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With Ichihime and Hisa on horseback, Naotsune fled from Odani Castle.
Following that, guards carrying Princess Ichihime's ladies-in-waiting ran down the mountain path.
(There's nothing that can be done about Odani Castle now.)
With a heavy heart, Naotsune looked back at the mountain castle behind him.
Now that I had secured Ichihime, I might have been able to defeat Hisamasa and his cronies who plotted the "rebellion."
However, because of the words Tsunechika had uttered, they were forced into a situation where they had no choice but to take Ichihime and escape immediately.
"Just watch... Reinforcements from the Asakura family will arrive soon! All of Bizen-no-kami and his foolish retainers who sided with him and drove out Lord Hisamasa will be utterly annihilated!"
If those words are true, then staying in the castle will only lead to death.
Even if we eliminate Hisamasa and his cronies, it will be completely meaningless if Ichihime is cut off or killed by the Asakura army.攫Sara
"Oh, foster father! Look!"
Hisa, who was clinging to Naotsune's chest, let out a scream-like cry.
--Oh, what a tragedy.
Even Naotsune, with all his might, could only stare in astonishment.
They must have advanced from Echizen Province—countless military banners bearing the "Mitsumori Mokko" family crest are fluttering over Shizugatake.
Even by estimation, the mobilized forces number around 20,000.
It was easy to see that the Asakura family was serious about bringing northern Omi under their control.
(But how foolish...! Even if he regains his position as head of the Asai family, what does he intend to do with his fiefdom and retainers...!!)
No matter how long-standing their friendship may have been with the Asakura family, they couldn't possibly be so naive as to restore the weakened Asai family.
The Asai family will likely be reduced to the status of a mere vassal, just as they were once forced to do by the Rokkaku family.
(Doesn't that man understand that...?!)
The Asakura family's flags, which almost completely cover Mount Shizugatake, begin to descend the mountain.
And, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, they entered Odani Castle.
"Oh... the castle... Lord Nagamasa..."
Ichihime cried out in anguish.
At the Asai fortress on Mount Kotani, the battle flags of the Asakura clan now fluttered in the wind.犇Hishi
The happy space where she and her husband shared their love is being trampled underfoot by Asakura's military boots.
However, Naotsune was startled back to reality by Ichihime's voice.
That's right—there's still hope.
"My lady, please stay strong! The Asai are not finished yet! Even if Odani Castle falls, as long as Lord Nagamasa is alive, the Asai will remain!"
"Lord Nagamasa, Lord Nagamasa...where is he?"
"We are in the western part of Lake Biwa! We will soon defeat the Takeda and return to our side!"
"Lord Nagamasa...!"
With Ichihime's voice, sounding like a prayer, behind him, Naotsune spotted the Asai forces facing the Rokkaku army ahead.
They probably haven't even realized yet that the Asakura family has come.
Alternatively, they may not even be aware that Hisamasa betrayed them, colluded with the Asakura family, and invited the Asakura army into Odani Castle.
Naotsune gritted his teeth.
However, under any circumstances, Nagamasa's orders must take top priority.
"My lady, we are heading to my Sugawa Castle! Please wait there for Lord Nagamasa's return and for the victory of us Asai!"
Taking the reins in the opposite direction from his comrades' camp, Naotsune headed towards his castle in the Mino region.
Depending on the situation, Naotsune considers that one option might be to have Nagamasa return and, at the same time, have him and Ichihime escape through Sekigahara to Owari.
The situation had become so desperate that I was even considering such measures.
"Madam, that is Sugawa Castle."
"That's..."
A small castle built on a low hill. Or perhaps it would be better described as a large fortress.
That was Naotsune's castle, a military base located on the front lines against the Saito clan.
"Father, look over there! There's someone lying unconscious!"
"Huh?"
Whether it was due to his keen observational skills or not, when I looked in the direction Hisashi was pointing, I saw a horse and a man lying on the ground with several arrows stuck in his back.
However, the fact that he's putting strength into his arms and trying to stand up confirms that he's not dead.
A disturbing, ominous feeling arose deep within Naotsune's heart .漣Ripples
"I must help...!"
"...I understand."
Prompted by Ichihime's words, Naotsune rode his horse towards the man.
However, the closer I get, the stronger my sense of foreboding becomes.
"Are you okay!?"
Hisashi was the first to dismount from his horse and run towards the man.
The man looked at Hisashi, then turned his head, and when he saw Naotsune, he reached out his hand and said in a voice.掠Kasu
"...I...must...protect..."
"What's wrong? What happened?"
The man looked desperate, trying to communicate something. Naotsune leaned his ear closer to his mouth.
"...Asai, the... Bizen... no Kami...
"For the Lord?"
The man must have realized that Naotsune was a member of the Asai family.
With a strained voice, he spoke with all his might.
"Saito... is... in Omi..."
His head slumped down, and the strength rapidly drained from his body.
Ichihime and Hisa screamed, but Naotsune calmly told them.
"Please don't worry. Her heart is still beating. It seems she has only lost consciousness."
Ichihime breathed a sigh of relief, but Naotsune was in no position to breathe a sigh of relief.
A mixture of cold sweat and oily sweat poured from my entire body, and I was tormented by an intense fear and pressure, as if my heart were being squeezed tightly.
(Could it be that the Saito family was also involved...?)
Saito Yoshitatsu, the head of the Saito family, was the daughter of the previous head of the Asai family, Ryomasa, making him considerably older than Hisamasa .従弟cousin
It wouldn't have been surprising if Hisamasa had called out to ensure the plan was flawless.
but--
(That's ridiculous... The Saito family is currently in the final stages of their war with the Oda family... There's no way they have the luxury of sending troops to Omi—)
Just as he was thinking that, Naotsune was stunned.
In the distance at Sekigahara, I caught a glimpse of a battle flag bearing the "Kikyo crest." It wasn't a mistake. Though it was hidden by the mountains, I could definitely see a flag depicting the Saito family crest.
"—No good!"
Naotsune had the muscular man lie face down on his horse, and then, urging Ichihime and Hisa to go with him, they entered Sugawa Castle.
He then immediately summoned his subordinates and sent messengers to his comrades who were engaged in battle against the Rokkaku army.
"Please be aware that the Asakura clan is attacking from the north, and the Saito clan from the east."
I didn't even have time to watch the messenger's back as he ran towards Aichigawa.
Naotsune moved Ichihime to a safe place in the castle, sent the fallen man to the medical team, and then ran around Sugawa Castle, directing the preparations for defense.
We don't know the exact size of the Saito family's army, but it's certainly larger than the 600 defenders at Sugawa Castle.
"Lord Nagamasa...!"
As he worked, Ichihime's prayer-like voice echoed in Naotsune's mind again and again.
"My lord...!"
As Naotsune climbed to the top of the watchtower at Sugawa Castle and gazed out at Sekigahara, he instinctively—as if pleading—called out to Nagamasa.