The scenery of the inner keep was slightly different from that of the outer keep.
First, what caught the eye was a rather spacious open area. Unlike the outer keep, which had various facilities and buildings, the inner keep showed more leisurely open spaces, and the intervals between buildings were wider.
And compared to the outer keep, there seemed to be almost no damaged sections. So, just by roughly looking at their shapes, one could guess what kind of building it was or what purpose the space served.
However, the biggest difference was that it was so narrow that turning one's head just a little would reveal the entire interior.
It felt as if taking just one step forward would make the next Dullahan greet me, saying they had retrieved their head.
Bark, too, seemed to share a similar sentiment, as he was fidgeting uneasily.
[M-Minte! Don't walk ahead!]
Yet, despite Bark's urgent shout, Minte strode through the inner keep without hesitation.
[Captain, I think these are the stairs leading up to the ramparts.]
Perhaps because she had gotten the hint about the 'ramparts' from Tristan earlier? Minte started by looking for the stairs leading up to the ramparts.
It seemed she wanted to retrieve her head quickly. Rather than accepting rest like a sudden disaster, she appeared determined to actively seek it out.
Minte, who had informed me of the stairs' location, hopped up the steps without giving anyone a chance to stop her.
[Minte!]
Bark also hurriedly ran to follow Minte, but Bark, transformed into a bear, was too large to climb the stairs.
Bark, who had repeatedly poked his head in and out, looked up as far as he could. Minte, who had quickly reached the top, looked down.
[Minte, are you alright?]
[Minte, did you get your head back?]
Bark and Zigore shouted toward Minte. Minte, in the form of a cat, stretched her neck to look down, then disappeared again with a *pop*.
If she had retrieved her head, she wouldn't be in that animal form, so it seemed Minte hadn't died up there.
"There's another staircase over there that connects to the top of the ramparts."
While waiting for Minte to come back down, Samuel pointed somewhere and spoke.
I could see another staircase on the opposite side of the one Minte had climbed. Next to it was also a watchtower connected to the ramparts.
For a moment, I thought that if Minte had been in charge of the ramparts, she might have been guarding that watchtower. From that height, one could likely see outside the walls at a glance.
[Captain, there was nothing of note over here.]
Just then, Minte, who had come down the stairs, quickly reported. After looking around, she soon decided on a new destination.
[Minte! Don't go around alone so much. What if something happens?]
[What could possibly happen here, other than retrieving my head?]
Minte retorted curtly and easily passed Bark, who was blocking her way.
She didn't forget to add an explanation for me.
[I can feel that my head is here.]
Minte hurriedly moved her steps again. This time, it was in the direction Samuel had pointed. Bark busily chased after Minte, repeatedly calling her name.
[Minte, don't be in such a hurry, Minte? Minte! Min……!]
It was just as Minte, ignoring the calls from behind, was about to climb the stairs while running swiftly.
[Ugh!]
Bark, who had been busily chasing after Minte, let out a single groan.
The giant black bear curled its body into a ball, covering its head with its front paws.
[……Bark?]
[Grr…….]
[What, what's wrong with you?]
A flustered Minte circled around Bark.
Standing a little distance away, staring at them, I looked down at the silk pouch containing Mori.
Ever since Tristan had entered his rest earlier, Mori had completely withdrawn into the pouch and hadn't shown himself.
A faint sob could be heard from the slightly opened mouth of the pouch.
I, who had been about to call Mori, simply closed my mouth. Even without asking Mori, I now knew why Bark was like that.
[Bark!]
With the situation reversed, it was now Minte who shouted Bark's name. Bark was writhing, emitting black smoke.
I couldn't bring myself to approach closely. It wasn't just because Bark in bear form looked threatening.
Rather…… it was because this succession of rests, moving from one Dullahan to another without a moment to collect oneself, was becoming increasingly burdensome.
Holding my throbbing head, I let out a long sigh when I sensed a presence approaching.
[Could you not grant them rest as quickly as possible?]
A suppressed voice came from beside me. It was Soana.
Soana's eyes, fixed on Bark, held an unmistakable sorrow.
[Since we are all destined to enter the path of rest anyway, if you could make it even a little sooner and more comfortable, everyone would praise your mercy, Captain.]
"Words spoken after retrieving one's head might be their last testament. Are you saying we shouldn't even listen to that?"
[Look, Captain.]
Soana spoke in a subdued voice.
[See how everyone suffers so after regaining their memories.]
She was sighing sincerely.
[Do you intend to face each and every one of those knights' agonies, Captain?]
Well, I…… didn't want to see that. Of course not.
But I don't know if just because I don't want to see it, I don't have to.
I stared at Bark. The knights of the Round Table, who threw themselves for their Captain and waited for him for a long time in Dullahan bodies.
Wouldn't listening carefully to even a few words from them, restored to their complete forms, be the courtesy I should show?
* * *
The name that came from Tristan's mouth was clearly her own. So why was it Bark who had retrieved his head?
Minte looked at the figure before her with confused eyes.
Bark, with a physique likely twice that of an average adult male, was crouched and panting.
His large, thick features were all twisted, visibly expressing pain. Bark, who had been in such pain that he shed a few tears, barely managed to raise his gaze.
Bark, upon discovering Minte in cat form, abruptly stopped his gaze.
[……Bark.]
Bark stared at Minte for a long time with an unreadable expression. Then, he heaved his massive body up.
[Bark?]
It was impossible to tell if he couldn't hear or was pretending not to. Minte urgently tapped Bark's leg with her front paw, but Bark paid no heed and approached Anelli.
"Captain."
A thick, low voice flowed from Bark's mouth. Minte thought Bark would introduce himself, just as the other knights had.
But Bark observed no formalities whatsoever.
Minte realized that Bark was extremely angry right now.
As Anelli nodded, Bark spoke in a suppressed tone.
"I have one request before receiving my rest."
"A request?"
"Just one leg of that traitor, no…… an arm or……. No. Just allow me to at least hit him."
Bark's thick fists were clenched tight. Blue veins stood out on the back of his hands, and they even trembled slightly.
Minte, who had not retrieved her head, could not empathize with Bark's anger. However, remembering that the fellow named Samuel had never been easygoing, she unconsciously approached Bark.
[Bark, what on earth is wrong? What did that bastard do to you?]
Bark still did not look back at Minte.
After a brief silence, Anelli glanced at Samuel. Then, she replied flatly.
"I won't stop your anger, Bark."
With Anelli's permission granted, Bark strode heavily toward Samuel. His bloodshot eyes were filled with surging resentment. Samuel furrowed his brow and parted his lips.
"Bark, brothe……ugh!"
*Thwack!*
A large fist struck Samuel's jaw. The blow was so strong that Samuel staggered.
Without pause, Bark raised his fist again. Without any particular technique, he simply swung with brute force, aiming for the lower jaw.
*Crack!*
With a terrifying impact sound, this time Samuel's body completely toppled over. After just two punches, Samuel's jaw was swollen red, and blood pooled between his lips.
Bark grabbed the collar of the fallen Samuel and began beating him in earnest. The ferocity was so brutal that the onlookers couldn't even breathe.
Even Minte froze at Bark's savage onslaught and couldn't move.
"You, son of a bitch!"
*Thud!*
"Gahk!"
Finally, Samuel vomited blood. Pain was evident on his contorted face. Just as Samuel, breathing roughly, finally couldn't endure it and tried to push Bark away—
[Bark.]
Soana, unable to watch any longer, was the first to stop Bark. It was an action born of worry that there might be a problem in exercising the authority.
Even without a lengthy explanation, Bark understood the intent behind Soana's call.
Bark, who had raised his bloodied fist, gnashed his teeth and spat out fierce curses.
"Damn it, damn it!"
*Thump!*
The last fist was driven into the dirt ground beside Samuel's head. The force was so strong it made a deep impression.
[Bark, your hand!]
Minte, who had been frozen stiff, noticed the torn fist and rushed over in shock. Bark, who had released Samuel's collar, panted as he got up.
Bark's hand was stained with blood, indistinguishable whether it was his or Samuel's. Staggering back a couple of steps, drops of blood fell sporadically on the spot.
Bark, who had been silent for a moment while catching his breath, looked at Minte, who had approached his feet.
He seemed to have something he wanted to say, but in the end, he said nothing. Instead, staggering, he approached Anelli and knelt.
"I am the executioner who brings down the mace upon all who defy you. I am deeply moved to greet you like this."
His weary voice held no trace of joy at regaining his original form. Rather, he seemed tormented.
Anelli also gazed at Bark with a tired expression.
"I thought Minte would find her head first."
Minte also agreed with Anelli's words. Tristan had clearly said so. That Minte would soon come out from the ramparts to provide support.
"Did you die saving Minte?"
Anelli asked calmly. Minte found herself looking at Bark with tense eyes.
After a short silence, Bark shook his head.
"The concept of saving anyone here could not have been established."
As if saying that assigning an order to death in this small inner keep was truly meaningless, Bark smiled bitterly.
"However, it is true that I died before Minte."
Though he must have felt Minte's gaze, Bark did not look back at her.