ryouma END

...I just examined Gabriela, and things seem to have settled down.

Her condition could still change without warning, but for the moment, she appears to be stable.

I see. I'm glad you won't need to remain at her bedside any longer.

Why don't you get some rest? Adriana and I can take turns watching her for the rest of the night.

I appreciate that.

But I can't risk her condition getting worse. If you're willing to watch her, I think I can get away with a short nap.

Why short? We're fine watching her for a while. Hell, sleep through the night while you're at it.

Haha, I might just do that. But I'll come back if I have any trouble sleeping.

Um, Roma?

Have a good night.

Thanks, you too.

...Oh, it's you, Doc. What're you doing up so late?

García, don't you want to avenge Vargas?

Of course I do. If I'd known Salazar planned to kill him, I'd have put an arrow through his heart myself.

Then how about we work together? You look like you know your way around this mansion well.

If you know of any good hiding spots here, I'd like you to tell me.

See, I know how a certain man thinks. More than that, I know what sort of place he'd use to hide.

...All right, I'm in. But what's your game here?

Would you believe I'm trying to find closure regarding my best friend?

Take a look at this.

What is it?

A report on the coup that took place ten years ago. It's part of Cortés's legacy.

It says that Daizou and General Tan ended up killing each other.

General Tan was the best swordsman in the army...the whole country, really. He's the only one who could possibly defeat Daizou in a fair fight.

Yeah, General Tan was amazing. He was noble, brave, well-liked...

I never would have guessed his last opponent was Daizou Oka, the sword demon.

Are you still unconvinced?

...No, I believe you. I'm also trying to find some closure regarding my best friend's death, personally.

Come on. I'll show you every room where that bastard could possibly hide.

...Good grief. And after all the trouble I took to hide where no one would find me.

So you're the one who killed Daizou.

Huh? I thought that report said he and General Tan died fighting each other...

I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. It was purely coincidence that they both fell in their duel.

Is that so? Funny how so many of your enemies just happen to end up taking each other out for you.

You sure you didn't put some sort of spell on them?

Ah yes, you used to work for me, didn't you? It seems you understand how I operate.

Casting a spell is the easiest thing in the world. All I need to do is provide the inferior side with some...motivation.

In fact, I can do the same to you right now.

What... How...

Let me guess. You thought if you personally guaranteed my wife's well-being...

...I would be willing to stab García in the back for you?

How...did you know...?

I bet Daizou was thrilled to accept that proposal for his sister. I might've done the same if I was in his position.

But there's no way I'd fall for it now that I know how your game works.

Sorry I didn't give you a chance to exact your own revenge, García.

Don't worry about it. I'd have done the same thing in your shoes.

...Let's leave his body here.

He deserves to rot here alone until someone tears this place down around him.

Oh, welcome back. Did you have a good rest?

Yup, you could say that. I feel a lot better now, that's for sure.

...

Mr. Paggioli is asleep right now too. It took me years to be able to tell, but now I know for sure.

Heh, I see... Say, could I ask you to give me and Gabriela some privacy for a bit? Don't worry, I'm not gonna try anything funny.

May I ask why?

Gabriela's brother was one of my dearest friends. She's all that's left of his family now.

I have a lot to tell her, even if she's still asleep.

I see. Then please, take all the time you need.

...I guess I should say it's nice to meet you again.

Your brother and I joined the army at the same time.

I had a gift for healing people, and he had a gift for breaking them. In many ways, we couldn't have been more different.

But for whatever reason, we still got along really well. Or at least, I thought we did.

But after we joined the army, we had to face the fact that the kingdom was beyond saving.

Despite that, I did my best to shut my eyes to reality, and just kept up my work as a medical officer.

I may as well have been shooting morphine straight into my heart.

I'm sure I lost your brother's respect for that.

Did you just smile? Maybe I only imagined it.

But if you like hearing about this, I'd be glad to tell you more...

As much as you want to hear.