The figure descending from the sky was Amakusa.
Hearing Dōji's taunt, Amakusa said coldly, "Just a miscalculation of the enemy's strength. Kālasūtra Hell couldn't hold him for long. I need to complete Enri Eido-jō before he catches up."
"…"
Dōji and Chiyome fell silent.
Both felt they had misheard.
(Even that 'cash cow' couldn't hold him for long?)
The enmity between Dōji and Raikō was no small matter. She knew her old rival well. Raikō was not an opponent to be taken lightly. If Dōji fought her seriously, she wouldn't dare guarantee victory.
The odds of losing were higher.
After all, Raikō was the strongest mystery-slaying warrior of the Heian period, the leader of the Minamoto clan.
Yet now, Amakusa said she couldn't hold him for long? Who exactly was attacking Katori Shrine?
"Wait a sec. I recall hearing thunder from that direction earlier," Dōji said, looking toward Katori Shrine. "Don't tell me that 'cash cow' was taken out right then and there?"
"It's not impossible~~~"
Behind Amakusa, Dōman had silently emerged from the shadows at some point.
Glancing at him, Amakusa said coldly, "You're still here, Limbo."
"Why would Your Excellency think this lowly monk isn't?" Dōman chuckled. "It's a pity I couldn't assist Your Excellency earlier. This lowly monk's Onmyōdō was shattered by that foreigner's attack, causing a strong backlash. I only just recovered with great effort."
"No matter. Prepare to begin. Are the arrangements complete, Paraíso?"
"Yes."
Chiyome knelt and nodded.
Her purpose for coming to Tsuchiura Castle tonight was twofold: first, to kill Kiyohime, and second, to complete the preparations at Tsuchiura Castle so Amakusa could summon Enri Eido-jō here.
The latter had been accomplished during her duel with Musashi, but the former…
"With Inferno over there having recovered, I failed."
"No matter. With all of us gathered here, that can be dealt with anytime. The most important thing now is to summon Enri Eido-jō and complete the preparations for the Greater Curse."
Having witnessed Naoki's power, Amakusa was certain that delaying further would prevent him from achieving his goal. He had to make it happen now. If he was any slower… he wouldn't have the chance!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On another rooftop, Musashi watched Amakusa and the others gather. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
(This is a joke, right? So many showing up all at once?)
If it was just Chiyome alone, Musashi was confident she'd win. With Dōji added, Musashi was at least sure she wouldn't die. But now, with four of them…
(Did Naoki lose over there? But that light earlier… Could it be the opposite?)
The pillar of light that shot into the sky from Katori Shrine—Musashi's initial understanding was that Naoki had unleashed a powerful attack to defeat his enemies. But now, four of them were gathered here. That meant Naoki couldn't handle everyone there.
Or perhaps the opposite—Naoki was forced to unleash that attack because he was cornered?
(No, impossible. That's Naoki!)
Musashi shook her head firmly.
Though their time together was short, Musashi deeply trusted Naoki's strength. He always seemed capable of anything, with everything under his control. The power he displayed matched that impression.
Someone like him… Musashi couldn't imagine him being defeated.
And at that moment—
*BOOM!*
A sudden explosion echoed from the center of Tsuchiura Castle, not far away!
(That direction… Princess Kiyohime and Tomoe-dono?)
Musashi remembered that was where Tomoe and Kiyohime were. Why was there an explosion? Could Tomoe be fighting an enemy? But the enemies should all be gathered in front of her now. There shouldn't be any enemies there!
"—!"
A sharp aura suddenly reached Musashi's senses.
(Sword aura! And a pretty strong one! This feeling… Could it be—)
*THUD!*
A fiery figure crashed beside Musashi. Inside was Tomoe, carrying Kiyohime. "Cough, cough, cough… Your Highness, are you alright?"
"Tomoe-dono! Princess Kiyohime!"
Musashi immediately stood beside them, on guard. "What happened?"
"It was Yagyū-dono," Tomoe said. "The last Heroic Spirit Swordsman, Yagyū Munenori, just attacked me and Princess Kiyohime. And as you can see, I, protecting Her Highness, lost in a direct confrontation and was thrown here."
"Good work. Take Her Highness to safety first. Here—"
Musashi gripped her swords, staring at Amakusa and the others in the distance, as well as the powerful old swordsman who now entered her view.
Yagyū Munenori.
This was Musashi's first official encounter with him. She hadn't had a chance to intervene during the day, and after coming to Tsuchiura Castle as a bodyguard, the other side hadn't paid her much attention.
Now, their eyes met for the first time.
"Gulp…"
Musashi unconsciously swallowed hard.
She could feel that, even with her dual swords and Naoki's Protection, the swordsman named Yagyū Munenori was likely still slightly stronger than her.
The sword aura he exuded made Musashi's entire body tremble uncontrollably—in every sense.
"You failed too, Empireo," Amakusa said, approaching Yagyū. "It's surprising you failed."
"You're no different," Yagyū replied, looking at Amakusa. "You're earlier than planned."
"The foreigner's strength exceeded our expectations."
The foreigner.
The man named Natsukawa Naoki.
"Then do as you wish, Magus."
"I know—"
*SLASH!*
Amakusa's words were cut off, because before he could finish, unnoticed by anyone, a blade pierced his body from behind.
And behind him, in the midst of the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen crowd.
Naoki had appeared at some point, holding the Holy Sword that stabbed through Amakusa's chest.
"Looks like I arrived just in time?"