—I don't want to die, I want to be with you, I still want to live.
Those were the last words left behind by Katsuyori's deceased wife, Naehime.
Those thoughts lingered in the young man's ears, clinging to him constantly, day and night, no matter what he was doing—like a vengeful spirit.
Katsuyori understood the meaning of those words very well.
It would have been strange if he hadn't understood. After all, he himself didn't want his wife to die.
As parents, it means witnessing our children grow up together.
For a couple who love each other and longed to have children, the inability to do so can be an unbearable tragedy.
That is precisely why Katsuyori could never forget his wife and the words she left behind.
However, it's not just the memory of his deceased wife that haunts Katsuyori.
An immense amount of dust and dirt enveloped him, almost completely covering his body.
The mole burrows underground, advancing by raising and destroying the surface.
The dust that inevitably rises up at that time envelops his body so completely that it almost completely covers it.
The density of the dust was so immense that if you didn't take any precautions, even breathing would be difficult—that's how bad it was.
Katsuyori was wearing a long piece of cloth that covered the area below his eyes.
Sand would get into my eyes, but I dealt with that by slightly opening them.
Pushing through the dust and debris, they eventually rendezvous with the Takeda clan's advance guard of 400 men.
They are all mounted soldiers. This number alone easily surpasses the combined horse holdings of the Asai and Oda clans.
And every cavalryman was equipped for fighting moles.
"Lord Katsuyori, regarding the matter of intercepting the moles, we have a message from the Oda family..."
"What did your father-in-law say?"
Sharing information amidst dust and while riding horses.
Under normal circumstances, this would be an extremely difficult feat.
However, the Takeda army's cavalry was capable of doing just that without hesitation.
"Yes... Lord Oda Kazusanosuke's army has already advanced into Shinano. It seems they intend to 'lure' him out at ..."田立Immediately
"I see, well... there's nothing strange about it. The Oda family, who aspire to be the lords of Mino, would naturally want to avoid dealing with a Shinano mole in Mino—for appearances' sake."
Katsuyori nodded and continued.
"Even so, Tadachi... If it were south, it would be easier to guide them..."吾妻Azuma
"We also think so, but it seems that this is Lord Kazusa's wish."
"Will you not give in?"
"yes"
"That seems likely... According to Nae, Oda's stepfather is very stubborn and insists on having his own way... I hope they don't end up clashing with each other..."信玄様Father
"..."
"No, that was a slip of the tongue. I'll forget about it."
As if to shake off the anxieties about the future that were weighing on his mind, Katsuyori gave orders to his cavalry.
"From here on, we will drive the mole towards Tadachi! Don't let it go there, send it towards [destination]!"吾妻Minami田立west
"Yes!"
Under Katsuyori's command, the cavalry split into two groups.
One will stay close to the eastern side of the mole and run alongside it, while the other will get ahead and wait for it to the south.
The soldiers of the cavalry were not holding spears or swords in their hands.
These are idiophones, including drums .銅鑼Dora
In addition, he also carried aerophones such as conch shells.
"Everyone, make noise and create some chaos! Moles hate noise! Cheering them up and send them towards Tadachi!"
"Yes!!"
The men's shouts rose.
Then, conch shells are blown with a loud roar, and idiophones such as gongs are struck, making a tremendous banging sound.
Perhaps noticing vibrations or sounds that hadn't been heard before, the mole's direction of travel gradually shifted from south to west.
The terrain changes dramatically as the mole moves forward.
A loud splashing sound echoed, probably because the mole's body hit the current of the Kiso River.
The Kiso River overflows, and its course changes dramatically.
That's not all.
While the Kiso River was overflowing, the moles were even destroying the main roads.
Watching the road being dug up and then eroded, Katsuyori gritted his teeth in frustration.
"That mole... what a nuisance...!"
As if speaking on behalf of everyone, Masatsune spoke beside Katsuyori.
But the mole felt not a trace of guilt. It couldn't possibly feel any.
This monster, driven purely by instinct, moves forward simply because it wants to, and nothing else matters in its mind.
"Lord Katsuyori! That mole is charging into the mountains!"
As Masatsune said, it seems the mole chose to advance by digging its way through the mountains rather than traversing the noisy plains.
Starting from Tenpaku in Nagiso, the road enters the mountainous region and slowly—but surely—progresses towards Tadachi, eroding the mountains along the way.
Moles have a habit of continuing to move in a straight line unless their minds are disturbed by artificial noise.
Considering that, the mole will likely proceed as planned—to Tadachi, where the Oda army is waiting.
All that's left is to tell the Oda army where the moles are expected to arrive and have them set up a trap there.
(Even so, it's rare to see one this big ... It looks like it's about 100 feet (approximately 30 meters)...)個体mole
As Katsuyori observes the earth rising due to the moles, he tries to gauge the size of the underground monsters causing such immense damage.
But the mole's size was so extraordinary that it made one think such things.
Generally speaking, adult moles are less than half the size of the individual that appeared this time.
However, it was a fact that the very existence of moles was extremely troublesome for other living beings.
If there is a settlement in the path of the mole, it will be dug up, and if there is a river, it will be pulverized like the Kiso River, and even its course will be altered.
And the larger the mole, the greater the damage.
Katsuyori knew that, very rarely, some moles could grow to such enormous sizes, as in this case.
This is because the Suwa sect has archived records of monster attacks in Shinano and its surrounding areas, and has also kept data on individual moles.
As far as Katsuyori knows, the largest mole that has ever appeared is 264 feet (approximately 80 meters).
Incidentally, this colossal mole made its appearance during the Great Kamakura Earthquake on April 13, 1293 (May 20, 1293).
It is said that the earthquake woke them up, but fortunately, there was no major damage.
This was because, fortunately, the mole crashed into Mount Fuji.
Among the monsters, there are beings known as the "Three Evils."
These are three kinds of monsters that are the natural enemies of humankind—namely, "hawks, Mount Fuji, and eggplants."
A hawk soaring through the sky, Mount Fuji in the ground, and an eggplant on the ground.
There are god-like monsters in the sea that defy imagination, but it is said that no other monster can defeat them through conventional means, demonstrating the exceptional combat abilities of the "Three Evils."鯨whale
Therefore, people have always lived in fear of these demonic monsters.
The name Mount Fuji was given because it is home to a cluster of mountains known as the "Three Evils" of Mount Fuji.
Incidentally, the giant mole that approached that mountain in the sixth year of Shoo was instantly killed and devoured by Fuji and his companions.
Fuji ate only meat and had the morbid habit of using mucus secreted from its groin to reassemble the bones of its prey.
Therefore, at the foot of Mount Fuji, the remains of a giant mole continue to maintain their bizarre and imposing appearance.
"...In any case, we must join forces with Oda's troops. It will take some time for the moles to break through the mountains. In the meantime, I need to coordinate with my father-in-law about our response."
Katsuyori took the lead of the cavalry and began moving westward.
Little did he know that he would meet someone who would profoundly influence his life.
◆
Mino Province — Located in the eastern part of Mino Province, it borders Kiso in Shinano Province.中津川Nakatsugawa
This area has a different character from the vast and fertile Nobi Plain.
In other words, it is a space where hills and mountains stretch out.
The Kiso River flows through Nakatsugawa from east to west, and on its right bank is a small hill called Shiroyama, which is 430 meters high.
This is where Naegi Castle, the center of the region, was built.
The lord of the castle was the husband of Nobunaga's half-sister and the father of Princess Nae, who married Katsuyori.遠山Toyama直廉Naokado
Furthermore, the Naegi-Toyama family was a group that had complicated relationships with those around them.
Originally, this family was under the influence of the Shinano Kiso family, who claimed descent from the famous general Kiso Yoshinaka.
However, when Saito Dosan staged a coup and drove out the Toki clan, the governors of Mino Province, they hastily began to pledge their loyalty to the Saito family.
However, when the Kiso family submitted to the Kai Takeda family, the Kiso family then pledged their loyalty to the Takeda family through the Kiso family.
Meanwhile, the Oda clan of Owari, led by Nobunaga, had been expanding its influence into Mino Province.
Seeing Nobunaga's power growing rapidly, the Toyama clan deepened their relationship with the Oda family by having Naotakane himself participate in the Battle of Okehazama.
Since then, the Toyama family maintained a state of dual allegiance, belonging to both the Takeda and Oda families while also paying homage to them.
In short, Nakatsugawa served as a buffer zone between the Oda and Takeda clans, and its lord, the Naegi-Toyama family, mediated diplomatic relations between the two forces.
I had come to that land with 1,200 of my retainers.
"So, you came here of your own accord, my brother-in-law. You certainly stand out."
The person who greeted us at the foot of the castle mountain where Naegi Castle stands was none other than Oda Nobunaga himself.
He stood out remarkably, mounted on a roaning gray horse with an even larger build than the Taishakutsuki horse.
In addition to a helmet modeled after the Oda clan's crest, he was also wearing a luxurious battle surcoat in vermilion and gold over his armor, so there was no way he wouldn't stand out.
"Hello, it's been a long time, brother-in-law. But, what do you think? It seems to me that you're far more noticeable than I am."
"What right does a man clad not only in golden armor but also in a black and crimson cloak have to say anything?"
"...With this, will I be able to capture my brother-in-law's attention and have him all to myself?"
"What a stupid thing to say."
Nobunaga laughed, his mouth curving into a smile.
"My brother-in-law should keep the city and the retainers...and the dragon...attention. He won't have time to waste on anything else."現Reality
"That may be true. But what do you think of this coat? Does it really stand out?"
"It's gold with vermilion and black. There's no way it wouldn't stand out...it's almost in bad taste."
"Actually, this item was hand-knitted by Ichi every single day..."
"Hmm"
Nobunaga paused for a moment as he stroked his mustache, then opened his mouth as if nothing had happened.
"Well, that's fine. It's actually advantageous to stand out in a negative way today. Since we're meeting for the first time, it'll make me more memorable."
"...Is this someone I'm meeting for the first time?"
"Who will I be introduced to?" I asked, and Nobunaga replied.
"Yes, but there is no time. Those men are probably already dealing with the moles. We must also advance north and enter Shinano Province."
"Within Takeda's territory, you say?"
"I've already spoken to Takeda through Toyama. Let's go, my brother-in-law."
With that, Nobunaga, ignoring his surrounding retainers, began to ride off alone on his dappled gray horse.
Because of their large size, the greave gray horses have long strides. Their leg rotation speed is also on a completely different level.
An average horse would have difficulty even catching up. Even Taishaku Tsukige probably wouldn't be able to keep up.
"My lord, please go ahead. We will follow with the Oda men."
"I understand."
I turned around and gave a wry smile to Naotsune, whom I had brought along as my adjutant.
Incidentally, he's the only general from the Asai family that I've brought along this time.
I could have brought Princess Osamu with me if I wanted to, but I left her behind because I was worried about the Asakura family.
(Well, with Chihime, the three generals of Kaiseki and Ume, and Yuan Chang... I'm sure they'll manage even without me.)
With me thinking such thoughts, Taishakutsukige chased after Rensenashige at full speed.
By the time the horses were lined up, we were already in Shinano Province.
What unfolded before me was a sight that made me doubt my own eyes.
"Th...this is..."
"Hmm... indeed, it is quite impressive and majestic."
The Takeda family crest banner flutters in the wind.
Countless cavalrymen lined up in a perfectly straight line.
It was undoubtedly, almost certainly, the Takeda cavalry, often described as the strongest force of the Sengoku period.
The soldiers of the Oda clan are behind them, and they appear to be carrying out some kind of construction work.
"My father-in-law, Oda"
I was overwhelmed by the imposing presence of the Takeda cavalry, but I snapped back to reality when a man who seemed to be their leader advanced on his horse.
Even from a distance, it was clear he was an incredibly handsome man.
Just like with Ichihime, the atmosphere around her is completely different.
The aura she exuded, which even the word "glamorous" doesn't quite capture, was simultaneously incredibly dignified and noble.
Her face is rather long, her skin is fair, her nose is high, and her eyebrows are slender.
His looks, which somehow make him seem like he'd suit sadistic glasses—or perhaps like a hero from a shojo manga—are so striking that I'm captivated.
"Thank you for traveling such a long distance. And that golden gleam... I believe you are Lieutenant General Asai. On behalf of the Takeda clan, I express my deepest gratitude for your presence."
"Hmm, then let me introduce you, brother-in-law. This is Takeda Katsuyori, the heir to the Kai Takeda clan and also a Shinto priest of the Suwa sect."
When Nobunaga said that, I hastily introduced myself.
As I already knew from the beginning, it seems that Katsuyori knew about me—though only through rumors, of course.
It seems that the status of being a hawk killer is indeed recognized everywhere in this world.
"Lord Katsuyori is only one year older than my brother-in-law. It would be good for the two young men to deepen their friendship...or so I would like to say, but before that, we must do what needs to be done."
After patting me and Katsuyori on the shoulder, Nobunaga offered us the dappled gray sword.
The Takeda cavalry cleared the way with orderly movements.
Beyond the cavalry, Oda soldiers were digging trench-like holes that stretched out horizontally.
"Something that must be done... That may be true... But, Lieutenant General."
Katsuyori said this, taking both of my hands and saying:
His hands were trembling, probably from nervousness.
"I express my heartfelt gratitude. I, Katsuyori, will do my utmost to ensure that this encounter will not be in vain."