I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Mr. Otani, I wish you great success in your martial arts career."

Male Tan Seiichiro curved his lips:

"Your Highness, may the eight million gods bless you."

On the other side, Elodie draped Kondo Shusuke's left arm over herself.

"Mr. Kondo, please come with me!"

She took a deep breath, gathered her strength in her waist, and stood up with force.

Although Kondo Shusuke was an old man, he was by no means light.

Moreover, Elodie was too petite, a whole head shorter than Kondo Shusuke.

Even if she managed to stand up straight, she couldn't completely lift the old man up; his legs would always drag on the ground.

This doesn't look like helping an elderly person up; it looks more like dragging them along.

However, the situation is urgent right now, and we can't worry about that now.

She gritted her teeth, preparing to lead Kondo Shusuke to retreat to the rear.

Unexpectedly, she had only taken a few steps when Kondo Shusuke shook off her arm, broke free from her support, and then staggered to his feet.

“Elodie…no need…”

He grinned, revealing a frank smile.

"My back hurts so much... My internal organs feel like they're on fire... I can't walk anymore..."

"Elodie...you must leave with Prince Tenshōin..."

"I... want to stay."

As he finished speaking, his tone suddenly became firm, filled with an unquestionable air.

Elodie froze, her eyes wide open, her expression dominated by intense astonishment and bewilderment, her lips trembling uncontrollably, and her voice becoming stammering.

"Mr. Kondo, what are you saying..."

Before Elodie could finish speaking, Kondo Shusuke gestured for her to be quiet.

"Elodie, people live for nothing more than two things."

"One is to live comfortably."

"Secondly, he died a worthy death."

“I had already achieved the former when I married Abi and adopted Yong as my son.”

"Only the latter... that 'moment' that I felt it was, has never come."

"And now, I feel... that 'moment' has arrived."

"So, Elodie, now that things have come to this, there's no need for further persuasion. Don't take away what I've always wanted in my life."

Let's say goodbye gracefully.

"That's more in line with my style."

"Swordsmen don't need many words."

After speaking, Kondo Shusuke straightened up again and gripped the two kings, Kiyoshi, tightly in his hands.

In an instant, that dignified expression returned to his face, as if all the pain had left him.

After hearing his words, Elodie's cheeks were filled with unadorned sorrow.

She opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something to stop Kondo Shusuke.

However, a force compelled her to keep her lips tightly closed.

She could be considered a swordsman, so she knew very well that the force that silenced her was called "the swordsman's dignity."

She is the head of the Shinsengumi, living in an environment where swordsmen are concentrated.

Through her exposure, she came to understand a principle: for swordsmen who "live by the sword and die for the sword," death is not a terrible thing.

In the end... just like Tenshōin and Otani Seiichirō earlier, Elodie didn't say a word.

She silently turned around and exchanged sleeves with Kondo Shusuke.

After passing each other, she slowly stopped, as if hiding her face, and asked without turning her head:

"...Mr. Kondo, is there anything you'd like me to convey?"

Kondo Shusuke smiled slightly:

"Please tell Abi: 'It is because of your companionship that I have become who I am today.'"

"Also, please tell Yong: 'Always remember your original aspiration and always hold the sword firmly in your hand.'"

"Finally... tell Qing Deng, Xiao Si, Sui San, and Xin Ba, 'I have always regarded you as my children. I love you.'"

Elodie nodded stiffly.

"I see……"

After speaking, she stopped and forced her feet off the ground to catch up with Tenshōin.

The damage to Watarimon was even worse than that to Koryomon, and Akasaka-mikado had been reduced to ruins.

Without a doubt, this place is a dead end where we cannot stay any longer.

Under such circumstances, Tenshōin and Elodie could only lead the remaining soldiers to retreat to the last line of defense—Edo Castle!

"Quick! Get moving!"

"Bring all the wounded with you!"

"Huh? Why isn't Mr. Kondo leaving?"

"Stop asking questions! Hurry up and follow!"

The soldiers moved to the rear in an orderly manner and retreated into Edo Castle.

Soon, only three elderly men remained on the scene—Otani Seiichiro, Kondo Shusuke, and Kubota Kiyone, who had volunteered to stay.

Kiyone Kubota's right leg was broken by a rock, rendering her unable to move.

That being said, if he wanted to, he could have had his soldiers carry him away.

In fact, Tenshōin did send several guards to help Kubota Seine.

However, he politely declined Tenshōin's offer.

"Don't worry about me, you all go ahead and leave, let me stay here."

Thus, Kubota Kiyone became the third person, after Otani Seiichiro and Kondo Shusuke, to voluntarily stay behind to cover the rear.

The footsteps of Elodie and the others gradually faded into the distance.

The enemy soldiers' footsteps drew closer.

Despite facing a formidable enemy, the three old men all appeared relaxed.

It was as if what they were about to face was not a bloody battle with a life-or-death stake, but a pleasant picnic.

Kubota Kiyone let out a long breath, then spread her arms out, lay down in a "T" shape, and looked up at the sky.

"His thigh was broken by a stone, and he lay on the ground like a dead dog... I really don't want future historians to record such a disgraceful detail..."

Ootani Seiichiro turned his head to look at Kubota Kiyone with a puzzled expression.

"Qingyin, why don't you leave?"

Kiyone Kubota curled the corners of her lips into a half-smile:

“Seiichiro, I’ve been living a very tiring life every day since the ‘Black Ships Incident’.”

"The warships and heavy guns made all my life's learning a joke."

“I am not as enlightened as Saito Yakuro.”

"Because I didn't want to admit that the martial arts and military strategies I possessed were all outdated, I always tried my best to avoid contact with advanced Western knowledge."

"At this point, my self-deception has reached its limit..."

"The explosion just now made me realize even more clearly how times have changed."

"A few bombs have left us swordsmen covered in dust and dirt."

"I'm tired, that's enough."

"There is no place for me in this new era."

"At this critical juncture, I have examined myself and found that I have no ability to serve the country."

"Rather than clinging to a position of power, why not take advantage of the last breath to make a useful contribution?"

After saying that, he braced himself with his hands on the ground, struggled to lift his upper body, and then reached out to grab the bow beside him.

"Seiichiro, let me lend you a hand."

Upon hearing this, Ootani Seiichiro couldn't help but chuckle.

The two longtime partners looked into each other's eyes, and then, with perfect understanding, turned their heads at the same time to look at the approaching enemy horde ahead.

As she wiped the bow in her hands, Kubota Kiyone asked:

"The enemy is almost here, Seiichiro, do you have any brilliant plans?"

Otani Seiichiro smiled:

Do you know the story of Sanada Nobushige defeating Tokugawa Ieyasu?

Sanada Nobushige – also known as the famous "Number One Soldier in Japan," Sanada Yukimura.

In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu launched the Siege of Osaka, personally leading a large army to engage in the final battle against the Toyotomi army.

The Toyotomi army was not lacking in famous generals.

The "Seven Generals of Osaka," led by Sanada Yukimura, struck fear into the hearts of the Tokugawa army.

However, no matter how bravely the generals of the Toyotomi army fought, they could not reverse the disparity in national strength.

In a desperate attempt to save the collapsing empire, Sanada Yukimura decided to make a final stand—to charge straight into the Tokugawa army's main camp and behead Tokugawa Ieyasu!