The Iron Fortress rose higher with each passing week, its towers cutting into the sky like defiant blades. Whispers spread beyond the valley—of Eugene's genius, of peasants turned soldiers, of a stronghold that could rival a daimyo's capital.
But in Kai Castle, not all were awed. Some were afraid. And none more than General Ishida.
The council chamber was hushed, banners swaying in the dim torchlight. Lords and generals knelt in rows while Lord Takeda sat above them, his gaze sharp as a hawk's.
General Ishida bowed deeply. His voice was honey, his words poison.
"My lord, though Eugene's victories serve you, his fortress grows… too strong. Already, travelers whisper of him as a lord in his own right. If we let this seed grow, it will become a tree that casts shadow even upon you."
Takeda's expression darkened. "And what do you propose?"
Ishida bowed lower. "Allies, my lord. Neighboring clans that fear Eugene's rise. With their aid, we crush him swiftly, before his walls become unbreakable."
The chamber stirred. Some lords nodded grimly, others exchanged uneasy glances.
"Do you call him traitor?" Takeda asked.
"I call him dangerous," Ishida replied. "Better to strike while danger is small than face disaster when it is large."
That night, Ishida did not sleep. In his private quarters, maps sprawled across the floor, marked with rivers, valleys, and clan banners. His hand hovered over the crest of the Satomi, then the Imagawa, then the Hojo.
The Satomi feared any rising power near their borders. The Imagawa hungered for influence in Kai. The Hojo—ambitious as wolves—would gladly see a young upstart crushed.
Ishida's lips curled into a thin smile. Yes. Alone, I cannot destroy him. But together, even Eugene's fortress will drown under armies.
He summoned a trusted messenger. "Ride to the Satomi, to the Imagawa, to the Hojo. Tell them this: a false lord grows in Kai, building power to rival Takeda. Join me, and together we will cut him down."
The messenger bowed and vanished into the night.
Meanwhile, in the valley, Eugene trained his Spears beneath the moon. Arrows hissed into targets, spears slammed into shields, and the sound of discipline echoed like thunder.
Hiroshi approached, his face troubled.
"My lord, word from Kai Castle. Ishida petitions Takeda to strike against you. Worse—he forges alliances with neighboring clans. If they unite, they could bring thousands to your walls."
The AI whispered coldly in Eugene's mind:
[Threat assessment: critical. Estimated enemy coalition forces: 8,000–12,000. Current strength: 412. Fortress defenses: 74% complete. Probability of survival without reinforcements: 18%. Recommendation: expand recruitment, secure external allies, prepare scorched earth tactics.]
Eugene's gaze hardened. "So the rat calls wolves to his side. Very well. If they bring fire, we will bring storm."
That evening, he gathered his Fifty Spears in the council hall. The firelight gleamed off their armor, their faces carved from stone.
"Brothers," Eugene said, "Ishida would see us crushed. He rides to clans beyond Kai, begging them to strike us down. Soon, their armies will march upon our walls."
The Spears muttered darkly, hands tightening on hilts.
"But listen well," Eugene continued, voice rising. "We are not prey. We are the blade in the dark, the storm that drowns the arrogant. For every enemy they bring, we will forge ten allies. For every soldier they march, we will break them with walls, fire, and steel."
Hiroshi raised his spear high. "The Fifty Spears stand ready! Let them come!"
The roar that followed shook the hall.
Later, alone in his chambers, Eugene spread maps before him, candles casting long shadows across his face. His mind raced with strategies.
If Ishida calls the Satomi, I must reach the Uesugi first. If the Imagawa are swayed, then I must show them Takeda's wrath is worse than mine. The Hojo… cunning wolves, but perhaps they can be bought.
The AI fed him constant data: supply lines, terrain advantages, potential allies.
[Suggestion: secure alliance with the Kiso or Uesugi. Both rivals to Satomi and Imagawa. Probability of success with resource investment: 62%.][Secondary suggestion: accelerate recruitment of peasants into ashigaru. Current available manpower in valley: 700. Projected armed force in 3 months: 1,200.]
Eugene's hand clenched on the brush. If Ishida brings ten thousand, I will face him with twelve. And when his wolves tear at my gates, I will chain them, tame them, and send them to war in my name.
Far away, Ishida stood atop Kai Castle's balcony, gazing east where the messenger had ridden.
"Soon, boy," he murmured into the wind. "Your fortress will burn. Your Spears will lie broken. And your name will be erased before it is ever written."
But in the valley, Eugene whispered to himself as he sharpened his blade:
"No, Ishida. When history is written, it will be your name erased. And mine carved in steel."