Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

[Raiden Mei's mother could only regard it as a weapon that had been bound to Raiden Mei after she came into contact with it and they became her bonded companions, at which point it truly revealed its true form.]

[Raiden Mei's mother held the master swordsmith in the highest esteem.]

Raiden Mei's mother never imagined that this sword could actually recognize its master, just like in myths and legends.

[I had never heard of that swordsmith's sword being so special before; it was only because it was sought after by all the powerful individuals that I specially paid a high price to acquire one.]

Who would have thought that this would create such a connection with Raiden Mei?

This further convinced Raiden Mei's mother that Raiden Mei was destined by fate, the first person outside of Izumo's mythology to have such achievements!

[As for the previous speculation that Raiden Mei had a deep relationship with you and that the markings on her body were related to your good deeds, Raiden Mei's mother put it aside.]

However, Raiden Mei's mother probably doesn't know that she had already guessed the answer.

"Excellent... That sword-forging master is truly a god, possessing such miraculous sword-forging skills. Heaven blesses Izumo, heaven blesses the Raiden clan..."

[When Raiden Mei heard her mother praising the swordsmith who forged the sword so highly, her usually serious face even showing immense admiration, she felt a chill run down her spine.]

Raiden Mei didn't know how to bring this up. Should she tell her mother that you might actually be the blacksmith who forged this sword?

Although I haven't verified it with you, who else but you could have transformed this sword from its original form into something so terrifying?

[When Raiden Mei saw how easily her mother believed that the sword's uniqueness was the cause of the current situation, and saw how much her mother praised the swordsmith, she became even more convinced of this.]

Just as her mother subconsciously believed that her tattoos were related to you, a woman's intuition led Raiden Mei to firmly believe that you were indeed the touted master swordsmith.

[Mei Raiden doesn't know how to tell her mother about this yet, so her mother can't possibly connect you with that legendary mysterious master.]

[And little did she know that the sword-forging master she praised and revered as a god was none other than you, whom she looked down upon.]

After Raiden Mei resolved her mother's questions, rumors about her and the sword spread rapidly.

The story of Raiden Mei and her sword binding themselves with blood has been heard in almost every corner of Izumo Province, deeply shocking everyone who has ever heard of it, a story that was almost only heard in myths and legends.

Although it's almost unbelievable, Raiden Mei's performance on the battlefield is something all the samurai have witnessed.

With numerous eyewitness testimonies, Raiden Mei's reputation soared, and the public increasingly speculated about the extent of her power, spreading rumors about her legendary markings and the story of her claiming a master.

As for Raiden Mei's mention of "recognizing a master," it doesn't contradict the temporary lie Himeko wove on the battlefield earlier.

[Wouldn't combining the idea of ​​"hiding oneself while the knife recognizes its master, as a final trump card" make the whole thing more believable?]

[Because I'm currently in the process of establishing a bond with the sword, it will take some time to resolve, which also provides a good opportunity to hide it as a trump card to deal with the enemy.]

The people of Izumo and many samurai did not doubt the truth of this claim; only Raiden Mei and you know the real situation.

Regarding the sword pattern that everyone praises and extols, and Raiden Mei's awe-inspiring and enviable sword that can recognize its master, only Raiden Mei herself knows the true extent of the iaido you have inflicted upon her.

As Raiden Mei listened to the various discussions outside, the stories about her and the sword mark became increasingly bizarre and miraculous, and increasingly shameful.

After the grand welcoming ceremony and the family's many sympathetic questions, Raiden Mei finally got a chance to come and ask you for clarification.

After finally managing to fend off a barrage of questions, Raiden Mei managed to sneak out, just to see you.

Finally, she saw that familiar yet unfamiliar figure.

[Raiden Mei's voice trembled slightly, but because of the many questions in her heart, she finally stood before you.]

[You, shrouded in shadow, were not particularly surprised by Raiden Mei's arrival, as if you knew she would inevitably come to you.]

[You simply lit a few candles silently. They were a vibrant pink, and although they didn't seem to be very hot, Raiden Mei felt something was off about them the moment she saw them.]

[Then, you tidied up the red rope lying to the side, its purpose unknown, and said casually to Raiden Mei without even looking up—]

"Removing the armor"

Huang Quan Disarms.jpg

Chapter Ninety-Nine: Mother of the Underworld

You slowly turned around, your face as calm as ever, as if you had already expected Mei to come.

Raiden Mei took a few steps forward, staring intently into your eyes with a stubborn intensity.

Although Raiden Mei's resentment has lessened, what remains most is the shame of being discussed by outsiders about the marks you left behind.

However, Raiden Mei's slightly widened eyes showed that she still mustered up the last bit of shame and anger to settle the score with you.

Although Raiden Mei didn't say anything, her eyes said it all.

She wants to know why you did all this, and how you were able to do such outrageous things.

[Regarding the transformation of that sword, the grotesque patterns on the blade, and its exaggerated power]

[And there's the matter of how you trampled on and humiliated her, and how you imprisoned her and helped her escape a sneak attack and assassination...]

With so many questions to ask, Raiden Mei didn't know where to begin.

You know perfectly well why Raiden Mei is looking for you, and you also know what questions she wants to ask.

However, you didn't answer immediately. You slightly raised your head, your gaze falling on Raiden Mei's clothes.

[Your options at this point are: 1. Smile and congratulate Raiden Mei on becoming a famous person in Izumo Province, and from then on, never attack Raiden Mei again.]

[2. He mocked Raiden Mei's current fame and promised her that he would never lay a hand on her again.]

[3. Command Raiden Mei to remove her armor]

[Based on your "Observation Haki," regardless of options 1 or 2, Raiden Mei will die in the near future.]

Jingye frowned as he looked at the information provided by the villain simulator. Through "Observation Haki," he could only know that Raiden Mei would die soon after choosing option 1 or 2.

The specific reason is currently unknown, but...

Judging from the effects of the "Blade of the Soul" entry, it's probably because Raiden Mei's strength wasn't enough to survive, as she didn't have enough twisted emotions to reach another peak.

If you can't maximize the effect of the affixes in "Blade Spirit", then what's the point of having those affixes?

In other words, in order to further enhance the effect of "Blade of the Soul" and push Raiden Mei's inner emotions to a new peak, option 3 is the only option that can be chosen.

All of this was to allow Raiden Mei's sword to evolve to a more powerful level, so that she could survive in the crisis.

After Raiden Mei's return, Jingye learned that Raiden Mei had luckily escaped a group of people's sneak attack and assassination attempt on the battlefield.

Jing Ye had no clue about the true identities of those people. After all, he hadn't explored much of this "Yellow Springs" world and couldn't use Raiden Mei's experience of the Collapse to make inferences.

All he can do now is maximize the effect of the descriptive entries in order to continue this simulated instance.

Even though Jingye knew that option 3 was the best choice to keep Raiden Mei alive and continue the dungeon, he couldn't help but click his tongue in disapproval.

Is this also the inherent characteristic of "Rogues Galore" at work?

Even if there were other normal options, there was simply no opportunity to choose.

Jing Ye suddenly had a question: When exactly did he begin to become so monstrous and evil without any attempt to hide it?

That can't be right, he clearly prides himself on being a great philanthropist.

It must be this villain simulator causing trouble in the dark, that despicable master!

Jing Ye inwardly scorned this despicable villain simulator, then reluctantly selected option 3.

Even though you want to be a good person, it's too late now.

[You've committed far too many evil deeds; your gaze is now more brazenly fixed on Raiden Mei than ever before.]

[After all, you've already done so many Iaijutsu moves on Raiden Mei. The scene of you practicing the draw slash together just a few days ago is still vivid in your mind.]

[Raiden Mei felt your gaze, and her previously forced resolute appearance gradually crumbled.]

She thought she was ready to stand before you, to suppress all her shame.

But when your gaze fell upon her, Raiden Mei felt as if she were seen through—completely naked.

Raiden Mei unconsciously recalled everything you had done to her, and all the iaido slashes they had practiced together.

During those few hazy days and nights, all the Iaijutsu that Raiden Mei practiced were still in her muscle memory.

[The essentials of the Iai Slash technique—how to start, the angle, speed, and power—are still fresh in Raiden Mei's memory.]

On the battlefield, Raiden Mei wanted to test the power of her draw slash, but she couldn't find an opportunity.

[Firstly, because the power of that knife was too immense and terrifying; its extreme sharpness meant she didn't need to use many techniques. Simply relying on sheer force was enough to deal with the relatively weak demons on the battlefield.]

Secondly, because...

Even though Raiden Mei only wanted to learn your overly skilled Iai Slash, the memories that came back to her were always too chilling.

[Whenever she wants to try out a move on the battlefield, memories of practicing with you will surface.]

This meant that Raiden Mei didn't even have a chance to try; it was already a testament to her strength that her legs didn't give way on the spot.

[Raiden Mei thought to herself, "Is this one of your sadistic pleasures, making her weak in the knees just thinking about you on the battlefield?"]

Fortunately, there were no enemies on the battlefield that required her to go all out; otherwise, Raiden Mei couldn't imagine what it would be like if she collapsed on the battlefield.

[And even when recalling these memories, she already has this kind of reaction. When she stands in front of you, being stared at by your gaze, the memories that surface for Raiden Mei become even more intense—]

Therefore, Raiden Mei becomes even more awkward in your presence.

[Raiden Mei's eyes, which had been resolute as she questioned you, became watery at this moment, as if all the anger she had painstakingly accumulated had been washed away.]

Gradually, the patterns on Raiden Mei's body became more exquisite and beautiful, as if she were no longer hiding her true self from you.

After all, the patterns on her body are because of you, and the patterns even outline your name.

[The sublime patterns on Raiden Mei's body, which outsiders praised as miracles, no longer concealed their true meaning.]

The words "Kageyo Exclusive" on Raiden Mei's body became increasingly clear, as if proving ownership of something right before your eyes.

[No one could have imagined that Raiden Mei, who had just been given a grand welcome by the consciousness in Izumo Province, would be presented to you in such a humiliating state.]

Raiden Mei tried to hug her arms to protect herself, but in front of you, in front of your gaze, there seemed to be nowhere to hide.

Although you still didn't say anything, your gaze seemed to have made Raiden Mei fully understand your meaning.

"You want me to remove my armor... is that it?"

[You don't know how Raiden Mei understood this, but she bit her cherry lips, seemingly not intending to refuse your request.]

"Ugh... Your requests... are always so awful..."

Despite Raiden Mei's eyelashes trembling slightly, her hands gripped the ribbon with shaky hands.

[Raiden Mei recalled how you always claimed to be seeking guidance but actually took advantage of her whenever you were around her.]

[Even though Raiden Mei kept telling herself before coming to you that she must question you properly and never show weakness]

But when she stood before you, Raiden Mei felt her hardened heart flutter.

[After standing before you, who always seems to see right through her, Raiden Mei can no longer maintain her tough exterior.]

[What's more, after being humiliated and ridiculed by you, Raiden Mei doesn't even know what the point of pretending to be tough in front of you is...]

However, Raiden Mei is still putting up a final resistance with all her might—at least she hasn't immediately given up in front of you.

【Raiden Mei still held onto the last shred of dignity, the dignity of being the eldest daughter of the Raiden family, a famous figure revered by everyone in Izumo Province, and made a final stand.】

"Really...do we have to do this?"

Although you still remain silent, Raiden Mei's eyes trembled slightly, revealing an expression that said, "Since you insist, I have no choice but to comply."

Although you never made any demands from beginning to end, and everything was interpreted by Raiden Mei herself, she showed a posture of being forced to submit by you, biting her lip to show her last bit of stubbornness.

She then slowly reached out and began to untie the ribbon.

With each strand she untied, she felt as if she were reopening a wound, and her unease grew stronger.

Who would have thought this was the attitude towards a hero revered by the Izumo Kingdom, who had just saved so many lives on the battlefield?

[And who could have imagined that before Raiden Mei stepped onto the battlefield, she was merely your toy, subject to your wanton use of Iaido?]

When the pattern outlining your name appeared before you, especially vibrant and clear, Raiden Mei's face turned so red it was almost blood-red.

She hadn't expected the changes in the pattern to be so obvious; her previous guess that the knife pattern was related to her emotional shifts had now been confirmed.

What really sent chills down Raiden Mei's spine was that this method of confirmation made it almost impossible for her to stand.

"Isn't that enough...? Should we continue?"

"Do we need to... remove it again?"

Raiden Mei's fingertips trembled as she stopped. The fierce, cold woman she was on the battlefield and in front of others trembled even in your presence.

[No one could have guessed that Raiden Mei, the famous figure celebrated throughout Izumo, was standing right in front of you, her voice weak and frail, barely able to stand.]