Chapter 73

Eiroku 15 (1572) Mid-March Ōmi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle Kuki Moritsuna

"Milord"

A hesitant voice came from the next room, muffled by the shoji screen. It's calling me. Tonight's guard duty was with Akiba Kyubei and Saito Yoshisuke; this voice must be Kyubei's.

"What is it, Kyubei?"

In the next room, Yuki moved restlessly. I can't wake her.

"Kurono-sama requests an urgent audience."

Chuzo has come. In the past, he would enter directly, but now that Yuki and Saya are here, it's not possible. It's become inconvenient.

I took the katana I had hidden under the futon and left the room. Kyubei, Yoshisuke, and Chuzo were waiting there. It's cold.

"What is it, Chuzo?"

"The Saigō have—"

"Moved?"

"Yes."

Chuzo nodded vigorously. Kyubei and Yoshisuke must have anticipated this to some extent, as they didn't show much surprise.

"The Saigō forces have already landed in Settsu with about 12,000 troops. In Settsu, the lord of Ikeda Castle, Ikeda Chikugo-no-kami Masahiro, was assassinated by Ikeda Kyūzaemon Masahiro, who has joined the Saigō. Ikeda Kyūzaemon has joined the Saigō forces, and Iwata Jiro Masahiro of Iwata Castle in Kawabe District has also joined the Saigō. The Saigō forces are advancing, increasing their allies, and are now likely entering Yamashiro and heading towards the Muromachi Palace."

Kyubei and Yoshisuke showed genuine surprise. They must be shocked by the speed of the Saigō's advance and the unexpected weakness of Settsu.

"What about Wada?"

"They resisted, but—"

Chuzo shook his head.

"Did they lose?"

"Yes, they were outnumbered, and their fate is unknown."

"It couldn't be helped."

Wada, though the guardian of Settsu, was like a rootless weed in Settsu. He couldn't have resisted the large Saigō army. Moreover, Ikeda and Iwata have joined the Saigō. Other local lords will likely join the Saigō as well. The soldiers will recognize the danger of being isolated and will likely be defeated without much of a fight. I looked at Chuzo, who nodded. Even if Wada survives, the Hachimon will act to end his life. Wada, the guardian of Settsu, is an obstacle. He will die without serving any purpose, creating a flow where Settsu will be under Kuki's control.

"Have you informed Sakamoto Shinsuke?"

"Yes."

I have entrusted 3,000 troops to Sakamoto. I told Shinsuke that it's fine if Yoshizaki dies, but not to take unnecessary risks. Shinsuke seems to have understood my intentions to some extent. He had a bewildered look but didn't blame me. From Shinsuke's perspective, Yoshizaki is only an obstacle to Kuki. He might deliberately move slowly towards Kyoto.

"Kyubei, what time is it?"

Seeing Kyubei hesitate, Chuzo said, "It must be close to the hour of the hare." Kyubei looked embarrassed, but as a guard, he should naturally be aware of the time. Saito Shirobei was also looking down. I warned them to be more careful in the future. It's almost dawn, around 6 a.m. It's cold and still dark; I don't want to go.

"I'm going to mobilize. Kyubei, inform everyone."

"Yes."

Kyubei left, and I followed. The war drums and conch shells will soon sound, causing a commotion. According to Kuki's rules, we must be ready to mobilize within half an hour. This time, we can't use the local lords; we will move with Kuki's direct forces. We will leave 10,000 troops at Shimizu and advance on Kyoto with the remaining 30,000.

"Saito Shirobei"

"Yes."

"Inform the prince that we are mobilizing. He should prepare immediately."

"Yes."

Saito Shirobei left the room. We will mobilize at dawn. Will Kōnoe Masahiro be surprised? No, he has participated in battles in the Kantō, so he might not be. By the time we mobilize, it will be daylight.

"Chuzo"

"Yes."

"Keep an eye on Sakai and Hongan-ji."

"Yes."

According to Chuzo's investigation, Sakai has been providing significant assistance to the Saigō in terms of weapons. As merchants, they have no choice, but it can be used as a pretext to blame them. I have been granted permission to place a governor in Sakai but haven't done so yet. This time, I will blame Sakai, abolish its autonomy, and place a governor. Hongan-ji has not shown any movement in the Kinai region but is actively involved in the Chūgoku region. They seem to be forming an alliance with the daimyo of the Chūgoku region to oppose Kuki. Their target is naturally the great lord of the western provinces, Mōri.

When I returned to my sleeping quarters, Yuki was awake, looking at me with a worried expression.

"The Saigō are attacking Kyoto."

"Oh!"

"I'm mobilizing. Can you wake Saya?"

"Yes."

Yuki prepared herself and went to Saya. I returned to my room and started changing. The war drums and conch shells sounded, like a festival.

The castle was in a flurry of activity. The sound of running footsteps and tense voices echoed through the corridors, even reaching the lord's room. The castle must be in a state of chaos. As I changed, the pages helped me put on the Nanban armor. When I finished, Saya, Yuki, and Aya Mama appeared, each carrying a tray. Aya Mama's tray had a bowl and chopsticks, Saya's tray had a rice box and a plate of pickles, and Yuki's tray had a kettle on a cloth.

Aya Mama skillfully prepared the rice soup, serving it in a bowl with hot water and pickles. She handed it to me on the tray. I took it and ate it standing up. I wasn't imitating Nobunaga or trying to look cool; it was just easier to eat this way while wearing armor. Everyone else is probably doing the same.

"Mother, it's still cold even though it's mid-March. Please be careful."

"Yes, you be careful too."

"Thank you. Saya, Yuki, you also be careful. Take care of the children."

"Yes."

I forgot something.

"Mother, please take care of Tatsuhiko and Shino as well. And this time, I will also ask the prince to come with us, so please take care of Aki-maru as well."

"It will be fine."

When Saya asked when I would return, I said I would be back before the rice planting. It should be over by then.

After eating two bowls of rice soup, I left the room and headed to the great hall. It took another half an hour for everyone to gather. I wonder if Yoshizaki will still be alive when I get there. The Saigō forces will likely grow to about 20,000 by the time they reach the Muromachi Palace. There are some earthworks, moats, and walls, but how effective they will be... I might really die. Funerals are such a hassle. Who will be the chief mourner...

Eiroku 15 (1572) Mid-March Yamashiro Province, Katsurano and Atago Districts, Muromachi Palace, Hosokawa Fujitaka

"It's endless! Hyobu no Suke! We can't hold them off like this!"

"We can't give up! Brother! Allies will surely come!"

Amid the cacophony of soldiers' voices and the arrows piercing the air, I shouted at my brother.

"I know! But no reinforcements have come from Kawachi or Izumi yet!"

"Just a little longer! Just a little more patience!"

I can't blame my brother for showing signs of weakness. The Muromachi Palace is under attack by nearly 20,000 troops. We have only 1,000 allies, which is far too few to defend this vast palace. The eastern Karu-machi road, which my brother and I are defending, is under attack by about 2,000 Saigō troops. We are defending with fewer than 300 troops. I never thought the Saigō, who were driven out of Shikoku, still had this much strength...

No, it's not just the number of troops. Their tactics were also excellent. 15,000 troops attacked at dawn. We were able to respond because we received a report from Wada, the guardian of Settsu, but if we hadn't, the Muromachi Palace would have fallen without resistance. The battle has already lasted more than two hours since dawn. Wada, who sent the report, has not arrived. He must have been defeated, but can he somehow gather his troops and come here? No reinforcements have come from Izumi's Naito Bizen-no-kami, Kawachi's Saigō Masahiro, or Yamato's Matsunaga Tanba-no-kami. We need even one more ally now.

"Sanada-dono, Hosokawa-dono!"

Uesugi Nakamori Seishin approached, his armor clanking. His face was tense.

"What is it, Uesugi-dono?"

"The enemy from the southern Kita-komachi is gaining strength! We can't hold them off like this! Can you send some troops here?"

I exchanged glances with my brother. He frowned. It's impossible; the eastern side is also under attack, with the enemy crossing the moat and scaling the walls. My brother and I are personally firing arrows to hold them off!

"Uesugi-dono, as you can see, we are at our limit. Please check the north and west."

Uesugi's face darkened, but he nodded and left, his armor clanking. The situation in the north and west is likely no different. Uesugi must know this. We might not be able to hold on any longer. My brother's expression was one of despair.

"If Kuki were in Settsu..."

My brother groaned. Perhaps Settsu should have been entrusted to Kuki. This opinion was raised among us, but we couldn't oppose Yoshizaki's intention to prevent Kuki from becoming too powerful. If Kuki controlled Settsu, he would control Kyoto from both the east and west. Perhaps we were complacent after the Saigō were easily driven out of Shikoku.

Cheers erupted. What's happening? The allies are cheering. A warrior ran over.

"My lord, the enemy is retreating!"

"Is that true, Shinno?"

Shinno nodded vigorously.

"Kuki's forces have arrived!"

"Are you sure?"

"There's no mistake! The flag of the cornered four-star formation is visible!"

My brother nodded. They're here already, so quickly!

The Kuki forces entered the Muromachi Palace as the Saigō army regrouped. About 2,000 troops, but the morale of our soldiers improved. It doesn't seem to be the main force, probably just the vanguard. The commander was an old general over 60. I recognized him; it was definitely Miyagawa...

"I am Miyagawa Shinsuke. I have come at the order of my lord, Daisan Daifu."

"It's a relief, like meeting a Buddha in hell."

Yes, it's Shinsuke. He should be one of Kuki's hereditary retainers.

I immediately took him to Yoshizaki. Everyone gathered.

"Are you Miyagawa? Thank you for coming. But 2,000 troops are a bit insufficient."

Perhaps because he had been trembling in fear surrounded by the Saigō's large army, Yoshizaki now showed his dissatisfaction. Or perhaps he wasn't pleased to be saved by Kuki. Miyagawa Shinsuke slightly raised an eyebrow.

"I apologize. I was entrusted with 3,000 troops by my lord, but I left 1,000 behind to raise Kuki's flag behind the Saigō forces. That 1,000 would have made you feel more secure."

"Ah, so that's why the Saigō forces retreated. Well done, a seasoned veteran. Yoshizaki, he is very reliable."

My words were echoed by those around us, and Yoshizaki awkwardly nodded.

"Then, when will Daisan Daifu arrive?"

"I received the report at Sakamoto Castle and immediately mobilized the troops. The messenger went by boat from Sakamoto to Shimizu, so..."

Miyagawa Shinsuke tilted his head.

"Sakamoto? Then Daisan Daifu's main force should arrive in two to three hours."

"Yes, other allies should also come."

"The morale of the troops has improved. We can hold them off!"

"Of course. The Saigō must be anxious."

"Don't be complacent. The Saigō are serious. Don't underestimate them!"

"Let's feed the troops something while we can, and we should eat too."

Everyone laughed. Allies are coming soon. Just a little longer...

Eiroku 15 (1572) Early April, Izumi Province, Ōtori District, Sakai Town, Kuki Moritsuna

"The moat is deeper than I thought."

"Indeed."

"It won't be easy to capture."

"We can use large cannons. Bombarding the town will make them surrender quickly."

Kuki's generals, Gamō Uesugi-no-kami, Akechi Jūbei, Miyagawa Shinsuke, Tazawa Matasuke, and my uncles, were discussing while looking at Sakai. Including me, it felt like we were spectators. This is Sakai, the Venice of the East, and