Under Leon's guidance, Yuuki Asuna once again went down to the basement, arriving in front of the magic circle where the small mountain of books had been moved from yesterday.
"Zheng—"
The magic circle glowed red, radiating lines of light that rose like a barrier, allowing a figure to materialize within.
The figure slowly stepped out, expressing a thought as they walked.
"The present world, it's really been a long time since I came back."
The voice was neither pleasant nor soft; it even had a somewhat rough-and-ready quality. But when both Leon and Yuuki Asuna clearly saw the full appearance of the person who walked out of the magic circle, they were instantly stunned.
This was because, from any angle, the woman was strikingly attractive.
The woman was wearing a fashionable blue short-skirt kimono, over which she wore a waist-length red maple-leaf haori jacket. Two swords were tucked into her waist. Her white hair, slightly reddish in color, was tied up. She had a good figure and fair skin, looking both imposing and alluring, drawing people in without realizing it.
"You are...?"
Leon was both surprised by her imposing and gorgeous appearance and felt a sense of familiarity.
The female swordsman immediately cast her gaze toward Leon, then broke into a remarkably refreshing smile.
"You must be Young Master Leon Eligos?" The female swordsman chuckled boisterously, wiping the corner of her mouth as she mumbled, "What an incredible handsome young man. Looks like I didn't come to the wrong place."
"You... you are my sword instructor?" Yuuki Asuna looked at the other party, asking with some uncertainty.
"Oh, you must be the 'Knight' that Lady Sona mentioned who needs sword instruction?" The female swordsman sized up Yuuki Asuna and laughed, "Mm-hmm, you're also an incredible beauty. I'm starting to look forward to the lessons ahead."
Leon and Yuuki Asuna both twitched slightly at the corners of their eyes.
Why does this person feel so unreliable?
She's clearly a gorgeous female swordsman, so why does she give off the vibe of a lecherous old man?
Yuuki Asuna was already considering avoiding her, while Leon felt an increasing familiarity.
"Excuse me, don't you think you should introduce yourself first?"
Leon asked directly.
"You're right, my apologies, that was rude of me."
The gorgeous female swordsman scratched her head, seemingly embarrassed, then grinned.
"I am Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Harunobu. Young Master Eligos and Miss Yuuki can just call me Musashi."
Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Harunobu...
Hearing this name, Leon and Yuuki Asuna first repeated it, and seconds later, both their expressions changed.
"You are Miyamoto Musashi...?!"
Yuuki Asuna exclaimed.
Leon also looked intently at the woman, finally understanding why he felt she was familiar.
Miyamoto Musashi is a name known in this country by everyone from eighty-year-old elders to three-year-old children.
He was a swordsman from the late Sengoku period to the early Edo period. Born in Sakushu, now Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture, his childhood name was Bennosuke. Because his father was the martial arts instructor serving the Shinmen family, lords of Takeyama Castle, he was granted the name Shinmen by the family, thus becoming the martial arts master known as Shinmen Munisai. He once established a Jitte sword dojo in Miyamoto Village in Yoshino County and considered the area his hometown. Thus, he later took the surname Miyamoto, becoming the Miyamoto Musashi known to all.
He left behind numerous legendary stories in history, especially during the decade in his twenties when he fought against many martial arts masters. He created the Niten Ichi-ryū school of swordsmanship, went through over sixty duels in his life without a single defeat, and even defeated seventy-six members of the Yoshioka school. His decisive battle with Sasaki Kojirō on Ganryū Island is still considered a classic among classics to this day, becoming one of the hot topics in modern entertainment programs.
He participated in battles of all sizes throughout his life, including but not limited to the Battle of Sekigahara, the Siege of Osaka, and the Shimabara Rebellion. In his later years, he served the Hosokawa family and authored military classics such as the Heidōkyō, The Book of Five Rings, the Gorin no Tachi no Jo, and the Hyōhō Sanjūgo Kajō, earning the title of the strongest swordsman in history.
Now, this strongest swordsman in history, who enjoyed great fame, had appeared here?
And, in the form of a woman.
This... was simply astounding.
"You don't want to believe it, as expected?" Miyamoto Musashi seemed already accustomed to such reactions from others, saying somewhat helplessly, "Although I can understand it, being constantly questioned about my identity still leaves me a little disappointed."
"So?" Leon already had the answer in his heart, but still pretended to be surprised, saying, "Are you truly Miyamoto Musashi herself?"
"Indeed. Miyamoto Musashi of the Niten Ichi-ryū, that is me." Miyamoto Musashi was still smiling, but her eyes became much more serious. She said, "As for the difference in gender from the one you all know, the reason is simple: I concealed this when I was human."
"Partly because my father wished to have a son to inherit everything, and partly because the context of that era forced people to make such choices."
"My era, well, how should I put it? If a girl carried a sword and showed up to challenge famous swordsmen, she would probably not only be looked down upon but would also be swept out the door without even meeting the person, right?"
Although Miyamoto Musashi was the strongest swordsman in history, the most celebrated aspect of his life before achieving that title was his countless challenges.
He was essentially a rōnin, and before establishing his dojo in Miyamoto Village, Yoshino County, his favorite activity was traveling around, seeking out famous swordsmen and issuing challenges.
So, it seemed that her choice was not entirely incomprehensible?
"I thought I would live my entire life as a man, until death, but fortunately, I encountered another world—a world that was stronger, more charismatic, and more worth challenging."
Miyamoto Musashi smiled genuinely.
"Thus, when that Lady extended an olive branch to me, hoping I would become her retainer, her 'Knight,' I agreed without hesitation."
Since then, Miyamoto Musashi recovered her female form and has lived until now.
He... no, she.
The era when she was human had passed hundreds of years ago. If she were still human, she would be long gone, but since she became a Devil, those hundreds of years were nothing.
Hundreds of years are truly insignificant compared to the thousands upon thousands of years of lifespan that Devils enjoy.
Yuuki Asuna was already feeling dizzy from this supernatural situation. Leon, on the other hand, was blaming himself for not paying attention to who the Devil King's retainers were, leading him to be completely unaware that this world's Miyamoto Musashi was still alive, was the female Musashi, and had even become the retainer of the current Devil King Leviathan. It was quite bizarre.
However...
"To have Miyamoto Musashi herself personally instruct you in swordsmanship, it looks like you really need to work hard, Asuna."
Leon turned to Yuuki Asuna beside him, speaking teasingly.
"Well, don't put it that way. I originally ran a dojo, so teaching a student is just getting back to my old business."
Although Miyamoto Musashi was a gorgeous female swordsman, her actions still showed the straightforwardness of a male swordsman. The habits from her time as a human were deeply engraved in her instincts. It was only the way she looked at him with shining eyes that made Leon feel a bit uncomfortable.
Leon vaguely remembered that this person, who was male in history but female in reality, was undoubtedly still attracted to men, and particularly fond of handsome and pleasing young men...
Am I being targeted?
Is this a gain, or a huge loss?
"Um... please guide me."
Yuuki Asuna finally accepted the reality before her. She hesitated for a moment, then ultimately bowed to Miyamoto Musashi.
"There's no need to be so formal. I don't care much for secular etiquette. Let's just be friendly with each other," Miyamoto Musashi smiled at Yuuki Asuna. "Again, just call me Musashi."
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Leon nodded while Yuuki Asuna was still hesitating, then asked, "Since Musashi-san is a retainer of the current Devil King Leviathan, your Devil rank must be very high, right?"
Miyamoto Musashi shook her head at Leon's question.
"Young Master Eligos thinks too highly of me. Although I am the Devil King's retainer, my talent in magic power is not very high. Even after hundreds of years, my rank among Devils is only equivalent to the Mid-Class level."
Saying this, Miyamoto Musashi unfurled her Devil wings: two pairs, four wings in total, indeed only equivalent to the Mid-Class Devil level.
"This body's only skill worth boasting about is the sword. Without any excess, one cut, three bows. The end of my training is to reach the infinite. My unattainable dream is the one sword that subdues time and space—"
Miyamoto Musashi placed her hand on the sword at her waist, her face showing an expression full of fighting spirit that would instinctively make any warrior tremble.
In this moment, regardless of Yuuki Asuna, Leon truly felt a deadly threat.
This female swordsman, though lower in Devil rank than himself, possessed a combat ability that absolutely surpassed his own, thanks to the two swords in her hands!
And by a large margin!
At the very least, Leon without using his Sacred Gear would definitely not be her opponent!
She was a swordsman whose power was far beyond her Devil rank, capable of rivaling an Ultimate-Class Devil!
"In accordance with my master's instructions, I have come here to instruct you on what the sword is."
Miyamoto Musashi said to Yuuki Asuna.
"Without further ado, let us begin immediately."
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