Chapter 12 Auction 4
After hearing Kanshu say those words, Tsurumaru Kuninaga agreed to return to the citadel with Kanshu. Ran Toushirou trusted Tsurumaru's judgment, while Mori trusted his older brother. (That is, Yagen...)
"With such a grand spectacle, surely my lord has a way to handle this," Tsurumaru Kuninaga said with a smile, looking at Hanshu.
"Don't worry, this auction venue will disappear right now."
Immediately afterwards, the six swordsmen present witnessed a scene they would never forget—
Golden specks of power danced around Han Zhou, some even coalescing into butterflies that swarmed around her. Her flowing hair was whipped about by the power, and her pale golden eyes instantly transformed into inhumanly angular vertical pupils.
Golden power emanated from the cold boat, spreading outwards like waves. The immense impact forced even the spirits to take a few steps back.
Click—
This is the sound of space shattering.
After the space was shattered, the entire auction hall began to collapse. Han Zhou, along with the six Tsukumogami, vanished from the spot.
Those who remained at the auction, whether dead or alive, would be crushed into mincemeat by the collapsing space.
Higekiri watched them appear in the castle tower's office, and his guard lifted considerably. But... Hizamaru remained somewhat wary of the two short swords.
Tsurumaru Kuninaga, like the others, was a sword once used by the head of the family, and was the first to recognize its master. Tsurumaru trusted the head of the family, but the two short swords still harbored suspicion towards him.
Therefore, Kneeballs were also wary of them.
Han Zhou also knew about these things, but she didn't care. Or rather, she had the confidence to back her up. She looked at Ya Gen.
"Yagen, go and call Ichigo and Mikazuki here."
"Yes, General."
Higekiri smiled. He had asked Yagen to call Ichigo because among the swords they brought back was Ichigo's younger brother. He guessed that calling Mikazuki was because Mikazuki had realized they had something special to do on this trip.
Even if Mikazuki isn't called over this time, he'll probably come to find the family head himself.
And indeed, things turned out exactly as Higekiri had predicted. Hizamaru, too, realized this; he, too, was a sword that had existed for a thousand years, and apart from Higekiri and Kanshu, no one could fool him.
The fundamental reason why Higekiri and Kanshu were able to fool Hizamaru was trust. But Kanshu wouldn't go around fooling Hizamaru for no reason; she didn't have that kind of perverse pleasure.
On the contrary, Higekiri likes to tease Hizamaru.
While waiting for someone, Higekiri simply sat down on the sofa. Tsurumaru Kuninaga, completely unfazed, wandered around the office. Passing by Kanshu's extra-long desk, he noticed a "Records Handbook."
He was curious about the contents, but didn't pick it up to look at it immediately. Instead, he asked Hanzhou directly.
"My lord—may I be able to look at this 'Records Handbook'?"
The lord's words trailed off especially long as Han Zhou, sitting on the sofa, prepared to pour herself a cup of tea. The teapot, however, was picked up by Hizamaru, who had anticipated this, and Han Zhou didn't refuse Hizamaru's offer to pour her tea.
"See, as long as you don't mess up my things, you can all look at them."
Han Zhou's words shocked the two short swordsmen, who looked at her in astonishment. They hadn't expected that Han Zhou, as their lord, would allow her swordsmen to freely peruse her documents.
"Surprised?" A soft voice rang out, and Ran and Mori looked at Higekiri, whose gentle smile concealed a sharp edge.
"That's how the patriarch treats the swords of the citadel."
As mentioned at the beginning, the castle tower has a protective array that forbids swords from entering. This is one of the methods used by the government to protect the Saniwa (spirit masters), but Kanzuru allows swords to freely enter and leave the castle tower, including her bedroom.
This wasn't a secret in the citadel; everyone knew. But they were all very polite people and wouldn't recklessly rush into the castle tower unless there was a particularly urgent matter.
Instead, the previously noisy Tsurumaru Kuninaga became eerily quiet. The white figure, holding the "Record Handbook," walked to Hanshu's side, the sharp handwriting unchanged for a thousand years.
"This... can it be shown to the other swords?"
Tsurumaru Kuninaga's question was strange; Kanshu allowed Touken to look at her files. Why would Tsurumaru ask such a question? It meant the contents were quite surprising.
"what ever"
Hanzhou didn't care that the swords knew its contents. Upon hearing this, Tsurumaru immediately flipped the book to the first page and placed it on the table. The date immediately caught his eye: Hanzhou's first day at the citadel.
Then there were rows of sword names, arranged by the time they appeared, except for the initial swords and the first-forged swords. The details of their deployment, level increases, and even the battle record were recorded.
This document records the development of all the swords in meticulous detail.
Next to the names of some swords, there are also short comments from Han Zhou. For example—
Kiyomitsu's recent performances in battle have been good, but... I always feel like he's missing Yamato no Kami Yasusada.
Hasebe is taking my orders a little too seriously; I hope he can relax a bit here in the citadel.
Although the Songstress is skilled in cooking, we can't keep him in the kitchen all the time. Hmm... I hope he won't mind the less-than-ideal food when he returns from his mission.
These subtle comments change as the sword grows stronger. The most direct example is regarding Hasebe.
Hasebe has changed a lot since then; it must be said that he is very capable.
Han Zhou observed all the changes in the swords and blades, and carefully recorded their growth, including both their increased experience in battle and their transformations in spirit.
Han Zhou seemed unperturbed by anything, always maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. This was because she had lived too long and was long accustomed to concealing her emotions. And it was precisely because of this that when they discovered their own growth, which they had never even noticed...
It is only when someone carefully records it that one feels surprised, and along with that comes a warmth that lingers in the heart.
Sensing that Yagen was approaching, she used her strength to lift the notebook and place it back on the desk. Now, let's get down to business.
Mikazuki and Ichigo followed Yagen into the office. Ichigo was shocked to see his two younger brothers suddenly appear; he remembered... his lord hadn't forged any swords when he left today.
Mikazuki, however, showed no surprise and sat down next to Higekiri with a smile.
I thought you would tell me in a few days.
"No need."
The previous concealment was merely to ensure the success of the operation. Now that an auction venue has been successfully destroyed, there is no longer any need for concealment.
Hanshu tells Mikazuki and Ichigo Hitofuri about discovering the hidden space, how to obtain the auction tickets, and the final outcome of the auction.
With his light blue hair, Ichigo Hitofuri's eyes showed tenderness for his younger brother as he looked at Han Zhou and solemnly thanked him.
"thank you"
Han Zhou simply responded with a soft "hmm," then looked at the two Genji brothers.
"Higakiri, Hizamaru, please go to the forging room and forge three swords. Then, inform the others that there will be a meeting in the main hall in half an hour."
This matter must be told to everyone in the citadel.
Higekiri and Hizamaru rose simultaneously, bowed slightly to Kanshu, and then left the office. Kanshu also rose from the sofa, looking at Mori Toushirou, his light golden eyes seeming to see right through his soul.
He leaned slightly towards Ichigo Hitofuri with a hint of fear, and the latter gave Hanshu an apologetic smile.
"Mouri, your previous master's spiritual energy was extremely corrupted. I noticed you back in the general store and left my power mark on you. I never expected to encounter you at the auction."
This wasn't an easy past, and Han Zhou didn't press for details. She looked at Ichigo Hitofuri and Yagen.
"You guys take Maori and Ran out there."
Now, only Mikazuki Munechika and Tsurumaru Kuninaga remain.
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