To Become a King and a Magician 786-790

Title: One-Sword Man!

Naoki’s voice echoed into the ruins of Katori Shrine.

And soon after, three figures emerged one after another from the rubble.

“Quite surprising.”

With a voice familiar to Naoki but eyes blood-red, Amakusa Shirō appeared before him. “I didn’t expect you to storm our base directly, foreigner.”

“Since it’s a golden opportunity to take you all out, there’s no reason not to seize it, right?”

Naoki chuckled, and at the same moment, a Holy Sword materialized in his hand.

“Unfortunately, one or two of you are missing. Otherwise, this Heroic Spirit Swordsman farce you’ve created could end completely tonight.”

Seven Heroic Spirit Swordsmen.

One was killed by Musashi, one was subdued by Naoki and restored to normal. Of the five remaining, only two were here, with the other three gathered at Tsuchiura Castle.

“But it makes no difference. Finishing you all here and then rushing to Tsuchiura Castle is the same. It won’t take much time.”

“Aya-ya-ya-ya~~~~”

Hearing Naoki’s words, which didn’t take the three of them seriously, a burly man with black-and-white hair behind Amakusa let out an unpleasant laugh.

“Such confidence, foreigner. Do you think you alone can wipe us all out here?”

“Well then—”

Naoki pointed his index finger at the three. “Why don’t all three of you come at me together?”

Arrogant, insolent, haughty… Such thoughts flashed through the minds of everyone present. They all knew Naoki had killed Tomoe Gozen in a single strike a week ago. The same went for the instant killing of Yagyū Munenori’s double earlier that day.

Naoki was overwhelmingly strong—the four present knew this. But even knowing that, until they actually fought, they didn’t believe they were no match for him. After all, defeating the strong with the weak was something they had more or less done before.

Thus, at this moment, hearing Naoki’s words…

“Then let me test you first.”

Kālasūtra Hell—Minamoto no Raikō—stepped out from behind Amakusa, wielding Dōjigiri Yasutsuna. The moment she passed him, her entire body turned into a bolt of lightning, vanishing from Naoki’s sight!

Then—

*CLANG!*

Parrying a slash from behind with his Holy Sword, Naoki glanced coldly at Raikō, who had appeared behind him with godlike speed. His arm suddenly exerted force. He reversed the situation, pushing her back with a swing of his sword!

*WHOOSH!*

Light particles gathered in the Holy Sword. Aiming at Raikō as she was flung back, Naoki slashed with his blade!

*BOOMMMMM!*

The earth was torn apart by the light slash! The Breath of the Star erupted, obliterating everything in its path! Raikō, directly in its way, was swallowed by the light in an instant!

The light extended until it stopped at a cliff at the edge of the horizon, leaving a massive hole in the mountain.

“One.”

Naoki gave a small laugh. “Well, that’s that, but she’s probably not dead. I don’t think a single strike can kill the strongest mystery-slaying warrior of the Heian period. She’ll likely recover in a minute or two.”

Just like the slash he made with his hand earlier, the light Naoki unleashed now had no special effects—it was pure Mana Burst. Though it targeted the Spirit Core, he could sense Raikō’s Spirit Core wasn’t destroyed, and the karma within her remained intact.

(I should’ve just used my hand… But the size probably wouldn’t fit.) Naoki thought.

Seeing Raikō struck down by Naoki and the massive wound he carved, the indifference and calm on Amakusa and Dōman’s faces finally faded.

But before either could move, Naoki’s figure vanished from his spot.

The next second, both felt a piercing sensation in their chests!

*THUD!* *THUD!*

With two loud impacts, Amakusa and Dōman were sent flying back! At their original position, Naoki, maintaining his striking stance, raised his Holy Sword. A storm of light gathered on the blade…

Targeting Amakusa and Dōman, who were flung into the air, Naoki slashed with full force!

*BOOMMMMM!*

The light slash erupted again! Like lava bursting from a volcano, the light shot into the sky! The peak of Katori Shrine, already split in two, was obliterated without a single piece remaining!

*SWISH!*

A strange sound suddenly rang out. At the exact moment they were about to be swallowed by the light, Amakusa and Dōman’s figures vanished into thin air.

(Magecraft? Using both natural arms to connect to an unknown Magecraft Foundation, employing Magecraft that allowed him and Ashiya Dōman to escape?)

Naoki, familiar with Amakusa’s abilities, narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Magecraft Amakusa used wasn’t spatial transfer—or rather, not pure spatial transfer. It was within the realm of the Second Magic. In truth, it was likely a highly limited, short-range rapid movement.

Similar to footwork moving through dragon veins.

(Then, their next position is—)

Sensing everything around him, Naoki aimed his sword at an empty spot and swung another light slash. The next second, Amakusa and Dōman appeared right there!

“Wh—”

“Quasi-Clairvoyance—a skill built on experience and fairy perception. I can do something like this too,” Naoki laughed.

This time, Amakusa and Dōman couldn’t dodge. Though Dōman had erected a defensive Onmyōdō barrier at the first moment, under the golden light, the Onmyōdō was utterly useless. Both were swallowed by the light simultaneously!

—This was overwhelming power.

The elegant swordsman watching from the sidelines felt a tinge of resignation in his heart.

Naoki hadn’t shown him any technique worthy of being called a masterpiece. He only displayed a power no human could ever hope to match in a lifetime, crushing everything before him with the purest force.

“Your Excellency’s fighting style is truly unrefined.”

“Is it? Personally, I think this is better. Just finish it with one simple slash,” Naoki said, resting his Holy Sword on his shoulder. “That makes three done—wait, it seems not.”

“AAAAAAAARR—!!”

From the direction where Amakusa and Dōman were swallowed by the light, a roar like that of a ferocious beast echoed through the night!

Then, under the glow of the Blood Moon! A massive black hand suddenly emerged from the ground, as if something sealed beneath had broken free. The giant hand gripped the earth, slowly pulling its massive body from below!

“Evil Spirit, huh.”

What appeared before Naoki, under the Blood Moon, was a colossal, pitch-black evil spirit entity.

Truly…

*ZZZZTTT!*

The Holy Sword slashed. Before the giant Evil Spirit could move, Naoki had already swung his blade. A light slash burst forth with force! One strike cleaved the massive Evil Spirit in two down the middle!

Naoki lowered his blade.

“Boring.”

“Made that big, and you just stand there as a still target for me?”

-

Title: I Don’t Have Time to Dance with You

An unexpected outcome.

Before this battle with Naoki began, Amakusa never imagined such a result.

Indeed, Naoki had the power to kill Heroic Spirit Swordsmen in an instant, but there were also differences in strength among them. Kālasūtra Hell—Minamoto no Raikō—was one of the strongest Heroic Spirit Swordsmen. Her power was truly worthy of the legend as the greatest mystery-slaying warrior of the Heian period.

Yet, a Raikō like that was obliterated by Naoki in a single strike.

She was blasted away without even the chance to put up the slightest resistance.

Naoki’s strength far exceeded his expectations. Even after Dōman summoned a colossal Evil Spirit with Onmyōdō, Amakusa felt no reassurance.

And the result was as he feared. The Evil Spirit, powerful enough to curse an entire city, couldn’t withstand a single slash from Naoki!

It was a power truly beyond the limits of resistance.

“Ugh…”

Struggling to rise from the massive crater created by Naoki’s single slash, Amakusa, bloodied all over, clutched his arm, trying to locate Dōman nearby.

But as he looked up, a sword was already pointed at his eyes.

“Still alive, huh.”

Naoki stood before Amakusa, looking down at him.

“Though I didn’t attack with full power, it’s not too surprising you survived.”

“Are you planning to kill me?”

“Why not?” Naoki raised an eyebrow. “If I kill you here, the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen should disappear, right? By the way, using your Noble Phantasm on me would be pointless. Dual Arm—Zero-Order Convergence? That’s its name, isn’t it? If you unleash it, I’ll destroy it too.”

This was no joke.

Amakusa knew Naoki truly had that capability—no, he believed Naoki had that power.

“What a pity.”

Gazing at the Blood Moon in the sky, Amakusa sighed.

“I never imagined I’d meet an existence as powerful as you here… If only I could have met you sooner.”

“Well, I think so too. If it was during the start of the Shimabara Rebellion, I’d probably have helped you,” Naoki said.

The Shimabara Rebellion was an uprising—a massive revolt of peasants and Catholics in the Shimabara Peninsula and Amakusa Islands in Kyushu, opposing the Shogunate’s feudal oppression and religious persecution. The hoarding of vast wealth by local rulers, exploitation of peasants, and various tortures… The rebellion erupted under such conditions.

Honestly, Naoki didn’t think the rebelling peasants were wrong. The fault lay with the local rulers. If he had been in that era, he might have joined Amakusa to fight the Shogunate.

Because that would have been the right thing to do.

But things were different now. Amakusa, once a leader of victims, had become a perpetrator. So, no matter how tragic his past or how pitiful his history, Naoki would truly oppose him.

“Such arrogance, foreigner.”

Amakusa stared at Naoki.

“Give me the final blow.”

“Of course—”

Naoki raised his Holy Sword but didn’t swing it downward. Instead, he swung it backward.

*CLANG!*

The Holy Sword clashed with another blade in the air. Light and lightning exploded and intertwined.

Raikō previously blasted away by Naoki, had returned, completely unscathed!

Seeing Naoki held back by Raikō, Amakusa immediately rolled away, escaping from Naoki’s side into the distance. Then he quickly stood and fled toward Tsuchiura Castle!

“Kālasūtra Hell! Hold him with all your strength!”

“Understood, my lord!”

*BOOMMM!*

Mana erupted from Raikō. Blazing lightning echoed in the sky.

Swinging her sword forcefully to push Naoki back and using the recoil to move a short distance away, Raikō raised her Dōjigiri Yasutsuna high.

“Appear! The Four Heavenly Kings—No, the divine messengers of the Bull Heavenly King!”

*⚡⚡⚡⚡!*

Four lightning bolts struck from the Blood Moon sky beside Raikō. As the lightning faded, four figures identical to Raikō appeared.

A sword ablaze with fire, a giant axe crackling with lightning, a bow and arrow shrouded in storms, a spear radiating cold aura—each of the four Raikōs summoned from the lightning held a weapon, standing alongside the original Raikō.

This was Raikō’s Noble Phantasm.

Raikō was the child of the Bull Heavenly King (Goze-Tennō). The Bull Heavenly King was the renowned god Susanoo in Japanese mythology. This meant Raikō was likely an incarnation of the Bull Heavenly King.

Moreover, the Bull Heavenly King was also an incarnation of the Indian god Indra.

Thus, Raikō inherited divine blood and harbored the power of the Bull Heavenly King within her. Because of this, she was even considered an Oni’s child, possessing both divine and demonic traits.

The lightning she controlled stemmed from this lineage.

But beyond lightning, Raikō could briefly summon four divine messengers of the Bull Heavenly King, who took on demonic traits and strange forms as their source, to sweep the battlefield alongside her—the four Raikō clones now surrounding her.

And the weapons they held were the embodiment of the souls of her Four Heavenly Kings.

Watanabe no Tsuna, Sakata no Kintoki, Urabe no Suetake, Usui Sadamitsu. These Four Heavenly Kings were renowned warriors who followed Raikō to slay various monsters and demons, protecting Heian-kyō together.

Manifesting their souls as weapons and granting them to the four divine messengers she summoned.

This was Raikō’s Noble Phantasm—Ox-King Storm Call – The Inescapable Net of Heaven.

An Anti-Army Noble Phantasm capable of facing, even annihilating, an entire army single-handedly.

“Let’s begin, vermin.”

Raikō, holding the lightning sword, stared at Naoki.

“Unnecessary vermin, vermin that would harm children—all must be eradicated by a mother. Isn’t that how it should be?”

“My loyal retainers, my hands and feet, my armor! My proud Four Heavenly Kings! With me, annihilate this insect, reduce everything to dust!”

Lightning, fire, storm, ice.

The terrifying Mana unleashed by Raikō and her four divine messengers amplified the power of their weapons to a level that couldn’t be ignored!

And the next second, with Raikō charging forward as the signal, the four divine messengers simultaneously turned into flashes of light and attacked Naoki!

Raikō’s strength as a Servant was top-tier. After becoming a Heroic Spirit Swordsman, shedding all emotions and reason, her power surged even further. Ordinary Servants were no match for her. Even thousands of troops—Raikō in her current state could crush them outright.

But she was facing Naoki.

No matter how powerfully an enemy unleashed their strength, Naoki, as a fairy, was always above it!

True Name Release.

Excalibur.

*SWOOSH!*

The Holy Sword slashed! A light even more terrifying and magnificent than before erupted! The blindingly bright slash instantly engulfed and obliterated the four divine messengers! Raikō, charging at the forefront, was also swallowed by this light!

Then—

*CRACK!*

The blade sliced through Raikō’s body, cutting her Spirit Core and the karma of Purifying All within her!

Gazing at Raikō in the light, Naoki whispered.

“Sorry, I don’t have time to dance with you here. If there’s a chance, let’s meet again in another Holy Grail War in the future.”

“I’ve got to go chase that Magus now.”

-

Title: Who’s Really the Third Wheel?

The clash of Naoki and Raikō’s Noble Phantasms produced a thunderous roar.

The sound reached the ears of everyone fighting at Tsuchiura Castle. The light emitted by the Holy Sword shot into the dark night sky. The pillar of light, bright as day, drew everyone’s attention.

“That direction is…”

“Katori Shrine!?”

“Is someone fighting there!?”

“What kind of commotion is that!?”

“…”

The samurai, who had never seen such a grand spectacle, exclaimed in shock. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Musashi, panting and wielding her dual swords while facing her enemy, saw the light and felt a slight relief in her heart.

(That… it’s Naoki, right? As overwhelmingly strong as ever. I can see it even from here.)

Musashi had never seen Naoki use the Holy Sword, let alone release its True Name, but her instincts told her that light was his doing.

With that light, she didn’t need to worry about Naoki—though she never intended to worry about him in the first place.

(In that case, it’s my turn to—)

“They’re attacking over there.”

In front of Musashi, Mochizuki Chiyome, surrounded by a massive pitch-black snake, her body clad in a fishnet bodysuit and black bandages, glanced toward Katori Shrine.

“How foolish. That place is a key location guarded by several Heroic Spirit Swordsmen. Whoever’s attacking… Haaah, they’re like moths to a flame. Just like you.”

Chiyome’s last sentence was directed at Musashi.

Moths to a flame?

Musashi sneered. “Who knows? Maybe it’s the other way around? At least for me, the situation over there isn’t moths to a flame—it’s grasshoppers against a chariot. And you’re the grasshoppers.”

“By the way, you’re no different right now.”

The power of Heroic Spirit Swordsmen was nearly limitless. They knew no fatigue, no death. They would fight until their bodies were utterly destroyed.

Musashi, on the other hand, was just a human.

It had been over ten minutes since their battle began. If it dragged on, it would be heavily disadvantageous for her. She needed to settle this as quickly as possible!

(Please, Naoki’s Protection. I need the power to cut her down now!)

*WHOOSH!*

Golden light flowed from the blades of her dual swords, seeping into Musashi’s body one by one.

The difference between Musashi and Chiyome wasn’t in strength but in speed.

Specifically, as a female ninja, Chiyome excelled at using various tactics to disrupt her opponent’s movements, ultimately summoning a fragment of Ibuki Daimyōjin’s spirit to deliver a devastating blow.

For the past ten minutes, Musashi had been stalled by Chiyome’s guerrilla tactics and the divine snake spirit she summoned. If she could fight head-on, she was confident she could cut Chiyome down.

So, for Musashi to behead Chiyome…

*WHOOSH!*

The overflowing light vanished. Musashi positioned her dual swords, taking a deep breath—

*CRACK!*

The floor beneath her feet shattered from her step. Her entire being transformed into a golden flash, streaking forward with godlike speed!

*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*

The snake spirit coiled around Chiyome saw this and lunged to bite! But compared to Musashi’s lithe form, the snake spirit’s body was too massive. With Musashi’s speed and current perspective, dodging it was easy!

*SLASH!* *SLASH!* *SLASH!*

Flashes of light streaked across the snake spirit’s surface dozens of times. The crisscrossing slashes cut the spirit into dozens of pieces!

(Wh-What—)

Chiyome’s eyes trembled. Musashi had never shown such power before! She quickly formed several hand seals and hid herself—her go-to ninja concealment technique. Previously, when fighting Musashi, Chiyome used this Ninjutsu to stall for a long time.

But this time…

“You can’t escape!”

Cutting through all the snake spirits blocking her path, Musashi reached Chiyome in the blink of an eye!

Chiyome’s Ninjutsu wasn’t complete yet.

(My body feels so light, and my mind is so clear. There’s a distinct sensation that I can think of everything, see everything…)

Ninjas excelled in agility and disruption. To counter them, one needed speed to keep up and a clear mind to avoid being deceived.

This was the power the Fairy Protection granted Musashi now.

(No! I won’t make it!)

(You can’t escape this time!)

Staring at Chiyome, now so close, Musashi swung her sword at her fastest speed. The light-wreathed blade approached Chiyome’s body with incredible swiftness!

This slash would surely kill her!

*CLANG!*

But just as the slash was about to hit Chiyome, a pale arm suddenly intervened! The arm blocked between Musashi and Chiyome! Then it swung hard!

*THUD!*

Musashi felt as if she’d been struck by a boulder. The heavy blow sent her flying back uncontrollably! After spinning twice in the air, she crashed hard onto another rooftop!

Who saved Chiyome?

Raising her head to see who had blocked her attack, Musashi saw a small-bodied Oni in revealing clothing.

In her hand was a red sake cup filled with liquor, and a large blue gourd hung at her waist. She seemed drunk, her entire body exuding a strong sake scent, like a drunkard.

“Saṃghāta Hell!”

Chiyome called out the name of her rescuer.

“What are you here for?”

“Oh? I just saved you, so why do I feel you’re not exactly friendly, Paraíso?”

Saṃghāta Hell—Shuten Dōji—the Oni by True Name—sipped sake from her cup. “Mmm~~~ Ah~~~~ I just came to find some snacks to go with my sake. After all, you’re doing something big here tonight. I figured there’d be plenty of interesting things happening, so I tagged along.”

“But I didn’t expect you’d almost die.”

“Ugh—!”

Chiyome gritted her teeth.

Indeed, if Shuten Dōji hadn’t acted, her head would’ve been severed by now. Then her Spirit Core and karma would’ve been pierced by Musashi’s other sword, and she’d have vanished from this world entirely.

“Need some help?”

Dōji approached Chiyome, smiling.

“You and I have some fate between us. The power of Ibuki Daimyōjin flowing in my blood and flesh… Want me to share a bit with you?”

“I…”

“Give it all to her, Saṃghāta Hell.”

At that moment, a figure suddenly descended from the sky, accompanied by that voice.

Chiyome and Dōji were slightly startled upon hearing it and seeing who had arrived.

“Ara ara~, this is really…”

Dōji covered her mouth, laughing.

“Why do you look like the remnants of a defeated army, Magus-sama?”

-

Title: Starting to Like Stabbing from Behind

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?”

-

Title: Why Defeat Them One by One When You Can Kill Them All at Once?

Amakusa thought his speed was fast enough.

From Katori Shrine to here, he had practically used escape velocity.

But—

“Kālasūtra Hell…”

“Oh, you mean Minamoto no Raikō,” Naoki said, placing a hand on Amakusa’s shoulder. “I annihilated her during the Noble Phantasm clash. Now, only you all remain—looks like this can all end tonight.”

As he spoke, Naoki swung his Holy Sword downward, slicing through Amakusa’s body in the shape of the character 大 (large or split), and then—

*BAM!*

A heavy kick landed. A terrifying shockwave spread, collapsing the rooftop! It even sent everyone, including Shuten Dōji surrounding him, flying in all directions!

(This power…)

(Ugh—)

(Just one kick…)

(What an incredible kick.)

The four remaining Heroic Spirit Swordsmen quickly retreated, using the shockwave to their advantage. Amakusa, his body already sliced by Naoki, even cut off his own arm to escape from Naoki’s side swiftly!

“Naoki!”

On a distant rooftop, Musashi stood with Tomoe and an unconscious Kiyohime, shouting Naoki’s name. “Hold back a bit! We almost got caught in your attack!”

“You wouldn’t have been hit anyway, right?” Naoki laughed. “More importantly, you didn’t behead Mochizuki Chiyome?”

“Ugh… I was just about to when that Saṃghāta Hell interrupted. Otherwise, I’d have succeeded.”

“I figured as much—Alright, leave this place to me. You guys get out of here first. Run as far as you can, and be careful not to get caught in the aftermath again.”

“Leave it to you?”

Musashi glanced at the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen regrouping in the distance.

“Are you sure?”

*WHACK!*

Before she finished speaking, Naoki appeared beside her and smacked her head with his palm. “Who do you think you’re talking to? Though I said we’d split tasks at the start, since there’s a chance to wipe them all out at once, I’m not going to hold back.”

“I don’t mind. Reaching the Root isn’t just about this one opportunity… The problem is, are you sure you’re okay? Even if you’re insanely strong, facing five alone is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, one or two might slip away.”

Naoki smiled. “That’s why I told you to leave first. Otherwise, you might get caught in the aftermath.”

The aftermath?

“So, you’re actually—”

*BUZZ!*

Musashi’s voice was suddenly drowned out. The vibration of space and the roar of the atmosphere from the sky silenced her. A red light illuminated the dark night like sunlight.

What was happening?

Everyone looked up at the sky simultaneously, and at that moment, they all froze in place.

Both ordinary people and Heroic Spirit Swordsmen stood speechless at the sight in the sky.

“The moon… is falling?”

Musashi’s voice trembled slightly.

“Naoki, don’t tell me this is your…”

“Imaginary Manifestation, Moon Fall,” Naoki laughed. “Dealing with them one by one is too troublesome. Isn’t it faster to destroy them all at once?”

Indeed.

Heroic Spirit Swordsmen were immortal. Even Naoki couldn’t guarantee killing them in one strike every time. While dealing with one, others might escape.

So, to ensure none got away, Naoki unleashed his strongest AOE attack.

In Pan-Human History, Naoki rarely used Moon Fall because it would cause massive damage to the real world. But this was a Lostbelt—a world abandoned, pruned, with no future whatsoever.

Even if Tsuchiura Castle was destroyed here, it wouldn’t have a significant impact on this world. Pan-Human History would remain unaffected.

“Wait, Naoki, the samurai below! And the residents in the castle town! If you drop this Moon Fall—”

“Look down.”

“Down?”

Musashi hurriedly looked below—though not entirely clear, she could faintly see a reflection in the air not far from the ground.

“I’m sure you understand when I say it’s a Barrier, right?” Naoki said. “You think I didn’t consider that? After this Moon Fall hits, the only things destroyed will be the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen and the Magus Amakusa. At most, maybe most of Tsuchiura Castle.”

Everything else would remain undamaged.

Staring at the falling Red Moon, enduring the immense pressure it brought, intense anger and unwillingness surged in Amakusa’s heart.

“Again… again…”

Another failure.

He had experienced countless defeats in the Shimabara Rebellion. He had witnessed countless failures. And this time, he had finally abandoned his past innocence, deciding to take revenge on the Edo Shogunate—but why did he still fail!

Why could he never succeed!

“Why…”

“Why are you blocking my path! Foreigner!”

Amakusa’s arms glowed with raging magical energy. A mass of pitch-black matter condensed between his hands.

“Why obstruct my revenge! Why! This sinful Shogunate! Why not let me destroy it! Why are you standing in my way!”

“I just can’t stand to watch,” Naoki said coldly. “I told you before—if you were still the leader of the Shimabara Rebellion, the saint who wanted to bring hope to oppressed peasants, I’d gladly help you. But you’re not that person anymore.”

The current Amakusa was merely a Revenge Ghost, blinded by hatred, his heart consumed by vengeance, thinking only of retribution.

Naoki could agree with his thoughts, understand his motives for revenge, but he couldn’t accept actions and beliefs that disregarded human lives.

*CRASH!*

The pitch-black mass gathered between Amakusa’s hands shot out. As it left his hands, it expanded rapidly, transforming into a small pseudo-black hole in the blink of an eye, pulling and dragging everything around it!

But—

*SWOOSH!*

The pseudo-black hole lasted only a moment. The next second, it was countered and destroyed by the light slashed by Naoki!

And at the same time, the Red Moon fully descended.

*BOOOMMMM!*

The magnificent Tsuchiura Castle was obliterated by the immense pressure.

The bodies of the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen crumbled under the forced pressure of the moonlight.

Before a fairy capable of saving the world, those whose power was limited to individuals had no strength to resist.

Assassin Paraíso—Mochizuki Chiyome.

Berserker Saṃghāta Hell—Shuten Dōji.

Caster Limbo—Ashiya Dōman.

Saber Empireo—Yagyū Munenori.

Magus—Amakusa Shirō.

The four Heroic Spirit Swordsmen gathered here, along with the Magus employing them, were all annihilated under the moonlight!

Whether it was the power of the Snake God, the might of the Oni race, the strength of Onmyōdō, or unmatched swordsmanship… Under the Red Moon, all were equal, all fragile, and all shattered in an instant.

Recorded in the future.

Kan’ei 16, 1639.

In Shimōsa Province, Japan, a Red Moon fell, regarded as divine punishment.