November, Tensho IX, Hakone
After the early morning discussion with Shingoro, I immediately went to Master's room. Of course, he must have known about the Takeda family's case since he went out of his way to move the demon.
"Oshishou, shishirei shimasu.
"You're here at ......
When I entered the room, I found Master drinking tea. He must have known that I would be heading to his room, because there was still a cup of steaming tea on the other side of the room.
Let's cool off even more today. Now, please sit down.
"At ......, thank you.
You take a sip of warm tea and breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe it's because I was so nervous earlier, but the warmth of the tea is soothing to every corner of my body, and I can feel my mind becoming calm.
Master was staring at me with a calm expression. I finally realized my mistake and was ashamed of myself.
Have you calmed down?
"............ is undaunted
"Ho-ho-ho, Master Sambhogakkara is still in its infancy. Be diligent.
"Muu ......
This is exactly what happened to the limpid ...... move of the Takeda family was completely unexpected, but that doesn't mean you should be distracted.
It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. You can't help but be called inexperienced.
But maybe that's how special the Takeda family is to me.
I know what you want to ask, Master Sambodhi. "I know what you would like to ask, Master Sambodhi.
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right or not. You can't help but ride the ...... master's suggestion.
I'm not going to be able to get the same as you.
"Ho-ho-ho-ho ...... Master Sanboshi doesn't want to leave the Takeda family, does he?
"Get ......!
The words of the master made me stand up.
The ones that passed my mind were Matsu, Tsubaki and the rest of the Shirayuri-tai. The person who gave those innocent girls a taste of hell is none other than the samurai of the Takeda family.
I'm not going to be the only one. I'm not sure if they were not family at the time, but that doesn't change the fact that they hurt my family.
...... I will never forgive the Takeda family for what they did to me.
But that's a private feeling. ......
"If my grandfather is okay with it, I'll persevere.
When I whispered to myself, my master unexpectedly patted my head. I'm trying to hold back tears from falling out of my eyes at the infinitely gentle touch.
You've done well. You are a king, sometimes you have to make a ruthless decision. You can't be afraid to be objective. You will be the first to know what it is that you need to protect.
Trying look, why such a simple question?
It is the tatami. It is a tatami that must be fed to the blind.
That's not true.
"Huh?
My answer was so easy to cut my intentions to pieces that I couldn't help but make a funny noise.
'Then, Nakama! In the family!
That's not true.
Master shook his head as if to say that he didn't understand anything. Seeing this, I felt the blood rush to my head, but I held on tightly. What exactly does Master want to ask? I thought you were talking about the Takeda family!
"What the hell do you mean? What's the point of this? Where is all the talk about bamboo?
Master smiled thinly. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.
You will be able to find a way for ............ the Takeda family to survive, and there is a plan. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. ...... I wanted to question your resolve before I said this plan.
"May I remind you, Master Sambodhi, ...... the thing you have to protect most is your country. You have to destroy all the demons that threaten the country. You have to be the one who has the most to protect your country, even if it means that hundreds of people will die. If you want to save ten thousand, be prepared to sacrifice a hundred.
A painful silence dominates the place. Master's words kept going round and round in my head, and my thoughts could not keep up.
No, really, I knew it. To achieve a world without war ...... that much blood will be spilled to achieve peace in the world!
The same goes for this one. Even if the Takeda family files a peace petition, it won't stop now! Once raised, there is no way to shake off the contraption .......
The answer to this question is always the same: ...... I must ...... kill the innocent people. ...... I bowed deeply.
I bowed my head deeply to show my resolve. I bowed my head to ...... show my resolve.
...... Please leave the ...... measures behind. I'm going to save a lot of tatami, even the tatami I kill. ......
"Are you ready?
He wiped the tears from his eyes roughly with his sleeve and vigorously raised his face to stare at his master.
The face reflected in the master's eyes was a terrible mess of tears and runny nose, but it was the face of a man who had made up his mind.
I will kill you. I will kill a lot of tatami. I will kill many pests. But I'll never break down, I'll keep on walking! I hope that someday, when the tatami mats in their hearts have found their way to the Rinne and are in a state of perpetual motion, they will be happy. I will take care of everything!
My heart's cry spread through the room, and soon there was silence. Master nodded repeatedly, as if he were chewing on my words, and then smiled gently, "Your will, never forget.
He smiled gently and said, "You must never forget your will. The king is not a man, but he is not a god. Life is a series of decisions. When you become a king, it is a matter of life and death. You may be subjected to unspoken infamy, and one day you may close your mind.
Look around you. Your friends, attracted by your aspirations, will surely try to support you. "When you are in a difficult situation, take the hand of your friends. They will do their best to help you. Your hand is the very bond you have developed.
There will be many who will not be able to hear your words in the future. In the future, there will be many people who will not be able to receive your words, and the words of an untainted infant will be dismissed as a superficial and beautiful thing. Your words carry as much weight as the life you have led. Please be a proud and compassionate person. Someday, your feelings will melt their hearts.
"............! U...... ugh ......
I was speechless ....... All I could do was imprint my master's words on my heart.
I felt like I could finally stand at the beginning of this hard road.
Perhaps the master's plan will lead to many deaths. Until now, I would have been crushed by the guilt of that ......, so Master asked me to question my resolve and taught me to rely on my precious family members.
I can't save all of the Takeda family, but I will certainly make the world a place where those who sacrificed will be able to live a happy life when they are reborn.
I'm sure I'll be reborn ...... because that's what I am.
"Master Sambodhi, then I will give you a plan. I'll leave it up to you to decide how to use it.
"Okay. ......
"Then ----
The next day, we left Hakone. We now headed to Odawara and returned to Gifu by sea.
Unfortunately, my master did not accompany me. It was partly because of his advanced age, but I'm sure he was satisfied with the fact that I had entrusted him with everything.
Instead, he gave me a fan as a memento.
A pair of bells painted in black and white are distinctive, and the sound of the bells is mysterious, as if they were melting in the clear winter sky.
When I hold the fan that my master used to use, I feel as if I am there and feel at peace. I'm not alone. Master is also an important family member who supports me.
Master, your intentions are certainly taken care of!
"Takeda's reconciliation with Oda: ......?
"Ha! No doubt.
Hmm. That's not very funny. ......
When the light shines, the darkness arises. The conspiracy to defeat Takeda was about to begin.