Chapter 996

"Then what about me?" Xing interjected.

Wandi turned his head and gave her a cold glance: "Whatever you think."

"Yes, Xuanfengcheng was once the aspiration of every warrior." Bai'e switched to a more relaxed tone, trying to break the slightly stiff atmosphere, "... Wandi, do you feel it's a pity? You didn't live in that era when the strong were as numerous as clouds. If not for the heroes of the past falling one by one, I wouldn't be your only opponent."

"You're scared? It's not too late to run now."

Bai'e shook his head: "No, just remembering that the warriors of old also marched down this corridor toward the city of Heaven's Punishment Spear, to gild their names. Even though this fortress is now in ruins, what we must do now is not so different."

"Let's go, seize the fire of conflict, or die beneath its blade—these two glories, we can only choose one."

Having said that, Bai'e turned back to find Ti'an, who had brought them here, and gently said: "Teacher Ti'an, the road ahead is fraught with danger; stay here, find a safe place to hide. We'll return after completing our mission, and then we'll trouble you to use the Hundred Worlds Gate, okay?"

"Got it. Hide well, don't let the bad guys find you!"

Xingduo glanced at Ti'an a few times, couldn't help muttering softly: "No matter how you look, she seems like a child."

Bai'e let out a soft sigh: "For Weng Faluos, Teacher Ti'an has also paid a great price."

The three proceeded along the corridor, and soon they saw the gate leading to the inner city, but monsters began to appear on the road, blocking the main avenue in groups of three or five. Moreover, the sole bridge leading this way had collapsed.

Bai'e lowered his head and glanced at the broken bridge, clicking his tongue: 'It seems our obstacles aren't just enemies. This bridge has been neglected for years; even Xuanfengcheng's craftsmanship can be unreliable?'

Wandi crossed his arms, expressionless, and replied: 'I've disappointed you; the outer city was built by criminals.'

'Ah, no wonder it's so fragile; perhaps these people are taking revenge on you.'

Wandi shrugged: 'It doesn't matter. Here, resistance is never shameful, whether against foes or condemned prisoners.'

——

Silver Soul.

'Hmm…'

Inside the set-meal restaurant, Okita Sougo's gaze darted back and forth between Gintoki and Hijikata, after scanning several times it settled on Bai'e and Wandi in the sky, and then… he revealed a meaningful smile.

'The relationship between those two up there is quite like that of Mr. Hijikata and Gintoki, huh.'

'Hey hey…! You can eat rice however you like, but you can't just spout nonsense! My relationship with this guy isn't that good!' Hijikata Toshizo slammed his chopsticks onto the table, and the mound of mayonnaise on the rice bowl spilled like an avalanche onto the table. 'Bai'e and Wandi are comrades, but there's no way I'd consider myself a comrade with this idiot whose head is stuffed with strawberry milk.'

Kagura leaned close to Shinpachi's ear and whispered softly: 'Actually, their mutual teasing really is quite similar, huh…'

'Hey hey, Mr. Mayonnaise over there, please don't say things that cause misunderstanding. If I must say it, we should be outright rivals.' Gintoki walked to his seat holding a bowl of rice topped with red bean paste, then said, 'How about it? Want to have a match? Last time we didn't decide a winner, right? A contest to see whose dish is tastier—my Uji Gintoki rice bowl or your dog food.'

'Heh, couldn't be better.' Hijikata Toshizo chuckled, 'Then let's have at it—whoever can eat more rice bowls, the loser's food becomes straight-up dog food.'

'Ah, they're comparing again…' Okita Sougo sat in his seat, watching from afar as the two men's rice bowls piled higher and higher; he wiped his mouth, silently rose, and prepared to leave.

'You're leaving?' Kagura asked, tilting her head up.

'Yeah, Mr. Hijikata said he's afraid he'll lose control of his spending on payday if he's out and about, so before we set out he handed his wallet to me; if I don't leave now, I'll have to pay for those several bowls of mayonnaise rice for him.'

'What if he has no money to pay the bill, huh?'

Sougo put on his Shinsengumi uniform without changing expression: 'No problem—once Mr. Hijikata eats his fill and gains strength, he should be able to wash many bowls. I'm also doing this to keep Hijikata from overspending; if you like comparing yourself outdoors, just wash a few more.'

——

"Sei used prayers to help restore the collapsed bridge, and the three quickly cleared the way to the inner city's gate."

"Bai'e: 'Look, the gate is open——'"

"Wandi couldn't help but remark: 'Genius, if you didn't say anything, no one would notice.'"

"Bai'e ignored him; as soon as he stepped through the gate, his gaze was instantly captivated by something inside the city."

"'Look, up in the sky! That's……'"

"Bai'e raised his hand and pointed to the sky; following his finger, Sei saw a huge sword hanging on the horizon, enormous enough to seem capable of cleaving mountains and parting seas."

"The sword's tip pointed downward, its entire body radiating a golden light, exuding an indescribable solemn menace, as if it would fall from the horizon any moment and pierce the earth."

"'Heaven's Punishment Blade——' Wandi said slowly, 'Even though the world is shattered, it still hangs high above people's heads.'"

"'What a magnificent sight……'"

"'You haven't seen its most magnificent moment yet. In the past, Nicadoli used that sword to destroy the heavenly kingdom of Aigle and one city-state after another. It is not merely a weapon; it is the faith of the Xuanfeng people. The souls of those who die heroically on the battlefield temper Nicadoli's blade, becoming part of the god‑king's might.'"

""This is the Titans' conquest——Nicadoli, its retinue, and those who fight over faith, sweeping all before them, invincible in battle. Even in death, they will embrace eternal glory.""

——

Re: Starting Life in Another World from Zero

"What a huge sword…… I admit I underestimated Nicadoli."

Moonlight streamed through the window into the room, and the gigantic sword on the firmament seemed also to be cloaked in that moonlight, taking on a soft silver‑white hue. For a moment, Subaru found it hard to imagine what kind of deity could wield such a massive sword in battle.

"That…… is probably a heaven‑piercing, earth‑splitting giant, right?"

"That also fits the image of the Titans."

"The one in the Yunshen Heavenly Palace might just be a diminutive avatar of the true deity."

"Nicadoli actually destroyed the nation of Aigele; it seems the relationship between these two Titans is also irreconcilable, like fire and water." Emilia sat beside him, her white long hair spilling over her pajamas, her violet eyes likewise gazing at the firmament together with Subaru.