Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko (刀使ノ巫女)

What will you do, Toji?

Will you challenge me once again,

or will you be sucked into the netherworld along with this world?

Regardless, your time is up.

Katana Maidens

Episode 23 Moment's End

Princess Tagitsu doesn't seem to be coming after us.

Now that she's absorbed Princess Takiri and Princess Ichikishima,

we're likely of little importance.

This is good timing, Kanami. Let's rest a bit.

Are you okay, Hiyori-chan?

Yeah.

Hey, Eternal, hold out your hand.

This is?

A mint chocolate cookie.

You brought that for Hiyori-chan, Kaoru-chan?

I didn't have it on hand or anything.

I stole it from there.

Please put in 100 yen!

Office snacks?

But we're stealing...

This is an emergency.

I'm sure they'll let it slide just this once.

Thievery isn't right.

Hang on a moment.

Send a bill to Origami Yukari later

Wow, there's chocolate, cookies, gummies, and other candy, too!

The office snacks have really improved lately.

Here, you have some too, Sayaka-chan.

Okay.

I'll take this one!

Well? Is it good?

Do you want one?

Oh, no, I...

You're not going to give me any nonsense like, "They taste like toothpaste," are you?

I'll have one, then.

It's such an unusual flavor.

What?! It's not unusual at all!

And what's with that strange, forced smile?!

No, that's not what I meant.

It's just that everyone has their preferences.

The sky is falling.

Yes, we've been seeing that here, too.

It started falling about fifteen minutes ago.

Evacuation orders have been given out

to the special religious units deployed in the twenty-three wards,

along with all police and SDF forces.

The entire ward has been ordered to evacuate!

Evacuate the vehicles once all troops are loaded up!

We'll handle the rear. You must retreat quickly!

But...

We will also withdraw while keeping things in check.

Just ignore the aradama and hurry!

I'm sorry.

Please take care of yourselves.

We will!

What's going to happen once that thing falls?

No idea.

"No idea," she says.

Honestly, it's hard to grasp the amount of destruction it will cause.

No way...

Try not to judge us too harshly.

Grandpa!

I know it's not easy on you all,

but we really don't know anything.

At any rate, we simply can't observe what's going on beyond it,

no matter what method we use, whether it's lasers, radio waves,

or any frequency of sound waves.

But since we can't observe it,

that naturally leaves only one conclusion.

And what conclusion is that?

That it is the border between this world and the netherworld.

Then beyond it is...

Yes.

The netherworld.

The border between both worlds is already vague, and noro are seeping out.

But that is only a secondary concern.

Princess Tagitsu's objective is to smash the netherworld and this world together,

thus completely eliminating the boundary.

Eliminate the boundary?

What's that going to do?

The netherworld is where the countless possibilities of this world,

"the many shadows of reality," are all gathered.

I don't get it.

An example might be that the world we live in is like a sugar cube,

and the netherworld is like the raging sea.

A sugar cube and the sea?

Yes, this world could easily melt away in it.

And we will fall into chaos where our physical laws don't apply,

and time and space will become uncertain.

It will surely be the end of this world.

We've just gotta take her down, then.

Such a simple, Kaoru-like answer, but it's not a bad one.

That's always been the plan.

You're right.

You all...

There's no time. Let's go.

Yeah.

We thought you'd say that.

Etou, Kohagura, Mashiko, Itomi, Yanase, Juujou, and Yukari,

you will not be given retreat orders.

Your only orders are to suppress Princess Tagitsu.

Take down that evil god with all your might!

Yes, ma'am!

G-Guys!

I brought... some more... batteries...

Rui-san?!

So heavy...

Are you all right?

What are you doing here?

Did you run all the way or something?

This is the 48th floor.

Couldn't you have just launched the batteries over in a container?

You didn't have to come to such a dangerous place.

That's true, but I figured this was the fastest way.

Thank you so much.

Don't forget, while we may not be there,

we, and all the humans who know what is going on there,

are still with you.

I won't tell you to be careful in such an unavoidable situation,

but remember that this is just an excursion until you can come back home.

Got it?

Grandpa...

It's painful being the ones sending them out there...

Yes, but I'm sure they don't see it that way.

Just like us twenty years ago.

Hiyori-chan...

Right, let's go put an end to all of this.

So we all make it back home together.

Yeah, you're right.

Good luck.

Missiles? Now?

What a waste...

I'm so sorry that this is all I can do.

Humans also celebrate being reunited by setting off fireworks,

don't they?

You all look pretty full of determination.

Now, why don't you watch over the end of this world with me?

Whoa! You're really starting to sound like a human now.

Must be the effect of absorbing Princess Takiri and Princess Ichikishima.

Don't you know?

The final boss exists to be destroyed.

That's right, the world isn't going to be destroyed.

You will be, Princess Tagitsu.

If this were a fabrication, perhaps.

But this is reality.

You're full of openings!

I got her!

So foolish.

Mai!