"Mr. Otani, you..."

While Tenzouin stabilized Tokugawa Iemo's body, he looked at the male Tan Seiichiro in surprise.

Male Tan Seiichiro said calmly.

"The enemy's general has appeared, and there is no better opportunity than this."

When Tianzhangyuan heard this, he immediately understood what the other party meant, and his expression became solemn and solemn.

"In that case, I will hand over all my guards to you..."

Before she finished speaking, she was interrupted by the male Tan Seiichiro:

"No need."

"The enemy is very numerous, and our soldiers are in urgent need of rest and recuperation."

"Even if you hand over all the soldiers present to me, you can only play a 'better than nothing' role."

"It's better to let them retreat to Edo Castle with you."

"Furthermore...if the comrades around me cannot keep up with my movements, they will become an obstacle to me."

Speaking of this, Tan Seiichiro stopped for a moment.

After a while, he spoke again - with a hint of smile in his tone.

"This is something that only my boyfriend, Seiichiro Tanani, has the opportunity to do."

"I've had enough of the thieves' arrogance and...the weakness of the sword."

"So, Your Highness, please let me go out into battle."

After saying that, he clenched the sword in his hand.

The sharp blade reflects a chilling light.

"..."

Tianzhangyuan said nothing and looked at each other with complicated eyes.

Admiration, regret, sadness... countless emotions flowed in his eyes.

It wasn't until a while later that she slowly withdrew her gaze and whispered:

"……I see."

She put one of Tokugawa Iemo's arms on her shoulders and turned back.

"Mr. Otani, I wish you good luck in martial arts."

Male Tan Seiichiro curved his lips:

"Your Highness, I hope the eight million gods will look down on you."

On the other side, Elodie put Kondo Shusuke's left arm on her body.

"Mr. Kondo, please come with me!"

She took a deep breath, gathered strength in her waist, and stood up with all her strength.

Although Kondo Shusuke is an old man, he is not light at all.

Moreover, Elodie is too petite, a full head shorter than Shusuke Kondo.

Even if she managed to stand upright, she could not completely lift the old man up, and his legs would always be dragged to the ground.

In this way, it's not like supporting an old man, but more like dragging him.

However, the current situation is urgent and there is no need to worry about so much.

She gritted her teeth and prepared to lead Shusuke Kondo to retreat to the rear.

Unexpectedly, she had just taken a few steps when Kondo Shusuke threw her arm away, got rid of her support, and then staggered to his feet.

"Elodie...no need..."

He grinned and showed a magnanimous smile.

"My back hurts... my internal organs feel like they are burning... I can't walk..."

"Elody... please leave quickly with His Highness Tianzhangyuan..."

"I... want to stay."

At the end of his words, his tone suddenly became firm and full of unquestionable meaning.

Elodie was stunned, her eyes were wide open, her expression was dominated by strong shock and confusion, her lips were trembling uncontrollably, and her words became stammered.

"Mr. Kondo, what are you talking about..."

Before Elodie could finish speaking, Kondo Shusuke made a gesture to signal her to be quiet.

"Elodie, there are only two things that people can pursue in life."

"The first is to live comfortably."

"The second is to die well."

"As early as when I married Abi as my wife and adopted Yong as my adopted son, I had already achieved the former."

"Only the latter...the 'moment' that made me feel like it was it, never came."

"And now, I feel...this 'moment' has arrived."

"So, Elodie, now that things have come to this, there is no need to persuade me to take away what I want in my life."

"Let us say goodbye gracefully."

"This is more in line with my style."

"There is no need for too many words between swordsmen."

After finishing speaking, Kondo Shusuke stood up straight again and held the Erwang Seishi tightly in his palm.

In an instant, that awe-inspiring look climbed onto his cheek again, as if all the pain had left him.

After hearing what he said, Elodie's cheeks were filled with unpretentious sadness.

She opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something to stop Kondo Shusuke.

However, there was a force driving her to press her lips together.

She is considered a swordsman, so she knows very well that the power that silences her is called "the dignity of a swordsman".

She is the head of the Shinsengumi and lives in an environment surrounded by swordsmen.

Under the influence of her ears and eyes, she understood a truth: for swordsmen who "live by the sword and die by the sword", death is not a terrible thing.

In the end...just like Tenzouin and Tan Seiichiro just now, Elodie said nothing.

She turned around silently and crossed arms with Shusuke Kondo.

After changing her body, she slowly stopped her steps, as if hiding her face, and asked without looking back:

"...Mr. Kondo, is there anything you want me to bring?"

Kondo Shusuke smiled slightly:

"Please help me tell A Bi: 'It is because of your company that I am what I am today.'"

"Tell Yong again: 'Always remember your original intention and always hold the sword in your hand.'"

"Finally... tell Qingdeng, Xiaosi, Suisan, and Shinpachi, 'I have always regarded you as my children. I love you.'"

Elodie nodded stiffly.

"I see……"

After saying this, she stopped staying and just let her feet that were stuck to the ground leave the ground and caught up with Tianzhang Courtyard.

The damage to the Watura Gate was even worse than that of the Koryomon Gate, and the Akasaka Gate Gate was reduced to a dilapidated ruin.

There is no doubt that this place is a dead place that cannot be stayed for long.

Under such circumstances, Tenjoin and Elodie could only lead the remaining soldiers to retreat to the last line of defense-Edo Castle!

"Quick! Everyone move!"

"Bring all the wounded!"

"Huh? Why don't Mr. Kondo leave?"

"Don't ask any more questions! Follow me quickly!"

The soldiers moved to the rear in an orderly manner and retreated into Edo Castle.

Soon, there were only three old men left at the scene - Seiichiro Tanani, Shusuke Kondo and Kiyone Kubota who stayed behind voluntarily.

Kubota Kiyone's right leg was broken by a stone and he lost the ability to move.

Having said that, if he wanted to, he could have let the soldiers carry him away.

In fact, Tianzhang Academy did send several guards and ordered them to support Kubota Qingyin.
To be continued...