Matsunaga Hisahide, a renowned strategist throughout the land.
The woman he took his hand from was probably younger than me—in her late teens.
She was not only very noticeable, but also had an attractive appearance.
Right now, I'm able to regularly release my sexual urges by holding Haruhime in my arms.
Despite all that, the reason she still shows interest in the opposite sex is surely because the beauty of Yoshitsugu, the head of the Miyoshi family, is genuine.
However, that beauty also seems to be a manifestation of misfortune.
It seemed to contain an inherent fragility, as if it would crumble at the slightest touch.
That might be because of her strikingly non-Japanese appearance.
Reddish-blonde hair. It's commonly known as strawberry blonde.
Her hair color, a rare variety among human hair colors, was styled in a short cut.顕在Kenzai
A thin, red, ribbon-like piece of fabric, reminiscent of a headband or hairband, is wrapped around her head.
She was wearing a strikingly blue kimono.
But that wasn't all; she was also wearing a pure white cape-like coat.
The front of the jacket only covers the neck, the collarbone area of the chest, and the shoulders.
However, the back of the dress is long enough to reach almost to the back of her knees.
It was like a cape, swaying in the cold October wind.
However, if that were all, there would be no reason to feel that it's weak. The problem lies elsewhere.
First, of her two blue eyes—her left eye was covered with a completely black eyepatch.
They probably lost their eyesight later in life.
That wasn't all. Yoshitsugu was also supporting his weight with a cane in his left hand.
In other words, it means she has some kind of problem with her right foot.
In fact, even with Hisahide's assistance, Yoshitsugu seemed to have difficulty simply standing up.
Specifically, there's almost no power in my right foot.
It behaves as if a tendon has been severed.
"Lord Yoshitsugu, please offer your greetings."
The girl nodded at Hisahide's voice. Then, she met my gaze with her blue eyes and quietly turned to face me.
The right eye is lifeless, or perhaps lacks much highlight.
Just looking at it gives me the illusion that I could sink into the depths of despair.
"..."
But Yoshitsugu said nothing. He didn't even open his mouth.
While Hisahide's troops held their breath, only silence passed.
Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze from her eyes.
I wish they had said something sooner.
Since Hisahide had prompted her to speak, their conversation should, from a matter of etiquette, begin with Yoshitsugu.
Just as I began to feel such impatience, a slight smile spread across Yoshitsugu's lips.
It took me a while to realize that it was indeed her smile.
"... He doesn't seem like a bad person."爺Grandpa
The head of the Miyoshi family said this to the strategist of Yamato Province.
"He doesn't seem to be very patient, though."
"Yes, Princess."
Hisahide agreed—even in front of me, he uttered the words of agreement brazenly.
"The Lieutenant General is a man of integrity. However, if this old man were so inclined... he possesses a dangerous quality that could easily be used to bring him down."
Truly terrifying words were uttered from the strategist's lips, and Yoshitsugu's face turned pale.綻crack
Yet, there wasn't a trace of sarcasm in that smile.
That might have been the reason why I didn't feel any anger at all.
"Please forgive my rudeness."
Leaning on his cane, Yoshitsugu turned his smile towards me.
"I have some suspicions about men."
"...I'm not fully aware of the situation, but if that's the case, I can understand."
After responding to her, I turned my gaze to Hisahide.
"However, Lord Yoshitsugu seems to have some trouble with his legs. It wouldn't be good to talk standing around. Let's go back to the mansion and talk there."
When prompted in this way, Hisahide addressed her as "Princess" and began escorting her.
But she doesn't try to walk. No, she can't even walk.
The hand holding the cane is trembling violently, and I can't even take a single step.
I hurried over to Yoshitsugu and Hisahide's side.
"...You have a keen eye."
I was at a loss for words when the younger girl said that.
But after sighing and pausing, he carefully selected inoffensive words and uttered them.
"It's not a matter of being observant; it would be strange if I didn't notice."
"But surely, someone in your position wouldn't do something like this, would they?"
Light blue eyes with subtle highlights.
As he doused me with it, Yoshitsugu whispered:
"If it were Lord Nobunaga, as I've heard in rumors... he probably would have just glanced at me and that would have been the end of it."
"No, surely my brother-in-law wouldn't do something like that."
"I wonder..."
The girl continued, a smile mechanically plastered on her face.
"But you immediately ran to me."
"That's just a natural thing for a human being to do..."
"Was your immediate attempt to lend a helping hand a manifestation of your kind heart? Or was it simply an action born from a deep-seated concern?"怯弱Kyojaku
If we take those words literally and at face value, they are nothing short of infuriating.
In short, what she's saying is—
Perhaps the reason I'm being kind to others is because I'm dissatisfied with my own future, and I'm trying to sell them small favors now as insurance for when things get tough.
—That's the question I'm asking.
(But strangely enough, I'm not angry...)
This is simply because there is absolutely no malice to be found in Yoshitsugu's remarks.
She's simply asking me a question.
Or perhaps there's an air of them trying to confirm whether or not I am a human being capable of responding or engaging in dialogue.
Moreover, Yoshitsugu is clearly well-bred.
That unrefined quality completely dispelled any venom I had about her.
With a wry smile, I answered the girl's question.
"It's not a matter of one or the other; both may exist—you might want to consider that possibility, Mr. Miyoshi."
"both?"
"Yes, I might be that kind of person."
"Are you a coward?"
"I won't deny it, and I can't."
As I said that, I pointed behind her.
There are still armed soldiers under Hisahide's command there.
"For example, right now—I'm very scared. I keep thinking about what I'll do if their spears are turned against me."
"There is absolutely no need to have such worries."
Yoshitsugu said without changing his expression at all.
"These men have escorted me all the way from Yamato Province to here. Along the way, there were bandits and rogue warriors. These men carry weapons to protect me. Their swords and spears are raised solely to defend me."
The girl continued in an emotionless voice.
"Besides, if we were to harm you here—our future would be sealed. A future in which we would be killed. There's no point in committing such a foolish act."
"..."
"Besides, you still have a role to play."
"...Is this my role?"
He responded while looking alternately at Yoshitsugu and Hisahide.
"Well, I wonder what you're talking about. He might be a man who's only good at murder, besides appeasing the water god of Lake Biwa."
"That seems like an inappropriate expression."
Leaning her body against Hisahide, the girl continued.
"I have heard many stories of your achievements, Lieutenant General. I understand that you govern well, promote the silk industry, and are an invincible general in battle."
"Regardless of industry, all of our warfare was made possible thanks to the assistance of the Oda family."
I answered honestly. I had no other choice.
After all, ever since I was transported to this world, the only battle the Asai family has won against an external enemy on their own has been the very first one against the Rokkaku family.
Aside from that, the victory was essentially only possible thanks to the reinforcements from the Oda clan.
This is a fact that I will never allow myself to become arrogant, and at the same time, it is the biggest reason that I have been able to survive this long.
"Furthermore, I am an inward-looking person. Cherishing my wife, raising my children, and striving to improve the lives of my people...that is my duty, and what I believe I should be concerned about."
"But that is unacceptable."
"Yes, that's right. We live in times where we can't survive or even protect anything without fighting. No matter how much we preach about peace—if the enemy attacks us, it's all over. We have no choice but to perish along with those we love and those we must protect."
"Do you believe that peace cannot be achieved without military force?"
"No one listens to the words of someone powerless... Lord Yoshitsugu."
"That's certainly true. No matter how much you cry, scream, or beg, men will never stop humiliating women."
With lifeless eyes, Yoshitsugu looked at me again and said:
"Surely, only violence and terror can govern this world."
"Well, what do you think? It seems to me that this world cannot exist without the combination of completely dissimilar elements, like the carrot and the stick."
"Really...? But the way you're talking, I think I understand why the old man took an interest in you so early on."
"Lord Hisahide?"
"Yeah"
Leaning his weight on Hisahide, the head of the Miyoshi family said with a slight smile.
"He was described as a rather wicked man who intoxicated the people under the slogan of 'People of Northern Omi,' used the battlefield to unite them, and then transformed that battlefield experience into domestic affairs to govern his territory stably..."
"..."
"But surely that's something you were only able to accomplish because you're a coward. You were anxious about being alone, so you tried to get everyone around you to help you out, weren't you?"
Even knowing that the other person didn't mean any harm, it was a statement that even I couldn't help but frown upon.
But at the same time, I'm also impressed.
If someone is trying to evaluate me fairly and objectively, then it's not surprising that they would use such language.
"Princess, excessive chatter will only create unnecessary enemies."
Hisahide restrained Yoshitsugu in a protective voice.
Suddenly, the strawberry-blonde beauty looked at the steward with her right eye, which now held emotion, before slumping down dejectedly.
"Lieutenant General, please do not take offense. The princess had no ill intentions."
The strategist of Yamato Province bowed deeply.
His head is by no means cheap. However, it seems he would bow without hesitation for the sake of his lord.
From such things, one can infer that his loyalty to Yoshitsugu is genuine.
However, I'm also annoyed at being constantly beaten.
I decided to be content with a small counterattack.
"It is often said that those who commit evil acts without malicious intent are the true villains... What are your thoughts, Lord Hisahide?"
"..."
"As you may know, my brother-in-law is an extremely hot-tempered person. One slip of the tongue could create an irreparable rift. I've had to walk a dangerous tightrope many times myself."
Hisahide remained silent, while Yoshitsugu gazed at the old general with a look of genuine remorse.
It was completely different from the emotionless way she treated me.
"As an extension of that, I happened to become close to my brother-in-law. Or perhaps I'm even overrated. Of course, there's my wife to consider... I suppose I should wholeheartedly welcome the situation as it is."
"Only inevitability exists in this world. That's what I believe."
Hisahide said, looking at me as if trying to peer into my other side.
"People often say that 'A happened by chance.' But that is only possible because there exists a 'B' that can cause 'A' to occur. I think there must have been certain conditions that made it inevitable that you, Lieutenant General, would become close to Lord Nobunaga."
"Well, what do you think?"
I didn't intend to talk much about this matter, so I shook my head in response.
"I don't understand complicated things. So let's leave those kinds of discussions to Osamu."
Hisahide gave a wry smile.
Then, while readjusting his support for Yoshitsugu, he said:
"Perhaps it's that quick adaptability that Lord Nobunaga values. Or perhaps it's his lack of ambition... Even as we talk, I don't sense any desire from you to seize power, Lieutenant General."
"As I told Lord Yoshitsugu, I am an inward-looking person. If I were to seize power, or gain even more power than this—it would end in a disastrous situation."
I continued with a wry smile.
"To govern the country requires a large number of civil officials. We Asai clan simply cannot handle that. Our family has many excellent warriors, but on the other hand, we are severely lacking in civil officials."
"So, in short, you're saying that as long as you have civil officials, you can aim to rule the country?"
"Power struggles are completely outside my considerations from the start."
I replied, looking back at Hisahide.
"From the very beginning, all I wanted was to live happily with Ichi...that was enough. It was sufficient. There was nothing more I could have wished for."
"..."
"But our safety, peace, and peaceful life—all of these things were threatened, so we came this far to prevent what we needed to protect from being destroyed. That's all, nothing more. I never once had the luxury of thinking about the affairs of the world."
"But that's not how most people see it, is it?"
Hisahide said definitively.
"The view in the Kinki region is that Asai, who is pacifying the dragon, is a more suitable candidate to rule the country than Oda, who is aiming to seize power next."
That was a rather concerning statement.
If such a view exists, it could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
Even though I knew that arguing with this old general wouldn't change anything, it was a matter that I had to at least firmly deny.
"But that's an overestimation. As I said earlier, I have no interest in ruling the country. We don't have enough civil officials. I'm content just to support my brother-in-law and spend quiet time with my family."
"Family... Ah, family."
Hisahide said with a cruel smile, filled with hatred for someone who wasn't present.
"It seems the Lieutenant General is indeed very fortunate. He appears to be convinced that his family is worthy of his trust. And he doesn't seem to realize how fortunate that is."
"...What does that mean?"
"I mean it literally, Lieutenant General of the Right Imperial Guard. If you have a family worth protecting, you also have a family that isn't even worth protecting. Oh dear, I'm so envious. I'm sure you're having a very happy time. You must cherish it, and remember how precious your own happiness is."
Speaking in a theatrical tone, Hisahide slung Yoshitsugu's staff around his waist.
Then I picked her up in a princess carry.
"Let's return, Lieutenant General. The Oda clan is eagerly awaiting our return."
"..."
I nodded silently and this time, I went inside the mansion with them.
But in his mind, Hisahide's words kept swirling around and around.