Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Sinful Man (4)
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“Ah, and...”
In response to Il-yeong's reaction, Shibata Katsuie brought up one discourtesy she'd been keeping to herself.
“A-about calling you by your given name before... I apologize. I got too excited and...”
Addressing someone you weren't close to by their given name was a grave breach of etiquette. Especially if that person was Lord Hirate's adopted son.
Of course, it didn't warrant a grand apology or anything like that. But for Katsuie, who inwardly wanted to maintain a good relationship with him, it had been nagging at her.
“Ah... Oh, right.”
However, Il-yeong himself could only react with bewilderment to her words. It was only then that he belatedly recalled Japanese customs.
But it wasn't a big deal.
He hadn't even considered it a problem in the first place, so how could he make an issue of it?
'Wait, maybe this is an opportunity?'
The very fact that she'd called him by name without thinking meant she felt at least a bit of fondness toward him.
In other words, a chance to get closer to her.
“No, not at all. If anything, it felt friendly, so I didn't mind one bit.”
With that in mind, Il-yeong flashed a hearty grin and replied.
“Ah...”
Katsuie stared blankly at Il-yeong for a moment, caught off guard—or perhaps surprised.
“W-well then.”
Realizing Nobuyuki was waiting for her, she gave a slight bow to Il-yeong, who was still seated, and hurried off.
Il-yeong tilted his head slightly at her oddly buoyant steps, but soon shrugged it off with a whatever, good is good attitude and picked up his chopsticks for the remaining food.
Meanwhile, Itsuki—who had been silently watching Il-yeong and the two women from the side—gazed at him with eyes full of admiration and envy, thinking:
'What the hell? Was the family ruin just an excuse? Did he get chased out over some woman trouble?'
Maybe assassinating this guy right here would be the path to saving the realm?
Itsuki entertained the thought for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head.
It was half in jest, anyway.
It was only natural for the eldest son of a noble house to mingle with multiple women. Especially with looks like his.
'No way he'll end up with double digits in wives and concubines. He'll know when to stop.'
With that, Itsuki shoved the last of his rice into his mouth.
After the meal, Il-yeong set off right away to return to the Hirate residence.
The streets were quiet.
Whether due to the move to Kiyosu Castle or simply because winter wasn't ideal for outings, he couldn't say.
'Nice and cool.'
Fortunately, Il-yeong didn't mind the atmosphere at all.
For one, winter was his favorite season—not that it mattered. Even back in modern times, he'd often wandered the streets alone as a hobby.
'Though... not much to see around here.'
Having already explored plenty of this era's Japanese streets, a simple walk would have to suffice today.
And indeed...
“Oof.”
Il-yeong gave a wry smile at the growing ache in his arm—whether from the wind, the cold air, or something else.
Even with his strong recovery, he was still a patient.
Just this short time outdoors had drained his stamina more than usual.
'Guess I should focus on resting up for a while.'
The physician had said he was fine, but a modern man couldn't fully trust this era's medicine.
They used opium and mercury as treatments, after all.
'Speaking of which, Nobunaga sent some medicine.'
Coming from the Daimyo herself, it was bound to be top-quality stuff.
Il-yeong walked on, thinking how she acted high-and-mighty on the surface but took good care of what mattered. Before long, he reached the alley leading to the family gates.
That's when.
“Huh? That lady...”
Itsuki, trailing a step behind while yawning, spotted a woman standing in front of the residence and muttered under his breath. As Il-yeong looked up, a familiar face that seemed anxious came into view.
“Ah!”
The moment their eyes met.
She—Yoshinari—flashed a bright, relieved smile, as if her anxiety had never been there, letting out a small cry of joy.
“Il-yeong!”
She rushed straight toward him, like a dog greeting its returning master. He nearly laughed, but then noticed the light armor and jingasa hat she wore, tilting his head in confusion.
'Armor? Why?'
There weren't supposed to be any battles for a while.
As he opened his mouth to ask, Yoshinari strode right up to him and looked up with a relieved expression.
“Good, I didn't miss you...”
“Miss me how?”
Her face, partially obscured by the black jingasa helmet often called a jingasa, came into view.
“Well, I'm on my way to escort a small merchant caravan. I was going to head out right away, but luckily I had a little time...”
In truth, she'd forced this time just to see him, but no need to brag about it.
Thinking that, she lifted her jingasa a bit more, taking in the bewildered look on Il-yeong's face as he gazed down at her.
His jawline was slim against his shaggy black hair, and though he often wore that sly grin, he was so reliably solid when serious.
Solid enough to lean into without thinking.
She filled her gray eyes with his face. It was only a few days apart, but even a moment felt precious.
'Thank goodness.'
Truth be told, she was already a bit late.
She'd rushed to his residence, only to hear he wasn't back yet—how she'd fretted over possibly missing him.
Meanwhile, Il-yeong couldn't help but smile back at Yoshinari's relieved expression.
He didn't know the full story, but she'd dashed over the moment she had a spare second, despite it being just a few days apart.
How could he not feel good?
Especially when she was such a stunning beauty.
Il-yeong gently stroked her gray hair as she beamed up at him with a faint blush, like a large dog awaiting praise.
“Thanks. So, escorting a caravan on the Daimyo's orders?”
“Yeah, but the details...”
“No need. How long will it take?”
An escort mission didn't require specifics. He'd seen her prowess on the battlefield firsthand—what was there to worry about?
Yoshinari rolled her eyes briefly, gauging the time, then answered.
“A week at most?”
“That's a relief. Nice and short.”
In an era where travel meant horses or walking, a round trip in a week was pretty close.
'Probably escorting goods traded with the Saito clan in Mino.'
Bandits were eternal, and attacks on goods moving between domains were commonplace.
Settling on that inwardly, Il-yeong slowly withdrew his hand from atop her head and said,
“Be careful out there. Don't get hurt.”
No doubt, from how anxious she'd seemed earlier, her time was limited.
Just as he was about to send her off.
Yoshinari pouted slightly and said,
“...Is that all?”
“Huh?”
At the familiar, ominous words, Il-yeong broke into a cold sweat.
Did I mess up somehow?
No, probably not.
“Fine. Come here.”
“Uh, okay.”
Caught off guard by her sudden shift, Il-yeong nodded and leaned down, bringing his head near her shoulder as if to offer his ear.
And finally.
As Il-yeong tilted his head beside her face, waiting for her words.
Yoshinari parted her lips slightly, then glanced at Itsuki—who was casually strolling with hands behind his back, admiring the sky—and chuckled softly.
She'd thought it earlier that morning: that warrior had good instincts and knew when to give space.
'Makes it less embarrassing.'
With that in mind, she smacked her lips a few times, closed her eyes lightly, and whispered just loud enough for Il-yeong's ear to catch—
“I love you, Il-yeong.”
*Smack.*
Her vibrant red lips brushed his cheek lightly before pulling away.
“Wha...?”
Il-yeong, who'd been fretting over what she might say—or if she was mad—clutched his cheek at the sudden sensation, face blank.
Meanwhile, Yoshinari had stepped back, hand lightly covering her flushing face.
But she didn't avoid his gaze. Even as her lashes trembled with shyness, she grinned and said in a softly flushed voice,
“I'll be back...!”
Thanks to that, the stunned Il-yeong burst into a smile of his own.
“See you then. I'll be waiting.”
And with that, their exchange ended.
Il-yeong entered the residence, and Yoshinari departed to escort the caravan.
A week later.
Or perhaps three days ago.
“Say that again.”
Amid the rain pouring from the gloomy sky, Il-yeong faced a certain man with the coldest expression he'd ever worn.
“What?”
Shwaaa...
Rain cascaded down the man's black jingasa, dripping steadily to the ground.
Blood from his wounded arm mixed in, and the man—no, the Koga Ryu ninja—bowed his head to Il-yeong and repeated his message.
“...The enemy ambush wiped out the ninjas and escort guards. Lady Mori and the jonin who joined late fought valiantly, but...”
Crunch.
The man gritted his teeth as if they might shatter.
“The low-rank samurai who went with her betrayed them. She's on the run now.”
The instant those words sank in.
He rose, entered the room, and...
Clink.
Gripping Onimaru Kunitsuna from its stand, he addressed Itsuki, who knelt inside.
“Itsuki.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Gather every warrior we can muster from the clan.”
Il-yeong's voice was chillingly serene, startlingly emotionless as he added,
“I'm going to kill Hideyoshi, that filthy worm.”