"Namu Amida Butsu! For the Tendai Sect's grace in saving our lives, for the Buddha's merciful intent... we can only repay it by offering up our bodies, without complaint or regret!"
Faced with Morino Kiyoshi's bow, a one-armed old artisan stepped out from among the craftsmen. Though his face was likewise uneasy, he still forced himself to rally and returned the salute to Morino Kiyoshi and the gathered Warrior Monks.
"Acting Bishop Morino Kiyoshi, once we go, we will not return, never again to go back to our mulberry-and-catalpa homeland, to our ancestral graves... We only pray that, with the Buddha's mercy in your heart, you will look after the rest of our clansmen and villagers a little... And if, when the Buddha's golden body is cast, you can leave our names upon a Temple-Shrine stone carving, and let us gain a share of karmic reward in the next life... then even if I die in the land of the Sanda Tribe, I will have no regrets!... Namu Amida Butsu!"
"Namu Amida Butsu!... We offer up our bodies without regret!..."
As the one-armed old artisan stepped forward to return the salute, several young apprentices also followed behind him, bowing to Morino Kiyoshi in farewell.
The Wajin had always had a weak sense of self-assertion and were easily dominated by those above them and by the group. Under such an intense atmosphere, one after another, all the artisans, whether truly willing or not, had tears brimming in their eyes as they bowed to Morino Kiyoshi in farewell. Morino Kiyoshi's face showed even greater compassion, tears flowing from his eyes as he prayed devoutly.
"Namu Amida Butsu! May all living beings be freed from suffering and gain joy, and all attain Buddhahood!..."
"Main God! What is this? This?!..."
On the other side,