Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Father? (3)
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The banquet dragged on late into the night. However, with the potential threat of Nobuyuki still hanging over them, they couldn't fully let their guard down, so Nobunaga disbanded it around midnight.
Thanks to that, Hirate Hikage—no, Il-yeong and the other retainers were finally able to leave the banquet hall.
"My lord, let's hurry back."
"Haha... yes, let's do that."
Of course, hardly anyone headed straight home. Most of the retainers vanished into the night with women or men in tow.
However, Il-yeong and Hirate Masahide had little interest in courtesans to begin with, so they set off to leave the castle. But at that moment...
"Lord Hirate."
Swish.
A faint breeze from her folding fan made her indigo hair sway. Covering her mouth with the fan, she smiled seductively with a low chuckle.
"It's been a while. Hehe."
"...O-oh, it's been a while! Lady Hirate!"
Glancing a bit further back, there stood a girl with red short hair and a protruding left canine, visibly tense at first glance.
They were complete strangers to Il-yeong, so he had no idea who they were. But Hirate Masahide, who had seen them countless times before, responded with a faint smile.
"Indeed, it's been a while. Lady Niwa. Lady Maeda."
"Hehe. 'Lady'? That's too much."
"Lady" was a honorific typically used for those holding official positions, ranks, or equivalent status. So Masahide attaching it to these still-young women was almost a joke. And to Il-yeong, it felt refreshingly novel.
'...He even cracks jokes. More importantly...'
No matter how he looked at them, the two women didn't seem that old. So if they were from the Niwa and Maeda families, they were probably—
'The one with indigo hair and the more mature face is Niwa Nagahide. The short-haired one with the prominent canine is Maeda Toshiie.'
Both were key retainers of Oda Nobunaga. They hadn't yet risen to prominence due to their youth and lack of major achievements, but as heirs to notable families, there was no great cause for concern.
'Though Maeda Toshiie does get into trouble and fall out of favor sometimes...'
That was something that could easily be prevented.
As he observed them with interest, Il-yeong soon found himself flustered. And for good reason.
"Hmph."
Maeda Toshiie, with her red short hair and prominent left canine, turned her head away the moment their eyes met, snorting softly.
She looked like a cat acting up out of spite, but it was naturally bewildering.
"More importantly, there were so many clamoring for the adoption into your family, Lord Hirate. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised."
Niwa Nagahide, of course, couldn't ignore it, so she quickly changed the subject.
'That's true enough.'
Il-yeong had to agree to some extent. Being adopted by Hirate Masahide practically guaranteed success, given Nobunaga's power.
'Of course, I never aimed for it.'
Il-yeong gave a wry smile. Objectively, it wasn't a bad outcome at all. Even if he hadn't sought it, few would now dare to mess with Il-yeong—or rather, Hirate Hikage.
But Il-yeong had no intention of fully embracing the name Hirate Hikage.
'My name is Baek Il-yeong. Not some Joseon ronin—Baek Il-yeong from 21st-century Korea.'
Even if he couldn't return, that much wouldn't change. Il-yeong etched it deep into his heart.
Meanwhile, as Il-yeong pondered this, Hirate Masahide gazed at the two like doting granddaughters and replied with a benevolent smile.
"What would you young ones want with an old man's child? Such excessive attention."
Niwa Nagahide let out a light laugh from behind her fan at his words.
"So humble."
"Forget that guy—adopt me as your daughter instead... Mmph!"
Of course, the hot-blooded Maeda Toshiie tried to charge ahead again, but Niwa Nagahide clamped her mouth shut this time, giving Il-yeong an awkward smile.
"Sorry about that. She admires you so much, Lord Hirate. Anyway, I'm Nagahide of the Niwa family. Pleased to meet you."
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
With her mouth covered by Niwa Nagahide's hand, Maeda Toshiie struggled futilely against her surprisingly strong grip, unable to speak.
The pair looked just like something out of an anime, so Il-yeong couldn't help chuckling as he stepped forward and said in a gentle voice,
"Likewise, pleased to meet you. Lady Niwa. Lady Maeda."
"...Oh my."
And in that moment,
Niwa Nagahide felt a slight flutter watching Il-yeong.
He was taller than the burly Hirate Masahide—a build rare for this era—and the moonlight softly illuminating his handsome face only enhanced his appeal.
His demeanor was courteous yet dignified, not servile. Even Maeda Toshiie, who had glared at him hostilely, wavered for a moment.
"Ahem. It's late, so we should head back."
Perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere,
Hirate Masahide cut the conversation short with a glance at Il-yeong, who promptly bowed briefly to the women and followed behind him.
"...Take care."
"T-take care, Lord Hirate!"
As the two departed, Maeda Toshiie belatedly showed her hostility, burning with determination.
'...Did he seduce the lord with that face? Damn it... I almost fell for it too...!'
Beauty as a weapon had been used countless times in history. Whoever was behind him, he'd already bewitched Lord Hirate and the Daimyo.
'I have to... I have to save everyone...!'
Of course, it was utter nonsense, but it was the kind of imagination a 16-year-old girl could indulge in.
However, Niwa Nagahide eyed Il-yeong's broad shoulders with interest and a hint of allure, thinking,
'...Hmm. Marriage to the Hirate heir might not be so bad.'
Political marriages were practically mandatory, and from her perspective, Il-yeong was quite attractive. Beyond the family prestige, a handsome face was a bonus.
Of course, to Il-yeong, it would feel like someone chasing rice cake dreams while he had none to give.
The two watched the departing men with utterly opposing thoughts as the night deepened further.
Il-yeong and Hirate Masahide exited the castle into the sparsely populated streets outside, where Hirate family samurai who had been waiting bowed to them.
"This way, family head. Young master."
Already informed, they called Il-yeong "young master" without hesitation. Il-yeong couldn't help but be impressed inwardly by their loyalty.
'To treat me, who was just a Joseon ronin until recently, like this. Impressive.'
Especially since they were samurai with strong pride. With that thought, Il-yeong followed the walking Hirate Masahide.
With no streetlights or special illumination, they had to rely on moonlight, but fortunately, it was bright.
How long had they walked?
Masahide, who had been walking silently, finally spoke softly.
"That samurai named Itsuki is one I've had my eye on. I'll assign him as your bodyguard in a few days."
His voice held no emotion whatsoever—not fondness, nor hostility. So Il-yeong had to ask.
"Why is that?"
"Why what?"
As Il-yeong and Hirate Masahide stopped, the samurai halted as well, turning their backs a short distance away. Now alone, Il-yeong asked.
"I mean, why adopt me? It can't be because you like me."
He couldn't help being curious. No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for Masahide to adopt him.
"A reason."
Masahide mulled over the question for a moment before replying softly.
"I hold no feelings toward you. Neither fondness nor enmity."
"Then why...?"
"However."
Interrupting Il-yeong, Hirate Masahide continued.
"It's for the sake of our lord who wishes to use you."
"...Pardon?"
What did that mean?
Il-yeong couldn't comprehend at first, but Masahide's following words left him staring blankly.
"If the Daimyo promotes you directly and something goes wrong, it's her failure. But as my adopted son, any responsibility falls on me and my family."
"...Good lord."
A chill ran down his spine.
'No wonder he could commit seppuku for Oda Nobunaga.'
This time, Il-yeong was genuinely impressed.
In short, he'd staked his family to reduce Nobunaga's political risk in enlisting Il-yeong.
Hirate Masahide regarded Il-yeong with his usual impassive eyes. Meeting them briefly, Il-yeong chuckled and replied.
"Don't worry. Father-in-law... no, foster father."
Stepping closer, he gently gripped the old man's shoulder—the one he'd saved from seppuku—and whispered just loud enough for him alone, with confident resolve.
"From the moment I saved your life, I've decided to stand with the Oda clan."
"...I see."
It could be seen as arrogant, but Hirate Masahide merely smiled faintly and turned.
"Let's go, Hikage."
"...Heh. Very well."
The name still didn't sit right no matter how he thought about it, but Il-yeong shrugged and followed.
'I won't acknowledge him as "Father"...'
Still,
he seemed like a pretty respectable adult.
With that thought, Il-yeong trailed behind him until they reached the Hirate family gate, where a familiar voice rang out.
"Welcome home, Father. And..."
Her neatly bobbed hair, sharp as if cut by a blade, draped like a curtain as she bowed slowly. Despite her small frame, she exuded an air of dignity.
And from her lips
came an utterly unexpected form of address.
"Pleased to meet you, big brother."
Il-yeong could only smile awkwardly in bewilderment.
'Never thought I'd end up with a little sister too.'