Todo Takatora had three teachers.
In addition to Naotsune Endo and Kazumasa Isono, who taught him the etiquette and martial arts of human society, he also had others who provided him with academic instruction.
Her name was Takenaka Osamu. She was a concubine of Nagamasa, Takatora's important lord.
However, this man, Osamu Takenaka, was in an extremely complicated position.
The fact that she was a concubine yet also served as Nagamasa's military advisor is strange enough, but she was also the head of the Takenaka family, which held territory in Mino Province.
As is well known, the Asai family defined themselves as a Sengoku daimyo (feudal lord) of northern Omi Province.
Therefore, they often issue statements such as "Northern Omi," but how the Takenaka family's territory is treated in these statements is extremely ambiguous.
As far as Takatora could see, Princess Osamu's retainers were not being discriminated against.
They are not discriminated against, but they are treated differently.
Although they are treated more as allies than vassals, in reality, it would still be fair to say they are under the control of the Asai family.
The list of reasons is endless, but she is in a fluid position like that.
Alternatively, perhaps it's precisely because they're not in a fixed position that they can act flexibly.
After entering the service of the Asai family, he began to officially adopt the name "Osamu," abandoning the "Shige" from his former name "Shigeharu," partly to signify that he would no longer dwell on his heavy past .顧Return治姫teacher
Having overcome a heavy past and healed as a person, she is knowledgeable and cultured in every respect.
政Festivals and ritualsDuring the break after the lecture, he would share important information about the relationship between warfare and agriculture, irrigation techniques in agricultural policy, and even fortification and civil engineering techniques.
The so-called Takenaka塾 (Takenaka cram school), which was held three times a week starting at 10:00 AM, was extremely enjoyable in that sense as well.巳fruit
And today's topic is astronomy.
Astronomerism was a field of knowledge exclusively reserved for the imperial court, and very little information about it was available to the general public.
In that sense, it was an extremely interesting read, but Takatora was completely taken aback by what Haruhime was explaining as she brought out historical documents.
"According to the Kyoto Astronomical Observatory, countless forms of life inhabit the moon, far above Japan—even in the dark night sky."
In a clear, bright voice, the female teacher (23 years old) revealed a shocking truth.
Beside her were numerous books detailing that fact.
These items were sent from Kyoto, with which we have increased our exchanges in recent years.
More precisely, these are historical documents obtained from sources belonging to the imperial court.中務省Nakatsukasa Sho陰陽寮Onyouryo
"These historical documents, which convey this information, were meticulously recorded by civil officials, including the Astronomer of the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Divination)... Their reliability is extremely high."
However, being uneducated, Takatora didn't really understand what was being said about the imperial court.
The truth is, even if you mention the Ministry of Central Affairs or the Bureau of Onmyōdō (Bureau of Divination), it won't immediately ring a bell.
It seemed Hisashi felt the same way, tilting his head and staring intently at Haruhime.
Facing these students, Professor Chihime gives a wry smile and carefully adds an explanation.
According to her explanation, this is what happened:
In the past, when the imperial court held great power in Japan, the emperors of the time desired to govern the country based on virtue and law.
The result was the establishment of the Ministry of Central Affairs, which held the most important position within it—the Ministry of Central Affairs, responsible for assisting the emperor in his political affairs and carrying out the duties of the imperial court.律令Ritsuryo
This ministry had various departments, but one of the most important was the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang).
The imperial court was involved in astrology, astronomy, and calendar compilation, and this institution was dedicated to researching and investigating phenomena related to these rituals and ceremonies.
Originally, documents related to astronomy were considered important secrets of the imperial court and were rarely leaked.
However, the long period of warfare had thrown the world into chaos, and the financial foundation of the imperial court had been destroyed.
It was at this point that Asai Ukonoe Chujo, the leader of the Biwa sect, appeared.
Apparently, he had somehow sniffed out information held by the imperial court and was demanding its disclosure.
As a result, the imperial court reportedly began providing information by taking a concessive stance, saying, "If the deity Mizuchi, who holds the highest rank of First Rank, is aware of it."
Of course, the compensation is the provision of funds.
Takatora had no idea how much money the Asai family spent obtaining astronomical data from the Ministry of Central Affairs.
However, Nagamasa's side seemed to have judged the information to be "more than sufficient," and it appears they were able to obtain more results than the amount they paid.
If you're wondering how I can find that out—well, of course, it's through Princess Osamu.
"It seems the observatory has a 'telescope ' stored there, which allows them to observe celestial bodies in great detail... From the Onmyōryō's historical records, we know that there are depressions of various sizes on the moon's surface, and that countless monsters live in them."匣box宇宙Sora
"Um, teacher."
"What's the matter, Hisashi?"
"Is...life...only limited to monsters?"
"At least, that seems to be the perception of the observatory's officials."
Haruhime said this, carefully opening the documents as she spoke.
"According to a document from the first year of the Kankō era (1004), an astronomer observed creatures that were multiplying rapidly on the moon being preyed upon by creatures gliding across the lunar surface —so basically, only monsters are described. To be honest, I never would have imagined until just now that there were monsters on the moon."蜚蠊cockroach兎rabbit
Despite saying that, the female teacher (23 years old) had a sparkling, radiant look on her face.
His face conveyed an overwhelming sense of intellectual curiosity.
"Um, teacher!"
"What is it, Hisashi-san?"
"Um, well, lately my mother-in-law has been telling me stories before I go to sleep..."
"Yes, please continue."
"So, I mean... then, was he really there...?"輝夜姫Princess Kaguya
"That's a good question, Hisashi-san."
Hisa, who was sitting next to Takatora, had been studying under Haruhime for a long time, and therefore, she often asked questions without hesitation.
However, I'm not just speaking without thinking.
Even from Takatora's perspective, this girl possessed exceptional talent in many ways.
The ability to instantly pick up 8 or 9 out of 10 things right in front of you.
That's not all. He never forgot anything he saw or heard, and he also had the ability and resourcefulness to apply that knowledge.
The problem lies in his extreme shyness, but if he can overcome that—he will probably go down in history.
However, shyness is not something that can be cured.
"The observatory has frequently recorded a giant plant-like monster growing on the moon. They seem to call this monster 'Princess Kaguya'...it's probably the same type of monster as the Hagoromo Willow that currently resides on Chikubu Island."
"So, you mean we can create it?"木霊echo
"We don't know that much. This document doesn't tell us anything more than that monsters live on the moon, and among them there is a monster called 'Princess Kaguya'—a monster that should be distinguished from the others..."
But, said Haruhime.
"The possibility of what Hisashi pointed out is... quite high. The fact that the Great Tree of the Moon is referred to by the same name as 'Princess Kaguya' in the court's records, according to legend, is certainly information that should be kept in mind. However... it seems certain that it's best not to touch upon it if there's no need to."
"Why?"
"Just think about it."
Haruhime said this and let out a sigh.
"If the legend of Princess Kaguya is true... then the spirit of this great tree possesses the ability to 'return to the moon,' doesn't it?"
"Oh... I see."
Hisashi clapped his hands together.
"If you anger a monster that can suddenly appear and disappear, things can get pretty complicated..."
"Yes...it's just like the saying goes, 'Don't meddle with monsters that don't exist.'"
"But, but..."
Hisashi poked Takatora in the knee.
"Tora-san and Kyoko-chan are here too... If we can talk, maybe they'll become friends."
"Yes, I hope so."
Haruhime smiled.
"That's assuming the meaning of 'friend' falls within the scope we're assuming..."
"Hmm..."
"Well, let's wrap things up for today."
Saying that, the beautiful female teacher clapped her hands together.
"Please do not tell anyone about what we've discussed so far until the Lieutenant General says something. Takatora, please see Hisa off again today."
◆
Just before noon.
Having left the presence of Princess Osamu, Takatora and Hisa walked side by side towards the gate of the Nagahama Palace.
This, too, can now be considered an everyday sight.
The ritualistic custom involves Takatora, a man, safely escorting the girl back to the Endo residence.
However, the possibility of an assailant appearing inside the Nagahama Imperial Palace is extremely low.
The gates that served as entrances and exits were always guarded by ninjas from the Takamine clan, and there was even a zashiki-warashi (house spirit) named Myo with malevolent powers inside the palace.
However, this time was not meaningless for Takatora.
At the very least, I don't think I ever became friends with Hisashi.
A friend of the opposite sex who is close in age.
Takatora had never imagined that such a being could exist in his life, given that he was a zashiki-warashi (a type of house spirit).
The word "zashiki-warashi" carries a heavy meaning.
In addition to being an inherently discriminated class, their sheer numbers make it difficult to even find other zashiki-warashi (house spirits) to form groups with.
In that sense, the existence of large groups like Tomokuni Village and the Takamine Party is an extremely rare case.
Normally, they would be abandoned by their mothers—or persecuted together with their mothers and end up dying in the streets.
Zashiki-warashi (house spirits) have some kind of unusual or monstrous form somewhere on their body.
The mark passed down from mother to child, like a brand, can never be lost.
Furthermore, she was an extremely unstable person in terms of her physical condition.
Some, like the members of the Takamine Party and the Todo siblings, possess physical strength far exceeding that of ordinary people—while others, like the Todo siblings' mother, have a frail constitution.
Ultimately, there is no middle ground; everything is swung to one extreme or the other.
"But that's amazing. They say there are monsters on the moon too."
"Yeah, that's right."
Spread your arms wide and spin around独楽komaHisashi is spinning around with
As Takatora nodded in agreement with her, he recalled the words that Haruhime had just spoken.
Indeed, we Zashiki-warashi can understand the will of demons. We can communicate with them.
However, there were some groups that were incapable of communicating with each other.
These are creatures that live primarily on instinct, such as rats and spotted cats.
"But I'm not confident I can talk to the monsters on the other side of the sky."
"Um..."
"There's nothing we can do if the moon monster lives by its own instincts."
"Hmm..."
Hisashi spun around, growling, and after a while, he stopped dead in a Y-shape.
"So, what would happen if the Moon Monster lived solely by its instincts?"
"Well, it's war. They'll come and eat us."
"on second thoughts?"
"perhaps"
"I see..."
"Then it should be alright," Hisashi said with a big smile.
"But they didn't come to eat."
"...That might be true."
"Yeah, I think so. I don't really know why, but that's how it is."
Furthermore, Hisashi continued.
"Even if something happens, I'm sure the master will take care of it."
"Is that you, Lieutenant General...?"
"Yeah, I think it'll work out somehow."
"Somehow..."
"Yes, somehow."
Hisashi said, puffing out his chest which was not much.
"Maybe we should summon the Water God and have him blast us with water and create a big bang... Maybe we could even push the moon back—wait, what?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah... yeah, I was just a little curious."
"be on one's mind?"
"Yeah... I thought that monsters probably didn't originate from Japan."
It was Takatora's turn to be taken aback.
This girl quickly comes up with ideas and speaks them aloud, things the boy would never even consider.
"I mean, the monsters of Japan probably can't go to the moon, right? So maybe they just fell from the moon and can't get back...that's what monsters are like."
"I can't go home..."
"That's right. So maybe the ancestors of monsters are actually pitiable."
But what Hisashi said was cruel to Takatora.
The monsters that fell to Japan and were left behind.
I thought that the zashiki-warashi, inheriting that bloodline and being cast out of human society and left behind, were truly hopeless and pitiable beings.