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The Asakura army departs from Ichijōdani.
The news was delivered by the Takamine Party just a short while ago.
We were positioned near Lake Yogo, an ancient lake located northeast of Lake Biwa, at the foot of Mount Shizugatake.
This was, of course, to investigate the movements of the Asakura army, but it also served as a topographical survey for future defense strategies.
The western shore of Lake Yogo is covered in dense forest, and no investigations have been conducted there at this time.
The lakeshore is basically covered with gravel and short weeds, and around it lie large, wolf-like creatures with gray bodies, probably in family groups.
According to the generals accompanying him, it is a monster known as [name of monster].濡狼Juro
It is believed to be a subspecies of dog, a powerful monster that inhabits mountainous regions. Unlike dogs, it is a fish-eater and is said to be relatively harmless to humans as long as they are not approached carelessly.
(But... more importantly, the real problem is...)
"Baoooooooon"
A gigantic creature with a long neck suddenly sticks out from the middle of Lake Yogo, staring at us while occasionally letting out a loud cry.
These monsters resemble dinosaurs—plesiosaurs—that once lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Apparently, it's a monster that only inhabits Lake Biwa and Lake Yogo, and the people of Omi Province call it [a certain name].湖竜Koryu
Several of them have been staring at me intently for a long time, without ever getting bored.
"..."
The Asai army has left Lake Yogo and is preparing to advance north to intercept the Asakura army.
They show no particular reaction to the commotion.
The lake dragons simply exist there, serene and unhurried.
They simply continue to observe the situation calmly and without tiring, relentlessly.
"Kyuooooon"
I couldn't help but be curious about what those lake dragons were up to, but they probably didn't have any malicious intent.
I thought this as I watched the Indra moth grazing on the lush green grass beside me, letting out a contented cry.
If the lake dragons harbor any hostility or ill will, she will be the first to issue a warning.
"Lord Nagamasa... so you were here."
"Ah, Kiyotsuna."
I waved to the elder who was rushing towards me.
Clad in full armor, he ran with a light, almost bouncy gait, and when he came beside me, he began speaking in a hurried manner.
"I was just hearing the details from someone from the Takamine faction. It appears that the Asakura army that departed from Ichijōdani numbered a total of 17,000...a large army."
"We are always at a disadvantage in terms of numbers... We've gotten used to being at a disadvantage."
I let out a deep sigh and stroked Taishakutsukimo's smooth, pure white skin.
"We have 4,000 soldiers against the Asakura clan, and 3,000 against the Rokkaku clan... This is quite a tough situation."
Incidentally, reports have already come in from the Takamine faction that, coinciding with the Asakura family's recent intrusion, the Rokkaku family has also been showing signs of unrest.
Therefore, the Asai family was currently forced to fight a two-pronged war.
Incidentally, the commander-in-chief of the defense force against the Rokkaku family was Kaihoku Tsunachika, and his two deputies were Endo Naotsune and Isono Kazumasa.
Haruhime had been assigned to the defense force against the Asakura family along with me, and she was preparing for the counterattack on the front lines.
"However, we have already requested reinforcements from the Oda clan. If we are defeated here, the Oda will have their route to Kyoto completely cut off, so they cannot ignore this."
Having said that much, Kiyotsuna's expression softened.
"Even so... when Lord Nagamasa said he would welcome a zashiki-warashi (house spirit), I thought he had gone mad... but the Takamine clan are quite capable people."
"...right?"
When she smiled and asked the question back, the senior retainer of the Asai family nodded.
Having fought countless battles for the Asai family as one of the three generals of the Sea, Red, and Rain, he knows all too well the importance of knowing the enemy's intelligence in battle.
The information provided by the Takamine faction—including details about the Asakura army's departure, its approximate size, and the identification of their invasion route—must have been astonishing to Kiyotsuna.
If you know from the start that you're at a disadvantage, you can then develop strategies and tactics accordingly.
"I had been on guard ever since I heard it was a Zashiki-warashi (house spirit)... but in a situation where the fate of all is at stake, there is nothing more useless than prejudice. Without the information from the Takamine clan, we wouldn't have been able to make such thorough preparations for this battle... Hahaha, the thought of what would have happened without them sends shivers down my spine."
"Well..."
I put my hand on Kiyotsuna's shoulder and said:
"We... we must protect this Kita-Omi. What is required of us is results. Only the result of protecting Kita-Omi is required. To that end, we must use any means necessary—no matter what process it takes."
"...Yes, that is correct."
Kiyotsuna nodded, but his expression quickly darkened.
"But... this day has finally come. Well, it was a situation I had anticipated all along..."
I gave him a wry smile.
"Were you scared?"
"No, that's not the case..."
After saying that, Kiyotsuna looked at my face and let out a deep sigh.
"Well, Lord Nagamasa truly surprises me... Despite receiving such news... doesn't this make our bewilderment seem like nothing but a joke?"
What he's saying is none other than this.
It appears that members of the Asai family, who had previously defected, such as Hisamasa and Masayuki, can be seen among the Asakura family's invading forces in Omi Province.
They probably intend to eliminate me and reclaim Kita-Ōmi for themselves...
"Anyone who tries to disrupt the peace, tranquility, and order of northern Omi will be eliminated. There is no room for personal feelings in this matter."
"...I understand. I, Kiyotsuna, will fully accept Lord Nagamasa's resolve."
"ah"
On the surface, I played the role of a strong-willed young man, but inwardly, I was completely cold.
They are my relatives, and yet they are not my relatives.
The former Asai Nagamasa might have hesitated, but I, Fukai Nagamasa, am not like that.
I won't be swayed by family feelings and go astray.
Above all else, I must eliminate the obstacles. For the sake of the child that will be born between me and Ichihime, absolutely.
They had to be mercilessly, thoroughly, and mercilessly eradicated.
"In that case, let's move to Nakanogo as well. If we believe what the Takamine clan says, the Asakura army will come via the Hokuriku Road. And that Hokuriku Road is a very hilly route—they're probably exhausted. If we exploit that, we have a chance of winning."北近江here
"...your will"
And then, accompanied by Kiyotsuna, they were about to move to the already constructed encampment when it happened.
"I believe you are Lord Asai Bizen-no-kami. Please wait a moment."
The man carrying a blue-haired girl and accompanied by Yashichiro called out to me.
"...Who are you?"
Kiyotsuna challenges him.
In response, the man bowed respectfully, paused for a moment, and then spoke.
"I am Takigawa Kazumasu, a retainer of Lord Oda Kazusa-no-suke. I have come here today because my lord has ordered me to deliver a message to Lord Bizen-no-kami."
Takigawa Kazumasu was a highly skilled warrior, known as "Takigawa the vanguard, " and one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Oda Nobunaga, who made significant contributions to Nobunaga's unification of Japan.殿Rearguard
Why is he here, not even on a horse?
But even more than that, there was something that was bothering me immensely.
The blue-haired girl he's carrying. Considering Yashichiro's presence, she is—
"—Lord Takigawa, thank you for your efforts. But first, you should let that girl down. If my assessment is correct, she holds great significance for our Asai family..."
"Oh dear, I apologize for my rudeness."
With that, Kazumasu smoothly lowered Myo from his shoulders—and with absolutely no wasted movement, handed the girl over to Yashichiro, who was standing beside him, using only one arm.
"Now, today I am tasked with conveying Lord Kazusa-no-suke's words, so I will not elaborate on anything else. If you wish to hear more details, please ask one of the people on this high peak."
"...Hmm."
He was quite a level-headed man.
There are many questions I'd like to ask, such as why he was supporting Myo and how he knew that Yashichiro was a member of the Takamine faction—but he has the determination to resolutely reject any such questions.
And pursuing my questions is probably not the responsibility expected of me in this situation.
In everything we do, we must dedicate ourselves to our respective roles.
If one does not adhere to that principle, one will eventually be excluded as an anomaly in the story woven by humans, which will eventually come to be known as the world.
(But whether that's convincing is another matter.)
With a lingering sense of unease in my heart, I urged Kazumasu to deliver the message from Nobunaga.
"Now, I will convey Lord Kazusa's words."
Kazumasu bowed his head and then spoke in a very clear voice.
"Today, in accordance with Lord Bizen-no-kami's request, Lord Kazusa-no-suke will personally advance his troops to Kannonji Castle, the headquarters of the Rokkaku clan. Therefore, we would like to request your confirmation of permission for passage through Omi Province..."
"...Needless to say. Please give my regards to my brother-in-law."
"thank you"
Regarding this matter, Kazumasu began before continuing.
"The Oda family's task this time is to eliminate the Asai family's worries... Similarly, Lord Kazusa-no-suke expects the Asai family to eliminate our worries."
The senior retainer of the Oda family coughed once.
"The message is, 'There is no need for the Asai family to prepare for the Rokkaku family; let them focus all their efforts on keeping the Asakura family in check—I will leave my back to my brother-in-law.' This is an unusually big gamble for Lord Kazusa-no-suke, who is usually meticulous, thorough in everything he does, and doesn't rely on other forces... It's become a topic of conversation within the Oda family every single day."
As he said this, Kazumasu grinned.
"However, at the same time, members of the Oda family are saying, 'If it were Lord Bizen-no-kami, the falconer, he would certainly say so.' For us members of the Oda family, and for the people of Gifu, Lord Bizen-no-kami is practically a national hero."
"..."
"The garment that Lord Bizen-no-kami is wearing is one that only those who have tamed a hawk are permitted to wear... The golden light has attracted and bewitched people since ancient times, even bringing about the destruction of the world, but the light itself can never be extinguished—we can only watch as Lord Bizen-no-kami destroys the Asakura clan with that power."金鱗黑絲威胴丸具足Kanagokekuroitoodoshidoumarugusoku
All of us Oda's retainers pray for good fortune in battle for Lord Bizen.
Saying that, Kazumasu stood up.
"Well then, I shall now take my leave. I must convey Lord Bizen-no-kami's reply to Lord Kazusa-no-suke and then head to Owari."
"...Are you going to Owari now?"
"That is correct."
Could it be that he, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Oda, would not accompany Nobunaga's army?
I involuntarily opened my mouth and asked a question, and Kazumasu opened his mouth wide again.
"I believe it is alright to inform you of this. From now on, I, Lord Kazusa-no-suke, will be ordered to lead 10,000 soldiers to pacify Ise. Lord Kazusa-no-suke will also be leading an army of 20,000 to subdue the Rokkaku clan, so it will be a two-pronged operation."
So, that means they can mobilize a combined force of 30,000 men...?
Compared to the Asai clan, who could only mobilize 7,000 soldiers even in defensive battles, the difference in national power is enormous.
(As it stands, we are no match for the Oda clan...)
I had absolutely no intention of being in conflict, but it felt like I was being confronted with reality once again.
A large number of soldiers means that a large number of people live there, and at the same time, it also means that there is a production base and economic base that can support them.
Population, food, and economy.
In all three of these crucial elements for the survival of the nation, the Asai family currently lags behind the Oda family.
However, this fact is also quite obvious.
Right now, I don't have my own base, even though it's still under construction, and I'm living in the castle of my vassal, Naotsune.
As I watched Kazumasu's back as he sped away at a speed faster than any normal person, I let out a groan.
(Therefore, we must somehow get through this battle...)
And it goes without saying that the power of the Takamine faction would be needed at this point.
"Yashichiro"
"...Hah"
The young man with dog ears and white hair who had been holding Myo in his arms slowly laid the girl down on the ground and then bowed in response.
"I heard what you said earlier. I need you to quickly inform Tsunachika and Naotsune—as soon as the Oda army arrives, withdraw your camp and head towards us."
"...Yes, I understand."
"And, strangely enough..."
"teeth..."
"I'll take care of her for now. The Takamine clan are my vassals, and I can't just abandon their leader."
"...I am very sorry."
With a look of regret on his face, Yashichiro bowed his head and, saying "Well then," ran off like Kazumasu.
"But what exactly happened to Takamine's leader?"
"Well... I wonder how that will turn out."
I let out a sigh of relief as I lifted the light body of the blue-haired, cat-eared girl into my arms.
Myo isn't dead. She's probably just unconscious.
Her breathing was regular, and there was no sign that she had been violated by a man.
I don't know the details, but the only thing that mattered to me was that they were safe.
"Well then, let's go, Kiyotsuna. Osamu... no, Shigeharu is waiting for us. Knowing her, I'm sure she'll handle it well."
"That is correct."
Kiyotsuna nodded deeply.
"Until now, the only person in the Asai family who could be called a skilled military strategist was Lord Kaihoku—but thanks to Lord Takenaka serving by Lord Nagamasa's side, we now have two. Seeing Lord Takenaka's work, Lord Kaihoku has recently started saying things like, 'Now I can retire anytime...'"
"That's a problem."
"Well, well... However, we three generals of Kaiseki Ume are getting old... It's probably time for us to make way for the next generation. I suppose it's understandable that Lord Kaihoku would think that when he looks at Lord Takenaka."
Tsunachika was already 57 years old, which is quite old for someone from the Sengoku period.
Kiyotsuna is 53 years old, and Amamori Kiyosada, the last of the three generals, is 55 years old.
In short, the Asai family's army is supported by generals who are nearing old age.
In contrast, the Oda family's chief retainer, Shibata Katsuie, is 45 years old—meaning the Oda family is supported by mid-career and younger generals.
(It's understandable that people say the Asai family is made up of old-timers...)
If we were to fall behind not only in population, food supply, and economy, but also in human resources, it would truly be a disaster.
Even with the addition of Haruhime, the reality is that the Asai family still lacks depth in its ranks of officers.
There is much to be done.
But first, there's no other way than to solve the immediate problems right in front of us.
"Baoooooooon"
Feeling the constant gaze of the plesiosaurs, I picked up the unconscious girl and, together with Kiyotsuna and Taishakutsukimo, headed towards the front lines against the Asakura army.