Chapter 55: A Raid! Jiraiya Fortress is on the Move

At last, the course is set. I'll crush everything in my path and slam my almighty Jiraiya into Kurosagi Castle! Genshin! Feel the pain of the people of the country you destroyed, and the anger of my demon companions! You'll pay for it all!!

Kamome?! It can't be...! What does she think she's doing!? Is she planning to stop Jiraiya all by herself? How absurd! How dare... Is she asking for death?!

Oh mighty seeds and ten felicities of heavens! Heed my prayer! I call to you now to fulfill your unflinching oath! Come to me! Take up my challenge...

Kamome!

Tsubame! What are you doing here?!

Kamome... I won't let you die here alone. The ancient secret art of our clan drains the life force of the caster in exchange for summoning a great power to the world. If we perform this jutsu together, perhaps only half of our life force will be drained.

But there's no telling what will actually happen unless we try it. There's a chance that one of us may still lose their life. Or even worse, both of us. Besides, even if it all goes well, even then...half your life force will be drained too!

It doesn't matter. Kamome, we were brought into this world together. Even in the darkest of times I'd be happy to say goodbye to it together too.

Tsubame...

Okay. Are you ready, sister? Here we go!

Oh mighty seeds and ten felicities of heavens! Heed our prayers! We call you now to fulfill our ancient oath! Reveal yourself to us! Take up our challenge! We bid you stand for our justice! In exchange for these lives! We summon thee! Sorcerous Supreme!!

No! They summoned the ancient Sorcerous Supreme?! Hmph, I will have no more of these games! It changes nothing! We press on! I will crush it into dust! Go forth! Jiraiya!

It halted Jiraiya!

Impossible!

Looks like both we live to die another day...

Now is our chance! Hurry everyone, we must board Jiraiya now!

Got'cha! We'll enter through an opening! Come on!

This appears to be the bottom of the fortress. Suzaku must be on the upper level.

Suzaku... I can't allow you to commit anymore reckless acts!

Hurry! While that giant god thing that the Tsubame summoned can hold back Jiraiya!

We have to do something! If we don't, Mika and Kiyosuke and every in town will be...

Indeed. If he reaches the town successfully, the devastation will be unimaginable.

We don't know how long Sorcerous Supreme can keep this up. So there is no time to stop and think.

Eastern demon data collection required. Let us be off, Aldo!

Alright! Let's put an end to Jiraiya and Suzaku! Let's head out everyone!

Wait! Aldo!

Hm? What is it, Cyrus?

I sense something... Something with immense bloodlust!

Is that thing working for Suzaku?!

......

It appears to be rather skilled with a blade. Something tells me it's not going to let us pass.

DIALOGUE IS FUTILE. MISSION PARAMETERS SET TO KILL!!

Fine with me, we'll take you on. Let's do this guys!

This thing's just a wooden doll...

A wandering soul of the dead... It was probably the soul of a warrior who retained his swordsmanship residing in the doll. How cruel... There is nothing to gain from bringing back the souls of the dead like this.

Let us be off. We don't have a moment to lose. Suzaku has to be stopped!

Yeah, you're right! Let's hurry!

There's no place to run now, Suzaku!

Suzaku!

Didn't I tell you people not to interfere?

You gotta stop with this foolishness, Suzaku! Call off Jiraiya right now!

Foolishness? Will you people not stop your incessant meddling? You ask me to let that Genshin do as he pleases?! That is true foolishness!

If you do this you will only create more sadness and more hatred! Please don't involve the innocent people of Izana in this!

Hmph! That's enough out of you! You really think I'd come all this way to turn back now? Everyone is here now. It's time to end all this. Isn't that right, Tsubame? Tsukiha? Deep within your heart, have you not truly waited for this day to come? Ever since that day when our country was destroyed by Genshin and Garneli!

Suzaku!

......

I will not retreat! If you wish to stop me, it will have to be by force!

Suzaku!

Tssk! We don't have a choice! As you wish, Suzaku! We'll take you down! You and Jiraiya, we'll stop you both right here!

You had better be ready. I'm about to show you the true power of a demon. Now come!

Hmph, you've certainly got some skill. But the real battle is only just beginning!

Agh! So you're finally showing your true colors, eh Suzaku?!

It's time to get serious. Come! Show me what you're really made of!

Suzaku! Please stop this! Please, I don't want to fight anymore!

Then step aside, Tsukiha. I've come too far and there is no going back. It is time we settled this once and for all! If your friends here insist on getting in my way, then I will fight them to the bitter end! I'll grant you the pleasure of experiencing a demon's true hatred! Come, let's finish this!

If that is your decision...

This sword was made to stop you! I shall be the one to take you down, Suzaku! Your determination and my determination. Which will be crushed first?!

Suzaku!

You did not disappoint me. Seems like this is the end... For me...

Aldo, I wish we could've met in a different time, a different place...

......

Tsukiha. Do not be a prisoner to your fate. Live life the way you want to live it.

Suzaku!

So... This is how my story ends. ...Farewell.

Suzaku...

Well now, there goes another one of my obstacles.

Phantom!

Please allow me to extend a special invitation to you all.

What did you say?!

Wha, ? Huh?

Come now, Aldo! Stand against the darkness. In the darkness of time!

Argh! Arghhh!

I shall be on my way also. I can't be late for the welcome party. Muhaha!

Ugh... Where am I...

Ngh! Phantoms!

So these are the ones who will stand against the darkness? They are the ones recognized by the Dragon God?

In that case, wouldn't it be quicker to finish this here and now?

What did you say?!

Wait. I am unable to read their stars. More than that, Ogre Rancorem. What are you doing in the hands of that human? You should be siding with us, the darkness. I couldn't have imagined you would betray us in favor of it.

Hmph. And what tattle do you have about your position with the Daughter of Time?

Very well. I shall take into account regarding the case of the Goddess of Time. This may well turn out in our favor.

Then I welcome you humans to the battle of the gods! I'm afraid there is no escaping from this mighty game.

That's it! I've been quiet long enough. Just what is it you guys are planning?

Listen well Aldo. You wish to know the truth about the Goddess of Time, do you not? It seems the church has altered history itself in order to guide you to this land. They are locked in time and can't step foot off the island.

What does that mean...?

Now that you mention it, Ogre Rancorem said something about that too.

But why Aldo? And why us?

Naturally, you all have a role you must play in this game. You are a gear in the machine of time. They have predicted as much. On the day of the awakening from visions of the Time Dream, the Goddess of Time returns, and the door to paradise opens... However, is it really that easy for everything to go as they plan?

A wormhole?!

Off you go, Aldo. See the truth for yourself. Discover the beginning of the Goddess of Time!

What...?!

Now what will you do, Goddess of Time? Can you save these children of yours...? The ones who stand against the darkness. The curtain on this mighty game has been drawn. There is no escape! Muahahaha!

*splutter* *sniffle*

Huh? Where am I?

But why am I here? We were swallowed by that wormhole the phantoms made...

Okay Master, got it. We'll do what we can to fix this.