"How long until the rescue team comes? Are we going to die here?"
Lying on his back, Nanao stared at the clouds drifting in the sky, which, to his hungry eyes, looked like giant fried chicken thighs. The question slipped from his mouth, reflecting the fear gnawing at him.
"Damn it… Don't say such bad-luck words! That only stresses everyone out more!"
Slumped on the ground, Kaito shot a sharp glare at Nanao. His face showed how thin their patience had worn.
"…Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's just, if I don't vent my frustration, I'm afraid I'll go crazy!"
Nanao admitted his fault, wiping faint drool from the corner of his mouth.
In truth, Nanao wasn't the only one whose mental state was fraying. The pressure of their situation was eroding their sanity. The women, in particular, showed signs of despair.
Nao, Yuuna, and Rika had grown quiet, rarely speaking, their gazes often vacant.
As a teacher, Mafuyu fought hard to hide the pessimism creeping into her heart. She tried to appear strong, an unshakable pillar for the group.
Perhaps only Umi still radiated optimism, believing they'd be fine. After all, she knew Ren had supernatural powers, and to him, saving them from this situation should be easy.
Umi had once asked Ren why he didn't use his powers to get them out of the ravine quickly. He told her there were strict rules: he couldn't openly use supernatural abilities in front of ordinary people, or he'd face serious consequences from the Mage Association.
Not wanting Ren to get in trouble because of them, Umi never brought it up again. Besides, Ren had promised he wouldn't let anyone die here. That promise was her anchor of hope.
"Someone… Can anyone help me…?"
From the men's tent, Ryohei's faint, weak voice echoed, filled with helplessness. Even a spirited guy like him had to bow to this harsh reality. Severe injuries and limited mobility had stripped him of dignity.
"I'm coming."
Guessing what Ryohei needed, Nao previously dazed, grabbed an empty bottle and hurried to the tent.
The condition of Coach Takigawa, Seiya, and Ryohei, confined to lying down, created an unavoidable new issue: personal hygiene. Reluctantly, the women had to assist.
Mafuyu, Nao, Rika, and Yuuna—except Umi—took turns using wet cloths to wipe down the three men's bodies. This wasn't just about cleaning sweat but preventing filth and insect attraction due to their wounds.
Beyond that, excretion needs were also handled by the four women. They assisted the men with urination and defecation.
Take now, for example: Ryohei, with his leg twisted at an odd angle, couldn't move. Nao collected his waste in a plastic bag, cleaned his backside as best she could, then disposed of the bag deep in the forest, far from where anyone would pass.
Initially, the women were revolted to the point of nausea. The stench, the unimaginable sight, and the degrading task were a blow to their pride. But over time, with urgent necessity, they grew numb to the foul smells and disgusting sights.
They did it without much talk. The four women couldn't bear to let the men lie in unhygienic conditions, risking infection.
Only Umi was spared this grim task, thanks to Ren pulling her along to forage, indirectly saving her from the nauseating duty.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Deep in the forest, under the dense canopy, Ren and Umi continued searching for food.
"Ren-senpai, everyone's nearing their limit. It's been four days, and there's no sign of the rescue team. If this continues, I'm worried everyone's mental state will collapse."
Umi couldn't help voicing her concern, recalling the despairing faces at camp. Their condition was alarming.
"You're right, Umi. Their health is declining from eating only wild fruits and plants. We're not vegans—we need meat."
A faint frustration crossed Ren's face. He couldn't understand why no animals roamed this forest. Normally, a forest this dense would teem with wildlife. Clearly, this was abnormal.
Umi paused, then mustered the courage to ask, "Is it okay? Won't you get in trouble for using your powers in front of ordinary people?"
She was fine keeping it a secret, but she couldn't guarantee others would. They might accidentally reveal Ren's supernatural abilities if they saw them. That's why she dropped the topic after learning about the Mage Association's severe consequences if Ren's secret was exposed.
Umi didn't want Ren in trouble because of them.
What Umi didn't know was that Ren's talk of the Mage Association's rules and consequences was pure nonsense. It was just a ploy to maintain this ideal situation—where Umi relied heavily on him, the perfect setup to make her his sixth girlfriend.
In truth, no matter how great a Campione's violations or damage, the Mage Association could only turn a blind eye.
Who would dare challenge a Campione?
Did they not value their lives?
Fighting a Campione was suicide.
Among the eight Campiones of this era, only Kusanagi Godou still thought like an ordinary person. His naive, war-averse nature let organizations like the History Compilation Committee, Black Bronze Cross, and Black Copper Cross exploit him.
Ren had no intention of being like Godou. He was a true Devil King, exploiting situations for his own gain.
"It's fine. Compared to everyone's lives, punishment from the Mage Association is a small matter. Alright, if the rescue team doesn't arrive by tomorrow, I'll do something."
Of course, that was a sweet lie. There were no real consequences for Ren.
"Senpai… Thank you."
Ren's seemingly selfless attitude, his willingness to risk punishment for their safety, touched Umi's heart. She saw him not just as a strong senior but as a hero.