The shores of Lake Biwa are brightly illuminated by torches.
As my retainers lay prostrate in silence, I walked slowly.
Everyone had their faces downcast, and some were sobbing.
The sound of flames crackling and popping echoed.
Lake Biwa is very quiet at night, and their cries are strangely audible.
From behind the Kinshumon gate, Naosuke, Takatora, and Kyoko were watching the scene unfold.
How do the boys and girls see the current situation?
A temporary peace that the Asai clan's retainers finally achieved at the cost of many lives.
That was probably something they were able to strive for precisely because they had me as their hope.
So, what will happen when you lose me?
What will you gain by losing me?
When monsters from a dimension beyond human comprehension seek me, and my retainers send me off—what will remain with them?
And now their hopes are heading towards darkness.
—What exactly is peace without hope?
The retainers were probably thinking the same thing.
"My lord..."
"Shall we go?"
I called out to Naotsune, who was standing in front of the small boat.
櫂shellfishJudging by the fact that he has it, it looks like he'll row the boat.
"Lord Bizen-no-kami..."
"Oh, you too?"
It seems I'm not the only one in the small boat.
It seems that Yuan Chang also intends to join the ship.
"Takatora said that he went to Lord Kōryū's place alone, but that he wasn't given any instructions about the journey."
"...That's just sophistry."
I got into the small boat with a wry smile.
Naotsune rowed the boat slowly and powerfully, while Yuan Chang knelt and held a lantern.
It appears they are illuminating the lake while also keeping a watchful eye out for any potential attacks.
"My lord... you're really going, aren't you?"
On the lake in summer.
As Naotsune rowed the boat, enjoying the refreshing breeze, he quietly asked me.
"What's the point of saying that now...? If the ship isn't headed to Chikubu Island, then we should assume our destination is hell."
"Even so, if we can fight against the demons of hell under our master's command, then that would be our greatest wish."
"What nonsense... My mind is made up. If I were to run away now, my name would be ruined. Unfortunately, I don't want to be laughed at by future generations of writers."
"..."
Yuan Chang turned only his head towards me and murmured:
"However, if Japan itself ceases to exist... Lord Bizen's name will not be tarnished."
"...What does that mean?"
"If Lord Bizen does not go to Chikubu Island, the dragon will become enraged. At that time, Japan will meet its end. However, if we flee far away, we can spend more time with our wife."
"...I see."
Both Naotsune and Yuan Chang are hoping that I will change my mind and choose not to go to Chikubu Island.
They must want me to live. I am their master, their very hope.
But that was something I could not allow myself to do.
Having started this farce that involved so many people, we must properly bring it to a close.
"Our lives have been intertwined with an era far removed from peace."
Amidst the sound of splashing water in the darkness, I slowly opened my mouth.
"We were unable to inherit peace. And we could only find peace through fighting. Perhaps that is the limit of us humans, and something we can never escape ."性Saga
But, I whispered.
"If my going to that dragon will help maintain peace in Omi...then I have no choice but to go. That is the responsibility of a man in a position of responsibility for the lives of you and the people. With position comes responsibility. Those who lead the people must dedicate themselves to their people. I must not remain in a safe place and drive the people into danger."
"..."
"If you think that my life can keep your lives alive, then it's a small price to pay... A life is only 50 years long, and in that fleeting time, how many lives can I save...?"
Even if I die, my will will remain, at least for you.
Upon hearing this, Naotsune and Yunchang turned their heads forward, sobbing.
I'll soon reach Chikubu Island. From there, I'll be the only one who can go.
The boat approached the shore of Chikubu Island, and I slowly stood up.
I desperately want to keep you here...
Seeing Naotsune and Kazumasa's reactions, I nodded and placed my foot on the edge of the ship—at that very moment,
"M-Master!"
"What...?!"
Silently, a cloud of blue-silver light, reminiscent of diamond dust, billowed up from Chikubu Island and rained down onto the ground.
And then, with a tremendous roar, what emerged from the top of the island was—a gigantic, blue-silver tree monster, Hagoromo Yanagi.
The Hagoromo Willow, which was supposed to be by Lake Yogo, suddenly appeared before us.
"Why are you here...?"
Its appearance is like an illumination display shining brightly in the dark of night.
Then the base split open, and I could see the interface crawling out of that fleshy hole.
"That monster...could it be the legendary Hagoromo Yanagi...!!"
"My lord, let's retreat for now!!"
Naotsune hastily tries to leave the shore.
But if I back down now—I probably won't be able to set foot on this island again.
Naotsune and his men might forcibly take me and Ichihime to a faraway place and imprison us there...
Feeling a kind of intuition, I quickly jumped off the ship.
"My lord!!"
"Lord Bizen-no-kami!!"
The interface of the celestial willow tree dances from the cliff at the top of the island and lands softly on the ledge of the cliff.
And when I looked down at myself, Naotsune, and Yuan Chang on the ship—
"Only you... need to go in."
—He slowly extended his left arm, turned his palm upwards, and quickly bent his index and middle fingers.
At that moment, azure-silver vegetation sprouted and grew luxuriantly from the entire shoreline of Chikubu Island, completely isolating the island from the outside world.
Then, as it envelops Chikubu Island in a dome shape, the main body of the Hagoromo willow extends its fleshy roots in all directions around the island.
"Oh, my lord!!"
"Lord Bizen-no-kami!! I'll come to your aid right now!!"
The men's terrifying voices could be heard through the thick wall of magical grass.
I reacted instantly to that voice, which sounded like it could even mean throwing away one's life.
"Don't worry!! It's just a messenger from the Water God!!"
He shouted that, then slowly turned to face the willow tree.
"...Is that alright?"
"...Sou"
The monster with the bluish-silver skin said without changing its expression.
"I was just... asked to do it."
"ah"
Following Hagoromo Yanagi, who was leading the way, we climbed the steep slope of Chikubu Island.
The area was covered in lush, silvery-blue vegetation, transforming it into a truly fantastical landscape.
A fantastical world, entirely covered in azure silver.
With each step the willow tree takes, new light and magical plants sprout from the ground beneath its feet.
"That girl... I've asked her."
"..."
"You... that girl who calls the 'Taishakutsukigetobu'"
"picture...?"
"I hate you."
Saying this, Hagoromo Yanagi continued, her golden eyes darting around.顫動Sendou
"That girl, she only speaks your words..."
"...I see."
"I want to kill you... but if I kill you, that girl will be sad..."
This was the first time Hagoromo Yanagi had initiated a conversation to this extent, even considering the limited number of times they had met.
Perhaps, when I went to see the water god the other day, Taishakutsukimo had some ideas whispered to me.
"Humans... they're going to die soon, so why..."
The voice of the feathered willow trembled with sadness.
I don't know the reason.
Perhaps this monster, too, had some kind of contact with humans over the course of a long period of time.
(But at least—that doesn't matter to me right now.)
The important thing is to narrow down your objective.
He who chases two rabbits catches neither.
My objective was the Water God, and I had to strictly refrain from letting my attention wander to anything else.