The morning training against Nobunaga lasted about two hours. When time ran out, the purple-haired warrior had to return to his business and left the beach.
Takamori and Rinji suggested that Yoichi do the same and continue practicing the techniques taught to him just moments before inside the arena. "I wanted you to train here on the coast because I would like you to expand your geographical knowledge," the guild leader remarked as he walked with his two disciples among the fishermen heading toward the harbour.
Those simple words gave Yoichi pause. Expanding his geographical knowledge meant travelling and exploring the world. How could he do that if he also had to cultivate his draconic powers?
During the long walk that led him to the other side of the city, the young tamer began to think if there was a way to carry the Therion's Tear with him.
Inside his heart, he knew that Ryutaro would never approve of such a thing. However, the gatekeeper had proven time and time again that the personal growth of his only pupil was worth more than anything else.
If he could take with him even a tiny portion of the magical fluid that allowed him to cultivate his powers, he would be able to move at will. Once he discovered Shusaku's location, he could take advantage of it to get outside the capital's walls.
Travelling meant more than just exploring new areas searching for loot: changing biomes was the best opportunity for a tamer to tame new species of demons and expand his team.
Yoichi's main goal was to increase his strength level and stop the Void Summoners' advance. However, other enemies would get in his way, and Kenji and Ichiro's help alone would not be enough.
In between thoughts, Yoichi reached the Nightblades' tower along with his master and his giant companion. Anxiously waiting to check on his friend's condition in person, he went up to the top floor, where Enatsu's bed was located.
He entered on tiptoe along with Takamori. Yoischiko's blue hair was illuminated by the daylight coming in through the window: the beautiful healer was sitting on the same bed as the young merchant, who was blissfully sleeping.
Next to the bed, dozens and dozens of dirty bandages were piled on a wooden nightstand. The black, sticky substance that soaked those cotton gauzes had all the appearance of being Blackblood.
"How's our Enatsu, Yoshiko?" Takamori asked as if he were a family man who had just returned from one of his business trips. The guild leader paused at the foot of the bed while Yoichi moved even closer to his friend.
"I would like to tell you that Enatsu is in the process of healing, but that is not the case. By taking advantage of Gagrelin's healing skill, I was able to keep the infection at bay, but every time I close the wound and superficially treat it, this strange black liquid starts coming out again like lava from a volcano," Yoshiko replied.
Unlike the other times he had heard her speak, Yoichi noticed that the blue-haired girl's voice was full of defeat. From his new perspective, the young tamer saw Yoshiko's squirrel-demon, who had curled up in the folds of Enatsu's blankets, exhausted.
"In all my career as a healer, I have never seen a wound like this. This substance seems to follow a will of its own and constantly desires flesh to feed upon. I fear that without our care, poor Enatsu would have been devoured long time ago," she added.
Yoshiko's hair was more messy than usual, and the knotted flowers inside her blue braids had wilted as if she had been so busy that she hadn't been able to take care of her appearance.
The words of the injured Enatsu in the carriage on the trip back from Blackvault Mines echoed in Yoichi's mind, and he had a sudden illumination.
"Maybe I know a way to heal him for good!" the young warrior boomed, looking at his master. Takamori looked down and then crossed his gaze with Yoichi again, unable to understand what he was talking about.
"Do you know a way to remove this strange black substance from the wound? What is it?" Yoshiko inquired, hoping she understood correctly.
Yoichi approached the girl and, amicably, placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned her face and looked up at him: the features of her face looked like those of a Greek goddess, and the lines of her nose and mouth bordered on perfection.
However, despite her breathtaking beauty, Yoshiko was visibly tired, and deep dark circles under her big blue eyes summed up that night's insomnia.
"I thank you infinitely for helping my friend," Yoichi smiled, patting her shoulder. "Go rest now. You need it badly," he added, showing thoughtfulness towards his guildmate.
"I... I can't leave him here. Who would help him if he had a respiratory crisis or a..."
"Yoshiko" - Takamori's voice broke into speech. The moustachioed guild leader smiled at his healer, approving Yoichi's advice and suggesting to make her rest.
The blue-haired girl looked at Enatsu once more. When the weight of her body lightened the mattress, Gagrelin woke up and jumped on her arm, climbing up to her neck as if she were a tree trunk.
Showing incredible respect and goodness of heart, Yoshiko made a slight bow to Yoichi and Takamori and walked out of the room, down the stairs. Behind her, the fragrant trail of wildflowers intoxicated the sense of smell of the two lucky men.
"She is truly an exceptional girl. I'm fortunate to have her on my team," Takamori Sada sighed, smiling and looking at Enatsu. "So, Yoichi. What's on your mind?" he asked.
Yoichi grabbed a flap of Enatsu's blankets and uncovered his chest. The wound on his abdomen had evidently been carefully treated, and more sterile drapes had been placed where the flesh had torn.
Taking care not to tear the skin sticking to the bandages, Yoichi removed the gauze, exposing the wound.
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