345 End of Skirmish
Upon hearing the offer, Momotaro let out a faint smile, shaking his head in amusement.
"I'm really sorry, Hojo-Dono, but I must decline that offer," Momotaro replied. "I am now serving a worthy master. Betraying him would be sacrilege and a mockery of my life. I can't do that."
Observing Momotaro's unwavering loyalty to his old master, Nobunari Hojo grew even more appreciative of the young sword saint. This indicated that if he could secure this sword saint's loyalty, it was somewhat guaranteed that Momotaro would not betray him.
However, first, he needed to convince Momotaro that his old master was inferior and that serving him would be more beneficial.
"Momotaro-sensei, since you wanted me to stay here because your lord requires my presence, and my personal guard is impossible to defeat against you, do you mind if I ask you some questions while I'm waiting for your lord?" Nobunari initiated the conversation with a polite smile.
"No, I don't mind," Momotaro replied.
"May I ask what position you currently hold within your lord's rank?" the shogun inquired.
"Hmm," Momotaro pondered for a moment. "I believe I hold no rank. I'm just one of the elite warriors within his forces, recruited alongside another great warrior," he truthfully responded, referring to Heracles.
"I see," the shogun nodded, but his mind continued to question. "If what you've said is true, then I'm confused. Pardon my rudeness, but with your skill in swordsmanship, it should be said that no one in this country is equal to you. I doubt that warriors from other countries would have the same prowess as you, Momotaro-sensei." The shogun feigned concern while internally suppressing his excitement.
Hearing this, Momotaro's smile dimmed slightly, but he maintained his composure, showing no signs of hostility and remaining polite enough to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.
Observing Momotaro's demeanor, the Shogun interpreted it as a sign of frustration and dissatisfaction with Momotaro's old master. It was only natural for anyone, especially a highly skilled sword saint like Momotaro, to desire better prospects—a better life, a better future, and better compensation.
"Regarding your lord, how large is the land he holds in this region?" the Shogun inquired once more.
Momotaro fell silent for a moment, contemplating the extent of Daniel's property in Japan. He knew it wasn't substantial, merely a few plots of land within the Naha State business district and some in the rural areas.
"He doesn't own much, just several plots of land in the Naha State business district and some in the rural areas," Momotaro answered.
Upon hearing Momotaro's response, the Shogun let out a knowing smile. His question was aimed at assessing the extent of Momotaro's lord's power and influence. [As expected! This sword saint must be in service under a rural lord who lacks the authority to bestow him with a noble title or greater power. I believe this sword saint should be compensated with a percentage of the rural lord's income or perhaps given land in the business center as recompense!]
Having discerned Momotaro's frustration and dissatisfaction, the Shogun now aimed to seal the deal by highlighting the flaws in Momotaro's current allegiance. However, he needed to understand how Momotaro and his lord had crossed paths. Encountering a genuine sword saint in such circumstances was a rarity indeed.
"Very interesting. How did you and your lord meet?" the Shogun inquired.
The topic brought a wider smile to Momotaro's face, recalling the miraculous encounter with his lord. He pondered the sheer power his lord wielded, remembering the surreal experience of standing in a space akin to a dimensional void. There, amidst the cosmic tapestry of stars woven into colossal tree roots, Momotaro felt his insignificance like never before. It was akin to being an ant facing an imminent tsunami.
Though Momotaro had encountered god-like beings before, none had rendered him as awestruck as his first encounter with his lord in that void. However, he refrained from divulging such sensitive information to an adversary, opting to speak only half-truths, as he abhorred deceit.
"I was on the brink of death, but my lord saved me," Momotaro replied with sincerity.
Hearing of Momotaro's life-saving encounter with his lord posed a bit of a dilemma for the Shogun. While it seemed Momotaro was dissatisfied with his current circumstances, the notion of betraying such a significant debt of gratitude appeared unlikely. Nevertheless, the Shogun believed there was a solution to every problem.
"I see... If I were to offer assistance to your lord in gaining greater power and political influence, in exchange for your transfer of allegiance to me, what would you think? It would be a simple way for you to repay your lord's life-saving grace and also secure greater benefits under my rule," the Shogun proposed, extending his aid.
In Nobunari's estimation, he had pieced together the situation: the rural lord likely sought to negotiate or even orchestrate a coup, hence why he had sent Momotaro to intercept him before reaching Koyuki's imprisonment chamber. Although uncertain how the rural lord acquired this information, Nobunari planned to allow the lord to revel in his perceived triumph for a year or two before dealing with him, once Momotaro's loyalty was secured.
Perplexed by Nobunari's proposal, Momotaro furrowed his brows. "What are you talking about?"
Utterly bewildered, Momotaro couldn't fathom why the Shogun would offer to grant his lord more power and influence. After all, Momotaro knew his lord could easily rule the world if he so desired. This proposition seemed like a sick joke to him.
"That's absurd. My lord has no need for such offers. He sent me here for a different purpose altogether," Momotaro responded, his confusion evident.
"Huh?" Momotaro was thoroughly perplexed. Did this fool really believe his lord was just some insignificant rural figure in Naha-state? Absurd!
"Please understand, Momotaro-Sensei, your lord may not be as virtuous as you imagine. Frankly, I believe he's a shameless bastard who—" Nobunari's words were abruptly cut off by a searing pain in his mouth.
Slash!
A flash of steel, followed by a gush of blood as Nobunari's cheeks and tongue were sliced by Momotaro's blade. Just like that, Momotaro had severed his tongue! Nobunari's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed at Momotaro, who now emanated a chilling aura, devoid of any semblance of friendliness.
Nobunari couldn't comprehend why Momotaro, a sword saint, had reacted so fiercely. After all, he was merely trying to highlight the flaws in Momotaro's lord. Surely, Momotaro must harbor some discontent too! But why the drastic response?
"I don't know what's going through your mind, Nobunari... But if you dare disrespect my lord again in any way, I'll sever your head and return to face my lord's punishment for disobeying his orders and taking your life," Momotaro declared, his tone chillingly cold.
"Since you're so ensnared in this... illusionary world of yours, believing my lord to be some insignificant noble incapable of providing for me, know this: my lord's power exceeds anything you could fathom. His esteemed name is Daniel Emberweave," Momotaro declared, his tone dripping with disdain as he surveyed his surroundings.
At the mention of his lord's name, Nobunari's eyes widened in disbelief.
How? How could Daniel have knowledge of this passage? And how had he managed to secure the loyalty of this... this sword saint? He's a foreigner! And Koyuki... he should have already rescued her! In a brief moment of panic, the shogun struggled to maintain his composure. Nonetheless, he clung to the knowledge that he still possessed a means to unleash the curse his onmyoji had sealed within Koyuki's soul. He understood the likely consequences of such an act but was determined to inflict some measure of retribution upon the foreigner who had thwarted him.
With fury blazing in his eyes, Nobunari directed a venomous glare at Momotaro, though his ability to speak was severely hindered by the loss of his tongue, and blood continued to flow from the wound unabated.
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Momotaro swiftly retrieved a medical kit, administering a sedative and a potent medication to stem the bleeding.
Before long, the effects of the sedative overtook the shogun, plunging him into a deep slumber. His loyal guards, recognizing the futility of challenging a sword saint of Momotaro's caliber, remained frozen in place, resigned to their inevitable capture by Daniel's approaching soldiers.
— Morning —
As the night's bloody skirmish gave way to morning, the smoke of conflict gradually dissipated, revealing a scene of surrender among the shogun's soldiers. History would later record this as one of the shortest reigns of the Hojo clan, their rule abruptly ended within a mere few weeks by the hand of a foreigner, much to the ridicule of every lord in the land. (Author's Note: In this timeline, Mitsuhide didn't betray Nobunaga, so that doesn't count.)
The confrontation between Daniel and the Hojo clan proved to be fleeting, largely due to Odysseus's meticulous planning. Momotaro had been strategically positioned along the route the shogun would inevitably take to check on Koyuki, who remained a valuable hostage. This carefully laid plan bore fruit as Daniel's forces successfully apprehended Nobunari Hojo while he sought refuge in the imprisonment chamber, precisely as intended.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢