"...Nothing, he just looks a bit like someone I know well."
Zuo Cun pulled his bamboo hat down and sighed softly.
"Now, let's focus on gathering intelligence."
"Having said that..."
Musashi looked around.
"There are really not many people watching. Generally speaking, prosperous times are like this. No one cares about anything that happens. Only really rare things will be discovered by people."
"really."
Another unfamiliar voice.
No - are you still coming?
Fujimaru Ritsuka closed her eyes.
This voice...she was very familiar with it.
Very familiar.
"No matter when, human beings will never change. Ah... think about it, it's true, how can human beings change so easily."
"People gather to watch and are nosy, but as soon as the matter is over, they will disperse immediately and no longer care about the matter. The next time something like this happens, they will still go forward to see the happy and sad events in the crowd."
"That's the way people are, everything is reality - but not really."
Everyone turned around and saw -
A handsome Western face wearing a dress.
Fujimaru Ritsuka is very familiar with this face.
Edmond Dantès, the King of the Grotto, was her "accomplice" who had saved her from fire and water several times.
"you--"
"No need to call me anyone."
The man who looked exactly like the Cave King spoke one step ahead of Fujimaru Ritsuka, thus blocking Fujimaru Ritsuka's mouth.
"I'm just an ordinary missionary. Just think of me as a companion from the Southern Barbarians."
"Wow... you are so tall. Sir, are you a tengu?"
Ah Xiu has lost count of how many times she has met such a beautiful and magical person today, but she still maintains a considerable degree of curiosity.
"Tengu...?"
The missionary's eyes showed confusion for a moment, and then he shook his head.
"Is he an Oriental devil? It doesn't matter, you can call me whatever you want."
"Hmm... In this day and age, are there any foreigners in the area near Edo?"
Musashi frowned strangely.
If she remembered correctly, in this era, one of the few places where foreigners were allowed to hang out was probably over Nagasaki, right? This place is not too far from Edo. Will the shogunate allow foreigners to appear here?
And why does this person always speak in strange and indirect ways, as if he means something... Is it an illusion?
"These are just trivial details."
The missionary shook his head slightly, never showing even a trace of hostility or other attitude.
"No matter what you say, it can't change the fact that I am still ignored by passers-by here."
He opened his eyes and looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Since there are situations where strangers are recognized as acquaintances, there are naturally situations where people think [there is no problem] and are turned a blind eye, right?"
"Whether this world is real or a dream, there is essentially no difference."
Fujimaru Ritsuka frowned.
The "acquaintance" in front of her gave her a completely different feeling from the "acquaintance" she met before.
"Um, do you mean... do you know what the situation is now?"
"Um?"
The missionary blinked and chuckled.
"You mean that quarrel before? That kind of thing doesn't matter at all."
"More importantly... Miss, if you have anything you want to confess, just say it, especially say it, and let me listen."
His eyes were always focused on Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"Confession?"
Ah Xiu's eyes looked a little confused.
"It probably means, just say what you want to say directly."
The missionary explained gently to Ah Xiu.
"Whether you will answer...I can't say, but at least I will be here to listen to you. After all, Ban Tianlian seems to be particularly generous today."
The missionary nodded to Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately realized——
This is the best time to inquire about the heroic swordsman.
...
"Heroic Swordsman?"
The missionary frowned slightly.
"Purgatorio, Inferno, Limbo, Paraiso, Black Rope Hell, All Hells, and Empireo..."
"It's really clumsy."
He snorted involuntarily.
"Paraiso and Empireo actually have to be distinguished. It's too inferior to the appearance of Dante's Divine Comedy."
"It seems that the person who made these is a pretty stupid person."
"Oh no......"
There was thought in the missionary's eyes.
"There is also another possibility."
"That is...[The Blasphemer]."
"Well, what exactly do you mean...?"
A lot of obscure names made Fujimaru Ritsuka a little dizzy.
"never mind."
The missionary looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka's reaction and shook his head.
"What I can do, in the final analysis, is to do a little analysis of these meaningless things. As for the dark rumors you mentioned, I don't know much about them."
"As for things other than rumors, even if I say them out, you may not be able to understand them."
"but--"
He held out a finger.
"There is at least one thing that you and I can be sure of."
"Xia Zongguo has begun to distort."
"You go in that direction and walk along the second alley. There, you will meet the people you should meet."
After saying these words, the missionary waved his cloak, turned around and left without any hesitation.
"Huh? Wait - you are leaving now?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka turned around to try to persuade him to stay, or to inquire more about something, but the missionary was instantly lost in the crowd, and he might still be able to find but————
"Well, he just finished what he should do. It is normal for him to leave after finishing what he should do."
Samura grabbed Fujimaru Ritsuka and stopped Fujimaru Ritsuka from chasing the missionary.
"Well, don't chase him, Ritsuka, let's go to the place the guy mentioned first."
Musashi also maintained an attitude and looked in the direction the missionary pointed before.
"It should be the one over there, right? There are a few barrels at the entrance of the alley."
"Ah... that should be right there... wait, is there someone sleeping behind that barrel?"