What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 22

Eiroku 3, January 14 – Below Sarukawa Castle – Yamanaka Yūzaburō

“General, Sarukawa Hasaemon is a man of great integrity, respected by the people. His son, Harunosuke, is also highly capable.”

With the battle over, I had entered the former Sarukawa estate in the town below the castle. There, Jūzō made a plea for the lives of Hasaemon and his son.

Despite their wounds, foot soldiers and even townsfolk had fiercely protected the two. A stark contrast to the lower Sarukawa forces, who had scattered the moment they were struck.

But still…

The rest of the Sarukawa clan who had joined the battle had been completely wiped out. Those who had remained in the castle had taken their own lives upon hearing of their defeat.

Even if some of the lower Sarukawa had fled, I had already sent pursuers after them.

Would Hasaemon and his son truly swear loyalty to me after I had annihilated their kin?

Even if they submitted for now, I wouldn’t want them stabbing me in the back later…

“General, I fully understand your concerns, but we cannot afford to waste such a valuable asset. We are in desperate need of capable men.”

Yeah, I get that. But still…

Well, might as well meet them first.

“Hasaemon, your life was spared by the people who cherish you. Will you use it to help rebuild this war-torn land?”

“You would spare me? I have no fear of death, but if my son’s life is also guaranteed, then I will serve.”

Hmph, looks like Jūzō already made sure of his loyalty.

“Sarukawa Harunosuke, your father has spoken. What say you?”

“I… I will follow my father’s will.”

Hmm, he’s still not convinced. Well, that’s only natural…

Ah, whatever. I’m done thinking about Sarukawa. 

Let’s just leave everything to Jūzō.

“Jūzō, you will oversee the restoration of Sarukawa with Hasaemon. For the time being, I will not station any troops here. But all castles will be dismantled, and this estate will serve as the magistrate’s office.”

“As you command.”

Since the Yamanaka army consists entirely of standing forces, I will not disperse my troops needlessly.
Instead, they are stationed only at key strategic points. 

That is why I have no use for numerous small castles, which could easily become breeding grounds for rebellion.

“Shima Kiyooki. You have claimed the greatest merit in this battle by slaying the enemy’s supreme commander. Though you are still a guest warrior, I hereby appoint you as the castellan of the Kaseyama Fortress on the front line with Kizu Village.”

“A… castellan?! This is an honor far beyond my worth!”

Kiyooki bowed deeply, accepting the appointment with formal deference. Jūzō and the others, who knew the truth, chuckled among themselves.

Kaseyama is a mountain on the border between Kamo Village and Kizu. However, no fortress currently stands there. There might be remnants of an old fortification, but it hasn’t been used in years.

In fact, that region doesn’t even belong to the Yamanaka domain yet. We will have to invade and seize it first.

In other words, despite being named castellan, Kiyooki will have to build the fortress from scratch.

This is his punishment for tagging along to the battle without permission and trying to steal the spotlight. While everyone else was fighting for distinction, he brazenly inserted himself to take the glory.

I was surprised to learn that the famed Shima Sakon is actually much younger than me. He’s an arrogant brat, but surprisingly charming and well-liked. No doubt he will gain dignity over time, but for now, he is still an inexperienced youth.

Well, he is skilled in combat, straightforward in nature, and quite useful in many ways.

And now that he has received an appointment from me, he is as good as my retainer.

Heh heh heh…

“Shinsuke, leave things here to Jūzō. We march on Kasagi. Form up the ranks.”

“Yes, sir!”

We reached Kasagi long before dusk.

I entered Kasagi Temple atop Mount Kasagi—a place where Emperor Go-Daigo once raised his banner in rebellion and where Kusunoki Masashige had ridden forth to his aid.

Mount Kasagi is open at the front due to the Kizu River, providing a clear vantage point over Kasagi Village nestled in the mountain valley. Below us, the Hirooka domain is visible, already secured by one of our detachments. 

It seems the Hirooka clan has fled.

Merchants from the town arrive bearing money, provisions, and various goods, offering their congratulations on our victory. Village elders, accompanied by women, prepare hot meals for the soldiers. Among them are samurai and monks as well.

All of them are here to curry favor with me, hoping to maintain the status quo.

This is likely the result of the rumors spread by the spies beforehand.

It was said that the Yamanaka army showed no mercy to those who resisted but refrained from pillaging villages that submitted. Another rumor suggested that Matsunaga would soon invade, and that the only way to survive was to side with Yamanaka.

The Sarukawa clan, which once held sway over this region, was annihilated in a single strike. Word must have spread that the Yamanaka forces would next invade Kasagi and Kamo Villages.

Beyond the visible presence of the armed Yamanaka troops, dozens of unseen scouts and operatives from various trades were already working in the shadows. It was a battle of intelligence. 

I had heard that Hirooka had nearly defected after catching wind of these developments.

Now, what would the remaining leaders of Kasagi, Kiriyama and Ariichi, do?

So far, there has been no word of their submission. If nothing changed by morning, I intended to invade without further discussion.

“Today is a victorious day. Give the soldiers sake. But remember—there’s battle again tomorrow. Don’t let them drink too much.”

I had victory sake distributed to all soldiers except those on watch. The sake was a tribute from the merchants of Hirooka. However, no one was allowed to drink enough to become drunk.

Tomorrow, the army would split into two forces to subjugate the remaining parts of Kasagi and Kamo Village.

“Kiriyama Sangorō, if I guarantee your landholdings, will you submit to Lord Yamanaka?”

About half an hour later, Kiriyama himself rushed to us and bowed his head.

He was a young man, his lean and rugged physique resembling that of a mountain woodsman.

Swearing fealty with such low conditions… and for such a small piece of mountain land?

“………”

“You may take some time to respond, but I beg of you…”

“…Fine. Your land will be guaranteed. You’ve already heard the other conditions from Jingorō, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I fully understand.”

“Tomorrow, we will build a fort at Kaseyama. I want you to provide materials and labor for it.”

“Understood.”

Well, they’re basically mountain folk. They should be useful for fort-building. I’ll make sure they work hard.

“By the way, Kiriyama, do you know what Ariichi is planning?”

“Yes, he had expected Sagawa to win, so he’s probably panicking right about now.”

I figured as much.
And truth be told, you were probably thinking the same thing. You must have been maintaining ties with Sagawa as well, not just with me. 

Well, I suppose that’s how all these local lords operate around here.

I won’t say it out loud, though…

Yagyū Road – Kakuchi Anami

How easily our army was defeated. I still can’t believe it.

After the main force had marched out, I remained behind at the castle with only a handful of men.
From the castle, I could see the enemy being lured into the narrow pass, just as planned, with our main force poised to strike.

This was it. The end of Yamanaka.

I was certain of it.

Beyond that battle, my glorious future as a castle lord awaited me.

But after that, the main force was pushed back.

The battlefield was filled with blue bamboo spears rising and falling, shimmering in the sunlight. The vanguard of our army fell beneath their blows.

Then, our spear unit waded into the fray, disrupting the enemy ranks.

Of course. This was Sagawa’s elite spearmen, led by the famed master of the long spear—Namikawa Sakon.

But then, a spear unit emerged from the enemy’s ranks as well.

What followed seemed to be a chaotic melee… and then suddenly, the battlefield opened up.

Two warriors stood facing each other.

A duel.

The soldiers all stopped fighting to watch. 

But hat a fool.

He was about to become food for Namikawa Sakon’s “Chikumaru.”

Then, a mighty “Ooooooohhhhhhh!!” echoed all the way to the castle.

Hah… Sakon’s name has risen in glory once again…

But soon, the battlefield devolved into chaos, and a strange atmosphere spread.
The lord has fallen in battle…

N-no way! No—our soldiers are scattering in every direction.

So we’ve lost…

I can’t stay here. The enemy’s pursuers will be here any moment. I have to escape.
But first—I need money.

I rushed into the lord’s chambers and threw open the treasury. Grabbing as much coin as I could carry, I bundled it into a cloth.

“What are you doing, Anami?”

Her Ladyship’s voice cut through my panic.

“We’ve lost. The lord and Sakon have fallen. The soldiers have fled. The enemy will be here soon. I must take the money and run!”

“No… The lord… lost?”

The Ladyship stood frozen in shock. I ignored her and lifted my bundle. 

Too heavy… Have I taken too much?
If it’s too heavy, I won’t be able to escape…

I set it down and tossed five or six rolls of coins aside.
…This should be enough.

“Wait, Anami! Take me with you. I’ll grant you whatever you wish.”

She stepped so close I could feel her breath, pleading desperately.

Even in a moment like this, her scent, her allure—it was almost enough to break me.

…No. No. I can’t. Taking a woman along would only slow me down.

“I will survive and avenge our lord, may you and the young master prepare yourselves for what is to come… Forgive me!”

“Anami…!”

I tore myself away from her grasping voice and ran.

Almost no one remained in the castle.
Everyone—soldiers, servants—had already fled.

Now… where should I escape to?

Most would head toward Nanto, but the Yamato Highway runs straight through enemy territory.

That’s it—I’ll take the hidden path behind the castle and head south along the Yagyū Road.
In the south, the Tsutsui clan still holds their mountain stronghold. I should be able to catch my breath there.

–

I ran desperately along the narrow mountain path until I finally reached the Yagyū Road.

Now I am safe.

Steam rose from my body. My throat was parched.
Was there a stream nearby? A teahouse, perhaps, where I could stop and quench my thirst? 

And If I come across a farmhouse, I can change into work clothes to avoid standing out…

Still… my heart raced when Her Ladyship pleaded with me.

If the enemy hadn’t been so close, I might have thrown her down right then and there. I had always held back out of respect for my lord, but truth be told, I had felt this way for some time.
Maybe—just maybe—she cared for me more than she did for him…

What a shame. What a terrible, aching shame…

“Good day, samurai-sama.”

—What!?

I hadn’t expected to see anyone. A beggar? Here, of all places?

“What do you want? I have no food for you!”

“If not food, then money will do just fine.”

“Money? I have none, either!”

“Lies. You left the castle with a fortune, didn’t you?”

“W-what…?! How do you… Ugh—!”

Something cold stabbed into my stomach. My legs lost all strength, and I collapsed onto the ground.

“I saw everything…”

The world grew dark.

The beggar’s murmuring voice faded into nothingness.

Something cold touches my face.

At first, I thought it was the frozen earth…