I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Unfortunately, none of these "ifs" came to pass.

No one can know what the right decision is.

The only thing people can do is to do their best and then calmly accept the outcome.

In an instant, a powerful impact, carrying thick smoke and dust, swept towards Elodie and the others.

Along with it came countless broken bricks and tiles.

"Lie down!"

In the midst of the chaos, Elodie heard Otani Seiichiro shout.

Without thinking, she lunged forward and fell to the ground.

The shockwave that came from behind was like a passing hurricane, almost blowing her away.

She covered her head with both hands to protect it, while gritting her teeth and enduring the excruciating pain that felt like her eardrums were about to tear.

……

……

"...Ugh...! Cough cough!"

She coughed forcefully to expel the dust and smoke she had inhaled.

Similar scenes, similar feelings, similar pain... everything was so similar.

Elodie almost thought she had experienced the legendary time travel, returning to a few tens of minutes earlier.

Elodie shook her head violently, as if trying to shake off the throbbing pain and dizziness in her head.

With a whoosh, countless specks of dust that had been poured over his head fell down in a flurry.

After regaining some consciousness, she began to check her entire body—thankfully, all her parts were still there, and nothing was missing.

Unfortunately, the "buzzing" that had just begun to subside regained control of his eardrums.

This time it was even worse; not only did a honeycomb-like cavity grow deep inside my ear, but it also caused repeated needle-like stinging pain.

She was shocked when she touched her ears and found that they were not bleeding: how could she be in so much pain and not bleed?

Just as she braced herself with her hands on the ground, preparing to get up, she suddenly heard a voice beside her that made her extremely uneasy:

"Cough, cough cough cough...!"

A cough mixed with the sound of water... Elodie's face changed color, and she turned her head in a panic to look at Kondo Shusuke beside her.

"Mr. Kondo, what's wrong?"

Kondo Shusuke was lying on the ground in agony, his clothes on the back stained with blood, which was spreading at a visible speed.

Kondo Shusuke grinned, trying his best to appear calm and nonchalant.

"Just now... I was a fraction too slow in lying down... and a brick hit me squarely on the back..."

"Looks like my luck isn't so good this time..."

"What a pity... If I were 10 years younger, I could definitely have avoided this rock..."

Upon hearing this, Elodie's expression changed several times.

She doesn't understand medicine.

However, she understood that vomiting a large amount of blood meant she had suffered serious internal injuries!

Just as he was momentarily stunned by intense panic, an aged male voice from not far away answered Kondo Shusuke's words:

"Hehehe... I feel the same way... If I were 10 years younger, I definitely wouldn't be in this situation..."

Elodie looked in the direction of the sound, and her already pale face immediately became even more ashen.

The speaker was Kubota Kiyone.

He was also injured, and his injuries were much more serious than those of Kondo Shusuke!

His right leg was a bloody mess, and a fist-sized rock lay beside it.

It's not hard to imagine that, just like Kondo Shusuke, he was hit in the thigh by a flying brick because he was a little too slow to lie down!

Are you all alright?

Tenshōin's voice brought Elodie back to reality.

Elodie turned to look at Tenshoin—she wasn't injured, but she was covered in dust, her hair ribbon had come loose, and her long black hair was cascading down.

"General! How are you?"

The sound of Otani Seiichiro's words made everyone tense.

They all turned their gazes to confirm Tokugawa Iemochi's current situation.

At that moment, Otani Seiichiro supported him, solemnly wiping the blood from his forehead.

Tokugawa Iemochi struggled to open his eyes, touched his forehead, and said softly:

"I'm fine... I just... got grazed by a rock... and feel a little dizzy..."

After confirming that Tokugawa Iemochi was still alive, Tenshōin and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he is currently in a semi-conscious state.

Although he was not unconscious, he was confused and unable to utter a complete sentence.

Despite being so close to the explosion's epicenter, no one died; only Tokugawa Iemochi, Kubota Kiyone, and Kondo Shusuke were injured… This outcome is considered extremely fortunate.

"General, please hold on a little longer, the enemy is about to attack."

After saying that, Otani Seiichiro put one of Tokugawa Iemochi's arms on his shoulder and helped him up.

He had barely finished saying, "The enemy is about to attack," when a flurry of footsteps approached—

Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!

The dull, rapid footsteps approached them.

Ootani Seiichiro looked in the direction of the sound—a large enemy force came into view.

The enemy numbers are numerous, at least three hundred men... They must be determined to achieve their goal in one battle, so they have deployed all available troops.

Among the vast enemy ranks, Otani Seiichiro keenly spotted a conspicuous figure.

This person was dressed in the great armor of the Heian period, with a refined and scholarly demeanor, and handsome features resembling those of a Kabuki actor.

Although it was just a personal intuition, Otani Seiichiro was very certain: this person was the enemy's commander-in-chief!

His gaze was fixed on Shuten-dōji, and he slowly lowered his eyelids, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"...Your Highness, please take the General to the rear."

As he spoke, he handed Tokugawa Iemochi, who was on his shoulder, to Tenshōin without further ado.

"I still have unfinished business."

Clang, clang, clang... The words fell, and the knife appeared!

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"Unfinished business"—that phrase is so cool.

Chapter 952 "Are you willing to follow me to my death?" [4400]

"Mr. Otani, you..."

While helping Tokugawa Iemochi to his feet, Tenshōin gave Otani Seiichirō a surprised look.

"It's Ootani Seiichiro," he said calmly.

"The enemy's commander-in-chief has appeared; there is no better opportunity than this."

Upon hearing this, Tenshōin immediately understood the implication of the other party's words, and his expression became solemn and serious.

"In that case, I entrust all my guards to you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Otani Seiichiro interrupted her, saying:

"No need."

"The enemy numbers are numerous, and our soldiers urgently need rest."

"Even if you hand over all the soldiers present to me, it will only serve a 'better than nothing' purpose."

"It would be better to let them retreat with you to Edo Castle."

"Furthermore... if my comrades can't keep up with my movements, they will become my obstacles."

At this point, Otani Seiichiro paused for a moment.

After a short while, he spoke again—his tone now carrying a hint of amusement.

"This is something that only I, Kotani Seiichiro, have the opportunity to accomplish."

"I've had enough of the bandits' arrogance and... the ineffectiveness of swords and spears."

"So, Your Highness, please allow me to go into battle."

Having said that, he gripped the precious sword in his hand tightly.

The gleaming blade reflected a chilling light.

"..."

Tenshōin remained silent, looking at the other person with a complicated expression.

Admiration, regret, sadness... countless emotions flowed in his eyes.

It wasn't until quite a while later that she slowly withdrew her gaze and whispered:

"……I see."

She draped one of Tokugawa Iemochi's arms over her shoulder and turned around.