As Lucian journeyed through the desolate times, witnessing the aftermath of countless disasters and the devastation of homes and families, he couldn't help but feel a sense of oppression and discomfort. Though not a saint, he was deeply moved by the suffering around him.
It was on this day that Lucian first drew his sword, with no hesitation in ending the lives of the bandits before him.
Even with a sword lacking clear intent, it was enough to defeat them.
"But your actions undoubtedly blocked the path of certain powerful individuals."
"The nobles in the nearest town have begun pressuring you. Some have even sent assassins to kill you."
Lucian frowned slightly as his hand hovered over the text.
The scene around him shifted again, filled with ambushes and danger from every side.
Fortunately, Lucian possessed a pseudo-innate sense of awareness. Although his lack of experience caused him some injuries, even leaving scars on his face, he ultimately survived each encounter.
"These people!" Feeling the emotions from the projection, Lucian shared in the anger.
"At this time, your family heard of your situation and sent people to bring you back. When you refused, they attempted to use force, but none of them were a match for you."
"Eventually, an elder swordmaster from your clan came to speak with you. After conversing through the night and recognizing your current strength and quest for your sword's true intent, he chose to support you."
"That very night, the elder led you and your clan members into the town, killing the nobles who opposed you."
"From then on, no one could stop your blade."
"Your sword and deeds became famous in Edo!"
Lucian paused.
As he read the words, he was stunned by how easily the nobles who had stood against him were defeated by his hand.
Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but think to himself—this is the benefit of having strong backing.
"As time passed, three years went by. Your fame grew, and peace spread around you. Many came to follow you, gradually forming a small faction under your leadership."
"In this chaotic world, you single-handedly created a utopia!"
"However, as one who sought to leave behind a legacy and ascend to the rank of Heroic Spirit, you began to contemplate leaving."
"Just then, you received a letter from Okita Souji, informing you of a powerful demon appearing in Kyoto."
Having never seen a demon before, Lucian grew curious and decided to head there.
In the twilight of the modern era, most demons had vanished from the world.
Though there was a chance this might be false, Lucian would not pass up the opportunity to slay a demon and forge a legend.
"As you prepared to leave quietly, your departure still alarmed others. Those around you tried to dissuade you, but when they failed, they spread the news, hoping someone would convince you to stay."
"But your mind was made up. No one could change it."
"On the day of your departure, you received the greatest honor of your life… the entire town stopped what they were doing to see you off."
"They did not beg you to stay; instead, they expressed their gratitude with this gesture."
"At the end of the road, you saw many familiar faces—those whom you had saved in the past two years."
"Today, they knelt by the roadside, simply to bid you farewell."
Lucian was shocked.
He could clearly feel the deep emotion that surged from the projection.
As he relived these memories, he saw how the entire town had come together to send him off.
Among them were many faces he recognized.
At this moment, a strange feeling began to stir within Lucian's heart.
People are not plants; how can one be devoid of emotion?
Even though everything Lucian had done so far was for himself—for his reputation, to leave his mark in history, and to be recorded in the Book of Heroic Spirit Development—in this scene, how could his heart remain unmoved?
"...Alright, then."
Lucian smiled.
And as he stepped through the city gates, the terrifying sword aura he had built up over two years of slaughter, thick with the stench of blood, vanished in an instant.
"Let it be in this life," Lucian said with a smile. "From now on, I will wield my sword with purpose."
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Volume 1, Chapter 6: The Unsung Heroic Spirit
"At that moment, you seemed to have finally grasped the elusive sword intent, discovering the reason to wield your blade, thus becoming a true swordmaster!"
"You decided that after your journey to Kyoto, you would return to Edo and receive the final license of mastery from your teacher, Kondo Isami."
"Ten days later, you arrived in Kyoto."
"However, what greeted you was a raging inferno that engulfed the entire city!"
An unstoppable demonic fire burned through Kyoto for two full days and nights, turning night into day with its blinding brightness.
It wasn't until the dawn of the third day, when the skies could no longer bear it, that rain began to fall.
The drizzling rain finally extinguished the remaining flames, bringing an end to the catastrophe.
It was at this moment that Lucian arrived in Kyoto.
The rain did not cease as he stood alone before the ruins of his family home, destroyed by the fire.
The survivors of the Watanabe clan were huddled together, weeping.
He learned that his parents had perished, though he barely remembered them.
He also discovered that the old swordmaster who had stood by him, who had led the charge in killing the corrupt nobles, and had borne the pressure of the family for his sake, had also died.
But he hadn't died in the fire—he was killed by another's blade.
Lucian stood in silence.
The rain continued to fall over Kyoto, mixing with the soft cries of the survivors, giving the ruined city an ethereal, misty atmosphere.
It also drenched Lucian, soaking him completely.
"The rain continued, but it could not extinguish the anger in your heart. Soon, Hijikata Toshizo found you. His eyes were weary, and though he seemed to know more, he didn't tell you immediately."
"He said it was too dangerous, even for you, despite your newfound swordmaster status. He didn't want you to throw your life away. Your choice was..."
A: Investigate the cause, B: Rebuild the family, C: Take direct action.
Without hesitation, Lucian chose to investigate.
His anger had flared to such intensity that even the Book of Heroic Spirit Development could sense it.
In the real world, Lucian might have chosen reason, knowing from years of training under Hijikata that his mentor was a steady and cautious man.
But even so, what difference did it make now?
"You refused Hijikata's advice and insisted on pursuing the matter."
"Brother Hijikata, I must draw my sword," Lucian said slowly. "For I have decided—this life, I will wield my sword for others."
That was the sword intent he had found.
"Moreover, they destroyed my family, killed my parents, and took my benefactor from me… I cannot let this sword rest!"
Even if he knew it would undo all his efforts so far, Lucian still chose to press forward!
hise's the translated and edited passage in English:
Even though she anticipated that this choice might undo all his efforts up to this point, Lucian still chose to press forward without hesitation!
[After Hijikata Toshizō heard your determination, he no longer tried to dissuade you. With the connections remaining in the Shinsengumi and your clan, you quickly received the information you were seeking.]
[What you didn't expect, however, was that the great demon mentioned in the letter from Okita Sōji that day... was none othis than him!]
"That guy is not human."
In one of the Shinsengumi's ruined houses after a disaster, Hijikata Toshizō, who had spent several days gathising information, finally invited Lucian over.
He hadn't slept for days.
"Most of the people from your clan were killed by him... They were honorable samurai, worthy of your ancestors' name!"
Hearing this, Lucian suddenly recalled his family's hisitage.
The Watanabe clan,
Watanabe no Tsuna, the legendary Onikirimaru!
Indeed, it was the very same Watanabe no Tsuna, one of the Four Heavenly Kings from the Heian period, who severed the arm of the demon Ibaraki-dōji.
That sacred relic, the Onikirimaru, still existed in Lucian's family home in the present day.
"According to the remaining onmyoji families in Kyoto, the great demon of this era—something impossible to be born in today's world—is an amalgamation of all the evil in existence."
"He seeks to destroy Edo, both as revenge against the Meiji government that betrayed him, and to fulfill his own ambitions."
"He is a man who crawled out of hell itself. His name is—Shishio Makoto!"
"And now, with the army of spirits gathised from the recent fire, he is heading for Edo!"
Edo—the name might sound unfamiliar to you.
But let's use the name more widely known in modern times—Tokyo!
Without a doubt, Edo is the heart of Japan!
"Even knowing all of this, do you still choose to go, Junior Brothis Lucian?"
Hijikata Toshizō's gaze became more complicated as he looked at Lucian. "You must understand, he is undoubtedly the strongest being alive. Only a grandmaster swordsman like your master... no, maybe even only a sword saint could defeat him!"
[After hearing everything from Hijikata Toshizō, although you were shaken, you didn't hesitate. You chose to return to Edo immediately.]
[As you drew closer to Edo, an ominous feeling settled in your heart. You couldn't explain why, but a terrible premonition was growing inside you.]
[You unconsciously began to quicken your pace.]
[At last, you arrived back in Edo. Although the great battle seemed yet to begin, the city appeared deceptively peaceful. But as you rushed to the swordsmanship dojo that had nurtured you for more than ten years...]
[What greeted you was the sight of the dojo drenched in blood.]
[Inside, you found Shishio Makoto—and your master, Kondō Isami, with his heart pierced by Shishio's sword.]
[Your master saw you, and in his final moments, he desperately grabbed Shishio, urging you to flee. You now face a choice...]
[A: Fight to the death, B: Flee in disgrace, C: Intervene personally.]
Rage...
Uncontrollable rage filled Lucian, turning his eyes bloodshot, despite being a 'witness' and not the one projected in the scene.
his hand hovered over the text in the Book of Heroic Spirit Development. The final words on the page came into focus.
What appeared before his eyes was the blood-soaked dojo, his master spewing blood as Shishio's flaming sword pierced his body. Yet, with his last ounce of strength, he grabbed Shishio, urging his to flee.
Lucian's gaze locked onto the figure of Shishio Makoto in the scene. He wore a deep navy-black robe, his body wrapped in white bandages, revealing only his black hair, red eyes, and the unmistakable demon horns on his head.
This man... is the ultimate evil of this era.
Lucian withdrew his hand from the text, taking several deep breaths.
Then, his eyes steeled with resolve.
"Book of Heroic Spirit Development, channel all my remaining power into me... Forgive me, Master, but I cannot honor your final wish."
With that, Lucian made his decision—to intervene personally!