154 Selfishness
The same was true for Takahashi-san. So did Okan-san. And Miroku too.
Miroku is the crystallization of those who wanted to do what they wanted, how they wanted.
A thousand years of regret are condensed in his soul.
What is the point of Sword-drawing if you don't do what you like?
If I could destroy this system, I would.
So, all right, let's break it.
"No monopoly will be tolerated. Keeping the fun of Sword-drawing to yourself isn't going to happen. From now on, everyone in the world will enjoy Sword-drawing. If you're going to boast, boast after you've reached the top of the ladder on it. You understand? "
I explained it in great detail.
Then, a group of samurai from an unknown school began to make noise.
"What are you blabbering about? "
"Do you mock our history!? "
"That is something that should never be allowed to happen! "
From their point of view, it seems that what I am talking about is "unacceptable".
Well, their interests will be at stake, so I have no idea how they feel.
The key is what's 'not allowed'. Does this guy even know what he means?
"Not allowed? "
"That's right! Everyone will not allow it! "
"Everyone? Not you, but everyone won't allow it? "
"I, too, cannot allow it! "
"Is that so? Then I won't allow you either."
"……What!? "
It is war.
Since ancient times, it has been marketed that there is no better way to convince a person with whom you disagree than to physically persuade him or her.
"Come on, I'll give you the first move. If you want, you can call all of those guys at the same time."
"……u……"
When I said something challenging, Samurai-kun looked to the left and right to check on everyone. All of his associates seemed to be reluctant.
I glanced at Toukichirou and saw that he looked very pale. That guy probably knows. That I'm not exclusively talking about [Sword-drawing].
"You're not coming? "
One final confirmation.
Samurai-kun turned his head down and closed his mouth in frustration.
"……You, what's the point of not allowing it? You really won't allow it for the sake of this island? Or do you yourself not allow it because you don't like me?"
"That is......"
"Did you come at me without even making that clear? I don't get it, man. In the first place, what have you contributed to the history of this island that you can talk about it like that? Who are you in the Land of the Eight Swords? Don't you just want to prevent your interests from being threatened, conveniently using history as a reason? "
"T-That's not it! I am really thinking of the history of the island that has lasted for a thousand years! "
"I really think that what you're afraid of is change."
"……That's right! "
"It's just not worth it."
If you really think that "the status quo should be maintained" for the sake of this island, then…… things are beyond saving.
"O Lord! I have my thoughts."
"What is it?"
As I sighed in disgust, Miroku suddenly started talking.
"A selfish act? One of you Samurai called it like this a moment ago."
"Yeah, I did."
"For 1,000 years, I have been watching over this island. Thinking back, all the samurai were selfish. They started their own schools, cut off all ties with the outside world, and made themselves a nation of Sword-drawing."
Miroku looked squarely at the unnamed samurai and quietly released the words.
"Born on their own, raised on their own, lived on their own, and died on their own. It is perfectly natural. People are all selfish. Whatever our destiny may be, there is no need to be trapped and bound by it. Samurai……You may do what you wish, for my Lord says that he will do as he pleases."
……It's heavy. Those are heavy words.
Miroku, who had never taken any initiative for the island, was now taking on the will of the samurai who had continued to take selfish action and still felt regret and was telling them to do as they pleased.
He said there was no need to be bound by fate, even though it was Miroku who had been bound by the harshest fate on this island for so long.
This was not something that could be said with half-heartedness.
"…………"
The samurai were silenced.
The weight of this could not be truly conveyed. But perhaps it was the passion exuding from Miroku and the deep sadness that made it so.
Thus, although many objections remained, the Land of the Eight Swords was to have an exchange with the mainland.
Toukichirou breathlessly announced that he would increase the number of boats immediately. He said that he had a messenger in the port of Koula for everything.
When I told him not to worry about the money, he laughed with a twitchy look on his face and said, "I'm afraid of what will follow".
"――So, now that the Land of the Eight Swords will be opened, let's have a demonstration."
Now, here is the main issue.
Persuasion.
It would be a shame to keep these talented and motivated people locked up in here forever.
Hence, I will recruit and take those who wish to join me to the Castall Kingdom. That's been my goal all along.
"Miroku, don't cut corners."
"You jest."
"Okay, then."
It's the perfect opportunity.
Right here, I'll show you a match.
A match between the best of the best.
"W-Wait a minute, Second. What the hell are you going to do this time? "
Akaneko interrupted me and Miroku as we faced each other.
The person I most want to show the match to right now. If I'm not mistaken, her sense of Sword-drawing is comparable to that of my old self. Her reflexes and dynamic vision are unquestionable.
I took a quick look around the dojo crowd, then stopped to look at Akaneko and stated.
"There is no need for words. What will you think when you see this? That's all you will need in order to decide if you want to follow me or not."
Akaneko stared in bewilderment.
Her expression said she couldn't even imagine what was about to happen.
……She did not yet know how far "up" the highest point was.
I want to show it to her.
I want to broaden her horizons and the horizons of the Samurai.
I want her to know that the best of Sword-drawing, the Bishamon, is not a twit like her father.
The real thing, you know, is much, much more…… interesting.
＊ ＊ ＊
"I'll be in your care."
"Likewise."
Second-sama and Miroku-sama bowed to each other and faced one another.
Shortly after, the match began.
――What happened? No. What is happening? I can't follow the situation in terms of understanding it at all.
Sword-drawing I had never seen before sparked between the two of them.
Impressive would be a meager word to describe it.
Most likely, I will remember every detail of this match tomorrow and the day after and study every move of it.
It was such a dense and intense game.
Here it comes, an awesome sword drawing.
Next……What will happen next?
Oh, you're kidding! Here!?
I-I see……Certainly. No, but……
I see, if that was the aim…… Wait, does that mean he was reading this far from the Silver at the third move!?
……Yet, I never thought it would be this easy to defend against it. A fearsome response.
What's going on? They both have a skill set that makes it hard to believe they are even human beings.
Not only is it accurate, but it is also very keen. What kind of training does it take to achieve this?
Amazing, amazing, amazing.
Re-sheathing, resetting the position……Now, what happens next?
"…………! "
I was taken aback.
Unbeknownst to me, I was watching with my mouth wide open.
Upon closer inspection, so did all those around us.
They were all absorbed. To the match between the two.
……It's frustrating.
It's frustrating, but interesting.
I have never seen anything so interesting.
I never knew Sword-drawing could be so interesting.
As the heir to the Tobatsu-style, I thought I had mastered Sword-drawing in my own way.
How foolish. I was shallow.
I have never had a match that I felt was so interesting.
My loss. It's a complete defeat. I have to admit.
That big smile on Second's face. Miroku-sama's smile. The enthusiastic Samurai.
I'm enjoying it. It's fun to watch. What else could be so great?
I finally understood what Second was saying.
The meaning of continuing Sword-drawing.
If you can't smile, there's no point.
……That's right.
I want to continue Sword-drawing.
Like Second, like Miroku-sama, I want to enjoy and have fun with Sword-drawing……!
"――I give up."
Second-sama's katana stopped just short of his throat, causing Miroku-sama to surrender.
"Thank you."
Second smiled, withdrew his katana, and bowed.
Immediately after――Applause erupted from everywhere.
I was no exception.
Anyone who could not applaud this great match could no longer be called a Samurai.
"…………"
I think as I continue to applaud.
I've decided. I'll follow Second.
＊ ＊ ＊
I think while receiving applause from all over the dojo.
For the moment, I can see that the recruitment to the mainland has been a success.
However, I felt that one more push was needed.
Fortunately, there is time. I'd be happy to do at least one more thing. Then, what should the next demonstration be?
"……Whatever."
I glanced to the side and Miroku opened his mouth in contemplation.
Somehow, he seemed to be in a bad mood.
Haha, I see. So, this guy is now pouting after being beaten in front of everyone?
Okay, if that's the case, it's a quick matter.
"Then next, would someone please get Miroku to practice with you?"
"! ? "
======
Thank you for reading.
Cheat sheet
Stats details
＜Status Details＞
- HP Hit Points
- MP Magic Points
- SP Stamina Points
- STR Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
- DEX Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
- AGI Quickness, avoidance rate.
- INT Attack Magic skill power.
- LUK Good luck, critical rate.
- VIT Simple defense.
- MGR Magic defense.
Types of combat skills
Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.
- Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
- Lance(Kyousha)
- Knight (Keima)
- Silver General (Ginshou)
- Gold General (Kinshou)
- Bishop (Kakugyou)
- Rook (Hisha)
- Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
- Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).
List of Swordsmanship skills
Swordsmanship
- 《Soldier Swordsmanship》 Normal attack.
- 《Lance Swordsmanship》 Piercing attack.
- 《Knight Swordsmanship》 Precision attack.
- 《Silver Swordsmanship》 Strong single-target attack.
- 《Gold Swordsmanship》 Small-range attack to all directions.
- 《Bishop Swordsmanship》 Quick and powerful piercing attack
- 《Rook Swordsmanship》 Rush piercing attack
- 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》 Powerful ranged attack in all directions
- 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 Most powerful range attack, takes time to prepare
List of Shieldmanship skills
Shieldmanship
- 《Soldier Shieldmanship》 Normal defense.
- 《Lance Shieldmanship》 Piercing deflection.
- 《Knight Shieldmanship》 Defense + knockback.
- 《Silver Shieldmanship》 Defense +chance to parry
- 《Gold Shieldmanship》 Ranged guided defense + knockback.
- 《Bishop Shieldmanship》 Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
- 《Rook Shieldmanship》 Rush attack
- 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》 ???
- 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》 Powerful shield attack, takes time to prepare
List of Archery skills
Archery
- 《Soldier Archery》 Normal range attack.
- 《Lance Archery》 Piercing range attack.
- 《Knight Archery》 Precise sniping range attack.
- 《Silver Archery》 Strong single-target range attack.
- 《Gold Archery》 Weaker range attack with added knockback.
- 《Bishop Archery》 Strong piercing range attack.
- 《Rook Archery》 Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
- 《Dragon Horse Archery》 Powerful Area of Effect piercing range attack.
- 《Dragon King Archery》 Powerful on-impact range attack, takes time to prepare
Types of Magic skills
They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.
- First Form Regular attack
- Second Form Extended range attack
- Third Form Strong single target attack
- Fourth Form Strong extended range attack
- Fifth Form Extremely powerful extended range attack
- Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.
Ranking of the skills
From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.
- 16th class
- 15th class
- 14th class
- 13th class
- 12h class
- 11th class
- 10th class
- 9th class
- 8th class
- 7th class
- 6th class
- 5th class
- 4th class
- 3rd class
- 2nd class
- 1st class
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
- Grade 9
- Title
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Sousaku - 創作 - We Create! 