c4 (1/2)

I escorted Lady Oichi to her rooreeted by her attendants

Because I personally escorted Lady Oichi to her room, the expressions on the faces of her attendants were ones of great surprise

Why this was so, was of course very obvious

For a general in the Sengoku Period, his wife is considered to be very ht this way

Besides, an accessory could be changed, or even change hands, or

That’s why the chamberlains were surprised by my courteous treatment towards Lady Oichi

By the way; historically, Nagamasa was pushed by his father, Hisamasa, to take the retainer of the Rokkaku Clan’s, Hirai Sadatake’s, daughter as his wife However, she was sent back when fighting for their independence from the Rokkaku Clan

The woaamasa had also desired her The situation between the clans, which lead to war, caused Nagamasa and Yoriko to split apart

After being sent back to the Rokkaku Clan froamasa wouldn’t marry into any of the other clans, so she becaer to touch her, passing away alone in her small retreat It was a sad history between a oku Period

Well, I who came from the modern era could only think of these kinds ofabout it now

The Azai Clan’s independence war happened before I replaced him Above all, ould happen to the Azai clan if I recalled al hen I already received Lady Oichi froal wife?

I’al wife as a concubine

For women of that period, it was very cruel, ruthless, and miserable that you would want to commit suicide

… But really, there was nothing I could do about it

As Lady Oichi and I parted, I whispered into her ear, ”Be prepared this evening” While her face was blushi+ng bright red, she got on her knees and bowed her head down in a mitsuyubi for me

She thought that she didn’t need to do that in such a place I entrusted Lady Oichi to the h the corridor

When I looked back a little, Lady Oichi was still bowing her head

…how can you be so pure-hearted

Thinking that, est obstacle today― the ‘Clan Meeting’

◇

「So you caamasa」

As I entered the hall, a giant fat man called out to me

Moreover, he sat in the seat of honor

19in the lower seats

With the attitude and the air of the large amasa’s father, Hisamasa Azai

I was summoned to a room inside the inner citadel of Odani Castle called ‘The Rooons’ It was a special place that only the relatives of the Azai Clan could go in and out of

Today was the 3rd day since the e ceremony with the Oda Clan The men from the Azai clan, whose concerns were the policy that deteraifts

It was the ‘Clan Meeting’

「…What about Sukechika?」

I a seat, Hisamasa rebuked me

After all, after being forced to retire, the father and son’s relationshi+p would be strained

「I entrusted him with a task」

I replied with an answer sharply, so that I wouldn’t be pushed back and pressured from Hisamasa

He continued speaking, painting it with criticism as if he wasn’t pleased with my answer

「… --He can’t co?」

「Yes, it is related to the future of the Azai Clan」

The great nuathered in the hall turned into a frenzy

Well, I could understand why; it’s because they came here to discuss that

The Azai clan has so few relatives as it is, therefore it was said that there wasn’t much internal strife like what could be seen with the Oda Clan and Takeda Clan but… this was definitely a lie

Though this wasn’t very well-known by the public, historically, one of the root causes of the Azai Clan’s downfall, was because of the betrayal of one of the relatives in the Clan named Atsuji

「Elder Brother, will you hear my story?」

A voice passed through the hall, and it belonged to Masaae of the finances of Odani Castle

By the way, this is another historical fact that society doesn’t know, but Naga Masamoto, and he also has three sisters

「What is it, Masamoto?」

Hisamasa asked with a displeased voice

In that instant, I presuer brother as outstanding even aht well of by Hisamasa

However, Masaave his faood looking guy

「It’s about the conversation a while ago, regarding the future of the Azai Clan…」

There was a commotion in the hall

As expected, even the relatives probably never predicted that there would be no congratulatory address for Naga; that the essential part would be suddenly cut off

However, I judged from Masamoto’s eyes and face that he was serious, and that it was so done after careful deliberation

…The resolve to cause a controversy that went so far as to disregard the usual customs Not bad I liked it

I leaned forward and looked directly at Masamoto

「I, on this occasion, believe that we should solidify our alliance with the Oda Clan」

The moment Masamoto stated his opinion, the hall divided

In the hall, there were eyes that criticized Masamoto’s remark, and there were eyes that sent praise because of his brave remark, and their show of support was divided clearly

「Masa!」

A tall, brawny man hurled criticisms

Tsunechika Inoue… He is the brother-in-law of Hisaamasa’s cousin, his authority was about the same

「A clan with such absent-usted with you establishi+ng any unate’s office! What would the Asakura Clan call us!」

The hall began to stir

Opposing opinions started since the very beginning of the ‘Clan Meeting’ so it was understandable but… I really couldn’t tell if they were all just concerned with the Asakura Clan

Could it be that a them, they think of the Azai Clan as a vassal of the Asakura Clan?

However, I could understand why they would say such remarks

Because the Oda Clan and the Asakura Clan were both related to us throughfriendly to each other; the Oda Clan was originally based on Echizen which was the base for the Asakura Clan

The Asakura Clan was a protector of a great clan that was called… the shi+ba Clan, and just like them, the Oda Clan was also the protector of the shi+ba Clan

Both Clans were equal in status, however, the problea bloodline

Because the Oda where nobunaga belonged to wasn’t originated from the main family of the Oda clan that was the protector

In other words, he’s from the branch family, but quickly rose to power and replaced the head of the clan

Because of this reason, the Asakura Clan regarded nobunaga, as leading the Oda Clan, with hostility

Considering that the Asakura Clan was happily repressing other houses, and to suddenly have another clan like the Oda Clan act so do, there was no way they wouldn’t be displeased

「Don’t argue based on your emotions, Tsunechika」

A single old man said it softly; however, there was a considerable force behind it

He was Akimasa Taya, the son-in-law of the Founder of the Azai Clan, Suke state Daimyo He was the first-in-line successor for the Azai Clan until Hisamasa was born

He was Hisamasa’s rival until today, and was said to also often clash with him

「Well Masamoto-dono, I will respectfully listen to your foolish opinion」

「Yes!」

Masaroup of relatives and me in the hall

「Certainly, nobunaga-dono was a branch clandoes that have in this chaotic world now?」

Anger swelled up in some people

Naturally, an absolute authority was needed in this ti it in a careless manner wasn’t how samurais lived

However, Masaer with one fact

「Above all, our grandfather Sukeovernors―the Kyogoku Clan―to establish our e, if we don’t have power then all we can do is be resigned to death and accept it!」

「But!」

Koreyasu Azai, orked as an attendant to Hisaer

「It’s already been 7 years and nobunaga-dono still hasn’t captured Mino yet! I also heard that the Saito Clan has begun to regain power In addition, the Asakura Clan is supporting the Saito Clan too Do you think the Oda Clan has the power to match that!?!?」

「――I think so」

All eyes were concentrated on the old ive out anytime soon

Azai Nagayori… Sukemasa’s 3rd son, he who saw the history first hand froainst the Rokkaku Clan until today, was a walking dictionary with the status of head elder

Coughing violently, Nagayori began to speak to his relatives with his thin voice

「Consider the fact that the Oda clan… That nobunaga-dono sent Lady Oichi to our a-dono wanted was always a peace alliance, not a military alliance」

While receiving assistance froayori looked around to the people around Hisamasa and me

「This is the sign of nobunaga’s confidence… that he will conquer Mino soon Therefore, opening a road froa-dono will conquer Mino this year, and destroy the Saito Clan If the Oda Clan seizes Mino, we’ll beco country Over the border of Olare at each other That is why it should be obvious that we need to further our relations with therees with Masamoto-dono This old man understands the importance of the road to the Azai Clan to be open How about it, Milord?」

「Umu」

After I heard Nagayori words, I gazed around the hall and looked at Masamoto

He appeared to be quite tense Both his fists were clenched tightly, and trehtly

However, the nervousness was natural

It’s because of our stance that the division of the Azai Clan into the Asakura faction and Oda faction was made clear It’s because we chose the path with countless confrontations against the relatives from the Asakura faction hereafter

But, I want to pay the e and decision

The reason was because in politics, be it douous, non-committal attitude because they couldn’t trust you

「I conclude that Masaht path」

「Nagamasa! You bastard, were you ensnared by Princess of the Oda Clan!?」

Hisary voice

「Do you intend to cotime pact with the Asakura Clan?!」

「That’s not my intention at all!!」

I threw an angry voice back at Hisamasa

Hisamasa was surprised, and the once loud hall suddenly became quiet

… It’s not like I don’t understand

In short, the act of shouting and defying the ‘Father’ as also the previous head of the clan, was viewed as the biggest act of violence in the Sengoku period towards the clan

As one would expect, the elders naayori and Akiape Oi, oi, you’re ly built up

However, without caring, I continued speaking

「Siding with the Asakura Clan, and siding with the Oda Clan, these are things that aren’t incompatible It’s not the case that if one is chosen, the other will disappear We should value both as important」

While looking around the reception hall, I glanced at Tsunechika and Koreyasu Though, they looked away from me quickly

「Especially, if nobunaga-dono captures Mino, then the adhly important When the main road is maintained, traffic will increase, and human activity will be stiest places in the world, with Mino followed by Owari There is not one foolish person ouldn’t use this」

Masa quietly, I raised my voice to the relatives

「Everyone, there’ll be no objections We will deepen our relations with the Oda Clan」

Sure enough, in the Azai Clan– the Asakura faction, including Hisa anymore

◇

「Elder Brother!」

「Oh, what is it Masamoto?」