Seconda Cantica: Inferno (Middle)

Dark spirit monsters?

Oh, yes, I've heard some scary rumors about those. They say they did something terrible in Hitachi Province!

It's dreadful to think about, isn't it. Oh, speaking of dreadful, I've also heard that there are kappas in the river near the castle!

Sorry, I've heard plenty of rumors about those things, but I can't say I know much about them. I doubt they'll give us too much trouble, though.

After all, Shimousa is under shogunate control! Not to mention we've got Lord Matsudaira Shimousa-no-Kami up in the castle.

If things do take a bad turn, someone at Edo'll send a few skilled samurai up here to handle it soon enough.

...Hmm, that seems to be the most common reaction.

Everyone says that monsters almost never show up near the town, so people here don't take them seriously.

？！

True, it does seem like news travels slowly here. Maybe that's just what happens in times of peace.

In the age of war, a single rumor could greatly affect who lived and who died...

But I guess that's not as much of a concern now that the wars are all over.

It could also be that the castle is controlling what sort of information makes its way into town, not that I've got any evidence for that theory!

Then again, maybe they're actually working in secret to gather intelligence on the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters and their summoner.

？！

Right there with you.

...On a different note, that really is a beautiful castle!

I caught glimpses of it on the way here, but its keep really stands out here in town.

I love that castle! I wanna climb to the top of it someday!

Ga ga! Gooo!

Tasuke says he does, too!

That's kind of a tall order. Still, you're right; I bet the view from up there would be wonderful.

Hmm. I bet we could even see that keep from the mountain behind your grandpa's hermitage. It's huge!

So huge♪

I never heard of Toke Castle being so grand in my own world... But I guess you learn something every day!

Yup!

I guess history here really is just a little different all around then. Or maybe it's another effect of the Holy Grail?

Either way, I guess it's too soon to say. We'll just have to learn what we can while we ask around!

？！

Oh?

Aha, I see, I see...

Judging from the way you're all gawking at everything, I'm guessing you're not from around here, are you?

To tell the truth, neither am I. I originally came here from near Edo. I only just arrived about six months ago, after crossing the Arakawa and the mountain pass.

Go on, take a look at that amazing castle keep! It bears a striking resemblance to Edo Castle, don't you think?

I knew that Lord Matsudaira was a direct descendant of the shogun, so I expected his castle to be impressive.

But I'm still amazed by just how grand it really is.

？！

Oh, you know about me?

I must say though, Tamamo-no-Mae is quite a mouthful. My name is just Tama. Please, call me Otama.

I am but a humble geisha who has come to ply her trade here in the town of Toke Castle, now that its star has risen to become a second Edo.

Wow, you're so beautiful! You look like someone from Edo!

My, what an honest, innocent, adorable little girl you are! If only all children were more like you.

Here, have a candy. You too, little boy.

Yay♪

Ga ga♪

？！

...Have I ever entertained you before? If I have, I'm so sorry I don't remember.

I'm afraid you are mistaken. I don't recall ever having met you.

DO you know this lady, Fujimaru?

？！

So I resemble someone you know, hmm... Interesting. I shall have to remember that one.

I mean, never mind that!

Now that I look closely, I can see your expensive imported outfit. You must be very rich indeed.

If you'd like to come to my establishment, I'd be happy to show you a good time. Hohohohoho, kon kon♪

？！

Kon kon♪ What is it? Hehe, if you insist that much on calling us acquaintances, let me think...

Yes, I suppose I could be your acquaintance if you like. Especially if you agree to come to my establishment.

...What do you think, Fujimaru?

What's an establishment?

Mine is a place for grown-ups where they can enjoy delicious food, drink, music, and dancing. It's like a little slice of paradise amid a world of suffering.

Paradise amid suffering, huh... I don't really get it, but it sounds like fun!

...Say, Otama, do you serve dumplings? Are they nice and tasty?

Oh, uh, haha, I was just kidding. Really. But I AM getting a little hungry!

？！

...Excuse me. Might I have a word with you?

Hm? You mean me?

Uh, no, not you. The one dressed in foreign clothing.

？！

Oh my... Oh my...

I could have sworn I had never met you before, yet you already know my name. Oh my...

This is amazing. I knew that today would be the day.

Wow, another beautiful lady... Your costume is so pretty, too. You look like a princess!

Wh-where did you come from? These are MY customers, I'll have you kno

I-I always believed this day would come! That I would one day meet the person of my dreams, destined to sweep me off my feet and away from the castle!

And now, I've finally met you!

I love you!

Um...what?

Huh!? What do you think you're doing, saying something like that in the middle of the street!?

H-huh?

L-Lady Kiyohime! You mustn't leave the castle, let alone go around saying things like that!

？！

D-damn it, I shouldn't have said that either, but yes, she did! Don't you know who she is!?

This is Lady Kiyohime, the daughter of Lord Matsudaira Shimousa-no-Kami himself! Ordinarily I would have you prostrate yourself to apologize, but that would draw too much attention. Consider yourself lucky!

I am delighted to make your acquaintance, person of my dreams. I am Kiyohime.

Lady Kiyohime!?

You're a real princess!?

Huh? You're a princess? Really?

Ga ga♪

？！

Please stop getting in my way! I may be princess of the Matsudaira clan, but I'm a woman first and foremost!

I've been searching for the person of my dreams for a long time. Now that I've finally found you, I implore you. Please, take me away!

Princess, you mustn't!

Please, person of my dreams! Abduct me, and take me away to Edo! From there, we can go to Osaka, or to Kyoto, or even leave for another land altogether through Nagasaki!

Just a minute there, princess. I don't care WHOSE daughter you are, you're not getting in the way of MY business!

Don't you think it's just a LITTLE RUDE for you to try and poach this nice, rich customer from me?

Come now, prinNo, you know what, no way would a princess be out here on the streets.

I don't know which samurai family you hail from, but you can at least wait until tomorrow.

Ulp...! It WOULD look terrible if word got out that the princess was seen here in the streets.

It could lead to all sorts of trouble for the Matsudaira family...

Wh-wh-wha...

What is the matter with you, fox woman!? Why must you impede me from being with the person of my dreams!?

I have been cooped up in the castle staring at the sky, dreaming of this day for months, YEARS even. Now it's finally here, and you're trying to stop it!

Very well then. If that's how you wish to handle this...

... ...

I won't be able to hold myself back any longer! I mean it, you know...

No. Stop. Don't. Whatever are you going to dooo? Kon kon kon.

Grrr! I-I mean it! I'm really not going to hold myself back!

I'll have you know that I carry dangerous flammable water, imported from foreign lands, with me at all times. You won't get away unscathed!

？！

Hohohohohoho. You have no idea who you're dealing with, do you? We geisha from Edo deal with fire all the time!

Go ahead, try your little trick! Fire, lightning, it doesn't matter! Kon kon, I'll blow out whatever you throw at me with my fan!

P-Princess, I beg of you, you mustn't! We're in the middle of the street!

But if you truly do mean to go ahead with it, please, at least make sure you're not wearing flammable clothing!

Are you fighting? Grandpa always says you shouldn't fight.

Wow, this is turning into a serious pain, huh? So, rich customer-slash-person of her dreams, how do you want to handle this?

Shall we stay out of it, or do something about it?

？！

Got it. Don't worry, I'll use my swordsman aura to make sure everyone gets out of this without a scratch!

...Well, I suppose there isn't much to be gained from prolonging this any further.

...All right. If you insist.

？！

It seems I got a bit carried away. I'm very sorry you had to see that.

A geisha shouldn't show off her dance moves in the streets, so I think I'll retire to my establishment.

I hope this hasn't put you off from visiting me there sometime.

...Nnnnnn. What a graceful way to bow out.

I suppose I lost myself, too. I hope this hasn't soured me in your eyes, person of my dreams.

As loathe as I am to say so, I will give up for today. However, I am certain that you and I will

Come now, princess, this way. We must hurry back to the castle.

You there, the woman with the katana, and the man in strange dress. That was a truly splendid mediation. I am grateful for your assistance.

Now, come along, princess. We really must hurry back.

Yes, yes. Fine. Farewell, person of my dreams! I count the days until we meet again!

Sheesh. Thank goodness that's over with. I never knew you were so prone to lady trouble, Fujimaru.

I do wish I could have tried the food at that geisha lady's place. Guess I'll just have to give up on that.

Anyway, let's ask around a little more and see what else we can find out.

？！

For sure. Still, it's kind of strange. You know the saying "Fights and fires are Edo's flowers"?

Now that things are peaceful in Japan, I would have thought something out of the ordinary like that brawl would have drawn a lot of attention...

...but it seems like nobody really noticed. They all just kept going about their business.

Indeed.

No matter the time or place, people never change. Hah. Change simply doesn't come that easily.

Onlookers, curious bystanders, New York rubberneckers... No matter what you call them, you can be sure they'll show up to make trouble whenever there's a disturbance.

Even if not everything they see...is necessarily real.

？！

...Are you talking to me?

I'm just a missionary. A Christian visiting from foreign lands.

O-oh my gosh. Your hair is so white! You're very tall, too. Are you a tengu?

A tengu? That is a sort of demon here in the East, yes? No matter. Call me whatever you like.

...That's an awfully roundabout way of putting things, Mr. Foreigner. It's pretty strange for someone like you to be in Edo right now.

At this point in time, the only foreigners permitted to stay in Japan were restricted to Dejima in Nagasaki.

Oh, that? A trivial matter. It's the same reason no one paid attention to that tussle.

Sometimes, one happens to see perfect strangers who bear strong resemblance to an acquaintance; other times, one may see something out of the ordinary, and brush it off as unworthy of concern.

In the end, there truly is little difference between the real world and the world of dreams.

I don't know who that is. I told you, I'm just a missionary.

You mean the reason for your little scuffle? Haha, that hardly seems relevant now.

？！

At any rate.

You there, young man. If there is something you wish to confess, then tell me. Just this once, I shall listen to what you have to say.

Confess?

...I am simply encouraging you to share whatever it is you wish to discuss.

I make no promises to give you answers, but I will lend an ear. Call it Christian hospitality.

Heroic Spirit Swordmasters, you say?

Purgatorio, Inferno, Limbo, Kālasūtra Hell, Saṃghāta Hell, Paraíso, and Empireo, hmm?

So, they consider the Empireo and Paraíso to be separate things! Indeed, there seems to be too much here for them to just be modeled after Dante.

Whoever came up with these names is either a great fool...

...or an incredibly profane blasphemer.

Huh? What does that all mean?

I'm sorry mister, but it's really hard for me to get what you're talking about.

？！

Well, no matter.

There is little I can say. I have no intimate knowledge of the rumors regarding these creatures.

Or at least, I know nothing beyond the rumors currently circulating around town. You have no doubt heard anything I might have to say on the subject.

All I know for sure is that Shimousa is starting to become twisted.

For the moment, I advise you to peek in that alleyway. You should see someone you would do well to meet.

？！

He did say we should peek in that alleyway. Well, let's take a look. ...All I see are a few footpaths and a basin.

...Hm?

Hey, look, behind the basin! Somebody's there! Huh, it looks like he's sleeping.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me. He's collapsed in the street! What's going on? I thought this country was supposed to be peaceful now!

Then again, maybe he's got some kind of chronic disease? But, uh, given how young he is...

？！

Hey, can you hear me? Why were you lying down here?

... ...

...Oh, Master...it's you. Thank...goodness...you're all right...

？！

Uh oh, he passed out... Are you all right!?

I'm so sorry...for the trouble...

I...came here...to bring you back...Master...

You've been sleeping...and you refuse...to wake up...

None of...the other Servants...made it...

I was...the only one...

？！

No, Master... I must...tell you everything...

Da Vinci...and Holmes...thought it might be...a problem with fated bonds...

I don't...really understand it myself...

Master...you have fallen into a dream...a dream you cannot wake from...

I will...I must...help...you...

... ...

He just conked out again. He looks pretty pale, too. Are you sure we shouldn't take him to a doctor?

？！

Magical energy, huh? So, that means he's a Servant too? And unlike the ones you summon during battles...

...he came here from Chaldea in your world to try and save you.

So then, what makes him different from the ones you normally summon? Wait. Huh?

？！

You have...been summoning...during battles? Then, perhaps...that means...

...you have been...borrowing...the shadows of...their Spirit Origins...tempo...rarily...

Hey, stop that, mister! You shouldn't be sitting up! Just lie down and stay under the blanket.

Goo goo ga!

You have my thanks... Okay, Master... I'll just rest up...for a little bit...

？！

Okay... Thank...you...

There you go. It's okay. Just relax and go to sleep.

Zzz... Zzz...

...(Snore)

That's a ninja for you. It took him no time at all to fall asleep. So, he's THE Fuuma Kotarou, right?

The fifth head of the Fuuma ninja clan, huh... So close! If only he were a little younger!

？！

Haha, I don't mean that seriously. I'm just saying it's good to appreciate handsome young men whenever you come across one.

Anyway, given how exhausted Kotarou is, he must have been prepared to risk his life to make it here.

I know ninja are expected to lay down their lives in service, but that's still a lot easier said than done.

Maybe you're in a much more precarious state than we thought if he's had to resort to such extreme measures.

He said he came here in order to bring you back from an endless sleep, right?

I guess that means you really did come here in a dream. Well, either that, or I wandered into yours.

？！

I'm not sure. Based on my own experiences...it might not be JUST a dream...

Whenever I cross into another world through a dream, it's like I'm not actually seeing it with my eyes.

It's kind of like seeing it directly with my mind, but indistinctly? And since you aren't seeing it with your eyes, you can make strange connections based on what you see.

？！

All I can say is that that sort of thing is known to happen sometimes. Sorry I can't be clearer about it.

Hard to be clear when it comes to dreams. I mean, you usually forget pretty fast after you wake up, right?

So I don't have many clear memories of mine. Hmm, I wonder if I can remember some.

That's all well and good...

But why did you end up coming to my room? Yes, I know I invited you to visit me sometime...

But I never imagined you'd come barging into my inn and ask to borrow my bed so you could put up a red-haired boy you didn't have with you before.

I just want to be sure: You didn't kidnap him, did you?

？！

Boy, you really helped us out. You, the princess, and that strange foreigner we met are the only people in town whose names we know!

I have to say though, I'm impressed you're so well-known here that all we had to do was mention your name to get easy directions to your inn.

If you're still staying at an inn after six months, I guess you didn't outright move here from Edo?

No, I didn't. I'm here for pleasure as much as for business. For some reason, I was suddenly overcome with an urge to stay in Shimousa for a

...Hold it. Don't try to change the subject.

So, now it's you two, the two children, and a red-haired boy...

Don't tell me you're all planning on staying the night here?

？！

Ahahaha. We didn't exactly plan on it, but I guess it just worked out that way. Thanks!

Thank you, pretty lady!

My, what a sweet, honest girl you are. Have a candy! ...Did you really think it would be that easy?

The nerve you all have! Inviting yourselves to spend the night with nary a hint of shame!

Well, I suppose I have enough room to spare that it's not COMPLETELY out of the question. (Sigh)

...Just promise me you'll leave tomorrow, okay?

？！

Well, I suppose you can't help that you've got an injured friend to care for now. And fortunately, I'm not hard-pressed for money.

I guess this can just be my good deed for the day. Looks like I'll be making an extra-large portion of my special set menu tonight.

...That's right. Purgatorio has vanished.

Please accept my humblest apologies. This unfortunate accident is the result of my ritual being incomplete.

However, I am pleased to say that as the seventh and final sacrifice, Purgatorio was successful in fulfilling his role.

Don't give us that nonsense, Caster.

How could you possibly claim he fulfilled his role? His jumonji spear did not even claim a hundred lives.

No matter. He shall still serve as an excellent cornerstone for Onriedo.

Don't be so hasty, Empireo. And Limbo, this system is hardly different from the Holy Grail War you told me of.

The souls of all Heroic Spirit Swordmasters who meet their end shall simply come to reside within the foundations of my Onriedo.

You are absolutely correct, Lord Sorcerer.

Nonetheless...Lord Empireo is also correct. It WOULD be to our advantage to have more sacrifices.

The souls of a few mere Heroic Spirits will not be sufficient for Onriedo to completely manifest.

And we cannot have that. Thus, the more we kill...the better.

The more we kill, the more it shall grow. Resentment of the killer... Envy of the survivors...

Grief at the thought of losing your own life, and the lives of those you love... Mmm...

The more souls there are drenched in bitterness, envy, and grief, the better it will be for us!

...

That is why we have the Curse of Annihilation. That is why we have the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters.

Ordinary Heroic Spirits will not suffice. Ordinary knights will not suffice.

But now that they harbor the Curse of Annihilation thanks to my secret technique and your own power, they shall slaughter all living things.

They shall kill, and kill, and kill, right up until they wear themselves out and die off.

They shall offer up many, many sacrifices, as they work to finally bring the world of humans to an end.

...Indeed.

Hm. I see your taste in décor is as grim as your choice in discussion topics. I've heard of dark and dingy, but this is something else entirely.

Naturally. We're all imbued with masses of pure evil aura writhing around inside us, after all. Tell me, Lord Sorcerer, who is this man?

You don't seem to be a Heroic Spirit, and you stink of dirt something fierce.

And what's with that long katana of yours? Doesn't it get in the way when you're planting rice?

You certainly don't mince words, do you. You're also very perceptive.

You're right, little oni. I'm just a hermit who lives up in the mountains, subsisting on grass and plants, while you all seem to be nobles and samurai.

Believe me, I know all too well how much I don't belong here. I feel very out of place.

...

You do seem to be fairly skilled, but you are a far cry from us Heroic Spirit Swordmasters. Above all, you still reek of life.

Hehehe, settle down, everyone. This man is nothing less than the Lord Sorcerer's handpicked bodyguard.

(Sigh) Is that so. Oh well, spineless nice guys bore me anyway.

No need to concern yourselves with my guest. I ran into this vagabond in the mountains of Hitachi and brought him back with me on a whim.

You all have your own roles to play. While I don't require protection, I have decided it would be a good idea to keep a meat shield around, just in case.

Yes. I may be a vegetarian, but I've still got strong bones and muscles. My body should at least suffice to stop a spear thrust.

(Sigh) What a joke. Do you really think you could stop the spear of a Heroic Spirit with your body alone?

Peace, Saṃghāta Hell. Sheathe your claws. Ignore him. Pretend he is not even here.

Now, no more idle chatter. You will set about fulfilling your assignments at once.

Go forth and kill, my Heroic Spirit Swordmasters. As the dawning sun brings an end to the night, you shall bring an end to this world of false peace.

I shall now prepare for the arrival of Onriedo. The rest is in your hands now.

Understood. It will be my pleasure.

I see, I see. So the Lord Sorcerer has no interest in Shinmen Musashi.

Regrettably, no. He must believe she poses no threat to us. Hmm, what shall we do about this?

Well, if it were up to me... If we can kill her, I would like to do so and get her out of the way...

Man, you all sure care a lot about this Musashi lady.

Is she really all that strong?

...I don't know why, but everything about you rubs me the wrong way.

Now that the Lord Sorcerer has gone off on his own, maybe I'll take this opportunity to squish you like a bug.

Oh, I don't think that's a good idea. It'd be a waste of your precious time to take up your weapon against a hapless hermit like me.

You would be far better off ignoring me. I'd hate to ruin your shiny black hair with my blood.

...Well, all right. In that case, I won't give you another thought.

Getting back to Musashi; I don't care about her myself, but it sounds like you're concerned about her, Caster?

As I said, if we can kill her, I would like to do so. I may be a Heroic Spirit Swordmaster, but at heart I am still a coward.

If you are willing to entrust me with this matter...I already have a plan in mind.

Are you certain you are up to this, Caster of Limbo? Though he may have only just transformed at the time, she was still able to kill Purgatorio.

True, it remains to be seen if my newly-formed techniques are up to the task. Let's see now... Danzo? Are you there?

...I am here, my master.

I shall always be by your side, as certain as my name is Katou Danzo. Give me an order to hunt, and I shall see that it is done no matter who they may be.

If you like, I can ensure that tonight is the last night Shinmen Musashi and the Master of Chaldea draw breath.

Do not bother! You are not a Heroic Spirit. You are merely a puppet, and could never hope to be a match for her. If that was an attempt at humor, it was poor indeed.

My humblest apolo

Heh, no need to torment her like that, Lord Empireo. Even mechanical dolls have their uses. Come, Danzo. I have new orders for you.

Fetch the Archer of Inferno, and set her upon Shinmen Musashi.

Yes, my Master. Order input confirmed. It shall be done.

Oh, and there is one more important thing I should tell you. Very soon, a group of samurai from the Edo shogunate will arrive at Toke.

Once that happens, be sure to stay close to them. Tell them you are on a secret mission from the shogunate.

I shall see that everything is in place myself. Once that is done, you shall bring Lady Inferno and Lady Musashi together...

...and bear witness to everything that happens next.

Understood.

...? (How strange. That girl didn't have a heartbeat.)

...Hmph. Of all the times to play with dolls.

It is no idle playtime, I assure you. Soon, you shall see the results for yourself.

At any rate, death shall soon spread over these lands. After all, Lady Inferno's fire proves to be too hot even for me...

Did I wake you? Sorry about that. But it's probably good you're up, 'cause it looks like it's our turn.

？！

Let's get out of here. Make sure not to wake up Onui or Tasuke. We should let Kotarou sleep, too.

Let's not involve the nice geisha putting us up either. We handle this alone, just you and me. Okay?

？！

Right. Okay, easy does it. Try not to make a sound.

And here I thought these things didn't show up in towns. If they've come all this way...

...that must mean they came here looking for us. And I don't think they're just trying to keep us from getting a good night's sleep.

I'm betting you're all here to get revenge for the one we killed. Am I wrong?

？！

Nope. I'm starting to think of them more like weeds that keep popping up no matter how many times you pluck them.

Or like those little bugs that show up around watering holes on really hot days. At least these monsters don't show up indoors.

Still, not much choice in the matter. We gotta deal with them.

Since everyone else in town is fast asleep, let's take them out as quickly as possible so we can catch a few winks ourselves.

...Okay, let's do this!

I was hoping that would be the end of it...

...but I guess that was too much to ask for. Hey, c'mon out and show yourself! I already know you led those spirits here.

I've heard that Servants have a unique aura about them, but I doubt that's what I'm picking up from you.

You still stink of villainy just like before! Except now it's a stench of burning scum instead of blood.

Either way, you should have the decency not to go out in public smelling that horrible!

If you gotta smell like something burning, how about you try incense?

Is that really how I smell to you?

What a strange creature you are, Shinmen Musashi. I'd never have thought to look for advice from someone I was about to kill.

Very well then. Thank you for your suggestion.

I shall take that into consideration, and attempt to light incense whenever I go out from now on.

...Especially when I have slaughtered people in droves.

Huh, you're quite pretty. What a waste.

...Thank you. ...My Cursed Name is the Archer of Inferno.

I must thank you for all your help the other day. Have you been keeping well since then? I've come here today to slaughter you all.

Good day, and goodbye.

？！

Huh? Where did that come from?

Well, speaking for myself, I would say I want to burn all things. Lives. People. Sworn enemies.

Burning things is what I do. I only love killing. People. Japan. Everything to do with Tokugawa society.

I shall burn, and burn, and burn, until there is nothing left. I cannot speak for the others...

...but all that matters to me is scorching this land until nothing at all remains.

Burning...

That's right. Burning.

After all, I loathe this world. I hate it so much I can barely stand it.

The Lord Sorcerer said that this world was hell. In which case...

I shall provide the flames, using my body as kindling and my skills as flint.

Tell me, are there any truly good people in this world? Is there anyone you care for with all your heart?

Children, perhaps? Or relatives? Might there be one or two like that somewhere out there?

Good question. Let's say there were one or two people like that right here. What would you do then?

Oh, well...if there were...

That's right. Burning.

Yes, that would be lovely! I could show you their charred and blackened bodies after they had been roasted alive!

Hope, feelings, bonds... My flames shall burn them all!

？！

I know. And I don't see a peaceful solution to this. We'll just have to settle things the old-fashioned way!

If she wants to fight us with fire, I'll just have to extinguish it!

Fine with me. See for yourself whether my flames will go out.

As long as this world is hell... As long as humans make this world hell...

My flames shall never go out! My hatred shall consume you, and everything else, with its fiery blaze!

Ha!

？！

(She's ridiculously strong, too! I can only imagine beating her in one out of ten scenarios!)

(Well, guess that's better than with Lord Inshun. I had to imagine thirty scenarios to figure out how to beat him.)

Still, it's tough going up against an archer when all you've got is katana! Especially one as skilled as she is!

Sometimes she'll wreathe her arms in fire and try to punch me, but she mainly sticks to keeping her distance. It just isn't fair!

Save your whining for after I actually manage to hit you. It's so aggravating how you keep deflecting my arrows at the last instant.

Thanks! That's what my Niten Ichiryu is all about; snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, even if I'm outnumbered or outmatched!

...Still, it's strange.

You haven't used a weird barrier on me like Purgatorio did. Are you holding back or something?

I'm impressed you realized. While I could easily kill many if I were to unleash my flame more freely...

...I have been told I must not do that, so I am indeed holding back. Forgive me, Shinmen Musashi.

Ahh, how could I be so foolish... I was so eager to get started that I wasn't thinking straight.

I must use all of my power to set a fire to you, and I desire that greatly. Yet that is not my purpose.

I can't kill you here. I can't burn you alive just yet.

...(Sigh) If only I'd done as I was told.

Now I've even gone and forgotten the message I was supposed to give you. I just can't seem to keep my thoughts ordered...

Oh, what's the matter? You sound like you're about to turn tail and run away.

Indeed, that's just what I'll do. The next time we meet, I will be sure to burn you down to your marrow.

But I must take my leave, Shinmen Musashi. Farewell to you too, O precious Master of Chaldea.

She's completely vanished. Strange.

I wonder if it was some kind of sorcery. It definitely didn't seem like she was physically running away.

？！

...Phew. At least it's over for now.

I'd hoped to take her down and cut their number from six to five, but I'm afraid it didn't work out that way.

And since we don't know where she ran off to, I guess this is as far as our duel goes tonight.

？！

I agree. The next time we meet, I'll make sure to finish the job.

(...I'll need a way to defend against her flames. I sure can't just power through them.)

You know, I'm so used to dealing with stuff all on my own, I keep forgetting we can put our heads together! Fujimaru, make sure you think of a way I can avoid getting burned!

In the meantime, let's head back to Otama's room.

The most important thing for us now is to get some sleep while we still can. You can't defeat demons if you're too tired to fight, after all.