Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Generals Who Want to End the Rebellion
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Shibata Katsuie had been defeated by Hirate Hikage.
It was truly an unbelievable statement, but the moment Il-yeong led the troops while holding her cracked mask, the army Shibata Katsuie had brought turned into nothing more than a disorganized mob.
The absence of a leader always leads to cracks in any organization. And when that leader is Nobuyuki's strongest general and most trusted vassal, the effect is even more pronounced.
"Retreat!"
"Move... you traitors!"
Some withdrew quickly to Suemori before being surrounded, but those who judged the tide had turned in Nobunaga's favor surrendered to Il-yeong en masse.
"We're just conscripted farmers!"
Especially the ashigaru from nearby provinces who had been forcibly drafted—they had the highest desertion rate. They even cursed Nobuyuki's name and volunteered their loyalty to Nobunaga.
Including the absorbed forces, they now commanded roughly 2,500 men. As a result, they decided to reuse Shibata's camp intact and stay there for the day.
Crackle.
Fires flickered over the frozen ground by the riverbank. The tents swayed in the occasional night breeze, and the ashigaru hurried to scarf down their late meals.
Meanwhile, Il-yeong sat alone in a large tent with Shibata Katsuie, who wasn't even bound, casually holding his chopsticks over his meal. But Shibata Katsuie merely kept her head bowed, uncomfortable and at a loss for what to do.
...It was impossible not to feel uncomfortable.
And rightly so. She had never once fallen into the category of "defeated general" until now. Yet she had lost to a wooden sword. One could argue it was because she hadn't intended to kill him, but...
'In the end, hesitating to strike is a failure as a warrior.'
Self-loathing washed over her. Her hands, which had ruthlessly cut down so many that she was called an oni, had faltered. Why?
"Aren't you going to eat?"
Even as Il-yeong's words brushed her ear, Shibata just shook her head. As if food could go down her throat right now. Moreover, she was wearing Il-yeong's mask. Her lower face was covered.
"Hmm."
Il-yeong scooped a spoonful of rice with his chopsticks, rolling his eyes in a what-can-I-do? kind of way. Just as he was about to say something else.
Gurgle.
A startlingly cheerful sound echoed through the tent. Their eyes met, and silence fell.
Il-yeong's lips curved into a grin, while Shibata Katsuie floundered, her face turning beet red. Enough to wonder if she might actually cook from the inside. And as she sat there, Il-yeong simply watched her with a smile and said,
"I've already seen it anyway, so eat comfortably."
"...Uh, um."
She hesitated for a moment, then reached behind her neck as if she had no choice. Her armor had been removed long ago, so her sleeve rode up, revealing soft skin.
The strings holding the mask came loose. Il-yeong took in her revealed face once more, gave a light chuckle, and lowered his gaze.
No need to stare at someone self-conscious about their face.
"The side dishes aren't bad, so eat your fill. If it's uncomfortable, eat quickly and I'll leave."
With that, Il-yeong said nothing more and silently continued his meal. Watching him, Shibata Katsuie also picked up her chopsticks slowly, ears perked for any sign of the tent flap opening and someone entering.
Munch, munch.
Smack. Gulp.
In the spacious tent, only the eating sounds of the two filled the air. Soon, Il-yeong finished his meal and gazed at Shibata Katsuie, who was earnestly devouring hers, a faint smile on his lips.
'She must have been hungry.'
And understandably so. Plenty of people obsess over even minor facial flaws. A long scar from her prime years was more than enough reason to hide it. Especially in this era.
But Il-yeong didn't mind.
The only thing on his mind now was Shibata Katsuie, who was scraping clean what was practically a mountaintop of rice, her mouth working busily.
Oblivious to his gaze, she stuffed more rice into her mouth. But the moment she stretched her chopsticks toward the side dishes in front of Il-yeong.
"...Ah."
Her golden eyes met Il-yeong's black ones, and Shibata Katsuie realized he had been watching her the whole time. She froze.
"Pfft."
At that moment.
Unable to hold back, Il-yeong burst out laughing. Shibata Katsuie slammed down her chopsticks with a clack and reached for the mask. Before he could say a word, she donned it and spoke.
"...I'm done eating."
"But."
Her eyes still lingered regretfully on the rice bowl—as if she could say she wanted more in this atmosphere. So Il-yeong swallowed his words and picked up his tea.
Slurp, exhale.
It had been poured a while ago, but still retained its warmth, which was quite nice. Lately, since falling into the Warring States era, it felt like he drank tea every day.
Then, having regained some composure, Shibata Katsuie spoke softly.
"What do you plan to do from here?"
It was a crucial question. Though treated as a defeated general now, if things took a turn for the worst, she would have to choose.
Choose her lord.
Or change her lord.
Of course, her heart still leaned heavily toward the latter. That's why she asked. Where are you headed?
In response to Shibata Katsuie's question, Il-yeong replied softly.
"We have to reach Suemori."
No need for lengthy explanations. But knowing she meant what came after, he continued.
"First off, I don't want to kill Lady Nobuyuki. No... to be precise, I don't want to kill anyone."
It was the unvarnished truth.
Proof of that: his hand resting on his thigh trembled faintly even now.
Shibata Katsuie nodded as if understanding. Living in a world where killing could be guiltless depending on time and place—and having slain far more with her own hands—she could empathize with Il-yeong's feelings.
"However."
At that moment, Il-yeong's voice grew a touch colder. Locking eyes with Shibata Katsuie, he spoke with a chilling, emotionless gaze unlike before.
"If necessary, I'll kill every last samurai and ashigaru under her."
Short-term, it weakened their forces, but long-term, it would end the war sooner. So Il-yeong spoke to her with utter sincerity once more.
"...I see."
Shibata Katsuie realized his words were pure truth and gave a wry smile.
As if by agreement, they both fell silent.
In the meantime, Itsuki entered and cleared the table, and the ashigaru had all fallen asleep except for the sentries.
The tea in their hands grew cold.
The tent without a ceiling couldn't fully ward off the chill night air, so Il-yeong was about to tell her to leave.
He figured the Shibata Katsuie he knew wouldn't refuse defeat, so he had arranged a separate tent for her.
But then.
Breaking the silence at last, Shibata Katsuie spoke. As if resolved, she lifted her oni mask slightly and said,
"Let me try persuading the lady."
She had grasped his intent. He didn't want unnecessary deaths either, so if she could just convince Nobuyuki, they could end this rebellion with minimal casualties.
Hearing that, Il-yeong.
Replied with a faint smile.
"No. I refuse."
"...Huh?"
Naturally, Shibata Katsuie was stunned. Il-yeong sent her out, then spoke to Itsuki and Akechi who entered next.
"Prepare the stealth gear."
At his words, Akechi cautiously asked,
"...By stealth gear, you don't mean."
"Yes. I'm infiltrating Suemori Castle."
"M-My lord. That's a bit..."
This time, even Itsuki tried to dissuade him, unable to comprehend. Who sends their top general on a solo infiltration of the enemy headquarters?
But as expected.
Il-yeong smirked and replied,
"Just do it. Itsuki."
"Yes, sir."
The response was almost reflexive. So Itsuki could only lament how things had come to this while silently fetching the stealth gear.
About an hour later.
Three horses slipped out of the Hirate camp and vanished into the forest.