Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: The Eve of the Storm (1)
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At Baek Il-yeong's call, Shibata Katsuie strode forward with a pleased expression, having recognized him instantly despite the considerable distance.
"Yes, it's me."
Even with her lower face concealed by a mask, Shibata Katsuie greeted Baek Il-yeong with a bright smile in her eyes.
Her usual stiff tone hadn't vanished entirely, but whether due to their growing familiarity or the realization that they would soon fight under the same banner, it felt noticeably warmer now.
"You have freedom of movement."
"Thanks to you."
Was it because of that?
'……!'
Some of the samurai who knew her personality well stared at her in quiet surprise, but Baek Il-yeong and Shibata Katsuie paid them no mind.
"Ah."
Meanwhile, Shibata Katsuie gave a light nod of greeting to Akechi Mitsuhide and Itsuki standing beside Baek Il-yeong, then cut straight to the point before he could even ask.
And that topic was none other than Dota Gozen.
"Lady Dota Gozen and Lady Oichi are at Suemori. They will likely visit once Nobunaga... no, Lady Nobunaga and Lady Nobuyuki finish their rough negotiations."
Dota Gozen.
The wife of the previous Daimyo Oda Nobuhide and mother to the sisters vying for control of Owari Province, she bore no official blame for their conflict—at least on the surface.
Of course, everyone knew it was a blatant cover-up, but there was no helping it.
A mishandled situation could later tarnish Oda Nobunaga's legitimacy.
"I see."
How could Baek Il-yeong not understand that?
He nodded, inadvertently glancing over Shibata Katsuie before fixing her with a faint smile, staring intently at her face.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?"
It was due to Baek Il-yeong's gaze.
Caught off guard by his sudden attention, Shibata Katsuie flushed and could only ask in return.
And at that moment.
—Swish.
Baek Il-yeong reached out toward her face, and Shibata Katsuie instinctively froze stiff, closing her eyes.
But in that instant.
—Tap.
"I'm glad it fits well. I was worried since I guessed the size."
Baek Il-yeong's finger lightly touched the nose of the oni mask—the one he had gifted her—before pulling away.
"……."
Only then did Shibata Katsuie realize he had been checking the mask she herself had received as a gift, and her face burned red.
Fortunately, the mask hid it, so Baek Il-yeong merely smiled in satisfaction at her rolling eyes.
'…….'
'……Huh.'
Meanwhile, Akechi Mitsuhide and Itsuki, watching from the side, thought to themselves.
'If that was truly unintentional, maybe there's a reason he had to flee Joseon.'
You know how it is.
Something like love transcending status...
They call it a beauty that topples kingdoms, don't they? A woman so stunning she could ruin a nation.
Itsuki and Akechi Mitsuhide's eyes met almost simultaneously. They knew it was absurd, yet for some reason, it didn't feel entirely impossible.
Of course, having observed Baek Il-yeong closely all this time, the two knew most of his actions came straight from the heart.
'If that was an act...'
Wouldn't that make him terrifying in his own way?
"Huh?"
It was while Itsuki and Akechi Mitsuhide were sorting through their thoughts. Akechi Mitsuhide, who had been absentmindedly clearing her complicated mind, looked up and spotted a woman, recognizing her instantly and murmuring her name without thinking.
"Lady Mori?"
"Ah!"
Mori Yoshinari smiled at Akechi Mitsuhide's mutter and ran toward Baek Il-yeong. Baek Il-yeong, mid-conversation with Shibata Katsuie, noticed her and turned his gaze.
"Yoshinari."
"Il-yeong!"
Was it because he called her name?
Mori Yoshinari beamed brightly as she rushed to him, then looped her arm through his with a wide grin.
"Hee."
Her slightly flushed cheeks and the gray ponytail swaying with every turn of her head amplified her puppy-like charm.
Baek Il-yeong gazed at her fondly and asked.
"What brings you here?"
"The Daimyo summoned me. Hee."
Unlike their first meeting, they now both held positions, so she used formal speech, yet the distance between them felt endlessly close.
...Was it because of that?
Shibata Katsuie, who had been watching them intently for a moment, spoke up as if addressing someone specific.
"By the way, I'm so fond of this oni mask you personally commissioned from the artisan as a gift. Is there no way I can repay the favor?"
It was laced with unnecessary flourishes.
Itsuki and Akechi Mitsuhide noticed and glanced at Mori Yoshinari's expression, and sure enough.
"……."
Mori Yoshinari's honeyed gray eyes, fixed on Baek Il-yeong, held a subtle displeasure. Soon, Shibata Katsuie met her gaze silently as well.
Meanwhile, oblivious or not to the tension between the two women, Baek Il-yeong pondered Shibata Katsuie's words before responding.
"There's nothing I particularly need."
"But accepting your kindness without reciprocating would trouble my conscience."
Baek Il-yeong nodded at her words.
He could see her point.
After a brief think, he told her.
"I'll think it over and let you know later."
It might sound like a polite refusal at first, but Shibata Katsuie nodded as if she knew Baek Il-yeong wasn't one to go back on his word.
Mori Yoshinari, who had been listening quietly, also nodded readily, deeming it sufficient.
Itsuki, Akechi Mitsuhide, and the guards were just about to sigh in relief at the smooth resolution when.
"Ah, but Il-yeong."
Mori Yoshinari glanced at the nodding Shibata Katsuie, then turned to Baek Il-yeong with a beaming smile.
Before he could reply, she asked softly, in a voice only those present could hear.
"Have you decided on the baby's name?"
"Uh...?"
Naturally, everyone—including Shibata Katsuie—froze stiff.
*
Mori Yoshinari sauntered into the Tenshu Pavilion with a triumphant smile after her parting shot, leaving Baek Il-yeong looking awkward as he watched her go. Shibata Katsuie offered a brief farewell and departed as well.
Only then did Baek Il-yeong realize the subtle battle between the two women and gave a wry smile. Itsuki, watching from the side, remarked.
"...Karma."
Baek Il-yeong couldn't bring himself to deny it.
How could he?
He inwardly pondered if he was simply oblivious.
Thus, he ignored Akechi Mitsuhide's half-lidded stare at the back of his head and kept walking.
—Step.
However, his destination wasn't the Hirate family estate but the residential quarters within the castle.
How long had he walked?
The patrolling samurai and ashigaru spotted him and hurried over, bowing deeply.
"Lord Hirate! What brings you here...?"
"Are both inside?"
"Yes, they are."
"Tell them I wish to see them."
"Understood!"
At his command, the samurai nodded and relayed the message inside. Soon, a female attendant emerged, bowing gracefully to Baek Il-yeong.
"Please, come in."
Without a word, Baek Il-yeong simply nodded and entered the building.
—Step.
Pebbles and dirt crunched under his feet. He soon straightened upon seeing two women sitting on the veranda overlooking the courtyard.
"Lord Hikage!"
Kicho, with silver hair cascading to her waist and silver eyes, her petite frame suiting the term "hime" perfectly, smiled brightly at seeing Baek Il-yeong after so long.
"Lord Hirate."
Ikoma Kitsuno, with her shoulder-length brown-tinted hair exuding mature beauty, welcomed him with her usual composed grace.
And so Baek Il-yeong...
—Rustle.
"Lady Nohime, Lady Ikoma."
Gathering the wide sleeves of his robe and bowing slightly, he murmured their names as they awaited him.
"It's been too long."
With that greeting, Baek Il-yeong took in the sight of the two women looking at him.