Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

Instead, it was the cruel and tyrannical demons of Takamagahara.

What's hateful is war.

If Izumo could live a peaceful life, it wouldn't have to fight and kill on this battlefield, and so many lives wouldn't be lost.

Therefore, although they still harbored some resentment towards Raiden Mei, their anger had largely subsided, and they helplessly cleaned up the wreckage.

The remains of those who died in battle were to be brought back for a proper burial if intact, while the unidentifiable and irretrievable fragments were to be buried on the spot, and finally, a cenotaph was erected for each group.

This is the cruelty of war, something that must be faced when conflict erupts between Izumo and Takamagahara.

It wasn't until she was truly on the battlefield that Raiden Mei realized just how cruel the situation was.

Are you saying you're preventing her from going to the battlefield just to avoid her facing such a cruel situation?

[Raiden Mei gazed at the wreckage, at the heartbreaking scene of the battlefield, and her mind drifted back to what you had repeatedly mentioned over the past few days and nights.]

[Those whispers of your unwillingness to let her go to the battlefield, during those days, only filled Raiden Mei with hatred and anger; she saw them as an insult from you.]

But once she actually arrived on the battlefield, the shocking carnage gave Raiden Mei a completely different experience.

[Raiden Mei realized that your whispers might truly be an expression of your love for her, and that you might genuinely be thinking of her...]

However, even if you are right, Raiden Mei also has reasons that force her to stand on the battlefield.

With great power comes great responsibility. Now that Raiden Mei has discovered just how powerful she is, she must make the most of her strengths.

[To shine on the battlefield—that is the purpose of her strength.]

Although Raiden Mei doesn't understand many of your actions, she seems to vaguely sense your good intentions.

[Raiden Mei suppressed the many complex emotions in her heart, and her anger towards you subsided considerably. She was just waiting to go back and have a proper talk with you.]

While many samurai of Izumo Province believed Himeko's hastily given explanation, Raiden Mei, Himeko, and many of the true high-ranking officials knew that it was nothing more than a deceptive excuse.

The reason Raiden Mei hadn't appeared earlier wasn't because she had a "hidden trump card" or was "to guard against the opponent's conspiracy," but because they genuinely couldn't find her.

However, there is no doubt that Raiden Mei has now appeared on the battlefield and led everyone, or even personally orchestrated, a great victory.

Therefore, it was impossible to allow someone as meritorious as Raiden Mei to continue to be viewed as a "deserter," so Himeko fabricated a convincing lie on the spot.

The other high-ranking officials did not object to Himeko's hastily fabricated white lie.

Regarding the numerous damages caused by Raiden Mei's lateness, they will privately agree that the key is to temporarily stabilize public morale.

Although Himeko didn't know why Raiden Mei was so late, she was Raiden Mei's master who was watching Raiden Mei train in the martial arts hall.

Himeko knew perfectly well that Raiden Mei was not the type to back down from a fight, and she knew even more that she would not run away in the face of battle.

Anyone who has witnessed Raiden Mei's rigorous training and unwavering perseverance would never question her.

The reason Raiden Mei appeared so late is probably due to her current puzzling demeanor and those intimidating blades.

The exquisite and beautiful patterns on Raiden Mei's body were exactly the same as those on the sword, and her overwhelming power felt both familiar and strange.

Himeko doesn't recall ever teaching Raiden Mei a similar power back in the martial arts academy.

[It could even be said that Raiden Mei didn't use even the most basic moves she practiced at the martial arts academy on the battlefield just now.]

[Raiden Mei simply wielded her sword, clearing away the many demons that had been causing them so much trouble on the battlefield.]

[This shows just how terrifying Raiden Mei's strength would be if she truly used her full power, employing those techniques that Himeko and many other samurai greatly admired and respected.]

Even so, even having witnessed Raiden Mei's power...

Himeko uttered words that once again shocked and bewildered Raiden Mei, leaving her deeply stunned.

"It's a good thing you didn't go to the battlefield..."

When Himeko stood before Raiden Mei, the first thing she uttered wasn't blame for Raiden Mei's strength or surprise at her power.

Instead, what surprised and bewildered Raiden Mei was a sense of relief she couldn't comprehend.

[It seemed that Raiden Mei's lateness was not shameful at all, but rather made Himeko quite happy.]

[Looking at Himeko's face, Raiden Mei even saw the relief of someone who had survived a disaster.]

[Raiden Mei had already prepared herself to endure all punishment and scolding, and mentally prepared herself for the shame of facing her martial arts instructor, Himeko...]

However, Himeko's words greatly shocked Raiden Mei.

[Himeko then explained to Raiden Mei why she had such a relieved expression.]

According to Himeko, something unexpected happened on the battlefield.

The real reason why the samurai of Izumo were locked in a fierce battle with the demons of Takamagahara was not because Takamagahara was too ferocious.

Although the eight million gods of Takamagahara were indeed brutal and ferocious, they were clearly not taking this first direct confrontation too seriously and had not committed too many elite troops.

In the initial battles, Izumo did indeed have the advantage.

However, due to the sudden change in circumstances, Izumo found itself at a disadvantage.

"There's a traitor within our ranks, causing a surprise attack on what should have been your battlefield. It's all aimed at you, Mei."

Himeko's words brought back the look of astonishment to Raiden Mei's eyes, which had been blank and ready to accept punishment.

What followed, spoken by Himeko, was a retelling that sent shivers down Raiden Mei's spine time and again—

[In the strategic plan of Izumo Province, an extremely powerful opponent has suddenly appeared on the battlefield belonging to Raiden Mei.]

For a moment, the enemies couldn't even tell whether the evil demons of Takamagahara were traitors from within Izumo Province or internal sabotage.

All the others knew was that the opponent possessed terrifying power, and the moment he appeared, the previously dominant situation turned into a complete reversal.

However, the enemy did not massacre everyone on the battlefield, because they seemed to have a clear objective.

Himeko overheard those who had launched the ambush, after confirming the identities of everyone on the battlefield, muttering under their breath, "Raiden Mei isn't here. They attacked the wrong person."

After that, the group ignored them and left on their own, leaving behind only a few fighters.

[They probably didn't take the others seriously at all, except for Raiden Mei, so they only left one or two to silence them, while the rest went to search for Raiden Mei's whereabouts.]

While searching for Raiden Mei, the group wandered around various battlefields in Izumo and Takamagahara, ambushing several of Izumo's forces and rendering them unable to perform effectively.

This is why the battle between Izumo and Takamagahara has been so protracted and arduous.

[And it was precisely because the other side was focused on finding Raiden Mei that they did not leave behind their full fighting force.]

This gave Himeko a glimmer of hope. Despite the opponent's immense strength, they ultimately managed to find a way out by unleashing their hidden power, allowing Himeko and many others to survive.

If Raiden Mei had been there, all of them would have stayed and attacked.

In that case, Himeko and the others would definitely die there as well.

[The enemy has deployed an unprecedentedly powerful force to eliminate Raiden Mei; even Raiden Mei will surely be killed on the spot.]

Even with the strength Raiden Mei has displayed so far, Himeko still estimates she will be severely injured.

According to Himeko, the group of people she saw were indistinguishable between demons and humans; their power was evil and terrifying, as if they were demons who had completely abandoned their human identity.

What's suspicious is that Raiden Mei's current demeanor and terrifying aura are quite similar to her opponent's.

[What's even more amazing is that right after that group of people left completely because they couldn't find Raiden Mei's whereabouts, Raiden Mei actually arrived.]

It was as if they were deliberately avoiding the enemy attack, as if they sensed the danger.

Although Himeko didn't know how Raiden Mei could anticipate the sneak attack, dodging it was the best thing that could happen.

As for the fact that Raiden Mei is in cahoots with the other party... Himeko simply cannot believe it.

Although there are indeed many suspicious points surrounding Raiden Mei that are difficult to clear her name...

"I wasn't there... but I saved Himeko instead?"

"If I had been there from the beginning, everyone here... would be dead?"

[Raiden Mei couldn't believe it. After being imprisoned for so many days and arriving at the battlefield so late, she had actually become the key to saving everyone?]

[Raiden Mei murmured to herself, her voice filled with disbelief]

[Raiden Mei's eyes trembled as she listened to your "love confessions" and whispers.]

"This is all for your own good, Mei..."

"You'll realize how good I am to you later."

Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Death of Huang Quan

Himeko is someone Raiden Mei cherishes deeply; the importance of her mentor, who began teaching her at the martial arts academy, goes without saying.

[And the days she was imprisoned by you, the days she was trampled and humiliated by you, actually became Himeko's savior?]

[Thinking about how she had unexpectedly saved Himeko, Raiden Mei felt a mix of emotions.]

The formal clash between Izumo and Takamagahara slowly came to an end, and the group, having thoroughly cleaned up the battlefield, prepared to head home.

Although it can't be called a complete victory, it can still be considered a victory with Raiden Mei's help.

Despite the unexpected events and Raiden Mei's lateness that resulted in the loss of loved ones, it was ultimately a victory.

On her way home, Raiden Mei kept thinking about you.

"You're actually thinking of her."

This thought was like a cold, sharp blade, piercing Raiden Mei and causing her hands, which had remained calm even when facing so many demons, to tremble slightly.

What Raiden Mei initially dismissed as mere self-deception to cover up your despicable acts has now become undeniably true.

"It's all for your own good; you'll understand later."

Aren't these just self-deceptive statements you use to cover up the maliciousness of your actions, and a genuine expression of your concern for her?

[Mei Raiden's mind kept replaying the horrific scene of everyone being brutally murdered if she had been there.]

[Raiden Mei couldn't believe it. After being imprisoned for so many days and arriving at the battlefield so late, she had actually become the key to saving everyone?]

[While others might not understand, could Raiden Mei possibly not understand why she was late?]

[If you hadn't repeatedly used underhanded methods, like drugging and imprisoning her, Raiden Mei would definitely have been the first to charge into battle.]

[But if that were the case, everyone in the room would be killed by the person who launched the sneak attack.]

In other words... your actions of forcibly imprisoning her and trampling on her while other samurai were fighting valiantly were actually helping her escape a hidden danger.

Raiden Mei's inner conflict gradually intensifies. She doesn't understand: was everything you did for her truly for her own good?

Are you truly trying to help her?

[Raiden Mei was already confused about your motives and the many mysteries surrounding you, and now her mind is in complete turmoil.]

"Jing Ye... was this also part of your plan?"

Her voice carried a hint of anger and resentment.

At this moment, Raiden Mei once again felt powerless in the face of being toyed with and manipulated by you.

From the moment she first saw you as a child, that feeling of being seen through has haunted Raiden Mei ever since, and now it's amplified even more dramatically.

How exactly did you know there would be danger on the battlefield?

How do you know that detaining her for a few days will be enough to hold off those enemies until they leave?

As Himeko just said, it was as if the group of traitors who launched the sneak attack had barely left before she arrived at the battlefield.

In other words, your control over time is practically perfect.

[You seem to know those moles inside and out, helping Raiden Mei perfectly avoid them without her knowledge.]

[While you helped Raiden Mei escape danger and save everyone present, you also gave her the opportunity to return to the battlefield and serve.]

For a moment, Raiden Mei didn't even know whether to resent you or be grateful to you.

Confused and unsure what to do, Raiden Mei could only put aside her conflicting feelings and turn her attention to other things—such as how you were able to control the timing so precisely?

Raiden Mei doesn't know about your Observation Haki, and of course, she can't understand your seemingly precognitive insight.

[And your Observation Haki only allows you to foresee the outcomes of other options; it doesn't reveal what happens in between.]

You only did this to prevent the deaths of Raiden Mei and Himeko, and to prevent Kiana from dying along with them.

You don't know the true identities of those who wanted to ambush Raiden Mei, nor do you know how they planned to ambush her on the battlefield.

However, under the effect of Observation Haki, you did indeed make such a timing arrangement that even Raiden Mei misunderstood.