Nobuna's playful genius chapter 3
In order to prevent further damage to the relationship between Nobuna and her younger brother, Nobukatsu, Inuchiyo absconded from Kiyosu.
But in just three days after Inuchiyo absconded, Nobukatsu's chief retainer, Shibata Katsuie visited Nobuna at Kiyosu castle. While her position is that of Nobukatsu's chief retainer, Katsuie was clearly Nobuna's fan from way back
After losing the one who understood her the most, Nobuhide, she obstinately closed off her heart, made her tongue sharper and started getting irritated and displeased with her retainers. That's why, the people around him became arrogant and started to plan a rebellion.
Because Inuchiyo, Nobuna's page, had cut down Nobukatsu's page, once again Nobukatsu and the young samurai around him were planning a rebellion saying "This time for sure, let's chase out that foolish daughter of Owari".
"Hey, Katsuie. Could you try having a negotiation with sister by suggesting her to hand over Inuchiyo? If sister doesn't agree, then it's a battle for sure this time!" Nobukatsu suggested.
This lead to the current event of Katsuie in the main citadel of the Kiyosu castle. This place is Nobuba's tea room. Tea ceremony was very popular in the centre of culture, Kyo or Sakai. Nobuna who was sensitive to fashion had made a personal use tea room in Kiyosu castle and had started gathering the tea utensils but, with just her followers seated, she didn't have any intention of following proper etiquettes. Nobuna's way of preparing tea, couldn't be called appropriate, she had put a large amount of matcha in the bowl and had poured the seething water into it and stirred it. After she drank it with one gulp, she started chewing on the Nagoya specialty, Tebasaki.
She stuffed the Tebasaki with the bone in her cheeks and crunched it in low noise in her mouth, then she spit out the cleaned bones without flesh skilfully while saying 'Fuu~, no matter when I eat it, the Nagoya chicken meat, Tebasaki is delicious.'
"It's rather fascinating how you have created you own etiquette for this tea ceremony."
"Shut up. Tea is a drink. Isn't it fine drinking drinks while just savouring them. Rotating your tea cup and saying things like [It's well made] is what withered old men do, it's not my hobby. While drinking it so slowly, won't the essential tea cool down?"
"I must say this position gives me a rather spectacular view..." In response to Saru's conversation she threw the cup with tea on his head.
"P-Princess. I didn't come with the Saru for playing around."
Katsuie was having cold sweat while gripping the tea cup thinking on the proper method of how to drink, she suddenly sprang up saying that. "That's right. So, what's the matter?"
"Um...that is, I came here regarding the incident with Inuchiyo!"
"...If it's about Inuchiyo, she is absconding. Even I don't know her whereabouts." With her cheeks puffed, Nobuna turned her gaze outside of the window.
"N-Nobuna-sama, he said to hand over Inuchiyo...otherwise he would rebel again...is what he..."
"Since he's an idiot, he must have been egged on by those surrounding and said that because of that, right? Riku, can't you suppress Nobukatsu?" Katsuie was prostrating herself.
"M-My humblest apologies! I may be able to brag about not having lost to anyone on the battlefield but, um, for things like this, the only ways I can think of are threatening them or cutting them down." Nobuna gave a sigh.
"Haah. Jeez, sounds like Riku. If you can't suppress Nobukatsu anyways then, isn't it fine to take my head in the next battlefield."
"T-There's no way I can do that! If I have to take a stand against the princess, then it would be better to commit seppuku." Nobuna explained to Yoshiharu that the reason why Nobukatsu loses to her whenever he rebels is because Riku withdraws without fighting.
"That is against military law, if it were up to me You would have been beheaded. But it is truly a shame to kill such a beautiful lady."
"…It's because he doesn't have any other honest retainer with him. The bunch of guys around him are all puny young guys, they can't do anything in a battle. He understands that without Katsuie they have no chance of winning against me."
"It seems they have yet to know their limits…"
"Then, Nobuna-sama. are you saying that no matter what, you won't hand over Inuchiyo..."
"I can't hand over something which isn't there."
"Then, once again there will be an internal strife..."
"If he continues to provoke me any further, I will confront him face to face. Tell that to Nobukatsu, Katsuie."
"W-What?"
"If he rebels against me the next time, no matter how much mother appeals for his life, I will kill him. Convey that to him"
"T-That is-"
"Suruga's lord, Imagawa Yoshimoto has full-fledegedly started preparing for the march to the capital. If Yoshimoto starts moving, the first to be invaded would be us. I don't have the luxury to worry about an internal strife in Owari."
"U-U-Uh...that would be the fall of the Oda clan...!" Katsuie had completely fallen into panic. As if thinking that she was an idiot for not knowing what to say in situations like this, she started hitting hit her head.
"Also, I have had enough of looking after that troublesome little brother! Whose fault was it that Inuchiyo had to run away? Wasn't it because he firstly meddled with Inuchiyo?"
"However, princess, Nobukatsu is the one and only little brother who is connected by blood with you."
"It's fine. In this world of the Warring States, I don't need a younger brother who keeps on causing trouble." Muttering that bluntly, Nobuna's white cheeks were really strained.
"Ah geez, the tea's gone bad." With a voice that meant that she could burst out in anger any second, she drank the thick tea in the bowl in one gulp.
"Do you truly wish to take your brother's life?"
"…Even if we get defeated in battle, if we let down our hair and abandon all claims to our house, we will be forgiven. That is what I was taught. However, men are different. Even if they surrender, if they're not forgiven, their heads will fall. Furthermore, if you look at it from Imagawa's perspective who's full of talent, Nobukatsu isn't military commander material, who she would want to take in as a retainer. Besides he habitually rebels." With displeasure clearly visible, the sight of Nobuna muttering that was, unusually weak.
"That's why no matter what way, a person of his calibre will not be able to survive in the Warring States world. Even if I hand the country over to him, the result will be the same. No, it would be worse since this Owari province would be destroyed." However, Nobuna raised her head.
"If Riku isn't there, my plan to conquer Japan will fall apart. There's no stronger military commander than you, in this province of weakling soldiers of Owari. One of us will have to go, Nobukatsu."
"But, princess!"
"Riku. Right now, if there is a battle in Owari, both sides would be trampled by Imagawa in no time. If you believe this Nobuna to be the Lord of Owari, lure out and capture Nobukatsu at once. That is for Owari, for its people and for conquering Japan."
"...B-By your will."
"You don't have to be pained by it. My eyes are always looking ahead, 10 years ahead, 100 years ahead. Even if no one understands, I have confidence. If you feel pained by it, then instead of praying the Buddhist prayer, pray 'It is for all the people in Japan.'. It's fine for me alone to bear all the sins." That expression was with resolution, and her eyes showing resolve. Katsuie lowered her head without thinking. I don't understand complicated stuff, however-She is definitely not a fool. Her body understood that this person is indeed the Lord of Owari.
…At Nobukatsu's castle.
"What's this? Why am I locked out?"
"A-Are you going to betray me, Katsuieeee?" Nobukatsu's retainers had surprisingly managed to find out about Katsuie's betrayal and Katsuie was locked out of the castle.
"M-M-My deepest apologies."
"The consequence of such treason is death!" A retainer beside Nobukatsu shouted.
"N-No, wait K-Katsuie couldn't have betrayed me…" Nobukatsu was just muttering and clutching his head in pain.
"This is her highness' wishes, Nobukatsu-sama!"
"Y-You mean that my sister ordered my arrest?"
"Even if it means to put my life at stake, I will petition to spare your life Nobukatsu-sama, so please come with me to Kiyosu castle."
"No waaaay, I don't want to dieeee!" Nobukatsu just shouted back.
"Archers Fire!"
Katsuie then turned around and fled back to Nobuna.
This is now the start of the battle with Nobukatsu…
"Well what's the situation?" Nobuna asked out loud.
"Currently Nobukatsu's forces are barricaded in his castle this may become a challenge…" Niwa Nagahide Nobuna's adviser whom I had recently met. It seems she has thought this through…
"My, apologies if only I could stop Him…"
"Hahaha, although you are right lady Nagahide you are thinking far too conventionally." I answered in response.
"There is an easy solution to this conundrum." I then said.
"Hm? Whatever could that be?"
"Hahaha… I'd rather show you than explain it, Please leave everything to me."
"… Very well, this seems rather interesting."
A few hours later…
"It's strange, I find myself excited over this battle…"
"The preparations are done!" one of the foot-soldiers shouted towards me. It seems I have yet to earn their trust so they seem to be looking at me with jealousy and judging gazes due to being able to control the army despite my low rank.
"Very well, we shall do as we planned wait till nightfall and we shall begin our plan."
At nightfall…
"Hm?... Enemy attack!" A soldier under Nobukatsu shouted causing numerous other shouts to reply and hurry to take their formations.
Soon enough Nobukatsu and his retainers moved up the tower to observe the situation.
"W-What is this?"
"T-These amount of soldiers… Is this all of Owari's forces?"
"Nobuna that fool! Who will stop the invading Imagawa forces?!"
"How did they bring so many troops in such little time?"
"W-Who cares about that? How are we going to get out of this situation?"
"I-It's no use we're surrounded."
Little did these people know that the army was actually a similar amount to theirs allowing enough men to guard the boarders.
"Hm… 60 points, So you had the soldiers in the back hold many torches making the enemy believe our numbers are more than theirs, you must have had taken into account Nobukatsu's indecisiveness and fears to make him surrender… But what would happen if the retainers take charge and do not surrender?"
"It is unfortunate but this is not all there is to this strategy."
As I said this I waved my arm and the men started to shout.
Behind Saru, Nobuna who was dressed in armour became embarrassed.
"Nobuna! NO-BUNA! NO-BUNA! NO-BUNA! NO-BUNA!"
Soon enough this shout started to cause the earth to shake and cause confusion in our enemy's hearts.
"I see to win a battle without the loss of a single soldier… 100 points."
I had the men in the back shout through cones to try to amplify the noise also aiding in our bluff.
After a few minutes. Even the soldiers of the enemy's side sided with Nobuna joining in this chant.
"M-Make them stop, Make them stop!" Nobukatsu shouted at his retainers in desperation before watching as his men all turned.
"I-I surrender… I SURRENDER!"
This cry created a wave of cheers and excitement.
It's impossible, we cannot win against them... There's no other way left but to put our heads together and beg of Nobuna-sama for forgiveness. That sort of weak opinion was the only thing that could come out.
…Sitting in a row on both the left and right of Katsuie and Nobukatsu, the chief vassals of the Oda clan were whispering to each other: (There's no chance of Nobukatsu-dono being saved any more) (Nobuna-sama will finally make her decision too) While talking fast like that, they were sending gazes of pity toward Nobukatsu. "Uwaaah, I am being pitied by everyone? Someone, please plead for my life, it's my honest request~~"
"Leave it to me."
Katsuie once again turned to Nobuna. "Being his chief retainer, Nobukatsu-sama's misconduct is my misconduct too. I don't understand complex things but, please forgive everyone with just taking my head here!" With a highly refreshing voice, she declared that. It seems she was prepared for giving her life since the moment she was ordered to capture Nobukatsu. However, Nobuna cannot approve it.
"Katsuie. There's no way we can win without you. Didn't I say it before? If we calculate the gains and losses of the decision, it is already decided that it should be Nobukatsu who should die."
"Uwaaah? Sister, I won't oppose you once more, so please forgive me! My eyes have opened! The fool was me, who kept on thinking of my small dream of the making the Nagoya speciality, Uirou popular across Japan and revolting against you everytime. Sisteeeeer" Having awoken from his… 'Ambitions', Nobukatsu begged for his life. "I don't want to die! However, please don't kill Katsuie, she hasn't ever opposed you, not even once! But I don't want to die too."
I have made my decision. From today on, Riku will serving under me as a substitute for my chief-retainer. The group serving Nobukatsu shall be exiled. And Nobukatsu shall commit Seppuku here."
"Seppuku? That sort of painful way of death is impossible, I can't do that, big sis?"
"I see. If you are going to refuse, I will just have to personally behead you." Nobuna took the sword from the page and stood up, and descended to the level where Nobukatsu was sitting.
"Princess, Nobukatsu-sama is your real younger brother. Please forgive him."
"Silence, Riku! If I can't even suppress one rebellion within my own clan, there's no way I can proclaim conquering Japan, right? The rest too, listen well! From now on, if there's anyone who opposes, be they may my family, I will kill them! I will throw away my emotions, and will become the sixth devil king. That is for the sake of conquering Japan, and for the sake of our people!" The foolish Nobuna's appearance has already disappeared. The current Nobuna looked like she had changed into an unmatched beauty with a gaze so sharp that it gave one the shivers. In that hand of hers was a large sword. Nobuna threw her emotions, and had become the Goddess of War herself fighting for conquering Japan. Someone muttered that she looked like the Buddhist God of War, Marishiten. So beautiful, so divine, and also, so dreadful. It was like there was no one who could oppose her.
The retainers had bowed their heads and trembling, Saru who was in the lowest seat stood up. "Unfortunately Lady Nobuna, I must disagree with your statement."
"I...Idiot! Saru, even you will be beheaded!" Katsuie let out a voice which sounded like a shriek. Nobuna and Saru started staring at each other from a close distance.
Katsuie was thinking about the nerves of steel of this Saru, and wondering if he could really be an unbelievable guy, or a run of the mill idiot, doubting her own eyes. "You really opposed me. You will die here anyways, Saru. If you have anything to say, say it now."
"Very well, first allow me to ask you what qualities does a good ruler need?"
"…Ambition and the decisiveness to choose your course of action, even if it is the path of the devil!"
"That is not what a ruler should do. Thought it may be true in certain circumstances. What you have said is the path of a general and strategist. A ruler must also be kind to allow it's people to understand him otherwise all that you will receive for your actions is betrayal!"
"…Human hearts are fickle they will fear the unknown and will not understand you as you are now. Only thinking how you are a monster willing to kill her own brother."
"I'm fine with that! If I forgive Nobukatsu since he's my kin, it will unfair to those soldiers, people who died in the battlefield. Although a person maybe a samurai or a farmer, or a townsfolk, everyone's equal. If I can protect the lives of the citizens of Owari by killing him then it will be a gain for everyone. Am I wrong?"
"This is why no one will follow you, the common man in these times are uneducated, you are far too smart for them and these actions will do nothing to gain their favour."
"… Lady Nobuna, Do you despise you're brother? No, that cannot be true, your merely wish to protect your weak little brother from this chaotic world."
"Shut up, shut up! Idiot, idiot, idiot! Even though you are just a monkey! Then what do you want me to do? ...Isn't it obvious I don't want to kill him! There's no way that there's a girl who wants to kill her own younger brother! Don't make me say everything, idiot!" On Nobuna's cheeks, finally a single line of transparent tear was trickling down.
"Sister!", crouching at Nobuna's feet, Nobukatsu let that out without thinking.
"Lady Nobuna you must understand that though decisive actions may be good for a lord sometimes you must be patient and take into account your own feelings. Though even if even if Lord Nobukatsu's life is to be preserved, He has still committed the act of rebellion, I recommend taking away his power and removing any retainers that would cause harm…"
Saru's head started to sting as he remembered talking to a person… "Lord C _ _, C _ _ I recommend rewarding Lorde Li_ B_ _ but restraining his power and growth."
"I-I-I got it! I forgive Nobukatsu!" Nobuna lowered herself to where Nobukatsu was lying prostrating.
"H-Hmph. Kanjuurou...instead of a sword, I will give you an Uirou." The page handed over the finely cut Uirou into Nobuna's hands.
"Here, have this. It's your favorite food."
"...Is it alright, sister?"
"It's a sign of reconciliation."
"...T-Thank you for the food..." Nobukatsu took the Uirou from Nobuna's hands and put it in his mouth. Before the family was broken up over the battle for inheritance, he almost everyday had Uirou given to him like this by Nobuna. Compared to the high class 'Youkan', the Nagoya made Uirou is a dish for the masses. The sugar is lesser, and it feels refreshing. Even so, Nobukatsu in his younger days felt it was tastier than any feast when Nobuna merrily gave him a portion of Uirou while saying "Here, here, Kanjuurou, I will give you some feed."
The reason Nobukatsu liked it in the first place was -because his elder sister gave it from her hands, as a sort of reward to him. Even so, he has employed ambitious people and flatterers around him, and started making light of his sister. He made that elder sister of his, more proud than anyone else, cry in front of her retainers. While chewing on the Uirou, Nobukatsu regretted from his heart about how foolish he had been.
"How is it? Tasty?"
"...It's salty, it's like Mentaiko. Sister"
"Stupid. That's the taste of your tears."
"No. It may be the taste of your tears."
"Hmph. The thing flowing down my eyes is water." With this, the case of killing Nobukatsu had been settled. While narrowing her eyes, Nobuna stood up.
"Now then-Saru, insulting me all you could in front of my retainers, I will cut you down! I will definitely cut you down!"
"Hou? May I ask what I have done to insult you I merely gave some advice…"
"I have no idea... anyways, I am going to cut you down for being disrespectful!"
"No-One will like such a stiff ruler. Hahaha." As Saru said this he hurried and moved back. Nobukatsu was crouched down shedding exaggerated tears, saying 'Big Sister, please forgive this foolish younger brother'. However, he had no courage of saving Yoshiharu. Even Katsuie was dumbfounded with Saru's courage of having belittled Nobuna while she had turned into a devil.
"How dare you make me cry, you are too cheeky for a monkey! Die!"
"Well well. Both the princess, and Saru-dono too, please keep it at that." The retainer with enough courage to finally restrain the two's endless chase was Niwa Nagahide.
Normally, Nagahide has a gentle personality where she rarely interferes in Nobuna's affairs but, if it went on like this, there was a chance that Yoshiharu might really be cut down in their playfulness. Hence, she stood up. "Saru has already given us an option to take without killing Nobukatsu and to serve as a punishment it is already 90 points…"
"Sister. If you are going to forgive me, I won't be influenced by the bunch surrounding me ever again. I will proudly throw away my Oda surname! From now on, I will take the surname of the branch family, 'Tsuda'!"
"...That's a good idea, Nobukatsu-dono. 95 points." "Furthermore, I will change my name as well! The reason I got so feverous over trying to win and win against my elder sister is because this name 'Nobukatsu' brings bad vibes with it! From now on, I will serve my sister with a completely clear heart, like the flow of the Kiso river. That's why I will taken on the name of Nobuzumi!"
"...That may have been stretching the flattery too far. 3 points."
"H-Hmph. Well, it's fine. Then, from now on you are Nobuzumi Tsuda, Kanjuurou."
"Thank you very much, sister!" Having been called once more by that name by his elder sister, Nobukatsu-no, Nobuzumi was happy.
"D-Don't get ahead of yourself! If you oppose me once more, no matter what anyone says, I will kill you!"
"I won't oppose you ever! I won't ever forget the love I received from you! If it's for you, I will even die!"
"...Gros...! G-Get trained as a military commander under Katsuie for some time! You are too weak as of now and won't be of any use!"
"By your will!" In order for Oda Nobukatsu, now called Tsuda Nobuzumi to serve as a military commander under Nobuna in the future, he had become a subordinate of Katsuie. The bunch around Nobuzumi who had stirred many rebellions would be for some time placed in house arrest, and after arrangement of their transfer, will transferred away from Nobuzumi to other jobs.
And so, the incident of Nobukatsu had been settled. With the tension gone, Katsuie let out a long sigh, Niwa Nagahide proclaimed with a smile "With this the case has been settled, 98 points."
…That night, Yoshiharu returned to the five leaf aralia tenement, and started picking out the leaves from the hedge on his own. The hedge was more or less gone but there was still a few leaves here and there.
"Saru-sama! I heard you admonished the princess this time! No matter how many lives you have, it won't be sufficient at this rate!" While scolding Yoshiharu, she was taking out the boiling soup with a ladle from the pot.
"Saru, you are way too disrespectful towards Nobuna-sama! I-In reality I really want to behead you but I will overlook it this time only." Even Katsuie who had a different social status had come over here. She was in a rare Yukata appearance.
"Hahaha, do not worry I am merely living life to its fullest."
"Hey, Saru-kun. I bought the Nagoya speciality 'Uirou' as thanks for today. Be thankful, hahaha." And, not even having been called, and with no intention of ever calling him, Nobukatsu, or, Nobuzumi had dropped by in flashy clothes like a dandy and was firmly seated on the seat of honour as if it was natural in this scenario.
"Saru-kun, to common people like you it may be a rare sweet but, Uirou is tasty. It's sweet and melts in your mouth. Furthermore, the aftertaste is refreshing. I will someday make this Nagoya speciality popular all over Japan. "Now, it's time to toast now that the Oda house has become!"
Cheers! Nene said it in a hooraying way.
"D-Don't become arrogant, Saru! Just by becoming close enough with Nobuzumi-sama to have 'Uirou'...I-If you look at the girls of the Oda house in an amorous way, I will kill you then and there!"
"Is lady Katsuie jealous? If so I will be happy to spend this night together with you and allow you to feel all of my being."
"GRrrr…"
After this Katsuie would try recommending to Nobuna "If you can't think of any way to discipline him, it would be better to just execute him"
But Nobuna replied "If he was a human, I would have executed him but since he's a monkey, there's no point in getting angry over him." With those words, she wrapped it up. That too, was annoying for Katsuie. (T-That Saru, he's favoured by Nobuna-sama...! T-That's why he can say that much and she doesn't get actually angry! More like, if a normal foot soldier did something like that, there would be no place for arguments and he would be executed without any questions asked!? Kuuh...It's somewhat vexing!) To say in other-words, this would be jealously of not getting Nobuna's affection.
"Hey, Nobuzumi, Sake, give me Sake!"
"Eek, Katsuie didn't use honorifics with me? K-Katsuie, your eyes seem glazed?" It seems Katsuie is weak to alcohol, and starts picking fights when drunk.
"Do not fret Nobuzumi let's just enjoy the waning moon with this sake."
"…It pains me to say it but ever since Saru came, Nobuna-sama might have gotten more cheerful! Ever since her father, Lord Nobuhide's funeral, it felt like she would crush anyone who dared to approach...doing her obstinate pretence of a fool, she didn't open her heart to anyone, but to think that she would shed tears for Nobuzumi's sake...beautiful...they were beautiful tears...I-I doubted myself thinking that that Nobuna-sama may actually be a fool...idiot! Idiot! The real fool is me, Shibata Katsuie."
"I-I have decided that from now onwards, I will exhaust all the limits of a servant to work for Nobuna-sama's sake! This is a warrior's pride! Suddenly, it seems like a path opened in front of my eyes! Kukuku...at the very least, if my head was a bit better~"
Nene egged Katsuie further by saying "Here, please have some more" and kept on refilling her cup wth the unrefined sake. Katsuie kept on downing it in one gulp. Nobuzumi who was clutched by the neck by the superhuman strength of Katsuie, could not even breathe properly. Barely being able to breath, his neck gave a crunching sound. "Eeek. Forgive me, Katsuie~~"
"S.H.U.T U.P.! It's cause you kept on planning rebellions, even I was going to get hated by Nobuna-sama for it! No, my trust points are already below Saru!"
"K-Katsuie, haven't you drank too much? Eeek?"
"Starting tomorrow, I will train you day in and day out! At the very least, be energetic enough to not die from the practice!"
"Calm down, guys." Nene and Saru came in between the two and separated them.
"Saru-kun. We will bear the responsibility of Inuchiyo and call her back, so be rest assured."
"I am truly relieved knowing you will be the one searching…"
"Leave it to me. Saru-kun. I will never forget the things you have done for me! I will definitely repay the debt that is what it means to be a noble. From now, I will act alongside you in battle!"
"Nobuzumi. You seem to look really bad in battle though...?"
"I may indeed be weak but the cute girls of all over Owari work for me as my personal guard unit. Depending upon the situation, they may be very useful."
"Although that does sound reassuring we must take into consideration every possibility… If you do not wish to take up a weapon I suggest taking the brush to improve your knowledge and create strategies many will fear."
"Hahaha. Saru-kun that's a good idea!"
The night had approached while the 4 were creating a big ruckus. While Nene and the rest were sleeping soundly, for some reason only Saru's mind was clear and he couldn't sleep. He left the Five Leaf Aralia tenement, and headed towards the inner citadel... Ah the moon is rather beaut-Urk. Saru's chest then started to hurt and he leaned on a tree… He then recalled another memory… "Sorry, I've just been thinking too hard…" was what he said to the man beside him in the memory…
Recomposing himself he continued on his walk. While climbing the hill road, he ran into Nobuna wearing her sleeping attire. She was no longer the 'Devil Nobuna' he saw in the day. She was the usual normal girl with a displeased look on her face.
"Oh. I was going to come for you."
"Oh? Could I have captured this beautiful lady's heart?"
"D-Don't be ridiculous, Anyway just come with me." He was brought into Nobuna's room in the main citadel... Nobuna was gazing at the moon from the porch, while holding the globe dearly. Her pure white skin glistening under the moon's light and that ordered face which appeared from the side, those long eyelashes, that intense look in her eyes, Saru just waited patiently with a simple smile.
"Perhaps has lady Nobuna forgotten about my presence?"
"Hm? Ah, you...were here."
"How cruel~"
"Saru, are you some kind of prophet?"
"Hm? What has brought this on?"
"Firstly, you were able guess what the viper was thinking…" Nobuna murmured. "This globe is my treasure. I got this during my childhood from a person my father brought along, missionary of the barbarian nations who came from the port of Tsuda. I learnt a lot from that missionary with the blue eyes. The fact that Japan is just a tiny island nation on the Earth, the fact that on that island nation, fellow Japanese were fighting each other, the fact that science was flourishing in those barbarian nations and they were inventing a lot of things one after another, such as the Arquebus rifles, the fact that someday with their strong military strength and economic strength they would swallow up Japan as well...that the rulers of those countries desired 'The country of Gold, Jipangu'. It seems there are rulers who want to make Japan a colony as well."
"You know, while I was being taught a lot of things by that missionary, I started thinking that I someday want to make Japan one, and jump out of Japan and travel around the world. I want to make a strong ship fully made of steel, board it and cross the 7 seas with it. I want to see it with my own two eyes, everything of this huge world which the Japanese people haven't seen. That's why, that person who came from beyond the sea is my starting point."
"Well, he talked in new language all the time which would make you shocked. He's dead already though..."
"…My condolences."
"For some reason, the people who I fall in love and depend on, all die soon. My father was the same. It seems the viper is also being pushed around by the nobles in Mino...It's because he said that he would hand over the province to me. He may even die." Nobuna gave a smile which seemed lonely.
"…" Saru kept silent at this deep down he knew his body may not last.
"Anyway, If you are a prophet I will kill you, I don't want to feel like I am being controlled by you."
"Fortunately I am not a prophet, like you there are many things that do not go my way. I merely try to predict and make assumptions based on what has already happened."
"? Don't you think of wanting to control me?"
"I do not wish to take hold of power I merely wish to see how far my talents would take me and see the wish of my lord come true."
"That's fine. Then let's do the ceremony of being a Lord and retainer officially." Nobuna said it in a brusque manner. "I can't keep you as my pet monkey forever. It's time to make you a real Samurai."
"Ceremony? Unfortunately I do not know the ceremony used here…"
"Let's see… the barbarian way of doing it seems cooler and doesn't use Sake. Here. Kiss my hand swearing your loyalty to me."
"Saru. Respect me as your Lord, and swear fealty to me."
"...I G... Saru" Memories rushed out of Saru's head… "Swear fealty to my lord lady Nobuna… Until you have fulfilled your dream and I have regained my memories."
"...I see. Then it's fine with that. Till then, that is."
"I will use all of my wit and cunning to make your dream come true."
"If that's the case, if my dream isn't fulfilled no matter how much time passes, you won't be able to go back."
"Of course I would wish to stay by a beautiful lady's side."
"But, Saru. What about you?"
"?"
"What about your dream? I have to reward you for your service appropriately. I can grant your dream."
"Hey. Saru? Is your dream one which I can fulfil?" If I am not mistaken, the old man's dream was-
"… It seems I cannot forget the wish of the man who saved me."
"What would that wish be?"
"I wish to have a castle on-top of a certain place and fill it with all of the most beautiful women in japan to live."
"HUH? W-What's with this perverted wish?"
"I must apologise but the person who decided this wish is the person who saved my life I cannot change it. But he did never say the amount of people so I believe the most beautiful woman of Japan as a bride would also do fine."
... BAM! Nobuna withdrew her hand hurriedly and made it into a fist. She then aimed it at one side of Saru's face and tried to hit him with all her might. "Y-Y-You, of all things to say, what the hell are you spouting? M-M-M-Making the most beautiful girl of Japan your bride?" Nobuna's whole body was completely pale. She was frozen.
…She seems to have the wrong idea… "Your angry face just exquisite lady Nobuna."
"B-Be quiet, T-There's no way I grant that dream! No matter what, yours and my status is way too different, you know? Gross, seriously gross."
"Eh? Lady Nobuna did you not wish to grant my wish as well? I didn't know the noble Oda Nobuna would go back on her word like this…"
"Stop it! I-I won't do it I will grant any other wish…"
"Hahaha, Well if that is the case I will intrude and ask for fine banquets whenever we have time."
"Uwaaaaah, I am getting goosebumps on my whole body? Gross. Look at this, because of your weird proposal, my jewel like bare skin is covered with goosebumps."
It seems she still wasn't listening…
"Oi, oiiii. Just by imagining myself to be Saru's wife and bearing Saru's child, warm stuff is coming out from my stomach!?"
"…Could it be? Your body is already preparing itself for a baby? I truly feel honoured lady Nobuna."
Once again Nobuna's fist came flying at him. He was able to predict it this time so, he swiftly dodged it.
"Hey, don't run away. Wait and get hit! How are you going to go into battle?!"
"Sometimes it is best to retreat in battle!"
"Saru...I-I-I won't forgive you...This time, this time for sure I will kill you!"
And this is how the beautiful night filled with shouts and cries of laughter has ended…