October 2nd, around 10:00 AM.巳fruit
A force of 10,000 men, centered around Mino and Owari provinces, had split off from Nobunaga's army of 50,000, and was marching towards Kyoto. Accompanying them were 1,500 troops from Matsunaga in Yamato Province and 2,000 troops from Asai in Omi Province, both advancing westward.
The commander-in-chief of the Oda army was Shibata Katsuie, a fierce warrior who would later become famous as "Bottle-Breaking Shibata."
The Yamashiro Province, where Kyoto is located, is mostly flat. Therefore, the view is good, and it was easy to spot the enemy.
This also means that it will be difficult to place ambushes.
In battles on flat ground, even a momentary lapse in concentration by soldiers can lead to a crushing defeat.
Since it's October, the temperature has already started to drop.
愛宕AtagoThe cold wind blowing down from the mountains was becoming increasingly harsh.
According to the calendar, it was still autumn, but it was also the cusp of winter. And winter was the season when his beloved children, Manpukumaru and Chacha, were born.
(Ideally, the conflict in the Kinai region could be resolved in a short, decisive battle...)
Thinking of the children I left behind in Omi and Princess Ichi, I gazed upon Shoryuji Castle from a distance, accompanied by Princess Osamu and Takatora.
This castle is a small, flatland castle built southwest of Kyoto.
It is believed to have been built by the prestigious Hosokawa family during the Nanboku-cho period, and historically it served as the residence of Hosokawa Fujitaka and his son Tadaoki.
"Your Highness... I have seen it."
"Ah, Myo... Thank you for your hard work."
Then, Myo came running towards them at an incredible speed from the direction of Shoryuji Castle.
所謂so-calledIt was a solo, all-out reconnaissance mission.
This is a feat that only she, the leader of the Takamine Party—a group of spy zashiki-warashi (house spirits) with high combat abilities—could accomplish.
My army was accompanied by seven members of the Takamine Party, including Myo.
However, there are other things...
In other words, the majority of the Takamine clan's vice-leader, Yashichiro, who is a dog-eared ninja, are either still in northern Omi or engaged in their original intelligence missions.
This foreign campaign is driven by a strong sense of obligation to the Oda family and has significant political implications.
Therefore, it wasn't something they were fully committed to.
The most important thing is to prevent the loss of northern Omi, and prioritizing its defense is a natural concern for any feudal lord.
"Ah... Yokichi..."
"..."
Seeing the silver-haired, tanned boy standing beside me on my left, Tae called out his name.
However, now that he has come of age as Todo Takatora, he will not respond to the calls of the spy cat-eared girl.
He simply stands there calmly, eyes closed, chin tucked in, fists clenched.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere between the boy and girl, I pulled Myo's slender body to my right.
"Are you injured?"
"Uh... no, I didn't..."
"I see... That's good to hear."
I ran my fingers through her blue hair, which shimmered in the winter sunlight.
I think I saw a look of envy on Haruhime's face, but I'm probably just imagining things.
Then, accompanied by the three men, he entered the main camp that had been set up for the attack on Shoryuji Castle.
That's also the headquarters where the Oda family's officers, including Mitsuhide, myself, and top-ranking generals like Matsunaga Hisahide, hold their meetings.
Ukita Naoie, a guest of the Oda family, was also there for some reason.
"Oh... Lieutenant General Asai"
Hisashi Matsunaga.
The old man, who would later be remembered as a wicked and atrocious villain, looked at me, accompanied by two zashiki-warashi (house spirits), and said in a fawning voice:
"Have you returned? Well, as expected of someone who can control a dragon... it seems that controlling a zashiki-warashi (house spirit) is no big deal for you. "御表情face
There was something about the way he said it that really annoyed me.
I realize that Hisahide's words, "using a zashiki-warashi (house spirit) as a servant," are stirring my emotions.
But we can't risk provoking the great schemer of Yamato Province here.
I nodded casually and sat down on the bench. Then Shibata Katsuie, the commander of the Oda army, and others followed me onto the bench.
"Myo, then... I'll give you the report."
"Y-yes..."
Myo, standing beside me, revealed the results of the reconnaissance mission against Shoryuji Castle—the information she had gathered.
"That castle, the layout of the Shiki castle... It's situated between rivers... with earthen ramparts... and one outpost. It's not very big... but it has about 4,000 soldiers. And not just that, there are also many local powerful families... so about 7,000 in total."梯郭Teikaku
As she said this, Myo took out some Japanese paper from her pocket.
Then, using the brush and ink that had been prepared, he quickly sketched out a simplified version of the layout of Shoryuji Castle.
"This is astonishing... To go there and back in just one day, and even create a map of the enemy castle's layout on the spur of the moment..."
One of the Oda generals let out a growl.
It's understandable that such exclamations of admiration would escape one's lips, given the incredible feat Myo is currently accomplishing.
Mio was not very articulate, but her drawing skills were quite good.
The painting depicts Shoryuji Castle, nestled between the Obata River and its tributaries.
According to Myo's writings, this fortress seems to have a long, narrow outer bailey extending between the main keep, which is surrounded by an inner moat, and the outpost located to the west.
And, needless to say, it is surrounded by a moat.
"However, if 7,000 men were holed up in this castle, it would be quite troublesome... Even with the combined strength of the Asai and Matsunaga families, we only have twice as many soldiers as the enemy. How can we capture this castle...? That's the first thing we need to consider."
Katsuie, who led the Oda army, said so.
In historical fact, he married Ichihime, who had become a widow, and was later reprimanded by Hideyoshi, leading to his suicide along with her at Kitasho.
As I struggled to cope with this vague, unsettling feeling, Hisahide smiled with a mischievous grin.
"I'm sure your worries will turn out to be unfounded."
The old man, bearing the scars of sword wounds, looked at Katsuie with an upward glance.
"I know the lord of Katsuryuji Castle very well. Although we parted ways, we worked together as subordinates of Lord Nagayoshi..."
"Heh heh"
Naoya wore a sinister smile on his otherwise cheerful face.
They must have sensed that Hisahide had a scheme.
Naoya said he didn't see eye to eye with him, but surely he would find it amusing to sense someone trying to bring others down.
In that sense, Hisahide and Naoyoshi were undoubtedly of the same kind.
However, Naoya is merely a guest and a guest general. It seems he has no intention of speaking.
"One of the Miyoshi Three ...that is the name of Shoryuji Castle."岩成Iwanari友通Tomomichi主master
Hisahide looked up at each of the attendees' faces one by one.
"He was originally one of the magistrates serving Lord Nagayoshi. He was eloquent, and his administrative abilities... even from my perspective... were outstanding."
However, the cunning and shrewd strategist of Yamato continued in a sticky tone.
"He's originally just a man of internal affairs... He can mobilize troops, but that's all he's capable of. He's a hothead and easily loses his temper... which is common among overconfident civil servants . And because he's so skilled in internal affairs... he's incapable of dealing with unexpected events."
Hisahide chuckled softly, seemingly amused.
"It was quite amusing, the battle at Todai-ji Temple with Lord Yoshitsugu on our side. Those men apparently never imagined I would burn down the Great Buddha ... They panicked and lost many soldiers... Heh heh, kuh heh heh."彼奴That guy
"...I see, I understand."
Mitsuhide nodded to Hisahide and spoke in a manner that suggested he support Katsuie—or perhaps offered a suggestion.
"So, considering the commander's personality... it would be good to provoke him somehow. And if we devise a plan that Lord Iwanari doesn't anticipate... he will surely collapse without being able to correct it."
"Hmm... well, that's true... but coming up with unexpected strategies in a siege is quite a hassle."
Katsuie groaned, arms crossed.
Towards the Oda army, Hisahide lowered his face, shook his head from side to side, and waved his hands in a fluttering motion.
"No, no, let's think about that later. For now, I think it would be better to focus on repelling Iwanari's army in a field battle."
"Field battle...? Are they really going to come out, even though they're outnumbered?"
"It will definitely come out."
He twisted his head around and raised it—Hisahide's eyes widened as he tilted his head to the left.
Then, sticking his little finger into his left ear and twisting it, he said:
" Yes, he's a very confident man. He rose from humble origins to gain the trust of the 'Vice-King of Japan,' and received treatment befitting a member of the family... A mere mortal intoxicated by a sense of omnipotence... that must be the true nature of a man like Iwanari Tomomichi."岩成殿That
However, Hisahide continued.
"Please understand that I am merely an ordinary man, not a fool... To put it another way, I won't come out of the castle unless there's even the slightest chance of winning. To put it another way, if you even dangle the slightest glimmer of hope in front of me, I'll latch on like a married woman who's been deprived of male attention for a long time... Oh?"
The old man slapped his forehead, as if to say he'd let something slip.
"Come to think of it, Lieutenant General Asai had a trusted confidant, didn't he? No, no, that was inappropriate ... I made a mistake. I am an old man nearing the end of my life, and I am prone to making gaffes... Please forgive me."女子woman喩parable今際Now
Then, Hisahide bowed deeply with a virtuous gesture.
Haruhime nodded back, looking somewhat taken aback, but somehow I understood.
This old man is, fundamentally speaking, the kind of man you should never get involved with.性質friend
"So, the question will be how to subtly hint at that hope..."
Mitsuhide continued, summarizing the points precisely, but in a manner that suggested he was seeking Katsuie's approval.
"We have twice as many soldiers as the enemy. At this rate, the enemy will not come out of the castle. If we assume that the castle's commander is as Lord Hisahide described...then we will have to lure him out little by little."彼mosquito
"In that case, how many troops should we send out...?"
Katsuie said with a thoughtful expression.
However, he doesn't seem to be an irresponsible man who simply does whatever Mitsuhide tells him to do.
Judging from the atmosphere, it seems that despite being the supreme commander, he intends to fight alongside his troops himself.
He seems like a born and bred professional soldier.
"May I have a moment?"
With a composed expression, Naoya, who had remained completely silent until then, finally spoke, seemingly unable to contain himself any longer.
"Considering what Lord Hisahide has said so far, the bait must be something quite substantial. Perhaps one of those baits is Lord Hisahide himself... it seems he still harbors some animosity towards the Miyoshi Three."
"...Kufufu"
Hisahide looked up at Naoyoshi, baring his teeth and grinning.
"And we must appeal to their desire for fame. For example, the best approach would be to offer them bait such as, 'If you defeat that person, you will instantly gain fame.'"
"..."
Haruhime immediately cast a wary glance at Naohisa.
However, the unparalleled strategist born in Bizen Province paid no attention to those eyes and spoke with confidence.
"In other words, we should use Lieutenant General Asai as bait. If we do that, the man driven by a desire for honor will surely come out of the castle immediately, carrying with him the desire to claim that he is the one who will quell the dragon in the next generation."
"I object."
Haruhime said, slapping it back with a swift slap.
"The Asai army has come to this battle as reinforcements. It is an operational unit whose primary purpose is to support the Oda army. For the Asai army to be on the front lines against the enemy undermines that premise. Please reconsider."
"However, in this Sengoku period, those who use any means necessary and employ the most tactics are the ones who win... If that's what you're saying, then the Asai army should simply retreat as soon as they draw out the enemy."謀Schemes
"That's not the point. The problem is that Asai, who are supposed to be reinforcements, are at the core of Oda's strategy. If we follow Ukita's suggestion, this battle will not be Oda's battle, but Asai's battle."
"Ultimately, wouldn't it be enough to simply lure out the enemy and kill them? That's what I would do. In these chaotic times, there's nothing more pointless than maintaining appearances. The important thing is to get the results...isn't that right?"縊neck
"What you're saying is correct, but also wrong. Lieutenant General is not a replaceable person."
Princess Osamu's demeanor and speech were more dignified than anything I had ever seen before.
Facing this, Naoya seemed to sigh in exasperation.
He chuckled, waved one hand dismissively, and gestured, "Then I'll refrain from making any further comments."
"If it were me, I would have Lord Naoya come up with a plan... But I also understand what Lord Takenaka is saying. It is human nature to want to keep what is important to oneself hidden deep within one's heart—especially when it comes to someone one feels affection for, isn't it?"
Then Hisahide looked at Haruhime and spoke in a sticky voice.
Immediately, our strategist directed a sharp gaze at the Yamato villain.
"Well, well... My lady, you've made a truly frightening face. You can tell whether a man and a woman are in a physical relationship just by looking into their eyes. Lord Takenaka, bringing romantic feelings into the battlefield is strictly forbidden... Do you understand that before making your statement?"
"Needless to say"
Haruhime, with no change in expression whatsoever, declared with a dignified posture.
In response, Hisahide wore a smile of delight.
"Now, now, everyone... please wait a little longer..."
Mitsuhide began mediating, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
"The important thing is to ensure that our allies survive as much as possible while achieving an overwhelming victory. Let's examine each possibility one by one. Shouldn't we do that?"
I no longer have the time to intervene.
My eyes naturally met those of Shibata Katsuie, the commander of the Oda army. He, too, seemed to be struggling with what to say.
For some reason, I had a strong feeling that I could get along with him.