Chapter 544 - 180: Though Faced by Ten Thousand, I Go Forward

Chapter 544: Chapter 180: Though Faced by Ten Thousand, I Go Forward

At this very moment, as the entire "Arson Team" returns, the 67 members of the Anti-foreigner Group led by Shinno have all gathered outside Bright’s mansion.

They all wear expressions of excitement, thrill, and wholehearted emotion as they watch Bright’s mansion gradually being consumed by the raging fire.

Some of them rub their hands eagerly, anticipating the moment when barbarians inside the mansion can no longer endure the fiery heat and rush out, thus allowing them the pleasure of personally striking down barbarians.

Others half-close their eyes, adopting a very indulgent posture, listening to the continuous screams and wails emanating from within the mansion.

Led by Shinno, some gaze at the sight of the Red Lotus Hell with smiles and an air of "spring breeze trots swiftly".

The firelight casts shadows behind them, creating long ghostly silhouettes on the ground.

The laughter of these people; the cold aura exuding from these shadows; along with the sound of flames ruling the entire settlement and the screams of people...

This scene resembles a procession of a hundred spirits in the night.

...

...

The fire in the mansion shows signs of intensification.

The cracking sound of wood continuously emerges from various parts of the mansion, more ceilings and walls collapse, sending countless sparks flying into the night.

"Staying here means waiting for death! Let’s rush out together! (French)" someone suddenly shouts.

"Didn’t you see the samurai blocking outside the mansion? Rushing out like that means death too! (French)"

"Then what do you suggest we do? Just sit and wait for the fire to come closer and burn us, suffocate us?"

...

People holding different ideas argue... causing this already noisy space to become even more chaotic, while adding a more desperate atmosphere to the surroundings.

The fire came over again.

A smell of burned wood permeates everywhere, the wind stirred by the flames rolls around, bringing the painfully creaking sound of the mansion being scorched, and many sparks land on Elodie’s face.

Sparks sting the skin... thick smoke irritates the eyes and nose... the throat feels like it’s being burned by the flames, every swallow brings an unpleasant bitterness in the mouth, making Elodie cough incessantly, cough so much that she nearly can’t maintain her image, cough until she’s almost about to vomit.

"Elodie! Elodie!" Anthony, his voice so urgent it changes tone, reaches out to wipe the sweat from Elodie’s forehead.

"I’m... I’m fine..." Elodie takes a deep breath, then raises her little head, giving Anthony a smile that attempts to ease his mind.

Listening to Elodie’s weak voice, seeing the smile she shows him... Anthony, filled with intense heartache, quickly raises his head, trying to find any remaining safe spots.

However... within this mansion already surrounded by a sea of fire, there is no longer any sense of safety...

Despite Anthony’s efforts to control... the emotions still break through, a wave after another of anxiety and fear surfaces on his cheeks.

Still cradled in Anthony’s arms, Elodie quietly watches her grandfather.

"Grandfather..."

She reaches out her little hand, gently caressing Anthony’s wrinkled face.

She wants to say some comforting words to her grandfather who is very anxious, very terrified.

But after softly whispering "Grandfather" once, she can’t say anything more...

She herself... is also very scared...

Her hands, feet, lips, voice... her entire body is continuously trembling.

So scared... so scared...

This fear that makes her whole body tremble, suddenly triggers memories from the past.

On that snowy night several months ago, she was also like this, trembling with fear, worrying about pain and death.

However, on that snowy night months ago, there was that man.

The man... who saved them...

The man... who calmed her fear with his sword...

This man’s tall figure appears in front of Elodie’s eyes.

"Mr. Tachibana..."

Perhaps because... her tightly bitten lip, Elodie instinctively murmurs the man’s name.

...

...

"It should be just about time." Shinno mutters.

In a short while, this mansion will have no safe place left under the erosion of the flames.

At that point, those who don’t want to be burned or suffocated by fire and smoke inside the mansion, despite their reluctance, can only rush out and throw themselves into the arms of Shinno and the others "waiting" outside the mansion.

Knowing that the barbarians inside the mansion are almost done for, Shinno and others’ smiles become more pleasant and satisfied.

The air is filled with a triumphant, lively atmosphere.

At this moment, no one notices — the sky above their heads has been rapidly changing since earlier.

The thick clouds that previously separated sky and earth suddenly fracture and, drawn by the wind, scatter in every direction.

The dispersing clouds... make the sky look as though it’s cracking.

Glimpses of bright moonlight cascade through these "heavenly cracks", intertwining into beams of light that link heaven and earth.

Then—

"Moo~~"

A loud sound of a cow’s call rings out from behind Shinno and the others.

...

...

As Aoto and Sazanoko approach the settlement, they spot flickering orange flames from afar.

Their expressions become particularly solemn in the glow of these flames.

After entering the settlement carried by the radishes, Aoto sees the waves of fire ravaging throughout the settlement and the residents fleeing in panic.