第４６５堀：動き出す毘沙門天と本命登場 (Part1)
**Chapter 465: Bishamonten Sets in Motion and the Real Deal Appears**
**Side: Bitz**
What, what is this?
To think that the person who handed me this dungeon had actually been using me to defeat Nogosh-sama!
I am definitely going to lose.
Yes, I felt it from the bottom of my heart.
I had been set up from the very beginning.
So that’s why the monsters still hadn't reached this place, and why everything had been going so wrong.
That bastard must have been leaking information just to laugh at me!!
How frustrating!! Why am I the only one suffering like this?!
Someday, I will definitely have my revenge!!
Regardless, escaping is the priority now. If I move while Nogosh is occupied with the battle, I should be able to get away.
But, for some reason, my body won't move.
*“It is too late to realize it now. You will never be able to escape.”*
That voice rang out clearly.
From within me.
"W-what!?"
*“Never mind who I am. For now, just stop trying to run away carelessly. If you turn your back on those people, you will surely be shot.”*
"Shot? If it's just arrows, I can deflect them."
*“It is not arrows. It is a gun.”*
"A gun?"
*“Hmph. As I thought, firearms have not yet been introduced to this land. It is a weapon that anyone can handle more easily than a bow, firing projectiles that are sharper and more powerful than any arrow. They move faster than the eye can see. You can track an arrow in flight, but a bullet is far more difficult.”*
...I have never heard of such a weapon.
Then, if I escape through the sky...
*“That will not work either. Well, that is how it is. In any case, I do not recommend trying to flee. I also do not recommend using those flying women beside you. They are merely targets. With no place to hide, they will be targeted from all directions.”*
Did you read my mind!?
But what am I supposed to do then!?
*“Well, the necessary course of action will change depending on how this duel unfolds, but running is a foolish strategy. Though, I cannot imagine that man will win against that young warrior.”*
What do you mean?
Nogosh-sama is the God of Swords, is he not?
Are you saying he will lose?
*“If you truly believed he would not lose, why were you planning to run?”*
Ugh.
W-well, that is because the situation is bad.
*“Indeed. The situation is dire, and because that man grasped a katana, his defeat is inevitable. You called him the God of Swords? Certainly, his movements are optimal for the straight swords you are accustomed to. However, they do not suit a katana. Therefore, it is only natural that the young warrior, who is used to handling a katana, will take the victory. The opponent has brought forth a strategy for certain victory.”*
If what you say is true, then won't he lose regardless!!
What is the point of staying here!!
*“Running is a failure, and fighting alone is foolish. Therefore, we must fight together.”*
Fight together?
*“You possessed a single move—no, two moves—that they could not predict. That is the katana that man is holding. The Dojigiri Yasutsuna. And this, the Heshikiri Hasebe. Well, I am merely a copy of a divided spirit, and because I am mixed with the Hasebe, my power is significantly diminished, but that Dojigiri over there is the real thing.”*
I don't understand what you are talking about.
And wait, were you the Heshikiri Hasebe?
*“Indeed. I am the Heshikiri Hasebe, the avatar of Bishamonten.”*
That makes no sense.
*“Well, you would not know my name. What is important now is not my name, but the Dojigiri that man holds. To think he would actually use that. The Great Oni of Hinomoto is sealed within it.”*
Great Oni?
*“Yes, a Great Oni. I do not know if that man will go mad, be possessed, or if it will simply be resurrected, but that is the means for us—or rather, for you—to survive.”*
What are you...
The moment I tried to ask that...
*Clang, clang...*
With that sound, Nogosh and his katana were sliced in two.
" "Ahhh—!?" "
It was strange to hear such voices from the others, but I had no time for that.
W-what do I do!?
At this rate, I'll be surrounded, and my escape route...
*“Calm yourself. As expected of a disciple of that Kamizumi-dono, I did not think he would go this far, but this is actually fortunate. Look at that man’s corpse.”*
What...
As I directed my gaze toward Nogosh’s remains, a black mist covered them, and his body began to knit itself back together!?
Worse, horns were sprouting from his forehead!?
W-what is the meaning of this!?
And suddenly, flames were rising up beside him!?
*“Tch, he didn't use him as a vessel, but as a subordinate Shikigami. It’s a bit different from my prediction, but fine. I’m borrowing your body, girl.”*
"Hah!? What are you—"
However, my words could not continue, and my mouth moved on its own...
"Kanto Kanrei, Uesugi Terutora. I shall join the fray!!"
Kanto Kanrei? Uesugi Terutora?
What are you saying!? Why are you approaching the transformed Nogosh!?
Contrary to my feelings, my katana was swung with a sharpness and lack of hesitation that was more incredible than ever before.
However, that sharp strike was blocked by the rising flames.
*Clang!!*
"Tch!!"
The moment I was stopped, I leaped back, and the ground where I had been standing was suddenly gouged out.
No, that wasn't it.
It had been gouged by claws extending from a massive hand.
"So you won't let me do it so easily, Shuten-doji."
At the end of my gaze, emerging from the flames, was an Ogre?
No, that was nothing like the Ogre I had summoned.
A monster that looked like the incarnation of flame had appeared.
What? What is that monster!?
*“Did I not tell you? It is the Great Oni known as Shuten-doji.”*
Then what is that thing!?
*“The monster that was sealed within that sword. You awakened it because you let it drink blood for fun. Well, it seems that man became its food in the end.”*
T-there was something like that in there!?
*“Yes. This is the possibility. If this thing is resurrected, we cannot afford to be indecisive. You must feel it—it is no mere trifle. You should understand that we cannot leave this be.”*
Y-yes. If this monster is unleashed, who could possibly stop it?
*“That is why we must fight together.”*
Fortunately, the young warrior and the samurai are conveniently here.
Eh?
"You there, young warrior!! And you, the brat in the back!! And the old warrior acting as witness!! Hurry up and bring your weapons to join the fray!! You have no time to be surprised!! There is no point unless we are the ones to finish off the Great Oni of Hinomoto!!"
W-what are you saying!?
Aren't we supposed to be escaping during this opening!?
*“What are you talking about? We are going to seize the initiative here.”*
Before I knew it, Irwin, the man called Taizo, and even the Hero Taiki had gathered around.
*Hiiiii!?*
"Wait a minute, Princess Bitz. Why are you speaking in such a strange tone..."
"Brat, I am not Bitz. I am the one inside this sword."
"Inside? You mean Uesugi Kenshin, right? What is this 'Uesugi Terutora' nonsense?"
"Taiki-kun. Kenshin is a dharma name. It's the name she took after entering the priesthood, and Terutora was her name before that."
"Ho. It seems there are those who know of me. Well then, do you have any objections to me taking command?"
"If the Dragon of Echigo is in charge, I guess that's fine."
"Let us see it. The true power of the one called the God of War."
"Uh, I don't really get it, but if my fellow disciple is cooperating, I guess it's okay?"
W-why are you all listening to me so easily!?
*“Well, it is what they call 'relying on old skills'.”*
I don't understand any of this!!
But... I hope we can actually manage this, right!?