Konda Village, the tidal flats, Chinju Forest, Araumi... the monsters formed by corruption in these places were almost suppressed by Durandal before they even appeared. The most time-consuming part was actually the earlier puzzle-solving segments.
Fortunately, Durandal did not disappoint. After understanding the mechanisms of the 'Prayer' and the use of the 'Ward', the purification of the barriers did not take much time.
Hanachirusato stood outside, watching Durandal's actions. Seeing her effortlessly handle everything, Hanachirusato was somewhat lost in thought.
Images from years ago appeared in her mind: a constitution completely immune to corruption. If Durandal had been by Lady Kuzuhara's side during the calamity a hundred years ago, helping her fight against those disasters, Lady Kuzuhara might not have died.
Hanachirusato shook her head. Now was not the time to reminisce about the past. The most important thing was to complete the 'Great Sakura Cleansing' and purify all the corruption.
"Now there's only one last location left, right?"
Having completed the purification of the Araumi area, only the main trunk of the sacred sakura tree, beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine—the most severely corrupted area—remained to be purified.
Hanachirusato nodded and said, "Yes, that's the last one. However, the corruption there is incomparable to the previous few locations. The situation there is quite perilous, so please be careful, Lady Durandal."
"As long as its nature doesn't change, it can't harm me in the slightest. You must have seen it, right? All the corruption that tried to affect me was ultimately absorbed by me."
Although this power was quite disgusting, it also became Durandal's strength. She had also analyzed this power; no matter how many times it strengthened, as long as its nature didn't change, it couldn't affect her.
"As expected of Lady Durandal, truly reliable."
"There's no need for such pleasantries. Let's deal with the current problem first."
"No, I truly believe it. Lady Durandal is truly amazing."
Hanachirusato had never seen an existence like Durandal. She herself was like the natural enemy of corruption. It was truly wonderful that she was willing to help her.
Hanachirusato bowed slightly and said, "Then, I shall go ahead and await your arrival there."
With that, Hanachirusato vanished before Durandal, leaving Durandal alone there.
"She's become very weak. It seems the purification of the corruption has had quite an impact on her."
"As a part of the corruption, this situation is to be expected. I'm afraid that after the corruption is completely purified, she won't be able to maintain her own existence and will disappear along with the corruption."
Hanachirusato must also know this outcome, but she didn't hesitate at all, even urging Durandal to quickly complete the 'Great Sakura Cleansing' and purify all the corruption.
"Will she also disappear with the corruption? Then... can't she..."
"No."
"Ugh! I haven't even finished speaking, why reject me so quickly?"
"Even if you don't say it, I know what you want to say. You think I can make her like you, absorb her into my body, and live in another form? Or provide the power to sustain her existence, allowing her to live? Hmph, you alone are already troublesome enough; I don't want another one."
Raiden Makoto's thoughts were too obvious. She probably guessed that Hanachirusato was born from her good friend Kuzuhara. Although they were not the same person, Hanachirusato shouldn't just disappear like this.
She had always lived to eliminate corruption, and she shouldn't have such an outcome. She should live a normal life.
"Really... is it really not possible?"
"Hmph! You soft-hearted person, I really don't know how a personality like yours managed to govern Inazuma well."
Durandal didn't answer Raiden Makoto's question. She transformed into a black mist and moved towards Mt. Yougou.
The last location was at the root of the sacred sakura tree, where the accumulated corruption surpassed all other places combined. To prevent Durandal from purifying it, the corruption would surely conjure many powerful monsters to deal with her.
These were nothing. Durandal, who could even deal with the Seven Archons, naturally wouldn't fear the creations of corruption. What bothered her most right now was the existence of Hanachirusato, and she also wanted to find the clues she sought.
Outside Mt. Yougou, Durandal found Hanachirusato.
Upon seeing Durandal appear, Hanachirusato nodded, then turned to prepare to open the entrance to the last location for Durandal.
"Wait a moment. Before entering, there's something I want to do."
Durandal interrupted Hanachirusato's movement and approached her under Hanachirusato's confused gaze.
"Please... please, do you have any questions, Lady Durandal?"
"Yes, of course. I've done so many things now, shouldn't you express something?"
"Eh? But... didn't we agree to wait until after the matter was resolved to..."
"Hmm, we did agree. But I've changed my mind. I want to know those things now."
"How could this be..."
Hanachirusato was a bit troubled. It was already the final step, and Durandal's actions made her somewhat flustered, not knowing what to do.
Looking at the troubled Hanachirusato, Durandal pondered for a moment: "It's fine if you don't want to say. You just need to cooperate with me a little, and I won't force you to say it. How about that?"
"Really? What do you need me to do?"
"Just come a little closer. You wouldn't even refuse such a small request, would you?"
It was indeed a very simple request, but it was Durandal who made it. Thinking of Durandal's identity, Hanachirusato hesitated.
But then she thought that if Durandal just pulled her over, she wouldn't be able to resist.
In the end, she could only obediently come before Durandal, awaiting Durandal's action.
Durandal placed her hand on Hanachirusato's mask. Hanachirusato trembled slightly, a little afraid.
"I'm not going to eliminate you; this just saves a lot of time."
With that, Durandal used her ability to directly read Hanachirusato's memories, quickly reviewing all the information she wanted to know.
"Let me see all your secrets, Hanachirusato."
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