Night.
Kai stood atop the inner wall separating the eastern and southern districts.
A cool breeze brushed against his face.
Below—
Lanterns illuminated the streets.
Restaurants bustled with customers.
Blacksmiths worked late into the evening.
People laughed.
Talked.
Lived.
Kai rested both hands on the stone railing.
"..."
"...It's hard to believe."
"Two weeks ago..."
"...this place was a battlefield."
He watched workers replacing stones in the outer wall even under moonlight.
Somebody below complained about carrying bricks.
Another laughed and told him to quit whining.
An old woman handed drinks to exhausted workers.
The sight made Kai smile.
They weren't pretending everything was fine.
They were simply refusing to let tragedy be the end.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Kai didn't turn.
"...Couldn't sleep either?"
Chocomint stepped beside him.
"...Not really."
The two quietly looked over the city.
For a while—
Neither spoke.
Finally, Chocomint broke the silence.
"You protected it."
Kai shook his head.
"Everyone did."
Chocomint smiled.
"...That's probably why it still stands."
The breeze carried the distant sounds of hammers and laughter.
Kai watched workers repairing another rooftop.
"...People recover faster than I expected."
"They always do."
Chocomint answered.
"...As long as they have something worth rebuilding."
Kai quietly nodded.
Then—
A bird landed on the stone railing.
It wore a small leather tube attached to one leg.
Chocomint calmly removed the message.
The bird immediately flew away.
He read it once.
Folded it again.