4
Kuraia steeled herself and readied her soul weapon.
Alarm bells were ringing in her mind. Her instincts, sensing Sora’s true strength, were desperately urging her to flee.
Kuraia suppressed those instinctive cries with sheer willpower.
If she dodged now, Sora’s attack would strike her brother behind her. She had to stop it at all costs. In the worst case, she was prepared to use her body as a shield for her brother. Kuraia had that level of resolve.
Even knowing this was exactly what Sora wanted, she had no other choice.
—Then, a mountain-like figure appeared before Kuraia.
His mastered footwork was almost like teleportation. Despite having just taken a direct hit from Sora’s fire magic, there wasn’t a single burn mark on his clothes or armor.
Both in movement and defense, his superb technique outshone even those within the Illusory One-Sword Style school.
The third-ranked warrior in the Blue Forest First Banner, the elite unit directly under the head of the family.
Level [81] Goz-Shima stood blocking Sora’s path.
“soul weapon, activate—”
A low, heavy voice emerged from Goz’s mouth.
What materialized in response was an unremarkable sword. Its only distinguishing feature was a rosary wrapped around the guard. This was Goz-Shima’s soul weapon.
“Bind, Juzumaru.”
And its lack of distinctive features remained unchanged even after being drawn.
It didn’t display any characteristic abilities like Klimt sword -Kurikara’s flame or Kusanagi’s wind, nor did it emit an unfathomable aura of intimidation like Soul Eater.
In contrast, the technique Sora released was Purple Lightning Slash imbued with Soul Eater’s power, Void Eater. It was Sora’s trump card that had slain Jijinbo in the royal capital of Horus.
Even for someone like Goz, a direct hit from this should not end well.
—However, the supposedly powerful slash dissipated before reaching Goz’s body. Like light snow falling in spring, Sora’s technique dissolved silently in mid-air.
Confirming this, Goz addressed Kuraia behind him in a deep voice.
“Leave this to me. Go tend to Klimt.”
“…Understood, Lord Shiba.”
For a moment, Kuraia looked like she wanted to say something, but quickly swallowed her words and bowed her head. After glancing briefly at Sora, she turned on her heel and ran towards the gate.
And so, Goz and Sora faced each other head-on.
“That slash just now was truly magnificent, young— no, Lord Sora.”
“After easily negating it, being told it’s magnificent only sounds like sarcasm, Goz— no, Lord Shiba.”
Faced with Sora’s deliberately mocking tone, Goz pressed his lips together as if unsure how to respond.
Sora watched him vigilantly.
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Sora knew his former mentor’s soul weapon well. True to Goz’s words about negating it, the ability of his soul weapon Juzumaru was to nullify enemy soul weapon abilities. This nullification extended to techniques and elemental magic as well.
Of course, Juzumaru’s nullification ability wasn’t unconditional; it wouldn’t work against opponents stronger than Goz. In a sense, it was a soul weapon specialized for use against lower-ranked opponents, much like Jijinbo’s Shizuka Gozen.
However, as the third-ranked member of the First Flag Bearer and one of the Four Lords of the family, Goz-Shima’s strength surpassed that of the Flag Bearer’ commanders. The notion that his ability wasn’t a threat simply because it was specialized for lower-ranked opponents didn’t hold up.
In fact, the disappearance of Void Eater proved that Juzumaru’s power had completely suppressed Soul Eater. How could he be pleased about being praised as “magnificent” in such a situation?
Thinking this, Sora twisted his lips, to which Goz continued speaking with a serious expression.
“I had no intention of play tricks on you. It was truly a magnificent slash, full of power and force. It wouldn’t be outdone even by the upper ranks of the Flag Bearer. I’m impressed that you’ve come this far in just five years.”
Having said this, Goz slightly furrowed his brow.
“That’s precisely why I must say this. Lord Sora, with such power at your disposal, why did you resort to such underhanded methods? With your current strength, you could have faced the siblings head-on and emerged victorious, yet you chose to ambush and use hostages…”
“So what?”
Sora dismissed Goz’s criticism.
Regardless of how it might have appeared to others, for Sora, the battle up to this point had been like walking on thin ice.
His opponents were his former mentor and two members of the Golden Generation. He had no chance in a three-on-one fight. Therefore, he needed to force the situation into one-on-one battles at all costs.
At the same time, he had to prevent the other two from targeting Suzume and infiltrating the mansion while he was engaged in a one-on-one fight.
The previous battle was the optimal solution for these requirements. He had no regrets. No pangs of conscience. Above all—
“I have no obligation to listen to lectures on morality from someone who broke into another’s home and caused havoc. Look to your own actions before speaking.”
Watching Sora spit out these words, Goz felt bitter inside.
Reflecting on their conversation so far, it was clear that his words weren’t reaching Sora at all.
When they were on Onigashima, Goz had never felt such a disconnect with Sora. This is what unsettled him.
Surely, there was anger over the harm done to the oni he was protecting and his other comrades.
But the sense of unease Goz felt about Sora, evident in his series of words and actions, wasn’t something brought about by temporary emotions. It felt like something deeper, a distortion in his fundamental essence as a human being.
What Sora once had, but now lacked.
What Goz once sensed from Sora, but could no longer perceive.
What was it?
Goz slowly opened his mouth.
“Lord Sora, you have indeed grown stronger. Incomparably so compared to five years ago. However, at the same time, you have lost something precious.”
“Hmph, shall I humor you and ask? What is it?”
“The will to protect the country and save the people. In other words, the pride of national defense and world salvation.”
“……………… “
“A sword without pride will only fall into a hollow pit. Neither Lord sovereign nor Lady Shizuya would wish for you to wander in the darkness of delusion. Please—”
“Silence.”
A voice as cold as a winter lake cuts off Goz’s earnest admonition.
Eyes darker than night pierced through Goz.
“Five years since being exiled from the island. I’ve crawled my way here along the ground. Indeed, this isn’t the form I once desired. Mother might be disappointed. But I have no obligation to hear this from you. From you, who abandoned me five years ago.”
“…Lord Sora. As the Shiba of the Mitsurugi family, and as a senior practitioner of the Illusory One-Sword Style, I bear the responsibility to punish soul weapon users who do not follow the Mitsurugi family’s will. If you say you have no ears to hear my words—then I have no choice. From here on, I shall use not words, but my sword to shatter your delusions.”
“That’s what I want. Do it if you can, Goz-Shima!”
Sora shouted. Responding to its wielder’s anger, black flames rose from the soul weapon.
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