Amakusa Shirō has been annihilated.
The Heroic Spirit Swordsmen have been annihilated.
At the exact moment when everyone in Shimōsa Province was drawn to the light of the Red Moon, those who had brought so much tragedy to Shimōsa Province truly vanished.
Aside from Naoki, Musashi, and the others, no one witnessed their end.
The people of Shimōsa Province would never know that in their past, they had faced a great threat—that the land they lived in had once been on the verge of becoming a Demonic Realm (Makyo), and that the peaceful world they inhabited had once been at risk of turning into a deadly battlefield filled with corpses and seas of blood.
No one knew any of this.
Thus, no one knew who had stopped it all.
All people knew was that, for a brief period in the past, rumors circulated for some reason about something called Heroic Spirit Swordsmen—only a vague understanding of that.
As for the truth behind these rumors, whether Heroic Spirit Swordsmen truly existed, people had no idea.
This was a good thing.
In line with the Mage's Association's principle of always concealing mysteries, those living on the surface world didn't need to know too much about the underside. Treating all supernatural phenomena as hallucinations, rumors, or post-dinner conversation topics was enough.
This was the best way to handle it.
However, not everyone could be fooled like that, so for people like them—
"You erased everyone's memories?"
Shimōsa Province, outside Jōkamachi (Castle Town).
On a small hill overlooking Jōkamachi, Musashi looked at Naoki beside her with slight surprise.
"Why?"
"No need to keep such bad memories, right?"
Naoki explained.
For most common folk, everything that happened that night was like a dream. For the samurai who actually participated in the battle, it was a nightmarish night.
So, afterward, Naoki used memory-cleansing Magecraft, wiping the memories of everyone across Shimōsa Province and Jōkamachi.
"Part of the reason was also to align with Tsuchiura Castle."
Tsuchiura Castle, which should have been destroyed by Moon Fall, now stood intact in its original place.
Of course, this was the result of Naoki restoring it with Imaginary Manifestation.
And since Tsuchiura Castle was restored, the residents' memories needed adjustment too. Otherwise, in their memories, the castle was destroyed, and if that didn't match reality, strange rumors might arise.
Combining both, Naoki decided to erase everyone's memories entirely.
"Including Princess Kiyohime's?" Musashi asked.
Naoki nodded. "I explained the situation to her. After that, her attitude toward me changed… How to put it—fear might be a more accurate description."
"All this time, I'd shown her my White Knight Prince side, but that time, I showed my Strongest Warrior side. People feel awe toward those with great power, and Princess Kiyohime might have gone further, feeling fear."
"So you erased her memory, huh… Well, though I'd like to call you a heartless man, given the situation, there was no other choice." Musashi sighed. "Is this also why you have to leave Shimōsa Province?"
It was now three days after the battle with the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen ended.
The hill where Naoki, Musashi, and Tomoe stood was the border of Shimōsa Province. Crossing this hill would take them into Musashi Province.
"Actually, continuing to live there wouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Maybe, but mainly because of you." Naoki said. "I told you before—I have a lot of knowledge from the Root. The reason I knew the True Names of the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen from the start is because of that."
"Similarly, I also know the original development path of this event."
"If I weren't here, you would fight the seven Heroic Spirit Swordsmen one by one, gradually increasing your strength through those battles until, after everything ended, you fought to exhaustion against the final enemy, reaching the Realm of Nothingness (Kū no Kyōchi), and becoming a Heroic Spirit."
This was what Miyamoto Musashi was supposed to experience.
But now, due to Naoki's intervention, Musashi had lost this opportunity for growth. Though her power had increased thanks to the Protection, the boundary she sought wasn't getting any closer.
"Well, consider it me owing you. So, before we part ways, I'll do my best to take you to various opponents to make up for the lost growth."
"Ehh~~~~"
Musashi was slightly surprised, her cheeks flushing a bit.
(He's leaving for my sake… Realm of Nothingness? The me who never met Naoki would have reached that boundary through this experience.)
A slight regret stirred in her heart.
Musashi was a very pure swordswoman. As long as it was to pursue the boundary in her heart, she didn't really care about her life. But if she had to choose, compared to a boundary she wasn't sure she could reach, Musashi currently felt that living was better.
After all, no one wants to die~~~
"By the way, Gozen."
Naoki looked at Tomoe. "You… haven't decided to end the contract with me—are you sure that's okay? As far as I know, you're not a Servant who likes lingering in the real world."
"Yes, that's true." Tomoe nodded. "However, Gozen has received Naoki-sama's kindness multiple times. The grace of saving my life several times in Uruk, and the grace of saving my life this time. Such great kindness—if I leave without repaying it, it would be extremely rude. Please allow me to continue following you until all kindness is repaid."
"Isn't that great?"
Musashi elbowed Naoki with a strange laugh. "I remember you liking Tomoe-dono? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"
Naoki smiled. "Of course I'm happy Gozen wants to stay by my side. But as a reminder, Gozen—if this continues, you might never fully repay it."
"If that's the case, I'll continue accompanying you." Tomoe laughed. "As long as you don't mind Gozen's presence."
Mind?
How could he mind—Naoki was even overjoyed.
Seeing the smile on Naoki's face, Musashi cleared her throat lightly. "Ahem! So, Naoki, where are we going next? Over the hill to Musashi Province?"
"We're heading to Katori Shrine first." Naoki said. "I have an appointment with someone there. I need to settle things there first."
At Katori Shrine, there was still an unnamed swordsman who Musashi was supposed to fight.
After all, if he wanted to help Musashi reach the Realm of Nothingness, that opponent was unavoidable.
(In the end, everything has to start from there first.)
Naoki, thinking this, didn't notice that the world behind the three of them had already begun visibly warping to the naked eye.
The next second—
*BLUB!*
A sensation of sinking into the ocean came from behind, instantly enveloping all three.
And then…
The Gap of the World welcomed three guests once more.