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cirilla-fiona-riannon · 1 year

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Hideyoshi's Sequel - Tragic End

This is a rough translation, so expect mistakes. Spoilers Ahead.

Amidst the battlefield, I gazed intently at his broad back and prayed with all my might.

(Please, give us another path to a future where we can live together!)

Hideyoshi: “Ooohhhh...!”

A roaring scream echoed across the battlefield, and Hideyoshi, abandoning reason, fiercely attacked the enemy with his sword.

No one could stand against his overwhelming strength, causing the warriors to scream and fall.

(What on earth is happening?)

In the face of the terrified neighing of horses, broken swords bent with tremendous force, and corpses stained with blood, all I could do was stare at the unfolding scene in silence, at a loss for words.

Eventually一

Samurai 1: “Retreat!”

Samurai 2: “Damn it! This guy is a demon!”

(Hideyoshi...)

After the fierce battle, the samurai fled in fear, leaving him alone, standing in a sea of blood.

His shoulders heave up and down, and his eyes are empty of any reflection.

(Demon...)

The voice from earlier continued to linger in my ears while my heart pounded unpleasantly.

(Kicho’s plan to drive him to madness has become a reality.)

(A never-ending era of chaos is about to begin.)

My skin tingled with unease, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him, the one who protected me to the end.

(I can’t look away.)

(There’s no way I can do that.)

(No matter how much he changes, Hideyoshi is still Hideyoshi.)

He's a person who lives for love.

He's the person I love.

Hideyoshi: “Mai.”

He turned his back to me, still covered in blood.

Hideyoshi: “Can you still embrace someone like me?”

Mai: “Yes.”

(I have a feeling we won’t be able to look each other in the eyes anymore.)

I nodded, with my eyes downcast, and stood beside him.

Mai: “I will always embrace you, no matter who you are.”

I unfolded the jade-colored haori I had brought and gently draped it over his shoulders to avoid causing him any pain.

Mai: “Hideyoshi, thank you for protecting me.”

I tightly embraced his broad back, and the sword that slipped from his rough hands clattered at our feet.

(I can smell the scent of tobacco smoke.)

(You’re not a demon or anything.)

(You’re my beloved.)

The faint warmth I could feel was so endearing that I put even more strength into my arms.

Hideyoshi: “..........”

He stood there silently, but even though his whole body was stained with blood, his warmth still conveyed a kindness that almost brought tears to my eyes.

After that, he relentlessly defeated the endless mobs attacking us, and we safely returned to Azuchi.

One year later

Ieyasu: “Hideyoshi?”

Keiji: "You're back."

After finishing their military council, Ieyasu and Keiji immediately stopped in their tracks as soon as they saw Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi: "How did the military council go?"

Ieyasu: "It just ended."

Keiji: "It's been a while since you returned to the castle. Are you going to report to Lord Nobunaga?"

Hideyoshi: "Yeah, once that's finished, I'll return to the battlefield immediately."

Ieyasu: "Why don't you take a break for a bit? You've been busy all this time."

Hideyoshi: "I don't have that kind of time."

Keiji: "I know you can't stay still, but don't push yourself too hard."

Hideyoshi: "I know."

They silently watched as Hideyoshi passed by.

Keiji: "He doesn't understand at all."

Keiji: "He's just adding more to his wounds. He needs to rely more on us."

Ieyasu: "*sigh* With that attitude, his body won't hold up."

Ieyasu: "I probably should make plenty of medicines this time too."

Even after Hideyoshi returned to Azuchi with Mai, conflicts continued to erupt and intensify in various places.

With each successive battle, Hideyoshi began to exude a consistent aura of killing intent, and his overwhelming strength on the battlefield made him feared as a demon god not only by his enemies but also by his allies.

Hideyoshi: “Excuse me, Lord Nobunaga.”

Nobunaga: “You’re back.”

Hideyoshi: “I apologize for not making it to the military council on time.”

Masamune and Mitsunari, who were nearby, looked at Hideyoshi.

Masamune: “You’ve lost some weight. Are you alright?”

Masamune: “Make sure to eat properly. I’ll bring you some food tonight.”

Hideyoshi: “No, it’s fine. I’m okay.”

Mitsunari: “But you don’t look so good. Are you getting any sleep?”

Hideyoshi: “Sorry for making you worry.”

Hideyoshi: “But really, I’m fine.”

Hideyoshi: “Anyway, I’m here to report on the dispute at the border.”

Nobunaga looked at Hideyoshi, who sat down in front of him.

Nobunaga: “Once again, you managed to quell it through force.”

Hideyoshi: “Yes. I tried to mediate, but both sides refused to listen.”

Unlike before, Hideyoshi increasingly resorted to using force to overpower his opponents rather than resolving conflicts through negotiation.

This only fueled dissatisfaction on both sides and sparked new conflicts.

After Hideyoshi finished giving a detailed report on the situation, Nobunaga spoke quietly.

Nobunaga: “Is Mai doing well?”

For a moment, Hideyoshi’s eyes flickered.

Hideyoshi: “Yes, she’s fine. She wants to see everyone.”

Although he answered with a smile, the brightness that was once there had faded away.

In exchange, a determination to continue fighting against an unchangeable fate burned deep within his eyes.

Hideyoshi: “Well then, I’ll take my leave. I will head out tomorrow to quell any new conflicts.”

Hideyoshi bowed to Nobunaga and stood up to leave the hall, but一

Mitsuhide: “So you were here.”

Hideyoshi: “Mitsuhide.”

Mitsuhide suddenly appeared.

Without making any lighthearted teasing remarks, Mitsuhide faced Hideyoshi with unreadable eyes.

Hideyoshi: “You look like you have something to say.”

Mitsuhide: “Indeed, there’s something I want to ask.”

Mitsuhide: “Are you guys happy?”

Hideyoshi: “.........”

Hideyoshi: “Yeah, undeniably.”

Hideyoshi firmly replied and left without saying another word.

In the chilly atmosphere, the other warlords present exchanged glances.

Nobunaga: “His expression only changed when Mitsuhide mentioned Mai’s name.”

Masamune: “Yeah, it was only for a moment.”

Mitsunari: “Where did Lord Hideyoshi and Lady Mai go wrong on their paths?”

Mitsunari: “Will we never get to see them side-by-side again?”

Mitsunari let out a deep sigh, and Mitsuhide’s expression twisted slightly.

Mitsuhide: “Who knows? It all depends on those two.”

At that time, near a lake not far from Azuchi, a traveling monk and his companion faced the direction of Azuchi and clasped their hands in prayer.

Kennyo: ".........."

Kennyo: "I've lost count of how many times we've offered prayers like this."

Ranmaru: "Yes."

They didn't speak of whom they were thinking or what they were praying for, but the image in both their hearts was that of the same woman.

Kennyo: "A year has passed since then, and it seems that Heaven has no mercy."

Ranmaru: "True."

After exchanging these words, they closed their eyes again, thinking of her.

Even if they couldn't expect mercy, they couldn't help but continue their prayers.

Ranmaru: "Please, Lord Hideyoshi..."

『 Please make her happy. 』

Maid: "Welcome home, Lord Hideyoshi."

Upon returning to his palace, the maid greeted Hideyoshi, and without stopping at his room, he proceeded further inside.

Hideyoshi: "From here on..."

Maid: "Yes, I understand."

It had been a while since a separate room was built at the far end of Hideyoshi's palace.

A thin silk curtain was hung at the entrance, allowing one to peer in from the outside but preventing visibility from the inside.

It was decided that no one except the master of the palace could set foot inside.

(It's bright outside.)

(It looks like it’s already morning. Or maybe noon.)

I woke up and started thinking with a fuzzy head.

(It’s not really my concern whether it’s noon or morning, but it sure is quiet today.)

I slowly looked around the room, filled with silence.

This place was called the Forbidden Chamber.

A place Hideyoshi prepared for me as my symptoms worsened.

A place where I lived without any interaction with other people.

------------Flashback------------

Hideyoshi: "You must be feeling lonely here."

Mai: "No, I’m fine. You’re in the same mansion, after all."

(Just having him nearby makes me not feel lonely. I have to believe that.)

Hideyoshi: "I feel lonely."

Mai: "Huh?"

Hideyoshi: "That’s why I keep coming here to see you. So please wait for me."

(Hideyoshi...)

Mai: "Really? Even if you can’t see my face or hear my voice anymore, you’ll still come to see me?"

Hideyoshi: "Yeah. Even if I can’t touch you or see you, I will."

Hideyoshi: "So please keep waiting for me here."

---------Flashback Ends---------

(Back then, I never imagined that my condition would worsen so quickly.)

Soon after I started staying in this room, I could no longer exchange words with him.

And now, even with strangers, my symptoms have inflicted pain upon them.

(I can hear their voices, but if I say something, it hurts them.)

(I can’t touch anyone, look at anyone, or speak to anyone anymore.)

I spend most of my time alone, but...

(These footsteps...)

Suddenly, I heard light footsteps, along with the rustling of the curtains.

Uri: “Kiki!”

(Uri looks so cute today.)

This little one with its round eyes was Hideyoshi’s pet, and she occasionally came to play with me like this.

------------Flashback------------

Hideyoshi: “I thought you would like small animals like this. Was I right?”

Mai: “Yup.”

Hideyoshi: “I knew it. Want to feed her?”

---------Flashback Ends---------

My mouth curled into a smile, remembering that nostalgic memory.

(I wonder if she will eat the food.)

When I took the vegetables from the basket, Uri immediately accepted them and happily chewed on a potato.

Uri: “Kiki!”

(It looks like she’s enjoying the food.)

(I wish I could pat her head like before, but...)

Though the strange anomaly hadn’t affected the animals yet, I refrained from touching or speaking to them as a precaution.

Hideyoshi: “Oh, we have a visitor.”

(Ah...)

In this place where I spent time alone, there was someone who visited repeatedly and shared time with me as much as time allowed.

Hideyoshi’s voice: “I’m home, Mai.”

(----!)

I looked up in surprise and faintly saw a figure through the curtain.

(Hideyoshi came.)

I quickly stood up and rushed over, causing the curtain to flutter between him and me.

Hideyoshi: “Mai...”

His gentle voice called my name, just like before, making my heart tremble with happiness.

(Welcome home, Hideyoshi.)

Though I couldn’t express it with words, I called his name lovingly in my heart.

Then, as if hearing my voice, he nodded in response.

Uri: “Kiki.”

Hideyoshi: “Were you playing with Mai?”

Uri bounced and clung to Hideyoshi’s arm, then took the potato and left the room.

Hideyoshi: “Sorry for interrupting your girl talk.”

(Fufu.)

I almost let out a laugh and hurriedly covered my mouth.

Hideyoshi: “Mai, give me your hand.”

I could see his shadow moving and realized he had placed his hand on the curtain.

This was a routine we repeated every time we met.

(What should I do? What if I can't touch him, even through the cloth?)

Hideyoshi: "It's okay. No matter how the anomaly progresses, we just need to come up with a solution."

Hideyoshi: "Don't be afraid."

(I also want to feel his warmth.)

Quietly, I let my fingertips touch the shadow of his large hand and slowly overlapped our palms.

Hideyoshi: "I'm fine."

(Thank God!)

I let out a sigh of relief, and his long fingers enveloped my hand.

Hideyoshi: "I'm sorry I couldn't come to see you for a while."

Hideyoshi: "Have you encountered any problems? Have you had any scary dreams?"

Hideyoshi: "Also, if there's anything you want, just tell me."

(No matter the situation, he's still as caring as ever.)

With a smile, I wrote "Uri's food" in his palm.

Hideyoshi: "Got it. I'll prepare it right away."

When Hideyoshi nodded, the conversation paused for a moment.

Hideyoshi: "I want to hug you."

His serious gaze pierced through me, even though he couldn't see me.

(Me too. Me too, Hideyoshi.)

(It'll be okay. It should still be okay.)

My suppressed feelings were pushed out by desire, and I opened my arms toward him.

Hideyoshi: "Mai..."

He hugged me through the curtain.

(His warmth, my beloved warmth.)

(Nothing ever changes.)

Hideyoshi: “You’re warm.”

(So are you, Hideyoshi.)

Hideyoshi: “It must be suffocating when I hold you so tightly.”

(Not at all.)

I shook my head, and a relieved sigh echoed in my ear.

Hideyoshi: “I can’t hold back when I’m with you.”

(I wish you could hug me even tighter.)

No matter how much the situation changed, our hearts were one.

(Even though we can no longer exchange words or directly see each other’s faces...)

(Nothing will change. Our love and hearts will not change.)

We kissed through the thin fabric, and my tears flowed uncontrollably, tracing several lines down my cheeks.

Hideyoshi: “You’re still such a crybaby.”

(I’m sure these are tears of joy.)

I whispered this in my heart as I sought his kisses.

His scent used to be that of sweet incense with a hint of tobacco smoke, but recently, the smell of gunpowder from the battlefield had become so strong that even a hot water bath couldn’t erase it.

(I turned you into a demon because you loved me so much.)

These never-ending, pain-like feelings were indistinguishable from sadness and joy.