Faced with the masked figure's undisguised contempt in their words, every samurai present was furious. Their eyes seemed ready to burst into flames. Even the usually composed Mifune did not look pleased.
However, because of the earlier matter with Fujita Kazu, Mifune still chose not to act immediately. The other samurai, seeing that Mifune had not made a move, naturally did not dare act rashly either.
After all, they clearly remembered how several samurai who had charged forward earlier were instantly killed. They did not think they were much stronger than those who had rushed in.
Moreover, now that the general of the Land of Iron had arrived, and Mifune himself was not in a hurry, they naturally would not rush forward to give the enemy more battle achievements.
"These two are very powerful. If a fight breaks out later, you probably will not be able to help much. So withdraw to the outside first. Leave these two to me."
"Mifune-sama, we..."
Hearing Mifune's order to disperse, one of the samurai beside him instinctively wanted to persuade him. But he had barely spoken before Mifune silenced him with a single glance.
"I am your leader. Are you preparing to disobey orders? Moreover, I am not telling you to flee. I am only telling you to spread out around the area. Understand?"
As he spoke, Mifune's gaze swept over every samurai present one by one. Facing his sharp look, none of the samurai dared to speak in opposition. They could only nod and retreat toward the rear.
"The general of the Land of Iron, the leader of the samurai, a master who has reached the pinnacle of iaijutsu. Your reputation precedes you. I admit you are indeed different from that group just now.
But you had them all disperse. Do you think you alone can handle the two of us? Is that not a bit too confident?"
"Sir, since everyone else has already left, there is no need to be so aggressive. I would like to have a proper talk with you."
Seeing that Mifune's serious demeanor did not seem fake, Furina also dropped her earlier frivolous attitude. At the same time, a faint guess formed in her mind.
If she remembered correctly, Fujita Kazu had mentioned that he had a very good relationship with Mifune and was one of Mifune's staunch supporters. The earlier conversation between the daimyo and his son also proved this point.
And now, the other party could remain so calm after seeing her kill the daimyo of the Land of Iron. He had probably already learned of Fujita Kazu's death.
Quite well-informed.
"Then I will listen attentively."
The night was still long, and there was plenty of time. Furina was not worried that Mifune would pull any tricks. Listening to what he had to say to pass the boring time was not a bad idea.
"Over there, the ones who saved Fujita Kazu's daughter from Reichi's men should be you two. Reichi is... And that sword of yours, I can recognize it as Fujita Kazu's work."
"That's right, it was us. This sword was also commissioned from him for forging. So after discovering he was killed by that guy, I came to avenge him. Consider it my thanks. After all, he did not even charge me any money."
Facing Mifune's question, Furina did not deny it. She straightforwardly admitted it. After all, it was a good deed. There was nothing wrong with admitting it.
As for doing good deeds without leaving a name? She would never do that. Compared to that, Furina much preferred the idea that good people get good rewards. That way, more people would be willing to do good. Why not?
As she spoke, Furina kicked the daimyo's corpse beside her again. This made Mifune's eyelids twitch repeatedly. Although he already had some understanding of the other's way of doing things, he still could not help but sigh at her complete lack of taboos.
Whether it was attacking the daimyo for the so-called "thanks" or now casually insulting the daimyo's corpse, these were things Mifune could never have imagined before.
If the circumstances were different, upon seeing Furina show such disrespect to the daimyo, Mifune would undoubtedly have acted immediately. But who made it so that Furina had done this to avenge Fujita Kazu?
Honestly, without these two masked people, Mifune really did not know how Fujita Kazu's matter would have ended. One side was his friend, the other was the most noble person in the country. It was a dilemma with no good choice.
In a somewhat rebellious thought, Mifune actually felt a bit fortunate about the masked people's appearance. By killing the daimyo, they had spared him from facing that impossible choice.
"Is that so..."
"So, have you thought it over? I'll be direct. I heard from Fujita Kazu before that you were his friend, and he believed that with you around, the daimyo would not act against him.
But the result, you already know. And because of some grudges with the daimyo, I fortunately helped him get revenge. So, what is your choice? Fight, or..."
"..."
Perhaps he had not expected Furina's question to come so directly, Mifune did not immediately know what his own thoughts were. After a long silence, Mifune finally let out a long sigh, as if he had already made his decision.
"It is an indisputable fact that you killed the daimyo. However, the fact that you helped avenge my friend cannot be ignored either. Out of my personal feelings, today as a samurai of the Land of Iron, I will have to fail in my duties."