Chapter 11: The Easiest Battle
The battle on the other side had also come to an end.
"No! No! I can't die here! I'm about to get my own name, I can't die!"
The Lone Shadow ninja who had been talking big earlier was now crawling pathetically through the mud, using both hands and feet for fear that if he slowed down even a little, he would be caught by the blood-soaked figure behind him.
Nogami Gensai carried his sword, his steps unsteady but his killing intent overflowing, his reddened eyes staring fixedly at him.
After a bloody battle, his body had reached its limit; it was now entirely his willpower dragging his frame forward.
The other three samurai and the able-bodied men had already died in the fight against the Lone Shadows. The good news was that they had nearly wiped out the enemy.
Only this last person remained. As long as he killed him... as long as he killed him... Hearing the footsteps behind him getting closer, the Lone Shadow's heart grew more panicked. In his desperation, he gritted his teeth and accelerated his movements again.
Unexpectedly, this action aggravated his wounds. A surge of intense pain hit him, and he felt his arms go weak, causing him to fall face-first onto the ground.
It's over!
The Lone Shadow's body trembled as he looked back in terror, only to find that Nogami Gensai was already within reach.
He now deeply regretted his own cleverness!
Originally, their mission did not include stopping Nogami Gensai and his group.
Just as Roland had guessed, they only needed to concentrate all the defensive forces of the Hirata Estate at the main residence and then let the Bandits wipe them out in one fell swoop.
But he wanted more combat and slaughter to showcase his abilities, hoping to be noticed by Masanari Oribe during this operation and be taken in as one of his adopted sons.
That was why they had intercepted the returning Nogami Gensai and the others, but the result was quite different from what he had envisioned.
"No... please... have mercy..."
The Lone Shadow pleaded desperately.
"Never!"
Nogami Gensai raised his long sword and spoke with a resolute tone.
Just a moment before the long sword was about to swing down, a sharp arrow flew through the air.
Puchi!
Nogami Gensai's figure stiffened. He looked back to see flickering firelight and swaying shadows; clearly, the Bandits had crossed the river and were charging into the estate's interior.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Several more sharp arrows flew toward him. Nogami Gensai could no longer move his feet to dodge.
The arrows pierced through his armor and sank into his flesh. Nogami Gensai's body swayed violently, yet he still forced himself to stand firm.
His vision grew even blurrier. In his daze, he seemed to see a familiar figure.
"Inosuke..."
He had already learned of his son's death from the able-bodied man who had come for help.
At this moment, he stared blankly at the figure, his eyes filled with unwillingness, heartache, self-reproach, and some indescribable emotions.
The rigid and stubborn samurai opened his mouth and finally said the words he had never managed to say before.
"You did well! I am... proud of you!"
Nogami Gensai turned around to face the charging Bandits and, using the last of his strength, roared:
"Listen well! I am Nogami Gensai!
One of the Ashina Clan from the Rebellion!"
... "Are they here?"
The sounds of shouting and killing reached the ears of Roland, who was sitting on the steps recovering his energy.
Propping himself up with his tachi on the ground, Roland stood up and looked into the distance, noticing that the ones leading the bandit group were several tall, sobbing figures.
"Tarou Soldiers?"
The so-called Tarou Soldiers were actually children who had been grown to massive size using special methods.
They possessed bodies like sumo wrestlers, with thick skin and immense strength. Given any weapon, they could become killing machines on the battlefield.
In contrast, their minds would forever remain at a childhood stage, and they could be driven and manipulated with just a little intimidation.
The Bandits had these Tarou Soldiers carry shields made of thick wooden planks at the very front, naturally to deal with Roland.
If Roland exerted his full strength, he might be able to slice through the wooden shields held by the Bandits.
But the same attack used against the Tarou Soldiers, even if it broke the shield, would be blocked by their thick flesh, and the blade might even get stuck.
At that point, the Bandits hiding behind the Tarou Soldiers could safely launch attacks on Roland.
Unfortunately, they were facing Roland, a man who had thoroughly researched every dungeon guide.
"It just so happens that I opened suitable equipment from that blue treasure chest earlier to assist my plan."
Roland took out a bone whistle from his storage space and gripped it in his hand.
[ya fu flute]
Category: Accessory
Quality: Blue
Equipment Requirement: Charisma 8 or higher.
Equipment Effect: Ninja Dog Summons (Active): Summon three Ninja Dogs to assist in battle. The Ninja Dogs can accept simple attack commands;
For every five points of Charisma the user possesses, one additional Ninja Dog can be summoned, up to a maximum of nine. The Ninja Dogs persist for 40 (15 + 2.5 x Charisma) seconds.
Note: This equipment will enter a 36-hour cooldown after the effect is used.
Rating: 48
...Besides that, the blue chest dropped by Yafu Masanao also yielded a pair of green-quality leg guards. The effect was to consume mana to increase the damage of the next kick by 12%, which Roland had already equipped.
Next, Roland took out the hannya masks, cloth, and fire oil provided by the Hirata Clan from his storage space.
Timing it for the Tarou Soldiers' approach, he blew the bone whistle and summoned five Ninja Dogs.
He first wrapped the cloth soaked in fire oil around the Ninja Dogs' bodies, then fixed the demon-like hannya masks onto their heads.
Looking at his grotesque masterpieces, Roland couldn't help but laugh:
"I hope those 'children' don't get too scared!"
The Bandits wanted to use the Tarou Soldiers to deal with him, but he could conversely use these Tarou Soldiers to clear out the Bandits.
"Waaa! Waaa!"
The crying of the Tarou Soldiers drew closer. Roland ignited the cloth on the Ninja Dogs and gave them the command to charge toward the largest crowd.
Thus, as soon as the Bandits entered the main residence area, before they could even launch an attack, they saw this scene.
Five "monsters" with bodies wreathed in flames and hideous, demonic faces came charging out of the main residence on all fours, letting out terrifying roars.
The sudden appearance of the "monsters" startled even the Bandits, let alone the Tarou Soldiers at the front who had the minds of children.
Seeing the "monsters" rushing toward them, they immediately ignored the threats and intimidation from the Bandits behind them and turned to flee, wailing and screaming.
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't back up! Don't run! Don't... Argh!"
Caught off guard, many Bandits were knocked flying or trampled by the Tarou Soldiers. The originally orderly formation instantly became chaotic.
Some unlucky ones were even stepped on by the massive feet, breaking countless bones. They lay on the ground, wailing uncontrollably, unable to stand up.
Witnessing this disaster, how could the other Bandits dare to stay? They dropped their weapons and tried to run, but the path was only so wide and there were so many of them. In the crowded chaos, there was no way to escape.
The Bandits shoved, cursed, and even attacked each other, but their fate remained unchanged. They could only watch in despair as the Tarou Soldiers trampled over them.
Roland, also wearing a hannya mask, followed behind the Ninja Dogs, swinging his blade to harvest the lives of this rabble one by one.
It had to be said, this was the easiest battle since entering the world of sekiro!