I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

He clumsily protected his younger sister, like a child.

Like a child, single-mindedly repaying one's benefactor.

Craving friends like a child.

Having broken free from the shackles of "repaying the debt to Lord Orochi," he finally got his wish and could pursue his own ambition—to befriend Aoto, who was capable of killing him.

……

……

"elder brother……"

I knelt beside my brother, stroking his face as I whispered:

"That's great...you've finally made a friend..."

"..."

My brother turned his head and gave me a deep look.

He must have heard me.

He closed his eyes contentedly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

……

……

Qingdeng stood quietly to the side, his face showing no excitement at killing a powerful enemy.

Looking at the now lifeless Ootakemaru, he felt the complex emotions in his heart intensify.

He belatedly realized the true nature of this complex emotion—an indescribable sense of desolation.

He would never forget his duel with Ōtakemaru.

They fought each other, but also learned from each other... It's likely that a duel like this will never happen again in the rest of his life.

Upon witnessing Ōtakemaru's death in battle, Aoto felt no joy of victory, only a sense of desolation, as if he had lost a close and like-minded friend...

Considering that he and Ōtakemaru are the only two people in the world with the talent of "the one who connects the worlds," this sense of loneliness becomes even stronger.

Ah Ling reacted quite calmly to her brother's passing.

After tidying up Ootakemaru's hair a little, she looked up at Aoto:

"...Your Majesty, may I take my brother's body with me?"

Qingdeng answered without hesitation:

"Please go ahead."

"I am extremely grateful."

After offering a brief expression of gratitude, Aling carried Ōtakemaru's body on her back and headed north without looking back.

Qingdeng stood still, silently watching the brother and sister leave.

Only after the latter's figure had almost disappeared from his sight did he turn around, bandaging his wounds with strips of torn cloth as he hurried back to the center of the battlefield, where the sounds of battle had ceased.

……

……

"Tachibana-kun, are you... are you alright?"

Kondo Isami rushed over and was shocked to see Aoto's forehead, arms, thighs, and other parts of his body wrapped in thick strips of cloth.

"I'm fine, not seriously injured. How did it go? Did you find Orochi?"

Kondo Isami nodded vigorously:

"Yes! Found him! He's in this tent!"

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng turned to look at the camp in front of him.

Dozens of soldiers had surrounded the tent, making it impossible for anyone inside to escape.

Outside the tent, Itsumade, who had suffered numerous wounds, lay in a pool of blood, his life extinguished.

Kondo Isami explained in a timely manner:

"This man was a hero; he would rather die than retreat. He took more than ten blows before collapsing from exhaustion."

Qingdeng nodded and said slowly:

"You all wait outside the tent. Do not come in without my order."

Having said that, he strode forward and rushed into the tent.

As soon as he entered, he saw the Yamata no Orochi sitting upright.

Seeing Qingdeng suddenly appear, Orochi curled the corners of his mouth and chuckled a few times:

"Niou, we meet again."

*******

*******

If all goes well, the final chapter and epilogue will be released tomorrow...

Sigh... Even though I was mentally prepared, when the day of its conclusion actually arrived, I still felt a mix of emotions! (Crying leopard.jpg) The story of Nioh is finally coming to a temporary end. (Tearful leopard head.jpg)

My new book is out!

The book is titled "America: The Great Chase of 1924".

Please be sure to bookmark this and read it regularly!

Chapter 1195 A Bunch of Madmen

At the same time that Qingdeng met Yamata no Orochi—

The main camp of the Northern Expeditionary Army and the British Army—

"General! Run!"

"I've already brought the horse!"

"We will risk our lives to protect you and get you out of here!"

……

Tokugawa Yoshinobu sat upright on a stool with an air of authority.

Several die-hard supporters of the "Northern Shogunate" surrounded him, anxiously urging him to flee.

The shouts of battle outside are getting closer and closer... If we don't hurry, we won't be able to escape!

In contrast, Tokugawa Yoshinobu's reaction was much calmer.

He kept his head down, eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought. After his die-hard followers finished speaking, he said softly, expressionless:

"...No, I'm not going anywhere."

The die-hard supporters were all stunned upon hearing this.

One of them said urgently:

"General, what makes you say that? We still have a chance to escape..."

Before the man could finish speaking, Tokugawa Yoshinobu twitched the corner of his mouth, letting out a self-deprecating laugh:

"Escape? Where can I escape to?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Tokugawa Yoshinobu's words brought the scene back to deathly silence.

The die-hard supporters remained silent, speechless.

Tokugawa Yoshinobu, in a tone devoid of joy or sorrow, continued the conversation:

"Our war is over."

"Tachibana Aoto won, we lost."

"From this day forward, no force in the five regions, seven provinces, and sixty-six kingdoms will be able to withstand the military might of Tachibana Seidenō."

"Even if we can escape for a while, we can't escape forever."

"I don't want to put up any more futile resistance..."

"Go ahead and run if you want, just leave me alone."

"Let me quietly accept my fate..."

After speaking, Tokugawa Yoshinobu said no more, closed his eyes, and pretended to rest.

The die-hard supporters remained undeterred, clinging to the delusion that "Tokugawa Yoshinobu should flee this place and make a comeback someday."

After exchanging glances, they prepared to launch a new round of persuasion.

Unfortunately, they no longer have the chance.

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!

In the blink of an eye, accompanied by hurried footsteps approaching from afar, a dozen Shinsengumi members burst into the tent and surrounded Tokugawa Yoshinobu and his men.

The leader was none other than Saito Hajime.

Saito Hajime, carrying a blood-dripping sword, strode toward Tokugawa Yoshinobu.

Seeing that this person was dressed in exquisite and gorgeous armor and had an extraordinary demeanor, it was clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person. Therefore, Saito Hajime asked with a serious expression:

"I am Saito Hajime, the captain of the third division of the Shinsengumi. May I ask who you are?"

Tokugawa Yoshinobu raised his head and met Saito's gaze with neither arrogance nor servility.

"Captain Saito, I have long admired your name. I am Tokugawa Yoshinobu. I surrender, and I beg you not to make things difficult for my men."