◆
"Wow, that's amazing! Look at that spectacular sight!"
Amidst the hastily assembled camp, Nagashige's cheerful voice echoed.
That's hardly the voice of someone facing imminent war.
However, she seems to have become completely accustomed to her husband's behavior.
The soldiers following Nagahisa did not frown upon him; in fact, they would smile and respond when he spoke to them.
However, each of them has a strong, well-trained physique.
As Naotaka Magara mentioned previously, it seems that Nagashige has had physical relationships with all of them.
In the event of a battlefield, they might transform into a group with overwhelming cohesion.
Masayuki decided to try not to think about the fact that Nagashige's troops, known as the Tomita Party, numbered around 1,000 men.
"Look, Masayuki-sama, you should take a look too! Your brother is simply magnificent!"
As Nagashige said, it seems my elder brother is indeed aware of the entire situation here.
As Masayuki gazed from a distance at the solid defensive formation of the Omi army, he felt a nasty sensation in his stomach, as if he had been punched hard in the stomach.
"Oh, you look pale. Are you nervous?"
"No... not really..."
"Oh really? Well, that's fine, I guess. But for me, it's more troublesome when people like Hisamasa and the others get so worked up—they're difficult to control."
Incidentally, Hisamasa and the Asai family were given 2,000 soldiers and set up camp some distance away from Masayuki and Nagashige.
There's a strong sense that they're not all on the same page, but it seems the relatives have been strongly arguing with Kageakira, the military supervisor.
They claimed that they were the ones who knew Omi best, and therefore they knew where to set up camp.
"But still, it's interesting, isn't it?"
As Nagashige gazed at the camp where the "Mitsumori Kikko" flag was flying, he let out a sigh.
"To you all, Bizen-no-kami is a relative, isn't he? Especially to Lord Masayuki's father, he must be his own blood child..."
"..."
Unable to respond to Nagashige, Masayuki could only remain silent and gaze at the enemy camp where his older brother was serving as commander-in-chief.
"I wonder why. These are children born from what they themselves produced, yet they try to kill them—monsters would never do something like that. Humans are even lower than monsters."
"...monsters, below."
"Or maybe they're just males ? As long as they feel good, that's all that matters to them. They release whenever they want, and they don't care if the females get pregnant... That's probably why they lack a sense of responsibility. Unlike the females, they don't have to go through the pain of childbirth."性Saga
Nagashige ran his hand through his hair and muttered softly.
"Ah... I wish I could get pregnant too..."
"W-what are you...?"
"Because if you get pregnant, you'll understand what it's like to be a mother. I want to get pregnant through my butt. If males could get pregnant through their butts—then we'd understand what it's like to be a female."
Masayuki was somewhat taken aback by the sheer outrageousness of the statement—but he couldn't just ignore it.
Moreover, she couldn't push Nagashige away in front of the Tomita clan, so she was at his mercy as he held her arm tightly.
Moreover, every time Nagashige tried to provoke them, the faces of the men from the Tomita clan would contort in disgust.
This is exactly what it means to feel like you're not truly alive.
"...No matter how many men I accept, I can never feel like a mother. I could be a father, though. It seems the chasm between male and female is deeper than we easily assume."
Having said that much, Nagashige suddenly released Masayuki's arm.
"No, it's not like me to get caught up in such a gloomy mood. Let's do what we can while we still can—Hyoji!"
"Ah...! Lord Nagashige, take this...!"
"Yes, yes. That's it, that's it. You understand it well."
And what was handed over to Nagashige ?匣box
It's not particularly large; in fact, it's rather small.
It feels like if you were to accidentally sit on it while it's on a stool, it would be instantly crushed—that kind of feeling.
"it is...?"
"This? Oh, right, I haven't explained it."
Saying this, Nagashige carefully held the box in both hands and said:
"This is the 'Telescopic Box.' If you point the round hole on one side of the box in the direction you want to see something... voilà, an image will appear like this."
A pale mist seeped from the box held by Nagashige, slowly beginning to form a clear image.
Asai Nagamasa was also there, and seeing him put an even greater strain on Masayuki's stomach—but then...
"W-What...Who is that beautiful person!??"
Indeed, what was projected onto the box that Nagashige was pointing at was only the figure of the commander-in-chief of the Omi army, clad in some kind of stylish armor, and a white horse beside him.
"Ah, ahhh!!!! Aa
Nagashige threw the box aside, his body shaking violently, and began to let out a frantic roar.
Seeing how distraught he was, Masayuki instinctively grabbed Nagashige's shoulders and shook him.
However, that alone was not enough to stop his madness.
Nagashige slipped out of Masayuki's arms—
"Everyone!!!! Prepare to march out, prepare to march out!!!!"
—He was shouting as if in a hurry.
"Bring her here right now, right now...!!! Bring that beauty here!!! That beauty... rivals Yukino's!!!"御馬()
And Masayuki has no way to stop Nagashige.
As the Tomita clan let out a war cry and charged headlong into the main camp of the Omi army, there was nothing to do but surrender to the torrent of their attack.
◆
Noon, Nakanogo, located in the northern part of Lake Yogo—
It happened when the Asakura army's formation was not yet fully assembled.
Mount Shintani is located in the Nosaka Mountains, a mountain range that runs alongside the Higashiomi Road.
The Tomita clan, who were positioned there, suddenly let out a war cry.
Their sudden move unsettled both the Asakura and Asai armies, but the Asai army's unrest lasted only a moment.
The Tomita clan, led by a mounted figure who appeared to be their leader, charged towards Nakanogo.
Their movements were so swift that they could almost be called a lightning strike—but where they were headed, the Asai army had already meticulously prepared a defensive system in anticipation of the Asakura army's invasion.
The Takenaka clan, who controlled Sekigahara, brought in a large amount of timber, and under the guidance of their leader, Takenaka Osamu, a five-tiered fence was constructed.
Before the development of aircraft in the modern era, fences served as an effective means of defense.
If you build a barricade, the attacking side has no choice but to remove it or climb over it, leaving them vulnerable in the meantime.
And between the fences driven into the ground in a horizontal line at regular intervals, the foot soldiers of the Asai army, armed with long spears, were waiting.
Each level has its own camp, and each unit is individually led by its respective commander.
The fifth and final line of defense is defended by the Takenaka faction, and if they are breached here, all that remains behind them will be the final line of defense commanded by Akao Kiyotsuna and the main camp of Asai Nagamasa.
"Oh, oh. That must be the famous Lord Tomita Nagashige over there."
Kuchiki Mototsuna, a general of the first rank, said, stroking the shoulder of the page standing beside him.
"The most beautiful woman in the Hokuriku region. I never imagined we would meet in this way... I am extremely fortunate!"
"...Lord Mototsuna"
The pageboy, his eyes filled with anger, called out his master's name.
"Ha ha ha, don't be jealous, Goro... Well, that's fine. We have received orders from Asai to cut off his relatives, but we haven't been informed of anything regarding the other generals."
"..."
"If we can tame that beautiful woman from Hokuriku and present her to Lord Bizen, the future of our Kuchiki clan will be secure... Goro, you must capture Tomita! I don't care what means you have to use!"
"..."
"Don't worry, once this war is over... I'll give you plenty of love."
Then, the pageboy, his cheeks flushed, raised the tip of his spear high into the sky and hurried into the ranks of the soldiers.
Mototsuna, who had been gazing at the figure from behind—mainly the buttocks—picked up his great sword, glared at the approaching mounted general, and grinned.
"Each of you must fulfill your duty! There is no need for people from the north in Omi Province!! Anyone who tries to enter the house with their muddy shoes on must be killed without exception!!!"
"Yes!!!!"
As the first wave of the Kuchiki clan let out a battle cry, cheers erupted in a chain reaction, with the second, third, fourth, and fifth waves joining in.
"Asai is a traitor, so cut him off!! Capture everyone else!!! That will be for our own good!!!!"
"Yess
The Kuchiki clan lined up in formation, raising their long spears high into the air with both hands—and then quickly lowering them to meet Nagashige's charge.
"Get out of the way, get out of the way, get out of the way, get out of the way, get out of the way!! Don't get in the way of my love!!! I, I... I absolutely have to go see Ano!!!!"御馬person
Without any hesitation, Nagashige charged straight towards the spear formation that was perfectly positioned to intercept him.
He seemed completely oblivious to his subordinates who were desperately chasing after him from behind, and also to Masayuki.
Driven by overwhelming passion, he appears to be solely focused on fulfilling his own desires.
"I believe you are Lord Tomita Nagashige! I am Lord Kuchiki Mototsuna—"
"You weren't invited!!"
The handle, which stretched for six feet, had sharp fluorite blades on either side .薙刀naginata
Nagashige, swinging his massive weapon around and around, cuts off or knocks away the spearheads thrust out by the attacking foot soldiers, and steadily penetrates deeper and deeper into the enemy lines.
Watching Nagashige's retreating figure, Masayuki, who had been desperately chasing after him, called out.
"Wait...wait, Nagashige! You're going too far!"
"Aa"
As he stomped and cut down countless soldiers, screaming, he never heard Masayuki's cries.
And finally, Nagashige used his horse's hooves to destroy the second line of defenses as well, and continued to charge further ahead.
The attention that had been focused on Nagashige was diverted, and the Kuchiki clan's interest shifted to Masayuki and the Tomita clan.
Then, foot soldiers swarmed around Masayuki and his men like ants, charging forward with their long spears raised.
If you stand still like this , you'll be impaled in no time, like a swift sacrifice.百舌鳥Shrike
(That banner... it's the Kuchiki clan's...! I can't believe these guys came out of Kuchiki Valley's territory...!!)
Masayuki clearly felt the sweat running down his forehead as he thought of those who were his enemies.
The Kuchiki clan had established their power base in Kuchiki Valley in western Omi Province, but they basically remained confined to their own territory and rarely ventured into other regions.
The mere fact that these people were siding with his elder brother made it easy for Masayuki to understand that he was beginning to gain considerable influence in Omi Province.
But the Kuchiki clan isn't the only enemy.
The battle flags erected between the second and fourth lines of the enemy camp where Nagashige had disappeared—all belonged to generals whom Masayuki knew well.
Former comrades become enemies.
That simple fact, however, became more and more cruel the more it was brought to light.
Although I had prepared myself for this ever since I followed my father and betrayed my brothers, human emotions are not something that ordinary people can easily compartmentalize.
"That flag is..."
Masayuki muttered involuntarily.
At the very end of the fence, the "Black Rice Cake" banner fluttering in the wind was something Masayuki had never seen before.
(So these are the soldiers my elder brother has recently hired...)
However, there's no time to dwell on it forever.
Meanwhile, the distance between me and Nagashige continued to grow.
To retreat or to advance?
Masayuki must make that decision immediately.
(Damn it—there's no way they'll abandon me...!)
However, Masayuki had no choice from the start.
If I were to stand idly by and let the death of an acquaintance go unnoticed here, it would mean losing the very foundation of who Masayuki Asai is as a person.
If Nagashige continues his reckless actions, he will undoubtedly be killed.
That's how little composure he has right now—though he's never been the type of person to begin with.
"Oh, there you are—Lord Asai Masayuki!"
"A traitor! There's a traitor!!"
And the more they hesitated, the worse the situation became for Masayuki and the Tomita faction.
Furthermore, the Asai army harbored feelings of hatred towards Masayuki.
"Lord Bizen said that there should be no mercy or compassion shown to traitors!"
"Take them down!!"
A cruel sight: former comrades come at you without hesitation to kill you.
Faced with this, Masayuki gritted his teeth and readjusted his stance with his lance.
"Damn it!!!"
Facing the soldiers who were glaring at him with hatred, Masayuki thrust his lance forward in one swift motion.
The tip of the spear struck the soldier in the chest.
A soft, squishing resistance. And then, the sensation of it being torn apart—that's the feeling I get from the spear I'm gripping tightly.
That meant taking a life.
A person's life resides in their body. If the body is damaged, that life is also lost.
Masayuki had destroyed his former comrades—with none other than his own hands.
"Guuuuuuah"
However, the price was not without consequence. Masayuki, too, did not escape unscathed.
I felt the sensation of stabbing a soldier to death, and at the same time, a burning sensation in my left side.
That spot is exactly where the armor pieces meet.
One of the countless spears that had been thrust out grazed Masayuki's side, scraping away flesh along the gap.
"Aa
With a groan mixed with agony, Masayuki pointed the tip of his spear at the soldier who was thrusting it out and thrust it forward.
Then, while controlling the reins of his horse, he followed after Nagashige.
(My elder brother was controlling Taishakutsukimo simply by holding the reins, as if he were communicating with him...)
However, he's the only one who can pull off such a feat.
An ordinary person like Masayuki had to fight while controlling his horse.
Even in this situation, the thought that it's presumptuous to even compare myself to my elder brother, who was overflowing with military talent from the start, keeps creeping into my mind.
"Here he comes, the traitor!"
After forcibly breaking through the Kuchiki clan's camp, a new enemy awaits.
The shouts of the soldiers came from all directions, pressing down on Masayuki as if trying to crush him.
If you can't overcome that pressure, you'll have no choice but to die a meaningless death.
"Let's go, we're going after Nagashige!"
"Yes!!"
After telling this to the four mounted soldiers of the Tomita clan who had managed to keep up, Masayuki desperately steered his horse.
The soldiers of the Tomita clan, who had been accompanying on foot, were engaged in a fierce battle with the soldiers of the Kuchiki clan in front of the fence.
There's absolutely no sense that they could break through like cavalry.
And as you ride your horse, you'll see layers upon layers of spear formations stretching out before you.
The tip of the spear grazed Masayuki's armor and helmet as he tried to force his way through, slashing at the parts of his body that weren't protected by his armor—his cheeks, upper arms, and shins.
"Guh...ah...N-Nagashige-sama...!!"
"I...I loved you...!!!"
The Tomita clan's cavalrymen, who should have been near Masayuki, fell from their horses one after another and disappeared into the wave of spears fired by the Omi army.
Horses are the greatest weapon in battle—but that doesn't mean they're invincible.
The further a rider rode through the space where the spear wall protruded, the deeper the spearheads would pierce the rider's body, or inflict fatal lacerations.
"You fool who betrayed your own brother, our lord...!!"
Masayuki's body was getting more and more injured.
However, it's not just the body that gets hurt.
The soldiers' insults steadily tore away at Masayuki's spirit.
"Why, why have you come back now...!!! I'll make you regret ever setting foot on this land alive!!!!"
"Yes!!!"
The more you swing the spear, the more you injure your opponent, and the more you yourself get hurt.
Masayuki was alone. In this place where so many people had gathered, he was truly all alone.
Surrounded by countless hatreds, with no one to run alongside me, and unable to back down myself, I found myself in a predicament.
(But... I can't die yet...!!)
With his head struck by the long shaft of the spear, and his vision blurring precariously, Masayuki thought:
My vision was now completely white, as if shrouded in a haze.
But ahead of him was the back of the woman who was Masayuki's only source of emotional support.
"Yui... Yui...!"
If you call her name, she will turn around and smile.
Masayuki loved his wife's smile.
It was a light that gave me the strength to believe that I would keep living no matter what the circumstances.
That's more than enough.
"Aa
As if to whip his aching body, Masayuki roared.
The view is clear. All that's left to do is bring Nagashige back.
To achieve that, we must move forward, to survive, no matter what.
"Live... Live... Go home!!!"
And after breaking through the third and fourth waves, Masayuki finally saw Nagashige in his line of sight.
Or perhaps, far beyond Nagashige, there is the figure of a man in golden armor, shining brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Big… older brother…"
There was no way I could mistake him for my real brother.
He is depicted wearing golden armor, a testament to his accomplishment in the great feat of falconry, and mounted on a horse with a pure white body and golden horns, surveying the battlefield.
"No... No...! Big Brother is... damn it, Nagashige...!!"
And the person Masayuki was looking for appeared to be extremely exhausted.
He had already fallen off the horse he had been riding just moments before, and was now surrounded by soldiers.
It appears he has severely injured his leg, and he's fighting fiercely while protecting that area—but it's unclear how long he'll be able to hold out.
"Nagashige...! Damn it, get out of the way!!"
"A new enemy! A new enemy has arrived!!"
"I can't believe there are still people who have managed to break through this far...!!!"
He charged on horseback towards the soldiers, who appeared to be in a panic.
If they had been prepared, they would have fought back with a wall of spears—but they hesitated in the face of the unexpectedly appearing cavalry.
He threw the soldiers aside with his horse, grabbed Nagahisa's body, and pulled him onto his horse.
"W-you... are you Masayuki-sama!?"
"ah..."
I'm so glad I'm alive...
Despite still being on the battlefield, Masayuki couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief—
"Wait! Please wait!! Not yet, not yet!!! I haven't gotten close to that beautiful woman yet!!!!"御馬person
"You idiot! But that doesn't mean it's all meaningless if you die!!"
—I had no choice but to scold Nagashige, who had dismounted his horse but was still trying to push forward.
"If you keep going like this, you'll just die! I don't want to see you die!! I absolutely do not want to see anyone I know die!!!"
"...Y-yes."
They were probably surprised to be yelled at.
Nagashige's eyes widened, and he lowered his head, suddenly becoming meek and submissive.
"Ah... Masayuki-sama, you're covered in so much blood—"
"Shut up! We're heading back to camp. We have to survive no matter what..."
However, it is clear that this is quite difficult.
Surrounding Masayuki and his men were soldiers of the Asai army, each carrying a military banner bearing the "black rice cake" design.
Their spears are aimed precisely at Masayuki and Nagashige, who are on horseback.
(Are we going to die... here, we're going to die...)
With such an ominous feeling, Masayuki instinctively shook his head.
You must never give up on living.
The moment you give up, your path to survival is cut off, and death will inevitably come.
(—Was it my elder brother who taught me that?)
Masayuki mustered his strength despite his wounded body and gripped his lance tighter once again.
Because of the blood running from my hands, the handle of the gun kept slipping as I gripped it tightly.
But even so, I had to keep holding on.
I don't live to kill. But in this age of war, you have to kill to survive.
"Nagashige..."
"Y-yes...!"
"Let's run through this in one go, don't get thrown off...!"
And then, just as he was about to expose himself once again to the wall of spears...
The earth was hit by an immense gust of wind pressure, as if slamming down from above.
The sun sets, accompanied by the powerful sound of flapping wings.
Everyone on the battlefield must have looked up at the sky.
And on every face, expressions of astonishment and terror appeared.
A tremendous thud and a cloud of dust rose up, raining down on Masayuki and the soldiers surrounding him.
Then, the massive body that had landed on the ground slowly rose to its feet.
"ah..."
The soldiers broke free from Masayuki's encirclement and slowly retreated, staring at the sudden appearance of the beings on the battlefield with disbelief.
"Ho...ho
Then, its massive body raised its two powerful arms above its head and let out a high-pitched, excited-sounding cry.