"So, has everything been settled now?"
Kiyohime tilted her head and asked Fujimaru Ritsuka curiously.
The discussion just now had been rather heated, what with that tactless samurai guard involved, but it seemed the final result was... a success?
"Yes. For the time being, we'll be serving as Your Highness's guards."
Fujimaru Ritsuka rose to his feet once more and bowed to Princess Kiyohime.
"That's wonderful!"
Kiyohime suddenly burst into cheers.
"To have Lord Fujimaru Ritsuka serve as my guard, this is—simply marvelous! What should I do? I'm so happy I could die."
As she spoke, she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, pretending that she was about to faint.
"Hey, hey, hey, you can't die!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka jumped in alarm.
Their mission was to protect Kiyohime, yet before they had even begun, she was already so excited she was about to faint—what kind of situation was this?!
"H-Hehe, I was just so happy that I couldn't help myself."
Her cheeks slightly flushed, Kiyohime carefully stepped two paces closer to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Ah, that reminds me."
As though she had suddenly recalled something, she looked toward Miyamoto Musashi, who stood slightly behind Fujimaru Ritsuka with sparkling, curious eyes.
"Lady Samurai, I heard that despite being a woman, you were the one who ultimately slew the leader of those monsters?"
"Hm? Yes, I was. Why?"
Musashi did not evade the question. She had indeed put considerable effort into the campaign against Tomoe Gozen, and she had delivered the finishing blow, so there was no need to be falsely modest about it now.
"Ah, I do not mean to doubt you. I simply feel that, if it is true, then it is truly worthy of praise and admiration."
Kiyohime spoke sincerely.
"It is nothing worth boasting about. I was