| Author: Carrot Sauce | Original Source: SFACG | Word Count: 3091 characters |
| Translator: Yuki | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1776 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Joining forces with Lily, Nobuyuki ascended the top of the sedan to meet with her and the others before returning to his horse on the ground. He rode beside Rei, reminiscing about the past. As they left the Kai mountains, reinforcements from the Uesugi, Murai, and Sanada clans joined them one after another. By the time they approached Suruga province, their numbers had swelled to twenty thousand.
In Suruga, however, they encountered resistance from the forty-thousand-strong Imagawa army. Lily’s main force was still en route, with the vanguard units stationed at the forest’s edge, directly facing the enemy.
The vanguard was composed of Itagaki, Sanada, and their troops. Amidst the rain-soaked forests and mountains, Lily was enjoying tea with Ayaka, Shimizu, and others, observing the passing scenery.
“A report, Lady General,” a kunoichi announced. “Our scouts have spotted an army of forty thousand about fifty miles ahead, led by the Imagawas.”
“Imagawa?” Lily mused for a moment. Her mind drifted back to when she first arrived in Kamakura. She remembered being halted by Hojo in front of the Saionji house and meeting Imagawa. It felt like such a long time ago. “How strong are their forces?” she inquired.
“A majority are regular soldiers, but there are a few black armored soldiers, and it seems there’s a very powerful warlord among them,” the kunoichi detailed.
“Tell Itagaki and Sanada not to act rashly. Let’s use the forests and mountains as a barrier and wait for the main army to join us,” Lily instructed firmly.
“I obey,” the kunoichi affirmed and swiftly left to relay the orders.
Lily glanced at Ayaka and Shimizu. “Despite the size of the Imagawa army, they’re mostly ordinary troops. Since they pose no major threat, there’s no need for us to engage in wanton slaughter.”
“What’s your strategy, then?” Ayaka asked, curious about Lily’s plan.
“We’ll capture Imagawa and compel his army to surrender,” Lily declared.
Shimizu interjected, “Lily, allow me to handle this matter. As the general, you shouldn’t be risking yourself in the enemy’s front lines.”
“Very well, I shall rely on you,” Lily conceded, acknowledging Shimizu’s concern.
After their tea, the group reached their destination. The Nioh statues, despite their massive size, moved quickly, outpacing most horses.
From a vantage point on a hillside, they could see the Imagawa troops arrayed across the plains, their numbers not insignificant. Lily released her spiritual probe, identifying the most formidable adversary: a black-armored warlord seated in a sedan chair next to Imagawa, likely a Throned Saint sent by Yoritomo.
“Sister Shimizu, the enemy shouldn’t pose a significant threat,” Lily assessed confidently.
The two armies were approximately two kilometers apart. On the Imagawa side, Imagawa himself sat in a roofless sedan chair, his gaze fixed on the army opposite him. He felt a shiver of apprehension as he observed the twelve gigantic Nioh statues carrying the enormous, castle-like sedan chair.
Turning to the black-armored warlord beside him, Imagawa voiced his concern, “I’ve heard about Cherry Blossom Valley’s formidable strength, enough to even defeat Lord Kamakura. Is our formation robust enough to withstand their assault?”
“Lord Imagawa, rest assured,” the warlord replied confidently. “Our formation can inflict serious harm on the enemy. Even if it doesn’t secure victory, it will certainly stall them.”
Encouraged, Imagawa commanded, “Excellent! Let’s commence preparations!”
With his directive, the army began forming its battle lines, each formation centered around a platform with sorcerers ready to enact their eldritch rituals.
“No! They’re using sacrificial formations1!” Lily realized with alarm.
Though the sacrifices were merely ordinary soldiers, the formations’ power was sufficient to pose a serious threat to the Itagaki and Sanada forces, and countless Imagawa soldiers would perish.
“Sister Shimizu, you must stop them!” Lily urgently called out.
Shimizu’s form blurred into a swift afterimage, her every step releasing golden butterflies. In a mere moment, she appeared in front of the Imagawa army.
The Imagawa troops, lacking in discipline and organization, were not yet fully arrayed in formation and thus posed little immediate threat.
Shimizu effortlessly ascended to the platform of Imagawa’s sedan chair.
“Brazen witch!” the black armored warlord bellowed, leaping up with his longsword swinging towards Shimizu.
Shimizu parried the blow with her blade, Yakumo, and swiftly extended a hand, releasing a powerful fluctuation. The warlord screamed in agony as his dark energy was drained by Shimizu. Being merely a throned saint, he was no match for Shimizu’s potent secret art. He hovered momentarily in the air before collapsing motionless to the ground.
To ensure his demise, Shimizu released two underworld butterflies, transforming them into slender blades that pierced the warlord’s body. Dozens of warriors encircled Shimizu with spears, attempting to stab her. These soldiers, mere ordinary awakened adepts, were effortlessly repelled by Shimizu with a mere flick of her sleeve, sending a shockwave that knocked them back.
Shimizu then pressed the edge of her blade against Imagawa’s throat, who froze in shock. “Order your men to halt the formation and surrender, or face the consequences,” Shimizu demanded sternly.
“Uh, this…this…” Imagawa stuttered, unable to perceive Shimizu’s true realm. He clung to a sliver of hope for a rescue from another general, momentarily unwilling to shed his pride and surrender. If only he could comprehend the vast gap in strength between him and Shimizu, he would have likely surrendered without hesitation. The complexity of the situation was amplified by the disparity in their realms.
At that moment, a cavalry bearing the Ashikaga flag approached from the west Suguru plains. Leading them was Ashikaga Makoto2, clad in beige armor and black pantyhose. “Imagawa, are you betraying the Ashikaga clan?” she shouted.
“Madam Ashikaga?” Imagawa’s expression contorted as recognition dawned upon him. Not just him, but the soldiers of Ashikaga also paused, taken aback by the sudden appearance of their former leader.
Makoto stood firm, her voice resolute as she declared, “Surrender now, and I shall overlook your actions, still acknowledging you as part of the Ashikaga. Resist, and face death here as a consequence of aligning with Minamoto no Yoritomo’s ambitions!”
Imagawa, his face a mix of emotions, struggled to reconcile the situation. The woman holding a blade to his throat – strong, commanding, and vaguely familiar – was the same young girl he had once encountered in Kamakura. The realization, coupled with the ultimatum from his former superior, pushed him to a decision.
With a resigned exhale, Imagawa capitulated, “I… I surrender! Please, don’t kill me.”
Shimizu, acknowledging his surrender, released him from the blade’s edge.
As Imagawa commanded his army to surrender, the black-armored soldiers ingested a pill that transformed them into powerful demonic samurai. They launched an assault on Shimizu and Makoto, while others began a frenzied assault on the Imagawa soldiers. Despite their ferocity, their numbers were limited to under a hundred. They were quickly subdued by Shimizu’s swift actions and the reinforcements led by Rei.
Fearing Minamoto no Yoritomo’s wrath, Imagawa chose not to rebel against him by surrendering to Makoto. Instead, he opted for a strategic retreat, leading half of his army back to the city. The remaining half, caught in the unfolding chaos, was subsequently taken over by Ashikaga Makoto.
“Mother Makoto.” Lily greeted Ashikaga Makoto warmly, relieved at their reunion. She had always been concerned for her since sending the demon hound to aid her during their last encounter.
“Lily… is it time for me to kneel and pay my respects to you now, General?” Makoto asked, her voice tinged with a mix of respect and hesitance.
“What? No, please don’t. This general’s position is merely to provide clarity to the world,” Lily replied, guiding Makoto up to the sedan chair.
This encounter, largely devoid of bloodshed, barely qualified as a battle due to the vast difference in strength between the two sides. With the addition of Ashikaga Makoto and her troops, Lily’s punitive army swelled to fifty thousand strong. They crossed the Suruga plains with a determined air, heading towards Kansai.
Upon reaching Totomi province, more noble and martial families joined, bolstering the army to seventy thousand.
Lily’s understanding of Tokugawa’s tactics was still evolving. Tokugawa made no appearance as the army approached Okazaki city. Given her current realm and stature, Tokugawa posed no threat, rendering a siege on Okazaki unnecessary. Yet, leaving him unaddressed at their rear presented a risk.
As Lily’s army paused outside the city, Honda Yahatarou, a towering figure at five meters3, approached with his spear. In comparison to the Nioh statues and the massive sedan chair, he seemed quite small.
“Lord Honda,” Lily called out.
“Lynne…” Honda responded, his tone mixed with various emotions.
“Audacious! She is the Lady General!” a female cavalry soldier exclaimed.
Lily gestured for calm, indicating that formalities were unnecessary.
“What brings you here, Lord Honda?” she inquired.
“Lyn— Lady Lynne…” Honda hesitated, finding it difficult to address her as ‘General.’ The thought of formally addressing the woman he harbored feelings for in such a manner left him visibly conflicted. “Lord Tokugawa has sent a message. Regardless of the outcome, win or lose, he has pledged that the Tokugawa army will remain within Mikawa.”
Tokugawa, sensing Lily’s apprehension, had dispatched Honda, with whom she shared a good rapport, to communicate his intentions. Lily had no intention of attacking Honda.
“I understand,” Lily responded with a nod.
“Then, farewell,” Honda said, offering a salute. Despite his reluctance, he turned and left decisively.
“Lord Honda,” Lily called after him.
“Lynne,” Honda couldn’t resist looking back as Lily called out to him.
“Take care,” Lily said earnestly, her tone sincere, before she turned to re-enter the sedan.
Honda remained standing, his gaze following the massive sedan as it moved away.
After traversing Mikawa, their next destination was Owari. With the size of the army now at seventy thousand, their pace had understandably slowed. They set up camp at the Mikawa border, planning to enter Owari the following day.
Upon entering Owari, they were greeted by a group of people. These individuals, dressed casually and lacking the formality of traditional military officials, were unfamiliar.
They brought with them an abundance of livestock, gifts, and supplies.
The group’s leader, a middle-aged man, knelt and called out, “General Lyn-hime, I am Oda. I have been waiting here for you for a long time.”
“Oda?” Lily recognized the name. During her first visit to the Yamashiro province, she had encountered the Oda clan and aided them. Since then, the Oda clan had ousted the Yoshishige clan from Kiyosu, becoming the rulers of Owari. However, their ascent was not recognized by the Imperial Court, which viewed the Oda clan as something akin to bandits rather than traditional nobles or a wealthy family.
