Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: A Brief Rest (15)
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Right after Il-yeong left.
Nobunaga and Nobuyuki sat in silence for a while, staring at each other without a word.
Jet-black hair falling to her shoulders.
Dark golden eyes.
Jet-black hair cascading down to her waist.
Bright golden eyes.
They resembled each other so closely that it only heightened the distance between them. After gazing intently at one another for a long moment, the sisters opened their mouths almost simultaneously.
"Nobuyuki."
"Sister."
And just as quickly, they both closed their mouths.
An awkward silence passed once more, until Nobuyuki finally spoke up.
"...I'll admit it. I lost."
It was neither an excuse nor a lament—just a calm confession. And wasn't that the truth?
Nobuyuki had been defeated in the Oda clan conflict.
And Nobunaga had emerged victorious.
But there was one thing worth noting.
"However, you know it too, Sister. This isn't your victory."
"Yeah."
At first glance, it sounded like a refusal to accept defeat, but surprisingly, Nobunaga nodded readily at her sister's bold murmur.
"We owe him a lot."
Oda Nobunaga and Oda Nobuyuki.
The two sisters found themselves thinking of the man who had appeared in Owari like a passing breeze, without warning.
Baek Il-yeong.
Hirate Hikage now.
Retracing the path he had walked brought nothing but laughter.
Hadn't he toppled Kiyosu Castle?
Become the adopted son of the Hirate family.
From Murakitori Pass to Mino, and even subduing Nobuyuki herself.
Over the past year and more of turbulent events, there was no place untouched by his footprints.
Even more astonishing was that every step had ended in victory.
"Heh."
Thinking that far, Nobunaga couldn't help but chuckle unconsciously.
"As if he knew the future or something."
Even that thought slipped out unbidden—Il-yeong's actions had been consistently aggressive and unconventional.
"...Though his way with women is a flaw."
Even if the only women he'd been physically intimate with were Mori Yoshinari and Oda Nobunaga, they knew better. Being cautious didn't stop rumors from spreading.
"True enough."
Nobuyuki nodded at that too. But why did it prick her conscience?
"Anyway, the reason I came today is..."
With that, Nobuyuki swiftly changed the subject to the main point. Fortunately, Nobunaga simply nodded silently, without comment on her sister's attitude.
Relieved inwardly, Nobuyuki managed to say what she'd planned.
"I'll cooperate with you, Sister. But if I ever think you're lacking, I'll aim for that seat again anytime."
A rather bold...
No, it was the kind of statement that would make any lord seated on the throne fly into a rage.
As if Nobuyuki didn't know that.
Precisely because she did, she added,
"So if you're going to kill me, do it now."
It was a blood kin's warning: unless you force me to acknowledge you, I'll always eye the throne. From her seated position at the head, Nobunaga stared silently at Nobuyuki before finally speaking.
"Do you want to die, Nobuyuki?"
She knew those words weren't mere warnings—they could become reality right before her eyes.
Tension naturally filled the air.
"...".
Nobunaga, seated and gazing coldly at her younger sister, swept her with a chilling stare.
"...".
Even knowing a single command could mean death for her and all her followers, Nobuyuki didn't yield. Sweat beading on her brow, she met her sister's gaze unflinchingly.
And at that moment.
―Shing.
The ninjas waiting in the ceiling and next room, along with the samurai, had all their senses focused, ready to subdue Nobuyuki at her order.
How long did that suffocating silence last?
"―Ha."
With a sigh-like exhale, Nobunaga's lips parted. Looking at her tension-sweat-drenched sister, she burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha, hahaha!"
"...?"
Surprisingly, it was Nobuyuki who was startled.
She hadn't expected Nobunaga to laugh so heartily, so she rolled her eyes awkwardly, waiting for her words.
Of course, she didn't let her guard down.
It might be a laugh of absurdity or anger, after all. But her worries proved unfounded as Nobunaga laughed until tears welled up, then caught her breath.
"Haa, whew."
Then, waving a hand at Nobuyuki, who stared blankly as if unsure how to react,
"Fine. I look forward to it. Pull me down anytime you like."
"...You're joking."
"But to do that,"
As Nobuyuki bristled, about to insist she was serious at Nobunaga's seemingly playful reply, Nobunaga added with an incongruously bright smile,
"You'll have to defeat him first. Nobuyuki, my little sister."
"...Ah."
Only then did Nobuyuki realize the source of Nobunaga's confidence.
Nobunaga believed it.
No one else mattered—she'd have to get past Hirate Hikage first. No, Baek Il-yeong. And it wouldn't be easy.
―Crunch.
Nobuyuki bit her lip without realizing.
"...Yeah."
She was envious.
And she had no choice but to acknowledge it.
There were many mountains to climb to reach Nobunaga, but the greatest, like Mount Tai itself, was none other than Baek Il-yeong.
Whether sensing her feelings or not,
Oda Nobunaga licked her lips unconsciously and continued.
"You'll have to call him brother-in-law now. He's my husband, after all."
Nobuyuki didn't reply.
But Nobunaga just shrugged, assuming her sister was lost in thought.
However, at that moment.
"...Yeah. I'll do as you say, Sister."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Nobuyuki responded to Nobunaga's question with a refined smile.
Afterward, they quickly settled the retainers' dispositions and rose from their seats.
"Well then, I'll be going."
Contrary to everyone's expectations, the sisters' meeting proceeded smoothly, heading in a rather positive direction.
They hadn't bared their souls completely, but this level of distance was right for them.
They were still too far apart to delve deeper.
―Click.
As Nobuyuki reached for the door to leave, she turned her head slightly and asked Nobunaga,
"You're really okay with it?"
"Huh?"
Nobunaga shrugged lightly, asking what she meant, and Nobuyuki continued with a meaningful smile.
"Doing it just like you said."
"Ah, yeah. Go ahead."
At Nobuyuki's need for confirmation, Nobunaga nodded carelessly, seeming annoyed. Truth be told, the aftermath from last night and this morning still lingered.
"Good. Then you've agreed too, Sister."
With that, Nobuyuki silently exited the room. The guarding samurai's gazes weren't friendly, but she just smiled as she passed them.
'Sister permitted my rebellion.'
Of course, it didn't mean she'd stand by idly. It meant Nobunaga was confident she could crush any uprising anytime.
Practically speaking, rebuilding forces was impossible. At least now, Nobunaga firmly held power in Owari.
So for Nobuyuki, what was the safest, surest path to the Daimyo seat?
'Gain the heavyweights' support and gradually swallow the clan.'
The Oda clan didn't have many heavyweight families.
But at the pinnacle was undoubtedly the Hirate family.
'And I have the pretext.'
Her own sister—the Daimyo herself, Oda Nobunaga—had permitted it.
To defeat her brother-in-law, the next head of the Hirate family: Hirate Hikage.
"I'll defeat him."
Nobuyuki vowed as she descended the stairs.
She would bring him down on the futon, no matter what.
'Somehow, a night visit.'
With that resolve, she silently left the Tenshukaku. And at that moment.
"Huh?"
Feeling a sudden chill, Il-yeong shivered lightly. Itsuki, guarding him, asked,
"What's wrong, my lord?"
"Nah, just..."
A cold wave had hit him briefly, but the surroundings had warmed up. Shaking it off, Il-yeong stepped outside the inner citadel.
But then.
"Baek... no, Lord Hirate!"
Turning at the familiar voice calling from behind as he walked, he had no choice but to smile brightly in response.
"Ah, Lord Shibata!"
It was none other than Shibata Katsuie, wearing the mask Il-yeong had gifted her, running toward him with a somewhat brighter expression.