Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Even Entering the Tiger's Den, Keep Your Wits About You (2)
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A woman with Eastern features.
That seemed a fitting way to describe Dota Gozen, the birth mother of Nobunaga and Nobuyuki. Il-yeong gazed at her black eyes—unlike those of the two sisters—and thought as much.
'The golden eyes must come from her father's side.'
Well, her nickname was the Tiger of Owari, after all. It was a genetic trait that wouldn't exist in real Japanese history, but considering the riot of pastel hair and eye colors around him, it actually made sense.
With that thought, Il-yeong lightly scanned the room where he was seated. In the end, a conversation between Dota Gozen and Il-yeong had been established. Nobuyuki was there too, of course.
'Well, if Nobunaga were here, it'd be a family reunion.'
Should he bring Oichi along?
For reference, Shibata Katsuie had been left to stay at a nearby lodging. It was Il-yeong's suggestion, and Dota Gozen and Nobuyuki had agreed.
There were several reasons for that.
First, based on Shibata Katsuie's personality so far, she'd probably blurt out something straightforward like "Surrender to Nobunaga!" and, if refused, prove her loyalty by baring her belly. Then I'd have no choice but to step behind her and strike off her head.
Second, even aside from that, Shibata Katsuie was a defeated general. No matter how well you treat her, bringing her along just didn't match their station.
And third.
Il-yeong lightly brushed the teacup in his hand and thought.
'She'd probably be pretty flustered by what I'm about to say.'
Like it or not, Il-yeong had to persuade Dota Gozen and Nobuyuki, so he planned to go full throttle from here on out. And rightly so—they probably already knew to some extent.
That the tide of battle had turned long ago. Sure, someone might say to just capture and execute the commander, Il-yeong, but that's why he'd left Niwa Nagahide behind.
If any irreverent moves were detected, Suemori Castle would go up in flames soon enough. Whether Il-yeong survived the process was another matter... but it was definitely the dumbest choice.
With that in mind, Il-yeong lifted his teacup to his lips. The lukewarm tea slid smoothly down his throat, and then Dota Gozen, seated in the place of honor, spoke up.
"They call you the Yasha."
"It's an embarrassing moniker."
"For a warrior, it must be an honor."
She started with simple praise. It was hard to tell if it was a politician's trait or just the Japanese penchant for humility.
But then.
"I didn't expect you to subdue Lord Shibata."
She dove straight into the main topic, cautiously but without hesitation. Il-yeong thought: So much for Japanese humility.
"I was lucky."
Instead, Il-yeong showed humility. Dota Gozen took a sip of her tea, as if pondering something, then spoke.
"Hmm. It's not something you subdue a famed general with mere luck."
Roughly translated: You're strong, so cut the false modesty.
'Good call leaving her behind.'
Incidentally, Shibata Katsuie was under the protection of Itsuki and his other guards. Just in case—though unlikely—some lunatic might charge at her babbling about honor or whatever.
It was absurd by any common sense, but when did the world ever run on common sense? Especially when that "common sense" was by modern standards. In this era's Japan, it was all too plausible, and that was the scary part.
As he thought that, Dota Gozen continued the conversation.
"Well then."
She set down her teacup with a clack. At the same time, the court lady asked Owari's rising power—and the sharpest blade of her disowned eldest daughter—standing before her.
"What is it you wish to say to me?"
Il-yeong abandoned his earlier thoughts entirely. This court lady was surprisingly direct. So, he set down his own teacup and opened his mouth.
"It's simple. You may have already guessed."
It would be weirder if she hadn't.
If Dota Gozen wasn't a fool, she'd know exactly why he'd come. Even so, the conversation continued.
"Recognize Nobunaga as the rightful Daimyo, and help absorb Lady Nobuyuki's forces entirely."
The rotten elements had to be purged, but he fully intended to absorb Nobuyuki's troops intact. Those worth purging were probably just the incompetents anyway.
And, as expected, the response was right on cue.
"Impossible."
"I figured as much."
Il-yeong wet his slightly dry lips with some tea. Then, he listened intently to her following words.
"I won't deny that these islands are in chaos. My late husband supported Nobunaga for that reason, as did your foster father, Hirate Masahide, in backing Nobu."
Chaos had walked hand-in-hand with human history.
Even in the 21st century, with SNS and universal ethics enforced by societal norms, confusion reigned, and the idea that power comes from strength still held weight.
Il-yeong pondered that as he listened to Dota Gozen.
"Nobuhide was merely a minor local official. Yet he seized the chaos to turn our collateral branch into the renowned Oda name. I can understand why he backed Nobunaga."
He must have truly seen Nobunaga as a fitting heir. Perhaps he'd chosen her as the answer to the humiliation from the Imagawa.
"However."
Conviction filled Dota Gozen's black eyes.
"Even so, there are lines that must not be crossed. Our Oda Clan merely used the chaos to become Daimyo. We barely hold off the Imagawa while walking a tightrope with Mino, always fearing for our survival."
That was her assessment of Owari's standing.
Owari's territory wasn't vast compared to its neighbors, nor was its military might overwhelming. With Imagawa and Mino glaring daggers—not to mention the hordes of other powerful Daimyo—that was the current state.
"We can't predict which clan will become Shogun or which will fall. In such times, the path we should pursue is..."
She trailed off, but her point was clear. She was convinced Nobunaga's temperament would doom Owari.
There, Il-yeong read her mind. She knew harsh reality all too well and simply hoped to maintain the status quo.
Shogun was not her goal.
Just preserving Owari as it was—that was all.
Of course, facing him, she wouldn't voice her deeper thoughts. Like fearing her daughter, or that Nobuyuki was more obedient than Nobunaga.
But then.
As if reading fragments of Il-yeong's thoughts, Dota Gozen gave a wry smile and added.
"I don't want that child to die."
If she did, she'd have poisoned her young. Or, if that failed, sent the few ninja loyal to her for assassination.
Yet she hadn't, even now. Because, despite everything, she still saw Nobunaga as her child, her daughter.
The human heart was complex, contradictory, prone to errors at times.
Il-yeong silently listened.
And Dota Gozen opened up a bit more to him.
"But at this rate, she'll destroy herself."
The worry had stood out at her husband's funeral, confirmed by the recent purge. Power was sweet yet destructive.
Il-yeong's gaze shifted to Nobuyuki.
She didn't speak, but her expression wasn't surprised. She'd known already.
"First off."
So Il-yeong spoke.
"Your premise is wrong."
Il-yeong set down his teacup with a clack. He glanced at the two women waiting for his words, then scanned the room. It was sealed tight. No presences on the ceiling, and worrying about bugs with this era's tech was pointless.
Besides, if they had any sense, even if clan ninja overheard, they wouldn't let it leak outside. Reassured, Il-yeong spoke freely.
"I have no intention of letting Nobunaga—my lord—remain a mere Daimyo."
Dota Gozen and Nobuyuki's eyes flickered. But Il-yeong had no plans to stop.
"My goal is..."
It was a thought that had taken root in his mind long ago. Confirmed by killing Hideyoshi.
Hand the islands to Oda Nobunaga. Gift Japan to the woman I love, and make these islands my domain.
With so much already in his grasp, struggling to survive the chaos, he had no other choice.
Thus, he declared boldly.
"To become Kanpaku under Shogun Nobunaga's reign."
Military Shogun.
Civil Kanpaku.
Quite the pair, weren't they?
Il-yeong smiled at the thought, and silence fell over the sealed room.