I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

So, are you willing or not?

"..."

"You don't want to... I see... After all, I'm a wandering ronin with no fixed abode..."

Sakamoto Ryoma let out a loud sigh, revealing a regretful and sad expression.

Ah Long quickly peeked out from behind the tea tray:

"Wait! I haven't even said anything yet!"

"So, are you willing?"

"..."

Ah Long remained silent and hid his face behind the tea tray again.

After a long while, a faint but very clear sound drifted from behind the tea tray:

"……Um."

With a firm reply, she reappeared, peeking half her face out from behind the tea tray and stealing a glance at Sakamoto Ryoma with one eye.

This half of her face is rosy and radiant; this eye is full of tenderness.

After receiving Ryoma's reply, Sakamoto Ryoma grinned widely and smiled happily:

"From now on, please guide me!"

Unable to contain his excitement, he slapped his thigh and continued with great enthusiasm:

"Ah Long, let's go to Satsuma for our honeymoon after we get married! Sakurajima volcano is so beautiful, there's always a cloud of smoke around the mountain."

"Honeymoon? What's that?"

"This is a Western custom where newlyweds go on vacation with their loved ones immediately after the wedding, as a sign of their enduring love and lifelong commitment."

Sakamoto Ryoma slapped his thigh again, his face beaming with unparalleled joy.

"Oh my, what a wonderful day! Ah Long, let's drink and celebrate!"

Upon hearing this, Ah Long's eyes lit up—drinking was one of her few hobbies.

Just as Sakamoto Ryoma stood up to go outside and order drinks, he suddenly remembered something, froze, and silently sat back down in his original seat.

"Uh, no... I can't drink alcohol... I'm quitting drinking right now, so I can't drink alcohol."

Ah Long has recovered from his shyness; although his face is still red, he can speak normally now.

"Is it okay to drink just a little bit?"

Sakamoto Ryoma shook his head:

"No, no, the key to quitting drinking is persistence."

"We are at a critical juncture in 'establishing our dominance over the world,' and I must stay clear-headed at all times. Drinking alcohol will dull my mind."

"So I made up my mind that I would not touch a drop of alcohol until the world is at peace."

Ah Long smiled sweetly after hearing this:

"Then let's save today's wine for now, and when the world is at peace, we can drink together to our hearts' content."

Sakamoto Ryoma scratched the messy hair at the back of his head:

"Oh! That's a great idea! Let's stock up on ten bottles first! We'll drink our fill later!"

Ah Long smiled gently:

"Ryoma, actually... I have something to give you."

As she spoke, she reached into her bosom, pulled out a small red brocade pouch, and handed it to Ah Long.

Sakamoto Ryoma reached out and took it, his face full of curiosity:

"what is this?"

"This is a talisman I made myself."

"Oh? You made this?"

Why are you making that face? Do you think I'm that surprised you that I can make a magic trick?

“I’m just a little surprised…after all, I’ve never seen you do needlework before.”

After glaring at the other person a few times with feigned annoyance, Ah Long reverted to his gentle and affectionate demeanor.

"Inside the brocade pouch are talismans that I specially obtained from the shrine."

"Ryoma, just treat it as me."

"Keep it with you, so that I will always be with you."

"No matter where you go, I will always be by your side."

Upon hearing this, Sakamoto Ryoma immediately dropped his playful expression and stared intently at the brocade pouch in his hand. He then solemnly put it into his bosom, placing it carefully near his left heart.

"...A-Long, if one day I die under mysterious circumstances, go to Tosa to find my sister Otome. She will take good care of you."

Ah Long was stunned.

The next moment, she angrily rebuked:

"What do you mean by 'I died without knowing why'? Don't say such unlucky things!"

Sakamoto Ryoma smiled without saying a word.

Suddenly, a few white flowers entered his field of vision.

"Oh dear, it's snowing..."

Sakamoto Ryoma stood up, moved to the window, crossed his arms, and muttered to himself as he admired the snow scene outside:

"I hope next year will also be a good year."

Ah Long took over the conversation with a firm tone:

"Next year will definitely be a good year."

Why are you so sure?

"Since it's all just a prayer anyway, it's better to say something more agreeable than to say something like 'I died without knowing why'."

Even without turning around, Sakamoto Ryoma could feel the sharp, resentful gaze in his eyes.

He chuckled, ignoring Ah Long's complaints, and turned to sit back down opposite her.

"Ah Long, I won't be staying at Teradaya tonight."

For a fleeting moment, a hint of regret flashed deep in Ah Long's eyes, but she quickly concealed this unusual feeling and forced a calm demeanor.

"Are you going to see Tachibana Aoto?"

Sakamoto Ryoma shook his head:

"No rush, 'Niou' isn't so easy to meet."

"I need to find Mr. Sannan first and have him act as our 'middleman'."

"Before I meet with Tachibana Aoto, I want to have a good talk with Shintaro first."

Sakamoto Ryoma couldn't help but smile wryly as he spoke.

"Although I hate to say it, he's just so annoying."

"She keeps nagging in my ear... If this keeps up, I'm going crazy."

“I want to have a good talk with him, to be open and honest with him, and to make him understand my aspirations.”

Ah Long smiled:

"Another 'talk'... You have so many people to talk to."

"You can see whoever you want and do whatever you want; I won't interfere."

"I only have one request for you: wherever you go and whatever you do, you must always be careful."

"Kyoto is under heavy security lately, with Shinsengumi patrols everywhere. Please be careful."

Sakamoto Ryoma chuckled:

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I'm saving my life to marry you! I'm really looking forward to our honeymoon!"

At that moment, Sakamoto Ryoma belatedly noticed a faint reluctance between Ryoma's brows—she had tried to hide it, but to no avail.

Sakamoto Ryoma, who is usually known for his "careless" image, showed a rare tenderness at this moment.

He smiled slightly, reached out his hands, and gently pulled Ah Long into his arms.

"Ah Long, don't look like that. I'll be back soon."

……

……

Late at night on December 28th, the first year of the Kuangtian era/Meiji era—

A forest north of Osaka —

"I'm so hungry... Is there anything to eat?"

"There are still a few drops of water left in my bamboo tube... You can take it and drink it..."

"Hmm...it's so cold..."

"My toe hurts so much... Ouch! My toenail is coming off!"

Looking up, more than twenty warriors were scattered in various parts of the open space, some leaning against tree trunks, others lying on the ground without any regard for their appearance.

An atmosphere of "dejection" and "despair" permeated the air above them.

They were all disheveled, dressed in tattered clothes, and exuded an astonishing stench; they were practically a "beggar army."

However, among this group of "beggars," one person stood out.

He sat on a decaying tree. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he possessed a unique, refined aura. A single glance at him would inevitably draw your attention.