To become a king and a magician

16. A woman's emotions should always be carefully considered.

Several tens of minutes later.

"Well... let me introduce myself."

With a somewhat stiff, professional smile on his face, Natsukawa Torara, whose arm was around Princess Kiyohime's, pointed at Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen with his free hand.

"Musashi, Aba, this is Princess Kiyohime of Shimosa Province, who has been taking good care of me all this time."

"I am Musashi, nice to meet you, Your Highness."

"My name is Tomoe. Nice to meet you, Princess Kiyohime."

Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen greeted Kiyohime one after the other.

"Your Highness Kiyohime, these two are my companions, friends who have traveled with me throughout Japan. Their names are Musashi and Aba."

"......"

Kiyohime did not respond, but instead clung tightly to Natsukawa Torama's arm as if afraid of having something taken away from her.

(This child really loves tigers.)

(Lord Tiger... I have a feeling this will turn into a tragedy.)

“I understand the situation. Since she’s Lord Torakawa’s friend, I can’t treat her like a vixen…” Kiyohime nestled against Torakawa’s chest. “But why are Lord Torakawa’s companions here? Didn’t I already say that from now on Lord Torakawa can only receive me?”

“That’s not how it works, Princess Kiyohime.” Natsukawa Torara gave her the gentle smile she always used to deal with Kiyohime. “During this time, I have been deeply grateful for Princess Kiyohime’s kindness. But the reason I have this connection with you is ultimately due to these two friends. If they hadn’t introduced me to this job, I would probably never have met you.”

"They are among the benefactors who have enabled me to be who I am today. I am inviting them here today to repay this kindness."

(This man...)

(Lord Tiger...)

Seeing Natsukawa Torama's incredibly practiced performance and his nonsensical ramblings, Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen were momentarily at a loss for words. One might say, "No wonder he has that face; at first glance, he gives the impression of being very good at deceiving women."

When Kiyohime heard Natsukawa Torama's explanation, she said, "Fate... umm, umm, is that so? The fate between me and Lord Torama was brought about by these two."

The hostile expression that Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen had initially shown immediately vanished, replaced by one of great goodwill.

"I am truly grateful to both of you, Miss Musashi and Miss Tomoe. I will remember this great kindness of yours for bringing me and Lord Torata together!"

"No, there's no need... By the way, I'm sorry, Princess Kiyohime, could you lend us the tiger for a moment? We have some matters at home to discuss with him."

That's what he said, but Miyamoto Musashi didn't give Kiyohime any time to reply. He grabbed Natsukawa Tora from her side and asked in a low voice, "Tora, aren't you using too much force? Is this really okay?"

"Oh, you mean what we'll do when we leave, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Natsukawa Toramaru, Miyamoto Musashi, and Tomoe Gozen will eventually leave this world. After all, none of the three are native residents of this world; they are merely passersby. And now that Natsukawa Toramaru has captivated Princess Kiyohime so much, his departure will surely cause a great deal of trouble.

"About this...accidental death?"

"Won't she have a mental breakdown? I think she's not just simply trapped in this situation."

"That's true. How about we use magic to erase her memories of this period? Or replace the impression I have in her mind? Or maybe we can create a dream for her? I have some experience in this area."

Natsukawa Torama doesn't know many magic tricks; he's only learned a few over the past twenty years. Illusion is one of his specialties—Merry taught him well, demonstrating and teaching him in various ways, so he couldn't help but learn it.

"Well... if all else fails, I'll just stay here for a few more decades until she dies of natural causes before leaving."

"You really are responsible."

"Although there will be some trouble later, and there will definitely be a lot of problems with the pan-human history side as well—we'll figure things out when we get to the point."

After finishing his conversation with Miyamoto Musashi, Natsukawa Torara turned to Kiyohime and said, "I apologize, Princess Kiyohime. I have been talking with Musashi for a while and I am truly sorry for neglecting you."

"No, it's okay. Conversations with friends are very important, aren't they?"

"I am truly grateful for your understanding—so, Your Highness, is your visit today the same as usual?"

Normally, when Kiyohime came to Natsukawa Torato's place, she would only do one thing: pester him to treat her well, take care of her in every way, say sweet nothings to her, or tell her stories from his past... In short, she didn't want to hear about the things in the castle.

After all, Kiyohime was a princess, and she rarely had the opportunity to leave the city or learn about the outside world. Meeting a handsome and knowledgeable man like Natsukawa Toraku was a double blessing for her.

"No, I need to discuss some serious matters with Lord Tiger today."

Kiyohime said with a slightly serious expression, "I wonder if Lord Tiger has ever heard of the [Heroic Swordsman]?"

Heroic Swordsman?

The eyes of Xia Chuanhu and the other two were startled.

"I've heard about it; I occasionally hear about it from the neighbors. But isn't it just a legend?"

“That’s a real anomaly,” Kiyohime said. “Last night, one group of samurai on patrol didn’t return. And this morning, a samurai covered in snakes appeared at the gate of Tsuchiki Castle. He was the survivor of that group, but he has become a puppet of the Heroic Spirit Swordsman… and he brought back a message.”

"One of the heroic swordsmen, Assassin Paraíso, will take my life tonight."

Paraíso – Mochizuki Chiyo-onna.

(The female ninja that Tiger mentioned could summon a branch of Ibuki Daimyojin's spirit!)

Miyamoto Musashi immediately recalled the information about Paraíso.

Did that female ninja make a move last night?

However, Natsukawa Torama did not sense any fighting atmosphere, presumably because it was hidden, or perhaps because it was too far away for Natsukawa Torama to detect.

After a week of peace and quiet, it's finally time to get things going again.

"Then...is Your Highness's reason for coming here related to that Paraíso?"

“Indeed.” Kiyohime took a deep breath. “Lord Tiger, would you be willing to serve as my bodyguard and stay in Tuqi Castle tonight to protect me?”

"Huh?"

17. An identity that had already been exposed

On the night Paraíso is about to take Kiyohime's life, will he serve as Kiyohime's bodyguard?

Natsukawa Tora frowned: "Why would Your Highness make such a request? I am not a samurai, but merely a commoner. How can I possibly protect Your Highness from the clutches of a heroic swordsman?"

"In fact, it was Lord Yagyu who suggested this."

Kiyohime clapped her hands as she spoke: "Please come in, Lord Yagyu."

"Yes."

A deep sound came from outside the door.

Then, the wooden door slid open, and an old man with a knife at his waist walked into the house.

"!"

"!"

In an instant, Tomoe Gozen and Miyamoto Musashi's eyes and expressions changed.

However, just as the two of them changed color, another surge of magic came from Xia Chuanhu, forcefully suppressing the changes in their hearts.

【Yagyu】

Kiyohime addressed the old man in this way just now, and Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen remembered that when Natsukawa Torara revealed the true names of the Heroic Spirits, one of them was named [Yagyu] – [Yagyu Tajima no Kami Munenori].

"It is my first time meeting you all. I am Yagyu Tajima-no-kami Munenori, the Grand Inspector of the Shogunate."

(Same name?!)

(No, it's me?!)

A true name exactly like the Heroic Swordsman... Could it be that this person is...?

"Another extraordinary benefactor."

Just as Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen became wary, Natsukawa Torama had already adopted his business mode, perfectly playing his current role, and respectfully addressed Yagyu Tajima no Kami Munenori.

"I am Natsukawa Torata. It is truly an honor to meet Lord Yagyu."

"Hmm." Yagyu Munenori nodded slightly. "Princess Kiyohime, please leave the conversation with him to me. You may go outside and rest for a while."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Lord Yagyu."

Kiyohime stood up: "Then see you later, Lord Torata. I look forward to spending the evening with you."

After saying this, Kiyohime left the room, and after her footsteps faded into the distance—

"Whoosh—!"

In an instant, the originally luxuriously decorated room vanished, replaced by a boundless wilderness. Natsukawa Tora, who had been kneeling in front of Yagyu Munenori, was now standing in front of him, with one hand on his neck.

Similarly, Yagyu Munenori's blade had also been drawn and was pressed against the same spot on Natsukawa Torata's body at some unknown time.

Glancing coldly at Natsukawa Tora, who was standing close at hand, Yagyu Munenori sneered, "Showing your fangs, are you? Stranger, you have no patience at all."

“I don’t think I need to be patient with you—Saber Empire, one of the Seven Heroic Swordsmen.” Natsukawa Torara stared into Yagyu Munenori’s eyes. “You’ve come to me on your own initiative, quite confident in your skills.”

"Indeed, killing you would be effortless—"

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle—!"

Before Yagyu Munenori could finish speaking, a tearing sound rang out like a torrential rain. Yagyu Munenori, whose neck was being held by Natsukawa Torato, instantly retreated and swept his sword across the air!

"Crack!"

The blade snapped in two, and Yagyu Munenori's limbs were also severed and pulverized in the vacuum fracture, leaving him powerless as he collapsed to the ground.

The strongest swordsman in Edo's Yagyu region, known as the "Peerless Swordsman," was defeated by Natsukawa Torama in just one exchange!

"I see... No wonder that sorcerer admitted he couldn't confront you directly."

With his limbs severed, Yagyu Munenori lay on the ground staring at Natsukawa Torato: "You are indeed an alien being that no human can contend with."

"Knowing it, you still came to your death... no, you shikigami?"

Natsukawa Tora frowned and said, "Knowing I would be instantly killed by you, you used a shikigami to take your place—what are you trying to do, Saber Empire?"

Yagyu Munenori sneered, "Just as His Highness said, I invite you to Tuqi City to serve as His Highness's guard and fight against Paraíso."

"Do I need to use mind control magic on you to make you tell the truth?" Natsukawa Torato said, pressing down on Yagyu Munenori's head. "Let me kill your comrades—yes, that's right, it was my oversight. There's no camaraderie among you heroic swordsmen, right? So the purpose of this is... to get me into the Earth City."

Although he couldn't remember clearly at first, after so much time and recollection, Natsukawa Torato remembered most of what was about this world.