#by the power of that fool from owari

[omentranslates]

Owari no Seraph ch 137 english fan translation

Hey sorry I'm late. Hopefully everyone's already read the official release, but if you'd like to read it again this baby can fit so much fan translation in it.

Please note though, I did put dialogue breaks when they switch from thinking to speaking out loud, but I couldn't find a good way to differentiate between the two textually, so this tl will pretty heavily depend on you having seen the panels themselves so you can tell for yourself. Thanks for working with me!

A showdown between the two of them......

Owari no Seraph chapter 137: Time for the Queen

Krul: It's obvious that he's different from before.

Ferid: Shall we get started as well then?

Krul: Which one of us is stronger? I feel like it's still me but....

Krul: Started on what? What's your goal here?

Ferid: Ah, that. Well it's-OH OOPS.

Ferid: Of course the third progenitor would notice the shrinking gap in our strength right awa-....ACK.

Krul: Fool, if you won't leave I'll just have to torture you to death like this.

Krul: After all the more powerful one is still-

Ferid: Spell complete. Commit the Parasitic Mantra*

Krul: Hm

Krul: Well I can't cut my arm off

Ferid: Wowwww, that got me tired.

Ferid: But in order to eat from a higher rank, you really do need some pain in the ass spell to prevent them from just possessing you in return.

Ferid: Ahaa, hey check this out! Am I hot again?

Krul: I can't break the chains, what is this for?

Krul: Is this some kind of slow-acting poison?

Ferid: What???

Krul: How many of these before it kicks in? You'll be stronger than me if you just wait long enough?

Ferid: Of course not, these are but red threads meant to connect us two from our past lives!

Krul: It's faint, but you smell like Crowley Eusford.

Ferid: Ahhh, you've discovered my affair? But I really am on your side, my queen-

Krul: You've been absorbing vampires.

Ferid: YOU'RE SMARTER THAN I THOUGHT, YOUR MAJESTYYYY

Krul: I feel fine, I guess the chains aren't poisoned. In that case, is it something he needs in order to eat me? In that case this victory is

Krul: Already mine.

Krul: You've taken the third progenitor too lightly.

Ferid: Noo, I would never!

Ferid: You can come out now, Guren!

Krul: -AHCK

Mahiru: Is the spell complete?

Ferid: Enough time has passed that she's good to eat, I won't lose myself to her!

Guren: HURRY UP AND GET EATING, THEN.

Ferid: It's not that simple, y'know. But of course- THAT WAS THE PLAN.

Krul: Taking on an unarmed vampire three against one, and yet you still underestimate me.

Krul: O Arukanu**, drink my blood

Ferid: *coughing* Well that's no good, she's far stronger than I'd expected...That did a lot of damage, I might not be able to salvage this...

Mahiru: Guren, fall back! With full effort!!

Krul: Arukanu is drinking a lot of my blood. And when there's no blood left to drink, I'll be unable to move. So I suppose I should end this quickly? Either that or find some blood to drink and prolong my strength. Which one?

Ferid: Ah, shit.

Krul: Wait there. I'll hear whatever you have to say later while I'm torturing you.

Mahiru: Shit. Shit shit shit.

Mahiru: Damnit. We misjudged her strength by so much. I thought her usual strength was already inclusive of her "sword's" power. Why hasn't she ever used it before now?? Is there some kind of limit on when she can?? Maybe it harms its user as a result? With the unusual way the level of her abilities just shot straight up like that....

Guren: You miscalculate something?

Mahiru: ...

Guren: You can't have thought even at the start that it was possible to get a free hit in on a third progenitor.

Mahiru: HEY, COULD YOU BE ANY LESS CONDESCENDING ABOUT IT??? I'M BUSY OVER HERE!!

Guren: It is what it is.

Mahiru: I CAN'T STAND IT WHEN YOU'RE IN DANGER! YOUR DEATH MEANS THE END OF ME!!

Guren: Yeah but...

Guren: We've both already....8 years ago with everyone else anyways....

Mahiru: YOU ARE NOT DEAD!!! I WON'T EVER LET YOU BE!!!

Guren: Mahiru

Mahiru: Shut it!! Just shut up!!!!

Guren: Mahiru, if we end up dying here it'll be just like last time. We can die together, the two of us.

Mahiru: OUT OF THE QUESTION!!! WE'VE DONE SO MUCH TO MAKE IT THIS FAR!! JUST A LITTLE LONGER, WE ONLY HAVE A LITTLE MORE TO DO!!

Mahiru: Ahhh, what do I do...the queen is on her way.

Guren: MAHIRU!!

Mahiru: HEY, JUST WAIT! WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DEAL!! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LEND US YOUR POWER IN EXCHANGE FOR TURNING ASHERA BACK INTO A HUMAN...

Krul: You're no use. I've just decided, you're even more dangerous to let live than Ferid Bathory. So I'm done with you.

Mahiru: WAIT-!! GUREN!!!

Guren: Springtime Eclipse

Guren: *screaming*

Krul: You're too slow.

Guren: Wh-

Mahiru: STOP-

Krul: Die.

Mahiru: No-NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Before the queen she can do nothing but watch......

*The literal translation of the spell is Parasite Mantra. For the first part, I mean to write commit as in how we would use it in commit a crime, commit an atrocity, commit a sin. The word is tied to these meanings. I wanted it to be read as him commanding the spell like "commit this atrocity on her" or "commit this sin on her" but in English it just gets clunkier the more words you add and I'm a little pressed for time atm so I'm just leaving a note.

**Arukanu is her sword, the kanji for sword is written like usual with a special pronunciation Arukanu. I'm just noting this I think everyone got the meaning.

[writingwhimsey]

All's Fair In Love & War- Nobunaga Ch. 16

Chapter 16

I was in my room, Sato with me , helping me to get ready for the festival. I had given the maids the day off so that they could enjoy the festival with their families. Something I did every year. “So, you invited Lord Nobunaga to join you…is it a date? That’s the term you told me about before…the one from where you originally came from?” She asked as she helped me into my yukata. I could normally do this myself…but my shoulder was still screaming at me when I moved it too much…of course I had been given a medicinal elixir to help with the pain.

“I mean…I guess.” I replied, trying to avoid admitting I had invited him out on a date.

“Well, if that’s the case, I think you should totally let me do something a little different with your hair…and maybe we should even put on just a touch of makeup.” Sato said, grinning at me as she carefully tied the sash at my waist.

“You know it’s traditional for me to wear my hair in a bun.” I told her. “And…I was kind of already planning on applying at least a bit of rouge. Keep everyone from worrying too much about me.”

Sato sighed. “Alright, but I am going to do something just a tad bit different with your hair.” She said. “Now sit down and let me help you out.”

“Last time I checked I was the one in charge here.” I said, giving her a look.

“When we are dealing with diplomatic, economic, and military matters yes you are.” Sato replied. “But when it comes to matters of the heart and getting you all dolled up, I am in charge.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes, but complied and took a seat. Sato was then moving behind me, a cob in hand as she began to run it through my hair. “Why exactly do you seem to be so supportive of the idea of me and Nobunaga getting romantically involved?” I asked her.

“Ava, you have done so much for me and for the people of this land.” She began to explain and I could picture the thoughtful expression on her face. “Ever since we met, you have been the most selfless leader I know. You have also been the most amazing friend to me over the years…when we met you saw me for what I could be instead of what I had been raised to be and you helped me become who I am today. I can see what you and Lord Nobunaga can be. You deserve to be happy and to for once take something for yourself.”

“Well…” I began, but really couldn’t find the words.

Once she had finished combing my hair, Sato was pulling the sides into braids. “You know, we all want you to be happy, my lord.” Sato told me. “We can all see it. There’s really something special between you two. And you know the maids have been saying for years that you need to marry.”

I laughed. “Yeah, they have been pushing that one for a while…and so have the other clans.” I replied. “Though that has never worked out.”

“I think it’s because all possible suitors have been horribly undermatched for you.” Sato replied. “They’ve all been second sons who are just power hungry.”

“True…they couldn’t lead their own clans so that thought they could woo me and marry me and take over mine.” I replied with a frown.

“And Lord Nobunaga doesn’t have a need to take over the Yamada clan.” Sato replied. “You and he are on more equal footing.”

“That’s something weird to think about.” I replied. Me on equal footing with one of the great unifiers of Japan.

“You two are also quite similar.” Sato added, as she finished up a second braid. She was then grabbing hair pins and sticks as she worked to pull back the still loose hair up and into a bun.

“How do you mean?” I asked.

“You know Lord Nobunaga’s original province wasn’t that large.” Sato said. “For quite some time he was known as the fool of Owari, but he rose to power and began his grand ambition of uniting these islands… and look how far he has come…and you had a similar rise to prominence. Which would likely be why he decided to ally with you in the first place.”

“You do have a very good point.” I replied. “Though my rise pretty much started because I wanted revenge on the Ishihara.”

“True, but even through that you still made things better for everyone.” Sato replied. Once she had finished the bun, she took the braids and pulled them back, wrapping them around the bun. “There, your hair is all finished, now let’s get a bit of color on those cheeks and your lips.”

I laughed. “Alright.” I agreed. “Thank you…for always being there for me.” I added.

Sato smiled. “And thank YOU for always being you.” She was then dabbing a bit of rouge on my cheeks, lips, and a touch at the corners of my eyes. “There, you look stunning, my lord.” She was then handing me my small hand mirror.

I looked into it…and honestly I didn’t recognize myself. I had been in warrior and warlord mode for so long…I sometimes forgot what I looked like when I wasn’t. Granted I wore the Yukata every year and it was clearly made of the highest quality silk…but even in the past I have always still looked battle ready. Right now…I just looked like a woman about to attend a festival.

“I think Lord Nobunaga is gonna be speechless.” Sato said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think anything can make that man speechless.” I replied.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.” She said, still grinning. “Now come on let’s go.”

Sato helped me up and then we were leaving my room. We were soon making our way out to the front of the castle, where the others were already gathered. Everyone was dressed in their finest, ready to celebrate and enjoy the festival.

Of course, I didn’t really notice anyone once I caught sight of Nobunaga. He was dressed in a fine red kimono that had a black and gold collar…and if I wasn’t mistaken was open just a bit more than his usual clothes. Seeing more of his defined chest than normal…struck me with some rather strong and not so innocent desires.

“We’re all set!” Sato declared with a grin, getting the attention of the others.

When Nobunaga’s eyes turned to me…it seemed my appearance must have had an effect on him as well. His eyes widened momentarily before a smile graced his handsome lips. “It is good to see you up and about Ava.” He said.

I fought the urge to pout. This is the part where you’re supposed to tell me I look beautiful. I thought to myself. Instead I smiled. “Nothing plenty of rest and good food can’t take care of.” I replied. “Besides, I’m made of tougher stuff than that.”

“As you are.” Nobunaga agreed.

Masamune was letting out a whistle as he came to stand next to me. “Looking good there, lass.” He said. “I know you’ve invited Nobunaga as your special guest, but you think you can fit in some time for me?”

I just glared at him as I reached up to shove against his chest with my good arm. “Personal space, Masamune. Stay out of mine.”

Nobunaga was then reaching for my hand as I brought it back down to my side and gently tugging, until I was close at his side. “I will not be sharing my title of special guest.” He said to Masamune, fixing a hard look upon the other man.

I had to admit…I felt a bit giddy at the idea of Nobunaga getting what appeared to be jealous over me.

Masamune just laughed. “I’m only teasing…or at least mostly.” He said, grinning.

“Alright, we need to get going.” Jiro said. “We can’t miss the opening ceremony, my lord…especially since you have to give your speech.”

“Why must you always remind me as if I do not already know?” I asked Jiro.

“Because he believes it is his job to be your schedule keeper.” Sato answered.

“Come on, let’s just go.” I said.

We all began to leave the castle together…Nobunaga still holding my hand. His hand was so much larger than mine…but my hand fit just so perfectly inside his. And his touch…it was so warm. I could feel the eyes of the others on us as we made our way to the center of town, but for the most part no one mentioned our joined hands.

“I am looking forward to this festival.” Nobunaga said. “What kind of opening ceremony do you have?”

“It opens with a prayer for a good growing season from the local temple monks. Then we have dancers and musicians who put on a performance.” I answered. “And then afterwards I go up and announce the beginning of the festival.”

“Did your father participate in this opening ceremony?” Hideyoshi asked.

“He did. Then when he started giving me more responsibilities, this was one of the first things he handed over to me.” I replied.

“But before that you still participated in the opening ceremony.” Sato said, grinning at me.

“No need to talk about that.” I replied, knowing exactly what she was getting at.

Nobunaga looked at me intrigued. “Oh? What did you do?” He asked.

“Our lord used to dance with the dancing girls in the troupe.” Sato informed him because she knew I wouldn’t want to. “And she was quite the dancer. Very graceful.”

“I would have loved to have witnessed that.” Nobunaga said, smiling at me.

“Yes, well, I don’t do that anymore.” I replied. “Besides…I mainly participated in the dance as a favor to my mother.” My mother had always joined the dancers and she’d wanted me to join her. So I did, to make her happy…the smile on her face, I can still see it so clearly.

“Yeah Lady Kaede could get you to do just about anything.” Sato said, grinning at me.

“Don’t act like you never fell for my mother’s charms.” I countered. “She would say jump and you’d say how high, my lady.” 

“Well, she was a very special woman.” Sato replied. “And you are most certainly your mother’s daughter.”

I felt the bitter sweet sting that came with the memories of my parents. They had truly been amazing people and I would always miss them…and these festivals always did make me a bit nostalgic. “Alright, alright. Enough of that. Let’s just get there.” I said, needing to not be crying. This was a celebration after all.

Before much longer, we arrived at the center of the town. With our arrival, the opening prayer was said by the temple monks and then the music started as soon as the prayer ended. The dancers moved gracefully across the stage. The backdrop of the early sunset sky made for a stunning visual.

Once the dancers were finished, it was my turn to step out on the stage. Nobunaga released my hand as I climbed up on the stage. I smiled as I looked out at the people gathered. I was happy to see the usual faces from my lands and the now familiar faces of the people of Azuchi who had come to participate.

“Good evening and welcome everyone!” I greeted, my voice carrying out over the gathered crowd. “On this day, we celebrate new beginnings and look towards the bright future ahead. May the heavens bless us with a bright year filled with peace, prosperity, a fruitful harvest, broader horizons, and new friends.” It was the same speech I gave every year. Short and sweet, but it was what the people loved and expected. There were cheers from the crowd and then I was exiting the stage as the music began to play and the festival began to move into full swing.

“I was half expecting a grand speech.” Masamune said, giving me a teasingly disappointed look.

“It’s the traditional short and sweet opening that the people expect.” I replied. Though, this year those words felt truer than that had before. “Now come on, we have food and games and music and dancing to enjoy.”

We were all heading off then, to walk around and enjoy the festival. We ended up splitting up, each of us wanting to check out different things. Nobunaga and I ended up on our own. “What will you show me first?” Nobunaga asked, looking at me.

“What? You expect ME to entertain YOU?” I teased. “Though I can think of something you’ll like.” I was then reaching for his hand and leading him towards the food vendors. We had a very special one that I had a feeling he would like.

When we arrived at the small cart, we were greeted with a happy smile from the vendor. “Ah, my lord. I am happy to see you as always.”

I returned his smile. “I am happy you have come back to town. We’ll take two.” I said.

He smiled at me. “Of course, my lord.” He was then handing me two sticks with what one would think was blown and sculpted glass in the shape of water dragons.

“What is this?” Nobunaga asked as I handed him one.

I smiled. “Candy.” I answered. “Go on, try it.”

I watched as Nobunaga brought the stick to his lips, his tongue coming out to taste the treat, almost hesitantly as if he didn’t believe it was really candy. His eyes went wide. “That is delicious.” He declared.

I grinned and we paid for our treats, Nobunaga picking and buying some extra for later. “I had a feeling that would be one you would enjoy.”

“I commend you on your first recommendation.” He said, smiling at me.

I couldn’t help but to giggle a bit. We checked out a few more food vendors, before I led Nobunaga to the games. “We didn’t always have all of these games, but they are some additions I have made over the years.”

The games were all variations of simple carnival games I remembered from the future and could replicate here…or some variations of such things. There was also a knife throwing competition, an archery competition. I looked over at Nobunaga. “Are you up for a little friendly competition?” I asked, a grin on my face.

“I am…though it almost doesn’t seem fair…given the circumstances.” He replied, grinning right back at me.

“Well, it’s a good thing then that most of these require only one good arm and I am right-handed.” I replied.

We went first to a ring-toss game, where you had to toss the rings and get them into the bottles. Nobunaga won this competition. I had always sucked at this one even in the modern day. Our next game was where you threw a ball to try and knock over a stack of bottles over. I won this competition.

We did several more of the games, both of us winning some and losing some and even tying at others. Nobunaga was smiling at me, laughter dancing in his eyes as we moved from game to game. 

“This festival is quite entertaining.” Nobunaga said, as we finished the knife throwing competition.

I had to admit that while I was having fun, my shoulder was beginning to scream at me…. But I was nowhere near ready for the night to end. Besides, we still had the fireworks to see. “I’m glad.” I replied, pushing down the pain.

Nobunaga was lifting his hand to my face, fingertips tracing my cheek delicately. “Perhaps we should find a quiet place to sit?” He asked, his eyes looking into mine.

“I’m fine to keep going.” I replied.

“Ava…” he said my name as he leaned in close, his lips at my ear, “We can always return after you have had a rest.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his proximity and how his breath tickled my ear. I nodded. “Alright…the fireworks should be starting before long so we can find a good place to view them from.” 

Nobunaga pulled back, smiling at me. “Yes.”

I thought for a moment, remembering where they were going to be set off from and then led Nobunaga to a secluded spot down by the river that ran through my land. There was a bench sitting beneath a tree on the riverbank, one my father had placed there years ago. It had been a favorite spot for him and mother.

We walked over and sat on the bench beside each other and looked up at the night sky. “It’s a beautiful and clear night.” I said, a smile on my face.

“Yes.” Nobunaga replied. I felt his fingers brush my cheek once again. “How are you feeling?” He asked.

“As good as can be expected.” I replied, turning to look back at him. His handsome face was so close to mine. “It still hurts...especially if I move it too much, but it’s nothing I can’t push through.”

Nobunaga was looking intently at my face before looking at my left shoulder. It was as if he were inspecting for blood or any other sign that I had reopened the wound. “Are you certain? You haven’t reopened it?”

“I promise, I am fine.” I replied. “It honestly feels good to be up and moving. I hate just laying around doing nothing…I don’t idle well.”

Nobunaga chuckled at my words, though I could still see the concern in his eyes. It was as if it just wouldn’t leave. His hand moved to fully cup my cheek. “See that you take care of yourself.” He said, his words so gentle, so sincere.

“Why…why do you care so much…about what happens to me, Nobunaga?” I found myself asking. “What am I to you?”

“I…don’t know.” He answered. “It is…to see you hurt or in distress…it makes my chest tighten and ache as it never has before…and when I see you smile or hear you laugh…nothing brings me as much joy…and I find myself…thinking about you even when you are not near and at times it makes no sense…wondering how you are and what you are doing…wondering if you are thinking of me, too…and then when we are together…I am filled with the strangest of desires…I want to reach out and touch you…hold you…”

It sounded like Nobunaga was feeling the same way about me as I was about him. “You have… no idea what you do to me when you say such things, Nobunaga.” I found myself telling him.

“What do you mean?”

I was reaching for his other hand and bringing it to my chest. “Making my heart beat fast like this for one thing.” I replied. “And when your fingers touch my cheek…or when you’ve kissed my forehead…and you consume my thoughts just as you say I do yours.”

Nobunaga seemed surprised by this. His eyes widening and his lips parting as a slight gasp slipped out. “Ava…”

“Nobunaga…”

As we sat there, I couldn’t help but to be filled with my own strange desires as I looked into those carnelian eyes. Without even thinking about it, I lifted my hands and fisted them in the fabric of his kimono…then I pulled him towards me as I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his.

Nobunaga seemed surprised for a moment before his lips twitched into a smile against my own. It only lasted a moment as his arms wrapped around my waist and his lips began to mold and move with mine. I felt his tongue gently prodding at my lips before slipping inside to tangle with my own.

As our kiss deepened and continued, I could hear the boom of the fireworks and I saw the bright colors dancing behind my lids. Though…they really didn’t seem to matter. All that mattered in that moment was Nobunaga and his lips against mine, his arms around me. It was in this kiss that I knew and I could finally give a name to what I had been feeling.

I am in love with you Nobunaga. Truly and deeply, I love you.

[dream-meister-translations]

FATE GRAND ORDER

GUDAGUDA SUPER GORYOKAKU #1

━

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : I never expected things to come to this.

??? : That's what you always say, Fool of Owari!

??? : You may have walked a long and strange road to become the mighty demon King, but here in this place, at this very moment, our fates are evenly matched.

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : Indeed, thus far... No... No... This must be the power of the Holy Grail...

??? : But of course, with the omnipotentence granted by my wish on the Holy Grail, there's nothing that can stand in my way anymore.

??? : ...Not even you...

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : Hmph... Then so be it.

NAGAO KAGETORA : W-What!? An ambush! But we only just rayshfited!

NAGAO KAGETORA : I'm on my way!!

HIJIKATA TOSHIZO : Ughhhhhhhhh!!

??? : Hold, men!

NAGAO KAGETORA : Guh...!?

HIJIKATA TOSHIZO : Gah...!?

??? : Are you THE Kagetora, Dragon of Echigo...? What ridiculous nonsense. To think you would spit on the Northern God of War with such a feeble display of power. Don’t make me laugh.

??? : And you... Oh? Hmm… This spirit… Is this the manifestation of some kind of demon?

??? : One after another, how cunning…

??? : But it’s no use. No matter what kind of warrior you may be...

??? : You cannot surpass me!!

NAGAO KAGETORA : Nobunaga, there's no mistake, they deceived us!

NAGAO KAGETORA : We've been lured into a death trap...

NAGAO KAGETORA : Th-This place… It’s…

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : ...Huh...?

OKITA SOUJI : No...!

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : Master, you must go!

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : It’s as they said. In this place. At this very moment… We have no chance of winning!

MASTER : I'll be back! I’ll save you!

TOSHIZO HIJITAKA : Okita! Saito! I'm going on ahead!!

SAITO HAJIME : Yes, Vice-Captain! I'll cover the retreat! Miss Nagao, I’m counting on you to take care of Master!

NAGAO KAGETORA : It's regrettable... but it seems we have no other choice…

NAGAO KAGETORA : Come Houshou Tsukige! We must break through!

NAGAO KAGETORA : Master! Don't let go of my hand!

??? : Oh, and here I thought you’d hesitate to leave your men on the battlefield. You’re surprisingly ruthless.

??? : You truly seem to understand what it means to be a general in spite of your appearance.

??? : And what of you, Fool? Have you no intention to retreat with them?

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : Heh. You’re right. Normally I wouldn’t be caught dead serving as a Shingari on the rear guard. Such a role is far more suited to an insignificant nobody like him.

HIJIKATA TOSHIZO : Oh, shut up... Who exactly is the small fry here?

??? : Hm. Then why remain here in such a hopeless place?

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : ...Because that is my duty.

??? : Because you are who you are, no...?

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : There's nothing more to it. I am the one who bears the true name of Nobunaga. Which means in this place, at this very moment, there is no retreat.

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : For here is where it all began. The path to my Demon Kingship!

DEMON KING NOBUNAGA : Therefore this… is Okehazama!

??? : Hahaha! Yes! That is exactly right!

??? : And you are the only mistake I ever made, nay, my archnemesis!

??? : Now, let us settle the karmic debt of our past lives!!

━

MASH : We lost connection to their heroic signals...!?

DA VINCI : Yes, it seems once they rayshifted into that Singularity, the connection dropped. We’ve lost our ability to observe them.

RANMARU X : The Singularity in question… Is Okehazama in Japan, is it not?

SION : We were able to track it up until the rayshift… What changed to make it so we couldn't observe it anymore...

SION : Could someone be interfering with the signal, perhaps?

MORI NAGAYOSHI : Hey hey, if it's Okehazama we’re talkin’ about. You can leave it to me. That’s my yard. But y’know, for someone constantly running his big mouth, that Demon King isn't reliable at all, is he?

ODA NOBUKATSU : Huh? Take that back! How can my sister possibly be unreliable?!

ODA NOBUKATSU : The way I see it, if we’re not even getting a reaction from my sister, then something terrible must have happened!

ODA NOBUKATSU : You need to hurry and send out a search, or, or reinforcements!!

DA VINCI : Easier said than done…

DA VINCI : Even the Servants we already sent were pushing the limits of our resources!

YAMANAMI KEISUKE : Demon King Nobunaga, Kenshin, Okita, and Saito… We prepared the very best team we could based on Aptitude, but...

MORI NAGAYOSHI : So you had to send Bishamonten alongside the Demon King? And they still lost? Now that really is something... Just who could do such a thing?

RANMARU X : We don’t know if they’ve been defeated for sure. We must start a search for Master Fujimaru!

DA VINCI : Ranmaru’s right.

DA VINCI : Fujimaru’s not the type of person to be defeated so easily…

DA VINCI : First we need to start investigating the Singularity so we can re-establish observation of their coordinates.

SION : Whether we can observe them or not, there’s still the issue of our dwindling resources.

SION : We won’t be able to provide backup immediately, but, Mr. Goredolf, please select the search team.

GOREDOLF : Y-Yes… You can leave it to me.

GOREDOLF : But I mean… Aren’t things supposed to be more… relaxed… than this with you guys involved?

GOREDOLF : How is it they say it again? Gudagu?

MASH : Director, this is not the time to be lazing around! The lives of Master and the others are at stake.

GOREDOLF : R-right... You’re right! Okay then it’s time to get tough!

━

NAGAO KAGETORA : ...I never thought it would come to this.

OKITA SOUJI : Even together, we’re completely helpless…

NAGAO KAGETORA : An ambush right after the Rayshift... And the enemy in perfect formation…

NAGAO KAGETORA : We were completely baited… What on earth happened…?

SAITO HAJIME : ...It’s best we shift gears and keep moving forward.

SAITO HAJIME : But this IS crazy… No matter how you look at it…

SAITO HAJIME : We need to find a way to break through and retreat.

OKITA SOUJI : Agreed...

OKITA SOUJI : But even if we escape, where exactly do we go?

NAGAO KAGETORA : We go East... If we can cross the mountain, we'll reach Shinano.

NAGAO KAGETORA : At the very least it should throw the enemy off our trail. We can use the darkness as a cover to make it through.

SAITO HAJIME : Alright, let's do it.

??? : I won’t let you escape that easily.

OKITA SOUJI : ...What!?

[tobiasdrake]

Rating Danganronpa 2 Characters on the Fight Me, Bruh Scale

And now for the other chart. Following up on this one I made for DR1, let's see how DR2's characters measure up on a scale of how confident I am that I could beat them in a fight. Starting from most to least confident.

Teruteru Hanamura He stops fighting to make a sensual comment about how sexy my foot is as I'm punting him across the room. I win the fight easily but I feel gross about it for the rest of the day, so who really won here?

Kazuichi Soda Kazuichi doesn't have a fighter's instinct in him. He's going to flinch away from the first punch I throw and that will be the end of the fight. Unless Sonia's nearby. Then he's going to do something incredibly stupid to try and impress her, and give me plenty of openings. Either way, Kazuichi goes down like a chump. He's better with a wrench than a punch.

Hiyoko Saionji Hiyoko is all bark, no bite. Like all bullies, she's forced to pick on people weaker than her. Her favorite hobby is stomping on bugs because they can't fight back. Even taking into account that we're talking full-grown Hiyoko and not Simulation Hiyoko, I don't imagine her putting up much of a fight.

Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu I feel pretty good about my chances of punting this little shrimp so long as he's not carrying a knife on him. But he's yakuza. He's definitely carrying a knife on him. Also his bodyguard would dice me before I got within ten feet of him. I can win this fight only under very controlled circumstances.

Chiaki Nanami She seems harmless but I'm about 50% certain that she can perform the Satsui No Hado if I piss her off so it's probably best I don't take my chances. Plus she's an emotional therapybot so it's more likely that we wind up exploring the deep-seated emotional trauma pushing me to fight than actually fighting.

Mikan Tsumiki Mikan's more dangerous than you might think. She has a strong understanding of anatomy which means she knows exactly what nerves to sever and might have a knife on her for self-defense. However, she's just as likely to trip and accidentally fall into a compromising position, abruptly ending the fight in a fit of embarrassing uncomfortableness. So, yes, I think my best chance of winning this fight is an embarrassing anime pratfall.

Ultimate Imposter A lot is going to depend on who he's impersonating but you know this cheeky bastard's going to show up to the fight as me, right? But I'm a narcissist so I don't know if I can beat up me. I might wind up holding back reflexively, and that's going to give him all kinds of openings.

Hajime Hinata Assuming he's not rocking his Izuru Kamukura powers, you might think Hajime's a pushover like the aggressively non-violent Makoto. You'd be mistaken. According to Nekomaru, he's got the spirit of a rugby player in him. His training regimen consists of 500 laps around the island, 1,000 push-ups, 1,000 situps, and a 36 mile swim - with Nekomaru's sensual massages to keep him going.

He may not look it, but Hajime's got the footwork and the power of an incredible pro athlete, and he will mess me up.

Sonia Nevermind Like Mikan, she looks harmless but you are a fool to mistake her for it. Sonia has undergone extensive military training which means she's an expert in CQC. I don't think she carries a knife on her, but she is on good terms with the Four Dark Devas of Destruction so there's a non-zero chance I wind up having my ears chewed off by hamsters while she kindly prepares tea.

Ibuki Mioda She has no clearly defined characteristics as a fighter but she's manic and unpredictable. Her natural default state is "Just downed six energy drinks and now I'm so wired that I can see time". She's three punches ahead before I even know what the fuck just came out of her mouth. There's no coming out on top of this.

Nekomaru Nidai Physically the strongest fighter on the island, Nekomaru is the Sakura Ogami of DR2. Tougher fighters than me have tried and failed.

Akane Owari Speaking of which. This might be a surprising placement, ranking Akane above Nekomaru. But I have my reasons for that. Nekomaru is demonstrably a stronger fighter than Akane, but as long as this isn't a deathmatch, he's got a sense of sportsmanship about it. He's going to try and bring out the best in me, and he may hold back to attempt to tutor me. He might give me openings that could let me gain the upper hand from time to time.

Akane isn't trying to push me to excel. She's fighting to win. She's going balls to the wall from the word go, and she will eviscerate me.

Peko Pekoyama Are you joking? Are you actually joking right now? Literally her Talent, the thing Hope's Peak accredited her for, is how good she is at killing suckers like me with a deadly weapon? Hahaha nope. Hahaha. Hahahahahahaha.

Gundham Tanaka It would be humiliating to lose a fight to this dork. What, he's going to leave me writhing on the ground from a thousand furry hamster bites while the Supreme Overlord of Ice delivers his D&D nerd speech? Yes. Yes, he is. That is exactly what is going to happen, and my pride as a fighter will never recover.

Nagito Komaeda "Nagito's going to be an easy fight because he'll lose on purpose." No, you fool! You misunderstand the nature of Nagito. A far more dangerous man than anyone realizes, especially himself. Nagito will try to throw the fight. And he will fail. I don't want to find out what that looks like from my perspective.

Mahiru Koizumi There is not actually a way to throw a punch at Mahiru without coming across like a violent bastard beating up a defenseless young woman. A fact that she will point out the moment the fight begins, successfully shaming me into putting down my fists and walking away. This is not her fight to win; Only mine to lose, and lose it I do from the moment I even try to start one.

[redsamuraiii]

The Legend & Butterfly (2023) Review *SPOILERS AHEAD*

In case you don’t know, the movie is out now on Amazon Prime! And I’ve just watched it! So here’s my thoughts!

It’s not what I expected but not in a bad way. Having watched several Japanese historical movies and dramas, I was expecting it to be a war film like Sekighara where it shows the key battles during Oda Nobunaga’s rise to power. However, it’s actually more of a romance focusing on Oda and his wife.

Well, as the name suggest, “The Legend (Oda) & Butterfly (Nohime).

You may think of it as Hollywood’s The Last of the Mohicans where the story centers around two lovers against the backdrop of a war-torn colonial America. Similarly, this movie focus on Oda and Nohime’s relationship and their struggles throughout their marriage against the backdrop of Sengoku Jidai.

So it is a romanticised version of Oda Nobunaga where it shows his human and emotional side as a complex and interesting character. Just as his wife, Nohime, who is equally complex and interesting in a different ways as their opposing personalities and traits eventually drew them closer together.

While the numerous battles are not shown in full, they are either mentioned or show a glimpse to give the audience a taste of what the war is like. For those who are familiar with the history, you will have no problem following it but to those who are not, you may struggle a bit to figure out what battle is that.

Kimura Takuya and Haruka Ayase’s undeniably strong chemistry and acting is enough to make you glued to the screen from the beginning to till the end. For me, seeing the two of them together again after their last drama together many years ago, it is a familiar sight seeing them bickering at each other.

I love the dynamic of their relationships and how they evolved throughout. Oda and Nohime started out differently. Oda was a simpleton who had no ambition to unify Japan which is why he was regarded as the “fool of Owari”. While Nohime was ruthless and ambitious like her father the Viper.

But over the course of the story, the prolonged civil war and strained marriage changes them. Oda became soulless and ruthless, after having to kill many and lose many in order to protect himself from his enemies while Nohime became mellow and sick after losing her child in a miscarriage.

They parted ways for a while after realising they are no longer fit together and how much the other have changed. But the long war eventually bring these two characters back together after they realised what they have become and that they could not survive the harsh world alone without the other.

This is where the interesting twist that caught me off guard happened.

Enter Akechi Mitsuhide. To those who do not know the history, Akechi is the loyal servant of Oda but despite his undying loyalty, he is constantly abused by Oda to the point that he eventually rebel against him leading to Oda’s death at the Honnoji Temple Incident, justifying it as overthrowing a tyrant.

In this movie, it is revealed that Oda’s image as a “Demon King” is actually a facade. An image conjured by Akechi to ensures that his master’s enemies fear him. So the abuse on Akechi by Oda is an act to scare off the palace visitors (rivals) to dissuade any potential enemies from double crossing him. 

Akechi volunteered to kill the monks, women and children on Mount Hiei to further demonstrate the power and ruthlessness of his lord, Oda. Although it was indeed Oda’s wish to kill them all to ensure no future uprising but Akechi took a step further by burning them all to death.

When Oda got back together with Nohime, he was reminded of his humanity and his early younger days as a simpleton when he first met her. Seeing this, Akechi realised that Oda could no longer put up with the image of a ruthless leader, someone weak could not have the strength to unify Japan.

So he rebelled against Oda, to overthrow him and to unify Japan himself. Yeah, it’s crazy. But wait till you hear what happens next. Before Oda departed for Honnoji, he promised Nohime, that once his enemies are crushed, he would return and bring her away to the sea to foreign lands as she wished.

Nohime has the heart of an adventurer, who had always want to travel to see life beyond the sea. Something Oda learns of when he first married her. Now seeing her in a fragile state, he intends to fulfil her wish before she dies. And for a moment, that’s what I thought happen as it shows Oda escaping Akechi.

He survives and returns to Nohime in Azuchi Castle to flee to the port where they boarded a Western ship to go Europe. And for a while, I thought I could go with this happy ending even if it’s fictional, but it is later revealed that is what Oda and Nohime was thinking at their respective places before their death.

Oda died at Honnoji Temple by committing seppuku just like in history and Nohime died at Azuchi Castle in her sleep. So it’s actually a story about love and loss, dreams and ambitions, something we all seek in life but only a few ever find. To me it’s a beautiful but bittersweet film worth watching.

The cinematography and music score is amazing. It’s not historically accurate but still as beautiful as The Last Samurai. Although personally, I wish they had left with that happy ending of the two of them heading to Europe. It’s a historical fiction meant to be enjoyed, not a documentary meant to be analysed.

[daedapix]

lmao.

Kureto Hiiragi

series- Owari no Serpah

Personality- the only person with common sense actually within the whole series and actually uses his brain.

Arrogant and powerful from an early age, Kureto does not tolerate any disrespect, perceived or real, from lower-rank families. He is manipulative, ruthless, and treacherous (Shinoa describes him as a "monster"[4]),

Tenri Hiiragi

series- Owari no Seraph

Personality-Tenri was best described as a proud and harsh individual. Like the rest of the Hīragi family (with the exception of Shinoa and Mahiru), he looks down on lower houses and made sure that they knew their place.

Idealistically, he strongly believed in the concept of survival of the fittest. Due to the weight of this savage principle he abided by, he would have seen that the strong lived and the weak died. He did not especially value his children's lives either and even gave Guren permission to kill Seishirō because he was fooled by Guren.

[toreii]

Getting Nobu-nii-sama’s blessings part 2

[yuriko-mukami]

"Umh... I wrote some notes for the history class. I hope I got everything correctly but, of course, it can be I memorized something in a wrong way..."

"If someone wants to check it out, here are my sheets. Feel free to add more notes and corrections to it."

Yuriko’s History Notes

~The Sengoku Period~

The Onin War

The Onin War was a civil war that lasted from 1467 to 1477 and initiated the Sengoku period. Onin refers to the era when the war started while it ended during the Bunmei era. It was a dispute between a high official Hosokawa Katsumoto and a regional lord Yamana Sozen but it escalated into a nationwide civil war that collapsed the feudal system of Japan.

Daimyo to know

Oda Nobunaga - the first of the three great unifiers

Toyotomi Hideyoshi - the second of the three great unifiers and the man who ended the Sengoku period

Tokugawa Ieyasu - the third of the three great unifiers, the only one out of the three who managed to receive the title of shogun and created Tokugawa shogunate which ushered in the Edo period. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan for 260 years.

Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Oda Nobunaga was one of the great three unifiers of Japan, the other two being Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide and was born on 23 June 1534 in Owari Province. In his youth, he was known as the Fool of Owari.

Tanegashima, the matchlock guns, arrived in Japan by the Portuguese Empire and were used by the samurai class and their footsoldiers. The guns changed the way of the war in Japan forever. Oda Nobunaga ordered 500 of these guns to his army which gave him a huge advantage in the war. He was also interested in trading with the Europeans. He collected pieces of Western art but also arms and armor and was probably one of the very first Japanese who wear European clothes. He was also a patron of Jesuit missionaries in Japan and supported the rise of the first Christian church in Kyoto.

Before his death, Oda Nobunaga was the most powerful warlord (daimyo) in Japan. He died at Honno-ji when Akeshi Mitsuhide surrounded the temple with his army. Oda Nobunaga committed seppuku (suicide) and told his page, Mori Ranmaru to run. Mori set the temple on fire so that no one could decapitate Oda. After that Akeshi also attacked Oda Nobutada, the eldest son and heir of Nobunaga. Also, Nobutada committed suicide.

Akeshi Mitsuhide didn’t manage to hold the power after his deeds because Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army defeated him, and he was murdered by bandits when he was fleeing. That made Toyotomi as Oda’s successor.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi started his life on 17 March 1537 as a peasant. He became Oda Nobunaga’s retainer and sandal bearer but continued unifying Japan after his lord had died, finally ending the Sengoku period by thwarting the Kunohe Rebelion launched by Kunohe Masazane against his rival Nanbu Nobunao. The rebellion spread across Mutsu Province. Toyotomi Hideyoshi backed Nobunao along with Tokugawa Ieyasu, sending a large army to defeat the rebels. Kunohe Masazane was outnumbered, and he surrendered Kunohe castle. That was the final battle of the Sengoku period and completed the unification of Japan.

About Sengoku Period’s Meaning for Japan’s future

After the Onin war, the feudal system collapsed, and the Sengoku period was constantly warring over the power in the country. The unification returned the piece and the Tokugawa shogunate ruled for over 200 years but was overthrown in the mid-19th century. The resignation of the 15th Tokugawa shogun led to the restoration of imperial rule. Japan has already started to modernize during that time and the less feudal form of governance was formed in Meiji Restoration.

~Other Notable People~

The Theory of Uesugi Kenshin

There is a theory about a great warlord Uesugi Kenshin that he was actually a woman. The theory is based on a report from the 16th century and is written by a Spanish person to King Philip II. In the report, Uesugi is referred to as an aunt of Uesugi Kagekatsu. The other evidence supporting the theory is that Uesugi Kenshin had stomach cramps monthly and his military campaigns were planned around these cramps. The cause of Uesugi’s death is recorded in Todaiki as uterus cancer.

Other than that, Uesugi Kenshin had interested in historical novels, poetry, and calligraphy aimed at the female audience. His appearance is rather feminine if you look at his portraits from the Sengoku period. He was also allowed freely enter women’s quarters in the Kyoto Imperial Palace. He had no children, wife, or concubine. 

Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi was born in 1548 and was a swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, and ronin who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels. He was known as a sword-saint of Japan. He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryuu style of swordsmanship and also wrote books called The Book of Five Rings and The Path of Aloneness.

Izumo no Okuni

Izumo no Okuni was born in 1578 and was a shrine maiden in the Grand Shrine of Izumo. She is believed of inventing kabuki theater. She started to perform her new art style of kabuki (the art of singing and dancing) in the theater on the riverbed of the Kamo River in Kyoto. Her kabuki became popular and was known for performers who were often lower-class women.

While this was the start of the kabuki theater, female actors were later banned, and it became an all-male form of theater which it still is in these days.

[mr-downer-2024]

Isn't it weird how Oda Nobunaga is like indirectly responsible for starting the long path from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Restoration to Japan becoming a major world power but he is almost always depicted as almost literally a bloodthirsty demon if not the devil himself in Japanese media?

I mean Oda was a pretty awful person who ironically died at a Buddhist temple after his violent persecution of the religion. He also called himself the “Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.”

so you know, maybe it’s a little apt to portray him like that. Of course it’s a lot more nuanced then that in reality but he makes for an easy choice for a villain when you need one.

It’s funny cause his nickname in his youth was the “Fool of Owari” (Owari being his home) and due to his idiotic nature it was believed Oda would never amount to much… how wrong they were lol

[pandapupremade]

Desired Future

words: 1,096

ship: Nobunaga Oda (SW) x Ruthe (self insert)

content warnings: none i dont think? there’s very brief mention of the harrassment from the last fic but 

summary: after bringing home a potential wife, Nobunaga invites her to share her thoughts with him regarding their future...

author notes: gay part 2 of this fic where they meet. reblogs appreciated but not required!!

------

    Perhaps it could be seen as absurd; a powerful daimyo of the proud Oda Clan marrying a random commoner - a foreigner, no less. Indeed, you might think there would be a bit of an outcry, and yet there had never been an implication to Ruthe that Lord Nobunaga had any other plans for them. In fact, he seemed to believe they were going to marry without even properly consulting her.

Yes, they'd met on the streets by chance, when Nobunaga had protected them from a harassing man by insisting they were his fiancée, and rumors had quickly spread; Nobunaga hadn't dispelled these talks, and had been the one to start them in all bluntness. But the question remained - would he truly marry someone who gave him no political gain, or seemingly any gain at all? And what were the bride's personal thoughts?

Currently, the bride was sitting inside the room that had been presented to them for their stay in Owari. They were dressed in a gown that was unique to the area, with a flowered headband holding their long hair back from their face; clothes that had been specifically sown for them.  Indeed, a room and new clothes...They were grateful.

But they were also quite concerned. They barely knew the man who seemed to be planning on marrying them...The man who had welcomed them into his home with seemingly no qualms about where they might've been from. Actually, he hadn't asked a single thing about them...not that they could recall, at least. Not beyond their name...

What was he planning? What was to become of her? Their hands trembled a little on their lap.

Suddenly, there was a light knock. Ruthe, startled, looked to the sliding door. They didn't reply at first, and the knock would happen again.

"Lady Ruthe?" Ah, one of the castle servants?  They realized they would have to reply in some way.

"...Come in," Ruthe spoke gently, and wasn't sure if the visitor heard for a moment. But the door did open, and a woman entered, and gave a bow with her hands at her sides.

"Excuse my interruption...Lord Nobunaga requests your presence."

"..." Ruthe blinked, but stood slowly, and would follow silently as the woman led her out of the room, and through various halls. They had no idea what they were being called for, but...They hoped it wasn't anything bad.

----

"My lord," spoke a samurai who knelt before the young daimyo, "Should you not be focusing on your plans against the Imagawa army?"

"Ho~?" Nobunaga looked at the samurai, a relaxed look on his face. He sat with his legs crossed, his chin resting on his hand and bearing his weight. "Masahide, are you suggesting Nobunaga has neglected duties?"

"Not at all, my lord, but I do believe that..."

"That is your problem, isn't it?" Nobunaga gave a light laugh, "Always focused on what you believe...In any case, you are dismissed." The samurai looked more than a tad insulted, but gritted back any words that could be considered insolent towards his master and stood.

"My lord." Hirate Masahide left. On his way out, he nearly walked into the approaching bride-to-be. Quickly apologizing, but not waiting for the reassurance it was okay, he continued on his way.

"Ah, Lady Ruthe..." Nobunaga hummed as they entered, "You do look lovely, as always."

"...." Ruthe entered silently, not even sure how to reply to the compliment...His words were sweet, but his gaze was always so intimidating, although not quite so unpleasant...They ended up flushing a little at such a thought, though, and looked at their lap.

"Have you no words for me?"

"Um..." Ruthe hesitated, but Nobunaga waved his hand he didn't lean on.

"I forgive you. In any case, you are curious, aren't you?"

"...."

"Nobunaga will take your silence as a yes..." He shifted a bit, but it seemed to only be to lean onto his other hand now. "He has welcomed you into his castle, fitted you new clothes, and holds trust in you that you haven't earned..."

Ruthe blinked and lifted their head. At their startled expression, Nobunaga began to laugh "Did you think me a fool? You would not be the first. But tell me, among these questions, what your most burning one is..."

"My most burning question...?"

"Indeed. What you reply will tell me what you desire."

What they desired? What a strange inquiry...Nobunaga was clearly a perceptive and unpredictable man, and Ruthe was definitely having trouble reading him... But what DID they desire? They had come to Owari seeking a home, they supposed, after an incident that cost them dearly...They were currently much better off than they'd expected, if they had truly won this lord's favor in some way. He seemed quite patient in his waiting for them, as well...

Could their answer flip the scales negatively?

At last, Ruthe spoke, meeting his gaze. "My lord...I desire a future."

"Ho~? A future?"

"A future...I desire a life worth living, and I do intend to seek it," Their fingers clutched their gown intently. "Should that future be alongside a man I do not know, then so be it."

Silence would occur after these words were said...But the quiet was broken by another laugh from Nobunaga. This one lasted longer,  and felt...almost more genuine in its intentions. Ruthe shouldn't have been able to say they were surprised at this point, but...They were a little.

"A life worth living...Such a dream is so vague, isn't it?" Nobunaga shifted again, although this time it was to stand up. "Still...If that is what you desire, I shall achieve it for you."

Ruthe looked up at the daimyo, just in time to see him kneeling before them. His hand grasped their chin suddenly, keeping them from averting their view from that of his intense eyes.

"Do you entrust your future to Nobunaga, then?"

"....I do." Ruthe spoke with more confidence than even they could imagine themselves having.

"And in return..." His grip on their face softened slightly, his fingers moving from there to their cheek, brushing his thumb across their warm skin. His gloved hand was cold, but it wasn't uncomfortable...

"In - in return, my lord?" Their voice faltered a little now, much to their dismay and to their lord's amusement.

"In return, Nobunaga will protect you - his eternal beauty...His flower." He leaned forward, and his lips pressed against Ruthe's forehead, staying there for a few moments, and then he pulled back. Ruthe's face felt heated, but they felt something else. Safety, perhaps...

"Now...You are dismissed."

[lostsoulaltair]

Owari no Seraph. Special Analsys for Hiragi Mahiru - Part II

Yesterday I started updating again, likewise, I posted an analysis of Mahiru’s actions related towards chapter 97 but, likewise, people have different opinions and that’s alright, but well, I’d like to reply to the post of a person that was kind enough to give its respective opinion; as for that, I do have answers for the actions Mahiru did in the past; therefore, let’s begin!

Before starting to reply said post which is something I’ve seen with other people that share the same ideas, let’s first recall what was Mahiru’s vision back in the LNs along the criteria that is often thought about Mahiru:

Mahiru manipulated Guren  (Wrong)

First of all, Mahiru and Guren didn’t meet as a random thing; their meeting was elaborated by Rigr Stafford; at that time, Mahiru and Guren were 5 years old; back in the day, Mahiru’s mother was murdered by Tenri’s orders; which made Mahiru leave the Hiragi household; what she wouldn’t expect was to meet a young boy around her age.

(This is taken from Catastrophe LNs and World Resurrection LNs)

The young girl didn’t reveal information about her since she wanted for once be a normal girl, she called herself a fairy of the forest; of course Guren didn’t believe such thing but nevertheless, both enjoyed each other company; said happiness wouldn’t last forever, since the Hiragi Family found Mahiru and of course, that leads us to the scene on which Guren is beated

According to the Official LNs of the World Resurrection at 19; Rigr planned those two to meet each other; he wanted to keep removing the power within the Hiragi household but what he didn’t expect was that Guren Ichinose and Mahiru Hiragi would fall in love with each other.

After Mahiru was taken back, Guren kept on with his training which is something Mahiru did as well until the promised day came, they met back back when they were in highschool.

Back in the LN Vol 3, Mahiru made a phone call for Guren, on which she begged him to kill her; Guren of course, having the same feelings towards hers wants to know why Mahiru is doing all of the activities she did back in the Catastrophe; Guren eventually reaches a building; said building had a diary. Such diary was Mahiru’s diary.

Such diary had information about her and Shinoa such as the events we saw in the latest chapter whcih focused on the Hiragi sisters; Guren learnt that Mahiru and Shinoa were born as guinea pigs, they were the only ones that remained alive and healthy, eventually said experiment was stopped due to the cost it carried.

Though, new experiments started and this is due to the fact, Mahiru one day had a dream, a dark dream; she was in an endless darkness and was constantly interrogated by an Oni or a Demon. Said dream was shared with Shinoa; which is exactly the events of chapter 97; Mahiru warned Shinoa to not tell anyone about it, and of course, in order to make Shinoa endure all the torture methods they could do, Mahiru managed to erase Shinoa’s memories in order to make her a person without emotions.

Due to this, Shinoa ended up forgetting many things, and eventually Mahiru ended up removing Shinoa’s demon and took it within her; which is also stated in the diary she left for Guren back when she had more control over herself.

Mahiru’s contradiction (wrong)

Another point a user along and friend of mine that has been doubtful  pointed out, was that why Mahiru cared if in chapter 57 Mahiru was encouraging Shinoa to open up her heart a bit more so she could see her again:

(Image taken from Official Translation of chapter 56)

Back then, Mahiru didn’t know what monster was exactly possessing her sister, Mahiru believed Shinoa could take down her demon after so many years passed, after the experiments no longer existed, but, now, you might wonder how she wasn’t able to recognize how dangerous was Shinoa’s demon if she took it within her.

For this, there’s an explanation; Shikama Doji is capable of only displaying himself as a scythe, in the catastrophe, he was tied to Tenri Hiragi, he wasn’t tied to a contract until the cursed gears existed; Mahiru used Shikama Doji when she went to meet up the Queen and eventually made Guren to return it to Shinoa; but, the sole issue is, that Shikama is known for being a liar along being someone who’s able to have control over its own manifestation as seen in chapter 72

(Image taken from Official Translation of chapter 72)

Within that arc, Guren and Mahiru were aware a monster was roaming free, a monster trying to possess the Hiragi Family, but here comes the issue, they believed that whoever controlled fate and the Hiragi Family, was a monster that came directly from Tenri, instead of having suspiciousness of being the same monster residing within Shinoa:

(Image taken from Official Translation of chapter 72)

Within those moments, Shinoa was ambiguous and didn’t reveal whenever the monster was the same as the one possessing Tenri or Kureto, but rather, gave an idea that she was fending against that thing for so long, when in reality, the monster has been the one she was born to; and that revelation occured when Yu was in danger

(Image taken from Official Translation of chapter 74)

At that very moment, Guren realized who they were fighting, and, by obvious reasons, Mahiru as well, which that’d explain that Mahiru didn’t know Shikama Doji’s real appearance but then again, how can I state that?

That’s very simple:

(Image taken from Official Translation of chapter 71)

Mahiru found out thanks to being a demon, who was the monster that always tried to prey within them, but well, things went south with Shinoa, she got possessed but eventually was saved.

Mahiru murdered Guren’s friends out of anger (Wrong)

It is believe that Mahiru enjoyed the chase of the cat and the mouse with Guren and his squad along Kureto, this is wrong; she was delaying everything; back in the Catastrophe, she was keeping two demons within her, which were corrupting her and taking away her humanity faster; she couldn’t withstand the intensity of having two demons within her since she could hear the voices from them; but, at the same time, she remembered what was she fighting for; she was often seen as a person with hurry but in fact, she was desperately trying to make or set things in order to keep her two loved persons alive, them being Guren and Shinoa.

After she became a vampire, the contract with Shikama Doji and Asuramaru was broken, her heart was no longer human, and the cursed gears were like poison to her and the final race was beginning.

While I understand why people get angry about her for killing Guren’s squad, there’s a reason for that.

Have you forgotten that Tenri Hiragi was alive at those moments?

If Mahiru didn’t kill Guren’s friends, they wouldn’t have been saved in any possible way, how can I state that?

Tenri’s goal was to follow up the orders of the First Progenitor; and he’d always neutralize whoever was a nusiance or in this case, he’d have gotten rid of the people who didn’t serve any longer; Mahiru would have been dead still but in the case Guren’s friends didn’t die, Tenri would have personally killed them without mercy, and thus, Guren wouldn’t have been able to even bring them back.

You might ask or wonder how I can state such things and this is due to the fact, that in the Final Volume of the Catastrophe, Kureto had a conversation with Tenri Hiragi; Kureto learnt that Tenri was behind everything along the fact that he used Shinoa as a hostage so Mahiru couldn’t refuse or do the opposite of what she wished to do; so Mahiru did her best to fool Tenri along the Hyakuya Sect without having Shinoa getting killed.

Within this, it doesn’t mean her actions are well seen, nor it’s something that readers enjoy, myself included, but, if she didn’t do such things, there wouldn’t be even a story in the first place; if Mahiru didn’t protect Shinoa, Shinoa would either have been dead or would have been submitted to worser experiments until they were able to trigger her demon within the process.

The experiments of the Hyakuya Sect and Mahiru were part of a deal; the Hyakuya Sect which was under Rigr Stafford’s care had its own goals, Mahiru only aimed to use Rigr’s personal ambition and goal to actually use it in benefit for humanity in order to make humanity get rid of the curse.

Along this, it is to state that she never enjoyed children experimentation; back when she visited Yu, she was angry by the fact on how he was experimented upon; which is why, when she saw him, she told him he had the right to live along finding a reason to live.

For now, this will be the second part of her character analysis. Mahiru is a complex character that hides too well her emotions but in reality, Mahiru was afraid, she had to face the world alone, she was gifted but instead of being like Tenri, she aimed to break the ties she had with them, she tried to bring some sort of salvation to new generations to come along the fact she entrusted many things to Guren.

Guren’s decision to stand next to her or follow her wasn’t due to manipulation or the sorts, Mahiru was dwelling between demon and her own persona. Within this, a decision was eventually taken, Guren wanted to learn and be next to her and fight with her.

Guren might be seen as an evil character but he’s an anti-hero, he’s doing what it’s possible to bring back what was lost, to actually defeat and get over the curse the First settled within the world. And for that, even if it was inmoral, he required the help of the boys that were experimented upon long ago.

Therefore, I can only say that, despite being portrayed as an evil character, Mahiru did many inmoral things in order to give at least hope to humanity to fight back agains the cruel destiny that was settled in by the First.

[omentranslates]

Owari no Seraph chapter 131 english fan translation

Howdy tumbly vampire fans, please enjoy this text only fan translation of the new chapter. The official has already been out for a little over 12 hrs at here so this is just for fun pls make sure to read that one if you haven't ;)

Color page text: Determination set in eyes gazing straight towards the future

Owari no Seraph chapter 131: All Are Forgiven

Yuu: So heaven is up there, I guess that makes this Hell.

Mika: Ah, Yuuchan there's one there!!

Bear: *roaring*

Yuu: Sorry about this, I'm gonna eat you.

Mika: What number was that?

Yuu: Third one. Oh, sweet.

Mika: We've gotta get enough food stockpiled up, since Yuuchan's gas mileage sucks.

Yuu: You're the one eating all the power, we'll preserve this stuff so I'll have it while we're on the move.

Mika: Mmk, I'll start the fire. Yuuchan, you do the gutting and stuff.

Yuu: K.

Yuu: Gonna take this off so no blood gets on it, be a pain in the ass to wash off.

Yuu: Man, I really want curry or something.

Mika: We had curry the last day I was human, didn't you eat my share?

Yuu: WHAT, NO I DIDN'T I SAVED YOU SOME.

Mika: The last curry the kids had, did they enjoy it?

Yuu: They said they wished you were there too.

Mika: No shit? Guess the play's less fun when it's missing its lead.

Mika: Got me thinking how I wanna eat curry together with everyone when we bring them all back to life.

Yuu: You can eat curry???

Mika: Well since the Great Mikaela will doubtless be human again.

Yuu: Someone's looking ahead all of a sudden.

Mika: I mean that's what we decided, I can't help it. Would you rather I stop?

Yuu: Go ahead. Actually no, help me dress this meat.

Mika: Can't, too busy scheming.

Yuu: *screaming*

Mika: So to summarize, what we have to do is gather the sin keys and resurrect Mikaela. And...the people who've been gathering them all ready are Ferid and Guren. Whatever their thought process is.

Yuu: Pretty sure Guren's goal is to resurrect humanity. With no Mikaela.

Mika: Any ideas about Ferid?

Yuu: I don't think anyone has any idea about Ferid. Probably whatever the worst possible thing in the world is.

Mika: Oh, ok but if the past we saw is factual, then you ARE Mikaela.

Yuu: Oh?

Mika: Meaning, for Guren to get what he wants, everyone except you will be resurrected.

Yuu: Uhhh, this got complicated. Really?

Mika: Well isn't it? Mikaela's resurrection will require those sin keys, but so would humanity's.

Yuu: Yeah.

Mika: But the angel Mikaela was actually Yuuchan.

Yuu: Seems that way

Mika: So then, yeah.

Mika: And that turns our whole situation around, doesn't it? I actually don't care if anyone else gets resurrected, so this is great for my goal being to just protect you no matter what. Realized that somewhere along the way.

Yuu: Oh, so that's where the sudden burst of motivation came from. Like how you used to be.

Mika: Ta-da!!! All the Fool Yuuchan must do to succeed is come along with the Great Mikaela!

Mika: I will definitely save you!

Yuu: You sure are excited about that.

Mika: I can't have you dying on me now, Yuuchan. Not after we've come all this way.

Yuu: I mean sure.

Mika: Huh, I thought for sure you were gonna say something like 'well then I'll become the sacrifice and it'll turn out fine.' Yuu: Well it's not like we really know which is which. Seems like I was a lot smarter in the past.

Mika: True, true. None of that carried over, for you anyways.

Yuu: You mean to say that I'm even smarter now, right?

Mika: Why yes of course.

Yuu: We still can't choose a course of action 'til we know, though. If we don't resurrect the angel Mikaela, one of us could die and then we're in trouble.

Mika: Ok but is the angel Mikaela a separate person? And to resurrect THEM we need those 7 keys? We'd be seriously stuck if resurrecting them caused you to disappear.

Yuu: I dunno actually I'd be fine with that

Mika: I wouldn't.

Yuu: Well, I wouldn't be fine if it was you either.

Mika: Yeah.

Yuu: So, so far we have that the First's goal is to resurrect the angel Mikaela and then use their life to resurrect all the angels, right?

Mika: Most likely yeah

Yuu: And Guren's goal is to use those keys to resurrect all of humanity?

Mika: Right

Yuu: So then my....or the angel Mikaela's goal was to..?

Mika: They kept saying they wanted to save the First.

Yuu: Yeah

Mika: And there's no way to do that without first resurrecting all of the angels, right?

Yuu: Ok

Mika: But we have to remember that every time there's a resurrection, divine punishment is dispensed. Who's going to be the next sacrifice?

Yuu: Alright, then my goal will be to do this without bringing punishment down on anyone.

Mika: I hope I'm right in presuming that no one receiving heavenly punishment will include you?

Mika: For you to perform the resurrection as the angel Mikaela and accept punishment in place of the First, in order to resurrect the angels and the humans, and that be it....you understand why we can't do that, right?

Yuu: Aren't you supposed to be thinking of a way I don't have to?

Mika: Yeah, I am. But if the decision comes down like that anyways, promise me you won't sacrifice yourself.

Yuu: ...

Mika: I'm not lifting another finger to help until you promise me that you won't give up on yourself, even til the very end.

Yuu: If you wanna be like that, if we find out along the way that the angel Mikaela really was you, will you promise the same thing? That you won't sacrifice yourself?

Mika: Yeah, alright.

Mika: Y'know this whole story, as long as we keep just sacrificing ourselves over and over, it won't end. The despair and obsession will just repeat themselves.

Mika: But...I've already died once. If we're fixing everything on this meaningless life anyways

Mika: This lifetime, we're going to move forward sacrificing no one and winning it all. That's the promise I want to make, Yuuchan.

Yuu: It's really like....you're seriously starting to remind me of the way you used to be again.

Mika: Whatever, just promise me Yuuchan. That you won't give up on yourself.

Yuu: So do you have a plan, then? Our enemies are real smart. Guren, Mahiru, the First, Saitou and Ferid.

Mika: No way, we've got someone way smarter on our side.

Yuu: Oh wow you mean me?

Mika: But actually, we're the ones in first place right now. Since everyone else still thinks the angel Mikaela is me. If we can keep them from finding out about that...I've got a plan that'll knock every one of them off their feet, I've thought of the meanest scheme in the entire world.

Yuu: Whoaa!!! I expect nothing less from the most infamously mean-...

Mika: DON'T YOU EVEN

Yuu: Then let's get to it!!

Mika: Right!

Yuu: ...so what are we getting to again?

Official Lodging of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army

Saitou: Well hey there, what an unusual caller. What have you come for?

They've finally made a move towards accomplishing their goal.....!!

[redxblueihateloveyou]

I'm curious what you think the worst shipping dynamic is? And the reasoning behind it if you have any.

Thank you so much!!!

haha I do have several of those actually. I’ll include both what I think are the worst dynamics and the kind of ships that “I just don’t get why would you ship smth like that”.

1. What I actually call “a mom and a manchild”.

examples: Hatori/Chiaki from “Sekaichi Hatsukoi”, Ikuya/Hiyori.

I guess, technically there’s nothing wrong with this, if they both enjoy being this way, but firstly I just hate adults behaving like infants and I don’t think encouraging such behavior can lead to anything good, and secondly watching this just makes me uncomfortable for many reasons. And moments like when Hyori came up to Ikuya when he talked to Haru and was like “it’s too late and you can’t talk to this man, time to go home” and Ikuya went I just cracked up at this. Also when one part is basically changes the other’s part diapers, but in return gets tantrums or basically nothing or “but I wanna play with someone else tho”, it’s just a kink I do not get, like why would you want to be treated like this is beyond me.

But then I also generally dislike infantile characters, and I can’t ship smth if I don’t like both parties, so maybe bc of this. I always like the mature characters. Like even when I do know in theory that a 13 year old in reality can’t behave like Todoroki, I’m still like, I don’t fucking care, that’s the one I like xD But when 20 years old Ikuya behaves like this, I just do not appreciate it, I guess.

2. “I don’t have an identity, my identity is you or what you want me to be” category, including “my dignity flew out of the window” ones and “I just do what you do”. (I CANNOT HANDLE THIS DYNAMIC, YOU KNOW I CAN’T!!!!!!! I DO NOT WHY, BUT IT’S JUST PISSING ME OFF THE MOST OF ALL PROBABLY)

examples: Eren/Mikasa, Haru/Makoto, Natsusa/Sei from “Number24″.

Sports animes do that a lot. “The only reason I played rugby is because you played it” is a major cringe. And no, it’s not romantic. Romantic is like when you’re both passionate about this and doing this sports together makes it even better/more meaningful, that I get. Not, “I only went there bc you like it” and I’ll have what you have, I’ll do what you do. Like.. huh? You firstly a person, as in fully formed one pls, you can’t exist as someone’s trail. 

Those ships always contain this one person (like Mikasa, Makoto), who are just the accessory of the other character. Mikasa’s problem is not the ackerbond, it’s her life position, she herself chosen to be Eren’s doormat. And some also find this romantic, I think, but I just hate such things. Also the truth of life: if you don’t respect yourself, your crush won’t respect you either. Just saying.

Makoto, I sincerely think, if Kisumi would be his neighbour instead of Haru, he’d be playing basketball at school lmao. Like SD has so many of absolutely terrible scenes, where Makoto just for real turns to Haru and goes “do you think I should go to the basketball club if we’re not swimming?” like dude, I’m... he’s like a walking definition of “meh” if there ever existed one. How can you do not care what you do? Like at all. This is beyond me. That’s sad. Watching him makes me sad.

I just need both characters in a ship be you know THEM, fantastic on their own, then when they’re together they become an absolutely explosive magic. It’s just a true fact.

Also there is one ship who is not quite this category, but kinda touches this theme. Ciel and Lizzy from “Kuroshitsuji”, ike the original Ciel, for whom she wanted to pretend to be a dumb damsel in distress for the rest of her life. Like fucking seriously????? You’d live like this????!!!! Fucking hell, you must really don’t love yourself like at all.

3. Humiliation isn’t my kink.

examples: Dazai/Akutagawa, Midoriya/Bakugou.

Akutagawa and Midoriya are badass motherfuckers and also wonderful human beings on their own. When they encounter Dazai and Bakugou they become sheeps. I hate seeing them like that, that’s basically it. Also humiliation is really not my kink. The whole “treat him like crap” thing. Like some things they did to them is just.. my god, I don’t like it.

Like when Dazai asked Atsushi to throw the phone moment, I literally flinched so hard watching it, I can’t even explain this feeling between the dejection and utter disgust at the fact that Dazai did it, that I felt watching it, but I fucking hated it.

4. Those who bring out the worst in each other or don’t bring out anything in each other.

All my ships literally all with no exceptions make each other the best versions of themselves, push/challenge each other to become better/brighter/happier, etc., or add to each other that piece the other was missing. 

If someone makes someone feel depressed, miserable or even just simply stuck in a rut, that’s probably not it. There are some ships who just simply can’t make each other happy or even make each other unhappy and that’s a fact.

5. Ships with no development or development so tiny that you need 120 episodes and an magnifying glass to see it.

examples: I’d say, but I just don’t want those 10 year olds in my ask box again.

Hate this for obvious reasons. Because as wise ppl say “only fools don’t grow” or "if we don't change, we don't grow. if we don't grow, we aren't really living."

6. Those who are like brothers to each other and said so and don’t emmit any and I mean ANY sexual vibes or attraction in that kind of way towards each other. 

examples: Harry Potter/Ron Weasley (like THE FUCK seriously), Stiles/Scott from “Teen Wolf”, Keith/Shiro.

I just cannot imagine them being romantically involved, I literally can’t. And I don’t get it. It’s like they even say “you’re my brother” thing, but also they just do not give off any couply feels and imagining this kinda make me cringe a bit, cause I have two sisters I’m very close with and their relationship remind me of our relationships so just.. no.

7. They are not each others priority. Meaning both putting someone else or something else before them.

If they don’t put each other first, I most likely probably don’t want it. 

My jam is like Stucky and when they say to Steve “you do this, captain, and the whole world would think of you as a criminal” and Steve being like “fuck you, take your shield, take your idiotic hero rules, I don’t care, he matters to me more than your whole dumbass world”.

My jam is Lan Zhan who went against the whole world and a horde of stupid donkeys and fought for his baby till the end. He really didn’t care if he’d lose everything and what would other ppl think, if it meant that Wei Wuxian will be with him.

On the other hand, we have Jin Guangyao, who had Lan Xichen, but he wanted power and idiots’ love more, so he chose what he chose. Do not get this ship, like no, thanks.

As for putting specific someone else first. Rin/Sousuke, for example. I in general do not get it, but also like there are like 10 moments in the anime like in Yakusoku when Rin forgot about him, when he saw Haru during the tournament and an actual quote “Sousuke looked at Rin, who will always put Haru first”. So like... I do not get it. If you see them as a couple this is technically no good no for Sousuke, no for Rin.

8. Obviously straight ones, but “hey, I need them gay”.

I in fact just do not believe in a “straight ppl do not exist” thing. As I’ve said before there are exceptions where some characters give off the clear bi vibe, but those are pretty rare tbh. And even more rare canonically proven ones like Kanda from D.Gray-man, for example. 

The moment they show some character in anime drool over some girls he doesn’t even know, but he don’t react to any of the guys like this, this just means he’s most likely heterosexual. Cause only straight guys drool only specifically after seeing random boobs. So this thing always throws me off in some ships.

99% of my ships are either canonically gay or most likely gay, but author doesn’t want to label it. 

There are just lots of animes where main character/s have shown no interest in an opposite gender whatsoever like “Natsume Yuujinchou”, “Kuroko No Basuke”, “AOT”, “Number24″, “Fukigen na Mononokean”, “Tower Of God”, “Owari no Seraph” etc., but did in fact show interest in the same gender one. That I get, yes. 

And btw even if you want somebody to be as I call it a “wishful bi”, I think it should be only in situations like if these characters have some absolutely wonderful/undeniable connection, not just the ship for the sake of gay ship.

_____

That’s probably it. Otherwise I’m fine, I think :D  

[otonymous]

We all know all the MLQC guys radiate BDE (big dick energy lmao). Ranked from the otome games you played, top 5 BIGGEST BDE? LOL

First of all, a giant thank you to @lin-ful​! 💖 I know I can always count on you to ask the really important questions in life 🙌🏼🤣This somehow turned out to be a lot longer than I intended, but I guess that’s what happens when the thirst is real LOL.

To start, let’s delve into an exploration of what Big Dick Energy (BDE) actually is.  According to an article in Vox*, BDE is “the self-confidence to know that a colossal endowment isn’t a measurement of one’s value…(it may) stem from having a literal BD, but it’s not dependent upon any sort of genitalia.  And in fact, perhaps the epitome of BDE is the complete security of not needing other people’s benchmarks — wealth, intelligence, beauty, or a BD — to know one’s own worth.  Any suspicion of try hard vibes kills BDE, as does the kind of cockiness that speaks of insecurity: the true BDE-haver is respectful to those around them, but with swagger….”

That being said, here are my top 5 picks for the biggest radiators of BDE, in no particular order (please take this with a grain of salt, seeing as I’m really only playing four otome games at the moment LOL):

n.b. SPOILERS - SO PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[* “How Big Dick Energy explains modern masculinity” by Alex Abad-Santos and Constance Grady (Jun 27, 2018 @ vox.com)]

OTONYMOUS’ BIG DICK ENERGY LIST 🍆

1. Oda Nobunaga (Ikemen Sengoku)

It doesn’t matter whose route I'm playing, as soon as Nobubu hits the screen, a bitch is weak, and as unscientific as it is, that physical reaction is one of the ways by which I assess BDE.  I mean, just look at this face:

This is the face of one who exudes confidence, a man who finds himself in life-threatening situations and has the gall to laugh because he sees them as opportunities to dispose of yet another obstacle in the way of realizing Tenka Fubu — unification by force of arms.  Call him the “Fool of Owari” all you want, he truly believes he will have the last laugh.

Strong with a sword but stronger in mind, Nobunaga is actually the smartest character in the game, outranking even Mitsuhide imho in being able to keep two steps ahead of everyone else.  That’s why this guy remains cool as a cucumber even when Hideyoshi is losing his shit and everyone is weary of his left-hand man plotting some nefarious scheme.  Nobu is an impeccable judge of character.  He has confidence in his ability to find the diamonds in the rough and this, in turn, earns him the loyalty of others.

Plus, y’all can’t tell me you weren’t biting your lips when he basically worked out the mechanics of wormholes in his head when MC told him she came from the future.

2. Akechi Mitsuhide (Ikemen Sengoku) - *SPOILERS*

This bad boy of Azuchi has BDE for days in that he gives zero fucks about what anyone thinks of him, friend or foe — be it about his intentions or his humble origins, both of which others have tried to use against him.  But the sexiest thing about Mitsuhide is the fact that he isn’t a blind follower.  This man thinks for himself and is loyal to his own ideals, not any given head of a clan, per se.

BDE also abounds in the way he carries himself: this guy is the ultimate Slick Rick in how he can mess you up in the worst of ways without even drawing his sword (or loading his rifle).  This kitsune is adept at verbal runarounds and capable of snuffing out uprisings with humiliation alone.

3. Lucien (MLQC) - *SPOILERS*

Now I know you're gonna think I’m biased here, but I’m being completely real when I tell you that Lucien exudes not just BDE, but GARGANTUAN DICK ENERGY.  I’ve been a hot mess for this man ever since he kabedoned me in his office and whispered “trust your instincts” in my ear.  But don’t take my word for it, just ask Hades.  This man is so desperate to align himself with Ares that one couldn’t help but feel secondhand embarrassment on his behalf during this little exchange:

Lucien is brilliant and he knows it.  Highly intelligent, self-aware and powerful, he likely has faith in his self-sufficiency when it comes to carrying out his plans.  At the same time, he is very subtle about his abilities except when that confidence comes out like the crack of a whip to exert his will on those who would deter him, whether they’re the Black Swan minions sent to capture MC or the mysterious head honcho who injures his eye as punishment:

This comes after Ares has the chutzpah to chastise the man for being hasty.  And he even smiles while being blinded.  Clearly, this is a man for whom the usual fear tactics fail.  The only thing he fears is losing his girl.  And if that isn’t an example of colossal dick energy, I don’t know what is. 🤷🏻‍♀️

4. Luke Foster (Kissed By The Baddest Bidder)

Ok, ok, just hear me out on this one.  The source of Luke Foster’s BDE stems from the fact that he literally doesn’t give a fuck about what people think about him aside from his MC.  Others could call him every name under the sun, poke fun at his unusual ways, and it would just be in one ear and out the other for the good doctor.  There have been several instances where he’s walked away from Eisuke mid-lecture, and he is the only bidder that I know of who can get Eisuke to do his bidding (haha!).  Case in point:

5. Le Comte de Saint-Germaine (Ikemen Vampire)

Am I still stuck on my second route in IkeVamp?  Yes. Do I know much about le Comte as a character?  No. Do I still have an intense need for this beautiful, classy man to radiate that BDE?  HELL YES. So please…please…just let me have this one. 🙏🏻😆

[bladesproco]

Oda Nobunaga - The "Devil King"

Determined to unify Japan, a ruthless daimyo decided to gather his army and storm the infamous Inabayama Castle in Gifu. Known by many as the 'Devil King', Oda Nobunaga was a name many Japanese warriors feared across the continent. Learn how one of Japan's most influential leaders overcame a difficult childhood to become a respected warlord, courtesy of BladesPro.

Unique from Birth

Born into the prolific Oda clan, Nobunaga was the second son of the group's leader, Oda Nobuhide. Although he was the rightful heir to his father's throne, as a child, Nobunaga earned the nickname 'Owari no Outsuke', which translates to 'The Fool of Owari'. Many people thought of him as the black sheep of his family due to his odd behaviour and how he would hang around youths from different social rankings. 

Claiming the Throne

Sadly for Nobunaga, his father Nobuhide died suddenly in 1551 and, the young heir was distraught. At the funeral, Nobunaga became so saddened by his father's death that he started throwing ceremonial incense and acting hysterical at the altar. 

Nobunaga's reputation growing up and how he behaved at his father's funeral made several Oda clan members question whether he was ready to lead them, even though he was a legitimate heir. Angered by this succession crisis, Nobunaga rallied a thousand soldiers and ordered them to silence any members of his family that opposed him. 

An image of Oda Nobunaga's battle armour. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

  Even though Nobunaga was not afraid to flex his power, the young daimyo began having second thoughts about taking up his new role. Disgruntled by his decision, Hirate Masahide, Nobunaga's mentor, decided to commit seppuku to pressure him into leading the clan. Masahide's shocking death convinced Nobunaga to honour his position as the clan leader. Motivated by the loss of his mentor, Nobunaga overcame more attempts from his uncle and younger brothers to dethrone him and eradicated all rival Oda clan members by 1559.

Rise of the 'Devil King'

Once he solidified his spot as the undisputed leader of the Oda clan, Nobunaga got targeted by Imagawa Yoshimoto, a daimyo who wanted to claim a portion of his land. Vastly outnumbered 25,000 men to around 3,000, multiple of Nobunaga's advisors told him to perform a siege around their enemy's territory. Ignoring the advice he received, the daimyo decided to use a 'strong offensive policy' against Yoshimoto's large army.

On the battlefield, Oda Nobunaga wielded the intimidating Dojigiri Yasutsuna sword. Browse through our popular katana sword range to find the blade that suits you.  

  Later that year, a unit of Oda clan spies reported back to Nobunaga, telling him that the Imagawa army was rejoicing at a narrow gauge following their victory at the Washizu and Marune fortresses while Yoshimoto rested. Sensing an opportunity to launch a surprise attack, Nobunaga commanded his soldiers to create straw-men with spare helmets and mount flags at a nearby temple to deceive the Imagawa army into thinking they had more troops. After the decoys got placed, the Oda clan's army rushed around the back of the gauge to sneak attack Imagawa's men from behind. 

During the ambush, a chilling thunderstorm closed in on the gauge causing the Imagawa army to seek shelter. Instead of taking cover themselves, Nobunaga continued his forceful approach and insisted that his men kept charging forward. Yoshimoto woke from his sleep after the surprise attack and began thinking his men were fighting among each other. He quickly realised this was not the case when two samurais from the Oda clan charged him with their weapons and killed him. 

Following Yoshimoto's death, many of the Imagawa soldiers retreated or surrendered to Nobunaga. Emerging victorious from what is now known as the Battle of Okehazama helped Nobunaga gain respect from many samurais and warlords across the country.

A Fatal Betrayal

From 1568 to 1582, Nobunaga grew in power dramatically and became regarded for his attempts to unify Japan. After claiming most of Japan, Nobunaga started to plan an invasion of the Echigo Province and Shikoku. Before launching the campaigns, Nobunaga decided to visit the Honno-Ji temple in Kyoto to host a tea ceremony. 

Since he was only visiting for recreational purposes, Nobunaga only brought 30 pages along with him and his son, Oda Nobutada, was accompanied by 2000 of his soldiers. Knowing that he was vulnerable, samurai Akechi Mitsuhide wanted to betray and assassinate Nobunaga for unknown reasons. Mitsuhide started his assassination attempt by misleading his army into Kyoto while pretending to follow the daimyo's orders. Instead, he commanded them to surround the Honno-Ji temple. 

A statue made in honour of Oda Nobunaga at Kiyosu Park. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Heavily outnumbered by Mitsuhide's men, Nobunaga instructed one of his page's, Mori Ranmaru, to burn down the temple while he committed seppuku so no one could decapitate his head. Ranmaru followed his master's wishes and, Nobunaga's remains never got discovered. Once he captured Honno-Ji, Mitsuhide also attacked the daimyo's son, Nobutada and forced him to commit suicide. 

Years after his unexpected death, Nobunaga's legacy lived on through his trusted retainer and samurai, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who avenged him and followed in his footsteps to become Japan's second 'Great Unifier'. 

from BladesPro UK - Blog https://www.bladespro.co.uk/blogs/news/oda-nobunaga-the-devil-king

[odatodeath]

So. I think I’ve talked about this before, but I just love... that Nobunaga renamed Inabayama to Gifu.

Inabayama previously meant “Inaba mountain”, in relation to one of the daimyo in Mino previously who was named “Inaba”. This is the castle where Saito Dosan, the man who ended up holding the most power in Mino during the early 1500s, lived. 

Before reading into all the over-explaining I did, here’s the TLDR:

Dosan and his son-in-law, Nobunaga, grew to respect each other. Shortly before Dosan was betrayed and killed by his son, he supposedly wrote a will stating that if Nobunaga wanted Mino, he could take it by force. 

Nobunaga did, and when he took over Inabayama castle, he renamed it to Gifu, which both means (via the kanji) “odd mountain” (岐阜)  (perhaps in relation to the fact that inabayama was a castle unlike any other during this time, using chinese building techniques to secure itself and having multiple stories [inspiration for Azuchi?]) and “father-in-law” (義父) if read in other kanji

Saito Dosan was Nobunaga’s father-in-law by way of Kicho (Nohime), his daughter he used to secure an alliance with the Oda clan. 

There’s a pretty famous story about Dosan and Nobunaga meeting, because Dosan was interested in learning why everyone was calling Nobunaga a “fool”, but more on that can be read here.

After this meeting, Nobunaga and Dosan apparently respected each other (and Dosan, according to the Shincho-koki [Chronicle of Nobunaga], could tell that Nobunaga was a force to be reckoned with).

I don’t think they ever met again, but when Dosan’s son rebelled against his father and killed his brothers, Nobunaga had sent reinforcements for Dosan’s aid in the ensuing battle. 

However, he came too late, and upon hearing about Dosan’s death, he turned and retreated for home. 

The son who betrayed Dosan wouldn’t live much longer, and his aloof son would take-up power instead. 

At this time, Nobunaga had to focus his efforts more on uniting his own province and staving-off the Imagawa, so he took a break from beefing with Mino. 

Once the Imagawa’s power was essentially dissolved, and all of Owari, his home province, were under his rule, he set his sights once more on Mino. Supposedly, Dosan had written a will to Nobunaga before he died, stating that he was the true successor of Mino and should take it if he wanted it (though this could’ve been fabricated by the Oda. However, after Dosan’s two sons were murdered by the toher, I think he had reason to be mad)

Using this as incentive, Nobunaga led a conquest on Mino and finally staved-off the current head of the Saito clan.

When he took control of the castle his father-in-law lived in, he renamed it to gifu, which both means “odd mountain” (perhaps in relation to the fact that inabayama was a castle unlike any other during this time, using chinese building techniques to secure itself and having multiple stories,) and “father-in-law.”