[ His expression lightens in understanding as she explains, because he's experiencing that same sort of feeling. As she explains, it's incredibly familiar, since it's hardly that different from the fights against the retrograding armies. He's surprised to hear that, since he had so easily dismissed that anyone here would know what they were facing or the threat that killing in cold blood would pose to them, and yet— ]

I am sorry.

[ He says that first, and he smiles sadly as he says it. It's a very sincere expression, because all at once, hearing that, he's filled with regret at not getting to know her better. He can see why the other swords placed so much trust in her and why Yamato was willing to give up his haori to her.

For a moment, he wonders just how foolish he's being. To strike someone down that's similar enough to understand what this means? This way is wrong. He knows it, but he hadn't felt it quite so much until now. Not even when he had killed Tsurumaru. ]

I would have liked to get to know you better before this, Miss Pearl. I won't ask your forgiveness for my resolve, but—

[ He turns his blade, then moves easily and elegantly into more of a fighting stance. This conversation can't go on too much longer, because he can't let his determination slip. ]

You have thanks from the bottom of my heart that you will give me such a kindness. I'll at least give you a fight just as I would give my brothers and comrades.

[ And just as unspoken, a thank you that goes far deeper than he can express. It's the kind of thing he struggles to express, even as a sword of the liberal arts, because he doesn't think he's worthy of this consideration. ]