By the time Hiyokumaru arrived at the ward with a doctor, Ming Yu was already gone. Only the gently swaying IV tube confirmed that the person had been there not long ago.
"Where's Big Bro Yu? Where did he go?!"
Looking at Fu Hua, who was still in the room, Hiyokumaru asked with a cold expression, her tone tinged with questioning and accusation.
Although she knew this person was the reliable type, it was precisely because she knew this that she couldn't place one hundred percent of her trust in her.
As if not noticing the anger in Hiyokumaru's words, Fu Hua maintained her calm expression and said faintly, "I think he probably went to the Memorial Stele. After waking up, he first confirmed the location of the Memorial Stele with me, then left in a hurry."
Hiyokumaru's brows furrowed, her beautiful eyes, tinged with a faint anger, stared directly at Fu Hua's calm face.
She really wanted to loudly question Fu Hua about why she didn't stop Ming Yu. After all, his body was just beginning to recover from serious injuries; he should be resting quietly.
But after a pause, she ultimately didn't say it. The legs were on Ming Yu's own body. Where he wanted to go was none of this substitute martial arts teacher's business.
Besides, she also understood that what Fu Hua said was likely the truth. Even if there were some discrepancies in the process, the result would be the same.
Which meant, the person she had painstakingly cared for all this time had left without even seeing her once after waking up.
Looking at the sloppily folded blanket on the hospital bed and the fresh flowers on the nightstand that had just been replaced, Hiyokumaru let out a long sigh but said nothing more.
When the doctor who had rushed over saw that the patient had already left on his own, his expression soured a bit.
After all, Ming Yu was someone personally brought in by the second-in-command of the Far East Branch. Even if there was no deeper meaning, an incident like this was undoubtedly a dereliction of her duty.
But looking at the calm Fu Hua, the doctor could only force an awkward yet polite smile and say softly, "Lady Fu Hua, since the patient has already left, would you be able to sign here?"
In terms of status, as an A-rank Valkyrie, Fu Hua was already considered part of the Far East Branch's upper management. Moreover, she was an outstanding student highly regarded by both the Principal and Major Himeko, destined to hold a very important position in the Far East Branch in the future.
If she could get Fu Hua's signature, then this could not be considered her dereliction of duty.
Seeing the worry on the doctor's face, Fu Hua understood the reasoning behind it and nodded in agreement.
After all, Ming Yu's departure had her tacit approval. Since it had caused trouble for others, she naturally had a responsibility to bear it.
…
Under the scorching sun, Ming Yu walked briskly along the stone-paved paths of St. Freya High School, stopping from time to time to catch his breath.
Compared to a building like the hospital, which prioritizes convenience and efficiency, the Memorial Stele, while no less important, focuses more on symbolic meaning and solemnity. Therefore, the Memorial Stele, located on the back hill, was not a place one could reach in just a few steps.
Although Ming Yu's injuries had healed, the weakness in his body had not yet faded. Normally, he should be staying in the hospital for a few more days of recuperation. At the very least, he should have someone accompanying and supporting him.
But in his haste, he clearly couldn't be bothered with these things, stubbornly dragging his weakened body towards his destination.
Even though this pace might be slower than if he had someone to lean on, the solitary contemplation and the guilt in his heart supported his obstinate choice of this somewhat foolish method.
Although the feeling of physical weakness lingered, and faint aches could be felt throughout his body, this physical discomfort was a great relief for his psychological unease, preventing him from being crushed by self-blame and guilt.
After a long trek, Ming Yu finally saw the gray stone steles.
Amidst the cover of the woods, steles just over a meter tall stood in a clearing.
As soon as he approached these steles of unknown material, the summer heat instantly dissipated, replaced by waves of cold that washed over him, inspiring a sense of solemnity.
The gray surfaces of the steles were smooth and flat, engraved with names in various languages—the Valkyries who had sacrificed their lives in the war against the Honkai.
They came from different countries and regions, yet they shed their blood for the same cause, ultimately sleeping eternally in this small mountain forest.
Looking at these steles covered in names, Ming Yu couldn't help but slow his pace, his breathing unconsciously becoming lighter, as if afraid of disturbing the spirits resting here.
His fingers gently traced over the cold surface of a stele, feeling the raised and recessed texture. Ming Yu's heart grew heavier.
He had been here before, but that time was merely a sightseeing visit, no different from visiting a martyr's cemetery before. It had only left a slight impression on his heart, so much so that he was even a little fuzzy on the location.
But this time, he could roughly understand the meaning these steles represented, and he knew the weight they carried.
Walking past these steles one by one, Ming Yu could almost see the graceful figures in battle.
They might not all have been elite Valkyries with superb combat power; perhaps many were logistics personnel, almost ordinary people. But here, they were no different. They were all heroes who fought for the world!
With heavy steps, Ming Yu slowly walked to the newest stele, his fingers lingering on the several freshly carved names.
Saori, Lia, and the two somewhat unfamiliar Valkyries from the helicopter.
Originally, some of these names didn't need to be here. But due to someone's recklessness, these names were left here after all.
Two streams of hot tears flowed silently from the corners of his eyes, trickling down his face and dripping onto the gray base of the stele, but Ming Yu had no intention of wiping them away.
Although it is said that a man does not cry easily, at this moment, he just wanted to have a good cry. But he also knew that no matter what he did, he couldn't change what had already happened.
After a long time, Ming Yu gently wiped the tear tracks from his cheeks.
Staring at those cold names, Ming Yu felt as if he had returned to that day half a month ago, to that meeting on the helicopter…
Coming back to his senses, Ming Yu sighed and said with a slight sob, "Sorry for making a fool of myself in front of you."
"Captain, I'll follow orders properly from now on. I won't act recklessly again."
"Lia, I will make the Honkai pay this debt of blood. Yes, your share included."
"And you two, although we weren't really familiar, I will carry your share as well."
After rambling on for a long time, Ming Yu finally let out a long breath and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry for talking so much about myself, without even knowing if you wanted to listen. Well, that's all for this time. I'll come see you again next time. I hope… I can still walk over next time."
With that, Ming Yu turned away without another glance at the stele and walked towards the edge of the woods.
Not far away, a red-haired figure was waiting for him…