All hands, unleash the sword!


　Morgan Sky Sheep's powerful voice shook the trees around me. As the commander of the group, he was in charge of this place and allowed his banners to go into full battle.

　At the same time, Morgan, who had revealed his own mind suit, met Auken's attack head-on.

　The invisible blade that had been turned into a storm sent a jolt through the blade as if it had been struck by a lump of iron. If it had been an ordinary bannershi, he might have been blown away with his entire mind gear.

　However, Morgan is an accomplished bannerman who has risen to the rank of flag general of the sixth flag of the Qinglin family. Despite his age, he still possesses the ability to dodge Auken's attacks with great skill and skill, defying the fury of the wind.

　When Auken saw this, he laughed at it and hit the tip of his beak with a cluck.

　While both of them were confronting each other, Sydney and Sai were also on the move. The two of them are not headed to Auken, but to the demon who attacked his wife's concubine behind him.


''Mind-armored excitation!''


　The low voice of the priest and Sydney's voice overlapped each other, and in each hand appeared a heart outfit.

　The heartpiece of the festival is a spear reminiscent of his older brother's, and the shape of the spear is very similar to his brother's. The only difference is the color. The spear of the elder brother was black like a shadow and the younger brother's spear was red like blood.


''Twist and stretch, saint-killer (Longinus)!


　In response to the wielder's voice, the red spear runs through the air with tremendous speed. The tip of the spear drew a trajectory like lightning and attacked the demon.

　In response, the onijin tried to use the body of his concubine as a shield.

　The festival noticed this, but did not stop the attack. And then, just as the red spear was about to pierce her body - the tip of the spear changed.

　The tip of the spear changed - the tip twisted and turned. The red spear, which bypassed the body of her concubine with an almost serpentine motion, went straight at the demon.


''What!


　As expected, he hadn't anticipated this change, and a voice of agitation escaped from the demon man's mouth. Although he quickly twisted his body and avoided a direct hit, the tip of the Saint Killer (Longinus) was able to deeply split the demon man's side.


''Chi!''


　The onijin, who clicked his tongue loudly, threw the side concubine he was holding onto to the ground with all his might and then landed on the ground himself. He must have decided that it would be difficult to deal with the erratic spear fire of the festival in the air.

　The slender woman struck to the ground let out a high-pitched scream, but she didn't pay any attention to the festival. If it was Giken Emma, the lord's rightful wife and Laguna's mother, then he had no obligation to risk it for a side concubine whose name he didn't even know. Since we have freed her from the demon man's restraints, she should at least be able to escape on her own, was the true intention of the festival.

　In contrast, Sidney Sky Sheep was struggling to balance the two goals of defeating the demoness and saving her master's concubine.


'Cry, Murasame!


　Sydney's Mind Suit Murasame is known not only for its performance as a weapon, but also for its beautiful appearance. It has a shape ideal for the Seirin warriors, and is known as the Onigashima Seirai.

　Its blade is always wet with dew, and one swing causes mist and two swings cause ice storms. It is also possible to use the fog to create an illusion for the enemy.

　Sydney took advantage of this to make her false self appear behind the demon, and while the enemy was frightened, she quickly closed the distance between them and freed the hostages.

　Of the three hostages taken, the Seirin (Seirin) flag-bearers quickly took back two of them.

　And the last hostage was freed almost simultaneously.

　The third demon man, who had captured the baby, screamed and fell to the ground. It was Goz's sister, Cecil Sima, who came around behind the demon man in the air in an instant. In Cecil's hand, a long sword, shining blue, was in her hand before she knew it.


''Yay, Mother!''


　Ibuki, Cecil's son, cheers as he sees his mother descending to the ground with a heart outfit in her right hand and a baby in her left.

　Tickled by the sound of this young child's voice, Morgan quietly told Auken.


It's four against four, that's quite a fair match, Lord Taishan. You'd be better off going at it head-on without any more tricks, wouldn't you?


　Before he could finish his words or not, a sharp pain shot through Morgan's side. A searing shock, as if he had been impaled on a roasting iron spit.

　The oaken in front of him didn't move. The demon man behind him was being held up by Sydney, Sai and Cecil.

　Morgan, who turned back with a twisted face, saw the fifth demon man. No, not five. Just as Morgan had been attacked from behind by the shapeless assailants, Sidney and the three others had each been taken by surprise.

　In other words, the numbers were four to eight. Auken's taunting laugh echoed in Morgan's ears as he was astonished.


'Four against four?　Five minutes at all?　Huhuh.... You are extremely irrelevant. Did you think that I, Lord Taishan, would have only three men under me?　Did you think I was waving my long, broad tongue without any intentions?


　He flashed the hostages to flush out Miken's ambush soldiers, and then manipulated them into sneaking in Taishan's ambush soldiers. This was Auken's goal.

　It is possible for Auken to kick the enemy in the face without these tricks. However, if he did that, he would have to make some sacrifices.

　What Auken brought this time was Auken's personal private army, which was not involved in the Nakayama army. They were former warriors under the direct control of Taizan. Auken had taken advantage of his position as a Shinto priest to borrow and lend a concealed weapon to his subordinates.

　This was all to reduce the wear and tear on his men, whose numbers had been reduced by the continuing war. It was part of this trickery that kept Morgan from dying instantly.

　Sidney let out a scream as Morgan crumpled to the ground, spitting blood.


'Grandfather!'

Cid, keep an eye on the enemy!


　Sidney came to his senses immediately after the scolding of the festival, but he was at a disadvantage, even at a one-to-two ratio. There is no way to recover if they show an opening there.

　The two-man attack immediately catches up to Sydney. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Sidney gritted his back teeth as he shattered.

　The enemy's goal was to kill Sidney and the others by tormenting Morgan. She knows this, but she has fallen into the enemy's trap. Sydney's parents died when she was young, and Morgan is the only flesh and blood she has left in her life. She can't ignore the anguished voice of her grandfather, who raised her in place of her parents.

　And the warriors under Lord Taishan's direct command were not foolish enough to miss another opportunity.


''Shima!''


　The demon to the left rushes forward to collide with the body. Sidney decides that he can't avoid it and catches it from the front.

　As a matter of course, the back is empty. The onijin on the right quickly moved backwards and swung his sword at Sydney.

　The slash, which would have undoubtedly been fatal, however, was flung away by a red spear protruding from the side of Sidney's body before it tore through his body.

　It was the Kuumon Festival that intervened.

　With this rescue, Sidney narrowly escaped a fatal slash, but instead, he sustained shallow wounds to his back and right arm. This was the work of the two demons who were fighting him.

　Blood trickled down from the wound, running down the dark skin of the priest. Every time the blood dripped, the strength of my right hand lost its grip. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.


........I'm sorry.

Hmm. Isn't that the kind of thing you say thank you for?

Well thank you, Sai.


　While the two exchanged brief words, the demon man was gradually closing the distance between them. It can't be said that one on two just became two on four. Sai suffered a deep hand and Sydney was as good as taken hostage by Morgan.

　The game was practically decided - at least that's what Auken thought.

　The only one left was the female flagman, who was among the concubines, but this one was more difficult than expected. She was more difficult to deal with than the two demons, but she was also very resourceful in dealing with the surrounding concubines and children.

　Whether she was a hatter or a former concubine, we don't know, but either way, she is a tricky opponent.

　--So, it is a basic tactic to exploit the weakness. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of how to win the game, and this is the method of the Auken, and by extension the Taishan royal family.

　It's not a bad idea to have a child. Auken hadn't failed to hear that this child had called that female flag-bearer (Kishi) his mother the other day.


Can the Sword's hatter still keep the law after having her child taken as a pledge? Huh, that's quite interesting.


　Already Morgan is crawling to the ground, both feet sewn to the ground so that he cannot move. Sai and Sidney are as mentioned above, and Cecil is doing his best to just protect those around him.

　Auken doesn't show any signs of caution and approaches Ibuki with his big feet. This movement of Auken was noticed by Miken Emma, who was holding Ibuki from behind and protecting him.

　Standing up, Emma hides Ibuki behind her back and takes out a dagger from her pocket.

　Emma has no knowledge of martial arts. The dagger was not for self-defense, but rather as a tool to avoid humiliation if the time came for it to be captured by the enemy.

　Auken easily saw this and struck his beak in a mocking manner.


You can't hurt me with such a blunt object," said Auken. I don't think she's a mistress from the way she's dressed, but may I ask your name?

I have no name to give to an ungrateful ruffian.

'I see. Well, no matter who you are, the end is the same. I'm going to gouge out the eyes of every woman and child present and put them in front of the master of the sword. Then even the most arrogant of them will turn pale and pale, ha ha ha!


　In response to Auken's threatening cynical smile, Emma did not return any words.

　She simply pulled her lips into a straight line and put strength into her hand that held the dagger. That was when Auken saw that and added more words.


'I look forward to when I taste those beautiful blue eyes--Mu?

Hey!


　With a high-pitched spirited voice, there was a figure leaping out from behind Emma.

　It was Miken Ibuki, who was being defended by Emma.


'Ibuki!　Stop it!


　Emma, who was trying her best to endure Auken's jade pressure, let out a scream-like restraint from her mouth. But Ibuki, as a matter of course, would not stop. He's jumped out to protect Emma, and there's no way he could have stopped.


'Go to hell, you evil bastard!'


　Ibuki let out a spirited cry and swung the wooden sword that would become his uncle's (Goz) hand. It was a feint to show that he swung wide, and he aimed at the area from the knee down - the shin. This is the key point of the human body that cannot be trained.

　If you hit that part with all your might, "it hurts so much that even Goz uncle Goz would cry," according to Ayaka's sister.

　Aiken, wearing a vestments, does not wear any protective gear on his feet. In practice, we are taught not to strike intentionally, but there is no need to refrain from doing so when dealing with a bad guy. Ibuki shanked his opponent and struck him with his wooden sword with all his might.


'Ugh!'


　The impact was as strong as striking an iron pillar, and he unintentionally dropped his wooden sword. Even though it was a Goz's handiwork, it was not powerful enough to shatter the protection of the jade.

　Ibuki hurriedly reached for the dropped wooden sword. But before Ibuki's hand could grasp the hilt of the sword, Auken's toe dug into Ibuki's stomach with great force.

　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.


''Hmm, it's not bad as a crafted object, but you can't hurt me with a wooden sword that hasn't even been enchanted.


　As soon as he said this, he put all his strength into his clawed fingers and snapped his wooden sword with a mekiri. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of your friends.


''This, this oh........!

'Huh, good eye. In ten years, or maybe I could have been a good warrior.


　Auken's voice was soft and even somewhat gentle.

　But the next action he took was the opposite of kindness. He grabbed Ibuki's face with his right hand and lifted him up into the air.

　The small skull creaked and creaked as Auken strained his right hand, and five more claws tore through the skin and burrowed into his head.

　At first, Ibuki clenched his teeth to keep from screaming. Not only that, she also slapped Auken's right hand desperately trying to break free from its restraints. But Auken was determined to crush Ibuki's defiance. He tightened his grip on the youngster's head with a grip that could even shatter the trunk of a large tree.

　It took very little time before a scream came out of the little mouth.


''Ahhhh!　I want to stay, I want to stay!


　His voice clearly reached the ears of his mother Cecil, who was fighting with the demon man. Auken doesn't speak of dropping his weapons. He didn't speak, but hurt the young Ibuki as if he were licking her.

　It was inevitable that Cecil's swordsmanship was blunted. The onijin who had been facing Cecil did not miss the opportunity and immediately held him down and made him crawl on the ground.

　After confirming this, Auken quickly let go of his right hand that was grabbing Ibuki's face. Ibuki is suddenly released from his restraints and falls to the ground, pulled by gravity.

　Unaware of the situation, Ibuki tries to cry out again. Auken dropped to his knees and brought his face very close to Ibuki's, then shot out a powerful juju from close range to intimidate him.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation. There is no longer the vigor of the previous days. Ibuki, Auken said to him in a purring voice.


'Little warrior, in honor of your courage, I will save you and one more life besides yours.

........what?

'I'm saying I won't kill you and your loved ones. Here, point your finger at me so I can see it.


　As he said this, Auken pinched Ibuki's neck as if he were holding a cat's child and hung him in the air again.

　Here, for the first time, Ibuki knew that his mother was being held down to the ground and screamed.


'Mother!'

'Huh, you seem to be in a lot of pain. At this rate, your mother will die with her arms cut off, her legs cut off, and eventually her head cut off, won't she?

No, no, no!　Stop!

If you want me to stop, just point to your mother, for example. "I need you to help me and my mother. That would help you both. At most...


　Auken's beak recoiled in amusement.


'In exchange, though, we'll all die here except you and your mother and son.

........what?

I told you. I'll only help you and the people you care about. That means I will kill all the people who are not important to you together.

What is that...

In other words, those who will die are as good as killed by you. If they had said you were important to them, they would have survived, but because they didn't, they will be killed. We are the ones who kill them, but you are the one who made them be killed.


　Ibuki shakes his head from side to side in disgust. I don't understand what Auken is saying. I don't want to understand. I don't want to understand.

　I don't want to understand," said Ibuki, with a sneer.


If you don't choose, that's fine too. Then I will only kill you, your mother, and everyone else. Now, choose, little warrior--'

Stop it!


　It was Emma who loudly stopped Auken, who was only trying to taunt Ibuki. Emma, whose normally mild demeanor was tinged with resentment, looked at Auken with eyes like lightning.


It's a shame that a man who calls himself a public figure would threaten a child not even a year old!　I am My sword, Emma, wife of the seventeenth Sword Sage, Mikenshikibu. If you want merit, take me as your reward!

Well, well, well. I'm so honored that an ungrateful ruffian has taken the trouble to call himself a swordsman. I see why a swordsman's wife would be so gracious.

'If you're convinced, then let everyone go. Whether you use her as a hostage, sacrifice her or take credit for her work, there's nothing better than the wife of the Sword Saint.

''Huh, that's not going to happen. Before the battle began, if both sides were unsure of each other's strength, there would have been room to negotiate, but now that the battle is already decided, you are as good as in my hands. There is no reason for me to leave the others behind to get you.


　As he said this, Auken turned his attention to the dagger Emma was holding.


'If you plan to use that dagger to commit suicide, be my guest. Even if you die, the remains will remain. It's one thing to pull out the guts and feed them to this child.


　With that word, Auken stopped Emma's movements and brought the ibuki he had grabbed up close to his face and whispered to her in a laughing voice.


'Just as well. 'Little warrior, you seem to be close to that woman, Emma, as well. Choose your mother or Emma. I will help the one you choose and kill the one you don't. If you can't decide between them on the count of ten, you will kill them both. The gouged-out eyes are to be shared with you. Here we go, boys. One, two--

Well, wait...

Three, four--five sixty-seven!


　Ibuki cried out to Auken, who suddenly sped up his counting speed.


'Wait!'

We cannot wait!　Now, we're up to nine, which one do you help?　Which one are you going to let die?　Or do you want to kill them both and taste an eyeball dumpling with me?　Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, if you don't do it quickly it will be too late, I'm going to tell you the last number, right?　Are you sure?


　Confident in his victory, Auken was about to count the last number with a jubilant expression on his face.

　His voice abruptly stopped with an echo of confusion.



　-- A lone person stood in Auken's field of vision.



　In the distance, but not in the distance. So close that they could hear each other's breathing. A dark-haired person is standing literally right underneath your nose and eyes.

　The eyes staring at Auken are like looking into an old well, and the hairs on his body are standing on end just by looking at him like this.

　Auken couldn't help but feel puzzled. There was no one there until just before. No wonder, if there were others this close, he would surely notice them, even if they were hiding their appearance with a divine weapon.

　No one could be there. There is no way that I, as Lord Taizan, or my beloved son, would allow myself to get this close to him without being able to detect any sign of him. So it is impossible for anyone to be here.

　I'm sure you're not alone. He remembered that among the enemies there was a battalion master who could manipulate illusions. This must be the illusion created by that man.

　The trembling body, the trembling heart, everything must be the work of illusion - when Auken concluded that, the human being moved.

　The right hand, thrust out like a lightning bolt, grabbed the opponent's face, just as Auken had done to Ibuki the other day, and...





　I tightened my grip like a vise.

　The sound of the skull creaking and creaking could be heard. I'm not going to be able to get rid of it. What is before him is definitely not an illusion!

　Auken let go of Ibuki's hand and pressed his left and right claws against the human arms that held him in place. With the claws that can break even steel, a person's arms and bones can be easily crushed by these claws. The defense of the power of the power is useless if it is offset by your own power.

　With this in mind, Auken thrust his claws into his opponent's arm as hard as he could, and in the next moment, his face contorted in astonishment.

　The nails did not pierce at all. Not only did they not crack the bone, they didn't even break a single piece of epidermis. Ridiculous, he thought, and when he saw the claws thrust out again crushed with a sound, the one beloved by the demon god was immensely disappointed.

　Immediately after, a terribly ominous melody jumped into Auken's ears. The first time he hears a voice sound, it is definitely the human one in front of him--


"'His blood will boil, his hair will burn and his eyes will boil.

You mean like this?


　Prior to the activation of the fire magic, a burning heat swirled in the surgeon's palm.

　As a matter of course, the heat was transmitted directly to the grasping Auken. The pain burning his face and burning his eyes caused Auken to lash out, but the restraints did not waver.


''KOKETSU's Castle, Chair of Skulls''

'Don't do it, no matter what happens to the rest of your people--gaaaaah!


　His grip on his face became so tight that part of his skull cracked with a sound. Unable to resist, a scream came from Auken's mouth.

　Seeing this, all the Taishan soldiers under Auken's command started to move at once.

　The first to move was the onijin who stabbed Morgan Sky Sheep from behind. On top of being the closest to Auken, Morgan was already incapacitated. The demon man tried to leap forward vigorously, but he couldn't move, however.

　A sharp glance at the human who looked back at him. Just like that, his feet were sewn to the ground. He was intimidated by the eye light alone.


''Flipping is the banner of rebellion, falling down is the sacrifice of the deadly blade.''

Ugaaaaah!


　A roar erupted from Auken's mouth as he could not bear the pain of having his skull shattered and the heat that was increasing with every moment.

　You'll be able to use your arms as well as legs and move your body desperately to escape from the restraints, but even with all the resistance combined, you can't move even one little finger of your opponent. And then--


"'Blood-eyed flame hand, death's embrace to my enemy--flame princess.'


　With the final chant, the positive magic of the fifth circle of fire is activated. It sucks the magic power that gushes out of the body of the magician, and the power that rises to the limit explodes at a distance of zero.　

　A deafening scream erupted from Auken's beak, which was flared up and down widely.