Chapter 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Hirate Family (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hirate Masahide first withdrew his troops, then ushered the tearful and distraught Yoshinari into the room.
"...So, could you explain what this is all about, Lady Mori?"
"W-Well..."
Even from a glance, Masahide's voice carried reproach and disappointment. Yoshinari hung her head, unable to lift it, as if utterly ashamed. Then, in a crawling voice, she replied.
"...I was curious why Lord Hirate was looking for a low-rank samurai... I really had no idea it was something like this."
This was the truth. She had come purely on a vague hunch that some important conversation was happening between that Joseon ronin named Baek Il-yeong and Hirate Masahide.
'Sigh... How is she so much like Nobunaga?'
Though it stemmed from her loyalty to Nobunaga, it put Hirate Masahide in an incredibly awkward position.
No matter that they were in the same faction or that it came from pure loyalty, Yoshinari had spied on Nobunaga—the current Daimyo of the Oda Clan and his chief advisor.
If word of this got out, even if her life could be spared somehow, it would weaken their faction's power in the end.
And the content of what she'd overheard was particularly damning.
Suddenly, Masahide turned a strange gaze toward Il-yeong, who sat calmly beside the fidgeting, head-bowed Yoshinari.
'...He was nearly killed just moments ago.'
Masahide hadn't summoned him merely to make empty threats. He had been fully intent on torturing him for information and then killing him, with some degree of certainty.
Il-yeong couldn't possibly be unaware of that.
Yet there he sat on the floor, utterly composed as if nothing had happened, gazing at the garden outside.
'Don't commit seppuku. For Nobunaga's sake.'
It was an incredibly arrogant thing to say.
And at the same time,
utterly chilling.
He hadn't breathed a word of his intention to commit seppuku for her sake to anyone. Yet this outsider from across the sea, not even a close friend who knew him well from the past, had seen right through it.
He was curious.
How had he figured it out?
But first, he needed to send Yoshinari away. With that thought, he turned his head—only to let out a small sigh moments later.
"Hoo..."
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Yoshinari had dropped to her knees and was practically kowtowing in apology. It wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
The Mori family had only recently pledged allegiance to the Oda Clan. Their loyalty was high, but their status wasn't particularly elevated.
Thus, eavesdropping on a conversation with a senior retainer like Masahide was a dangerous act that could doom her entire house.
However, Masahide had no intention of doing so.
He pitied and valued her more than anyone.
'She's clumsy and lacking now, but she'll be a loyal retainer who never leaves Nobunaga's side in the future.'
He might be embarrassed to say it himself, but Hirate Masahide had confidence in his ability to judge character. That was why he planned to let her off with just a light reprimand.
"Yoshinari."
"...Yes."
"I have no intention of turning this into a clan matter. Just... be more careful in the future."
The moment Masahide addressed her by her personal name rather than "Lady Mori" and began his lecture, she sighed in relief and nodded gratefully.
"...Thank you for your mercy, Lord Hirate. Then!"
Shring—.
"Huh?"
Il-yeong blankly stared at her as she suddenly drew the wakizashi from her waist sash. The atmosphere had seemed to lighten with Masahide's approval—why now...?
"...W-Wait a moment. Yoshina—."
Masahide belatedly noticed her drawing the wakizashi and tried to stop her urgently, but Yoshinari's ears were already deaf to the two men.
'I can't bring disgrace to the family. Even if Father and Mother are both frail with age, as long as the Mori name endures, my life is a small price...!'
She had given in to a moment's curiosity and eavesdropped on Chief Advisor Hirate's conversation—and been caught. This crime warranted paying with her life.
"N-No! That's not what I meant...!"
"Lady Yoshinari? Hey!"
Of course, the two men's frantic voices rang out in that instant, but she slowly gripped the wakizashi with both hands and raised it toward her abdomen.
But just as she tensed to thrust and squeezed her eyes shut, Il-yeong's desperate shout pierced her resolve-clogged ears.
"Argh! He's letting you off! Hey!"
"Eh?"
Only then did Yoshinari look up at Masahide, tilting her head. By the time Il-yeong snatched the wakizashi from her hands and tossed it behind him, she finally realized the fool she'd almost made of herself.
"...Listen to people until the end, Yoshinari."
Naturally, Yoshinari dogeza'd again, her face beet red.
After that storm had passed, elegant maids soon brought in a small tray of refreshments and set it before them.
Considering her attitude toward Il-yeong moments ago, it was a swift change in demeanor, but neither Il-yeong nor Masahide paid it much mind.
Yoshinari was still squirming in embarrassment with a flushed face, but even amid that, the way she munched on the sweets was rather cute.
A brief moment passed like that.
And it was Masahide who spoke first.
"Then, Lady Mori, you may return. I'll ensure today's matter stays quiet, so don't worry."
"Y-Yes, understood."
What Il-yeong had to discuss with him wasn't for Yoshinari's ears. But in that moment,
Il-yeong downed the remaining green tea in his porcelain cup in one gulp, then grabbed Yoshinari's hand just as she was about to stand.
"Wh-What?"
Stunned by Il-yeong's sudden action, Yoshinari froze mid-motion, knees half-extended.
Regardless, Il-yeong sat her back down and addressed Masahide, who watched with interest.
"Since she already overheard it anyway, no harm in her listening together."
"Hmm."
Masahide pondered, glancing at Yoshinari, then nodded.
"...Fair enough."
Thinking about it, once she'd heard the final part—no matter where she started eavesdropping—the secret was already out. Thus, Yoshinari awkwardly sat back down under the men's gazes.
"Speak. Why did you think I would commit seppuku?"
Masahide spoke first.
He fixed Il-yeong with eyes that betrayed no emotion and asked. Il-yeong met his gaze without flinching and answered.
"Well, now. How do you see Nobunaga as a lord?"
"As what sort of lord...?"
At Il-yeong's words, Masahide pondered and listed his thoughts. But he could only manage a bitter smile.
"...Nothing good comes to mind."
"L-Lord Hirate?"
Yoshinari was naturally flustered, but Il-yeong nodded as if he'd expected it.
"And that's the reality, isn't it? Skipping the incense at her father's funeral, holing up in the mansion for two months straight, just drinking."
At Il-yeong's sharp words, Masahide and Yoshinari opened their mouths to retort but could only groan. After all, it was the truth.
But defying Masahide's expectations, Il-yeong continued.
"But I don't see her that way. On the contrary, I believe Oda Nobunaga is the one who will end this chaotic age."
"...What?"
Silence fell in an instant.
Not just Masahide—even Yoshinari listening beside him gave a look that said, 'That's a bit much.'
Thus, Masahide glared at him with a hint of anger.
"Answer my question. Don't waste time with nonsense."
He knew Nobunaga's instability, shortcomings, and even her violence all too well. To him, this conversation was just a waste of time.
"Your answer..."
Il-yeong raked back his shaggy hair, pondering. His immediate goal was to leave a stronger impression on Hirate.
How to do it?
Speaking now wasn't a bad option. Whether he'd believe it was another matter.
'Yeah.'
Il-yeong soon nodded and spoke to Masahide, who watched him.
"I'll give you that answer next time."
"You bastard!"
"Building trust comes first. And one more thing..."
But in that moment,
Il-yeong cut him off, slowly rising to his feet as he said,
"Soon, the man who holds Shiba Castle will come seeking the Daimyo. We'll talk after that."
"...What?"
With those words, Il-yeong promptly left the Hirate residence.
Of course, Yoshinari tried to grab the rude man and force him to kneel, but Masahide intervened.
And a few days later.
Masahide visited the empty barracks after everyone else had left for duty. Staring incredulously at Il-yeong lying on the bed, he said,
"...How did you know?"
"Urghk."
At his words, Il-yeong slowly sat up, scratched his shaggy head, and turned.
"Now, do you believe me a little?"