Turning the clock back to a few minutes before the three drifters arrived ...
"*Sigh... Can't believe I'm still nervous."
Marika sighed a little uneasily as she held her hand above her chest.
"You feel uneasy about the candidates who are to be summoned today?"
When he noticed his lover and monarch's agitation, Bedivere asked with concern.
"Well ... After all, it is 'the' Oda Nobunaga. If I don't handle it well today, it will be like the equivalent of setting off a tiger into the mountains."
Marika answered Bedivere, who was standing behind her.
"The infamous genius who was one step away from unifying all of Japan. The degree of cunning and ruthlessness is far beyond all the subordinates in my current hand. I think only you and Siduri can match him in intelligence."
"If this Oda Nobunaga is as dangerous as you say, why must you recruit him?"
Bedivere asked worriedly. Although he was pleased by Marika's affirmation, the risks in front of him were too great to be distracted from. Even during his time residing in the throne of heroes, he had heard from the Aaliyah about the exploits of Oda Nobunaga.
"Well… I suppose it can't be helped, our biggest problem now is the lack of savvy and cunning generals. No disrespect towards them, but Artorius and Achilius are both generals who are suitable for leading elite fighters in frontline battles, not commanding a whole army. Although Jin is well versed in cunningness, he also lacks the experience of leading a large army. Leading smaller forces in guerilla warfare is his expertise. Morgott, while a good ruler and commander, is not good at invasive wars. As for the local lords and aristocratic officers, I don't fully trust them, at least for now. So yes, I need the help of someone like Nobunaga. "
Marikaa analyzed the dilemma in front of her.
"Then Master must have some way of keeping him in check, no?"
Bediverel asked with concern, and at the same time, he put his left hand on Marika's right shoulder to gesture his support.
"If I have you by my side, I will be able to do anything."
Marika's care of her lover was warm, and her left hand held Bedivere's hand gently on her shoulder, causing him to blush once again from her boldness.
"Besides, he won't be a heroic spirit like you, he will arrive here as flesh and blood."
"Of–of course."
'Is it just me or does Master really enjoy teasing me. I guess I learn something new about her everyday.'
Beywell thought a little flustered. With a light cough, Bedivere turned the topic back to the summoning:
"Well I suppose then we must hurry before the time gets too late. Don't mind using me if an emergency emerges."
"Rest assured. I won't let things develop to that level."
Marika said in a determined tone.
Marika knew the hidden threat Nobunaga posed, but she also had a plan to counter him if he got up to any funny business. The answer is pure power. The power of noble phantasms and incantations are much more powerful than that of ones in the Drifter's world. If Nobunaga really betrayed her one day, Marika was convinced that she could win with the power of her supernatural abilities.
But it is not the time to consider this worst case scenario, yet. If a lord does not have a certain degree of trust in their courtiers, the lord will only garner disappointment from them. And with these disappointed courtiers, the probability of their rebellion will be greater. As an old saying goes: "If a king treats his ministers as his hands and feet, then they treats him as their heart; if a king treats his ministers as his dogs and horses, then they treats him as their countrymen; if a king treats his ministers as dirt and mustard, then they treats him as their enemy."
With her mind set, Marika pressed the summoning button on the system page.
After a shower of golden light, the figure of the three drifters appeared in front of her and Bedivere. The appearance and dress of the Drifters were just as she remembered them in the anime.
Immediately after, Marika activated her divinity and New Type pressure on them in a controlled manner. On the one hand, it can make the other party feel Marika's own overwhelming strength, but at the same time it does not cause their fear and anxiety. And she also deliberately wore her armor to make herself look more mighty.
Sure enough, paying attention to the changes in their expressions and the emission from their emotions, Marika inferred that her ability should work. So she said so:
"Welcome everyone, are you the samurai lords sent by Murasaki? "
Nobunaga recovered first from the discomfort brought by crossing worlds. He answered in a humble and serious tone:
"Yes, that will be us. Then you must be the king Murasaki has sent us to assist."
Marika was not surprised by Nobunaga's seriousness and formal tone, different from his usual wacky self in the anime. Although the system had assured her about his connection to Murasaki, Marika doesn't find Murasaki to be the type to offer proper exposition. So it is no wonder that Nobunaga seems so on edge.
Thus, Marika replied in a friendly but dignified tone:
"That will be correct. I am Marika, king of the Erdtree kingdom. Beside me is Bedivere, my trusted deacon and bodyguard."
Listening to Marika's self-introduction, Nobunaga is also thinking carefully.
"Hm? Is it not a custom here to introduce your surname here?"
Nobunaga asked unexpectedly. At the same time, he is also puzzled in his mind. In the Warring States Period, the surname represented the status and source of a nobleman, which is crucial for the honor of the samurai. The woman in front of him did not reveal her surnames, so that Nobunaga could not help but doubt her credibility.
"I believe you have misunderstood, Lord Nobunaga. Unlike in your country, the royalties in this country are accustomed to using the first letter of their name as their surname."
Bedivere replied in Marika's place.
"Haha, so that's how it is. My apoglies."
Nobunaga laughed and apologized. But his eyes still faintly flickered.
"Well with introduction out of the way, can we talk about this so-called 'system'? It would be… helpful to have a few words with the being that rivals Murasaki. If it is allowed?"
Nobunaga looked at his partners who had gradually recovered on his side, and asked with an investigative tone.
"Not at all."
Marika agreed without hesitation.
'It seems that Nobunaga wants to see who has the final say between me and the system? '
Marika secretly thought at the same time as she awakened the system within her consciousness, making him appear in front of everyone in his physical form.
"Hello! Hello everyone! I am the reliable and smart little helper, System!"
Marika covered her face in front of the sudden jester-like introduction System made.
'Why would I expect him to be serious in front of them? There is just no knowing what he will do next…'
Nobunaga and others were greatly shocked at the floating, talking cage before them, the situation in front of them exploded their worldview once again.
Toyohisa couldn't hold in his surprise and pointed at the system surprised while he screamed:
"It's talking! The cage is talking! Its a yokai!"
But soon his head was knocked by Nobunaga.
"You idiot! You really think a mere yokai can get Murasaki to owe them a favor. It at least has to be a shikigami"
Nobunaga chimed in hotly.
"That hurts! Old man! Are you trying to start a fight! Huh?"
Toyohisa was also angry at being punked by Murasaki, and started a fight with Nobunaga. On the other hand, Yuichi could only take the place of these two angry guys and went up to the system with an awkward smile:
"Apologies. Nobunaga-dono and Toyohisa-dono are both quick-tempered men. I'm sorry for making everyone laugh."
"Wow! You're Nasu no Yoichi, aren't you? As expected, you're sure are a pretty boy just like the picture Murasaki gave me!"
"Much obliged, much obliged."
Yuichi scratched his head in embarrassment at the system's blunt praise.
At this moment, Marika coughed softly and reminded the system:
"System, don't talk to people like that, it's very rude."
"Oh..."
Although the system didn't think so, it still showed her some respect and didn't continue to make fun of Yuichi. Although Nobunaga was still fighting with Toyohisa, his eyes were still focused on the conversation with Yuichi and the system.
''Judging from the conversation just now, this Marika is still in the driver's seat. To be able to command a being on the same level as Murasaki, it seems that this woman is also something extraordinary.''
Nobunaga secretly analyzed the conversation just now.
"By the way, I still don't know the names of the three of you."
Marika reminded them with a kind tone.
However, in Nobunaga's ears, he could hear a hint of dissatisfaction towards his and Toyohisa's nonsense.
'Damn it! I was so busy fighting with this brat that I forgot to introduce myself to her! What a mistake!
Nobunaga thought anxiously.
''Now that the three of us are alone in someone else's territory, the chances of us being killed are not small. Moreover, if we have to fight, we can't be sure of the strength of that one-handed warrior, not to mention that weird golden cage. I'd better show my weakness first and then make a plan!'
Nobunaga analyzed the situation in front of him and made the decision to show weakness first.
"That's right, where are my manners?"
Nobunaga smirked, while scolding Toyohisa.
"Hey! Shimazu hillbilly, don't tell me you haven't even learned the basic manners of a samurai."
"Huh? What are you talking about, old man?"
Toyohisa's one-dimensional mind hadn't quite gotten the hang of it, until he saw Nobunaga winking in Marika's direction and finally understood.
But just because he understood didn't mean he was convinced. He grunted coldly, then sat down with Nobunaga and the others in a row with his legs crossed, then put his hands in fists in front of his knees, then bowed his head and performed a samurai salute of the Sengoku Era.
"I am Oda Nobunaga, the former right chancellor, pleased to make your acquaintance."
Nobunaga was the first to state his name and title in a manner befitting a samurai.
"I am Nasu no Yoichi. I am the eleventh son of the Nasu clan."
Nasu followed up by introducing himself. Toyohisa had some reluctance on his face, but he introduced himself anyway:
"I am Shimazu Toyohisa, Shimazu clan's junior counselor, pleased to meet you."
"It is a pleasure to meet you gentlemen, please rise."
Marika responded with a smile.
'She didn't take into account the nonsense just now? I wonder if she really doesn't care or because she just doesn't show her anger easily.'
Nobunaga thought to himself as he got up.
"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! The host has three more subordinates."
The system said playfully.
At this moment, whether it was the system's words that touched Toyohisa's nerves or not, Toyohisa hissed out of the blue:
"Since you want us to work under you, it just so happens that my sword has been damaged, a samurai can't live without a sword, so it won't hurt if I ask you for a new one, right?"
When Nobunaga heard this, he immediately glared angrily at Toyohisa, as if he was watching his own son making a fool of himself again.
'You've done nothing yet but still ask for rewards from your superiors, are you trying to give me a stroke?'
Nobunaga blamed him in his mind.
Bediverel was also dissatisfied with Shimazu's impoliteness, he frowned and quietly put his right hand on the hilt of his sword on the right side of his waist.
Marika, still maintaining a modest smile at this, said:
"Let me ask you, Lord Toyohisa, what do you want to do when you get a suitable weapon?"
"What kind of question is that, I want to go into battle and kill the enemy!"
Shimazu answered without thinking. Marika only laughed lightly at his answer and then said:
"It seems that Lord Toyohisa didn't fully understand my question, so I'll rephrase it. Who would you like to fight after you get your weapon, lord Toyohisa?"
Although Marika was still smiling, Nobunaga and Toyohisa were sweating slightly. As they looked at Marika's face, they couldn't help but feel that although she was smiling, she was not smiling at all. There was a silent pressure on them, and both of them could hear the hidden threat in Marika's words:
"If you want to make trouble, I'll kill you."
Marika did not show any sign of anger or anxiety at all. She was staring at Toyohisa with a strange expression that was as cold as snow, but with a smile on her lips. Combined with the oppressive aura in the air, Toyohisa couldn't help but shiver.
This aura was familiar to him as a samurai - it was murderous intent. And his intuition told him that it was battle-tested killing intent.
Toyohisa was shaken inwardly. Was he really going to fight against her? In their home base? And when the other side is not weak? Finally, he thought about his two best friends. Finally he swallowed his breath and lowered his head to answer:
"Naturally, my enemies are whoever your enemies are, my lord."
The cold light in Marika's eyes dissipated as she was satisfied with Toyohisa's answer and replied:
"Then I will certainly have the blacksmiths under my command craft a tachi that suits you, Toyohisa."
With the change of title between the two, Toyohisa is considered to be barely submissive to Marika. Nobunaga and Yoichi were relieved to see that Toyohisa had made a compromise.
At that moment, Marika suddenly stood up and announced in a brisk tone:
"Now that you have joined us, it is not too late for me to take you to the blacksmith's shop! I still need to ask you to show them the Teppos, so that I can place an order with them! Right? Lord Nobunaga."
'She actually knows what anTeppo is? But from what she said, it sounds like the people at the blacksmith shop don't know? How many people in this world actually know the concept of Teppos? '
Nobunaga was secretly surprised by Marika's knowledge of the arquebuses, but didn't show too much surprise on the surface.
"Of course, of course. My lord will not be disappointed with the power of the Teppos."
Nobunaga said with a smile.
After that, the group set off on horseback to the Imperial Blacksmith's shop in the city. Along the way, Nobunaga and the three of them were keenly observing the layout and development of the city. Although the landscape was very different from the architectural styles they had seen, they could still tell that the city was well governed by its masters through observing the noisy, yet clean and well-policed streets.
Meanwhile, Yoichi and Toyohisa's observations focused more on the band of knights who traveled alongside them to protect Marika, and the ordinary soldiers who patrolled the roads.
"These soldiers are each well-equipped, Toyohisa-dono."
Yuichi rode up next to Toyohisa and whispered to him.
"Ah, from the way these men walk and ride, it seems that each one of them has had a lot of training. But what's wrong with these guys? Why are even the soldiers patrolling the roads fully armed? Is there a war going on here?"
Toyohisa responded in confusion.
Nobunaga, on the other hand, was trying to analyze the queen's character from the clues she had revealed through his casual conversations with Marika and the people's attitudes towards her along the way.
His conclusion? Marika's personality is affectionate, not easily angered, but still has the dignity of a king. However, she was kind to the extent that she did not act like a nobleman, and she did not have the distinctive pride of a nobleman in her speech and behavior. Nobunaga, who had dealt with the public and Ashikaga Shogun, was well aware of that kind of arrogance unique to nobility and he didn't find any of those annoying traits in Marika.
''Hm... does she seem to be following Monkey's example of being friendly to her people? No, but she also had a bit of Ieyasu's noble elegance. Hmm...I guess there's too little information to make a judgment for now!'
Nobunaga analyzed her in his mind.
Marika's behavior made him think that the queen was like a combination of Ieyasu and Hideyoshi, both noble and friendly at the same time. If that was the case, then Marika's performance so far had satisfied him, or at least met his basic expectations of a ruler.
Whether or not Marika has a talent for war is debatable. As for the strange and seemingly powerful existence of the System, although it seemed to be pretending to be a fool, he would not underestimate something that could send people to another world.
After riding for a while, the group finally arrived at the Imperial Blacksmith Shop. The entire building was made of red bricks, with several large chimneys on the roof sending out black smoke.
"Your Majesty, my lords, we have arrived."
A Lyndel Knight, who was leading the way, said to the crowd.
"Well, gentlemen, let's get inside!"
Marika said, dismounting her horse with a flowing gesture.
"Looks like her horsemanship is not bad either."
Toyohisa said, looking at her with secret approval.
As soon as everyone dismounted and entered the shop, they felt a hot atmosphere sweep over them. Inside the shop, close to a hundred Misbegottens, humans, and even a handful of hired dwarves were busy working on various forging equipment. The noisy sounds of iron smithing and the shouts of the blacksmiths filled the entire space. The smell of smoke and nitrous poured into the noses of Marika and her group.
"Her Majesty has graced her presence here!"
A Lyndel knight announced in a loud voice.
At the sound of his voice, everyone reacted on their own or were prompted by their colleagues to stop what they were doing and look at the entrance to the smithy.
"It's Her Majesty!"
"Why did Her Majesty suddenly come here!"
"Who are those three people from the Land of Reeds beside Her Majesty? Lord Sakai's countrymen?"
The crowd knelt and saluted amidst the whispers.
"You have all worked hard, please get up and continue your work!"
Marika said kindly, and the people could only look at her command with a blank stare, wondering what the king was doing in the smithy and going back to work.
At that moment, a human apprentice blacksmith stepped forward and made a gesture to the crowd to invite them inside, saying:
"Your Majesty, and my lords. Master Hewg is inside, so please come in. Please be careful to keep a safe distance from the equipment as you enter."
"Thank you, please lead the way then."
Bedivere replied politely, and then, with the apprentice leading the way, they went deeper into the smithy in search of Hewg. At that moment, Toyohisa curiously asked a Lyndel knight beside him, who was half a head taller than him:
"Hey, man. What are these strange things with big teeth?"
He then pointed to a pair of Misbegotten workers who were moving a cart full of coal.
"Oh, are you talking about Misbegottens? They're a kind of race of people from the Lands between. Or should I say creatures?… Ah, anyway, they're tough people, good at rough labor, and pretty good at forging. But don't let their ugliness fool you, they're legal citizens here."
Knight Lyndel explained.
Toyohisa nodded in understanding and stopped talking.
''Wait a minute, that guy was talking in a woman's voice? He's a woman?'
Suddenly remembering the knight he had just spoken to, Toyohisa looked at the female knight again with a different expression.
'The customs here are really like what Nobunaga said, they are completely different from the previous world! Moreover, this woman is too tall, isn't she?'
Regardless of Toyohisa's surprise, the group finally found Hewg in front of a table covered with blueprints under the guidance of the apprentice.
To their surprise, Jin, Wolf and Roderica were also there.
When the four of them saw Marika, they rushed forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, what brings you to our humble shop so suddenly? It's not suitable for you to come here in such a messy place!"
Hewg said, flattered by her appearance.
"Well, Master Hewg, I have a few gentlemen here to introduce to you."
Said Marika, gesturing to the three drifters:
"This is Lord Oda Nobunaga, Shimazu Toyohisa, and Nasu no Yoichi. They are the generals I have just recruited."
As soon as Marika finished her introduction, Jin suddenly walked up to Yoichi with a surprised look on his face, saluted and said excitedly:
"Are you really Lord Nasu no Yuichi?!"
Yuichi replied, a bit surprised by Jin's response:
"Y-Yes, I am."
"It's really you! I had no idea! Your majesty is so powerful that he even recruited the legendary marksman of the Genpei War! I am Sakai Matsushima no Kami Jin, a native of Tsushima Island."
Jin excitedly introduced himself, just like a nerdy fan who had met his idol.
(Author's note: Matsushima no Kami is the official title that Jin calls himself. In ancient Japan, daimyo would wear the name of the area they ruled in their courtesy title. For example, if the name of a territory was called Mikawa, the daimyo who ruled there would be called Mikawa no Kami. The land that Jin was granted by our protagonist during the war in the east and south territory was renamed Matsushima by Jin. So Jin now calls himself Matsushima no Kami.)
On the other hand, Nobunaga looked at Jin's enthusiasm for Yoichi and grumbled with a sour face.
"What the hell? Why doesn't this guy react at all when he hears my name? I'm Oda Nobunaga! I'm the famous Sixth Heavenly Demon Lord! Why does he only react to Yoichi?"
"Heh heh...It couldn't be helped! After all, Lord Sakai was born in the Kamakura era, so it's only natural that he doesn't know you, who was born after his time."
Marika explained with a dry smile.
"Well... if that's the case then it can't be helped. But what kind of name is Matsushima? It sounds like a place in the middle of nowhere. I suppose it's fitting for a Tsushima Island hick."
Nobunaga reluctantly accepted the difference in Jin's attitude because of his experience with Yuichi and Toyohisa. However, he was still complaining about it. Luckily, Jin was concentrating on his conversation with Yuichi, so he didn't hear it.
Toyohisa, on the other hand, looked at Wolf curiously.
"And who are you?"
Toyohisa asked, noting the man carrying a otachi and a artifical hand that gave him a vague sense of discomfort. His intuition told him that this man, who was also Japanese, was definitely not weak, and his swordsmanship must be very powerful as well.
"I am Wolf, a mere shinobi."
Wolf replied modestly but coldly.
'Shinobi? Doesn't feel like it? '
Toyohisa thought suspiciously, after all, he didn't remember any shinobi carrying a odachi around.
"And you? What's a noble young lady doing in a blacksmith shop?"
Toyohisa then looked at Roderica and asked.
Roderica looked at the fierce warrior-like Toyohisa and was slightly frightened for a moment. It was Hewg who saw her nervousness and stepped forward to answer for her:
"Lord Toyohisa, this is Roderica. She is an apprentice of this old man, and is learning the art of spirit tuning from me."
As he said that, Hewg stood in front of Roderica and shielded her, his gaze slightly unfavorable as he looked at Toyohisa, who had scared his precious apprentice.
'Huh? What is Spirit Tuning? '
Toyohisa's head was filled with a big question mark.
Seeing that the people were gradually chatting, Marika also joined in.
"By the way, Lord Sakai. What are you and Wolf doing here with Master Hew?"
Jin heard Marika's question, which he prompt withdrew from the excitement of seeing his idol and then answered:
"My lord, the new shinobis that I and Wolf have assembled need some new tools, so that's why we came to see Master Hewg today to place an order."
"Oh... but I am sorry. You might want to save your order for later, I have two orders here to place first."
Marika said with a slight apology.
"No problem, my lord's business is more important."
Jin said with understanding.
"Okay, then first things first, let's get the simple orders taken care of. Master Hewg, I need you to create a suitable tachi for Secretary Toyohisa, can you do that?"
Marika said as she gestured towards Toyohisa.
Hewg stepped forward and looked at Toyohisa's size, and after grabbing his hand and looking at it, he grunted and said:
"No problem, Your Majesty. If it's just a sharp tachi it won't be hard for me. I have enough knowledge in the weapons of the land of reeds to forge one for him."
At this point Toyohisa reversed his earlier unruly attitude and bowed to Hewg, saying respectfully:
"Then I'll leave it to you, Master Hewg."
Hewg was a little surprised by Toyohisa's change of attitude, but not offended.
Why did Toyohisa suddenly change his attitude? It was because when Hewg had just touched his palm to measure it, Toyohisa had noticed the callus and thick strength of his hand. When he was a boy, he had met a famous forger in Satsuma, and the feel of his hand was very similar to Hewg's.
The samurai had always had a certain respect for the forger, because the tachi was an important part of the samurai's identity. A good sword was an important symbol of a samurai's status, and a good sword was as important to a samurai in officialdom as it was in battle. So after realizing that Hewg was also a highly skilled smith, Toyohisa put away his rowdy attitude and treated the old smith with respect instead.
"Well, then what is the second order? Your Majesty."
Hewg continued after writing down some of Toyohisa's measurements on a notepad.
"That will be for Lord Nobunaga to demonstrate."
Marika said and moved aside to allow Nobunaga to come forward and talk to Hewg.
Nobunaga pulled a Teppo arquebus out of his traveling bag and showed
Hewg in his hand. The weapon quickly aroused the curiosity of the blacksmiths.
"Master Hewg, can you imitate this weapon with your skill?"
Nobunaga asked as he looked at Hewg with his one eye.
Thoroughly mesmerized by the strange weapon in front of him, Hewg took a moment before answering Nobunaga:
"What is this thing? I have never seen such a strange weapon! I can see how this thing works, and it should be possible to reproduce it. But for a perfect replication, I need to see it in action. I really can't imagine what kind of power this thing has!"
Hearing Hewg's careful evaluation, a mischievous idea flashed through Nobunaga's mind.
"Since we need to see it in action, let me demonstrate it right here!"
A grin appeared on his face, and then he began to load the cannon with skillful movements.
"Lord Nobunaga are you going to..."
Marika guessed his intention and asked with some concern. She herself was not afraid of the projectiles from the arquebus. However, the workers here would be afraid!
"It's alright, don't worry, my lord. I'm a very good shot."
By that time Nobunaga had finished loading the gun, sparks were burning the gun's cord, and the safety had been pulled off. Then he caught a glimpse of a horse shoe hanging on a post not far away.
'That will do!'
Choosing his target, Nobunaga locked on to it with great speed and finally pulled the trigger!
Bang!
A deafening gunshot echoed throughout the entire smithy. With the exception of a few people who had seen artillery before, most of the workers and soldiers were stunned by the sound of the cannon. As Nobunaga watched the shocked expressions of the people, a terrible grin of satisfaction appeared on his face. His one-eyed gaze was like a torch, and with that horrible smile, he looked like a devil.
Marika ignored his expression, her eyes quickly scanning the entire smithy to make sure no one had been mistakenly injured. Thankfully she didn't see anyone injured, and her eyes drifted to the target of Nobunaga. Walking towards the knocked off horse shoe, Marika picked it up only to see a dark pellet embedded deeply in it.
"Not a bad shot, Lord Nobunaga. But still, next time you open fire, please be aware of the people around you."
Marika said with a slightly unhappy face.
"Yes, yes~ I'm sorry for getting a little too excited just now."
Nobunaga apologized with little sincerity.
'Eh... I guess this version of Nobunaga's brain is a bit abnormal...'
Marika thought.
"Lord Nobunaga, did that weapon just now use gunpowder to fire that little black iron ball?"
Jin asked, looking at the horse shoe in Marika's hands.
"That's right. Do you know about gunpowder?"
Nobunaga asked back, slightly curious.
"Yes, I saw the Mongols use gunpowder from time to time when I fought them on Tsushima Island. Later I learned how to use gunpowder to make explosives. But I never thought that gunpowder could be used to make such precise weapons!"
Jin said, curious about the new weapon.
Nobunaga hummed a minute of satisfaction at the crowd's surprise and began to introduce the weapon he held:
"This is a Teppo. The principle of this weapon is simply to create a small explosion inside the tube, which pushes a small ball of iron out of the tube at a very high speed, turning it into a precision weapon of war that travels in a straight line! Teppos have a high hit rate within their range, and if multiple cannons are fired at the same time, they can create a powerful force on the battlefield. And best of all, almost anyone can use it! As long as you know how to load the cannon, even if you put it in a child's hand, you can instantly turn him into a soldier."
"Wow!"
Everyone exclaimed at Nobunaga's introduction.
"As Lord Nobunaga said, the existence of the Teppo is a weapon that can change the battlefield of this era. Therefore, Master Hewg, I would like you to prioritize the mass production of this weapon. Be sure to let me know if you need any materials or money."
Marika said to Hewg.
"N-No problem, Your Majesty. But still… by the Erdtree! What kind of genius could have invented such a weapon?"
Hewg accepted the commission crisply, but his concentration remained engrossed in the subtleties of the Teppo.
'If they saw Ahab's automatic rifle, their jaws would probably drop in shock, right?'
Marika thought silently. Then following that she entrusted to Nobunaga:
"Then, Lord Nobunagai, since the order for the Iron Cannon has been confirmed, when Master Hewg completes mass production, I'll still have to ask you to check if the quality of the replicas is up to par."
"Of course, the guarantee is on me. I will make sure that every single Teppo works perfectly."
Nobunaga stated with a slight bow.
"Then there is only one last thing left to do... Oda Nobunaga, the former Right chancellor, be ready to receive your order!"
Marika suddenly raised her volume at this point, choosing the tone of a formal order.
"Yes my lord!"
Nobunaga heard Marika's intention to promulgate a mission, and kneeled down on one knee in preparation to receive the order.
"Since Lord Nobunaga has provided the crucial technology of Teppos, I hereby grant him the position of Legion commander, the name of the Legion and the choice of the vice-commander will be up to you to decide. I will later deploy troops under your command. That is all!"
"Huh?"
Nobunaga was taken aback by this pie dropping from the sky. He had thought that he would need to produce some more achievements before he could have his own army. He didn't think that he would be able to earn such a title just by showing off his skills with the Teppos. This made him think more highly of Marika by a few points.
'Well looks like she has a good eye for talent too!'
"I accept the order!"
As Nobunaga took over his position, the others politely applauded Nobunaga in celebration.
When the crowd had finished celebrating, they slowly returned to their posts. It was only then that Yuichi came up to Nobunaga and asked him:
"So, Nobunaga dono, now that we have a place to settle. What should we do now?"
Following Yuichi's question, Nobunaga's trademark bloodthirsty smile appeared on his face.
"Isn't it obvious? It's time for war!"
