"Swallow this." Cloud handed over the pill.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ukyo took it and gulped it down.
A warm, pure life energy instantly spread through his body like sweet rain after a long drought, nourishing his withered, failing organs.
His lungs, which had sounded like broken bellows, felt a comfort he hadn't experienced in ages.
He couldn't help but let out a long breath. That breath was actually black!
When he opened his eyes again, though his complexion remained pale, a hint of color had returned, and his gaze was clearer than ever before.
He tried swinging his sword, feeling his body brimming with strength.
"This... this is a miracle!" Ukyo's voice trembled.
Haohmaru gaped at the scene, then sidled up to Cloud: "Hey, Cloud... what kind of immortal technique is this? Got any more? Give me a couple—I feel like I could fight another three hundred rounds after drinking!"
"Get lost. This is medicine, not your drinking snacks." Cloud shoved him away irritably.
Ukyo bowed deeply to Cloud again, this time with complete, heartfelt conviction.
"Your grace is unforgettable. From this day forward, whatever you command, Ukyo will do without hesitation, even unto death!"
[System Notification: Successfully obtained absolute loyalty from key character Tachibana Ukyo. Reward: Tsubame Gaeshi Analysis Schematic.]
After taking Cloud's "power pill" (Life Essence Pill), Ukyo's entire demeanor transformed.
Though he still wore his cold, handsome expression, at least he no longer wheezed while walking, his coughing had stopped, and occasionally when Haohmaru told a bad joke, the corner of his mouth would twitch slightly—a show of face.
Cloud's smile grew even wider.
The Amakusa subjugation party had gained another fierce warrior.
A bold, directionally-challenged sword master. A sickly, lovesick sword saint. Plus an adorable nature priestess...
This team composition looked like they were heading to fight the "Toddler Bus" version of a Demon King.
Cloud was already looking forward to seeing what expression that boss Amakusa would make when their motley crew appeared before him.
Party Leader / "Sugar Daddy" / "Life Coach": Cloud.
Main DPS (Physical) / "Hype Man" / "Reverse Navigation": Haohmaru.
Main DPS (Magic/Agility) / "Visual Center": Tachibana Ukyo.
Team Mascot / "Navigator" / "Cute Factor": Nakoruru.
Plus the team's only flying unit / "Aerial Reconnaissance": Guardian Hawk Mamahaha.
Walking down the main road, this group turned heads at a 200% rate.
After all—one looked like a transcendent master, one like an unrestrained ronin, one like a nobleman stepped out of a painting, and one like a forest spirit.
These four together were basically a mobile "TIME Magazine cover"—impossible not to attract attention.
"Hey, Cloud." Haohmaru walked along drinking his sake, asking casually, "What's your deal anyway? That time-stopping sorcery and those miracle pills that can practically raise the dead aren't things ordinary people have. Be honest—are you some old demon who cultivated in the mountains for eight hundred years and came down to experience mortal life?"
Cloud rolled his eyes: "You're the old demon. Your whole family are old demons. This is science—high-tech products based on quantum mechanics and bioengineering. You wouldn't understand if I explained. Just think of me as your friendly neighborhood alien."
Haohmaru was completely confused: "Quantum? Stars? What gibberish are you saying?"
Ukyo silently polished his beloved sword Musou no Meikyou, saying nothing, but his ears had perked up—clearly equally curious about Cloud's origins.
"Cloud means he's a very powerful, very special person." Nakoruru smiled, explaining on Cloud's behalf. Her eyes held trust and a barely perceptible pride as she looked at him.
As if saying: "See? My man. Impressive, right?"
Cloud basked in Nakoruru's defense, feeling great. He cleared his throat and decided to steer the conversation back on track.
"Alright, stop worrying about my identity. We should be discussing how to find this Amakusa Shiro and twist his head off to use as a chamber pot."
"That's easy!" Haohmaru thumped his chest. "Since he's causing trouble in Shimabara, we just storm in and destroy his base!"
"Brute." Ukyo's critique was concise. He coughed once (now purely a habitual gesture) and added: "If Amakusa dares openly oppose the Shogunate, he must have something to rely on. Shimabara is surely a dragon's den and tiger's lair now, crawling with demons. Rushing in blindly isn't wise."
"Ukyo's right." Cloud nodded. "We know nothing about the enemy's situation. How many forces does he have? What powerful figures serve under him? How strong is he personally? These are all unknowns. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never lose a battle. Even in games, you check the strategy guide before raiding a dungeon. This is real combat—we definitely can't just charge in head-on."
Haohmaru scratched his wild red hair: "Strategy guide? What's that? Can you eat it?"
Cloud pressed his palm to his forehead. Talking to Haohmaru felt like conversing with an offline NPC—a generational gap full of vintage vibes.
"What I mean is, we need intelligence." Cloud looked at Nakoruru. "Nakoruru, have you sensed anything? As nature's priestess, your perception of this world's evil should be sharper than any of ours."
Called upon, Nakoruru's expression immediately grew serious. She closed her eyes, extending both hands as if listening to something.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"