Chapter 78
His response was a sword light filled with a sense of silence.
Kyoto, beneath the elegant pavilion.
The young monk, wielding the Jūmonji Spear, was already locked in battle with the roaring Jigen-ryū swordsman.
Tōgō Shigeyori -Jigen-ryū swordsmanship was more ferocious and malicious than that of later generations, yet beneath his swordsmanship lay an increasingly cold and indifferent expression.
The spear technique of the Hōzōin Style slowly transformed into a dense forest, completely enveloping the open space in front of the pavilion.
The swordsman gazed into the dense forest and took a deep breath.
He had a premonition that he would die here today, by the gun of this young, nameless monk, Hozoin Inshun.
The swordsman, wielding Clothesline-like Long Saber, calmly swung his final blade.
Then, he bent down and took the Dragon Tail was gradually emerging, like a banner, from the body of Yin Liu Aisuke Isakusai.
Kojiro wins again.
The White Moon shines brightly and perfectly round in the Heavenly Heart.
Throughout Kyoto, fierce battles were taking place simultaneously.
This is a deathmatch ritual called the Ritual of the Full Moon, personally arranged by Ashiya Dōman —sword masters from all over the Higashi are invited here, transcending the boundaries of time and space.
They fought over the remains of the Dragon of Takachiho, attempting to piece together its form and spirit through battle, and to fill the unclaimed Dragon Pearl with magic... and the final victor was granted a wish.
This is the victory promised by the general and the Imperial Monarch.
In Kyoto, a city far from the Higashi lands and suspended in the clouds, the possibilities of history are twisted and intertwined.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Kyoto, a city that has become a historical Singularity, in a secluded, abandoned shrine, the figure of a fox spirit gradually takes shape.
The deepest gate has been opened.
"Kyoto, the Great Palace of Flowers, where history and time stood still in the fifteenth century, and where the last dragon in the world met its end. The shogun who ruled Kyoto extended an invitation to all swordsmen, ordering them to visit like parasites and devour the dragon's remains."
"But the weapons that could kill dragons have been used for another purpose, so even a general cannot truly kill a dragon. But that's exactly what she wanted to see."
"The currency of life is blood, and the Holy Grail uses it as collateral for all life on earth. Therefore, when the killing and life fill the 'Ritual of the Full Moon,' the final victor will have their wish fulfilled, and the general will make good use of her power to ensure that only she can seize the spoils. The latter is kept secret."
"Here, you only have one chance. The past has been witnessed, but the future is not yet set—there is still a chance to change things."
Main Quest 1: Defeat all the swordsmen who possess the remains of the "Dragon of Takachiho"
"The body of the Dragon of Takachiho is torn to pieces, but its spirit remains. Gather all the dragon's parts together, and within the realm of the Ritual of the Full Moon, she will be able to return once more in response to your call."
Main Quest 2: Defeat the Shogun stationed at the Flower Palace
"In the deepest chasm of history, the general received a divine inspiration. In order to bridge the despair in her heart, she began endless meditation. If it is not defeated, history will freeze in the sobbing of the last dragon."
119 roll call
Hebe opened her eyes.
Those words still left a deep afterimage on her retina.
She was certain that the words were a manifestation of her true self, and it was precisely because of this that she felt even more... angry.
Hebe was almost certain that A-Long stormed into Kyoto after her "death," attempting to avenge herself. But she was no match for the Great General, so her defeat and death were preordained.
But why wouldn't she listen to herself? Hebe felt anger, anxiety, and confusion rising within her.
She almost instinctively wanted to restart, but those glaring words told her that the past was already anchored and could not be changed.
In other words, if Hebe really chooses to restart, then Miss A-Long's death is truly inevitable.
As for the general... there's not much to say.
Hebe suddenly felt like laughing, and a bitter smile gradually crept onto her lips.
She realized that not everyone was a pure NPC; they had their own thoughts and their own will.
Yes, she should have thought of that sooner.
When you present yourself as someone who is willing to sacrifice for others, won't others be moved and thus make sacrifices for you?
Kishibō Hōgen, Saga, Sakata Kintoki... and now, Miss A-Long.
But this shouldn't be happening.
Hebe knew she did this because she had the confidence to start over infinitely. But for them, death was death; there was no such thing as an afterlife.
Unconscious wrath surged in his deep green pupils.
"Only one chance?" Hebe smirked. "One is enough."
[Hebe Stanton / Tamamo-no-Mae]
[Path of the Dao: Heavenly Fox]
[Principle: The Cup (Lostbelt Exclusive). Represents the principles of desire, temptation, and suffering.]
[Rank: Twilight (Lostbelt Limited). The third rank of the Path of Ascension.]
[Current Lostbelt Completion Rate: 0%]
Behind her, nine tails, each with a distinct air, stretched out freely.
Of these, only one tail is a real entity; the other eight tails are branches that exist between reality and illusion.
Hebe's first three tails possess real magical properties. Whether it's Superhuman Strength, foxfire, or Fate Alteration, they are all closely related to the tails themselves.
The three tails in the middle did not give rise to any so-called supernatural powers. They are more like a key and a bridge, respectively corresponding to the Secret Sword: Heroic Spirit Swordmaster, the Rice Paddies of Connection, and the "One-Thought-Not-Thought Sword".
The last three tails are used to support the existence of "status". They correspond to the Great Spirit of the Nine-Tails, Inari Daimyōjin, and the great demon Tamamo-no-Mae.
Nine tails, supporting the Heavenly Fox of the twilight realm.
Hebe knew that the swordsman system in the Higashi did not strictly correspond to the Path of Ascension.
The sword intent of sword saints cannot actually be completely equated with their achievements, because it is merely a sublimation based on their personal will.
Just like Okita Sōji's sword intent, although it can pose a very serious threat to Twilight, she herself is ultimately not Twilight.
But Hebe is different—the sword intent she wields comes from the more than two hundred golden statues that Saga built for her in the Higashi, from the common understanding of the Nine-Tailed Fox among the people of the Higashi, and from the uninterrupted faith of the Higashi for a thousand years.
Tamamo-no-Mae has had a lasting influence on the Higashi for a thousand years, and will continue to do so in the future.
This is the intent of the sword, and also a great achievement.
Therefore, "Tamamo-no-Mae" is both a sword saint and twilight.
Unfortunately, the general was probably the same—her swordsmanship also permanently changed the Higashi.
They are fundamentally different from other Sword Saints. If other Sword Saints have reached the pinnacle of mechanics, then Hebe and the General combine both stats and mechanics... When facing Sword Saints with empty mechanics, they will have an overwhelming advantage.
Golden rice slid from Hebe's palm as she walked along the desolate Imperial Road toward the city center.
The fox demon's pupils changed from deep green to brilliant gold, and a chilling divinity emanated from them as it looked around.
The clear, bright moonlight shone down.
Hayashizaki Jinsuke walked alone down the long street, blood dripping slowly from the tip of his long sword.
Two translucent Dragon Whiskers floated toward him as if they were alive, and wrapped around the hilt of his sword.
As the founder of the Battōjutsu), Hayashizaki Jinsuke's battles always ended quickly—after all, the essence of Iaijutsu is speed and accuracy.
Killing doesn't require destroying the entire city; a small piece of iron enough to slit a throat is sufficient.
Hayashizaki Jinsuke once worshipped the gods and practiced swordsmanship with his father, a carefree time, until his father was ambushed and killed by a swordsman from the same domain. To humiliate the young Hayashizaki Jinsuke, the swordsman did not kill him, but instead left a scar on his face that was enough to disfigure him.
Hatred, pain, resentment, shame... all of these became the foundation for Hayashizaki Jinsuke's growth.
He knew he lacked the talent to master more beautiful swordsmanship, nor the strength to split mountains and shatter rocks, but he didn't need those things. All he needed to do was kill, kill faster than others, and that was enough to avenge his father.
Until the sword, fueled by thousands of days and nights of rage, was drawn and cleaved the enemy's head in two, Hayashizaki Jinsuke had entered the realm of a swordsman.
After taking his revenge, he did not open a dojo. He only taught a few disciples swordsmanship skills before he began to travel around like other sword masters.
Later, he was invited to the heavenly capital city, where he engaged in battles with the sword masters.
It's hard to say Hayashizaki Jinsuke thinks about the Ritual of the Full Moon, but it's good to come here and see for yourself.
After all... having mastered an iaido sword technique that surpasses Tengu's Copy, Hayashizaki Jinsuke is no longer the helpless child who could only watch his father being killed in front of him.
He has plenty of time to leisurely do what he wants to do.
At that moment, a petite figure walked towards the end of the long street.
"Another swordsman?" Hayashizaki Jinsuke reached out and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Let's get closer.
Hayashizaki Jinsuke waited for the moment that figure would walk into the circle of his sword.
But the figure stopped dozens of meters away.
She raised her finger and pointed it at Hayashizaki Jinsuke from a distance, making a sound.
"Duh!"
An invisible and intangible noise suddenly rang in Hayashizaki Jinsuke's ears.
The surroundings suddenly darkened, Hayashizaki Jinsuke tried to draw his sword and look around, but his hand touched something wet and sticky, and a pale face turned over.
That was his father's face.
The small shrine was covered in blood.
Hayashizaki Jinsuke let out a desperate scream. He tried desperately to draw his sword, but the more he thought about it, the more his memories of Iaido Technique flowed out of his mind like water.
He became that child who witnessed his father's death again.
Under the moonlight, the man curled up in agony, tears streaming down his face.
Hebe, expressionless, pulled a transparent vein and two dangling Dragon Whiskers from his body.
The moment she came into contact with these things, she "saw" all the sword masters and sword saints who were in Kyoto at that moment.
Naturally, they also "saw" Hebe.
Those deep green eyes, gleaming with furious gold—
"What an unreasonable monster!" Miyamoto Musashi's lips curled into a wider grin, her eyes gradually filling with excitement.
Behind her, Honda Tadakatsu, leaning on his gun, silently collapsed to the ground.
A voice rang in her ear.
"Miyamoto Musashi..."
In the Meigetsubō, Mochizuki Chiyome bowed in the direction of Hebe.
On the wrecked ground, the blind old swordsman sat leaning against the wall, smiling silently.
"Mochizuki Chiyome..."
Outside the pavilion, Ito Ittosai and Yagyu Munenori exchanged a glance and then headed toward Hebe.
Hozoin Inshun sheathed his gun, his innocent face now filled with a transcendent sense of holiness—while on the other side, Tōgō Shigeyori's head, with its eyes wide open in anger, was nailed to a plaque.
Kojiro turned and left. His target wasn't Hebe, the intruder.
However, before Kojiro could turn around, Hebe's voice rang clearly in his ears.
"Sasaki Kojiro."