Noah and Mio learns an important lesson about hygiene.

(That particular flute exchange scene)

"Say, wanna…exchange flutes?" Mio said, coming one step closer to Noah.

"What? But isn't that…"

"I guess it's a little too…icky?" Mio looked a bit disappointed with her little ears down.

"No no, I-I don't care about that! I'm just trying to say-"

"I'd just like it…to be used a little longer. To make up for the time Miyabi lost… You'll still be around after me."

"Mio…"

"I get it, all right, it's a trade!"

"You should know, mine's seen better days too," Noah said, showing her Crys' flute.

"Don't worry, I don't really mind either."

And with the dramatic scenery of sunrise, the two off-seers exchange flutes.

But little did they know…

About hygiene.

And about the chat the two healers had, watching the scene.

"So Taion," Eunie asked, sipping some tea.

"Hmm?"

"Have ever read about…viruses or something…?"

"Well, of course, hygiene is one of the soldier's priorities. But why?"

"Uh…dunno, but I have a feeling that…ugh, never mind, let's just pack up and leave for today," Eunie said, drinking all of her tea in one gulp.

"What the spark…?"

(After some day)

(Probably after smashing the castle)

"Mio…you okay…?" Noah asked with a concerned tone.

"Don't mind…just a bit tired today…" Mio replied, with a feverish blush on her face.

"Nope, love, you look absolutely horrible right now," Eunie said, kneeling down to Mio.

"I'm okay, Eunie… Don't worr…" Before Mio could finish her line, a raspy cough interrupted her.

"Oh great, you're coughing. So how are you gonna explain this, huh? And Noah, look at you, too. You look horrible." Eunie pointed at Noah, whose face was totally pale.

"What? No, Eunie, I'm totally fi…"

"Stand up."

"What?"

"Just sparking stand up and you'll see what I'm saying."

"Okay…fi…wait…ugh…why do I…" Noah groaned as he felt some bizarre headache and dizziness as he stood up.

"Okay then! Time for Doctor Eunie to make a sentence! Noah, Mio, and we're gonna rest today."

"But the time…?" Noah complained.

"Do you want Mio to die of sickness before she actually homecomes away?" After her speech, Noah went silent.

"Get it? Doctor's orders. And get some rest!" Eunie pinned Noah to the ground next to Mio, and returned to the party.

"Welp, guess we're gonna spend our time getting some resources for them." Lanz shrugged.

"Poor Mimi…"

"Then we have no time to lose. The quicker they get better, the better our journey." Taion said.

"Right." And the party agreed.

But little they knew…

That their precious off-seers were…

Contagious.

(The night of the next day)

(Somewhere outside their camp)

"Bollocks…they're not getting any better… Taion, any ideas?" Eunie sighed.

"Well…my major wasn't actually medical stuff… And we have limited resources, so…" Taion shrugged.

"Sparks…but wait, where's the muscle couple? They usually work out before they go to sleep…"

"I have a bad feeling about this…"

The healer couple turned around, and returned to their camp, just to see the muscle couple lying on the ground.

"Lanz…Sena…? What are you doing right now…? Isn't now for you guys to do some push-ups…?" Eunie said, imitating their little workout routine.

"Ugh…sparks…guess today isn't my day…my aches have aches…" Lanz said, arm on his eyes.

"What…?"

"Then how about Sena? Are you telling me that you are…?" Taion's eyes trembled.

"So…cold…" Sena said, curled into a ball. The flames on her hair became weaker, too.

"Taion, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yes. Eunie, I know."

"We're screwed."

(After a few days of dealing with sick people)

Taion and Eunie sat down at the tea table they always make. But today, they weren't at their usual mood. Bags drooped far down their eyes, and they didn't have the vitality they used to have. Eunie was strangely quiet, and Taion's eyes were gazing at the sky.

"Is this…the end of us…? Noah and Mio are basically dying right now…And the muscle couple isn't doing that good either…" Eunie groaned.

"How ironic. The Ouroboros, coming to an end because of some unknown disease…" Taion said, sipping some tea.

"Yeah, 'The Mighty Ouroboros', eh? By the way, Taion, you feeling great?"

"Yes, at least we have us."

"Heh, great. Let's go check on Noah and Mio to see if they're not dead before we get to sleep."

"That's rude, Eunie."

"I know, I know, sorry. But really, who's gonna send them off if they d…."

"Eunie!"

"Okay, okay!"

Then the two remaining healthy guys went on to check on those who have fallen. The healers really have grown a bond with each other during this crisis, being the ones who were healthy enough to take care of the party. Taion was actually glad that Eunie, the medic, was still up and healthy. He could really count on her in a situation like this.

Only to wake up to the horrible noise of Eunie vomiting.

"Eunie! What's wrong!?" Taion shouted as he found Eunie vomiting into a bush near their camp.

"Ugh….oh, it's…you…good…morning…I guess…?" Eunie said with a raspy voice.

"What's happening right now? Why are you suddenly….?"

"You see…I…wait…sparks…I think it's coming again…"

"Oh no…"

After Eunie's ordeal, Taion carried Eunie back to base as she struggled to walk back. He laid Eunie down, who was now pale and limp.

"Hah…hah…sorry 'bout that… My stomach's been a mess since last night…" Eunie muttered in a raspy voice.

"But…you did say you were okay last night…?"

"Yes I did…but my sparking stomach woke me up at midnight….I couldn't go back to sleep since then…"

"Oh no…"

"Taion…are we…gonna die out here…?" Eunie choked out with teary eyes. Taion could feel her pain, since she was the one who tried to fight this crisis with him.

"No, I'm gonna find a way, I promise!"

"Heh…good luck...Then…can I go to sleep right now…? My stomach really drained all my stamina…"

"Yes, you should. Get some rest and don't you ever die."

"Can't die when our off-seers are bedridden right now. Who's gonna send me off when I die?"

"Eunie, that's…"

"Joking…"

"Hah…."

(After another chunk of days)

Taion woke up at the noise of some large mechs moving around. All he wanted was to rest, but it seemed like the world did not want him to rest.

'What on Aionios is this noise…? Come on…we're all sick people around here…!' Taion grumbled rubbing his sore throat. But what was upon his sight was a surprise.

"Heh, guess 'The Mighty Ouroboros' was actually a group of fools, eh?" A woman with an eyepatch said.

"Hey, watch your mouth. And who are you?"

"Oh, where are my manners? The name's Monica Vandham. Daughter of Guernica Vandham, and also the leader of the City."

"Guerni…Daughter…? You what?" Taion was more than confused.

"Ah, I'll explain it to you later. But since you guys fell when you were this close to the city, we'll carry you patients there. Talk can come later."

"Uh…thanks…? But are you sure that you're not our enemy?"

"Are you in a situation to be picky, Mr. Glasses?"

"Okay…we'll follow you…"

"That's the spirit. Guys! We're taking these kids home!"

"Home…home…ah, forget it. Better than this piece of Volf's shit…"

(Omake)

(Colony Omega)

"Uh…that flute…"

"Huh?"

"You can have it!" Miyabi carefully said.

"Oh, if you're worried about hygiene, do not worry! We're thoroughly disinfecting it every day and night!" Noah said with a proud smile.

"Dummy, that's not what she meant! Buuut….yeah, we keep our flute extra clean, Miyabi."

"Oh….?"

"Yeah….we did have…some issues about this…."

Why is this getting longer