"Miss Loki, I actually ran plenty of verifications before this."
Tsuna hadn't jumped straight to testing on himself. Before that, he'd gone through a whole series of experiments to confirm the Healing Rabbit's capabilities—its power to treat any kind of injury, poison, curse, or even regenerate lost limbs. It was, in every sense, an all-purpose healing-type Longinus. Short of resurrection, it could handle everything related to recovery.
"I made the Healing Rabbit specifically to improve our safety during the Dungeon expedition," he explained. "It can cure wounds, poisons, and curses—and it's capable of limb regeneration too."
"So you were testing that limb regeneration part? By using yourself as the test subject?"
Loki almost laughed from sheer exasperation. He created the creature himself, and then decided to test it on his own body? Couldn't he find someone else? Did he really have to use himself for everything?
Whatever. At least nothing irreversible had happened. Loki took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
She used to think just having Ais around was enough to send her blood pressure through the roof. Sure, that girl was adorable—but when she decided to act on impulse, she was anything but cute. And now came Tsuna, someone who made Loki even happier, more excited, and genuinely impressed... yet somehow possessed the same "disaster magnet" tendencies as Ais. These two really were naturals at giving her stress.
"I don't care what kind of creatures you make from now on," she said firmly. "You're not allowed to test them on yourself. Got that?"
She couldn't have another Ais on her hands. Loki laid down the order like divine law. No matter what kind of monster Tsuna created, if there was even the slightest risk involved, he wasn't the one testing it. She couldn't survive another morning like this—her heart and blood pressure wouldn't stand a chance.
"I don't mind that," Tsuna replied calmly. "But would anyone actually be willing to volunteer?"
Loki gave him a look. "Do you think the creatures you make are useless or something? I guarantee you, once people find out what your monsters can do, even Finn would line up to be your test subject."
She meant it. Loki had absolute faith in Tsuna's abilities. The creatures he made always did exactly what he said they would. His "tests" were just a way to understand and refine their abilities even more precisely.
Still… Loki's gaze softened as another thought crossed her mind.
What about the adventurers who'd already lost their limbs?
"Tsuna, that creature you made…"
"The Healing Rabbit?"
"Yeah, that one. Would it work on adventurers who've been missing limbs for years?"
"I'm not sure," Tsuna admitted. "When I created it, I didn't specifically imagine it restoring long-lost limbs. But based on my understanding of Annihilation Maker, since I didn't add a limitation against it, that means it can."
"Good enough. Come with me."
As soon as she got that "yes," Loki grabbed Tsuna by the arm and led him out of the room.
They didn't go far—still within the Twilight Manor—but she brought him to a remote, secluded courtyard tucked away in one of the farthest corners.
The air here felt… heavy. Tsuna could tell immediately. The atmosphere was completely different from the rest of the manor—oppressive, almost lifeless.
The garden itself was neat, well-kept, barely any weeds. But strangely, there wasn't a single person in sight.
People were inside, though. Tsuna glanced toward the main building at the back of the courtyard and sensed eyes watching them from behind the glass windows.
"They're still like this, huh…"
Loki sighed softly, a rare note of melancholy in her voice. Catching the confusion in Tsuna's eyes, she smiled faintly.
"Wondering what this place is?"
"Yeah. It feels… different from the rest."
"That's to be expected. The people who live here are also part of my Familia—but they're the ones who've retired from the front lines. My broken kids."
Broken.
Tsuna immediately understood what she meant. No wonder the air here was so heavy.
"I didn't think there were people like this," he said quietly.
"Didn't you read about them in stories?"
"I did. But I thought adventurers who lost their limbs got expelled from their Familias."
"That kind of thing almost never happens in Orario," Loki replied, shaking her head. "Even the most irresponsible gods wouldn't go so far as to just throw a child away. Most of us can afford to keep taking care of those who've been injured. But the problem isn't with the gods—it's with the kids themselves."
Tsuna frowned slightly. Loki's tone grew softer.
"The reason they leave isn't because their gods abandoned them," she continued. "It's because of pride. These kids—once fierce adventurers—can't stand the thought of being the ones who need to be taken care of. They can't accept that the only thing left for them now is to be looked after."
"I see…"
Now Tsuna understood.
For adventurers who'd once fought bravely on the front lines, losing their ability to fight wasn't just physical—it was spiritual. To live knowing you'd never swing your weapon again, to rely on others for everything… that kind of humiliation was worse than death. Many probably regretted not dying in battle when they had the chance.
Loki led him into the main building.
Bang!
Without hesitation, she threw open the door.
"My little ones! Your goddess is here to see you!"
"Lady Loki!"
The entry hall was full of people—men and women alike. Some were missing arms, some legs. A few were so badly injured they could barely move at all. Every one of them had once been a proud adventurer, now reduced to living quietly in this forgotten corner of the manor.
Their bodies were broken, but their faith in their goddess still burned bright.
"You're all looking the same as ever," Loki said with a grin, her eyes sweeping across the room. "At least your spirits are still holding up."
She placed her hands on her hips, her voice ringing out with energy.
"My little ones, tell me—do you still dream of adventuring again?"
Silence filled the hall for several seconds. Then, with a voice trembling but full of passion, someone answered.
"Yes, Lady Loki!"
Loki's grin widened. Hearing that made her chest swell with pride. Even after all this time, their hearts hadn't gone cold.
"Good! Because I've brought you some great news today."
Her eyes sparkled as she turned slightly, motioning toward Tsuna.
"A few days ago, I took in a new child. He has a special ability—one that might just let you take back everything you lost."
Her words drew wide-eyed stares from every person in the room.
"He doesn't have concrete results yet," Loki continued, "but according to him, your injuries can be healed. We just need to run a direct test to prove it. So—who's willing to give it a try?"
"Lady Loki!"
A dwarf in a wheelchair rolled forward. Both his legs were gone, and he had only one remaining arm. Yet his eyes were bright and unwavering.
"I'll do it. I'm willing to try."