My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 96: Chapter 76: Niō Formation-Breaking Tune

”Did something dirty get into your eyes? If something dirty got into your eyes, then quickly wipe them clean!”

Saito Ichiro, unable to understand what Aoto meant by ”the view has become very strange,” simply thought something had gotten into Aoto’s eyes, obstructing his vision, thus making the view strange.

With a slightly impatient tone, he loudly urged Aoto to wipe his eyes quickly while positioning the sword in front, staring down the Anti-foreigner Group’s main force attacking from the south and already storming into the camp.

The Anti-foreigner Group charged at the camp without any formation.

To put it bluntly... they were like a bunch of street ruffians fighting for territory, without any formation or organization, swarming forward en masse.

As a result, inevitably some would rush forward faster, while others, running slower, would lag behind.

Saito knew—the urgent task now was to swiftly reunite with Oomura and others.

Only by regrouping with the main force and gathering full strength could they hope to break out of the current predicament.

Facing such a vast enemy alone with Aoto, they would be exhausted to death even if they weren’t cut down.

While escorting Aoto towards the center of the camp, Saito kept swinging his sword, slaying each enemy that came at them!

A certain freckled samurai, holding onto his still-sheathed sword at the waist, when only thirty feet away from Aoto and Saito, suddenly drew his sword. Saito remained unfazed, and as the ”freckles” and Saito crossed paths—a muffled sound of the blade cutting through flesh rang out, and after just one round of combat, ”freckles” fell forward.

With one strike disposing of ”freckles,” Saito also snatched ”freckles’” sword with his right hand.

In the instant following the successful grab, Saito aimed the newly acquired sword at another enemy on his right, thrusting it forward forcefully, piercing the enemy’s lips, shattering his upper teeth, penetrating the mouth, and exiting through the back of his head.

Leaving the freshly taken, yet unwarmed weapon stuck in the enemy’s head, Saito hurriedly continued to escort Aoto towards the center of the camp.

But having barely taken a few steps, several more enemies came charging.

Saito halted, swiftly assuming a stance for the next skirmish.

This time, there were four assailants.

Facing four blades slicing towards him in curving arcs from different angles, Saito’s expression slightly darkened, but he did not panic.

Saito’s steps glided, kicking up the snow on the ground.

His body agilely dodged, swiftly breaking free from the entanglement.

One flicker, then another, Saito’s blade silently flashed twice.

With only two swings, he ended the lives of all four.

After taking down the four, Saito dared not linger in combat.

Because he saw a group of at least 20 warriors approaching.

Even alone, Saito had no confidence to face more than twenty samurai single-handedly, much less needing to divert attention to protect Aoto.

The two men, naturally faster than women and children, in moments caught up to Elodie and Leroy who had ”retreated” ahead of them.

Aoto and others were seeking the ”main force,” and the ”main force” was likewise seeking them.

”Elodie! Elodie! (French)”

Anthony’s anxious call resounded from the west.

Anthony, tightly guarded by Oomura and others, stumbled slightly in haste toward where Elodie was reportedly sighted in the south of the camp.

Upon hearing Anthony’s voice, Leroy, holding Elodie tightly in his arms, urgently responded loudly:

”Mr. Angoulême! We’re here! We’re here! (French)”

Hearing Leroy’s shout, Anthony quickly led his men to follow the sound.

The two groups finally reunited amidst the earth-shattering cries of battle.

”Elodie! (French)”

”Grandpa! (French)”

Elodie now gradually regained her composure from the attack’s shock.

Seeing the familiar round figure and hearing the familiar elderly voice, the slightly tearful Elodie leapt from Leroy’s arms, calling ”grandpa” with a slightly trembling voice, rushing into Anthony’s embrace.

Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Giddy-up—!

Suddenly, the sound of horses neighing arose.

Upon hearing the horses, Oomura quickly turned to look—his six subordinates were dragging three horses toward them.

”Mr. Anthony!” Seeing the horses arrived, Oomura hurriedly shouted to Anthony, ”The horses are here! You and Miss Angoulême must leave on horseback quickly! We’ll cover you!”

For Oomura and others, the most crucial thing was undoubtedly to ensure the lives of Anthony and Elodie.

If the Frenchman were killed... especially a pair of grandfather and granddaughter who hadn’t done anything wrong but came to do business... it would not be a trivial matter for the Edo Shogunate.

France would definitely not stand idly by concerning such matters.

After France’s questioning, how could the Edo Shogunate, unable to contend with these foreign powers, explain to France?

Obviously... they would use the negligent guards like Oomura to account for it...

Seppuku was unavoidable, and possibly losing samurai status, with their entire family demoted to commoners...

Therefore, if anything happened to Anthony and Elodie, being guards didn’t bode well.

Since letting Anthony and Elodie die would mean their certain death, they might as well protect this grandfather and granddaughter to the last moment! This way, even if they died, they could preserve their family’s samurai standing.

Aware of the stakes, Oomura had been sending subordinates earlier to bring over the horses used for pulling the cart.

For sufficient rest for the horses pulling carts all day, they’d been tied beside several large trees in the camp center.

Oomura’s plan was simple—to have Anthony and Elodie ride away!

On their side... even counting Anthony and others, no more than 40 people.

And the attacking enemies... judging by footsteps, at least 150 or more...

Such a disparity in numbers led Oomura to promptly abandon the thought of bloodshed to protect Anthony and others.

Currently, the likeliest way for Anthony to escape was to ride away before the Anti-foreigner Group’s encirclement fully closed!

The gunshots announcing combat begun by Mogami, and the increasingly intense cries of slaughter, startled the horses and made them difficult to control, resulting in only three horses being brought in the limited time.

Three horses... were enough!

”Saw the barbarians! They’re here! They’re here!”

”Come quickly! The barbarians are here!”

”Kill! Kill!”

”Celestial Punishment! Celestial Punishment! Celestial Punishment!”

...

With Anthony, Elodie, and Leroy united... the main targets of this operation gathered, naturally drawing in local Anti-foreigner Group members.

Groups of Anti-foreigner Group members in blood-red feathered robes swarmed from all directions like locusts!

Seeing this, sweat beaded more on Oomura’s face.

”Mr. Angoulême! Leave quickly!” Oomura pushed Anthony, still embracing Elodie, toward the prepared horses.

”Grandpa!” Elodie urgently looked around, ”Where is Miss Wu? Why isn’t Miss Wu here? (French)”

Even amid the crisis, Elodie’s thoughts remained with her close friend.

Yet peering around... She saw no sign of Kiryu or Mukiwa...

Anthony ignored Elodie’s question in his arms.

His mind was too occupied with immediate concerns.

Quickly leaving with Elodie... at the very least ensuring Elodie leaves safely—this was the sole thought left in Anthony’s mind.

But then...

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang...

A popping barrage erupted suddenly.

Firearms roared!

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First day of release!

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