The thunderous sound of the great bell echoes inside and outside of Hiiragi no Shuuto.

　A barrage of alarm bells that I, who had lived on this island for thirteen years since I was born, couldn't even remember.

　It was clearer than the fire that the cause was an outburst of the huge jade just before. Even now, a thunderous roar like a lightning strike and rumbling of the earth can be heard intermittently from the west, mixed in with the sound of the alarm bells.

　If they weren't careful, the entire western part of the Hiiragi City might have been obliterated. That's how huge the jade was exploding.

　Naturally, all the attention of the Hatteras who had surrounded the tailing area was focused on the western mutation.

　For someone like me, who had been keeping the attention of the hatters all to myself until now, I felt like I had gone from being the main attraction to being the villain in an instant.

　To tell you the truth, I'm a little disappointed. I enjoyed being the center of attention for the people who never used to give me a sniff. This was one of the reasons I didn't put the tsuchigumo away right away.


Well, just as well, I suppose.


　I smiled and turned my attention to the wavering mass of miasma in front of me.

　The miasma is already a dead spider. The spider's frenzy after the red eye was pierced by the sword was literally its last gasp. The body has already changed into a black sphere with little or no original form.

　When he wordlessly thrust the tip of his sword into the sphere, a scream came from what seemed to be his mouth, as if he were rubbing pieces of metal together - and then it was abruptly cut off.

　That was the end of the spider.

　At this moment, I've surpassed the test of the Ittoyo Itto Ryu.

　I needed some time to chew up the sense of accomplishment that was rising in my chest.

　As I made it clear in the hall, I have no intention of joining the Ittoyo Itto-ryu school. I don't have any, but the memories of five years ago still linger in my mind.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you'll be able to do if you're not going to be able to make a good impression.

　For the past five years, he had jumped out of bed in the middle of the night thinking back to that moment.

　He had finally been able to purge himself of that nightmare.

　If I hadn't been surrounded by other hatters, I might have raised my fists in the air and shouted for joy.

　Of course, he had no intention of doing so here. A small throat-clearing noise was all I could muster.

　In the meantime, Kishi, who seems to have gone to check on the west, came running in. Panting, he knelt down in front of the head of the house and reported loudly.


I wish to inform you!　The western wall is collapsing, sir!


　The bannermen who had gathered here were roughly shaken by the report.

　Gilmore Berch opened his mouth to answer their questions.


What do you mean by 'collapse'?　Does that mean a part of it has collapsed?

'It's completely collapsed, sir!　You can see the outside of the wall from the tower!

What?

''If we don't hurry to fortify our defenses, we may invite a demon into Hiiragi no doubt!　My lord, you tell me what to--


　When Kishi was about to ask for instructions from the head of the family, he said.


''Nuh?''


　Astonished cries of astonishment could be heard from the mouths of Gilmore and the other banners.

　They could sense the same powerful jolt of power from the north as the last time. The sound of an explosion and the rumbling of the ground that followed was also the same as the last time.

　Furthermore, the same phenomenon occurred in the east.

　The implications of them were obvious. The Hiiragi Metropolis had opened three huge entryways in this short time.

　A hole so large that one could see out from this pavilion in the middle of the Hiiragi Capital. It was not something that could be blocked in a single night.

　Before that, it was clear that this mutation was not a natural phenomenon, which meant that there was someone who had intended for this situation to happen.

　Would he be satisfied with just making a hole in the wall?　Of course, it can't be.

　From the west, north and east. It wasn't long after that that a large group of demons was reported to be approaching.

　Upon hearing this, the flag generals and subordinate generals of the two to eight flags that had gathered here literally flew back to their posts. The high ranking flag officers in the single-digit range followed suit.

　All of them are mind-armored messengers. Even if the city walls collapse, they will not fall behind the demons. In fact, in the true sense of the word, the most elite people are still under the master's care.

　In the midst of the great cataclysmic event that could be said to be the first time in three hundred years, the swords family still had plenty of time to spare.

　--The only thing that can be said for this is that it is a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect.

　However, I only returned the sword to its sheath at my waist.

　It is the role of Seirin Hakki to protect Hiiragiuto. There's no need for me to barge in and I have no intention of barging in.

　Now that I've defeated the Tsuchigumo, I have no reason to stay in this land. I'll return to Ishqa as soon as possible.

　There was no use worrying about my mother's grave. No matter who was attacking us, as long as there were Sword Saints in the land, the Swordsmiths would not be defeated. Your mother's grave will be protected.

　What if the enemy was strong enough to defeat the Swords Saint?　There's nothing I can do against such a monster. Whether I leave or stay will not change the outcome.

　If I had time to think about such "what ifs", it would be more constructive to worry about the return trip. Since it was unlikely that a ferry would leave under these circumstances, they would have to cross the sea by themselves on the way back. It's the first time I've ever run across the ocean with a jingoistic spirit, but... well, that's part of the experience. If it's me now, there's nothing I can't do.

　With that thought in mind, I was about to leave the dressing room when someone called out to me.


"--Don't move, Sora.


　At first glance, I understood who this person was, with blond hair that showed the blood of a nobleman, and blue eyes that held a powerful light.

　Her appearance has changed a lot since she was five years ago. His hair used to be shorter, and he's grown a lot taller. The face has changed from a boy to a young man. The similarities between him and five years ago are quite small. But the distinctive hair and eye color, and most of all the blade-like eyes that look at you are unmistakable.

　Miken Laguna. He was a younger brother like my father.

　I'm sure they don't think of me as an older brother, though. The fact that he has no intention of celebrating our reunion after five years is also evidenced by his steely gaze and arrogant call to arms.

　Ayaka can be seen next to Laguna. I didn't even have to think about this one, as its external features hadn't changed much since five years ago.

　Standing side by side, they look like a painting, a perfect match for each other. It is good for the swordsmen and their followers that they are not worried about their future successors.

　I honestly thought so. I didn't feel the slightest bit of pain in thinking that.

　Now that I think about it, I wonder what I wanted from this island, from this house, and from the people who live here.

　As I thought about this, I responded to Laguna, an imperial aristocrat, with civility.


"I refuse to accept your kindness, Lord Shishito.


　I responded in that way, and I didn't even stop to actually stop.

　Laguna added more words to me like that.


'I'm telling you not to move - mind-dressing excitation.


　A magnificent golden two-handed sword appears in Laguna's right hand. In the past, Laguna used to wield it with both hands, but now Laguna would be able to handle it with one hand.

　I stared at Laguna's mind suit. It had been five years since I had seen this glow. I used to feel terribly miserable every time I saw this sword, reminding me of the difference between Laguna and myself.

　So it bothered me. Now that I've mastered the mind attire, what kind of emotions are stirred up in me when I look at this sword?

　The answer is - I didn't feel anything in particular.

　There is no fear or trepidation like in the past. But on the other hand, I don't think that we should make light of it, nor do I want to despise it.

　I see, Laguna's mental attire is still as magnificent and powerful as ever, and it is clear that he has accumulated much more power than he did five years ago. This is the proof that the soul of Laguna, the heir of the swordsman family, has grown righteously and healthily over the past five years.

　But that's all.

　There was no need to be wary of such an opponent, nor was there any need to regard him as an enemy, not even the Twin Peaks of course, the Sword Sage could not reach them. There was even less need to mock him.

　To sum up those feelings in one word, yes.


　-- I didn't even want to eat it.