The next morning.
Raiden Mei was sweating profusely, practicing her sword in the backyard.
Leon and Raiden Ryoma sat facing each other, cross-legged.
One face calm, the other overflowing with gravity as he recounted the past.
"Ninety-eight years ago, a malignant beast descended from Takamagahara, causing the heavens to collapse, the seas and rivers to burn, and the earth to shatter."
"Communication failed. Only then did people realize the invader did not come to rule, dominate, or plunder…"
"It came solely to hunt and kill."
"At the moment of life and death, Izumo embarked on the path of Kamigoroshi, exhausting the entire nation's strength to slay the great calamity known as 'Tamukiri-no-Kami'."
"That is the information I know. In fact, I was one of the participants in that tragic battle back then."
"I only lament that of the brothers and close friends of the past, only I remain…"
Raiden Ryoma gazed at his daughter training diligently; bitterness and sorrow gradually crept across his lips.
"Nearly a century of peace. Izumo now believes the descent of Tamukiri-no-Kami was perhaps merely an accident."
"Your arrival has shattered the shogunate higher-ups' wishful thinking."
"However, they will never easily believe your words, even if you can prove you are not from this world."
Leon's expression remained calm: "I know."
He never intended to prove anything.
A thousand words were inferior to the parties involved crashing headfirst into the southern wall.
"What should we do?" Raiden Ryoma asked.
"Nothing."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"Wait."
Leon lifted his head toward the sky, his gaze seemingly piercing through the clouds, through space and distance.
"The eight million gods you speak of, the Tamukiri-no-Kami from ninety-eight years ago, were merely harbingers."
"Two planets orbit around THEIR unconscious projection bodies intertwining; the world rift will grow larger and larger."
"One day, there will be no distinction between them."
Raiden Ryoma's eyelids twitched; his callus-covered palms trembled slightly.
He understood the meaning behind Leon's words.
"Can you foresee the exact time?"
"…As soon as one year, as long as three years."
"…"
So soon?!
Raiden Ryoma instinctively held his breath; memories of the brutal war of the past drifted through his mind, suffocation constantly assaulting him.
"When Tamukiri-no-Kami ravaged Izumo back then, the scars left by the calamity have not healed to this day."
"If another of the eight million gods no weaker than the harbinger descends, with Izumo's current foundation, even if we survive the crisis, we will suffer devastating losses."
"To the eight million gods, both human and oni races are as insignificant as dust."
"The disparity is overwhelming. Leon, how exactly will you save Izumo?"
His gaze burned with expectation as he looked at the man across from him.
Yet unexpectedly, the other slowly shook his head.
"With only myself, I cannot save Izumo."
"…Humility, or a well-intentioned lie?"
"It is not a lie."
Leon met Raiden Ryoma's gaze, his face calm as an ancient well without ripples.
"The future of civilization depends on the choices of living beings."
"I will certainly choose to save Izumo, but I will eventually have the day I die. If at that time the eight million gods have not yet been eradicated, what then for Izumo?"
Raiden Ryoma fell into deep silence.
He did not doubt Leon's words.
Last night, when he had exhausted his lifelong mastery and swung a blade at Leon, only for the other to stop the edge with a fingertip, unable to advance an inch further—
He knew Leon had no need to fabricate facts.
"Ryoma, you are afraid, you are terrified—because of her?"
A bitter smile surfaced on Raiden Ryoma's face.
"…Mei's mother was human. Her lifespan and constitution were inferior to the oni race. She passed away from illness when Mei was not yet three."
"Her plans fell through, and so did mine. Alas…"
"These years, I have failed to give Mei the companionship she needed, causing her personality to be more withdrawn than her peers."
"She is still young. I have not yet had time to teach her the Hokushin Itto-ryu."
"If the eight million gods reappear within three years…"
"When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain whole?"
"At that time, I cannot rest easy about Mei."
Leon saw through his innermost thoughts with a single glance, his gaze shifting to Raiden Mei; his voice softened a few degrees.
"You want me to take her away?"
"Exactly. You are not from this world to begin with—why fight to the point of giving your life?"
Raiden Ryoma took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"I have lost much and know deeply that life is priceless. You have no reason to do this."
Leon: "We have known each other less than a day, yet you entrust your only family to me. You trust me that much?"
Raiden Ryoma smiled freely instead.
"Under an absolute gap in strength, if you harbored ill intentions toward us father and daughter, why bother with roundabout schemes and unnecessary actions?"
"Mei inherited her mother's intelligence and possesses greater talent than I ever had."
"Given time, her achievements will surely far surpass this father of hers, but I cannot accompany her for that long."
Leon fell silent and withdrew his gaze.
"I have reason to fight desperately for Izumo. I will not leave. This is my mission—it allows no retreat."
"Ryoma, let me ask you one question—"
"Please speak."
"Is the Heavenly Dao heartless?"
Raiden Ryoma froze, then sank into deep contemplation.
After a long while, he suddenly revealed a helpless smile.
"…I don't know."
"Speaking of the Heavenly Dao: the laws of heaven and earth do not shift according to human will; THEY treat all things equally."
"Speaking of principles: natural laws are merciless. The four seasons change as usual, plants flourish and wither as usual, sustaining the cycle of life—never an exception."
"Speaking of life and death: the cycle of birth and death causes individuals to perish, yet it advances the evolution of new life."
"Speaking of ethics: the joys and sorrows of individual beings are not the same, causing people to question where the Heavenly Dao is…"
"Mei's mother was gentle, kind, and intelligent, yet she passed in the prime of her life."
"While in this world, many evildoers roam free without ever facing punishment or retribution."
"So I do not know. I hope you can enlighten me."
Leon's palm brushed the teacup; his gaze fell on the center of the clear tea, staring straight into the depths of his own heart.
"I once believed that if the Heavenly Dao was inherently heartless, THEY would not bestow compassion."
"But now—"
"I ask you not with any other intent, but to seek knowledge."
"Because like you, I have no answer."
"…May I take it that you have wavered in the beliefs you once held firm?" Raiden Ryoma's gaze grew complicated.
Leon answered a different question.
"Do you remember what I said earlier? The future of civilization depends on the choices of living beings."
"The desires of living beings are the Heavenly Dao."
Raiden Ryoma appeared pensive.
Leon: "What is Izumo's greatest craft?"
"Blades." Raiden Ryoma answered without hesitation: "All manner of swords and blades."
"Then forge blades. Forge blades from divine flesh, return unto THEM the path THEY tread."
Leon's gaze fell on the bamboo sword in Raiden Mei's hand.
"Whether human or oni, neither excels in strength before the eight million gods."
"Without powerful weapons in hand, no matter how high the martial skill or how strong the ability, life remains as ephemeral as a mayfly."
"Since Izumo once slew Tamukiri-no-Kami, then carry this path through—forge god-slaying imperial blades, continue the way of Kamigoroshi."
"If you believe the Heavenly Dao is unjust, then resist it to the very end."
"—This is Izumo's path of salvation."