Read Mysterious Job Called Oda Nobunaga | 166 -

166 - - 166 Promise with Seraphina

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　I had a scenario in mind in which Hasse would surrender before we launched our attack, but that did not happen.

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　I don't know whether he still thinks he can win or he doesn't know when to quit, but I prefer that to a quick and easy end.

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　I moved my army toward the Cathedral of Orsent in Josai Prefecture.

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　There were no opposing forces on the way. If we were to fight, Hasse's side would probably expect the capital and the lands to the west of it. They would rather fall back and fight back than stay in a small fortress on the front line and try to bleed out our forces.

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　In a town about an hour from the Cathedral of Orcent, High Priest Camito and I met for the first time in a long time. We made our exorcisms and had a one-on-one conversation in private.

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"I am willing to cooperate with you on behalf of His Majesty Rumi I."

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　High Priest Kamito looked terribly old. It had been more than five years since he and I had crossed swords. Perhaps I am too young, partly because of my occupation.

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There is no one else listening. Don't be condescending. You can tell me how much you really feel about me, and it will make it easier for me to talk to you."

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"My biggest mistake was not defeating you in the previous battle."

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　Sighing, the high priest said.

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"Now there is no one left to hold you back. If this is the case, I should have stayed where I was and joined the alliance of Ailes Kartis and Brand Nahum."

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　--Because that's what they did to me. If it weren't for Hongwanji, I would have taken over sooner.

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　Oda Nobunaga seems to have a point. He is more of a Honganji-hater than a religion-hater.

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"It is not your fault. It's just that I'm stronger than the people who came into King's Landing before. If you learn from the past, you might be forgiven for thinking it would help. What are your demands?"

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　The high priest shook his head in disgust.

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"Now we have no choice but to follow your new regime. If you had told me to set fire to the cathedral, I would have resisted desperately, but if you were such a fool, you would have been dead long ago."

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"Okay. I'll see to it that you don't lose too much money. You just have to trust me on this.

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　I held out my hand to the high priest.

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"I never thought I'd shake your hand like this. ......"

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　The high priest's hands were wrinkled and yellowed.

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"Are you ill?"

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"Well, I can live long enough to see the unification of the kingdoms. Don't worry about it."

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　Maybe it's time for the former great man of the age to retire.

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The time may have come for him to retire.

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　With Orcent Cathedral as a rear base, our army invaded eastward, skipping King's Landing.

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　There were still some resisters who came as far as this land, but they were no match for us.

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　This land has been the scene of skirmishes for a long time, and the construction of its castles and fortresses is notoriously lax. They could still strengthen their defenses, but they could easily break through even by force.

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　It took only a month and a half to conquer the eastern provinces.

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　We only have to leave the capital.

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　Little by little, the troops under my command narrowed the encirclement outside the capital.

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　We have also strengthened our surveillance of the roads. There was a chance that Hasse might try to escape. Whether Hasse is alive or dead, we need to witness the moment when he ceases to be king completely.

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　It would be a stain on the reign of Rumi and myself if Hasse, a relic of the old times, were still hanging around somewhere. And as long as Hasse is lurking somewhere, the state of war will never end.

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　Odanobunaga agreed. Royalty is a convenient tool for rebel plotters to carry. Akechi Mitsuhide, who defeated Oda Nobunaga, was also trying to carry a former general who had been exiled.

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　Even if Hasse himself has no ability, his value as a tool remains the same. That is why it is necessary to make sure that he is harmless.

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　Little by little, the end was in sight.

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　I made my lodgings more secure than ever. Odanobunaga recommended it. It would be too bad if I died here.

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　That night Serafina and I spent some quality time together.

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　We had been so busy after the liberation of the castle of Maust that we had not been able to spend time together.

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"You are dressed more modestly than I expected for a soon-to-be king.

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　Serafina looked at my clothes as if she were judging me, and then smiled slyly. Her demeanor and mood had hardly changed since we had married.

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"It's still wartime. We can do it later. Besides, I've prepared something good to drink."

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　I poured the wine into Serafina's and my own glass.

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"Do you think it could be poisoned?"

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"I've already given it to the poisoner. No problem."

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"My dream will come true soon, won't it?"

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　Serafina's wine reflected her face. Serafina seemed to see her own face, too.

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　She is smiling, but her face is mixed with more complex emotions.

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"I'm sorry Seraphina had such a hard time..." he said.

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　I destroyed the Curtis family that opposed me. Serafina lost her home.

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"Only one will prevail in the end. And my family was not chosen."

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　Despite her words, Seraphina's eyes were misty.

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"You have lost everything by doing such a trivial thing. You sacrificed not only yourself but also everything at the last moment. You are a stupid person. ......"

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　Then, with a faraway look in his eyes, he said

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"But your daughter is now the king's wife. I think I can at least honor her."

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"Oh, and when the country is at peace, you can mourn him as long as you like," he said.

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　Serafina got up from her seat and climbed into my lap.

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　I stroked her hair lightly and kept her still.

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"Seraphina, we are both still young. We have a long life ahead of us. So let's make you happier.

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　Serafina squeezes my hand.

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"Yes, I promise."

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