Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

Her eyes revealed an unwavering determination; each strike of her sword carried a resolute air, along with intense hatred and anger towards you.

The essence of Iaijutsu lies in instantaneous bursts of speed and precise judgment. In order to master it to perfection, Mei tirelessly repeated the same movements.

Even when her clothes were soaked with sweat and her limbs ached from overwork, she never slacked off.

[Since Raiden Mei already knows she can't escape your clutches, she'll immerse herself in the experience of the sword-drawing and iaido techniques you've demonstrated.]

Despite your one-sided crushing and utter defeat of her, the exceptionally talented Raiden Mei can sense the essence and form of Iaijutsu that you poured into your movements.

Therefore, under the unchangeable learning environment, Raiden Mei's eyes are undergoing a transformation, and the heart of her katana is being forged.

[In every move you've shown, Raiden Mei has witnessed a wealth of experience that you've never shown to anyone else.]

[Your moves, which were so fast, accurate, and ruthless that even Raiden Mei found them impressive, provided her with a great deal of valuable guidance.]

[Although Raiden Mei never imagined that she would witness your power in such a way, completely destroying the image of you in her heart and shattering her dignity.]

Although the power you are displaying matches what Raiden Mei has always felt in the past, Raiden Mei would rather not have seen the power you are showing now.

However, given the circumstances, Raiden Mei can only rely on her unique understanding and indomitable fighting spirit to continuously push her own limits.

You begin your day of practice together in the soft light of dawn, and end your tiring yet fulfilling training session under the gentle moonlight.

The ground bears the marks of countless sword strikes you've made, and the surrounding air seems to be permeated with your sword energy.

Throughout this journey, you never managed to break free from the restraints on Raiden Mei.

[Whenever the medicine in Raiden Mei's body is metabolized, and she regains a little strength in her limbs and her consciousness becomes clear, you will press down on her neck and insert an injection.]

[Then Raiden Mei will lose the strength to struggle again and become your practice target for Iaijutsu once more.]

[Through your repeated administration of medication, Raiden Mei also realized a problem.]

You absolutely did not miscalculate the dosage of the medication.

[What Raiden Mei felt was the same as before; she was truly seen through in your presence.]

Even if she pretends not to struggle after regaining her strength, creating the illusion that the drug's effects haven't worn off, you can still easily see through her disguise.

Whether Raiden Mei is pretending to be asleep or not, you can tell how long it will take her to regain her strength.

Then, another injection was given into her shoulder.

It's as if her every move is under your watchful eye, even her thoughts are completely undisguised.

[Is it truly that you see through her completely?]

[Or is it that her body's instinctive reactions when using the Iaijutsu technique couldn't hide the fact that the drug's effects were wearing off?]

[Raiden Mei couldn't determine the exact answer, but she was certain of one thing—]

There was absolutely no "misjudgment." Whether it was your clear understanding of her physical condition or your control over the medication, you were always using the most "correct" dosage.

[Raiden Mei realizes that the so-called "misjudgment" was actually something you did intentionally from the very beginning.]

The so-called "insufficient dosage," which prevented her from completely losing consciousness and maintaining a sliver of awareness to experience everything, was not your fault at all.

Because your purpose has been this from the very beginning.

[Raiden Mei realizes that your goal is to make her clearly understand what you did to her.]

It was as if they were deliberately humiliating her, forcing her to participate in the process herself.

Raiden Mei doesn't understand why you have such a malicious heart and such a twisted sense of humor.

Just like Raiden Mei doesn't understand why you're stopping her from going to the battlefield, stopping her from fighting for the honor of her family.

[And then, every time you use Iaijutsu to bring Raiden Mei to the brink of collapse, you will mock and ridicule her powerlessness and pathetic state.]

Despite hearing you repeatedly trample on her dignity, Raiden Mei still finds it hard to get used to this mockery.

[Amidst your repeated mockery, Raiden Mei realized that you were keeping her conscious to the very last shred of her senses precisely to trample on her dignity.]

[Trampling on the glory she once received, trampling on the gratitude she held dear to her family and the elders of her village.]

Raiden Mei realizes that your goal is to make her endure this period of unbearable torment and despair.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have needed to go to such lengths to maintain that precise dosage, keeping her conscious just as she was on the verge of unconsciousness.

[As you repeatedly administer the medication, Raiden Mei's tolerance to its potency increases, yet you always manage to stay within her body's limits and maintain precise control over the drug's effects.]

This is precisely the evidence that confirms Raiden Mei's suspicion that you came to humiliate and destroy her heart.

You could clearly feel the anger in Raiden Mei's heart.

[Raiden Mei's misunderstanding and anger towards you have finally turned into the deepest disappointment after these past few days and nights.]

[The last glimmer of hope that Raiden Mei had for you, that laughable, pathetic, naive fantasy, was utterly shattered by you.]

Raiden Mei is finally convinced that everything you did was just to humiliate her, and the more upset she is, the happier you are.

Because you were clearly savoring her tears, with a twisted expression as if you were appreciating a delicacy.

Therefore, Raiden Mei stopped shedding tears, because she knew that tears of sorrow only fueled your more brutal humiliation of her.

[And you clearly felt Raiden Mei's disappointment, pinching her cheek and gently stroking her face where the tear stains had dried.]

Even though Raiden Mei didn't ask, and didn't need to ask, you still answered the question in her heart—

"Because I love you so deeply, Raiden Mei."

[To your heartfelt confession, Raiden Mei simply pursed her lips and remained silent.]

Raiden Mei's beautiful face was pale and sickly from days of exhaustion, yet it also had an unusual blush.

Her once clear but now weary eyes refused to look at you, yet you forcefully pinched her cheeks to face you, reflecting your smile.

Despite the deep affection in your eyes, Raiden Mei doesn't believe in your love.

Although you have fully demonstrated the depth and intensity of your love over the past few days, it has remained a chilling cold to Raiden Mei's heart.

Whether you believe Raiden Mei or not, you don't care.

You don't really understand how disappointed Raiden Mei was.

After all, you know that everything you're doing is for Raiden Mei's good.

"It's all for your own good~ You should be grateful~"

Although it might raise Raiden Mei's blood pressure a bit, only the living have the right to talk about blood pressure.

When Raiden Mei grows up, she will understand your good intentions.

Although Raiden Mei is already quite big, her little watermelon could bury someone alive.

[While you were using Raiden Mei as a practice target for her Iaijutsu, she even tried to suffocate you after the effects of the drug wore off slightly and she regained some strength.]

Of course, Raiden Mei failed and paid the price with a flood of tears.

[And the consequences of being used as a "sex victim" by you]

[All you care about is how much twisted emotion Raiden Mei has accumulated inside her.]

Despite the tireless efforts day and night, the knife gleamed with an extraordinary light, but it was clearly not enough.

Raiden Mei's heart wasn't broken enough; she hadn't accumulated enough emotion for that sword to transform.

[Even though Raiden Mei's tears are delicious enough, unfortunately, you still have to continue.]

You gently patted Raiden Mei's cheek, making her flushed complexion even more alluring.

[It was almost like a deliberate attempt to bring Raiden Mei to her senses, which made Raiden Mei glare at you slightly.]

However, the next words you uttered made Raiden Mei's eyes tremble.

"The first clash between Izumo and Takamagahara should be nearing its end by now."

[Your Observation Haki allows you to sense that the time for the return of the Izumo people after their battle is not far off.]

In other words, it's almost time for the team to return.

This also means... that your relentless sparring session with Raiden Mei, day and night, is about to come to an end.

This also means... the time to settle scores with Raiden Mei is coming.

[The tears that streamed down Raiden Mei's already swollen eyes revealed the overwhelming joy she felt—]

Clearly, Raiden Mei is on the verge of collapse.

Raiden Mei's heart was already on the edge of a cliff; with just the slightest push, she would plunge completely into the abyss...

"Your deserter status will soon be cleared up, darling."

[Raiden Mei, who seemed to have become numb and accustomed to your sarcasm over these days, was awakened by your words.]

[Mei Raiden, whose body had been paralyzed by the drug you gave her, seemed to have regained some strength, trembling and shaking.]

[Due to thermal expansion and contraction, you can feel that Raiden Mei is experiencing an unprecedented and more intense cold.]

The returning samurai pressed Raiden Mei more relentlessly than ever before.

[Raiden Mei's eyes, which had already stopped shedding tears to satisfy your perverse pleasures, trembled once more as a thin veil was drawn over them.]

[When she realized that her despicable desertion was about to be punished, Raiden Mei's tears welled up again.]

[While you were drugging and rendering Raiden Mei unconscious, through these days and nights of numbness, Raiden Mei remained terrified of his deserter identity.]

[However, due to your wickedness and the effects of the drug, Raiden Mei, tormented by pain and drowsy coma, had no time to think carefully.]

As the moment when many samurai would return finally arrived, Raiden Mei realized that everything she feared in her heart was about to come to pass.

She will have to face the betrayal of her family, who have been so grateful for her upbringing, and will bring shame upon them for "raising a deserter."

She had to face the contemptuous and hateful gazes of the rest of the village, bringing shame and disgrace upon her family.

She failed to live up to people's expectations; the so-called "Queen of Thunder" was nothing but a laughable deserter...

Even if all of this is because of you, will anyone believe you can stop Raiden Mei?

Ultimately, regardless of the reasons, Raiden Mei simply didn't go to the battlefield.

The despair and anger welling up in Raiden Mei's eyes grew deeper and more intense, like thick ink threatening to turn the entire world gray.

As you gaze upon the agonizing Raiden Mei, a wicked smile involuntarily creeps onto your lips, and a morbid pleasure flickers in your eyes.

Every trace of negative emotion emanating from Raiden Mei is like a victory symphony played for you, captivating you within its melodies.

Only by subjecting Raiden Mei to profound despair and rage can these impactful negative emotions be continuously channeled into the sword.

To achieve this goal, you didn't hesitate to shatter the trust of the past, meticulously planning this betrayal, all to plunge Mei's emotions into despair.

For Raiden Mei, destroying her spirit is not so simple, even if you deceive her with your body and trample on her dignity.

[After all, she is a powerful figure who is expected by many to be the Queen of Lightning; Raiden Mei's heart of a strongman is not so easily satisfied.]

[It was your repeated humiliation and verbal provocation day and night, coupled with your exaggerated descriptions of the darkness she would have to endure in the future, that ultimately brought her down through the unbearable guilt she felt for the "kindness" she owed you.]

[Simply targeting her personally doesn't touch on Raiden Mei's sore spot.]

However, the guilt she felt for failing to repay her kindness made it difficult for her to face the situation.

【“Knock knock knock knock knock~~”】

[As Raiden Mei's delicate body and eyes trembled, the sound of war drums indeed rang out outside.]

Just as you said, the heavy responsibility for the village has indeed returned.

Raiden Mei knew in her heart that after being imprisoned by you for countless days and nights, it was impossible for her to make it back to the war.

[However, even when you used her as a practice target for your Iaijutsu, Raiden Mei still fantasized that she might be able to arrive on the battlefield.]

[I don't expect her to clear her name of desertion, but at least she should be able to atone for her lateness.]

[At least it allows her to atone for the many samurai who went to the battlefield, and apologize for not being able to step onto the battlefield to defend Izumo immediately.]

However, Raiden Mei's last glimmer of hope was extinguished by the clear drumbeats coming from outside.

Those were the drumbeats welcoming the returning warriors who had fought in Takamagahara, signifying the end of this first direct confrontation.

This also signifies that Raiden Mei's identity as a deserter has been completely confirmed.

From beginning to end, Raiden Mei, on whom everyone placed high hopes, never appeared on the battlefield.

No one knows where she went; all that is known is that she fled and disappeared during a crucial battle to defend her homeland and protect her people.