Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Still, As Expected
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"Let me get straight to the point. What do you think about me marrying Lord Hirate's adopted son, Hikage?"
"...Pardon?"
Baek Il-yeong's feelings upon hearing Nobuyuki's words could be summed up in a single phrase.
'What nonsense is this...'
At least this time, he managed to hold back from blurting it out impulsively—progress, perhaps. Wondering if it was some joke a modern person might not get, Il-yeong took a moment to gauge the mood before a single word came to mind, making him smile bitterly.
'Political marriage.'
Why hadn't he thought of that right away?
It must have been because he'd never experienced someone proposing marriage upon their first meeting.
And rightly so—for now, Il-yeong wasn't a ronin from Joseon; he was the eldest son of the Hirate family. So Nobuyuki wasn't smitten with him at first sight or anything; she simply needed the Hirate name.
'I thought I was fully aware of that... tch.'
Apparently, he couldn't shake his modern sensibilities that easily. In this era, marriage for those in power was more about alliances than love.
"Hmmm."
Unaware or perhaps unconcerned with Il-yeong's thoughts, Nobuyuki flashed her signature sly smile as she watched him stay silent and spoke up.
"What do you say? Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good catch, don't you think? I've even heard I'm prettier than my sister."
'...Not really.'
Il-yeong swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and forced an awkward smile. Nobuyuki was undoubtedly a beauty. Her hair gleamed with care, her skin so fair it almost seemed pale. If he had to describe her, she was like a sly courtesan reborn as a woman.
But was she more beautiful than Nobunaga, as she claimed? Personally, no. Nobuyuki was lovely, but Nobunaga was just as stunning.
If anything, their beauty pointed in different directions. Nobuyuki evoked a sly cat, while Nobunaga was like a wild wolf.
"I appreciate the kind words, my lady. I had no idea you'd think so highly of my adopted son. However, he falls far short of being a suitable match for you. Please reconsider."
"Hmmm? What do you mean by that?"
Hirate Masahide quickly regained his composure and expressed his refusal as politely as possible. But Nobuyuki wasn't convinced; instead, she smirked oddly and stepped right up to Il-yeong.
"He's so sturdy-looking."
Il-yeong was tall—not by modern standards, but by this era's. So it was natural for Nobuyuki to look up at him.
"...Ahem."
And in a situation where a beauty was smiling up at him, that was the best reaction Il-yeong could muster. If she were an ordinary woman, he might have cracked a joke to ease the awkwardness, but she was the lord's rival and not just any sister. Silence was the wiser choice.
"What do you think, Lord Hikage? Do you dislike me?"
Her words carried a hint of regret and subtle pressure. But Il-yeong just averted his gaze and kept his mouth shut.
Am I insane? Walking straight into ruin.
Of course, if he changed his mind and served Nobuyuki, he was confident he could help her take Owari—no, even Mino. But why bother?
"Hmm."
As Il-yeong continued to withhold a reply, Nobuyuki's pride seemed a bit wounded; she shot him a glare and opened her mouth to speak.
But at that moment—
"Nobuyuki. Has your taste shifted to monkeys in the meantime?"
A woman's voice rang out, laced with faint irritation yet brimming with leisure, drawing everyone's eyes.
"Greetings, my lord."
"We greet you, my lord."
Once they confirmed her face, everyone bowed their heads. It was only natural—the master of these lands had arrived.
Il-yeong bowed in greeting as well, then took in Nobunaga approaching with her distinctive gait and attire.
Her unkempt short hair—messy yet alluring rather than dirty—swayed behind her, a matchlock rifle engraved with gold insignia slung across her back. Her deep indigo robe hung to her elbows as always, her chest precariously held by loosely wrapped bandages.
And trailing her was Yoshinari with her gray ponytail and ample... no, voluptuous figure, flanked by samurai.
"Sister. Long time no see?"
While everyone else bowed, Nobuyuki alone kept her head raised. Everyone knew how dangerous that was, yet no one called her out on it.
"Yeah, Nobuyuki. First time since Father's funeral? Hard to even catch a glimpse of you."
Even Nobunaga skipped the empty pleasantries and cut straight to the chase. She slowed her steps, stopping not far from Nobuyuki, then spoke.
"But after all this time coming to see my face, the first thing you do is eye my monkey? How mischievous."
'...Monkey.'
Il-yeong genuinely pondered staring into a mirror to check if he resembled one, but Nobunaga brushed it off. Nobuyuki, however, latched onto it with a fresh look of surprise.
"Oh my, Sister. Calling a person a monkey? That's no way to speak to a retainer. And this face a monkey? Have you hurt your eyes?"
Yeah, exactly.
Even Il-yeong, who hadn't taken a shine to Nobuyuki, had to side with her this once. Being called a Joseon devil was one thing he could shrug off, but a monkey? No way. He wouldn't claim to be handsome, but he was at least presentable.
"Anyway, since you've come here, you must have noticed the Imagawa movements too."
Nobunaga dropped the topic involving Il-yeong and shifted gears, ignoring her sister's remark. Nobuyuki eyed her in mild surprise before replying softly.
"Well, of course. Looks like their lord is getting itchy."
"With their rear secure, they're starting to eye Kyoto. Cocky bastards."
Listening to the sisters' exchange, Il-yeong nodded unwittingly. At this time, the Imagawa had sealed their rear with a political marriage to the Hojo and brokered one between Takeda and Hojo.
'Sure, but regardless, anyone at their peak would crave the realm.'
Unlike other daimyo, Imagawa hadn't undergone TS. Which meant...
'When I lop off his head at Okehazama, there'll be less guilt.'
Even a beauty he'd behead if necessary, but if he had to, better a handsome man than a beauty—middle-aged uncle preferable.
'...Not that it makes it okay.'
Beheading people wasn't normal, rationally. When he'd taken Nobutomo's head, if not for that hot night with Yoshinari, he might have had nightmares.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Recalling that night made him glance at Yoshinari, who blushed faintly and looked away. Her cuteness only made him smile more.
"Then..."
Meanwhile, the sisters wrapped their tense talk and spoke almost in unison.
"We'll discuss the details inside."
"Let's talk specifics indoors."
Thanks to them, Il-yeong thought:
'...I was gonna eat and take a nap.'
And was forced to follow them into the inner citadel.
Nobuyuki hadn't come alone with Shibata Katsuie; heavy retainers were included. The reason was simple.
She knew it too.
That vying for the daimyo seat was crucial to ruling Owari, but ignoring external threats could hand the province to someone else.
'Yeah, all well and good, but...'
"Yawn."
Il-yeong lightly tapped Onimaru Kunitsuna at his waist and yawned.
'Why am I here...'
His original plan was a good meal and nap to reward his hard work, but things had gone utterly awry. And one more thing grated on his nerves.
"...Why are you being such a pain, Itsuki?"
"I get how Hideyoshi feels. Drop dead, you Joseon devil."
It was Itsuki glaring at him jealously and muttering. The guy hurled insults like "devil" and "trash," prompting Il-yeong to protest with a wronged expression.
"What did I even do?"
How could he not feel wronged? He hadn't done anything to deserve it. But Itsuki, envy twisting his face, shot back.
"Anyone could see those sisters fighting over one guy. Don't even try to deny—!"
"What bullshit... Never mind."
Knowing it was just teasing, Il-yeong shook his head with a sigh. Honestly, it didn't sit well.
'If it were serious, maybe.'
In the end, what she wanted wasn't the man Baek Il-yeong, but Hirate Hikage, the family heir. No wonder it irked him.
'Yoshinari's better anyway.'
Pretty, good personality, big breasts. Especially those breasts...
"Ahem."
An awkward cough reached Il-yeong's ears as he entertained that perfectly innocent thought. He looked up toward the sound and asked upon recognizing the source.
"What is it, Lady Shibata?"
It was Shibata Katsuie. With her signature blonde hair cascading down and a red oni mask on, she stood before him. Taking her in, Il-yeong couldn't help recalling the historical figure.
'I figured the fierce general image meant a more boisterous personality, but this is unexpected.'
Shibata Katsuie was often depicted as bold and hearty, but this world's version—this woman—seemed different. Composed, quick to read situations, like a reliable big sister.
"I hear you're from Joseon."
But her next words forced Il-yeong to revise that assessment.
"How about a spar?"
Still, a Shibata was a Shibata.