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!
How delightful.
Bring it.
What's the matter? Can not even one of your blades touch me?
Kanami!
Cornered rats trying to bite the cat?
But I'm ending this.
Maki-san, we have run out of time.
You go on back. I'll go on alone.
Are you really still saying things like that now?
I will not let you go on alone!
There she is!
She's holding a funeral for her.
That's not fair!
Now I won't be able to kill you anymore!
Maki-san...
Yomi...
Tonight is Christmas Eve, your birthday.
This is supposed to be the biggest day of celebration, but you...
We cannot take Yomi-san back with us, but we should at least...
Right, come on.
No!
Yomi came back to me.
Not anyone else but me.
That's why I won't leave her.
Don't be ridiculous!
You'll be sucked up by the noro if you stay like this!
I don't care, as long as I'm with Yomi.
Yomi-san risked her life until the very end trying to protect you!
Please...
Don't let Yomi's feelings go to waste.
Let's go.
Yomi...
This is?
The threshold between our world and the netherworld.
Threshold...
The fact that we've been brought here means
that there are only a few minutes left before the boundary reaches the ground.
You are correct.
Now the joining of this world and the netherworld is inevitable.
But it is indeed regrettable
that you will be sucked into the netherworld without us being able to settle things.
I'll let you enjoy the time you have left until the very last moment.
Jin'i?!
Good move, but what about the next one?
We need to go, too!
You won't get away!
She raised the level of her jin'i?
Mai!
Sorry, but we've reached our limit.
You go on ahead!
Please be sure to win.
Right!
Mai...
Mai!
You move well at this speed.
Keep entertaining me further into eternity!
Mai...
I'm fine. All of you, go on!
We'll see you later, Mai-chan!
Everyone, please stay safe.
It is surprising that even three of you could keep up with me.
Listen well, Toji. This is the first time that my heart has danced this much.
I pity you, Princess Tagitsu.
I won't let you say that you haven't noticed
the deep loneliness in the depths of your heart.
You have learned about the fundamental loneliness of noro by fusing with people.
Oh?
A child is made when humans join together,
and they will continue to inherit their character and destiny.
Just like Kanami and I have done.
But that is not true for you.
Noro is a lonely existence outside of the connected circle of life.
We are without equal.
We transcend the confines of time.
Such a circle is...
Yes, you are not afraid of time.
The only thing you're afraid of is the okatana.
If an okatana chops up noro to the point that its intelligence can't remain,
once it fuses with you again, it will no longer be you.
It will be a separate aradama whose memory and character are different.
That is a phenomenon similar to the death that living beings fear.
So while you exist outside of the circle of life, you have a concept of death.
You want to heal that loneliness...
No, you know that loneliness can't be healed, but you...
...have gone on a rampage because you're lonely and want an opponent,
just like a child.
That's quite a thing to say,
considering you Toji have come here with okatana in hand to chop me up.
Yes, all we can do
is cut you down and exorcise you.
We don't have the power to save you.
That's why I'm going to go with you.
Kanami!
So you're finally alone, Kogarasu Toji.
That was always my intention.
I see.
Well then, I can just slay you in the momentary flow of time.
Surely you haven't forgotten about me.
Let's go, Princess Tagitsu, to the depths of hell together!
Yukari?!
This time, it's my turn!
Juujou, you will be the one to suppress Princess Tagitsu, now that I've stabbed her!
That is the duty you have inherited through the power of the Hiiragi!
Yukari!
We've come this far...
You, too, are merely human.
The effects of twenty years of resistance don't go away so easily.
It is a pity that you didn't even have time to generate your utsushi.
Juujou...
Thank you, Yukari-sama.
But this is my responsibility after all.
Wait...
Hiyori-chan!
Kanami?
Hiyori-chan!
Hiyori... Whoa!
Kanami? How?
I did my best to chase after you.
Your best?
Okay, Kanami, together we can—
Yeah, let's save her!
I mean, didn't Princess Tagitsu just say that we made her heart dance?
That means she's having fun, right?
Let's do this, Princess Tagitsu!
What a peculiar person.
Do you intend to keep clashing swords with me,
locked in this moment for close to eternity, just to entertain me?
Nope! It's for my entertainment!
Your sword will tell me all about you.
You mean Princess Tagitsu is enjoying this fight?
Yes, it's the same.
Fighting with okatana or having a bout with everyone.
They are all ways of having conversations through our swords!
And this is also a conversation.
So this is your sword, then, Kanami.
I'm sorry, Kanami.
I lied to you.
I know you did.
Juujou... Etou...
Kanami?
Sayaka-chan, where are Kanami-chan and the others?
Yukari!
Bureau director!
What in the world is happening?
Where am I?
Ayumu!
You're finally awake!
Where's Etou-san?
I... have to apologize to her for something.
Next Episode The United Maidens