The messenger sent by the Oda family arrived in Nagahama at around noon.
The messenger who arrived was Kinoshita Hideyoshi, whom I had already met several times.
It appears he came flying straight from Gifu Castle on a messenger's horse, without even glancing back.
Incidentally, he is in the audience chamber of Nagahama Castle, not the Nagahama Imperial Palace.
After hearing that they were being treated to warm tea and sweets, I decided to go to the castle with Princess Haruhime and Takatora.
The castle is somewhat noisy, partly because a messenger has arrived from the allied Oda clan.
As I felt the atmosphere, I walked down the well-maintained corridor, arranged by the servants, and arrived just before the audience chamber.
In addition to the three generals of Kaiseki and Ame, Endo Naotsune and Isono Kazumasa were also waiting there.
This situation would have been unthinkable when they were based at Odani Castle.
By relocating their base to Nagahama, developing a samurai district, and providing residences to their generals, the leading members of the Asai family began staying in Nagahama rather than their own territory.
In short, a system is in place where senior officials can immediately take charge if anything happens.
"Lord Nagamasa, Lord Kinoshita from the Oda family is waiting for you."
"ah"
Nodding in agreement with the words of Kiyotsuna, the chief retainer, I proceeded into the room.
"Lord Hideyoshi, it's been a long time. There's no need to be formal, just relax."
"Haha..."
Hideyoshi raised his head, looked at me and my retainers, then bowed again.
Then, with a playful expression on his face, he spoke in a fast but clear, easy-to-understand voice.
"However, Lieutenant General, I would love to take my time, but if I linger too long, my head... will just... pop off and disappear. Therefore, I intend to convey Lord Nobunaga's words as quickly as possible... with all due respect."
"Yes, speak."
"Huh?"
Hideyoshi straightened his posture, changed his expression to one of menacing intensity, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Just a moment ago...just a moment ago, a messenger arrived for Lord Nobunaga from the Takeda family, with whom we have an alliance. It seems a mole has appeared and is heading towards Mino Province. Shinano is a country that is already full of monsters, but it is inevitable that manpower will be needed to drive away a mole. Lord Nobunaga would like to borrow laborers from the Asai family, our ally, to help hunt the mole."土竜mole
"How much do you need?"
Kiyotsuna asked Hideyoshi.
"Lord Nobunaga says that if we can borrow 1200... no, even 800 would be excellent. We beg you to please save the people of Mino—we humbly request your consideration, Lieutenant General, a master of falconry."
When I turned my head to the left, I made eye contact with Kiyotsuna.
As the chief retainer, he wore an expression that seemed to say, "There's nothing we can do about it."
Refusing the Oda family's request could create discord in the upcoming war against the Asakura alliance.
He had the look on his face that said, "I'll do you as much as I can to earn your favors, and then I'll collect them later."
(Even though it's a mole... it's definitely not the kind of 'mole' I'm imagining... it's almost certainly some kind of monster.)
With those thoughts in mind, I asked Hideyoshi.
"If the Oda family is in crisis, it is only natural for us, as allies, to extend a helping hand. I have no objection to lending laborers."
" I am very grateful."真Truly
"However, who will take command of the mole extermination? If we're going to lend laborers, it's best to know who the enemy is."
"There is only one person left."
Hideyoshi answered in a forceful tone, as if he were about to strike something with all his might.
"It is none other than Lord Oda Nobunaga himself. When it comes to slaying the mole, the head of the family must personally take part to set an example for the people."
"I see, so it's something like falconry..."
The moment I said that, I sensed a look of "Huh?" rising from those around me, including Hideyoshi.
It seems I made a slip of the tongue. I'm clearly ignorant of the common knowledge surrounding monsters.
However, we can't just leave it at that.
To cover it up—but so as not to let it show—I continued in a slow, deliberate tone.
"No, there's no ulterior motive... I was just reminiscing about the time I went falconry with Lord Nobunaga in Mino."
"That's... well, surely not..."
"Yes, that's right. If it's a request from my brother-in-law, I'll comply out of obligation and courtesy... I, Asai Nagamasa, am going to go myself."
When I said that, an air of "I thought so" seemed to spread among my retainers.
They know it too. They know I'm the troublesome type who likes to stick my nose into everything.
"Lord Hideyoshi, you should go back first. As soon as we've finished our preparations, we'll head to eastern Mino as quickly as possible. Oh, that's right... where does Lord Nobunaga intend to confront the mole?"
"It's at the border between Shinano and Mino—Naegi Castle... Is that alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"Everything. To the north of the Asai clan lies the Asakura clan's sphere of influence, and to the east, the Miyoshi Triumvirate's influence extends. It is, so to speak, the front line... and without the commander-in-chief there..."
"It's too late now. Besides, if the three generals of the Sea Red Rain remain in Nagahama, they'll do a better job than I can. In addition, we have the protection of the Water God. It won't end badly."
My words seemed to leave the three old retainers unsure whether to be pleased or not.
After ordering the three generals of Kaiseki Ume, who let out a low sigh or groan, to stay behind, I decided to quickly prepare for my departure to Eastern Mino.