At this moment, no matter what happened, it was considered normal.
Even if explosions erupted in broad daylight, they still fell within the bounds of normalcy—especially here in the Imperial Capital, where people had grown accustomed to explosions occurring at any time.
Yet, the explosion that had just occurred still stunned everyone who witnessed it.
Because its location was none other than the Imperial Army Headquarters.
Leaping down from the Vimana and landing amid the rubble crushed by Angelica, Naoki waved his hand, summoning a powerful gust of wind that swept away smoke and flames. His eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings: "Completely obliterated. I don't know whether anyone inside survived—or died. Well, that's none of my concern."
"More importantly—"
*BOOM!*
As Naoki turned his gaze toward a certain direction, a deafening roar erupted from beneath the ruins. Stones and debris flew upward as Nobunaga burst forth from below, leaping onto the surface.
She brushed dust off her military uniform and fixed her gaze on Naoki before her. "You nearly killed me. Sneaking up like that? You're incredibly rude."
"Why bother with manners during wartime?" Naoki laughed. "Besides, you attacked me first. Isn't it perfectly natural for me to retaliate now? Besides, I don't hold grudges."
"Hoho… I don't dislike your philosophy. The longer a grudge lingers, the more complicated it becomes. Resolving it as quickly as possible saves a lot of trouble."
Though she spoke these words, before she'd even finished speaking, dozens of matchlock rifles instantly materialized before her, all pointed squarely at Naoki's face.
"But there's a proverb: When does a grudge truly end? Isn't that right? Just like you, I also hate being intruded upon so closely. If it's not too much trouble, stand right there and let me shoot you a few times."
"I'm sorry, but I have to decline. Even if I won't die, it'll hurt." Naoki waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, depending on the situation, I actually don't mind being approached up close. In fact, it's rather pleasant."
"Eh?"
Naoki's sudden words caused Nobunaga's brain to stall slightly.
Approached to the point of personal space—and he considers that good? Was this really something one could view positively?
"You… are you a punching bag?"
"No."
Naoki answered firmly: "But you're fixating on strange things. Didn't you say you were going to shoot me? Yet merely by saying those words, I've already made you hesitate. Is the famed Oda Nobunaga of the world really just a curious little girl?"
"That's not a bad compliment."
Nobunaga chuckled.
"Since childhood, I've had low resistance to anything unfamiliar. Whenever I encounter something strange or new, I become intensely excited. And that's still true now. Unfortunately, this nation is weak and powerless—I can't experience many new things in the future. That's unavoidable."
At present, Japan was gradually heading toward defeat in war.
This reality led Nobunaga—who had manifested here—to conclude: "This era needs me once again." Thus, she became the so-called Savior Hero, beginning to impose Tenka Fubu across Japan. For this grand purpose, sacrificing personal interests was an acceptable cost.
Similarly, for this great cause, she would remove every obstacle—step by step.
"Sniper team, form up!"
The matchlock rifles scattered before Nobunaga immediately aligned into a 4x4 square formation, all barrels locked onto Naoki.
Just as she prepared to give the firing order—
*🚨🚨🚨🚨*
The air raid siren—only recently silenced—sounded again across the skies of the Imperial Capital.
It was another air raid alert.
"Tsk. You picked a terrible time to show up."
After a brief pause, Nobunaga narrowed her lips, then retracted the rifles aimed at Naoki. "When does a grudge end? That phrase is correct. Today's grudge between us ends here. But remember this: next time we meet, I will pierce straight through your skull."
*WHOOSH!*
With those words spoken, Nobunaga instantly sat atop her matchlock rifles and shot skyward in a flash.
Retreating?
"No—not that. She must have urgent business to attend to. The air raid siren… Hah, are enemy bombers flying this way? She's gone to intercept them—to protect this country."
"She's quite busy, Nobunaga."
"Natsukawa-sama."
Angelica maneuvered the Vimana to land beside Naoki and asked: "Should we pursue her?"
Naoki shook his head. "No, no need. Chasing her would be pointless. Since she said today's grudge is settled, let it rest. Don't interfere with her mission to save the nation."
"Cancel the Vimana and Class Card. Let's leave here first, find a place to rest, then summon a Servant."
Watching Nobunaga vanish into the sky, Naoki sighed faintly: "Honestly, I can't stand this era… or this country."
"Let's finish this quickly and return."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Above the clouds.
Standing atop her matchlocks, Nobunaga turned her head backward.
"He didn't follow. Good. He knows his place. I won't let personal feelings interfere with public duty."
"Then…"
Turning her gaze forward, Nobunaga—using Servant-level vision—clearly saw countless aircraft approaching from afar.
"Are those enemy bombers? Even now, there are iron birds like these… astonishing."
These were weapons of a type she had never encountered in her lifetime. If such an attack came from above, even with preparation, it would be nearly impossible to counter. Their strategic value was immense.
Modern warfare was vastly superior to the Sengoku period.
As one of the Three Great Unifiers who fought on the battlefields of Sengoku, Nobunaga honestly adored these flying iron birds.
But unfortunately…
"Before you dare invade the lands behind me, remain here forever—in the heavens."
"Sniper team, form up!"
Hundreds—three thousand in total—matchlock rifles materialized around Nobunaga, each barrel trained on the incoming bomber fleet. The Demon King smirked, raising her hand.
"Fire!"