What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 23

January 14th – Kasagi Yuichi & Yuichi Rokurou

Sakagawa was defeated. And not just defeated—but completely annihilated. It’s unbelievable…

I heard that the man leading the enemy was an unknown wandering swordsman.
Yet, he managed to bring Kitamura and Shimizu under his command. Though both were small clans, they had enough strength to be well-known in the region.

But even if their combined landholdings were taken into account, they were no more than minor landowners, barely holding 300 koku by the end of last year.
And yet, in just a matter of days, their power has grown rapidly. Now, they’ve crushed Sakagawa in a single stroke and arrived at Kasagi. They’ve taken control of Hirooka, a prosperous trading village, and even Kiriyama has sworn allegiance to them.

Just what kind of man is he…?

A familiar face from Sakagawa’s forces fled here and told me the tale.

Sakagawa’s main force was led by Namikawa Sakon, a master of the spear renowned for his prowess. And yet, Sakon was struck down in a single blow. 

His opponent? Yamanaka—the enemy general.

“After that, countless men rushed him, but they were cut down in an instant. To me, Yamanaka looked like Bishamonten himself. His subordinates were skilled warriors as well. We realized that we stood no chance against them.”

Bishamonten, huh? So Yamanaka is a true warlord…

‘Fight or submit—choose.’

How amusing.

I, Yuichi Rokurou, will never turn my back on the enemy. I have grown tired of bowing to the powerful—whether it be Kofukuji, Tsutsui, or Matsunaga. I have no interest in submitting without a fight.

If this is what my choices are, then I will face battle like a true warrior and fight to the bitter end.

January 15th – Kasagi Mountain – Yamanaka Yuuzaburou

“Oh? So Yuichi is planning to fight…”

“Yes. He has gathered twenty of his men and is waiting for us at the riverbank. They all have the look of men ready to die.”

Yamada’s unit has gone ahead to subjugate the last two villages in Kamo-go. He took ten spearmen and twenty bamboo spearmen with him.
Seikou is accompanying them. There likely won’t be much resistance there. 

Later, Kiriyamawill join them with people and materials for building the fort.

As for us, we left ten spearmen and ten bamboo spearmen under Juuzou’s command to hold Sakagawa. That means here in Kasagi, we have ten spearmen and thirty bamboo spearmen. Adding the unit under my direct command, we have a total of fifty men.

Yuichi, on the other hand, controls a territory worth five hundred koku, with a thriving trade economy. He can muster twenty soldiers along with additional militia, meaning he has enough forces to match our fifty.

But despite that, Yuichi has chosen not to mobilize his militia. He’s coming at us with just his twenty men.

Hmm… So he’s concluded that even with militia, he has no chance of winning. Instead, he’s leading only his personal warriors, ready to make a final stand and strike a blow before going down.

“Shinsuke, is Yuichi skilled in combat?”

“Well… I don’t recall hearing any rumors of him being a martial artist.”

“Then what kind of man is he?”

“I’ve heard he’s the most influential figure in Kasagi. A young and highly capable leader. The common folk seem to like him.”

A capable leader, huh? A proud man of power. He probably sees himself as too good to submit to an upstart like me. But at the same time, he refuses to flee, so he’s come out to fight on his own terms.

“What do you think of beating him down without killing him and forcing him into submission?”

“I believe that would be the best course of action.”

“Then see to it.”

“As you command.”

–

“I am Kitamura Shinsuke, Commander of the Yamanaka. I take it that you are Lord Yuichi’s troops. I appreciate the effort you took to come here. My men shall give you a worthy fight.”

Shinsuke led the entire army forward, sending out ten spearmen to face Yuichi’s forces.

“I am Yuichi Rokurou. I have heard of your great name, Kitamura-dono. Though I may be no match, I have come to strike one final blow as a samurai. Watch closely—this will be my last battle!”

The battle began. 

One after another, Yuichi’s men were struck down.

And yet, they did not run. They did not falter.

…The pride of a samurai, huh? Impressive resolve…

…It’s kind of admirable, really…

Yuichi was struck on the shoulder by Shinsuke’s spear, causing him to drop his weapon. A moment later, he was knocked to the ground by a blow from the butt end of the spear.

Not a single one of Yuichi’s men remained standing. But none of them had shed even a drop of blood—all had been struck down with the shafts of spears or the weighted ends, never the blade.

“Yuichi Rokurou, I am Yamanaka Yuuzaburou. If you wish, I will face you myself in a spear match.”

“…No, that will not be necessary. There is no way a clumsy spear like mine could stand against the warlord who struck down the mighty spear master Sakon in a single blow.”

“You have fought your last battle to uphold your pride as a samurai. What will you do now?”

“I, Yuichi Rokurou, have lost in my fight for pride as a samurai. From this moment forward, I shall serve as Yamanaka-dono’s loyal hands and feet, living a second life under your command.”

Before Kannonji Village in Kamo-go – Yamada Ichinojou

“Oh? So that mountain is Kasayama?”

Behind Kannonji Village stood a densely wooded mountain. Kiyooki, gazing at it, spoke up. It was only natural—he had just been appointed as the castellan of the Kasayama Fortress, so he was keen to see the land for himself.

“Nah, that there is Oonoyama. Shima-dono, Kasayama is just behind it.”

A local soldier spoke up casually.

Of the thirty men I led here, ten were from Kamo-go. Thanks to them, we hadn’t lost our way or been drawn into any unnecessary conflicts—we had made it here smoothly.

“I see. Mosaku, what do you think the Oono and Kannonji villages will do? Will they take up arms and fight us?”

“No, that won’t happen. Right now, they’re probably scrambling to prepare for your arrival.”

Mosaku declared the two villages’ submission. We had expected as much, but it was always best to remain cautious. There was a chance that Kizu-go’s forces might be on the move.

“Troops are approaching from the south. They’re soldiers from Takada Village.”

“That must be Kei’ei-san.”

Kei’eibou, a former head monk-soldier of Joururiji Temple, was an acquaintance of Seikou. He was a capable man, and the battalion commander had left him with ten troops to maintain order in Kamo-go.
However, I had never met him before since we had crossed paths at different times.

“You must be Yamada-dono. I am Kei’ei. Pleased to meet you.”

“I am Yamada Ichinojou. The pleasure is mine.”

Hmm… he has clear, sharp eyes. And from the way he carries himself, he’s clearly skilled. His calm and composed demeanor must put people at ease.
He seems even more dependable than I had heard…

“What is the situation with Oono and Kannonji villages?”

“Both have expressed their intent to submit. However, since they border Kizu-go, they are being cautious.”

Kizu-go was home to the six Kizu families, who together could muster over a thousand troops. For us, the small landowners of the mountains, it was unthinkable to oppose such a force.

And yet, our commander had declared that we would take them down with ease.

What had seemed impossible just yesterday now felt strangely feasible.

The intel agents had been spreading exaggerated rumors, amplifying the aura surrounding us. Surely, word had reached them by now that the Yamanaka army had already subdued Sugawa and was advancing into Kasagi.

“Oh, they’ve arrived…”

Two elderly men, likely village elders, were approaching us. They showed no signs of fear and walked with dignity.

“I am Denzaemon, the steward of Oono Village. This here is Tatsubei, the steward of Kannonji Village. Both of us villages have decided to submit to Lord Yamanaka. We are currently preparing food for you, so please, come and partake.”

“That is the most gracious of you.”

At Kannonji Village, a communal meal was being prepared. As we were being served, Kiriyama from Kasagi arrived, pushing a cart loaded with supplies alongside ten laborers. The cart was packed with stakes, ropes, mallets, saws, hatchets, and axes—everything needed for construction.

“Oh, what a fine view…”

Climbing up the slopes of Mount Kashiwara with the villagers, we could see the vast expanse of Kizu-go stretching before us. To the right, the Kizu River flowed down from Ise and Iga. It soon curved out of sight, continuing northward toward Ogura Pond, where it would eventually empty into the Naniwa Sea.

Just imagining its journey evoked a sense of grandeur.

For us, who had lived in the mountain valleys, it was an achievement to have broken through enemy lines and advanced far enough to witness such a great plain up close.

Kiyooki had already begun surveying the land. This was the site of an old fort, so much of its structure was still intact.

“We’ll clear the trees on the Kizu side and dig vertical trenches. To make it visible from a distance, we should carve a trench across the ridge and enclose it with a palisade. What do you think?”

“Yes, that should work. Do as you see fit.”

Kiyooki, who had been entrusted with the role of castellan, was practically glowing with excitement.

From the Kizu side, it should be obvious that this was a fortress. But in truth, it wouldn’t be in use for more than a month—so we had been told.

Its main purpose was to serve as a base for negotiating with the local samurai clans of Kizu-go.

Of course, we also had to be prepared for attacks during construction. But that would be handled by the troops from Takada Village and Kiriyama’s men.