Clash! Decisive Imperial Capital Battle!

I have the latest report, my lady. The Third Heroic Spirit Soldier Regiment and Second Transportation Corps we sent to invade Echigo were both defeated...

...along with the Armored Heroic Spirit Soldier Type A sent along to command them, ONI MUSASHI.

...Well? What do you have to say for yourself?

Who, me? I don't think there's anything I need to say. It sounds like the Heroic Spirit Soldiers we provided performed perfectly well.

Any losses incurred due to a strategic miscalculation on your part are no concern of ours.

Not that, fool. The Heroic Spirit Restraint Armor. I thought they were supposed to give me complete control over any Heroic Spirit imprisoned in them.

So why did Katsuzou go off to battle on his own when I never authorized his deployment?

Oh, that...

Yes, well, theoretically, the Heroic Spirit Restraint Armor Type A can indeed control any Heroic Spirit perfectly...

...but in practice, the subject's mental state can have a significant effect on that control.

KatsuzouMori, was it? I'm afraid the restraints fare worst on Berserkers and those with Mental Corruption...

Never mind the excuses. Are you sure the next one's going to work?

Absolutely. Your control over this subject should be much more reliable thanks to the subject's stable mental state.

Now then, since the ritual for these introductions is a crucial part of the process...

Ahem. Come forth, Man-Slayer Monster OKITA SOUJI!

There is no right or wrong on the battlefield! There is only death to Nobbus!

...You call this "reliable control"?

She looks ready to jump me the moment I look away. And she's not even wearing one of those restraints.

Oh she is, I assure you. Unlike that bulky armor set, this underwearlike Heroic Spirit Restraint Armor Type B is perfect for speedy types.

As for her remark, she's set up to kill Nobunagas since that's who you're up against, so I'm afraid there's little to be done there.

...Hmm, all right. So, what does your boss want?

All he asks is that we are guaranteed the freedom to move around outside the Imperial Capital, and that you continue to purchase Heroic Spirit Soldiers from us.

...Fine. I can turn a blind eye as long as you don't get in my way.

Wonderful. I'm so glad you're a reasonable Nobunaga. Now then, if you'll excuse me, I'd best be on my way.

We'll have those extra Heroic Spirit Soldiers you ordered ready to go no later than tomorrow.

Oh, and we'll also be providing you a prototype of the kind we discussed earlier, if you're so inclined to try it.

Hmph. Can't let my guard down for a moment with that guy.

You guys have been looking into them, right? What've you learned?

Yes, ma'am! So far, they appear to be doing nothing but good deeds. Donating food and supplies to the needy, treating the sick, that sort of thing.

We haven't seen any sign of them trying to sabotage our operations.

Hmm... Anything else?

Well... They do seem to be holding sermons whenever they give people any supplies.

Oh? Hmm... I see.

Pardon the intrusion, my lady! We've just received word that enemy forces from Echigo are making their way towards the Imperial Capital at incredible speed.

There aren't many of them, but we have confirmed a few powerful Servants among them.

Their firepower is nothing like that of the old Echigo Nobunaga army.

So, my Echigo self has made her move.

She must have gotten a Rogue Servant or two to join her.

I was planning on taking her out first, since her faction was the weakest and smallest...

...but I guess you really can't count me out when my back's up against a wall.

All right, you're up, Man-Slayer Monster OKITA SOUJI!

Where do you get off having five stars!? Death to Nobbus everywhere!

Also, when the hell am I getting a swimsuit version!?

"Reliable control" my ass!

Phew... Heroic Spirit Soldiers or not, they're still just rank and file. Hardly a threat to us.

Hahahahaha! Not a one of them's been able to put up a decent fight!

You just can't count on fighters who have to depend on weird armor!

Isn't that just what you were doing not too long ago?

Actually, whatever happened to that armor, anyway?

It was too heavy to move around in, so I took it off and put it up as a decoration in the tearoom. Wanna come check it out, Boss?

It looks pretty nice as long as you don't have to wear it!

Your taste is just as baffling now as it was back then...

On a different note, is it just me, or is this Imperial Capital way too advanced for the Warring States period?

What idiot approved this anachronistic crap!?

That said, I like that the public bathrooms here all have bidets. Gotta give Imperial Capital me props for that.

Once you go bidet, you'll never go back to the old way.

What's a...bidet?

Wahahahaha! Only the greatest invention ever to come out of the twentieth century!

I'll have to let you experience its greatness for yourself later!

Whatever it is, it must be amazing for you to be this excited about it...

By the way, can you tell us how much farther we have to go to reach the enemy's base, Mash?

At this pace, I expect to reach Kaiser Nobunaga's HQ in the Imperial Capital's central district in half a day or so.

It looks like there's a bunch of people gathered over there. I wonder what's going on?

？！

Now, now, everyone, no need to shove. We have plenty of stock to go around.

This is great! We haven't been getting as many rations lately, so this is gonna help me out a ton!

Now I won't have to worry about making ends meet for a while.

Do the people living in the western paradise really eat like this every day?

Of course they do. The people of the western paradise enjoy lives of richness and bounty.

You're all welcome to join us there as soon as Demon King Nobunaga is no more.

Those warrior monks seem to be handing out food and supplies.

Do you think they work for the Imperial Capital Nobunaga?

Judging by the way they're dressed, maybe they're monks from somewhere? Do you recognize them, Kagetora?

Hmm. They don't seem to be from any temple or shrine around here...

Huh? Hang on. Where'd Nagayoshi go?

？！

Hey, punk! Who gave you permission to set up shop here!?

Excuse me? Are you talking to us?

Lady Nobunaga of the Imperial Capital has granted us full permission to conduct our affairs as we see fit...

Furthermore, this is not a shop. We're part of a charitable organization that

Shut it! This is Master's turf now, so you're supposed to get permission from him!

Huh? I'm sorry, I thought I made myself clear. Lady Kaiser Nobunaga has granted us full

Oh? So now you're outright disrespecting my Master, huh?

Then I guess you're just gonna have to die!

Wh-what's wrong with this man? He won't listen to a word I say!

？！

That's enough out of you, villain! I won't let you threaten the Imperial Capital's peace anymore!

Ow! The hell!?

Who do you think you are, you

I am Captain of the Imperial Capital Shinsengumi's First Unit, Man-Slayer Monster OKITA SOUJI!

No more disturbing the peace here! Come quietly, or there will be trouble!

Refuse, and I'll cut you down where you stand!

？！

What in the world do you think you're doing, Okita? Also, a monster? What are you

Death to Nobbus! Feel the pain of my going without a swimsuit for years on end!

Aah! You're attacking me just like that!? And why're you blaming me!? I don't choose who gets swimsuits around here!

Senpai, something doesn't seem right with Okita!

？！

I suspect she's being controlled, just like Nagayoshi was earlier.

In which case, I think our only option is to hit her hard enough to snap her out of it.

Hell yeah! She was irritating the shit outta me!

Hang on, Master! I'll just go chop off her head and present it to you!

？！

I'm at the top of my game thanks to my new underwear, so I'd worry more about your necks than mine, villains! You won't even hear me coughing today!

Nobody disturbs the Imperial Capital's peace on my watch!

We're totally the bad guys here, aren't we?

Urk! I can't believe I lost...

Ugh! You barely even used your territory before, but you just had to give us a hard time with it now, didn't you?

That aside, your skill with the sword is truly impressive. I don't know which Heroic Spirit you are, but you were a most formidable opponent.

Ghh... If I can't have a swimsuit...can I at least be Okita Santa? Souji Claus?

...Huh!? What am I doing here?

I remember being summoned to this land, but after that...

(Cough, hack!)

Oh? She dead now?

...Nope, she's still alive, Master! But don't worry, I'll finish her off right now!

？！

It looks like she fainted, but at least she's come back to her senses.

We should let her rest up for a while until she's back on her feet.

Say, where did those warrior monks go?

...It looks like they ran off in the confusion. Too bad. I had more questions for them.

Hmm. Warrior monks, huh...

So what do we do now, Master?

We can't leave Echigo unoccupied forever, so I say we keep heading for the Imperial Capital Nobunaga's HQ.

？！

Then let's be on our way! The enemy lies in the Imperial Capital! Down with Nobunaga!

Do you have to put it like that?

Enemy forces have infiltrated the complex! They'll be here any moment!

So, they're here, are they... I never expected I'd be the first to drop out.

But then, this battle isn't over yet. You, bring me that prototype thing.

Are you sure, my lady? We still haven't finished making adjustments to it...

That's fine. I don't expect it to be much help anyway. I'm mostly curious about what it is they're up to.

Also, if I'm defeated, you lot are to surrender to the me from Echigo.

M-my lady, surely you can't

Don't worry, that me is a lot more reasonable than she looks. Especially now that she's found some capable retainers.

...Yes, my lady. Understood.

Now then, it won't be any fun if I make it too easy for them.

If I have to go out, I'm going out with a bang.

Nagao Kagetora, Echigo's god of war, has arrived!

Prepare yourself for defeat, Oda Nobunaga of the Imperial Capital!

Ahahaha, I could really get used to going by "God of War" like this!

Someone's certainly enjoying herself...

...So, you've come.

Heya! How's it going, somewhat slimmer Boss!

You got a lotta nerve, making me fight in that heavy-ass armor!

Just 'cause you're the boss doesn't mean it's okay for you to slap some weird armor on me and boss me around!

I didn't make you do anything. You ran off on your own, remember?

Well, what're you gonna do? This is Oni Musashi we're talking about, after all.

？！

Hmph. You must be Fujimaru, the new lord of Echigo.

Between you, Nagao Kagetora, Echigo me, and Katsuzou...I have to admit, I don't like my chances.

Does that mean you'll be willing to surrender without a fight, Imperial Capital Nobunaga?

Wahahahaha! Don't be ridiculous, kid with the eggplant-colored peekabangs!

I'm the Oda Nobunaga who advanced this Imperial Capital three hundred years in the blink of an eye!

There's no way I'm just going to roll over and die!

Is that what I think it is!?

A Holy Grail fragment!?

It's time to wake up, Demon of . Show me what you're made of!

RRRAAAAAAHHH!

What's that!? It looks like...the dark giant we saw in the last Imperial Capital!?

No way...a Divine Spirit-class monster!?

Hahahaha, where'd this thing come from!? I knew this boss was pretty badass in her own right!

What do you think you're doing, Imperial Capital me?

Hmph, as if you need me to spell it out.

Now try not to die too quickly on me!

RRRAAAAAAHHH!!!

RR... RRRAAAhhh...

...I should've known. This doesn't even count as a prototype. It was downright defective.

It would seem this is it for you, Oda Nobunaga of the Imperial Capital.

Hmph... Nagao Kagetora, the guardian of Echigo, huh. I never expected you would be summoned here.

Then again, maybe it was inevitable, given the structure of this world.

Hey, Imperial Capital me. Any other last words?

Wahahahaha! Don't waste your time asking when you really don't care!

None of this could be helped!

Farewell, Oda Nobunaga!

As for you, Fujimaru of Chaldea!

I'm going to be watching closely from the great beyond to see if you can survive in a world this harsh!

Nobunaga of the Imperial Capital has disappeared...

？！

Hey, Boss. Was that

Don't say it, Katsuzou. I'm still me, no matter what.

All right, Fujimaru, let's get out of here!

Now that we've won Kanto for you, you'd better not be stingy with our rewards!

...