The moment she said “us,” there was a burst of static noise.
It was the noise gathered from all the hatred, anger, despair, and more from this era!
By now, Mitsuyuki naturally understood what was happening and what this thing before him was…
the accumulation of Japan’s evil thoughts from this era.
The moment Mitsuyuki slew Shishio Makoto, it should have vanished from the world along with him, but it had survived.
The reason was simple: Mitsuyuki could contain it.
Mitsuyuki was a half-demon, not fully human, and most importantly, his demonic power came from that terrifying black serpent—an existence even more terrifying than these evil thoughts!
“…If you had come a bit earlier, perhaps I really would have been influenced by you, accepted you, and been controlled by you.”
After a long silence, Mitsuyuki gave his response.
At this moment, his eyes had completely returned to their usual calm, and a faint smile even appeared on his face as he shook his head.
“But sorry, you’re too late.”
Faced with Mitsuyuki’s rejection, the smile on the little girl’s face froze.
Then the small town gradually disappeared, turning into an endless darkness.
In this darkness, the malice gathered above the little girl began to emerge and roar, finally rushing toward Mitsuyuki.
Attempting to swallow Mitsuyuki whole.
Mitsuyuki just watched all this quietly.
Then, he slowly took a step forward.
As he stepped out, it was like a drop of water falling onto a level surface, creating ripples.
Within this consciousness space, the endless darkness was instantly blown away, turning into a vast world of a mirrored water surface.
Discarding everything else in this world, Mitsuyuki drew the long sword formed by his heart.
This sudden change undoubtedly intimidated the entity before him.
“Souji, she said I’m an idiot…
Mitsuyuki spoke softly, a slight smile on his face.
“Ultimately, I’ve been influenced too deeply by her…
but it can’t be helped, since the source of my power is her, and she will become a Heroic Spirit in the future.”
“Then there’s nothing wrong with me wanting to imitate her to complete the Heroic Spirit Imprint, right?”
At this, Mitsuyuki suddenly sighed and then added, “But though my words and actions might deceive, the sword certainly will not…
They have their own goals and will swing their weapons for this era, but I cannot do that.”
“Thus, I have always been troubled by my Sword Intent…
until I finally fulfilled my promise to her last time.
I thought about it for nearly a year before I finally understood.”
“To integrate one’s will into the sword and carry it through to the end…
I am just a selfish person.
I don’t have their kind of conviction.
My purpose in swinging the sword has actually always been for the Heroic Spirit alone.”
“So, let it be this way.”
Mitsuyuki said.
At this very moment, Mitsuyuki’s heart was clear, without self or others, reflecting all things in the world.
This was the Realm of the Heart—the Realm of Void!
The ultimate state pursued by countless heroes of the sword!
At the same time, it was the stepping stone to the gates of a Sword Saint.
Then, facing the evil before him, Mitsuyuki raised the sword formed by his heart.
“Just slash…
that is the final answer I found.”
At the same time, this is also my intent.
sever everything that stands in my way!
With those words, the sword swung down.
Without any resistance, this strike directly severed all evil thoughts.
But that little girl who fell with a thud onto the surface of the water did not disappear…
She was probably confused about why she hadn’t disappeared, as she could feel that Mitsuyuki’s strike was enough to kill her.
While she was puzzled, Mitsuyuki had already sheathed his sword and walked toward her, extending his hand.
“Come.”
Mitsuyuki smiled and said to her, “After all, this was indeed my promise.”
After all, the sentiment from back then had truly transformed into Mitsuyuki’s Sword Intent.
And a sword does not lie.
…
[After severing all the evil in this world, you finally accepted its pure essence.
Thus, you truly transformed from a half-yokai into a yokai, becoming the final urban legend of this world.]
[You prevented the disaster in Kyoto.
Having become the final urban legend, no corpse-demon or yokai dared to resist you under your pressure.]
[Showing no mercy, you brandished the onikiri in your hand and slaughtered them all…
You fought alone for nearly an entire night, until the dawn of the next day tore through the darkness and the fires burning Kyoto were completely extinguished.]
[Then you returned the onikiri and left the Watanabe family.]
[You fulfilled your mission as the current master of the onikiri.]
[You left…
Despite everyone’s pleas for you to stay, you said nothing, only smiled and departed wearing your bamboo hat.]
[Soon, you returned to that deep mountain…
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”