The Sword Transcending Time(AI novel) Episode 17: A Shadow Creeping Near

The Devil's Palace — a strange place wrapped in eternal darkness, where even time seems frozen.
Black pillars of obsidian stretch toward the sky, and a low groan echoes from the depths of the space.

Sitting on the throne is a being not of this world.
Everything seen through its eyes is nothing more than a pawn.

"...So, humans have defeated my servants?"

The voice is low, like the bottom of cold water.
But deep inside it, there is a flicker of anger, mixed with burning curiosity.

"Yes. Five women. They work in different places during the day and fight in their spare time.
They are connected… but still apart. A kind of ‘scattered bond.’"

A black shadow gives the report.
Its form cannot be clearly seen, and even its voice is faint, like a ghost.
Still, it is enough for the Devil King.

"...Scattered, you say."

Behind the throne, five glowing points appear.
They show a vision of Gogyou Gohoujin, five elements and five directions formation —
a power that awakens when the five fight together.
But now, there is a small “gap” — a moment when they are not truly united.

"Hmm... So they have separate jobs. That means..."

"Yes. During those times, each of them is often alone.
Especially one of them — Hijikata Toshimi. Her strength is..."

The shadow's voice drops a little lower.

"She once fought bravely until the very end at the castle of Goryokaku in Hakodate, during the final battle of the Boshin War.
A true samurai among samurai — she followed her code of honor and risked her life for her beliefs."

"...But the purer the soul, the deeper it falls.
The brighter it shines, the darker the shadow it casts..."

As the king narrows its eyes, a crack runs through the air.

"Choose her.
Once loneliness seeps into the heart, it will grow into doubt...
And doubt becomes the key to open the door."

Dark mist gathers around the throne.
In the center of it, the image of Hijikata fighting within fire appears.

"You who live with flame... you too will someday burn for the darkness."

A low, long laugh echoes in the palace.
It is the sound of a dark plan beginning.
And without knowing it, a shadow begins to creep toward the back of Hijikata Toshimi.

—At that time, no one knew anything yet.