April 25th, Hour of the Rooster (6 PM).
Hibariyama Mountain in Nagahama, Omi Province—a village rebuilt by the Asai family at its foot.
The main members of the Takamine faction had secretly gathered in that particularly large mansion.
They all have animal ears protruding from their heads , and their hair is uniformly white or blue.非fault証Akashi
Originally, they would wear a hood to conceal it, but after moving to Omi, they abandoned that custom, at least within the village.
This was also the wish of the head of the Asai family, but the Takamine faction also needed to remove their hoods in order to break with the past.
The one organizing these Takamine Party meetings was not the leader himself, but his guardian, Yashichiro.
Myo, the young leader of the Takamine faction, sat beside him, her still innocent face gazing at the men gathered in the mansion.
"Everyone's gathered..."
When Yashichiro muttered that, the men all straightened their posture.
The fire in the hearth crackled, illuminating the profile of Yashichiro, whose white hair was cut short.
"The reason I've gathered you all here today is quite simple...it's about the situation concerning the Asakura family in Echizen."
The men remained motionless, staring intently at Yashichiro's face.
Since their leader, Myo, is still a child, Yashichiro is their de facto leader.
Yashichiro is 24 years old this year.
Even among the highly skilled members of the Takamine clan, who constantly compete in training based on a meritocratic system, he was a ninja with abilities that stood out from the rest.
"Asakura is currently gathering troops."
And yet, the men's expressions remained unchanged despite those words.
However, its ears, which resembled those of a dog or cat, were stiff and erect.
If they had tails, their fur would surely be standing on end.
"That report was just brought to me by Gonzo a short while ago. It seems they intend to attack Lord Bizen-no-kami..."
"oh..."
The moment Yashichiro said that, a groan escaped the men's lips.
But these men, having undergone rigorous training, quickly spit it out.噤Tsugu
"In Echizen, proclamations have been issued in each territory, and men are being gathered. Since a peace agreement has been reached with Ikkomune of Kaga, the land Asakura is aiming for must be here in Omi."
Upon hearing Yashichiro's words, Myo straightened her posture.
Then the girl asks the men a question.
"If Asakura comes to Omi, we will surely be persecuted, just like before..."
After saying that, the girl straightened her back and asked.
"Do you all want to be driven out of this land?"
The men looked at each other and shook their heads.
From their perspective, life at the foot of Mount Hibari was incomparably better than what they had experienced before.
There was no fear of being attacked by the Koga ninja, who were supposed to be their allies, and in addition, they had no need to worry about their immediate food supply, as it was being provided by the Asai family.
And—this is a troubling issue for the Takamine faction—despite enjoying such benefits, the commander-in-chief of the Asai family shows no intention whatsoever of exploiting the Takamine faction, only saying, "Create paradise."
The Takamine clan, bewildered by the situation being so different from that of the Rokkaku family they had served until then, nevertheless received the favor of their lord, Asai Nagamasa, and diligently engaged in land reclamation and farming as instructed by him.
The people primarily responsible for that work were not men, but actually women.
Inheriting the blood of powerful beast-type monsters such as dogs and cats, their bodies are clearly stronger than those of ordinary humans.
Moreover, the villagers were filled with hope that "if we work hard now, we might be able to make life easier for our children," and as a result, the development of the settlement was progressing rapidly.
And strongly backing this development was Tomokuni Village, also a community of zashiki-warashi (house spirits), located near Hibari Village.
Tomokuni Village was a village with many zashiki-warashi (house spirits) that had inherited the blood of horses and rabbits, but that was not a significant issue.
Apparently, the commander-in-chief of the Asai family intervened with the village head of Tomokuni village, and the Takamine faction is rapidly deepening its ties with them.
For the Takamine clan, this was their first contact with a different community of zashiki-warashi (house spirits), but so far, relations between the two groups had been going well.
The Takamine Party is living in such a hopeful present.
Northern Omi is truly a new land filled with light.
Hoping that the land would become a paradise, and wishing to make it one, the Takamine Party decided in their hearts to make it their new home.
"...There's no way I'd want to be chased!"
As one man let out a cry that sounded like he was forcing it out, the assembled men clenched their fists, gritted their teeth, and tensed their bodies, radiating fighting spirit, as they gazed upon the mystery.
"We have been entrusted with this new land, Hibari Village, by Lord Bizen-no-kami... with the task of transforming this place into a paradise for the Zashiki-warashi."
"Perhaps Lord Bizen wishes to further expand this village in the future, in order to welcome people like us, who are shunned as zashiki-warashi (house spirits)..."
"This is the land of our hope, born between monsters and humans... It must become a land of hope... We must make this place a place of hope, no matter what!"
As they demonstrate their determination to protect Kita-Omi and Hibari Village, Myo watches them silently, without saying a word.
Next to the girl, Yashichiro spoke again.
"Hibari Village could not exist without the protection of the Asai family."
As he spoke in a firm voice, the men's eyes were once again drawn to him.
Under the intense gazes of those around him, Yashichiro's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to speak softly.
"Paradise is light. If it is not filled with light, it is not paradise. And that light—it emanates from Lord Bizen-no-kami. The fact that we have the light called hope is due to his will and actions... Lord Bizen-no-kami is the light. We must never forget that our hope is the light that he has shared with us."偏Single layer
Yashichiro paused, taking a look around at the men who were standing there.
The fire in the hearth crackled and danced with a loud popping sound.
An orange light briefly illuminates the men.
"Therefore, protecting Hibari Village means protecting Kita-Omi—and Lord Bizen-no-kami. Protecting Lord Bizen-no-kami is equivalent to protecting Hibari Village."
The men nodded emphatically.
That's also a shared understanding among them.
Incidentally, the Takamine faction has not yet received a formal request from Nagamasa to assume the role of foreign intelligence.
However, the Takamine Party was not the type to wait for a request before taking action.
No, I couldn't wait—especially considering the kindness I received from Asai Nagamasa as an individual.
If instructions were to be given eventually, it would be better to get it done now. That was the policy that the Takamine faction unanimously decided upon.
If they were to only begin operations when given instructions, it could put the Asai family at a disadvantage in the unpredictable world of intelligence warfare...
And that would be repaying kindness with malice, which is something the Takamine faction wants to avoid more than anything else.
Currently, the Takamine faction is sending agents to build alliances with the Asakura, Rokkaku, and Oda families—forces that could potentially exert direct influence over the Asai family .橋頭堡Kyoto
The purpose was to lie low in castle towns and rural areas and to gather intelligence on their movements.
Furthermore, the fact that we were able to detect the Asakura family's movements this time is a result of such independent activities.
"...No, Lord Yashichiro. It's not just Lord Bizen-no-kami. We must also protect, even at the risk of our lives, those who served us that hot porridge."
"That's right. You have restored warmth, the flame, to our cold hearts, to the hearts of ninjas... We must absolutely repay this debt of gratitude."
Watching the men filled with determination, Yashichiro said:
"It is likely that in the coming days, rogue ninjas from Echizen... and Iga... will infiltrate northern Omi. We must protect Lord Bizen, disrupt the Rokkaku forces, and continue to investigate the Asakura's movements. We will need to inform Lord Bizen of this and obtain his permission."安波賀衆Abakashu
"...I'll go."
It was strange that he raised his voice.
She smoothed her beautiful blue hair, perked up her ears, and looked at Yashichiro and each of the men one by one.
"If I, the leader, go and explain, Lord Bizen-no-kami should be convinced... So let's act now. Right now."
"...Understood."
Yashichiro bowed his head and then turned back to face the men.
"Everyone, while Myo-sama is explaining the situation to Lord Bizen, and before Myo-sama returns, let's get everything sorted out. We need to increase the number of people infiltrating Echizen, and also create a hideout between northern Omi and Echizen. We also need to deal with Wakasa... For now, let's leave Paradise in the hands of women and children. Our role as men is to protect it with our own flesh and blood, so that the light that fills Paradise never goes out—do you understand?"
"—Yes!!"
◆
The mansion where they spend their days has now become a place of ritual.
It seems that Ichihime had made various preparations while I was away, and she had taken care to ensure that a proper wedding ceremony could be held according to the established customs.
And right in front of me is a beautifully matched bride and groom.
I don't know the exact age of Heishiro, who will likely become her husband, but Tsubaki is the same age as Ichihime, 19 years old.
In short, it's an age where one is generally considered well past the typical marriageable age.
(As times change, so do perceptions of age. If Tsubaki wants children, she's at an age where she has to hurry... especially in the Sengoku period.)
While thinking these thoughts, I watched Heishiro and Tsubaki, who were standing side by side, bowing their heads and reciting their vows.
A foot soldier with a long spear and a former lady-in-waiting. A couple with no status or position—and surely no money.
(But there is love between them. That much is certain...)
With that much, I was sure I could manage.
At least in this era, nothing can be done without money as an absolute indicator, and it's not an era where everything is tightly controlled by economic capital.
As I was thinking about that, Ichihime gave me a subtle wink.
Looks like it's my turn.
"Hold the cup."
Upon hearing this, Heishiro and Tsubaki stepped forward with their cups and raised them in a bowing gesture.
Haruhime offered me a sake cup, and I took it and poured it into Heishiro's cup, and then into Tsubaki's.
When they hang it out to dry, their marriage vows will be fulfilled.
Heishiro and Tsubaki glanced at each other, brought their cups to their lips, and took .呷blue
I had heard from Ichihime about how they met. When Odani Castle fell, Heishiro was one of the soldiers who fought the retreat, protecting the ladies-in-waiting that Naotsune was unable to put on horseback.
I think that's incredibly romantic.
The bond that only those who have shared a life-threatening situation can understand eventually transformed into romantic feelings between a man and a woman, and that love has finally blossomed after going through many twists and turns.
In a sense, it's a unique case that could only happen in the Sengoku period—and precisely because it's not universal, it seems incredibly precious to me.
And then, upon seeing the bride and groom, an old man burst into tears.
Heishiro's grandfather is invited to this event as a relative of the groom's side. Apparently, he has no other relatives besides his grandfather.
"To think that Lord Bizen would do such a thing for you... what an incredibly fortunate person you are... Your father and mother must be overjoyed in the afterlife... Oh, how wonderful, how joyous..."
Watching him with tears streaming down his face, I felt an indescribable mix of emotions.
This information also comes from Ichihime, but it seems that Heishiro's father was also a long-handled foot soldier, just like him.
His mother fell ill and died after giving birth to Heishiro.産褥熱Sanjokunetsu
Therefore, Heishiro was raised by his father and grandfather—but he was killed in the first battle after I was transported to this world, namely the defense of Sawayama Castle.
(In that case... this old man must have had a really tough time.)
I don't know what Heishiro thought when he heard the news that he had fallen in love with a lady-in-waiting to the Asai family's principal wife.
But it's certain that he agonized over it considerably.
If Heishiro were to disappear, for this old man, it would mean that his entire family would vanish from the face of the earth.
"Good, good. Now, Heishiro."
"Y-yes..."
"Here you will find a new spear and armor; take them with you. Use them to achieve new military successes. Then your life with Tsubaki will become easier."
Perhaps it was because of the alcohol she'd been drinking, but Tsubaki's face was bright red, and she finally became overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears.
Perhaps influenced by this, Heishiro also began to cry like a child.
Ichihime quietly watched the bride and groom, who were weeping uncontrollably, while Osamuhime smiled.
Then, as Heishiro and Tsubaki left, bowing repeatedly, Ichihime's expression suddenly softened, and she quietly approached me and spoke to me.
"Is this alright?"
"Ah... From here on it's just a matter of men and women, they can do whatever they want."
I said that and put my arm around Ichihime's shoulder.
Although she doesn't show it outwardly, she is the person who was most heartbroken and also most relieved by what happened.
He must have been under immense stress, and thinking about that, I wanted to offer him some words of comfort—but that was something I absolutely couldn't do in front of other people.
Ichihime is the principal wife and is in charge of managing the household.
Therefore, one must always treat women fairly—and consequently, one must not let one's emotions cloud one's judgment.
It is strictly forbidden, under any circumstances, to do anything that would reveal that Ichihime secretly harbored feelings for her lady-in-waiting.
"The Tsubaki matter is settled. Now all that's left is to eat..."
When I said that, Ichihime's expression suddenly clouded over.
"I'm so sorry...! I've been so busy with preparations that I haven't even been able to cook the porridge yet..."
"No, that's fine."
He stopped his wife from bowing down and apologizing, pushed her bangs aside, kissed her forehead, and smiled.
"I've always let you and Haruhime do all the preparations. And today, I put you through a lot because of Tsubaki and the others. I'll take care of cooking tonight."
"No way...! No, the city will provide the meal...!"
"It's alright. You shouldn't push yourself too hard right now. This body is no longer just yours alone, so rest when you need to. That's part of your job."
Upon hearing this, Ichihime stopped resisting and hung her head.
It seems that not being able to prepare dinner is quite upsetting for her as a wife.
"There's no need to be so down about it. We now have time to talk about being a couple while the porridge is cooking... If you look at it that way, it's not so bad, is it?"
"Ugh... I'm so sorry, I'm truly sorry..."
I gently patted her back, which was completely dejected, and then stood up.
When Ichihime received ingredients from the cook at Sugawa Castle, she always placed them in the same spot—on the stone platform in the dirt-floored area.
Looking over there, you can see a container holding the rice for today's meal, and a basket filled with fish, mushrooms, and vegetables.
Among them were many ingredients I had never seen before—I couldn't tell if they were unique to this world, or if I was simply ignorant and didn't know about them.
(What is this... this squishy thing...)
I picked up one object from the colander that looked like an ingredient.
The color is red, just like a ripe strawberry.
However, its shape resembles a wood ear mushroom that has absorbed water and swelled considerably.
When I grabbed it and dropped it onto the stone platform, it swayed and bounced.撓Tawa
Just like a Super Ball.
"I'll be happy to help you, sir."
"Oh, thank you... Osamu."
Before anyone realized it, Princess Chihime had a bucket filled with water, and she picked up the vegetables in the colander and began washing them.
His technique was exceptionally skillful, and combined with the knife skills I'd seen before, it convinced me that he must have had some cooking experience since childhood.
"Ah... this mushroom is magnificent."
With a cheerful voice, Princess Osamu picked up a large, well-shaped mushroom from the basket.
Then, immerse it in water and use your supple fingertips to scrape off the mud that has accumulated on the underside of the umbrella, in the folds.
In the world I came from, it was believed that mushrooms shouldn't be washed with water because it would spoil their flavor—but that was only true if the production process was properly managed.
In the Sengoku period, when sanitary conditions were poor, it was probably best to be cautious in everything you did.
"Hey, Osamu... what is this?"
" That's right."葛茸Katsutake
She said, watching the object I was making bounce on the stone platform.
"Those mushrooms don't grow on trees or soil; they grow on water, like lakes and rivers."
"...Haa"
So, does that mean the inside of this squishy thing is full of water?
It looks like one of those deformed rubber balloons you get at festivals... I thought to myself as I dropped it onto the stone platform again.
This is kind of fun.
"No, sir. You shouldn't play with the ingredients like that..."
But finally, Princess Osamu scolded him with a "No!"
It seems that the value system that prohibits using food as toys was the same even during the Sengoku period (Warring States period).
It's probably a tradition of the Japanese people, who are particular about colors.
"Oh, right... I'm sorry."
But why?
(—I actually kind of enjoy being scolded like this...)
Perhaps it was because she, though petite, exuded an air of a married woman that led to her scolding him.
I once conducted a YES/NO survey in my previous world, asking 79 men aged 10 to 57, "Would you like your mother to gently scold you with a 'No!'?"
As a result, I learned that men tend to answer "YES" regardless of age. The fact that only seven people answered "NO" speaks volumes about this.
(I guess I was just one of the majority after all...)
Men are creatures who constantly live their lives trying to keep up appearances.
That's why there are times when I just can't help but want to be pampered.
Before I tripped into this world, words like "baby-like" and "baby-like" had already been coined—and those too must surely have been an expression of the souls of men who were utterly exhausted by dealing with the world.
"Oh, look, a caterpillar..."
While I was thinking such silly things, Haruhime let out a cute cry.
Apparently, when she was washing leafy vegetables, she discovered a tiny caterpillar clinging to them.
After observing it closely, she poked it with her fingertip—
"...Lord Nagamasa, please excuse me for a moment."
—When he tore off a piece of the vegetable with his fingers and placed the caterpillar on top, it scurried outside.
It seems they thought they could relocate the caterpillars to the plants growing within the castle grounds. Hmm, how thoughtful.
In the dirt-floored room after she left, I began to wash the rice by myself, scrubbing away.
The water is cold and my hands are getting numb, but it's not a problem when I think that Ichihime did this work for me every day.
And that's when it happened—
"Lord Bizen-no-kami..."
"...yeah?"
—The girl who should have been at Hibariyama called out to me from the front door.