Chapter 100
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: A Brief Rest (9)
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Having heard Oda Nobunaga's bashful confession and confirmed each other's feelings, what came next was a foregone conclusion.
Before long, the table laden with sake bottles and snacks had been pushed to the corner, and the two naturally leaned shoulder to shoulder beneath the sky slowly turning indigo.
That said, they didn't immediately consummate their relationship.
Sure, that wouldn't have been bad either, but the night was still young, and they had plenty of curiosities about one another.
"So, what kind of country is Joseon?"
"Hmm."
Il-yeong and Nobunaga.
With their future already promised, the two recited each other's names without reservation, and Il-yeong drew on his knowledge—perhaps from the 'real' Baek Il-yeong, who might now be dead—and continued.
"Joseon is... well, a wondrous country, I suppose."
This was the result of stripping away national pride or personal biases and viewing it as objectively as possible. Of course, since he couldn't distinguish every historical record, orthodox view, or outlier, there might be errors.
"Sometimes you wonder if it could be any more foolish... but somehow, it always pulls through crises. That's the kind of place it is."
Of course, crises, triumphs, and growth from them exist in every nation. Europe, America, China, Japan. South America and Southeast Asia have their own growth and trials too.
But whatever, he didn't know much about them anyway.
Il-yeong was just one person who'd only lived in the Republic of Korea, so he offered simple impressions.
"Sounds a lot like us."
Oda Nobunaga let out a wry chuckle at Il-yeong's words.
Born into chaotic times, praising a peaceful past while facing the bloodshed ahead, she must have felt those words even more deeply.
The conversation, which had started as idle chatter, gradually grew heavier. So, Il-yeong uncorked the gourd flask he'd kept nearby to wet his throat and took a sip before gazing out the window.
"The sun's setting."
"Yeah."
―Whooo.
The wind brushing the window reached the top floor of the castle keep, cool against their cheeks. Suddenly noticing Oda Nobunaga in her usual disheveled attire, Il-yeong casually draped his outer robe over her shoulders.
"Hmph."
A small, satisfied laugh drifted from beside him.
Though Nobunaga's demeanor was utterly endearing, Il-yeong didn't let it show and silently stared out the window.
Castle Keep
Despite the blatant 'heaven' in its name, it wasn't all that tall. Still, with its military purpose of surveying the battlefield, it wasn't low either.
The point was.
It was plenty sufficient for enjoying the surrounding natural scenery. Thanks to that, Il-yeong took in the distant mountains and villages around Kiyosu while lost in thought.
'Have we passed the early game now?'
Was it the alcohol?
Or just the mood?
Such a thought crossed his mind.
'If this story has an ending, where would we be right now?'
First off, there was Okehazama, then the Kiyosu Alliance. Followed by the conquest of Mino...
Il-yeong chuckled wryly as he pondered.
No matter how much he tried not to think about it, wasn't this path just too thorny? This was getting excessive.
That was when it happened.
"What are you thinking about?"
At Oda Nobunaga's gentle question from beside him, Il-yeong paused his thoughts and gazed at her. The most important figure in this journey filled his eyes, and unconsciously, he murmured her name.
"Nobunaga."
"Yes?"
"What is it you desire?"
In that moment, Nobunaga's head turned toward him as well. She blinked a few times, as if trying to read his intent, then tilted her head.
"Desire?"
"You know, like wanting to leave Owari, reach Kyoto, and become shogun. ...Or crossing the sea to devour Joseon and then Ming China."
Il-yeong added the last part with inner concern—and curiosity. At the same time, he realized this offhand question would serve as a milestone and crucial turning point for the journey ahead.
"Hmm."
Nobunaga pondered Il-yeong's question. It was, after all, what people commonly called ambition.
"Well."
The silence didn't last long.
Oda Nobunaga softly stroked the garment draped over her, then rested her head lightly on his shoulder before answering.
"I suppose becoming shogun is true, but..."
She said it as casually as if her dream were to be a housewife. As Il-yeong's lips curved into a smile at her demeanor,
"That's just a direction. It's too modest to call it true ambition."
Yet she didn't hesitate to comment on the Joseon conquest he'd mentioned.
"Conquering Joseon? Hmm. Leaving aside if it's possible, is there any real need?"
Dozens of issues immediately sprang to her mind. Never mind crossing by sea—it would be a full expedition. Even after a few years, securing supplies would be tough, not to mention the daimyo's resentment. And the short-term costs would be enormous, even if long-term gains might be substantial.
No matter the potential profits, it wasn't an enticing option. At least not right now.
"I see."
"Yes."
Il-yeong nodded, and Nobunaga did the same. Then, glancing at him cautiously, she asked tentatively,
"Surely you don't wish for that?"
She belatedly considered he might harbor ill feelings toward Joseon. After all, the reason he'd crossed over here was what it was.
"No way."
Il-yeong shook his head.
He had no particular feelings for Joseon to begin with, and even if he did, inciting foretold misfortune was madness. If anything, he felt relieved.
'Oda Nobunaga has no intention of going to Joseon.'
At least for now—with that caveat—but Il-yeong trusted her. Not the Oda Nobunaga of past history, but the one beside him.
"So, what is your ambition?"
Thus, he pressed for the words she'd swallowed.
She'd called shogun a mere direction, too modest for ambition. So what did she truly aspire to?
"Hmm."
At his question, Oda Nobunaga glanced at him, then chuckled softly. She reached for the sake flask in his hand. Naturally, Il-yeong handed it over. But in that moment—
―Swish.
Oda Nobunaga's hand gently brushed Il-yeong's cheek, and she leaned close to his ear, opening her mouth softly.
―Hoo.
A light breath flowed along his earlobe. Turning to meet her gaze, her face faintly flushed, she replied,
"I'll tell you later."
Il-yeong chuckled at her expression, then gently cupped her cheek and the nape of her neck, slowly pressing his lips to hers.
―Chuu.
Their lips, moistened by saliva, breath, and sake, met softly. Soon, their tongues intertwined.
―Haah.
A lewd, imagination-stirring sigh escaped.
Oda Nobuyuki.
Currently, she occupied the most ambiguous position in Kiyosu. Though she'd been the one to split the clan's forces, Oda Nobunaga hadn't imprisoned her. Instead, to guard against potential assassination or intrigue, she'd even assigned escorts while granting her freedom.
And that wasn't all.
She'd preserved Nobuyuki's rights—excluding sensitive matters like military command—at the same level as before.
Thanks to this, unlike her retainers from the Nobuyuki faction, she had some degree of freedom to act. Yet Oda Nobuyuki found her sister's generosity burdensome and somewhat hollow.
Allowing a former rival free rein in her own stronghold.
It carried profound implications.
First, it declared that Oda Nobuyuki could no longer oppose her, while keeping Nobuyuki's followers restrained to preempt internal strife.
Thus, after a night of deliberation, she ascended the castle keep to meet her sister—the lord to whom she'd surrendered.
Of course, some maids blocked her path...
"Though defeated, I've been granted status in the clan by the lord's grace. On what authority do you bar me?"
Her logic was impeccable, and she slipped past the flustered maids and samurai to reach the topmost floor of the castle keep.
"Hm?"
What she first sensed was tranquility...
No, emptiness.
The top floor of the castle keep was deserted.
No obstructing maids, not even minimal guards. Tilting her head, she dismissed it as another of her sister's eccentricities.
That was when it happened.
"―, ――."
A voice came from one of the many rooms on the upper floor. Assuming Nobunaga was there, she headed toward it.
What should she say?
She had many worries, but she'd come to see her face and talk first. Perhaps her sister hoped for and had allowed this very thing.
Thus, as she reached Oda Nobunaga's door—
"...Lord."
Just as she was about to call out—
"I'll tell you later."
A very low voice came from inside, and as Il-yeong entered and closed the door, Nobuyuki—glancing through the unclosed gap—saw.
―Mmph.
Oda Nobunaga.
And a man with broad shoulders unfit for one from the islands.
None other than Baek Il-yeong, kissing her.
