Chapter 21: An Opportunity Sent by the Departed

Imagawa Residence – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Summer.

“Everyone has returned safely. Motonobu, we’ll assign Hikuma Castle to you. Guard it well.”

“No words would be enough to express my gratitude, my lord.”

Ujizane-sama rewarded those who contributed greatly to Hikuma Castle’s capture.

First up was Okabe Motonobu-dono, the commander of the troops. As declared, he would be the new lord of Hikuma. For those of us in Tōtōmi, this was nothing short of good news.

Next up was Udono Nagamichi-dono. Well, he gave a better performance than expected as the vanguard, so no doubt he’d be given a decent reward too.

“Nagamochi, you will be rewarded with a castle as well.”

“No words would be enough to express my gratitude, my lord.”

“Your son is currently in charge of Kaminogō Castle, correct? From now on, you’ll be in charge of Yoshida Castle, not far from it.”

Both castles were located in Mikawa, but both were in the parts of Mikawa where Motoyasu’s influence hadn’t quite reached yet. The previous lord of Yoshida Castle, Ohara Shigezane, was one of the people who stayed loyal to Imagawa even after the Battle of Okehazama, but when he learned that Hikuma had declared war against Imagawa, he quickly abandoned Yoshida and fled. This was the information that I received from the Sakae.

Nagamochi-dono’s eldest son—I believe his name was Nagateru—was the one who made the first move to control the situation.

Not wanting to get caught in the crossfire in case something happened, he took his troops to seize the vacant Yoshida Castle. But he didn’t have enough people to maintain two castles at once.

It was probably why Ujizane-sama picked Nagamochi-dono to rule over one of the two castles. His great contribution aside, he was also really familiar with the territory.

“I believe such a reward is wasted on me, my lord.”

“You jest, Nagamochi. Your valor and loyalty has been recognized by everyone. To be willing to cut your own daughter to show your loyalty to us—no matter how much we offer our gratitude to you, it will not be enough.”

“My lord…”

Ujizane-sama’s words moved Nagamochi-dono’s heart so much that tears came out of his eyes. Well, it was only natural. All his hard work and sacrifice were being recognized by the lord that he served, after all.

After that, the reward distribution continued.

Until finally, my turn came.

“How was your first battle, Masataka?”

“I have often heard of stories about the battlefield from my late father and Master. However, an actual battlefield pales in comparison to any of their stories. It feels like I have truly become a warrior, my lord.”

“Is that so? Good. Then, will you continue to serve us as a member of the Imagawa clan? And as a warrior?”

“Yes, my lord.”

This was Ujizane-sama’s way to confirm my loyalty to him. He was well aware of the situation. Not only Motoyasu, even Shingen was now threatening Suruga, Mikawa, and Tōtōmi, steadily tearing down everything that Imagawa had built up until now.

Well, as long as he was still aware, this should be manageable for us. It would become truly dangerous when he was blind to all the changes in his surroundings.

If that were to happen, all of his retainers would have to steel themselves.

Including me, of course.

“We have discussed this with Yasutomo as well, but we haven’t been able to come up with a suitable reward for you. So, pray tell us what you want. We will do our best to fulfill it.”

This was what I had been waiting for. An opportunity to once again solidify the clan’s crumbling foundation.

The reason why we were stuck in this situation was due to the neighboring lords keep poking on the opening that was left by Lord Yoshimoto’s death. As for why they were able to do that, it was due to the retainers losing their faith in Ujizane-sama, unable to see a future with him. Once one of them left, another would follow, creating a vicious cycle.

Now was the time to stop that very cycle—time to remove all the poison.

“I don’t need any reward, my lord.”

“What?”

“Instead, there is someone I’d wish for you to meet.”

My unexpected words caused quite a stir among the retainers inside. But I kept staring straight at Ujizane-sama’s eyes, unfazed by their reaction.

“Are you going to take another wife, Masataka-dono?”

Motonobu-dono, who had grown somewhat friendlier with me, asked that in a loud enough voice for everyone there to hear.

“I have yet to take my wife home from Okazaki. To take another in such a circumstance… Do I look like such an unruly man, Motonobu-dono?”

“Heh… no, you are not. Pardon me for that.”

That little exchange seemed to have lightened the mood in the room. Though, the mood would turn tense again in a bit.

“We understand. Masataka, we will heed your request. Bring the person in.”

“Thank you for your grace, my lord.”

I made eye contact with Tokimune, who was waiting outside the room. He nodded, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment, then went to call a certain someone who had been waiting in another room.

Soon after, a woman was brought in, her face was covered with a piece of clothing.

A retainer sitting near the entrance muttered, “A new wife, as expected…” but seriously, it wasn’t like that at all!

“Please take a seat here.”

Without saying a word, the woman sat right next to me.

“Masataka-dono, she is before the lord. Do you believe that veil is appropriate?”

I nodded to Yasutomo-dono’s words.

“Forgive me, but there was a circumstance that required her to hide her face. But you’re right, Yasutomo-dono, it isn’t necessary now. You may reveal your face.”

“Yes…”

When she removed her veil, every person in this room gasped in surprise, but Nagamochi-dono was the most surprised of them all.

“What on earth does this mean?”

“W-why—?! Why is Tsubaki here?!”

Nagamochi-dono’s words shocked the other retainers who had been staring at Tsubaki¹The author has been inconsistent with the honorifics for Tsubaki whenever the MC refers to her in the narration, so I’ll go with no honorifics, since that’s what pops up the most often.’s face with confused expression. Well, it wasn’t a strange reaction. After all, during the reward distribution earlier, Ujizane-sama touched on the matter.

That Nagamochi-dono had killed Tsubaki with his own hands.

And yet, she was alive and well beside me.

“I shall provide an explanation.”

Like I said, this was the perfect opportunity to solidify the Imagawa clan’s foundation. For such an opportunity to come to me like this—I realized once again just how lucky I was.