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To put it simply, the impact of this horse parade on various sectors was immense.
That was true for the aristocratic society, for the samurai society, for the common people, and above all for the family.
"Lord Nagamasa...no, you mustn't go...! Let's escape, even the dragons shouldn't be able to pursue us if we go to Owari...!!"
"My Bodaiyama Castle is also in Gifu! If you go to the land of the dragon god, you're bound to be spirited away!!"
Night had already fallen, and it felt like around the hour of the dog (8 PM).
My two wives, their faces swollen from crying, were clinging to me on either side of my body, desperately holding me down as I tried to stand up.
It was all part of the Water God's compelling performance as he departed .所為because of
"Lord Bizen-no-kami... 'Asai Nagamasa, you, a descendant of an ancient king, if you travel alone to Chikubu Island at the hour of the boar, then I may consider your future. If you offer yourself to me, just as the ancient king once did,' that is what he said."
The words of the water god, translated by Takatora, quickly spread among the court nobles, guests, retainers, and common people.
The idea of ancient kings is a complete lie, but when it comes from a mizuchi, a creature that was even worshipped as a god of Lake Biwa, the lie ceases to be a lie.
The court nobles, well-versed in historical tales, have hastily returned to Kyoto to investigate the legends of Lake Biwa, and it seems they intend to report everything they see and hear to the imperial court.
The guests, including the retainers of the Oda and Tokugawa clans, remained stunned and bewildered until the very end.
Previously, when I visited Nobunaga's residence, I saw a statue of a dragon in the mansion.役瓦Yakugawara , which suggests that dragon worship is probably prevalent in Owari and the surrounding areas.
For them, it meant that the object of their faith had appeared, and they had witnessed the very descent of God.
But Nobunaga remained calm to the very end and never wavered.
While maintaining my personal stance of being against me going to Chikubu Island, however—
"If my brother-in-law still wishes to go, there is nothing I can do to stop him. But if anything happens to you... I will sacrifice my own life to surely defeat the dragon."
—With that, he entered Kannonji Castle and began to organize his forces.
However, the retainers seemed to believe that "if it's our lord, everything will surely be alright."
Or perhaps, I just wanted to believe that.
By my instructions, a decree has been issued stating that if anything were to happen to me, Masamoto would inherit the family headship, and as soon as Ichihime gives birth to a child, the position of family head would be passed on to that child—and now, my retainers are making arrangements for a ship to Chikubu Island.
However, Ichihime and Haruhime were doing their best to prevent me from going to Chikubu Island.
I was simply amazed at where such power came from, and it made me realize once again the depth of their love.
However, we couldn't just sit there forever.
"Ichi, Osamu, let go."
"I won't let go!"
"No!"
How many times have we exchanged messages since earlier?
However, it seems that giving off such a bewildered or disgusted vibe was a mistake.
"My darling...it's already nighttime...? Please forget about the dragon for a while...and, um, love me as you always do..."
Haruhime said this, baring her chest.
This is a clear change of strategy.
If I were to push her down even once, our marital relations would last a long time.
It was clear that this would mean the time I had promised the water god would pass, and I would inevitably have no choice but to flee to Owari or Gifu.
But there was no sexiness in her face; only fear and urgency.
It's unlike Princess Osamu to have such an obvious plan from the start, but that just shows how desperate she is.
"Lord Nagamasa...? I haven't been held in your arms for quite some time now, ever since I became pregnant with your child..."
Ichihime also swayed, pressing her twin mounds, which had become even fuller with pregnancy, against me.
"There is a baby boy here, but I also want to be held by Lord Nagamasa... Um, well... If you wish to be held behind me, I will prepare immediately. So, so..."
Please don't go... You promised you wouldn't leave me alone...
Ichihime let out a somber sigh and sobbed along with Haruhime.
Both of them are trying to entice me with their seductive scents, but it seems that sadness and anxiety are outweighing that.
(The city was so dignified during my first battle...)
When you think about it, the contrast with Ichihime was astonishing.
Mothers are said to be strong, but perhaps in some ways they become vulnerable. Because the number of people they want to protect and love increases.
Or perhaps, unlike battles against humans, the fact that she was going to a being worshipped by the people of this world was what was making Ichihime feel weak.
In person-to-person interactions, at the very least, both parties are on the same playing field.
However, if the opponent is a demon from the age of the gods, it won't even turn into a simple grappling match.
There is no hope or anything there.
Humans can resist powerful forces because they have hope; without hope, they lack the willpower to rebel.
"Ichi, Osamu..."
When I spoke to my two wives in a gentle voice, they looked up at me with expectant expressions.
"If you believe in me, if you love me, then let me go."
But that hope was immediately dashed, and the light faded from both of their eyes.
It was a dark, deep abyss. A despair so bleak that if you peered into it, you could never return.
She wants to keep her beloved husband, but he tells her that if he loves her, he should let her go—such despair.
That was the kind of expression I absolutely couldn't let him have.
"Hey, Ichiji... Listen carefully."
I said, holding their weakened bodies close to me.
"You all heard what the Water God said, didn't you? That I'm a descendant of an ancient king."
"..."
He held the unresponsive girls tightly and continued.
"There is a legend passed down only to the head of our family that goes like this: 'An ancient king served the dragon and prospered in the present world. '"齎If
Of course, that's a lie too.
However, I was certain that if I didn't lie, even if it meant putting on a brave face, I would regret it later.
"So, that means I have to become the Water God's representative... I'm unlikely to be killed. No, I'll say it with certainty. I will definitely come back to you. I can come back."
"..."
Without a word, Ichihime and Haruhime hugged me.
Feeling the strength in their arms, I slowly stroked their hair.
"Besides, I have a reason to return. I can't die without seeing the face of Ichi and my child, and I promised Osamu that we would have a child."
After gently hugging Ichihime and Haruhime once each, I stood up.
The wives said nothing, keeping their heads down.
After they left the mansion, I thought I heard their cries faintly in the darkness—but at that point, I couldn't bring myself to turn back.
Outside the Kinshumon Gate, the area was brightly lit by torches, and my retainers, including Naotsune, were waiting for me, prostrating themselves on the ground, not caring that they would get dirty.