I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

……

hum!

Due to the excessively fast cutting speed, the blade produced a slight vibration.

call out!

The sweeping slash not only severed the air but also cut through the bodies of several enemy soldiers.

Wailing, screams, roars, hissing... all sorts of sounds mingled together.

Slashing, stabbing, shooting, grappling... a continuous barrage of attacks could be seen everywhere.

Led by Aoto, the Shinsengumi launched a fierce and overwhelming attack on the enemy! They trampled over layers upon layers of corpses, their bodies and clothes covered in blood!

It was both an inspiration from Qingdeng and a release of the pressure that had accumulated over the past few days.

Those with muskets, fire!

Those with swords or knives slashed.

Those who had no weapons raised their fists and used the most primitive weapons to kill the enemy!

"We are the invincible Shinsengumi! You bunch of losers think you can fight us?!"

"Is this all the people you have?! Get out of the city and call for reinforcements! This small number isn't enough for me to kill!"

"Follow Lord Niou!"

Having just escaped from the hospital, Kondo Isami and his comrades all displayed a "life or death" spirit, completely disregarding their still-healing wounds, and always charged ahead.

"Cough! Cough cough! Cough!"

After killing another enemy soldier, Kondo Isami suddenly felt his old wound flare up, his head throbbed with pain, and his legs went weak, almost causing him to kneel down. Fortunately, he managed to support Nagasone Kotetsu on the ground, which helped him maintain his balance.

"This guy's out of energy!"

"Come on!"

In the blink of an eye, several enemy soldiers attacked from multiple directions.

Kondo Isami gritted his teeth and forced a cold laugh through them:

"Out of energy...? Who do you think I am...? I am the commander of the Shinsengumi... the fourth head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu main family... Kondo Isami!"

With a sudden rise in pitch, Kondo Isami straightened up, and the Nagasone Kotetsu in his hand drew a long arc in mid-air, cutting down all the approaching enemy soldiers.

Similar scenarios also occurred with Inoue Genzaburo, Todo Heisuke, and others.

If even they are like this, then Qingdeng is even more so.

Although he had not yet entered the "state of selflessness", he suddenly unleashed a power he had never had before!

The dark purple light flashed incessantly, unleashing one slash after another, killing one enemy soldier after another.

No one can keep up with his slashing speed; no one can stop his attacks.

As long as he raises his blade, one or more enemy soldiers will surely die a horrible death!

At this moment, Qing Deng only had two things in his eyes—the knife in his hand and the enemy that had entered his slashing range!

They fought until they forgot about time, until they lost all sense of what the world was...

Suddenly, he heard Toudou Heisuke's excited shout:

"Mr. Tachibana! Mr. Tachibana! The enemy has retreated! The enemy has retreated!"

Upon hearing this sound, Qingdeng calmed down slightly and stared intently—the enemy soldiers were retreating in full force. Apart from a small rearguard, the rest of the enemy soldiers rushed out of the city and soon disappeared from Qingdeng and the others' sight.

However, Qing Deng did not show any joy.

He said in a deep voice, his face expressionless:

"...We haven't won yet. The enemy has only temporarily retreated and will attack again after a short rest."

……

……

"it hurts……"

"The doctor...the doctor hasn't come yet..."

"Here, eat."

"No... I can't eat anything right now..."

"Eat quickly, there's a fierce battle to fight later."

"Are we going to die here...?"

"I'm so unwilling to accept this... We were so close to victory..."

"Although it was a short time, I am proud to have fought alongside you. You are all remarkable men."

"Waaaaah... Waaaaah..."

……

More than half an hour has passed since the enemy temporarily withdrew.

As time passed, an atmosphere of panic and despair spread throughout the city like a plague...

With the battle situation having deteriorated to such a state, it was clear to anyone that both the regular army and the militia within the city had fallen into a tragic state of utter despair...

In short, the city is about to fall!

The desperate counterattack launched by Aoto just now successfully repelled the enemy, but it also completely depleted the Shinsengumi's remaining strength.

On the other hand, the enemy... clearly still has some strength left...

Once the enemy has finished resting and launched a new offensive... that will most likely be the moment when Dajin City falls!

As the atmosphere of despair in the city grew increasingly intense, Aoto, who was resting near the north wall of Otsu Castle, was surrounded by Kondo Isami and others.

Kondo Isami stepped forward and said in a deep voice:

"Mr. Orange, I'll be frank. You should leave the city now."

Leaving the city—it's a euphemism, but everyone knows its true meaning.

Qingdeng chuckled to himself:

"Hey, are you trying to brand me a 'coward'? I'd rather die on the front lines than do something so shameful. Let me make it clear beforehand, don't even think about using force against me. Although I'm exhausted right now, I can still easily subdue you all."

Todo Heisuke sighed softly:

"I told you long ago, Mr. Tachibana would never agree to this."

Inoue Genzaburo took a deep breath:

"If that's the case, then let's fight to the bitter end!"

Saito said calmly:

"Mr. Ju, if you want to fight, we'll fight you to the bitter end!"

Qingdeng calmly turned his gaze to the fearless crowd, a half-smile playing on his lips, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"...Zanako, gather all the warhorses that are still usable, and all the cavalry that are still able to move!"

……

……

The cheerful atmosphere outside the city and the despairing atmosphere inside the city formed a stark contrast.

The officers of the Northern Expeditionary Army and the British Army were all beaming with joy, as if they were now standing at the very top of the main fortress of Otsu City.

"After so many days of fierce fighting, victory is finally within reach!"

"We finally won! It was so hard-won!"

"It is thanks to everyone's concerted efforts that we have achieved today's victory!"

"Victory!"

……

No wonder they were so excited.

The impregnable fortress before them was finally about to fall; the efforts and pressure of the past month were finally paying off; their hateful nemesis (Qingdeng) was finally about to be defeated... Their ecstatic joy was only to be expected.

Even Yamata no Orochi, Tamamo-no-Mae, and others couldn't help but show signs of relaxation and relief.

But... at that moment, without any warning, Ōtakemaru's expression suddenly changed.

As if sensing something, he quickly turned his head, squinted, and stared intently at the eastern horizon...

……

……

On the horizon east of Otsu Castle—

Tap tap, tap tap, tap tap, tap tap, tap tap...

The sound of horses' hooves pounding the earth rose and fell.

A large contingent of cavalry slowly emerged on the horizon like a surging tide.

Chiba Jutaro craned his neck and asked impatiently:

Have we made it in time?

Ogata smiled slightly:

"Just in time."

*******

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This new work is Leopard's confident masterpiece, a culmination of his talent. Please be sure to bookmark it and read it regularly! (Leopard head crying.jpg)