The flames scorched the passage leading to the upper levels, creating an unbearably high temperature.
Many parts of Cochlea were made of metal. While its defensive strength was formidable, the excellent heat conductivity of the metal now also hindered everyone's progress toward the upper levels.
Fortunately, Cochlea had multiple routes, and the sound of footsteps soon echoed in the stairwell.
At the forefront, Aura Kiyoko ran upwards while calling out through her earpiece, "Uesugi-sama, please respond."
Mado Akira lowered her head in silence, her steps quickening. Her right hand tightly gripped the bloodied Quinque, and she stayed closely behind Aura Kiyoko.
Amon Koutarou cast a worried glance at Mado Kureo, who appeared somewhat out of breath. Knowing Mado Kureo's temperament, he didn't say anything.
Aura Kiyoko furrowed her brows. "Uesugi-sama..."
"The One-Eyed Owl has fled. Arima Kishou went after it. I'm fine," came Uesugi Ryu's voice over the earpiece.
The slightly tense atmosphere eased immediately.
Upon hearing this, Mado Akira's eyes flashed with a glimmer of light, and her steps quickened as she charged toward the top floor without stopping.
Uesugi Ryu quietly leaned against the large Kakuja shell. The head next to him, nearly half the size of his body, lay lifeless beside him.
At this moment, the entire top floor was immersed in an eerie silence.
The sight before him was one of countless bodies sprawled across the ground, with the grotesque figure of the One-Eyed Owl towering like a small mountain among them.
The dark sky above was filled with delicate, drifting white snowflakes, slowly falling through the rifted barrier. The pure white snow and the vivid red blood intertwined, filling the battlefield with a chilling atmosphere.
Uesugi Ryu raised his head slightly, gazing up at the sky, and let out a long breath. The hot breath quickly condensed into a white mist, which swiftly dispersed.
There was an indescribable expression on Uesugi Ryu's face as he experienced his first snowfall here of all places.
It seemed like a long time had passed, but in reality, it had only been a little over half a year since it all began.
A sudden sense of disconnection overwhelmed Uesugi Ryu, as if everything he had experienced was nothing but a distant dream. The life of constant battle and bloodshed.. such a life was unimaginable for him just a year ago.
The searing pain from his wounds pierced through him, sharply stimulating every sensory cell, clearly reminding him that this was reality.
Blood flowed from his wounds, and snowflakes continued to fall, light and pure like feathers dropped by angels.
Uesugi Ryu stared at the snow-covered world, his lips curling into a large smile. He couldn't help but laugh aloud.
He actually found this life far more interesting!
This was the most intense battle Uesugi Ryu had ever fought, and also the one where he was most severely wounded.
The acrid smell of blood assaulted him, and the Kakuja shell of the One-Eyed Owl lay in plain sight beside him, but Mado Akira's gaze didn't linger there.
Her eyes, usually so calm, trembled slightly.
She scanned the surroundings quickly, urgently searching for a familiar figure.
A bloodstained long sword stuck into the ground, with tiny blood droplets forming a slightly crooked path.
Mado Akira followed the trail of blood, running toward it.
Uesugi Ryu had already sensed their arrival. He stretched out a hand to smooth his messy hair.
Mado Akira was the first to appear in his line of sight, and a relaxed smile curled at the corners of his lips.
"Akira..."
With parts of his skin and clothes torn away, Uesugi Ryu's upper body was nearly bare, his pink flesh hidden beneath dark red blood.
The Quinque in Mado Akira's hand dropped to the ground, and she quickly ran to Uesugi Ryu's side.
She carefully avoided his wounds, reaching out to gently lift his blood-streaked, slightly fatigued face.
Without hesitation or preparation, she kissed him.
Uesugi Ryu widened his eyes, momentarily forgetting the pain from his injuries. All that remained in his mind was the warm, soft sensation on his lips.
After a brief daze, Uesugi Ryu looked at Mado Akira, whose eyes were tightly shut.
An indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
He no longer hesitated, reaching out his own hands to pull Mado Akira into his embrace.
And so, the two of them suddenly held each other, kissing passionately. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them immersed in their heated embrace.
A playful glint flashed in Uesugi Ryu's eyes as the roles reversed. Mado Akira's face immediately flushed red, her wide eyes fixed tightly on him.
She pushed back stubbornly, unwilling to give in...
Seeing this, Aura Kiyoko rubbed her forehead, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
She quickly raised her hands to stop the others behind her, saying in a soft tone, "Let's leave here for now. Uesugi-sama has other matters to attend to. The medical team is on their way."
Mado Kureo, hearing this, was momentarily stunned. He had been running slower and hadn't seen anything.
But as an old father, he immediately understood. He hadn't expected Uesugi Ryu to be quite so "impressive."
He forced his lips to stop rising in a grin and nodded in agreement with Aura Kiyoko.
"True, let's not crowd here. Everyone, let's go check for any stragglers."
Hoji Kosuke and Amon Koutarou exchanged glances, both nodding in agreement.
Uesugi Ryu gently rested his head on Mado Akira's long legs, his eyes half-closed in enjoyment.
Mado Akira lowered her head and softly wiped the blood from his face.
"Why did you run away earlier? You don't seem like you were embarrassed." Her voice carried a hint of curiosity and mild reproach.
Uesugi Ryu licked his lips and smiled slightly.
"If I had died the next day after promising you, it would have been too cruel to you, wouldn't it? Isn't this much better?"
At that moment, a soft and sudden "plop" sounded.
A single clear, sparkling tear slipped from Mado Akira's eye and landed perfectly on Uesugi Ryu's cheek.
He raised his head helplessly and met her tearful gaze.
"Don't cry. I'm not dead."
"Think about yourself more, you idiot." Mado Akira gently stroked his face, her light green eyes locked onto his, her expression serious.
"I know," he whispered, holding her hand.
Uesugi Ryu suddenly smiled at her. "Remember the gift I mentioned before? I think you'll like it."
He pointed to the grotesque, toppled head next to them. "Let Tomoya turn this into a specimen. The One-Eyed Owl's head. How's that for a unique gift?"