Chapter 66: First Move
Maguu Kenki was an autonomous puppet swordmaster. Allen still could remember him in the game, there being one in the Golden Apple Archipelago.
It was a boss field and quite the strong one. It has powerful wide attacks using its sword that could infuse it with Anemo and Cryo element while also having a mask that he used as a shield for ranged attacks, making them quite useless, while it also used to bash with it.
It also was able to dash at great speed, avoiding attacks, and shooting ranged Anemo's blades.
Allen didn't know if its strength would be as in the game, but he considered it the strongest field boss. With his team of Klee, Venti, Bennet and Xingqiu, sometimes one of them died, only needing to receive two attacks from it. He still could remember how he hated the sudden dash that forced him to move away from Bennet's healing Bursts. At least it didn't require any special mechanic like hypostasis.
Allen readied his sword as he stepped forward waiting for the Maguu Kenki to start to move. He waited for a minute to not vail, the puppet showed no sign of movement.
"Could it be that like the one in the archipelago, this one is also inactive" Allen approached it, even touching with his sword with no result "But if that was the case, how I continue?" Allen looked at his surroundings and there was no door other than the one from what he entered.
"Nya!" Suddenly Nian appeared on top of the Maguu Kenki, Nian unleashed its electro energy all over the Maguu Kenki who reacted at it, its eyes started shining with an intense red light.
"So you were the final boss in the end, Nian" Allen readied his sword, however, there was no need of it, the wall behind the Maguu Kenki disappeared, showing stairs.
"Nya!" Seeing the cute face of Nian, Allen was sure that it was laughing at him. He really hated that cat.
"Hah" Anyway, Allen sighed and continued forward, climbing the stairs.
...
*Clak* *Clak* the sound of his steps resounded strongly as he climbed each step of the long stairs.
"Stop!" A soldier called him "Estate your reason of arrival."
"This is my reason" Tomoki drew his sword, directly unleashing it toward the soldier. The soldier was unable to answer at such speed, the sword directly hitting his neck causing him to fall unconscious.
Tomoki continued his way up while taking care of the soldier's attacks finally reaching the door to the main building of the Tenshukaku.
...
Allen was sure, he had reached the end of the Domain, a huge smithy that not only far surpassed the previous one, but it could also even make the Mikage Furnace seems like a joke. Sensing the strong curse energy around, it could easily tell that this was the core of Tatarasuna.
It wasn't only a smithy, there was also a huge collection of books and records that reading its title, Allen supposed that they talk about the Niwa customs and history, with many diaries of other Niwas.
"Niwa Nagato... Niwa Hiori... Niwa Nagamitsu..." Allen could read from them. But quickly stopped looking at them and turned over the smithy with its purple flame still alive.
"It's clear that someone had just used it" Allen could see it "Has it been master?"
"Nya!" Nian called for him. Allen turned over it, seeing him on a table with a sheathed middle length katana and an open diary next to Nian.
Allen approached and seeing the Nian let him, he took the katana, the sheath was pure black and taking the handle, he could feel how well it was.
Unsheathing it, a pale blue blade shined with the light of the room "It's really well done, with a perfect balance. It incredibly comfortable to use" Allen made some swings with it.
"Nya!" Nian called his attention and pushed the open diary over him.
Allen sheathed the sword and left it on the table, taking the diary that was from Niwa Yoshitaka. It seemed quite new comparing it with others but Allen was sure that it had at least 50 years, possibly more.
"Noro Art" That was the title of the opened page. "The practical use of the Shihai Art using curses."
Allen read over it, discovering the art. As stated, the Shihai Art was very limited in materials. Strong cores were difficult to find and even if you obtained one, if the other materials weren't up to in quality, the weapon won't last much, breaking slowly with each use and the pass of time.
To compensate for it, the author of the new art opted for using curses. They were also easier to find, finding them in ancient battlefields or even created killing others in the worst way. Moreover, Curses prevailed for quite a time and could be quite strong. And rather than damage the weapon, it would affect the wielder, forcing an increase in the user strength.
"This is a suicide" Allen analyzed, creating cursed weapons to curse oneself... It didn't matter how strong it could become, the user won't be able to last long... But Allen found the answer just after the explanation of the process.
"Pure Heart" that was a talent in the Niwa's bloodline. Thanks to it, they were incredibly resistant to curses and could absorb them far more than other humans.
"Even so, there should be a limit. Using too much would damage them permanently" Allen's eyes went wide realizing it "Master!"
"I tried everything, but I wasn't strong, quick, agile... enough, I lacked too much. So I left Inazuma and tried everything to adquire what I was lacking" Allen remembered Tomoki's words, the injured arm after his return from Snezhnaya...
"He was using cursed swords, all this time" Allen deducted.
"Nya" Listening him, Nian called again for him, this time with a letter in its mouth.
Allen quickly took the letter and worriedly started to read it.
"Congratulations to reaching here, and completing the test. Has it been too easy?
I knew that you will be able to complete it, making sure to be recognized as a Niwa. So I have already prepared the graduation gift. That katana on the table is yours. It's called Raiu Shihai. I think is the perfect one for you and don't worry about it, there's no demerit in it, you could use it without care.
Now the heavy stuff, I know that you are an intelligent boy, Allen. So you might already be aware of my condition. In my search for power, I cursed my body until it reached the point of no return, not even my Pure Heart being able to cope with it.
I could last some years of tranquility but in that case I would only withering myself away. So wouldn't it be better to make the final gamble now that I still can use my full strength?
Weren't you curious about the true strength of Harbingers and gods? Come to the Tenshukaku, the path would be cleaned. This will be my farewell gift to you Allen, but don't blame yourself for it as it's my own decision for my own good. If it's my new beginning or my end, it will be decided in battle.
It didn't matter what the result, I won't regret my decision. I'm very proud to have you as my pupil and family, Niwa Allen.
PD: Once the battle ends go to the west and jump to the horizon.
If fate permits it, let's meet again.
Niwa Tomoki"
"Fuck!" Allen took the new one and started running away. There was an exit directly connected to the entrance, leaving through it, the domain closed again as he dashed through the cabin, his objective clear, Tenshukaku.
...
*Prrrr* The doors over the Throne Room opened, Tomoki slowly entering with a perfect calm face while he left behind the unconscious body of dozens of soldiers.
Inside, two women looked at him with two different gazes. The god of Inazuma and one of the Seven Archon, the Raiden Shogun, looked at him with a hint of suspicious and fury, Tomoki's action of interrupting at the Throne Room while attacking the soldiers being a clear violation of her Eternity.
On the other hand, Kujou Sara looked at him with a worried face, fearing the possible actions of the Shogun against him.
"I've listened about the Vision Hunt Decree and I can't let it be applied. I challenge you..." Tomoki lifted his sword, pointing it forward "Kujou Sara to a duel before the throne!"
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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