Chapter 44. That's How It is
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After intense negotiations and battles, they finally succeeded in persuading several high-ranking generals of the demon clan and the leaders of the human Onmyoji to temporarily put aside their hatred and work together to seal Yamata no Orochi.
At the same time, Yamata no Orochi, in order to recover its strength, began devouring both Onmyoji and demons on the battlefield, absorbing their powers to strengthen itself.
The entire world fell into an apocalyptic state.
To be honest, the character design of Takiyo was quite alluring. The feeling of a once deeply hated enemy turning into a teammate... it stirred something in the heart unexpectedly.
The redeemed Takiyo seemed even more adorable now.
Hirose Furukawa picked up the controller, ready to enter the final battle.
...
The final battle was designed on a grand scale. The entire demon royal palace looked as if it was built upon the moon, with the surrounding ground glowing with a silvery-white light.
Though it was just an image, it sparked a sense of breathtaking imagination.
The boss battle was divided into two phases.
After the first phase was won, Asakura Haruka also arrived.
Not for any other reason, but to bring closure to his own regret.
Although the Yamata no Orochi in front of him wasn't Yuuki Rei, it was still using Rei's body.
Despite the deep pain, Asakura Haruka made his decision—
Without hesitation, he charged at Yamata no Orochi and used his power to drive the magic sword into Yuuki Rei's body.
At that moment, Hirose Furukawa's heart shattered.
Even after the body was destroyed, Yamata no Orochi did not die. Instead, it continued to leak out from Rei's corpse, gradually forming its original form in the air—a massive serpent with eight heads and eight tails.
The true form of Yamata no Orochi had appeared. Though seriously wounded, it still held terrifying power.
At that point, Asakura Haruka collapsed, unable to move, and the burden of sealing Yamata no Orochi fell to Moriyama Taira once again.
A second fierce battle broke out with the true body. After defeating Yamata no Orochi, the game entered its final chapter.
Moriyama Taira raised the Totsuka Sword, preparing to seal Yamata no Orochi.
But unexpectedly, due to the intense battle just moments ago, the sword spirit of the Totsuka Sword was now at her limit.
Tiny specks of starlight began drifting from the sword spirit's body.
She looked down at her hands, which were gradually becoming transparent.
Everyone was shocked.
"Can't it be sealed?" Takiyo asked.
Moriyama Taira quickly stepped forward, trying to hold the sword spirit in his arms—only to clutch at empty air.
What?!
Hirose Furukawa's heart skipped a beat.
...
The sword spirit vanished.
Because the magic power had run out.
The Totsuka Sword, without its sword spirit, lost its radiance. Now it was no different from an ordinary magic sword and no longer had the power to seal Yamata no Orochi.
At that moment, Asakura Reimu suddenly seemed to realize something.
She lifted her head and stared blankly at Moriyama Taira.
"I understand now."
A tear slid down her cheek.
With tear-filled eyes and a sorrowful yet gentle smile, she said, "This is the destiny of our Izanagi clan. We were born to seal Yamata no Orochi."
"What?!" Moriyama Taira shook his head. He didn't understand, and he didn't want to understand what she meant.
"Do you know the Totsuka Sword can cut through time?" Asakura Reimu smiled. "It can also return to the past."
After saying that, she picked up the Totsuka Sword from the ground.
"From now on, there is no sword spirit. So I will become the new sword spirit."
Asakura Reimu reversed the grip of the sword and thrust it into her own heart.
...
Wha...t?!
Hirose Furukawa's heart trembled violently.
After choosing death, Reimu turned into a ghostly form, slowly dissipating from her body into a transparent, incorporeal figure.
But because she had fused with the Totsuka Sword, her form emitted a silvery, moonlit glow.
"I'll take Yamata no Orochi back with me. From now on, it will no longer bring disaster to the world."
After saying that, Asakura Reimu rushed toward Yamata no Orochi.
…
"Reimu!!!" Moriyama Taira screamed hoarsely.
But it was already too late.
A blinding white light flashed across the screen.
Asakura Reimu and Yamata no Orochi both vanished.
…
What... does this mean?
Hirose Furukawa was completely stunned.
But deep inside, he felt a tremendous emotional impact.
Two seconds later—
The screen lit up again.
Snow-covered peaks. The summit of the Heavenly Mountain.
But this time, Hirose Furukawa wasn't controlling Moriyama Taira—he was controlling Asakura Reimu.
She stood in the snow, looked at the vermillion gate at the mountaintop, and smiled softly.
"I really came back."
In the distance, the shrine remained intact. The Onmyoji disciples were still training. Asakura Haruka stood with his hands behind his back beneath a snowy pine tree, gazing into the distance.
Asakura Reimu headed toward the underground cave—just in time to see a plain, unremarkable young boy trying his best to pull the Totsuka Sword from the altar.
"Idiot! Do you even know what you just did?!"
She scolded him.
The boy turned around, looking at her in confusion.
The screen cut back to Asakura Reimu's face.
Her expression of anger softened into a smile as she looked at him.
"Taira. I'm back."
Asakura Reimu said in her heart.
…
The screen turned white.
A familiar BGM began to play.
[THE END]
[THANK YOU]
Hirose Furukawa shuddered all over.
"Together... back…"
So that's how it is.