Garden of Nijo was illuminated by torches and the night sky.
#I should decrease background sounds volume even more#
Kensuke squad, Akechi troops and Ashikaga soldiers all gathered here.
#Those torches are way too loud#
As those soldiers saw me and Kazuha, they all approached us.
After looking at each soldier, Kazuha stepped forward
with a dignified look and confidently spoke.
Kazuha: Everyone! We just recieved a notice
that Miyoshi troops are approaching Nijo!
Kazuha: Moreover, Miyoshi troops relied on foreign magic,
lost their humanity and turned into oni!
Kazuha: A shameful behavior for this country's samurai!
Shogunate would never lose to the likes of them!
Kazuha: Our enemies turned into oni are high in numbers...
however! I believe that each of you is a peerless warrior!
Kazuha: Raise your banners to the sky! Proud samurai,
holding white banners of Genji! White stripes of Ashikaga!
Kazuha: Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiteru, will rely on the strength
of heroes of shogunate to take down the rebel Miyoshi!
After announcing that, Kazuha moved aside as if letting me take over.
Kensuke: We need to stall for time to defeat Miyoshi...
so we'll be entering a siege warfare!
Kensuke: Our enemies are oni that made an uproar at Kinai,
but it's no big deal. They're no match for us!
Kensuke: Our strategy is simple and clear! We make good use of gates,
troops, moats and towers to stop the enemies.
Kensuke: Our main force are riflemen! We have sixty rifles,
if we manage to make oni scatter, it'll be our victory. So just keep shooting!
Kensuke: Archers of Ashikaga shogunate, shower our enemies
with arrows while riflemen are reloading.
Kensuke: Spearmen, if oni pass through the gates, attack them
three on one. This way, difference in numbers won't matter much!
Kensuke: Oda Kazusanosuke's army is coming from Ohashi in Seta!
As long as we endure, our allies are going to come for our help!
Shino: (He really got good at speeches recently)
#Yeah, I thought the same, but why in sarcastic tone?#
Koroko: (Ahaha, boss is growing too)
#I appreciate that#
Hiyoko: (Boss is so cool!)
Kensuke: I'll announce assignments now. Commander, Takenaka Hanbei.
Shino: Yes!
Kensuke: Riflemen leader, Gamou Chuzaburou. Spearmen leader,
Hachisuka Koroku, footmen and archer leader, Akechi Juubei.
And the leader of supply troops, Kinoshita Toukichirou.
Kensuke: And the general, Ashikaga shogun-sama. That's it!
Kensuke: Wait. Aren't you forgetting something?
#Mari and Konami. And himself#
Kensuke: Eh? Am I?
I recounted it after Kazuha pointed it out,
but I don't think I'm forgetting anything important.
Konami will be under my command, so I don't need to announce her...
Kazuha: We need to introduce you first... everyone, hear me out!
#I hate that. "You're forgetting something I didn't tell you about"#
Kazuha: I appoint Nitta Kensuke here as the head of my troops.
Kazuha: As you all know, he is Oda Kazusanosuke's husband.
And, after this battle ends, Kensuke will be my husband
too. So you can all follow his orders confidently!
Soldiers: Yeah!
Kensuke: Wha, eh?! Husband?! What are you talking about?!
#Noone even bothered asking for his opinion#
Kazuha: Fufu... ask Kuon about that later.
#And by some twisted logic they'll blame it on him#
Kensuke: Kuon?
Kazuha: Yeah. She suggested it in a letter a few days ago...
well, I won't talk about it around everyone, ask your main wife for details.
Kensuke: Just what is going on here?!
#So Kuon proposed for Kensuke. Guess that's a political marriage#
Kazuha's sudden declaration made me hold my head in panic. Meanwhile...
Konami: Master, enemies are one li away.
Kensuke: Y, yeah! Got it. Thanks, Konami.
Konami: ...Yes!
Kensuke: Anyway! Follow your leaders and get to your positions!
Soldiers: Yeah!
Following my words, soldiers raised their voices
and ran towards their respective officers.
Shino: Kensuke-sama.
Kensuke: Yeah. What's wrong?
Shino: If south is good... what should we do with other directions?
Kensuke: It's bad to leave them unguarded... what should we do indeed.
#Can't barricade and make those gates unopenable somehow?#
Shino: We can grieve all we want, it won't change our low numbers.
Our only method is to place watchmen at all gates other than southern,
if oni come there, we will have to divert troops from the southern gate...
Shino: But... that will divide our small force even further.
By the art of war, it's the most foolish of acts...
Erica: Judging by oni ranks, splitting up troops to attack...
they are not smart enough to do that. It should probably be okay.
Kensuke: It might be so with their organization, but... Erica.
What sort of level are Miyoshi troops turned into oni by drugs?
Erica: I believe latent abilities of humans that turn into oni have
a high effect on whether they become intermediate or high oni.
Shino: I see. I believe in Echizen, there was information...
about Yoshikage-dono becoming a high-ranking oni.
Shino: That means, it's possible that it's not
the matter of latent abilities... but bloodlines.
Erica: Samurai lineage... you mean.
Shino: That's merely a guess... however, Miyoshi is an old clan as well.
That means there's a possibility of higher ranks appearing... what should we do?
Kensuke: Yeah... let's assign watchmen to other gates like you suggested.
Kensuke: If south falls, they'll have a straight line towards the palace
where Futaba is right now. But if they go to any other gate,
we can still buy time if we divert troops from the southern one.
Shino: Your will. So, what will you do, Kensuke-sama?
Kensuke: I'll fight on the frontlines with Kazuha... I know you have
objections, but I know it'll be okay with you here. I believe in you.
Shino: To tell the truth, it's irritating that you predict me to just
try to meet your expectations while you do as you please...
Kensuke: But you'll do it anyway, right?
#That is her job#
Shino: Haa... you're as unfair as ever.
Shino: (Guess that's what they mean by love being weakness...)
Shino: (Facing this straightforward smile,
I have no choice but to meet his expectations...)
Shino: Kensuke-sama.
Kensuke: Yeah.
Shino: You know my answer without me
saying anything... can I believe it's like that?
Kensuke: Of course!
Shino: That's good then... but promise me one thing.
Don't take any unnecessary risks. At all.
Kensuke: I promise!
#I don't believe that#
Shino: ...
Kensuke: Eh, your eyes are telling me you don't believe that.
#Being protagonist kinda comes with being reckless#
Shino: No, no... my eyes are actually saying that I believe
in the future where you are most likely going to take risks.
Kensuke: It's okay. My duty is to protect Kazuha... no, not just Kazuha,
Futaba and even you... risks to protect my friends are not unnecessary.
Shino: Putting weird logic behind your statement aside... let me tell you this.
Kensuke: Yes... what is it?
Shino: If you take risks and something happens to you...
#Mari will finally do her job and protect him#
Kensuke: What would happen?
Shino: I'll cry and follow you in death...
Shino muttered that while looking away.
Kensuke: It's okay. I won't ever make you cry.
#Hahahaha. What a stupid promise#
Shino: ...It's a promise, okay?
#I'm sure she'll cry, just for a different reason#
Kensuke: Yeah!
After patting Shino's head, I shifted my focus.
Kensuke: Okay, I'll guard Kazuha with Mari.
Shino, Erica... stay safe, both of you. Good luck.
Shino: You too, Kensuke-sama... good luck.
Erica: Good luck.
Shino: Jeez...
Erica: Fufu... Shino-san, it appears you fell for a troublesome person.
Shino: For sure... the most troublesome part is that this troublesome person
doesn't realize how troublesome he is, he gets more and more troublesome
people falling for him, increasing the amount of troublesome victims.
Shino: People like that are called peerless casanova.
Erica: Peerless casanova, you say... fufu, well said.
Shino: However, thanks to him drawing people like that, Oda's capital conquest
is going smoothly... taking capital before other factions is extremely important.
Shino: Since I believe we won't be able to use terms
like conquest or invasion in this country soon...
Erica: You're thinking... that long war against
oni is going to involve this whole country.
Shino: Our enemies at Echizen. Existence of that drug... oni were just
a rarity, but now they're here as army in the open, so it's highly
likely that they will grow into a nemesis for the whole humanity.
Shino: However, we have our own medicine person... and that's our salvation.
Shino: Kuon-sama also noticed that. He's a husband of Oda Kuon, but she
pulled a trick that he's now a husband of Ashikaga-shogun, Kazuha-sama.
Shino: In other words, if you share him between
influential daimyo, great force will center around him.
Erica: And crush oni with that great force? Is that even possible...
Shino: In fact, he was called celestial of Dengaku crossing,
but he has displayed multiple times that he
has achievements to back his titles up.
Shino: In that case, afterward, even if she requested cooperation
from powerful daimyo later, they will inevitably... assume that Oda is planning
to conquer the country by using reputation and strength of the celestial.
Shino: However, if Oda shows that they're willing to share celestial's
reputation and strength, there will be factions that will go with that.
Erica: I didn't realize there was an option like that...
Shino: She clearly was reluctant... but made this decision anyway.
#Strategy that targets only female rulers#
Erica: But in that case... fufu, both for Kuon-sama and you, Shino-sama,
as women, you got a lot of new love rivals, I'm sure you can't stand that.
Shino: Well... if I think that sacred relics should be shared rather
than monopolized... it works as a secret spice to deceve myself.
Erica: Oh my. What a crooked way of thinking. Fufu...
Shino: I'm a twisted person to begin with,
as I fight with my mind rather than with my body.
Erica: For a girl as cute as you, being twisted doesn't tarnish your beauty at all.
#Imagine if Kensuke said that instead#
Shino: You're not making any sense...
Shino: Let's stop chatting here... Erica-san,
please take care of leading Akechi squad and spearmen.
Erica: Yes. Let us both reunite safely later.
Shino: ...(nod)
After parting with Shino, I moved away from everyone and checked
my sword's hilt, after which I went to meet up with Kazuha and Mari.
Kensuke: Achoo!
Kazuha: It appears someone is telling rumors about you.
Probably berating you for being such a massive casanova.
Mari: Ahaha! That's likely in Kensuke's case!
#When all you want is your wife, but everyone disagrees...#
Kensuke: No, you two... shouldn't you worry if I caught cold or something?
#This really is Baseson, I got really tired of this running gag already#
Kazuha: You're not a kind of person to catch cold.
Kensuke: Your heartless words hurt.
Mari: Ahaha, Kensuke's sulking now.
Smirking at Mari's words, I unsheathed my faintly shining sword
and made a few swings, checking if my body moves properly.
Kensuke: Hey, Kazuha. What was all that husband talk about?
Kazuha: Who knows. I don't feel like explaining
it myself... that's what I promised Kuon.
Kensuke: Can't be helped if you promised... though I'm really curious...
#Kuon has some explaining to do for sure, not even discussing it with him#
Kazuha: Be patient... Kuon said she wanted
to tell you herself. Be considerate of how she feels.
Kensuke: That's true...
#Please test your sword on Kazuha right now#
Kazuha: But, well... there's one thing I can say.
#That Kuon is a good ruler, but a terrible wife#
Kazuha: We decided with Kuon that if we survive this battle,
I will become your wifle, while Futaba will become your concubine.
Kensuke: Even Futaba is involved?
#I mean... Kuon never bothered asking for his opinion...#
Kazuha: Right. So make sure you treat her with love.
#And now Kazuha says he should worry about how she feels after that?#
Kensuke: Got it...
#He doesn't seem to care much though...#
I have no idea what's going on. I am getting more and more people
that I need to protect, and all that without my awareness.
Kazuha: What? Are you displeased with Futaba being a concubine?
Kensuke: No way. Being able to protect a girl
as cute as Futaba is a pretty manly thing to do.
Kensuke: But... I got a lot of duties to shoulder without my knowledge...
#Without his knowledge or consent... for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON#
I'm not planning to say anything regarding my relationship with Futaba.
#And the most annoying part is that he just rolls with it#
It's a decision Kuon made after a careful consideration, moreover,
being able to protect Futaba will make me a better man, as Kazuha said.
But... even if they decide that for us, I want to prioritize our feelings first.
#Oh yeah, I guess Futaba was also thrown under a bus with no notice#
So, I want her to actually love me, and I want to love her too myself.
My biggest worry is whether she will love me or not...
#I know it's dark outside, but you don't have to be so blind#
Kensuke: For that, I need to fight now, protect everyone
and survive. That's all that matters right now.
Kazuha: Yeah. I'll lend you my strength. So lend me your strength in turn.
#Finally she said something decent#
Kensuke: Of course.
Saying that, I gently hugged Kazuha.
Kazuha: ...?!
Kensuke: Since I'll be your husband, this much is fine, right?
#Now we're talking. They're going to regret their ploy#
Kazuha: F... feel free to.
Mari: Aah, Kazuha-chan, I'm envious of you.
#Mari definitely deserves a few hugs#
Kensuke: Haha, we'll do it later with you, Mari.
Saying that, I kept hugging Kazuha's thin body.
Kensuke: Kazuha... I'll definitely protect you. So guard my back.
#Watch him die instantly and Mari take over as the new protag#
Kazuha: Fufu...
Her body lost its tension and relaxed in my arms.
Kazuha: I will make a pledge too... I will protect you, my dear. So guard my back.
#She uses same Nushi-sama as Miu did in Moeshouden#
Kensuke: Dear?
Kazuha: What. Is that not how you call a husband? I heard from Yuu...
#I decided to translate it as "my dear" this time instead of leaving as is#
Kensuke: No, I believe that works, but...
Just what is Yuu teaching Kazuha?
Kensuke: I don't think being addressed so respectfully
by the shogun herself makes me a very worthy man...
Kazuha: If you don't think you're worthy, become one for my sake...
become someone your wife can be proud of.
Kazuha: Isn't that a husband's duty? If you do that,
I don't mind... falling for you even more than before.
Kensuke: Guess I'll have to do my best then.
Nodding to Kazuha, I let her go.
Mari: Here, here, here! Kensuke, it's my turn next!
#I am absolutely okay with that. But what about oni?#
With a bouncing step, Mari rushed over to me.
Kensuke: Sure, come here, Mari.
Mari: Yup!
I turned towards her and tightly hugged Mari.
Kensuke: I'll protect you too, Mari. So don't push yourself too hard.
#Someone clearly doesn't know what a bodyguard is#
Mari: I'll protect you, Kensuke. So don't push yourself too hard as well!
Kensuke: Haha, got it... let's all do our best without unnecessary risks.
Mari: Yup!
Kazuha: Signal arrow from the south... it is time.
Mari: The battle begins!
Kensuke: Yeah. This is the crucial one!
Feeling weight on my waist, I ran towards the southern gate.
And Kazuha and Mari followed after me.
Kensuke: Konami!
Konami: At your service.
#And here's the one most deserving of a good hug#
Kensuke: It wouldn't be an overestimation to say that your power
is a key to this fight... please keep us in touch with Kensuke squad.
Konami: Acknowledged.
Kensuke: Also... protect Kazuha and Mari from the shadows.
Konami: However... I wouldn't be able to protect you in that case, Master...
Kensuke: It's okay. I'll protect myself somehow.
So, please... you're the only one I can count on.
Konami: Acknowledged... but, umm...
Kensuke: Hmm?
Konami: Master, please stay safe.
Kensuke: Thanks... and make sure you return safely yourself.
After this battle ends, let's all eat a hot pot together.
Konami: Is it okay for the likes of me to participate once again?
Kensuke: Of course. You're our friend too... and an important girl for me.
So let's all have a hot pot together after this. Survive, laugh and have fun.
Konami: ...(nod)
Konami: Well, I'll be going then, Master.
#Is she even capable of laughing?#
Kensuke: Be careful! Stay safe no matter what, okay? Don't get reckless!
Konami: ...Acknowledged!
Kazuha: This Konami kusa is quite skilled... I didn't sense her
when she appeared and when she disappeared.
Kensuke: She's not just kusa. Konami is a precious girl to me
and a reliable ally. She's not kusa. She's Konami.
Kazuha: I see... guess status doesn't matter here.
#Kusa ja nai, Katsura da!#
Kensuke: Aren't feelings more important than status?
Kazuha: That statement is so you...
Kensuke: Really? That's just what's natural to me.
Kazuha: Yeah... you are a fine man indeed, dear.
Mari: I'm sure everyone gathers around him because
he's like that. So I want Kensuke to stay as he is.
Kensuke: Thanks. I appreciate those words.
The fact that I have friends who understand and accept my words
gives me so much courage. I again thought of how happy I am with that.
Kazuha: Well then, let us wield a deadly force from now on.
Mari: My Souza Samonji is going to be fire!
#While Kensuke only learned SKM's "default attack spam" style#
Kensuke: Let's go!
Soldier: They're on the verge of breaking through on the left!
Rifleman: Leave it to me!
Rifleman: Archer squad, your turn!
Archer: Yeah, leave it to us!
Oni: Gyaa!
Archer: Hehe! Those damned oni are no big deal!
Koroko: Hey! Don't get overconfident! After rifle squad
finishes reloading, back away and resupply!
Archer: Y, yes!
Ume: Riflemen, are you ready?
Riflemen: Anytime, ane-san!
Ume: Ane?! Call me Gamou-sama, it's Gamou-sama!
Rifleman: Got it, ane-san!
Ume: Again?! Jeez, Kensuke squad's soldiers are not trained well!
#They are mostly former mercenaries, so it's a bro code there#
Hiyoko: Ume-chan, noone cares about that right now, look right!
Ume: You don't need to tell me, I know! Riflemen, ready!
Let oni sneaking up on the troops to the right eat lead!
Riflemen: Okay, ane-san!
#She'll have to get used to it#
Oni: Gyaa!
Ume: Hah! Come get some!
Kensuke: Ume!
Ume: Honey! Come look at my success!
Kensuke: Yeah, as expected of Ume. I'm glad riflemen are cooperating well.
Ume: Fufufu, for Gamou Ume, this is like a tea break activity!
Kazuha: As expected of the famous Gamou clan of Oumi.
You said your name is Ume. I will remember it.
Ume: ...And who might this full of herself person be?
#She did the same mistake with Mari before#
Kazuha: I am Ashikaga Yoshiteru. Feel free to be of acquaintance.
Ume: ...S, shogun-sama?!
Ume pointed at Kazuha with her mouth wide open.
Hiyoko: A, ahaha... shogun-sama is quite a public person.
Koroko: Leave getting stunned for later, Ume-chan! Boss, there's
around a thousand of Miyoshi troops by the gates! We're evenly matched!
Kensuke: Thousand? Three thousand were heading over here...
#I like how Koro knows when it's not the time for gag scenes#
Shino: They're testing the waters first. They definitely know basics of war.
#Koro, Shino, Konami and Mitsuki are the only truly reliable ones so far#
Kensuke: That means there's an intelligent oni... how are the other gates?
Shino: I assigned five watchmen to each,
if they spot oni, they will shoot signal arrows.
Kensuke: That's our only choice for now, I guess... anyway, I'll leave gates
to you all. I will hunt down oni that broke through with Kazuha and Mari.
If there are oni that got past walls and escaped pursuit,
we will rush over and cut them down.
That's our basic policy, but they're managing to push back
all oni that are trying to get past walls.
Kensuke: I hope things stay this way...
Kazuha: Not happening.
Kensuke: Yeah...
As we whispered, we heard a wall get crushed a bit away.
Soldier: H, hii! The wall is broken!
Kensuke: Back away! We'll protect that spot!
I ran towards the spot that got broken and sent soldiers from there elsewhere.
Kazuha: Finally our turn. I've been waiting.
Saying that, Kazuha leisurely walked towards the oni
that were invading through the hole in the wall.
Kazuha: Well then, here I come...
She approached oni without hesitation.
Kazuha: ...
Kazuha silently split an oni in two. It fell apart without even groaning.
Oni: Gyaa!
Another oni charged with a roar, probably
angry at his friend's death. However...
Mari: Unyaaa!
#That's some pathetic battlecry#
Contrasting with her cute battlecry, Mari swung her sword with
a blinding speed and cut down the charging oni with one strike.
Kensuke: H, how are they so strong...
#Hax, clearly#
I knew Mari is skilled, but Kazuha's mastery is almost equal.
#Though for once, they actually trained in elite style#
No, I knew she's strong, but Mari is far above my expectations.
#I'm glad this is not "they never trained, strong just because"#
Kensuke: Umm... is there actually nothing for me to do?
#Kensuke's teachers were all teachers of default attack#
Kazuha: Hmm? Don't stand there all stunned, dear.
Kensuke: Well... I got captivated by your swordsmanship.
Mari: Hehe. Aren't I strong?
Kensuke: Yeah, to the shocking level... no, seriously,
I'm shocked to the point where I can't raise my jaw.
Mari: Fufu.
Kensuke: Oh... here comes another!
Another part of the wall broke and five oni invaded.
#I'm not sure if it's the actual wall or just their formation that breaks#
Kazuha: Mari. You can brag later. Here comes another batch.
Mari: I know, Kazuha-chan! I'm gonna do it!
Unwilling to lose to those two, I brandished my sword against an oni.
Kensuke: You!
As my katana landed on oni's shoulder, it shined brightly and split him in two.
#Blessed Katana of Slay Oni#
Kensuke: W, what the?!
Mari: Kensuke, you're amazing!
Kazuha: Yeah. Not bad, dear.
While hearing their praise, I looked at the katana in my hand.
Kensuke: (This katana was normal when I sparred
against Wakana and the rest. But right now it's not...)
The moment it cut into oni's shoulder, it had no resistance,
be it flesh or bones, cutting oni like it's a knife and butter.
Kensuke: It wasn't as sharp back at Odani.
As my brain was busy processing what that means.
Noticing that I stopped moving, an oni rapidly
got close and swung its log-like arm at me.
Kensuke: Kuh!
I blocked with my sword in a hurry, but I couldn't
fully negate the impact, so I was sent flying.
Kensuke: ...!
As my back hit the ground, I felt so much pain that I couldn't even scream.
Two: Dear!
Kensuke!
Kensuke: Guh, I'm okay!
As they were about to rush over to me,
I somehow got up using my trembling arms.
I looked over myself to check my body's condition,
but it seems there's no noticable injuries.
Kensuke: (I was sent flying with my sword and hit
the ground... but there's no noticable injuries?)
Since I didn't cut myself... does this sword not hurt me?
Kazuha: Dear! Are you okay?!
As Kazuha was about to rush over after seeing me stand up...
Kazuha: ...?!
Kensuke: Kazuha, behind you!
#They just can't concentrate, can they?#
Oni greatly leaped towards Kazuha and reached out its thick arms towards her.
Mari: Kazuha-chan, watch out!
As Mari shouted warning at Kazua, she got
surrounded by a glitterling light and strong wind.
Mari: Cleansing Wave Style! Gale Blast Thunder!
#I somehow managed to translate this?#
Projectiles of light appeared with Mari's words and launched at
the oni that was about to attack Kazuha, and at unbelievable speed.
The moment projectiles hit him, oni's body got riddled
with holes and its barely intact body collapsed.
Mari: Whew, that was close.
#What, now it's her turn to drop her guard?#
Kazuha: You saved me, Mari.
Mari: You're welcome!
Kensuke: This just doesn't end...
As we looked at the broken wall together, we saw oni keep coming in.
Kazuha: You defeat them, but new ones
just keep coming. They remind me of ants.
Mari: What should we do, Kensuke?
Kensuke: Wait a bit. I'll ask how other areas are doing.
Kensuke: (Konami! How's it over there?)
Konami: (We're safely defending for now thanks to riflemen)
Kensuke: (So it won't fall for now... any news of other towers?)
Konami: (Nothing for now...)
Kensuke: (Can you check if they're defending successfully?)
Konami: (Acknowledged)
Kazuha: Dear, how is it over there?
Kensuke: According to Konami, okay for now. But... this place is the problem.
Mari: The walls got broken, after all...
Kensuke: Yeah, if a lot of them get in, we won't be able to last.
Even as we were talking, oni kept slithering inside through the hole.
Around fifty of them. And those fifty are all looking at me.
No... to be precise, at the shining sword that I'm holding.
Kensuke: (This sword... it's strong against oni,
but is it luring them towards me by any chance?)
As I was about to get distracted by my thoughts again,
I shook my head and regained my focus.
Even if my guess is wrong, oni are still coming at us right now.
Kensuke: They're still slow from being wary of us. But if they attack together...
Difference in numbers and strength. Taking those
two into consideration, we'll just get annihilated.
Kensuke: This is bad. But what can we do...
#Initially, shutting up and fighting would've been good#
Seeing oni keep coming, I secretly started panicking.
Kazuha: Hmm... it appears you're being targeted, dear.
Mari: They're all looking at you, Kensuke...
it might be because of that shining katana.
Kensuke: No idea. But that works too. If they're aiming at me,
I can act as a decoy against them if I have to.
Kensuke: You two, I'll be the decoy, so...
#And there goes his promise to Shino#
Kazuha: Idiot.
Kensuke: Wha... but we have no other choice!
Kazuha: Dear, try properly thinking of the meaning
behind being not only Kuon's, but my husband as well.
Kensuke: Meaning?
Kazuha: Our roles are already reversed... so, dear. You can worry
about others, but you need to worry about yourself first.
Kazuha: Think, but don't give up. No matter what peril we fall into,
don't look away and face it with a straight back.
Kensuke: Kazuha...
Kazuha: That's what being a fine man is. Also...
Saying that, Kazuha drove her own sword into the ground.
#Yup, here it comes. Yet another hax#
Kazuha: I will do my best to protect my loved one...
watch me, dear. Watch the true strength of your wife.
Kensuke: What are you...
As I tried to finish my phrase, Mari pulled me away from Kazuha.
Mari: It's dangerous unless you back away.
Kazuha-chan is about to use Ashikaga's secret technique.
Kensuke: Kazuha's... Ashikaga secret technique?
Mari: Yeah. Ashikaga secret technique, Three Thousand Worlds!
#You misspelled Gate of Babylon there#
Kazuha: Yes. Eight islands around mount Sumeru. Nine mountains around them.
Above them is a pure realm, as well as the land below, it makes up one world,
there are a thousand small world, thousand medium worlds and a thousand large.
Kazuha: Together they make three thousand of grand worlds, Three Thousand Worlds.
#What a chuuni babble. This is basically Buddhism's Yggdrasil or whatever#
Kazuha: Three Thosuand Worlds both exist and not at the same time.
They are both real and illusion.
Kazuha: I gather power that follows Ashikaga from those worlds.
That's the secret technique of the Ashikaga clan...
Kazuha: Unsightly oni, I will let you taste the power of Ashikaga shogun.
#So she asks for help from parallel worlds#
With a fearless smile, Kazuha waved her hand as if dancing.
Kensuke: Wha...
I don't know if what appeared is real or illusion...
but there were dozens, hundreds of swords.
Kazuha: Those are swords called Yasutsuna and Kunitsuna,
coming from the age I haven't seen yet. Let both blades
rampage as much as they want, given who our opponents are.
Hearing Kazuha's words, two particular
swords floating in the air glittered happily.
Kazuha: Annihilate enemies of Ashikaga and my dear... go.
#I see three variations of swords. With black, copper and gold guards#
Hearing Kazuha's orders, the swords she called Yasutsuna and Kunitsuna
took the lead... and the rest of the swords followed them to attack the oni.
They increased in numbers even more and the swords turned
those fifty or so oni into a mincemeat in an instant.
Kensuke: A, amazing...
#Not really#
That was all I could say. This has nothing to do with her sword skill or strength.
#A squad of archers could do the same, without the lame mantra#
When shown an overwhelming strength that completely ignores
talent or technique, I can't even remember how to speak.
Kazuha: Hmm... I haven't use it lately, so I got a bit rusty.
Kensuke: T, that was rusty?!
Kazuha: The amount of swords that materialized was lacking...
the only explanation I can think of is me getting rusty.
Kensuke: I'm more interested of where those swords
came from and how can you command them...
Kazuha: No idea. Only Ashikaga lord can use this
secret technique, I didn't get it from training.
Kensuke: ...What do you mean?
#That makes it even worse#
Mari: Apparently, when you inherit Ashikaga clan,
a contract gets engraved into your soul.
Mari: Yasuyoshi told me that it connects you to three thousand worlds!
#I get more and more interested in this mysterious wizard#
Kensuke: Yasuyoshi again... what a mysterious person.
Yasuyoshi-san knows everything, just who is that person...
#Probably Chousen's friend#
Kensuke: But I guess that's what Kazuha meant by this being her forte...
Kazuha: That's right... but don't expect too much out of it.
#I bet she already ran out of mana. Yup, archers are better#
Kensuke: What do you mean?
Kazuha: I have to connect with three thousand worlds I know nothing of,
I don't know where they are, I haven't seen them or heard anything about them.
Kazuha: Using this power is quite exhausting.
And it's not my body that gets tired, it's my mind... or rather, my soul.
So I can only use this secret technique around once or twice per day.
Kensuke: I see... but it made things easier for us. Thanks, Kazuha.
Kazuha: Fufu. You can praise me more, you know?
#For only having enough mana for one AOE spell?#
Mari: Ahaha, but that comes later, Kazuha-chan.
#Mari is the most reliable one here#
Kensuke: Right. They decreased in numbers, but still...
Kensuke: There's no end to them...
But we could use their collapse for our advantage.
Having more time to respond was extremely important.
Kensuke: We're almost there! Reinforcements are almost here! Endure!
#They wasted all their extra time on discussing fancy spell#
Soldiers: Yeah!
Soldier: Goddamnit! I will... definitely survive!
#At least soldiers were doing their job#
Soldier: Yeah, that's the spirit, bro! We won't die to oni! Yeah!
#I think this is also a soldier, but from Kensuke squad?#
Soldier: Yeah!
As I watched everyone burst with spirit, seems they can still fight.
Kensuke: This seems to be going well...
#Learn about the flags already#
As I was saying my belief that was closer to hopes...
Konami: Master!
Konami appeared, almost screaming my name.
As she spotted me, she dashed over to me.
Konami: (Oni spotted at the northern gate. Around five hundred)
Kensuke: (Got it...)
Kensuke: Kazuha!
Kazuha: Yeah...
Kensuke: Mari!
Mari: Good to go!
They figured it out just by seeing Konami.
Both Kazuha and Mari agreed on a short notice.
Kensuke: Please do! Konami, keep scouting everywhere. Especially west.
Konami: Acknowledged.
Kensuke: Also, Shino!
Shino: (Yes! I can heard you. I'm sending twenty spearmen and
ten archers to the northern gate. I'll send some there as well)
Kensuke: (Sorry! And thanks!)
#How are they talking? I thought they can only connect to Konami#
Shino: (No, I'm sorry for only being able to do this much.
I'll leave northern gate to you. Also... please remain safe!)
Kensuke: (Thanks. Don't worry, I remember our promise!)
#Says a man what was about to sacrifice himself as a decoy#
As I cheerfully said that to reassure Shino, we headed to the northern gate.
