Since making the arrangement to meet with Princess Osamu's brother at Mount Kotani, my schedule had become extremely hectic.
By the time I visited Bodaiyama Castle after a long absence and met with all of the Takenaka family's retainers, including Shigenori, it was already late at night.
After the extravagant feast prepared by the Takenaka family, and after washing off the sweat in the bathhouse where he had once peeked at Princess Osamu bathing, he went to bed with her around 11 PM.
It was late at night, and I didn't want to cause any trouble for the Takenaka family, so I promised that the night would only last once...
Such a promise was never kept, and in the end, it was a secret that I had to sneak into the bathhouse in the middle of the night to cleanse Princess Osamu's body.
My wife becomes more beautiful the more I hold her.
Women are creatures that shine brighter the happier they become—and perhaps she feels that happiness by spending time with me.幾許Some
It seemed that Shigeyuki, Haruhime's brother, felt the same way.
The moment he saw her, he closed his eyes and fell silent, then grasped my hand with his emaciated hand.
"I have no right to say this, but... I beg you to take good care of my sister, Osamu."
He said it very clearly.
Ideally, I would have liked to deepen my friendship with him, but it is strictly forbidden to linger in a sick person's room.
And most importantly, my own schedule was packed, so I had to leave for Nagahama immediately.
Of course, those plans concern ceremonies to be held in the Grand Hall of Ceremonies.
The ceremony in the Grand Hall was becoming increasingly complicated, contrary to my initial expectations.
Originally, the plan was simply to convey the image of a community shared with the zashiki-warashi (house spirit) by holding Yokichi's coming-of-age ceremony, but...
The circumstances surrounding the Asai family suggest that this alone would not suffice.
Currently, the two provinces of Wakasa and Echizen, located north of the Asai family's territory, are under the control of the Asakura family.
Naturally, the Asai family, which could only control half of Omi Province, was clearly at a disadvantage compared to the powerful Asakura family, including in terms of the number of troops they could mobilize.
While it's true that relying on the military strength of the Oda family, with whom they were related by marriage, would bring them to a near-equal standstill, the Oda army had to maintain a certain number of troops to prepare for the Kinki, Ise, and eastern Takeda clan forces.
Moreover, the more they rely on Oda, the more their influence within the Asai family will increase—and there is a concern that they may eventually be treated as equals to their vassals.
Furthermore, the Oda family hopes that the Asai family will seize territory from the Asakura clan.
Ultimately, they had no choice but to assume that they were fighting against two other nations with only half their own territory—considering both domestic and international circumstances, the Asai family found themselves in such a situation.
If anything, the only thing the Asai retainers desire is...
It was a military parade called a "horse parade" held to enhance military power and prestige.
A horse parade is an event in which cavalrymen are assembled, dressed in elaborate costumes, and march in a procession.
Of course, there are equestrian demonstrations and other such events along the way, but those are merely entertainment.
In this world, horses are the greatest fighting force in battle.
According to Ichihime, displaying this number of weapons would be a sufficient deterrent to other countries.
"Thanks to Lady Yoriko, the Asai family owns one of the largest numbers of horses in all of Japan. If we make this fact widely known throughout the land, it will surely be to Lord Nagamasa's benefit."
Yes, it was none other than my beloved wife who urged us to hold a horse parade.
The first to agree with her opinion were Kiyotsuna Akao, Tsunachika Kaihoku, and Kazumasa Isono.
In a hierarchical society, if these high-ranking officials use "the wife's opinion" as a pretext to pressure the generals into agreeing, they would have no choice but to nod in agreement.
The members of the Asai family's retainers were also well acquainted with Princess Ichi from the individual interviews I had conducted with her previously.
"If Lord Kotani says so, then there is nothing we can do."
They all agreed on that view, and before they knew it, it had become a given that "a horse parade would be held after the coming-of-age ceremony for the Zashiki-warashi (house spirit)."
Incidentally, "Otani-dono" is an alternative name for Ichihime that has recently become popular among her retainers.
She was called Lady Odani because she married me at Odani Castle, but the reason she was given that title was, of course, because of the existence of Princess Osamu.綽名nickname
Haruhime is undoubtedly none other than "Takenaka-dono," but she is also apparently called "Suyama-dono" because she was "a concubine who was welcomed at Suyama Castle."
Putting that aside, according to Tsunachika,
"I have a son who is artistically gifted, so I will have him carefully draw a picture of the horse parade."
That's what they said.
The son he was referring to was probably Kaihoku Yūshō, who would later become known as Kaihoku Yūshō.
He was the founder of the Kaihoku school, characterized by its technique of reducing brushstrokes, and is an important figure in art history in the world I used to come from.
The thought of having my future landlord describe the events of that day made me realize I needed to prepare meticulously.
And so, I still have a mountain of things to do.
The first thing that needed to be done was to secure a location for the horse parade that would take place after the coming-of-age ceremony in the Grand Hall.
After reviewing the scouting maps with Masamoto and deciding on potential locations, the next thing that awaits them is the most nerve-wracking task—ultimately, determining the hierarchy of the Asai clan's retainers.
The horse parade is a procession, and I'm at the front of it.
Who will be right after me, and who will be in charge of bringing up the end—that's still fine.
The troublesome ones are those who walk in the middle of the pack, because that's where the reality becomes clear to them: "This guy is superior to me, and this guy is inferior to me."
There will inevitably be people who are dissatisfied with that order, so we must carefully consider how to minimize that dissatisfaction.
Naturally, this will require far more care than Yokichi's coming-of-age ceremony.
Something to distract them from their frustrations was absolutely necessary.
"Kyuooooon"
In pursuit of that, I ride the Indra Moon.
Our destination was a mysterious lakeside forest on the western shore of Lake Yogo, which was said to lead to the underground ruins where that gigantic dragon slept.
◆
A dense forest area overgrown with tall, lush trees.
It was, as always, a dark land where sunlight could not reach.
According to the residents of Tomokuni Village, this place is apparently called the "Forest of Confusion."
Apparently, it's the kind of place where you enter the forest, find nothing there, get lost and lost, and eventually find yourself outside without even realizing it.
"Kyuooooon"
Indra cried.
The entire black forest shook and rustled with that neigh.
The lantern-colored cats hopped and jumped around us, emitting a variety of lights.
(If I could keep these guys as pets, I could light them up in my room at night and create a sexy atmosphere...)
It reminds me of the moody lights you find in seedy love hotels.
Lying on a futon in a room glowing with seven colors, Ichihime and Haruhime gaze at you with passionate eyes—it's wonderful just to imagine it.
(Well, the Oda family did use indoor lanterns, so... I guess for some reason they couldn't use the Andon Madara Neko.)
If it turns out it's unusable, I'm curious about the reason, so I'll try asking someone about it next time.
While I was thinking about all that, Taishakutsukimo continued to move forward without hesitation down the pitch-black road.
Then the pitch-black curtain was suddenly pulled back, and we arrived at a plaza filled with a silvery-blue light, where that gigantic willow tree stood majestically.
"Kyuooooon"
As I dismounted from his back, Indra cried.
The base of the willow tree, where vascular-like tubes protrude and pulsate, cracks and spreads apart with tremendous vibrations and rumbling.
A squelching, slurping sound, full of mucus, spread through the silvery-blue space—and from that hateful orifice, a human figure crawled out, steam rising from it.
"Here we go again... Why...?"
A human figure of a mature woman with silvery-blue skin and hair slowly rises to its feet.
Its exquisitely crafted face remained expressionless, yet its golden eyes, framed in a dark, ominous hue, gleamed brilliantly.
The Hagoromo Willow—its interface.
A monster whose power is so immense that it's impossible for humans to defeat it, simply by its aura.
The last time I came here, I was so shocked I couldn't even have a proper conversation—but this time it's different.
Unlike last time, when we didn't even anticipate meeting, this time, our encounter was inevitable.
"Kyuooooon"
Indra cried and pushed my back with its neck.
I feel like I'm being told, "I won't say anything, so please, Nagamasa, speak for yourself."
It sounds like I'm some kind of guardian, but it's true in fact.
Without Taishakutsukimo, I wouldn't be able to survive in this world.
"Hello, it's been a while. How are you feeling?"
Hagoromo Yanagi remained silent in response to my greeting.
With emotionless eyes gleaming blankly, it stares intently at me.
It stirred up a primal fear within me, but I couldn't run away from it.
"I apologize for not being able to properly introduce myself earlier. I'm Fukai Nagamasa... in this world, I'm known as Asai Nagamasa. Thank you for your help the other day."
"...Sou"
The monster with silvery-blue hair and skin responded emotionlessly.
"So... what is the 'Youken'?"
"I came to meet the Water God. He previously told me that it was alright if I came again."
"Kyuooooon"
Indra cried.
As if to say, "My words are not lies."
"You once said that the Water God was 'bored for a long time.' At least today, I should be able to alleviate the Water God's boredom."Some
"...Sou"
The willow tree closes its eyes.
The giant tree that is her true form. A fleshy crack at its base begins to widen with a rumbling sound.
"If that's the case... go."
Hagoromo Yanagi said this, urging me to proceed towards the opening.
He bowed to her and was about to enter the hole when he realized for the first time that Taishakutsukimo had no intention of accompanying him to the Water God.
Taishakutsukimo stands beside the Hagoromo Yanagi, gazing at me with her gentle light green eyes.
"Kyuooooon"
Indra cried.
Nagamasa told me to do on my own what I could do by myself.
And what Nagamasa was responsible for must be accomplished by you; otherwise, it will be meaningless.
Her eyes and voice seemed to be saying just that.
"Are you... here?"
"Kyuooooon"
In response to Hagoromo Yanagi's question, Taishaku Tsukimo replied.
Then the silvery-blue monster's face broke into a joyful smile.
Then, just like that time, his right arm transformed into a single tentacle and wrapped around Taishakutsukimo's body.
"Kyuooooon"
Indra neighs in a lustrous voice.
It appears the tip of the tentacle has pierced her.
Just like that time, the tentacles pulsated and pulsed, and each time it seemed to be expelling something into Taishakutsukimo's womb.
And then—Taishakutsukimo's body became translucent, emitting pure white steam, and then exploded.
The dispersed steam gathered and came together, forming a single human silhouette with both feet touching the ground.
I can never forget the slender lines of her body.
A graceful woman with beautiful, silvery hair that reached behind her knees had once again set foot on this land.
"Ah... Taishakutsukimo..."
"You... just go... you're in the way."
With her tentacles still wrapped around Taishakutsukige—or rather, Yoriko—Hagoromo Yanagi said:
"Humans are unnecessary."
Then Hagoromo Yanagi hugged Yoriko tightly with her right arm.
Yoriko smiled softly, hugged him back, and they exchanged a kiss on the cheek.
When that was finished, Yoriko rested her chin on Hagoromo Yanagi's left shoulder and, with a Madonna-like smile, said in those mechanically polite words.
"Please don't worry about Nagamasa . I will be waiting for your return, while rekindling my friendship with an old friend."妾Warawa
"Ah, ah..."
I nodded and took off my clothes, thinking as I inserted my hand into the hot, blue, lubricated opening, which was moist with sticky mucus.
What exactly is the relationship between Taishakutsukimo and Hagoromoyanagi?
They seem to get along reasonably well, but—is that really the kind of relationship they have?
When she glanced behind her, she saw that Hagoromo Yanagi was slithering its tentacle-like left arm over Yoriko's body, while its right arm was touching her as if confirming the beautiful curves of her body.
However, since they are monsters, it's quite difficult to measure their relationship from the perspective of a human like me.
Perhaps, like these women are now, the way these female monsters cling to each other is also a part of their culture.
However—
(—It's pretty lonely when she turns her attention to someone other than me.)
I somehow came to understand the sense of loneliness that Taishakutsukimo must have felt on Mount Kotani.