Nobunaga nodded, "It is Yoshiaki Ashikaga, that is the man Mitsuhide has sold his allegiance to."
Malachi's POV
I stared at the man in front of me in disbelief. There was no way. No way in all eight layers of Hell that Yoshiaki is the man Mitsuhide sold his allegiance to. "..Do you actually think I'll believe that? That Mitsuhide is dumb enough to side with.. with HIM? Of all people? Hell, even Kenshin fucking Uesugi would've been better than that!" Nobunaga narrowed his eyes at me, glaring harshly, "You informed me yourself that he was the one behind the rebellion in the western territories."
His tone had been completely devoid of pity when he'd spoken. Every word bringing what little defense of Mitsuhide I had crashing down. "It can only be him. The rebellious daimyo had no military backing. They were lured in with promise of status alone. As for the court, who else knows enough to manipulate them without raising questions? And who else would plot my assassination aware he doesn't stand a chance in a fair fight?" Even with Nobunaga's explanation, I still didn't want to believe it. But it all aligned perfectly..
Even the guy Mitsuhide was talking to, he was clearly..
"I thank you for graciously accepting my sudden visit. It seems you are just the man my lord took you for." "Not at all. My apologies for not speaking with you in more welcoming conditions. I'm sure you see the need for privacy. However, I couldn't turn your lord down after reading that most intriguing letter."
"..Together, let us put an end to the reign of the Devil King of the Sixth Heaven." "Excellent. If you are so resolved, then I would invite you to join my lord quickly. I can bring you to him now if you wish." "I will come when the time is right. ..I think your lord may find me more useful to his cause if I remain at Nobunaga's side."
The way he spoke.. The way he dressed.. He was practically a mini duplicate of Yoshiaki. But that would also imply that Mitsuhide was working with him while that asshole had the nerve to demean me like that..
"I've always held that there is no such thing as purely right or purely wrong. But, Malachi- Everything you've said, including your rage, is right. In a way, this world is a battlefield of ideals. We do not know, day to day, who will come out on top. But- That does not give anyone the right to negate yours."
"And that is our story!" "Mitsuhide? What-" "They should have never made a kitsune's wife cry."
I felt a dozen emotions build up within me. They were too overbearing. Too painful to manage. I couldn't even begin on where to sort them out. "Lass, you all right? You look pale." Masamune asked, his tone concerned. "Malachi's probably in shock. Like it or not, that idiot was ready to marry her.." Hideyoshi interjected. My mind felt overwhelmed by the entire situation, but then.. One emotion came to the surface and took form. Causing me to clench my fists. "He.. He wasn't ready to marry me.." I muttered, my voice weak.
Both Hideyoshi and Masamune looked at me in surprise, but Nobunaga only had a look of intrigue, "Oh?" "The entire engagement? Yeah, that was fake. "What?!"
