Taishakutsukimo leaps with its pure white body, galloping lightly across northern Omi.
The golden horn reflected the brilliant sunlight, continuously pointing the way forward.
The horses in this world are different creatures from the horses in my original world.
Males are completely black, while females are pure white, and both sexes can grow to over 3 meters in length as adults.
If you say that, you might get a response like, "It's just a ridiculously huge horse."
However, what is distinctive is that each individual has sharp horns. Males have black horns, while females have white horns.
And apparently, horses use their horns to judge how attractive a potential mate is. The more magnificent, thick, and hard a horse's horns are, the more attention it receives from the opposite sex.
Among all those horses, only Taishakutsuki-mo possessed golden horns, and this seemed to have an incredibly powerful influence.
所謂so-calledShe must be what they call a "once-in-10,000-years beauty." When Taishakutsukige neighs, all the stallions immediately turn around and follow her.
Incidentally, mares almost never follow along. I've never seen them do.
Considering that, it's probably safe to assume that when Taishakutsukige calls out to a horse, he's calling out to "that kind of thing."
After all, Taishaku Tsukige ends up having an orgy with every single stallion she brings along.
And yet, the way she manages to charm all the male horses and incorporate them into her own reverse harem is truly impressive.
"My lord, let's use the Shiozu Road, which runs between here and Lake Biwa!"賤ヶ岳Shizugatake
Naotsune, riding a black horse, called out to me from behind.
" It's faster than going around the area!"余呉湖Yogoko
"Understood!"
However, I didn't need to control Taishakutsukimo.
Taishakutsukimo understood everything that was happening between me and Naotsune, and decided his own course of action.
(So this is Shizugatake...)
With a multitude of emotions, I gazed upon the 421-meter-high mountain that rose precariously beside Lake Biwa.
This mountain is not irrelevant to me either.
In 1583, during the Tensho era, Hashiba Hideyoshi and Shibata Katsuie waged a fierce battle centered around Shizugatake, which divided the Oda clan in two.
Ultimately, Hideyoshi emerged victorious and became the successor to the power structure established by Oda Nobunaga—but to me, that's irrelevant.
The problem is that, in historical fact, the wife of the defeated Shibata Katsuie was Ichihime.
After Asai Nagamasa's death, Ichihime, who was living as a widow with her daughters, was forcibly married off to Katsuie by Oda Nobunaga's third son.織田信孝Oda Nobutaka
This also meant that, in order for Nobutaka to oppose Hideyoshi, he needed to make Katsuie, who was the leading force against Hideyoshi, "a relative of our Oda family..."
Ichihime, being just one of many women in Sengoku-era Japan, had no way of defying the schemes and orders of men.
It is said that just before she was to be married off, Ichihime secretly appeared before Nagamasa's grave, clung to the tombstone, and wept profusely.
And with Katsuie's defeat, Ichihime lost all hope of living—and ended up taking her own life.
(This is not someone else's problem...!)
I shook my head and gripped the reins tighter.
If we were to lose this war, and worse, if I were to die in battle, there was no way to know what Ichihime would do.
However, all my sentimentality vanished with a single word from Naotsune.
"Even so... My lord, this is truly a cause for concern."
"—What do you mean?"
When I asked that, Naotsune's horse increased its speed and drew level with Taishakutsukige.
"Something is happening with Lord Hisamasa."
"..."
With Mount Shizugatake on my right and Lake Biwa on my left, I listened silently to Naotsune's words.
"This battle has truly put your family in grave danger, so Lord Kiyotsuna went to see Lord Hisamasa—but he was curtly turned away, with the response, 'There is no need for me, a retired man, to get involved now.'"
"Hmm..."
This is a problem that we certainly have to consider.
"To be honest, I find Lord Hisamasa's actions difficult to understand. If you ask whether Lord Hisamasa has lost interest in the Asai family, given that he has been proclaiming his friendship with the Asakura family, that seems unlikely."
However, it was none other than Lord Hisamasa who chose to pledge allegiance to the Rokkaku family rather than the Asakura family—Naotsune said, after making a scathing criticism.
"Furthermore, I, Naotsune, cannot understand why you did not transfer the fluorite weapon—Ishiwari Kanemitsu—to your lord. If you do not intend to go to the front lines, then surely the demon-slaying sword should belong to you, the supreme commander of the Asai clan."
Nevertheless, Hisamasa kept Ishiwari Kanemitsu in his possession—and it never came into my hands until Hikobei seized it... That's what Naotsune must be trying to say.
"Furthermore, in this battle—the enemy's movements seem far too coordinated."
It was as if a situation had been deliberately created that forced them to ask for assistance from the Asakura family—Naotsune stopped himself at that point, saying, "No, that was just a delusion . "噤Tsugu
"No, Naotsune is right—something is strange this time."
The Wakasa Takeda and Rokkaku clans launched a simultaneous invasion of the Asai territory. However, the territories of both clans were divided by the Asai clan's base in northern Omi, making effective communication impossible.
Despite this, the invading actions of both families proceeded as if they had been planned in advance.
Considering the situation and taking into account the countless possibilities—
"There may be an informant within the Asai family."
"...You are absolutely right."
"Direct Scripture"
"Huh?"
Just as we rounded the corner at Fujigasaki, I stopped Taishakutsukige. Naotsune also stopped his horse and looked at me.
"Naotsune... your castle was Sugawa Castle, wasn't it?"
The fierce general, a source of pride for the Asai family, slowly nodded.
Sugawa Castle was a key defensive point in the Mino region, close to Sekigahara.
"Listen carefully, Naotsune. You will now rush back to Odani Castle, take Ichi and Hisa with you, and head to Sugawa Castle."
"My lord, that is—"
"Listen! It would be good if it turned out to be a false alarm, but if it doesn't, it will be irreversible! A true general always prepares for the worst-case scenario!"
"You'll protect the city, won't you?" When I asked him that, Naotsune looked taken aback for a moment... then his face became determined, and he slammed his right hand against his chest.
"If it is my lord's command, I, Naotsune, will surely protect your wife!"
"--ask!"
"Absolutely!"
Naotsune pulled on the reins, and we sped back the way we came. I urged Taishakutsukimo on, and we hurried towards Shimizuyama Castle.
(I hope my worries are unfounded...)
Without thinking, I found myself praying to heaven while riding on Taishakutsukimo's horse.
(Surely, Asai Hisamasa isn't secretly pulling the strings—)
遙springThe sky above now presents a different appearance.雲翳Management
I gripped the reins of Taishakutsukimo tightly, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in my mind.鬼胎I want to
◇
Shortly after that, I entered Shimizuyama Castle and met with various generals, including Anyoji Ujitane.
They apparently never expected me to come in person, and when they learned that the Rokkaku family's invasion was underway, they were all overcome with emotion and choked up with tears, saying, "We are truly grateful..."
Regarding the inability to send reinforcements, he said it was "unavoidable," and even went so far as to say that "Lord Nagamasa's personal presence was the greatest blessing."援Tasu
—I must somehow repay the loyalty of my retainers.
That's what I've decided.
According to Ujitane's explanation, there are about 3,000 soldiers gathered at Shimizu-yama Castle. If we assume that about 500 will remain at the castle, then the maximum number that can be deployed to defend against the Takeda would be around 2,500.
According to reports, the total number of Takeda troops was around 5,000—
(—Not bad)
That was exactly it.
This is because the Wakasa Takeda army had very few cavalry units.
It's easy to forget, but in this world, horses are a valuable asset.
Even the Rokkaku army, which had attacked Sawayama Castle with a massive force of 32,000 men last month, had only managed to prepare 150 horses.
Incidentally, it seems that Shimizu-yama Castle only owns seven horses.
I decided to mobilize all 2,500 soldiers and all 7 horses.
As I rode Taishakutsukimo and left the gates of Shimizuyama Castle, the scout returned at a perfectly timed moment and began reporting on the battle situation.
According to him, Kuchikidani Castle has not yet fallen.
The Kuchiki clan, led by Kuchiki Mototsuna, is a small force, but they seem to be employing guerrilla warfare by deploying ambushes and making full use of the familiar terrain of forests and mountainous areas.
This seems to be very effective, as the Takeda army, despite having nearly seven times the number of soldiers as the Kutsuki forces, is apparently "stuck in place."
"Mr. species"
"Yes, Lord Nagamasa."
As he pulled his horse alongside me, Ujitane asked:
"Do you have any plans?"
"Yes. From here on, we will divide the troops. You will lead 2,000 men and climb the mountain with all your might."
"--teeth?"
With a stunned look on his face, Ujitane spoke in a dumbfounded voice.
The expression on the middle-aged senior official's face was incredibly amusing, but—this is a time of crisis, so I can't laugh.
"We're going mountain climbing. We're going mountain climbing. Let's see... Mount Doken would be good. It should be visible from Kuchiki Valley. I'm not saying you have to climb all the way to the summit. Once you've reached the middle of the mountain, raise your battle flag and raise a war cry towards Kuchiki Valley. Then slowly advance towards Wakasa."
"...I see. The plan is to make the Takeda army believe that the Asai forces are about to attack Wakasa."
"Do you understand?"
"Ignore"
Shizutane nodded in agreement and, following my instructions, led 2,000 soldiers onto the Wakasa Road, passing Mount Kobarayama, and began his ascent towards Mount Doken.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime mountain climb by armed men.
After witnessing that, I led 500 soldiers straight through the gap between Inariyama and Takamoyama, heading towards Kuchikidani Castle.
The sound of waves lapping on Lake Biwa mixes in with the tremendous sound of our footsteps.
I instinctively turned around and saw a small island floating alone on the northern side of Lake Biwa.
--Chikubu Island, huh?
It is a secluded island located about 2 kilometers south of Tsuzuraozaki .曰rock
It is the only island in the Japanese archipelago covered in coniferous forests—and before the Meiji Restoration, before modernization, it was an island that the Japanese people believed to be inhabited by gods.
(That's where Asai Hisamasa was imprisoned, right...? I think so.)
When Nagamasa launched a war of independence from the Rokkaku family, Hisamasa was imprisoned on Chikubu Island by his retainers and was forced to live in seclusion on the island for a period of time.
(So this is the island where he had a fateful encounter with Hisamasa...)
The island where gods reside turned out to be a land of bitter family feuds—it's not funny at all.
As I was thinking about that, I suddenly saw a thunderous war cry and countless military banners fluttering from Mount Doken.
Then, the soldiers, carrying their military flags, slowly began their descent towards Wakasa.
(Yes!)
The entrance to Kuchiki Valley is right before our eyes—there couldn't be a better opportunity.
"Everyone... push them out!!"
As soon as I gave the order, Taishakutsukimo roared and charged towards the forests of Kuchiki Valley.嘶Inana
"Our lord has left!"
"What are you doing! We must continue, continue!"
There was no way they could catch up to Taishakutsukimo, but the soldiers raised their long spears, let out a war cry, and leaped into the forest.
What I and the soldiers saw there was the sight of the Takeda army, shaken by the Asai troops at Dōkenzan, hastily trying to turn back.
From their perspective, it must have been exactly like, "We thought we were attacking Asai, but before we knew it, our own country was about to be attacked."
In military operations, the most crucial thing to be careful about is the split second.間隙Deeply moved
War is unpredictable, and if you miss an opportunity, you'll never get another chance.
"And now—"
—A gap that we absolutely cannot let slip is blatantly exposed, inviting us in.
"Let's go!"
Taishakutsukimo raised his upper body and aimed at the Takeda army that was retreating along the mountain path.
The foot soldiers, armed with long spears, caught up with me and let out another battle cry.
Our shouts echoed clearly along the narrow paths of Kuchiki Valley.
I led the charge, and the Asai army swarmed the Takeda army with such force that it seemed as if they would trample us.
山間YamaiOn this road, the men's voices echoed, making us appear to the Takeda army as a force of over 500 men.木霊echo
In no time at all, Kuchiki Valley was reduced to a chaotic free-for-all with friend and foe entangled in a tangled mess.
"Our allies have arrived!"
"Look! The flag bearing the 'Three-tiered Tortoise Shell with Flower Diamond'...! It's Lord Nagamasa! Our lord has come himself!"
"Those who can wield spears, charge forward! Let us help our lord!"
"Hunt them all!" shouted Mototsuna himself, the leader of the Kuchiki clan, as he charged forward, taking the lead.
The Takeda army was already suffering from reduced numbers and lowered morale due to the guerrilla tactics of the Kuchiki clan.
On top of the anxiety that their homeland was under attack, the Takeda forces faced not only a new enemy, but also the soldiers of Kuchikidani Castle, which they had been unable to capture despite repeated attacks. Their despair was beyond description.
The Takeda army began to retreat towards Wakasa, each side vying to be the first to do so.
Against them, the guerrilla soldiers of Kuchiki mercilessly rained down a storm of arrows.
The mountain path was littered with the corpses of the Takeda forces, and the Asai soldiers continued their pursuit, stepping over them.
Takeda's soldiers fled desperately, retreating to the foot of Mount Ninotani.
However, Asai's soldiers were waiting there as well.
The diversionary force led by Ujitane had completed its mission and was now waiting impatiently for its prey to approach.
"Charge!"
At Ujitane's cry, 2,000 soldiers, armed with long spears, charged at the Takeda army.
The outcome of the battle was practically decided by then.
Among the Takeda soldiers surrounded by the Asai army, some began to surrender and beg for their lives.
Once such a trend is established, it becomes impossible to stop.
Humans are social creatures that live in groups. Therefore, once group psychology takes hold, it becomes very difficult to escape from it.
Swords and spears were thrown out, making a clanging sound.
--It's a sign of surrender.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the Takeda army begin to throw away their weapons.
—It's definitely better to win without killing than to win by killing.
While desperately trying to suppress the reptilian brain that was screaming for slaughter, I slowly sheathed my sword while riding on the horse of Taishakutsukige.
◇
After the Wakasa Takeda clan's northern Omi expeditionary force, whose retreat route had been cut off and who were completely surrounded, surrendered and disarmed, I ordered Ujitane to "send the foot soldiers back to Wakasa."
This is because most of the foot soldiers were farmers, and almost all of them had been forcibly conscripted.
Some of the officers at Shimizuyama Castle suggested that they should be used as slaves or sold off, but my answer to all of them was "no."
In this era, the concept of human rights does not exist.
That's why the idea of using them as slaves or subjecting them to human trafficking comes up so naturally, but as a matter of principle, I could never accept those things.
To those who still persisted, I simply said, "Consider these men to be your father, brothers, or sons."
Then they would look surprised and realize, "I see..."
No matter the era, parents, siblings, and children are indispensable to Japanese people.
Whether or not the concept of human rights existed, it was an important sensibility that was deeply rooted in the very core of the Japanese spirit.
It didn't take long before everyone at Shimizu-yama Castle agreed to the release of the soldiers who had surrendered.
However, they could not release the general who had been commanding them.
Unlike foot soldiers, warlords are dedicated to warfare. As professionals, it is only natural that issues of responsibility may arise.専門職professional
Furthermore, keeping them as hostages could serve as a diplomatic bargaining chip against the Wakasa Takeda family in the future.
The crime of suddenly invading our territory and causing damage must be thoroughly punished.
"Ujitane, what kind of man was the one leading the Takeda army in this battle?"
"Is that what you're referring to?"
Ujitane responded slowly and calmly.
"That man is a samurai general. He is such a formidable warrior that there is no one in the Wakasa Takeda clan who does not know his name, and he is probably the most trusted military officer in the clan."粟屋光若Away Mitsuwaka
In other words, the Wakasa Takeda clan sent their top-tier warriors to the front lines.
They were quite serious about this invasion.
"In any case, Ujitane, I want you to continue defending Shimizu-yama Castle. I don't think it will happen, but there's no guarantee that troops won't be sent from the Wakasa Takeda family again."
"I understand."
--That should be fine for now.
When I mounted Taishakutsukige, all the officers and soldiers of Shimizutani Castle came out to see me off.
In Kuchiki Valley, they were able to defeat the Wakasa Takeda clan surprisingly easily in a short amount of time, partly due to the advantage of the terrain.
However, that was merely a coincidence.
What would have happened if they hadn't attacked Kuchikidani Castle, but instead immediately attacked Shimizuyama Castle? Would they have been able to defeat an enemy force nearly twice their size in a field battle?
Considering that, one should not be overconfident in one's own abilities—it would be better to accept that "this time it was just pure luck."
After being seen off, I drove along the road between Lake Biwa and the mountains with Taishakutsukimo.
Even so—I can't stop thinking about whether Hisamasa is involved in this incident, as Naotsune and I suspect.
And did Naotsune manage to safely take Ichihime and Hisa to Sugawa Castle?
I am worried.
Feeling uneasy, I gripped the reins in both hands tightly to try and mask my anxiety.
Perhaps sensing my emotions were wavering, Taishakutsukimo let out a gentle cry.
Judging from these observations, Taishakutsukimo is likely a creature with a keen sense of human emotion and compassion—even though she's a seemingly innocent bitch.
(But in any case—nothing will change unless we win this battle.)
Taishakutsukimo leaves the Shiozu Road and begins to dance across the plains of northern Omi.
And if you continue south from there, you'll reach the point where the Asai and Rokkaku families face off.
It feels like four hours have already passed since I left Odani Castle.
(As long as everyone is safe...)
As I pictured the faces of the 6,500 soldiers and samurai gathered at Odani Castle, I couldn't help but wish for that.