**Isshin's POV**
"Curse Technique Reversal: Inverse," I thought to myself, raising three fingers on my left hand, targeting only the four cursed spirits.
Activating my curse technique, I sent all four of them flying a hundred meters away from Bayonetta and Jeanne. "That's enough!" I declared, loud and clear, ensuring all their attention was on me.
"Damn, those four really gave you two some trouble. Did you underestimate them?" I asked, noting the minor injuries they sustained in just a few minutes of battle.
'But Bayonetta and Jeanne aren't a weak pair. Their team synergy and attack power are excellent. That means these cursed spirits are the real deal,' I analyzed, quickly assessing the battle's outcome.
"Can you cursed spirits talk? You four don't seem to be either fully human or cursed... That's fascinating," I mused, activating my eyes to get a better look. I was slightly taken aback; I couldn't figure out exactly what they were.
"Isshin, they're strong. Be careful," Jeanne warned. It was unusual for her to give a warning, which meant she saw them as a real threat.
"I'm ready for a second round if you are, Jeanne," Bayonetta muttered. "Or maybe let Isshin handle them. I need a break."
Ignoring Bayonetta's mumbling, I focused on the four girls. They could wield both magic and cursed energy—a lethal combination. "..." They looked at each other, sheathing their weapons but remaining on guard.
'They're intelligent, for sure,' I thought, watching as they stepped forward, attempting to speak.
The four women stepped forward, their sharp gazes fixated on me. It was Ranni, the Witch, who broke the silence first. Her ethereal voice, calm yet haunting, echoed in the air.
"Thou art not of our world," Blue woman spoke, her pale blue eyes narrowing as she observed me. "Tell me, where hast thou brought us? For this realm is foreign, and my purpose remains veiled in mystery."
I could sense the curiosity and suspicion in her tone. It was clear she was assessing the situation as much as I was. Her regal aura was undeniable, yet there was a sense of detachment in her demeanor, as if she stood apart from the mortal concerns around her.
Before I could respond, the black haired woman with a great sword interjected. Her voice was stern and unyielding, a sharp contrast to Ranni's. "Answer the witch's query, stranger. We find ourselves displaced, our feet standing on foreign soil. What trickery is this?" Her singular, piercing gaze bore into me, filled with an unspoken threat. Her armor, worn like an empress of war, clinked slightly as she shifted her weight, never once lowering her guard.
I kept calm under her harsh scrutiny. "You're not in your world," I answered, glancing between them. "This is far from the lands you're familiar with. I don't know how you arrived here, but it seems you've crossed dimensions." I could feel their tension rising, but I kept my tone even, not wanting to provoke them so I could understand the situation better.
Marika stepped forward next, her golden hair glowing faintly in the light. Her voice, filled with both wisdom and authority, was as serene as it was commanding. "A world beyond ours… How intriguing. I have seen many ages rise and fall, yet this is unfamiliar to me." She paused, considering my presence. "And you, stranger. Isshin, was it? By what means do you possess such strength and knowledge? You are no ordinary mortal."
I locked eyes with Marika. There was something timeless about her, as if she had witnessed eons pass. "I'm not your enemy," I said cautiously. "But I don't belong to your world, either. I'm here to protect this realm from cursed spirits and dangerous forces. You four just happened to arrive here somehow"
Malenia, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. Her movements were graceful despite the towering prosthetic blade that replaced her right arm. The weight of her battle-worn aura surrounded her as she spoke. "I am Malenia, Blade of Miquella," she declared, her voice sharp and resolute. "I have fought countless battles, but never in a place such as this. Where is my brother? Where is Miquella? And why should we trust you, Isshin?"
Her words cut through the air like her sword would through flesh. I could feel the fierce warrior's spirit radiating from her.
I nodded slowly, acknowledging the weight of their concerns. "You don't have to trust me," I admitted. "But I can tell you this—this world is filled with threats beyond your understanding. If you want to survive here, we'll need to figure out why you're here and how to send you back." I buffed with a plain tone.
Ranni's eyes glimmered with interest, and the other three women exchanged cautious glances. They were powerful, no doubt, but they were also in unknown territory. I had to tread carefully.
"Very well, Isshin," Ranni said softly, her gaze lingering on me. "We shall watch, and we shall listen. But know this—our fates are not yours to control."
With that, the tension in the air shifted. They weren't allies yet, but they were willing to hear me out—for now.