"Who do you think you're talking to?"
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami looked at Miyamoto Musashi and snorted.
"The court governs the entire country with impeccable control. Mere aberrations can naturally be wiped out with ease."
"Still, such a large-scale gathering of aberrations is indeed rare. Could they have banded together?"
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Their leader is no mere rabble. A large-scale invasion under someone's command is hardly impossible."
".Could it be Archer Inferno?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka recalled the demon burning with Crimson Lotus Karma Fire that had ambushed him last night, trying to kill him.
"You know quite a lot. Could you be the masterminds behind this.?"
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami swept his suspicious gaze over them.
Then, before Musashi could become any more speechless or anxious, his expression turned amused.
"Rest assured, I do not suspect you. But the current situation no longer permits us to waste time, so—tell me everything you know. Truthfully."
"—Heroic Spirit Swordmasters, then."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's expression was cold, yet thoughtful.
"I see. So this is what they call... the end of the dead."
He let out a soft sigh.
"Under normal circumstances, I doubt I would believe a single word from you. But Shimosa's situation may no longer allow me the luxury of disbelief."
"According to what you've said, this female demon called Archer Inferno is the key to this disturbance—the source of these aberrations."
"That's hard to say."
Musashi shook her head.
"After all, the information we have is limited. I would like to agree with you, but honestly... we can't say for certain right now."
"But she did attack us last night. If what happened in the south took place last night, then the timing does line up."
"But even so..."
Musashi felt that something was off, but no matter how carefully she thought it