"Mnya... Nn, the sky is brightening... It's almost morning..."
Musashi sat up groggily, scratching her belly and rear as she shuffled forward.
"Fwaaah... Man, habits really get ingrained into your body, don't they?"
Just as she adjusted her clothing, got dressed, and prepared to practice a few sword swings...
"Wait, what? Isn't there a hole open right there? Huh, now I'm curious..."
Spotting the rift that served as proof of time travel, Musashi's curiosity was piqued.
"Wait, hold on. I already have a castle here. Desperately speaking, I'd much rather just stay right where I am."
She stood before the hole, agonizing over the decision...
"...Well, I'll figure it out after I eat some udon!"
And so, Musashi prioritized udon above all else.
The First Rays of Dawn
The Head Shrine of Taira no Masakado in Shimousa. As the Ruler declared, this was the absolute stronghold and core of the hundred demons and demonic monstrosities—the place where whatever commanded all these abnormalities resided. And at the same time, the New Emperor proclaimed it to be the destination Fujimaru Rikka must reach...
"The doorway for your return, Master, likewise rests within my Head Shrine. The beginning and end we seek, as well as our ultimate destiny, shall all converge there."
Listening to Masakado's words, Rikka streaked across the sky at unbelievable speeds. A vibrant crimson trail shot straight through the heavens.
(...Mother is definitely there, too.)
The cursed blade, Juonzan, whispered it to her. Fate and karma agreed: the entity that must be devoured awaited her there.
At the same time, Dojigiri remained unusually quiet. Understanding the feelings of her mother, Ushi-Gozen, Rikka chose not to press the issue and simply gripped the hilt tightly.
(—I can see it.)
Beholding a dome-shaped domain swirling with concentrated malice, she accelerated, diving straight into that space. No matter what awaited her inside. No matter who stood in her way.
Stoking her resolve, she laid bare her determination. To bring peace to Shimousa alongside the New Emperor. To protect Onui and Tasuke. And—
(...Wait for me, Mother. I will definitely...)
...Release you from your tragic karma with these very hands. Gripping the hilts of both swords, Rikka flapped her wings and charged straight into the center of the vortex—
"Mother!!"
Beyond the boundary lay absolute, soundless silence. A veil of pitch-black darkness enclosed all four directions. No signs of life, no human shadows anywhere. It felt as though a slice of pure abyss had been carved out, settling into an eerie hush.
"—Mother..."
"My, my! Seeking your mother at a time like this? Still unweaned, are we? How delightful, how utterly delightful! For a Master who saved Human History, this is far too childish!"
A voice dripping with absolute mockery for all creation echoed through the domain.
"Reveal yourself, root of this evil."
"Of course, of course, naturally! O Great New Emperor, Taira no Masakado! Forgive me for committing the impudence of revealing my form before your majesty!"
With a theatrical, grand proclamation, there appeared—
"—Mother!"
"..."
Beside her mother... attending to her physical body stood a handsome man. Clad in a scallion-green ceremonial robe, he was an exquisitely attractive Onmyoji adorned in an asymmetrical outfit and a strikingly unique, long hairstyle.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Caster Limbo. The very architect who brought chaos, turmoil, and a true cataclysm to this land of Shimousa."
"..."
"And this creature here is one of the Heroic Spirit Swordmasters fashioned using 'your dear mother' as material—Black Rope—"
In an instant, a blade was thrown toward Limbo's face with terrifying momentum. A fatal, single strike aimed to shatter his brain and skull.
" Tch."
Rikka spat in irritation. She knew it beforehand, but a barrier had been deployed. The blade was repelled before it could reach Limbo. Catching the returned cursed sword by its hilt, she glared forward.
"—The Black Rope Hell, as it is called. Using the endearing Heroic Spirit who bore the very presence of Fujimaru Rikka etched into her soul, I meticulously shattered her spirit, violated her flesh, and twisted her mind into a single blade. She has yet to commit slaughter... but tell me, how does it feel?"
Limbo smirked vilely, trampling all over Rikka's heart, convictions, and bonds.
"I would love to hear your thoughts on seeing your mother trampled so thoroughly. Well, well, well? What are your impressions?"
"—....."
Rikka held back the boiling rage that felt ready to explode her mind at any second.
"Rage and fury need not be suppressed, yet you must not rise to his provocation. That is, if you truly wish to save your mother."
The New Emperor's large hand and warm consideration brought Rikka's raging heart and body back to a quiet state of calm.
"Thank you, New Emperor-sama... Ignoring guys like him works best anyway. My goal isn't to give him the satisfaction."
Taking a slow, steady breath to center herself, she turned back deliberately.
"Please wait just a little longer, Mother. I will resolve this crisis and free you, I promise."
Gripping Juonzan tighter, she gave a firm nod. As if acknowledging that resolve, the Black Rope Hell gave a subtle nod in return.
"Do you desire a showdown, then? Good, good, your spirit is admirable! Then as you wish, exactly as you desire! Let us loudly declare the beginning of this final conflict in Shimousa!"
In a split second, the surrounding space trembled, and the very air vibrated with power.
"Taira no Masakado! Your Saint Graph and majestic presence are truly extraordinary! BUT! BUT! BUT BUT!! The same holds true for the vengeful spirit residing within you!"
"—"
"Sealed within this Head Shrine, Taira no Masakado! The regrets, remorses, and hatred festering in this land! Combined with this endless horde of demons and specters, an atrocious spirit far greater than any other shall serve as my vessel—the Great Vengeful Spirit of Shimousa Soma!"
Singing out grandly, the abhorrent spirits gathered and concentrated into a single mass. Rising from the Head Shrine, an appalling, nightmare-inducing mass of spirits soared toward the heavens.
"I-It's HUGE—!"
Its colossal size demanded that one look up just to take it in. Reaching its arms toward the moon in the sky, a magnificent three-headed giant spirit of ultimate proportions took shape. Larger even than the Sea Monster of Orleans, it surpassed mountains—a terrifying, blood-curdling ghost of Shimousa...!
"—"
"THIS IS IT! THIS IS IT! THIS IS IT, THIS IS IT!! The pride of Shimousa, the tale of vengeance nesting in Japan! The Legend of Taira no Masakado's Vengeful Spirit! The absolute source of dark specters, commanding the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons!!"
"■■■■■■!!!!!"
A horrifying shriek that violated both the ears and the soul echoed outward. Looking down upon Rikka and Taira no Masakado with a terrifying presence, it shook the entirety of Japan.
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