Sakumura nodded.
But before he could continue, Muramasa cut him off.
"By the way, since you've been investigating in Shimosa for so long, you must have some idea where these people's hideout is, right?"
"Whether that one is Shuten Douji or not, once we find their base, can't we just kill her with a blade forged by this old man?"
Well.
As for that...
Musashi, Ritsuka, and Kotarou all wore awkward expressions in unspoken unison.
"The Heroic Spirit Swordmasters attacked too frequently. There was only today between Tomoe Gozen and Mochizuki Chiyome. After clearing out the anomalies in southern Shimosa, we entered the city to protect Her Highness the Princess. As for investigating the enemy's base... we have no leads for the time being."
Only Sakumura, the uncle with the thickest skin, solemnly and earnestly explained the entire situation.
"But at least we heard the term 'Rejecting the Defiled Land,' right?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka scratched his cheek and said with an awkward laugh.
"...Come to think of it, if their stronghold were that easy to find, you wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble. So, how many of them have you already defeated?"
Senji Muramasa asked about their progress in another area.
"We—"
Musashi had just begun to speak.
But Muramasa immediately cut her off again.
"Enough, don't say anything. Give this old man the sword in your hand. I'll know once I take a look."
As he spoke, Muramasa rather forcefully took Myojin-giri Muramasa from Musashi's hand.
Clang—
As the blade left its sheath, steel and scabbard struck together with a clear hum.
Muramasa closed his eyes, seemingly using both his hearing and his mind to sense something.
Several seconds later—
"Three."
"What... fierce battles."
"One used flames and a longbow. Another used curses and poison."
"Mm, and