Chương 5: Chapter 5: Type-Moon, the Heroic Spirit I Summoned is Myself
In battle, he waits, accumulating his sword's momentum, and at the perfect moment, he unleashes the decisive strike!
souji Okita's task was to break Lucian's momentum, disrupting his rhythm with rapid attacks.
Until now, souji Okita had lost more duels than won, largely due to Lucian having picked up the sword years earlier. Despite their equal talents, Lucian had the advantage of time.
But things had started to change recently.
Lucian's refined swordsmanship kept him from being overwhelmed, but their matches always ended in a draw.
Tonight, under the moonlight, their blades clashed, producing a piercing melody as sparks flew. Their duel held a strange beauty, leaving even Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō humbled by the skill on display.
"No doubt about it, these two are the greatest swordsmen of our dojo," Kondō praised.
"...But it's not enough," said Kondō Shūsuke, his brows furrowed. "This isn't the outcome Lucian seeks."
As if on cue, Lucian stepped back from souji Okita's blade, halting abruptly.
souji Okita, with mutual understanding, stopped too, glancing at Lucian in confusion.
"This isn't what I want, souji Okita," Lucian said with a frown. "I'm not here for an ordinary spar... I want you to cut through the uncertainty in my heart!"
souji Okita was taken aback. She looked at Lucian's resolute gaze, then at the cold gleam of her own sword.
"So that's it," souji Okita said with a soft smile.
She finally understood the purpose of tonight's duel.
She took two steps back, gripped her sword with both hands, and raised it again, assuming a ready stance toward Lucian.
But this time, her demeanor changed completely.
Her pale golden eyes were focused intently on Lucian, clear and unwavering. A subtle yet powerful intent surrounded her—a swordsman's intent to cut through everything in their path, something Lucian lacked at this moment.
"Lucian, I wield my sword to witness something greater… even if it's just a small contribution to this era!" souji Okita spoke calmly but with seriousness. "That's why I will use my blade to cut through everything in my way!"
With those words, she offered Lucian the answer he sought.
Lucian was silent for a while.
"Kondō-senpai and Hijikata-senpai have invited you, haven't they?"
souji Okita didn't respond, but Lucian already knew the answer.
It was clear that his master, Kondō Shūsuke, wasn't the only one who had noticed his uncertainty. Kondō Isami and Hijikata Toshizō had seen it too, which was why they invited souji Okita instead of Lucian.
Though Lucian's skill wasn't inferior to souji Okita's, he had still not been accepted into the Shinsengumi.
At that moment, Lucian also sensed the clarity in souji Okita's sword, free of any doubt, brimming with a pure sword intent.
Slowly, Lucian raised his sword. The momentum he had been building within him all this time reached its peak.
The air was thick with tension as Kondō and Hijikata held their breath, their eyes wide with anticipation. They knew that the strike about to be exchanged would determine the victor.
Even they were curious—who would win?
Silence...
An eerie stillness fell over the scene.
souji Okita and Lucian stood still, their swords gripped tightly in their hands. Then, as the wind stirred, a single cherry blossom floated down between them.
In that instant, they both vanished, leaving only afterimages behind.
Clang!
The sharp sound of blades clashing echoed.
A winner emerged!
Under the moonlight, as everyone held their breath, they saw that both fighters' weapons had... chipped at the same time!
It was a draw!
Yes, the result was undoubtedly a tie.
But Lucian knew that he had actually lost.
Because this time, he had interfered, pushing himself to a state stronger than usual.
His sword had hesitated in the final moment, while souji Okita's had not.
Otherwise, there was no way souji Okita could have won against Lucian in this state.
Then, in the next second...
"My sword!"
Kondō Isami's lament echoed through the silent courtyard.
Even Hijikata Toshizō's face was grim.
Lucian and souji Okita exchanged glances, momentarily startled by the outburst. Then, they both burst into laughter.
"Thank you, souji Okita," Lucian said with a smile.
souji Okita shook her head. "Are you leaving, Lucian?"
"Yeah," Lucian nodded. "It's time for me to go."
"Where will you go?"
"I'll wander around for a while," Lucian replied with a smile. "See the world torn by war, search for my own sword intent... and maybe earn some fame along the way."
"Alright," souji Okita smiled. Although she didn't fully understand, it didn't matter. "I'll be waiting for your return, Lucian!"
---
Under the cherry blossom tree, bathed in moonlight, you challenged souji Okita... and you lost.
How could a sword clouded by doubt sever the will of that resolute girl?
You prepare to bid farewell to your master and comrades, setting out into the war-torn world to find your sword's true intent and seek your own legend.
She made a promise to you. She will wait for the sword you bring back.
Your master waits as well. You still have one final step before you receive full certification as a swordsman.
You leave Edo, the dojo you've called home for over a decade. Donning a black samurai robe, with the sword your master gave you at parting, you wear a straw hat and transform into a wandering swordsman.
—
You left behind the fireworks and splendor of Edo, stepping into a world in chaos.
Now in the midst of turmoil, with no clear goal, you become a wandering ronin.
Life and death, joy and sorrow, drunken oblivion... for the first time on your journey, you realize the brutal truth of the histories—countless bodies strewn across fields, with human lives as fragile as ants.
At the end of the Shogunate, the land of Eijū is undoubtedly in chaos.
Yet in key areas like Edo, life still feels prosperous.
This is because of the country's isolationist policy, making the conflicts beyond Edo seem distant and irrelevant.
Lucian always knew this era was chaotic, but only today did he truly witness it with his own eyes.
Sparse lines of text appeared before him, yet what they described were chilling corpses with half-congealed blood, skeletal remains exposed in the wilderness, and restless spirits howling in the dark—bitter souls with no place to find peace.
Through projected memories, Lucian found himself immersed in this scene, witnessing it firsthand.
You look at everything before you, your heart trembling. After a long journey, you arrive at a secluded village.
An elder from the village kneels before you, seeing the sword at your side, and pleads for your help to eliminate the bandits who kidnapped some of the villagers.
The village is poor and cannot offer much in return. In desperation, they turn to you, a seemingly young and inexperienced swordsman. Your choices are...
A: Accept the request, B: Rob the villagers, C: Ignore and leave, D: Intervene directly
Lucian didn't hesitate for long before choosing to accept the request.
After all, he had left the dojo with the intent of building a reputation.
It was also an opportunity to seek out a deeper understanding of swordsmanship.
But... can I actually kill?
As he pondered his master Kondo Shūsuke's teachings, the memory projection continued.
You accept the villagers' request and, determined not to sit idly by, take the initiative to strike. That very night, you infiltrate the bandit camp.
Inside, you hear the bandits' boisterous laughter and the cries of the women they kidnapped. Under the cover of darkness, you swiftly eliminate the entire gang.
You have killed for the first time. Yet you feel neither excitement nor discomfort—it all feels strangely natural.
…Huh?
Lucian was stunned.
Wait, it's over just like that?
Instinctively, Lucian touched the words on the screen.
The projected memory flowed into his mind. He saw the scene—the bandits indulging in rape and murder, the clinking of cups filled with stolen wine, and then... the image of himself cutting them down with a sword.
Lucian now understood why the text described it all so casually.
They were too slow... even though these bandits were dangerous criminals, and this was Lucian's first time killing, their moves were far too sluggish compared to him, the projection of Watanabe Lucian.
In the blink of an eye, he had countless ways to kill them.
You rescue the villagers but take nothing for yourself. Instead, you return all the loot gathered from the bandits to the village.
Money means little to you; after all, your goal is prestige.
Villagers from nearby heard of your deeds and cautiously began to seek your help, and you accepted each request.
Wielding your sword, you quickly brought order to the surrounding area. Word of your presence spread, striking fear into your enemies.
You neither sought wealth nor indulged in lust... to you, such things are mere obstacles to drawing your sword. You disdain them!
Your name gradually spread among the villagers.
Feeling the memory resonate with him, Lucian let out a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief and contentment wash over him.
Though it was merely a simulation, the vividness of the memory often made him forget that, making it feel as though he truly had become Watanabe Lucian, wandering through this chaotic era.
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